Novato City Council Meeting - May 13, 2025
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Novato City Council Meeting - May 13, 2025
The Novato City Council met on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM to conduct routine business, hold public hearings, and review preliminary budget plans. The meeting began with two proclamations (National Police Week and Lyme Disease Awareness Month) and a presentation on anti-displacement strategies from the countywide Rooted in Marin initiative. After approving the consent calendar, the council held public hearings on the Wood Hollow residential project and the Police Department's military equipment use policy, both approved unanimously. A structurally balanced budget policy was adopted on a 4–1 vote. The evening concluded with a work study session on the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 operating and capital budgets, where council provided direction to staff.
Consent Calendar
- Waived reading of ordinances by title only.
- Approved the open and closed session meeting minutes of April 22, 2025.
- Received and filed the Investment Report for FY 2024/25 Quarter 3.
- Received and filed the FY 2023/24 Measure F Report. All items were approved on a single 5–0 vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Lucy Hollingsworth (Director of Policy, Legal Aid of Marin) urged the council to adopt tenant protections, relocation benefits, and a right to return, citing the "inverse pyramid" demographic trend and rent increases of 40% since 2011. She highlighted the Romar Court situation as an example of displacement risk.
- Gina Gilmet (Community Action Marin) stressed that affordable housing and tenant protections are critical infrastructure, and that the council can take leadership in the region through policies like those in the Rooted in Marin report.
- Mike L. criticized the Novato Police Department for not having a specific written policy for the RAP restraint (a full‑body restraint device) as required by Government Code 7286(b)(10), calling it unlawful and dangerous. He said the city is wasting money fighting a losing court battle and that depositions will reveal more.
- Sarah Turkley recommended the organization Dignity Moves as an interim housing solution using portable units, citing success in San Francisco and San Jose.
- (Later, during the work study session) Mike L. spoke again, accusing the city manager of wanting to hire new positions with undefined roles while shortchanging current employees on wages, and criticized the council for not allowing Councilmember Eklund more time to ask questions.
Discussion Items
Rooted in Marin Anti-Displacement Presentation
Chris Logan (Bay Future Fellow, County of Marin) presented the countywide community‑engagement effort. Key data: Marin County has lost 33 low‑income residents per thousand since 2018; Novato lost 1,711 people since 2015; 64% of Marin’s workforce lives outside the county; 60% of Marin renter households are rent‑burdened. Public feedback from 895 survey respondents and community briefings identified rent stabilization, a tenant/community opportunity to purchase act, living conditions enforcement, legal support, and just cause eviction as top priorities. Policy options presented included an interjurisdictional rental registry, proactive code enforcement, relocation assistance, right to return, rent stabilization, and right to counsel. Council expressed interest and noted the presentation will be followed by a deeper agenda item next week.
Public Hearing: 100 Wood Hollow Drive Redevelopment (66 Single‑Family Residences)
The council considered a resolution approving a CEQA addendum, tentative subdivision map, and design review for a 66‑unit residential neighborhood on a 12.9‑acre site at 100 Wood Hollow Drive (former office building). Key features: 66 single‑family homes (2,200–2,600 sq ft) on lots of 2,300–3,700 sq ft, clustered on the existing developed 6‑acre footprint to preserve the oak‑wooded hillside. The project is proposed under the builder’s remedy due to the city’s housing element status; staff recommended approval based on project benefits. It includes 9 low‑income units (13%) deed‑restricted for 45 years. Staff noted a revised resolution fixing a missing finding. No public comments were made. Councilmembers asked about geotechnical concerns, tree removal (19 heritage trees to be replaced), fencing, and HOA responsibilities. The council voted 5–0 to adopt the resolution and approve the project.
Public Hearing: Military Equipment Use Policy Renewal
Police Chief Jim Naugle presented the 2024‑2025 annual report required by AB 481. The department has six categories of reportable equipment (drones, robots, armored rescue vehicle, specialized firearms, diversionary devices, less‑lethal launchers). Three deployments in 2024 were described, all resolved safely with no complaints. The drone program is expanding. Council asked about grant funding and legal use of private drones over homes. No public comments were offered. The council voted 5–0 to adopt the resolution approving the annual report and renewing Ordinance 1703.
Adoption of Structurally Balanced Budget Policy
Finance Director Carla Carvalho‑Degraff presented the policy, requested by council in 2020. The policy defines a structurally balanced budget as ongoing revenues meeting or exceeding ongoing expenses, and is considered a best practice by GFOA. Councilmember Eklund raised several concerns: the policy does not require that capital projects include full lifecycle maintenance costs, does not clearly define use of one‑time revenues, and lacks other specific provisions she found in Long Beach’s policy. She asked to postpone the item to work with staff, but no second was received. The council voted 4–1 to adopt the resolution, with Councilmember Eklund dissenting. She asked the record reflect that she was not given an opportunity to collaborate.
