Novato City Council Meeting - August 26, 2025: Just Cause Tenant Protections, Marin Valley, and Consent Items
Novato City Council Meeting - August 26, 2025
The Novato City Council met on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 6:00 PM to discuss a range of items including a study session on a local Just Cause Tenant Protections Ordinance, public comments on the Marin Valley Mobile Country Club negotiations and homeless encampments, and routine consent items. The meeting included a proclamation, approval of consent calendar, and two general business items.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved the consent calendar (5-0), which included: waiving reading of ordinances, approving July 22, 2025 minutes, adopting Ordinance 1726 (Administrative Remedies for Fee Challenges), Ordinance 1727 (Dangerous Building Abatement), receiving FY 2024/25 Q4 Investment Report, accepting a $110,000 STEP grant from OTS, authorizing down payment for Olive Avenue mitigation credits at Halo Ranch, extending an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with The Sherman Group, approving bid advertisement for Marin Valley Mobile Country Club roof replacement, approving an amended lease with Novato Chamber of Commerce, adopting response to the Marin County Civil Grand Jury report on housing, ratifying police labor MOUs, and authorizing Councilmember Eklund to participate remotely under AB 2449 due to an emergency.
Public Comments & Testimony
Marin Valley Mobile Country Club (Consent Calendar and General Comments)
- Multiple residents (Serena Fisher, David Gray, Janine Bradley, Susan Hoff, Judy Monson, Gail Atkinson, Sherry Smith, Greg Smith, Bill Davis, Alan Gump) spoke during public comment, expressing strong opposition to the city's reported $26 million counteroffer for the park acquisition, contrasting it with the residents' $20 million offer. Speakers noted that 91% of residents qualify as low-income, that residents have paid $18 million in bonds since 1997 with the understanding they would own the park in 2027, and that the city's conditions were described as an ultimatum. They called for fair, transparent negotiations and emphasized the residents' readiness to form a cooperative with ROC USA and CCCD.
Homeless Encampments near Hamilton Skate Park
- Several speakers (Robert Belichick, Calvin Willette, Brian Skinner, Stan Lapin, Joan, Bryce Armbruster) raised urgent concerns about a growing homeless encampment visible from the skate park since April 2025. They cited fire risks, public safety issues (indecent exposure, verbal assaults, campsites with dry vegetation), and lack of enforcement of the city's anti-camping ordinance. Speakers requested immediate action and a future agenda item to track progress. Mayor O'Connor acknowledged the concerns.
Just Cause Tenant Protections Ordinance (Study Session Public Comment)
- A large number of tenant advocates and affected residents spoke in favor of a strong local ordinance, particularly in light of the Romar Court displacement. Speakers included:
- Alarceli Florian, Charlotte Ganella, Kira Shaner, Jason Saras, Aaron Hawkins (Community Action Marin), Lucy Hollingsworth (Legal Aid of Marin), Regina Biannucci Russ, Bambi Kleis, Ethan Strell, Norma Lang, Amarantha Silva, Antonio Gramajo, Vilma Monzon, Jesus Portillo, Jocelyn, and others – They shared stories of unsafe living conditions (mold, roof collapse, sewer backups), five-day red tag notices, and inadequate relocation assistance. They urged: (1) no exemptions for small landlords, (2) guaranteed right to return at same rent, (3) higher relocation payments (citing Alameda County's $15,000 minimum), (4) stronger enforcement against negligent landlords, and (5) a rental registry.
- Alia Gomez and Victor Gomez (Marin Association of Realtors) – Opposed expanding beyond state law (AB 1482), arguing it would burden small landlords, reduce rental supply, and that the city had not conducted a fiscal analysis. They urged pausing or referring to voters.
Discussion Items
H.1 – Study Session on Just Cause Tenant Protections Ordinance
- Community Development Director Clare Hartman presented a detailed framework for a local ordinance, covering applicability, at-fault and no-fault eviction grounds, relocation assistance options (temporary and permanent), right of return, and noticing requirements. The framework was based on the city's Housing Element (Program 5-I) and direction from May 20, 2025, to include relocation assistance and right of return.
- Council questions and discussion:
- Councilmember Jacobs inquired about utility payments in relocation, limits on temporary per diems, and potential abuse of temporary tenancy exemptions.
- Mayor Pro Tem Farac asked about the three-unit threshold, whether the city would track compliance, and the balance between protecting tenants and encouraging maintenance.
- Councilmember Eklund raised concerns about process, wanting to include additional protections (rent stabilization, rental registry, tenant right to counsel, mediation) and criticized the limited scope of the presentation. She also noted a 2025 ABAG guidance on preventing displacement from substandard conditions.
- Councilmember Milberg sought clarification on buyout options (Option D) and the tension between being more protective than state law while maintaining exemptions.
- Mayor O'Connor expressed interest in reducing exemptions, a potential rental registry, stronger relocation assistance (up to five months' fair market rent as proposed), and a guaranteed right of return at current rent, but also noted that withdrawal from the market for legitimate reasons should not require relocation payments.
