Novato City Council Meeting – March 11, 2025

The Novato City Council met on March 11, 2025, for a regular meeting that included ceremonial recognitions, a public hearing on zoning code amendments, and several general business items. Key actions included approving a $1 million grant for an 80-unit affordable housing project by Habitat for Humanity, adopting zoning updates for emergency shelters and care facilities, and providing direction on the process for motions to reconsider.

Ceremonial Matters

• 2024 Citizen of the Year: Bill Long was recognized for decades of environmental volunteerism, including service on the County Planning Commission, Marin County Parks and Open Space Commission, Novato Sanitary District, and as chair of the North Bay Water Reuse Authority. He urged the council to revisit the Novato trail plan.
• 2024 Spirit of Novato Award: Zach Griggy was honored for his work on redistricting maps for Novato and Marin County school boards and the College of Marin board, and for co-creating the adopted Novato City Council district map.

Consent Calendar

The council approved the consent calendar unanimously (5-0), which included:

• Waiving reading of ordinances by title only.
• Approving meeting minutes of February 25, 2025.
• Adopting Ordinance 1722 approving a master plan for the Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church at 1110 Highland Drive.
• Receiving and filing the 2024 Annual Housing Element Progress Report and directing staff to file with HCD and CLI.
• Authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with The Sherman Group for city-owned properties at 900 and 908 Sherman Avenue.
• Adopting a resolution directing the City Manager to transfer $213,647 in permanently unclaimed trust deposits to the General Fund.
• Receiving and filing the Quarter 2 FY 2024/25 Budget Performance Report.
• Approving updated pay ranges for the vacant Director of Public Works, Deputy Director of Public Works, and Chief Building Official positions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dale Klein (Paint the Town Red Board member) noted past award winners in attendance and announced plans for a free community summer event in partnership with the city.
• John Hansen (President, PAC Acquisition Corp. of Marin Valley Mobile Country Club) requested immediate release of $100,000 from reserve accounts for tree trimming and wildfire mitigation, citing urgency after the LA conflagrations and nine months of unanswered requests.
• Dean Moser (CPA, mobile home park manager) supported the request and questioned the city’s portrayal of Marin Valley as losing money, stating it actually generates about $1 million annually and has $8 million in reserves. He asked for explanation of specific expense line items.
• Steve Ploker (Marin Valley resident) described a large branch falling on a road during winter storms, supporting the need for tree trimming.
• Susan Meyer (Marin Valley resident) emphasized wildfire risk from dead palm fronds near her home and urged authorization of funds before bird nesting season and fire season.

Public Hearing: Zoning Code Amendments for Emergency Shelters and Care Facilities

Staff introduced an ordinance (Item I.1) to update the zoning code for consistency with state law under Housing Element Programs 4A and 4E. Key provisions:

• Emergency shelters: Allowed as permitted use in the General Commercial district with objective standards (max 50 beds, 180-day stay limit, indoor intake, on-site management, parking for employees).
• Community care facilities: For six or fewer persons, permitted in all residential districts by right; for seven or more, requires a use permit.
• Alcohol/drug abuse recovery facilities: For six or fewer in single-family dwellings, permitted by right in all districts allowing single-family; for seven or more, use permit required with exclusions in agricultural and certain residential districts.
• Residential care for elderly: Same thresholds; facilities for six or fewer permitted by right; seven or more require use permit with development standards. Councilmember Eklund asked about parking and noticing for smaller facilities; staff noted state law prohibits treating them differently from single-family homes. The council unanimously introduced the ordinance (5-0).

General Business: Habitat for Humanity Grant (Item J.1)

Staff presented a request from Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco (HGSF) for $1 million in grant funding to cover processing fees for an 80-unit affordable for-sale residential project at Redwood Boulevard. Funding would come from the City’s Affordable Housing Fund ($800,000) and a transfer from the General Fund ($200,000 from unclaimed funds).

• HGSF CEO Maureen Sedon and colleague Sydney Stone stated the project is the largest for-sale affordable housing project in Marin County, with 60 low-income and 20 moderate-income units. Financing includes a $7.5 million interest-free CalHome loan, a $5 million construction loan from the Marin Community Foundation, and other sources. The project will pay $7.5 million in fees and $15 million in infrastructure costs. All homes will have permanent affordability deed restrictions, and Habitat retains first right of repurchase.
• Councilmember Milberg asked about income floor and potential hurdles. HGSF noted they have never had a foreclosure and will work with homeowners during hardships.
• Councilmember Eklund asked about transit access and priority for Novato residents. HGSF reported meetings with Caltrans and Golden Gate Transit, and confirmed a 30-day initial outreach period for those living or working in Novato; over 80% of their other projects’ residents lived within two miles.
• Council clarified that the grant covers processing fees, not cash to the developer, and that the General Fund transfer could be returned via future council action if the Affordable Housing Fund is replenished. The council unanimously approved the resolution (5-0).

General Business: Motions to Reconsider Procedures (Item J.2)

City Attorney Gary Bell presented two options to address the narrow gap between meetings where a motion to reconsider could be brought. Option 1: Amend Council Policy Manual Section 3.02 to allow a councilmember who voted in the majority to request reconsideration at the next regular meeting, with notice to the City Manager by a specified deadline. Option 2: Use existing rules to suspend the rules (requires supermajority and agenda placement).

• Councilmember Eklund expressed concern about the “received by” language, preferring “sent by” for proof. Mayor Pro Tem Farac thought 5 p.m. the next day was too tight. City Manager Cunningham and City Clerk McDowall explained operational challenges: staff may begin implementing decisions immediately, and some meetings have longer gaps (e.g., August break).
• The council moved to adopt Option 1 with the requirement that the request must be sent to the City Manager by 9 a.m. on the second day after the meeting (i.e., Thursday for a Tuesday meeting). The motion passed unanimously (5-0).

Key Outcomes

• Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 1722 (master plan for Greek Orthodox Church) and all consent calendar items.
• Introduced zoning amendments for emergency shelters and care facilities (first reading); final adoption at a future meeting.
• Approved $1 million grant to Habitat for Humanity for 80-unit affordable for-sale project, with $800,000 from Housing Fund and $200,000 from General Fund (unclaimed funds).
• Adopted new procedure for motions to reconsider: Request must be sent to City Manager by 9 a.m. two days after the meeting.
• Direction to staff: Begin drafting amendments to Council Policy Manual reflecting the new reconsideration timeline.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned in memory of Ed Schultz, a longtime Novato volunteer and community leader, with plans for a formal recognition at a future meeting.