Work Study Session: FY 2025/2026 Budget Overview
City Manager Amy Cunningham and staff presented a preliminary overview of the operating and capital budgets. Key points: The general fund deficit of $3.73 million will be backfilled by Measure M, which is projected to bring $10.2 million in FY 25/26. The proposed budget includes $1.4 million for added resources (4 new FTEs and $500,000 for contract maintenance in Public Works). Reserve projections show $15 million in the emergency fund, with an additional $2 million from prior year unassigned fund balance and $1.5 million from Measure M allocated to reserves. The Marin Valley Mobile Country Club operating budget assumes a 2.5% rent increase. The capital improvement program includes $6.5 million in new projects and $2.6 million in ongoing projects; notable additions include $55,000 for the permit system. Council asked about the pavement condition index (PCI), specific CIP items, and potential parks planning for gender equity in sports. Staff will incorporate feedback and return with a finalized budget. No formal vote was taken.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Consent Calendar (5–0).
- Approved resolution for 100 Wood Hollow Drive project (CEQA addendum, tentative map, design review) (5–0).
- Approved resolution for Police Department Military Equipment Use Annual Report and renewal of Ordinance 1703 (5–0).
- Adopted Structurally Balanced Budget Policy (4–1; Councilmember Eklund dissented).
- Provided direction on FY 2025/2026 budget: council requested follow‑up on Marin Valley legal costs, parks master planning costs, prepayment analysis on 2020 bond, and priority for North Redwood Boulevard corridor study. Staff will bring a complete budget for adoption at a future meeting.
- Meeting adjourned in memory of Andrew Pancini.
Meeting Transcript
Chief, you can call them out by name. How about one of you guys coming on this side? There's plenty of room in the center here, gentlemen. We don't fight on this side. Fantastic. So this is a proclamation recognizing National Police Week. Whereas in 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a block proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day. And the week in which that date falls as National Police Week. And whereas it is important that all citizens know and understand the problems, duties, and responsibilities of their police department. And whereas it also it is also important that members of our police department recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property, by protecting them against violence or disorder, and by protecting the innocent from deception, oppression, or intimidation. And whereas the members of the law enforcement agencies in Marin County and the Nevada Police Department play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of the residents and visitors of the city of Nevada and County of Marin, whereas the City of Nevada has declared law enforcement officer safety and wellness the top priority. And whereas the Nevada Police Department is a modern scientific law enforcement agency which unceasingly provides a vital public service. Whereas in conjunction with National Police Week, the City of Nevada would like to honor and recognize the contributions of all law enforcement officers that have been killed in the line of duty and publicly recognized National Police Week. Now therefore be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Novato, on behalf of the residents of Nevada, hereby observe the week of May 11th through May 17th, 2025 as National Police Week. And May 15th is Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor those officers who, through their courageous deeds, have sacrificed the performance of duty. Looking forward to working with you for many, many more years. Whereas in California, the Lyme disease, Lyme disease bacterium is transmitted by the Western black-legged tick, and whereas ticks are active year-round, especially when it is wet. And the Western Black legged tick has been found in 56 of California's 58 counties, but it's most common in the coastal regions and along the western slope of the sea or Nevada range. And whereas Lyme disease is a complex multi-system illness, and early signs of infection may include rash and flu-like symptoms, such as fever, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue. And whereas the disease usually responds well to prompt treatment with appropriate antibiotics, but if left untreated or inadequately treated, it can invade multiple organs of the body, including the brain and nervous system. And whereas in those instances, patients can become increasingly disabled over time, suffering crippled muscle and joint pain, neurological impairment, psychological disorders, and a host of other systems that can sorry, symptoms that can lead to financial hardship and job loss. And whereas there's no reliable form of testing that can accurately pinpoint Lyme disease, making it very difficult to get a proper diagnosis and prompt treatment. Whereas Lyme disease affects people of all ages, but is most common in children and older adults and in people who spent time in wooded grassy areas, including park ranges and firefighters. And whereas prevention measures include using inset repellent without doors, wearing long sleeves and pants to cover your skin, staying to the center of trails to avoid brushing up against bushes and long grass, performing tick checks on yourself and your pets, and removing ticks promptly and safely. And whereas Lyme disease can be a life-altering but is preventable if the right precautions are taken, making it extremely important that everyone knows how to protect themselves. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Novato, on behalf of the residents of Nevada hereby proclaims the month of May 2025 as Lyme Disease Awareness Month and encourages everyone who spends time outdoors to take precautions and learn the sign of Lyme disease, signs of Lyme disease. Thank you so much for everything that you do. I think the most important thing to take away is that the testing quality is very poor. The testing that you get if you go to your regular doctor, the standard testing, you're very likely to get it a false negative. But there are good tests available. They're expensive. So there's that, and then if you actually get a tick on you, you remove it carefully, like it says, and you can send it in to uh there are a couple of companies who will test the tick itself. That's the easiest way to do. Um you can get the results in a day or two, I think. And um, yeah, it can cause, it can go anywhere in your body and set up shop anywhere and cause any kind of symptom, really. And uh hopefully perhaps we could get some signs in the parks, something like that. So give me a call. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Can you just have a second? Okay. Thank you. Thanks. Okay, the next item on our agenda is a presentation uh from rooted in Marin's strategies for anti-displacement. I'd like to invite Claire Hartman, our community development director up to introduce the item. Welcome, Claire. Thank you. So it's my pleasure tonight to introduce our speaker, Chris Logan. Chris is a uh Bay Future Fellow who's working with the County of Marin.
openpublica.com