J.1 – Interim Public Works Director Appointment
- Staff presented a resolution to amend and ratify the limited-term retired annuitant appointment of Tim Burke as Interim Public Works Director, extending his service beyond June 30, 2025, until a permanent hire is made. The resolution ensured compliance with CalPERS rules (960-hour limit, specialized skills, active recruitment). The council approved 5-0.
J.2 – League of California Cities Voting Delegate
- The council selected Councilmember Jacobs as the primary voting delegate and Councilmember Milberg as alternate for the Cal Cities Annual Conference General Assembly. Approved 5-0.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Approved 5-0. All routine items passed without discussion.
- Just Cause Ordinance Direction: The council provided broad direction to staff to draft a local ordinance that includes:
- Stronger protections than state law, with minimal exemptions (no exemption for landlords with three or fewer units; single-family homes and owner-occupied duplexes as per AB 1482 exemptions may be excluded).
- Guaranteed right of return at current rent for no-fault evictions (red tags, substantial remodels).
- Relocation assistance that reflects actual costs, with a cap of up to five months' fair market rent for red tag situations.
- All 11 at-fault just cause grounds retained.
- Noticing requirements in English and Spanish.
- Exploration of a proactive rental inspection program and a rental registry to identify substandard conditions.
- No requirement for city-funded relocation payments; costs to be borne by landlords.
- Councilmember Eklund requested a broader scope including rent stabilization and tenant right to counsel, but no formal vote was taken on those items; staff will bring back a draft ordinance for further discussion.
- J.1: Approved 5-0.
- J.2: Approved 5-0.
- Closed Session: The council voted 5-0 to initiate litigation (particulars available upon request).
- Next Meeting: September 9, 2025.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned in memory of Diane Thompson.
Meeting Transcript
Thank you. Good evening, welcome to the Nevada City Council meeting for Tuesday, August 26th, 2025. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States. For which it stands. One name. Understanding Laura, if you please call roll. Councilmember Jacobs. Here. Councilmember Milberg. Present. Mayor Pertem Farak. Present. Mayor O'Connor. Present. And Councilmember Eklund is on Zoom. Councilmember Eklund, are you present? Um yes, I am present, and I've requested that I be on to uh uh to help healing a uh fractured shoulder. And can you disclose if there is anyone else in the room with you over the age of 18? There's no one else in the room with me that's over the age of 18. I I do have a eight-year-old kitty that sometimes comes in. All right, thank you very much. Thank you. The City Council did meet in closed session before this evening's meeting. I'll turn to City Attorney Bell in case there's anything to report out. Yeah, thank you. The council did vote 5-0 to initiate litigation. The particulars are available upon request if that action is commenced. That's it. Thank you very much. And now I'd like to invite council to join me at the front of the room for a proclamation recognizing Gosha Woodfin for 17 years of service with the City of Nevada. Hi Gosha. Hello. Oh, you have to stand here. This is for you. We're celebrating the retirement of a very special person today. Uh Goshus Goodfin were for her 17 years of service. Whereas Gosha Woodfin started working for the City of Nevada on September 29th, 2008, and whereas Gosha has served as an engineer and project manager in the public works department and has worked on a project on project development and construction management for almost 60 capital improvement projects with a total budget of over 42 million. And whereas most projects were concerned with streets, transportation and drainage, and a bridge, if I'm not mistaken, very recently, and a few involved parks and facilities improvements. For each and every project, Gosha made sure that this capital improvement project objectives were met and ensured compatibility with approved program principles, goals, and objectives. And whereas Gosha knows every step of the project process from conception, budgeting, planning, and permitting design and construction through completion, and has independently delivered challenging projects on time and within budget. And whereas she has an in-depth knowledge of the public bidding process and outsourcing has a successful history attracting and selecting reputable consultant experts, contractors, and service providers, not easy work, and her attention to detail has not only yielded quality products, but has also helped identify and mitigate potential problems. And whereas her other responsibilities included managing the Novato Pavement Management Program, administering federal funded projects, identifying and applying for grant funding, enacting a staff liaison for the bicycle pedestrian advisory committee and the street improvement oversight committee, just to name a few things. And whereas over the years, GOSHA has always maintained a positive, can-do attitude regardless of the situation, and was always willing to put in the extra effort required to resolve any issue. And whereas Gosha has lived in Novato for over 25 years and is proud to have served the community, applying her experience and knowledge to help her maintain the help maintain the quality of life in Nevada. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Novato, on behalf of the residents of Nevada, does hereby offer its heartfelt appreciation to Gosha Whitfan for her service to the Nevada community for the past 17 years and wish her all the best in her retirement. Please join me in congratulating and thank you. As stated in the proclamation, I've lived here in Nevada for over 25 years, and um I laughed as the residents. Um that I was able to serve my community. Um working for over 17 years as an engineer for the city of Nevada has been a privilege.
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