Novato City Council Meeting – March 25, 2025

The Novato City Council met on March 25, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included a proclamation honoring outgoing school board trustee Ross Millerick, the Police Department's annual report, adoption of the consent calendar, and three major discussion items: a Community Development Department service improvements update, a proposed Construction Management Plan (CMP) policy for private developments, and the Fiscal Year 2024-25 mid-year budget adjustment. The Council received reports, gave staff direction, and adopted a budget resolution.

Ceremonial Matters & Presentations

• Proclamation – Ross Millerick: The Council recognized Ross Millerick's 33 years of service on the Novato Unified School District Board of Education. Speakers included former board president Judy Jacobson. Millerick thanked the Council and stated his intent to work on expanding community college access for Novato.
• Police Department Annual Report: Chief Jim Nagel presented the 2024 report. Highlights: calls for service down, 3 use-of-force incidents, 117 DUI arrests (down from 162 in 2023), DUI collisions reduced from 64 to 28. Community engagement efforts (pop-up stations, Coffee with a Cop, Heroes and Helpers) were emphasized. The department is down to 59 sworn officers (lost one grant-funded school resource officer). Councilmembers commended the department and discussed grant opportunities, K9 program, fentanyl awareness, and the fire mitigation ranger partnership.

Consent Calendar

• Items approved 5-0: G.1 (ordinance introductions), G.2 (meeting minutes), G.3 (zoning ordinance 1723 for emergency shelters), G.4 (seven artist selections for Downtown Utility Box Art Program), G.5 (Ground Lease Amendment for 501 Davidson Street), G.6 (2025 Annual Pavement Rehabilitation project – adopted with the understanding that the Grant Avenue striping plan would return for further discussion), G.7 (roof replacement contract for Margaret Todd Senior Center and Downtown Recreation Center to Diablo Roofing Inc., $753,900 base bid plus contingency).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Fire Mitigation Funding (John Hansen, Carol Joy Harris, Bill Davis): Multiple Marin Valley residents and a fire district board member urged the Council to add $100,000 to the tree trimming/weed abatement budget, citing a 2015 wildfire that came within six feet of homes. They noted that the budget was cut two years ago and that fire experts support the work.
• Leadership Novato Utility Box Art (Dale Klein, Honor Henningzin): The Chamber of Commerce supported the consent calendar item. Henningzin, a queer artist, thanked staff for allowing a piece that includes a pride flag, saying it shows queer youth they are seen and valued.
• Annual Pavement Rehab & Bike Lanes (Amy Harsavonicett, Joaquim Astas, Casey Ward): Multiple Safe Streets Novato members and C SPOC committee members urged the Council to adopt continuous protected bike lanes on Grant Avenue between 7th and 8th Streets as part of the repaving, citing safety for children and connectivity to existing bike infrastructure. Casey Ward asked for more time to refine the design.
• Wrap Restraint Concerns (Mike Vita): Expressed concern that the Novato Police Department continues using wrap restraints without a policy, noting nearby police officers have been charged with murder for similar use.
• RCCS Commission Support (Emily Larson): Chair of the Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Advisory Commission thanked Leadership Novato and staff for the utility box art project.

Discussion Items

• J.1 – Community Development Department Service Improvements Phase 2 (Clare Hartman, Miguel Perez): Presented updates since September 2024. Key actions: added three new staff, hired principal planner, launched residential express permits (75 issued), purchased new permit tracking software (MainStar, expected go-live August 2025), and expanded customer satisfaction surveys (93% rated service as excellent). Council praised the progress and discussed digitization, bilingual services, and staff retention challenges. The report was received.
• J.2 – Construction Management Plan (CMP) Policy for Private Developments (Tim Burke): Proposed developing a department-level policy requiring CMPs for certain projects, modeled after Mill Valley's approach. Council gave initial direction: start with larger projects that require traffic control plans or street closures (e.g., the AB 2011 projects on Grant Avenue), not small residential projects. Staff will refine criteria and bring back a draft for further discussion, possibly through individual council meetings.
• J.3 – Mid-Year Budget Report & Resolution (Jennifer Maldonado, Carla): Proposed adjustments reduce the general fund deficit from $4.3 million to $3.5 million. Revenue increases include $2.6 million from Measure M sales tax, $644,000 in non-departmental revenue (investment earnings, VLF), and $410,700 from community development permit fees. Expenses include $200,000 for weed abatement/potholes, $1.2 million each to emergency and self-insurance reserves, and $100,000 for downtown economic development planning. Council adopted the resolution 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved 5-0; the Grant Avenue pavement project (G.6) will return for design finalization.
• J.1 Service Improvements report received; staff will return with further updates and metrics.
• J.2 CMP policy direction given: focus on large, high-impact private projects (e.g., downtown multi-story developments) that require traffic control; staff to draft policy and meet individually with councilmembers before bringing back.
• J.3 Mid-Year Budget Resolution adopted 5-0, authorizing adjustments to revenue, expenses, and reserves as presented.
• Next regular council meeting scheduled for April 8, 2025.