Novato City Council Meeting July 8, 2025: E-Bike Safety, Assessment Districts, SB9 Regulations
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Novato City Council Meeting – July 8, 2025
The Novato City Council met on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month, approval of the consent calendar, and four public hearings. Key actions included unanimous adoption of an ordinance restricting Class 2 e-bike use for those under 16, approval of annual assessments for four landscape districts (with a resident raising maintenance concerns), and introduction of an ordinance to align local SB9 regulations with state law. All votes were 5-0 except where a councilmember recused.
Consent Calendar
- The Council approved the consent calendar (items G.1–G.5) by a 5-0 vote. Items included: waiving reading of ordinances, approving June 10, 2025 meeting minutes, approving June 23, 2025 closed session minutes, receiving the fourth quarter payment register, and appointing Tim Curtin and Ali Iqbal to the Design Review Commission.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Tim O’Connell (San Pablo Assessment District resident) spoke during the public hearing on landscape assessment districts (I.2–I.4). He expressed strong dissatisfaction with the maintenance of his district’s landscaping, stating the contractor had neglected work, left wood chips unspread for five months, and failed to maintain fire breaks. He urged the Council not to issue a new contract until the situation is re-evaluated, suggesting the district might need a different approach or redesign. The City Manager committed to following up.
Discussion Items
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Youth E-bike Safety & Ordinance (Item I.1):
- Police Chief Jim Naugle introduced the item, followed by a presentation from Talia Smith of Marin County. Smith presented data showing a 110% increase in 911 bicycle accidents for ages 10-15 from 2019 to 2023, and that e-bike accident rates for that age group were five times higher than any other age group. She explained Assembly Bill 1778, an opt-in law allowing cities to prohibit Class 2 e-bike operation for those under 16 and require helmets for all Class 2 riders. The County had launched a public education campaign, e-bikers club, and noted that all Marin cities and towns planned to adopt similar ordinances. Council members expressed strong support, noted the importance of uniform countywide rules, and asked about enforcement and safety courses. Chief Naugle confirmed coordination with Novato Unified School District for outreach.
- The Council voted 5-0 to introduce the ordinance (adding Section 18-18 to Chapter XVIII).
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Landscape Assessment Districts (Items I.2–I.5):
- Public Works Administrative Manager Cindy Chong presented four annual assessment district resolutions. For Wildwood Glen (I.3): 47 parcels, assessment increase from $267.44 to $274.64 (increase of $7.19). For Hillside Park (I.2): 68 parcels, increase from $421.48 to $432.82 (increase of $11.34). For San Pablo (I.4): 19 parcels, increase from $910.06 to $926.92 (increase of $16.86). For San Marin (I.5): 1,587 parcels, increase from $48.12 to $49.42 (increase of $1.29). All increases were tied to the construction cost index (1.851%). Chong explained the two-step process required to levy assessments.
- During public comment, Tim O’Connell raised specific concerns about the San Pablo district’s maintenance quality. Councilmember Eklund questioned the fairness of assessments if improvements were not being delivered. The City Attorney clarified that benefit assessments are proportional and staff would investigate. The Council approved all four resolutions (I.2–I.4 voted together 5-0; I.5 voted 4-0-1 with Councilmember Jacobs recused due to property ownership).
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SB9 Dwelling Units & Urban Lot Splits (Item I.6):
- Senior Planner Vivek Damodaran presented the ordinance to amend the Novato Municipal Code to comply with SB9 and SB 450 state laws. The ordinance establishes objective standards for ministerial approval of SB9 dwelling units and urban lot splits, including setbacks (4-foot side/rear for new construction), occupancy requirements (owner must occupy for 3 years), and a 60-day decision timeframe. The amendments apply to single-family residential zones (rural residential, very low, low density, medium density detached) and certain PD districts. Damodaran noted that state law prohibits local agencies from imposing standards that do not apply uniformly to single-family homes in the same zone. The Council asked about homeowner notification and the impact on building limits. Staff clarified that noticing was via legal ad (consistent with state law for thousands of properties) and that SB9 units are ministerial, bypassing design review. The Council introduced the ordinance 5-0.
Key Outcomes
- Approved unanimously (5-0): Consent calendar; e-bike ordinance (first reading); Hillside Park, Wildwood Glen, and San Pablo landscape assessment district resolutions (I.2–I.4).
- Approved (4-0-1): San Marin landscape assessment district resolution (I.5); Councilmember Jacobs recused.
- Introduced (5-0): SB9 dwelling unit and urban lot split ordinance (first reading).
- Staff directed to follow up with resident Tim O’Connell on San Pablo assessment district maintenance issues.
- The next regular council meeting is scheduled for July 22, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the Novato City Council meeting for Tuesday, July 8th, 2025. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I Pledge of League through the flag of the United States of America. Thank you to the Republic for which it stands. One nation undervisible liberty of justice for all the Laura, if you please call a roll. Councilmember Eklund. Present. Councilmember Jacobs. Here. Councilmember Milberg. Present. Mayor Per Temfara. President and Mayor O'Connor. Present. Thank you. The City Council did meet in closed session before today this evening's meeting. I'll turn to our city attorney for any report out. Yeah, thank you, Mayor and Council members. There's no reportable action from the first part of the closed session. The council will return to closed session after the open session. If there is anything to report out after that, that will be done in this room when that closed session ends. Thank you. We do have one proclamation this even this evening. It's for Parks and Recreation Month. I'd like to invite the council to join me at the front of the room, along with uh Emily Larson, uh Chair of the Recreation Cultural and Community Services Advisory Commission and member and other members of the Commission. Thank you. That is a lot of mission. Okay, we're here to celebrate Parks and Recreation Month. Whereas the City of Nevada recognizes the importance of equitable access to local parks, trails, open space, and indoor recreation facilities for the physical and mental health, wellness development, inspiration and safety of all Nevadoans. And whereas the Novato Parks Recreation and Community Services Department staff and activities create memorable experiences for all Nevadaans through youth sports and enrichment activities, the Nevada Gymnastics Center Summer Camps, which my daughter Avian was at today and had a great time. Thank you. And whereas PRCS supports the economic vitality of our community by partnering with local businesses and nonprofits and offering events, activities, and programs for residents' engagement, and whereas PRCS supports human development and endless learning opportunities that foster social, intellectual, physical, professional, and emotional growth in people of all ages and abilities. And whereas PRCS fosters social cohesiveness in our community by celebrating diversity, providing spaces to come together peacefully, modeling compassion, promoting social equity, connecting social networks, and ensuring all people have access to its benefits. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Novato, on behalf of the residents of Novato, does hereby proclaim July as Parks and Recreation Month and offers its heartful thanks to the Parks Recreation and Community Services staff for all that they do in our community. Hashtag Novato Fun. And to say a few words, Emily Larson, the Chair of the Commission. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much, Mayor. Thank you, City Council, and thank you, Commissioners, and thank you to the staff who are here tonight. It's such an honor to serve on this commission, and I'm very excited to accept this proclamation for the staff and for the citizens of Novato. I feel like our parks department and recreation department, we just do such unique things here, and we really listen to the citizens, and I think that's all a result of how wonderful our staff is. So I really want to commend them. So thank you so much for this honor, and I want to share it with them. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Moving on to approval of the final agenda. Do we have a motion?
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