For the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

To the Republic, which stands one nation under God and individual.

Thank you.

Laura, if you please call roll.

Councilmember Eckwind, present.

Councilmember Jacobs.

Present.

Mayor Protem Farak present and Mayor O'Connor.

Present, thank you.

Uh the council did meet in closed session before this evening's meeting.

I'll turn to City Attorney Bell for any report ash.

Thank you, Mayor and Council members.

There's no reportable action.

Thank you.

We have two proclamations to present this evening, so I'd like to invite council to join me at the front of the room, please.

All right.

Well, I am gonna invite Dean Hoglan, president of the board for the Museum of American Indian to accept the proclamation for Native Indian Heritage Month.

Thank you so much for being here.

So whereas the City of Novato recognizes the Coast Miwok people are the original inhabitants and stewards of the lands that now compromise the Novato area, having resided here since time and moral and whereas the coastal Miwok people establish thriving communities throughout Marin County, including the significant village of Alumpali and Chiaki, near present-day Novato, and develop sophisticated resource management systems over thousands of years.

And whereas Native American traditions and knowledge have enriched our understanding of sustainable living, natural resource management, and the interconnectedness of all living things, and whereas the city of Navado recognizes the importance of preserving indigenous heritage and supporting an educational opportunity that promotes understanding of Native American history and culture.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Novato on behalf of its cities do hear proclaim the month of November 2025 as National Native American Heritage Month in the City of Novato and encourages all residents to learn about and honor the rich heritage of the Coast Miwok people and all individual people visit the museum of the American Indian at Miwok Park and work towards building a more inclusive community that respects and uplifts indigenous voices and experience.

And this is just so exciting.

Absolutely.

First of all, um, on behalf of the museum, and again, and for our tribe, uh, I would like to say comolis and our Miwok language.

That is thank you again to Mayor O'Connor and the esteemed uh other council members and leadership of the city of Nevada.

Wow.

Uh, and you know, I'm just thinking I've trying not to get emotional because I know I'm here because of my grandmother and her grandmother before her, and uh, you know, they would be so proud, you know, and and so that that just really uh makes my makes my day and the rest of the month, too.

That way as we honor, you know, as you take the time to honor, you know, Native American Heritage Month.

And again, it's it's it's kind of a um, I guess a part of the ongoing, I guess, growing um effort, you know, to you know, be included in and to know that we've always been a part of this community, and that we want to continue to, you know, be, you know, grow with our community and to share, again, indigenous knowledge and you know, in a good way, in the best way, and so uh, and to uplift every one of our citizens here in the city of Nevado and beyond.

So, thank you all.

Come on, and there's river otters at the park now, by the way.

I was down there a week or so ago.

If you want to see river otters, go to Mewok Park.

Yeah.

Okay.

Uh next up, we're going to recognize National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month proclamation.

I'd like to invite Lauren Vreeland Lang up to accept the proclamation.

Welcome, Lauren.

Thank you.

Sure, now the merrier.

Come on up, guys.

Yeah.

100%.

Please.

This is great.

Um, before I get into the formal proclamation, I think the representation of just age groups here is such a wonderful reflection of what being a caregiver gives.

I mean, it truly means.

I mean, at all points in life we care for different people in our family primarily and others, and it impacts all age groups.

So thank you guys for being here.

It really means a lot.

I it's touched all of us in our different lives at some point or other, we've cared for a significant other.

And just that the recognition and what we're recognizing today is true, it's truly God's work.

Um whereas over seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, including nearly 720,000 in California, and this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050.

And whereas there are nearly 12 million unpaid dementia caregivers in the U.S.

providing an estimated 19 billion hours of care for people living with Alzheimer's or other dementia.

And whereas half of all caregivers who provide help to older adults do so for someone living with Alzheimer's or another dementia, and whereas Alzheimer's takes a devastating toll on caregivers, twice as many caregivers for those with dementia indicates substantial emotional, financial, and physical difficulties compared with the caregiver caregivers of other people without dementia.

And whereas it can be overwhelming to take care of a loved one with Alzheimer's or other dementia.

Fifty-nine percent of dementia caregivers say that they experience high levels of emotional stress.

Unpaid family caregivers typically don't identify themselves as much, so it can be difficult for local service providers to find them and offer support.

And whereas ways to support an Alzheimer's caregiver include educating yourself about Alzheimer's disease to find ways to help, making a standing appointment to spend time with the person living with dementia to give the caregiver an opportunity to recharge, and checking in with the caregiver regularly to help them feel supported.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Novato hereby recognize November as National Alzheimer's Disease and Family Caregivers Month, and offers its heartfelt thanks to the caregivers who are providing support to improve the lives of those living with Alzheimer's and dementia.

Thank you guys for everything.

So thank you, Mayor O'Connor, and all the esteemed city council members here today.

We are grateful for this opportunity to recognize the thousands of family caregivers in our own community.

Family caregivers are unpaid and dedicated to providing the care their loved ones need.

Sometimes that is 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

I think they deserve a national month of honor.

Some of us here are Alzheimer's Association volunteers, and some are family members of people who lived with Alzheimer's disease.

We know that dementias are devastating diseases that can steal a person's abilities and attributes.

As advocates, we push for funding, research funding, better patient and caregiver support, and public awareness of a disease that few want to talk about.

Thank you to Colleen and her mom, Kathy, her daughter Bailey and son Austin and Ariana and Haley for being here to receive this important proclamation, and Sally Pennypacker too.

Let's see.

On behalf of the Age and Disability Friendly Novato Volunteers and the Alzheimer's Association volunteers, we thank our city for this recognition.

Thank you, Lord.

Haley is going to tell us what the white flower of Alzheimer's stands for.

I hold the white flower as hope for a cure in our lifetime.

Thank you, Haley.

Thank you.

Okay, next item is approval of the final agenda.

I'll move approval of the final agenda.

Laura, if you'd please call the vote.

Councilmember Eklund.

Aye.

Councilmember Jacobs.

Mayor Pertem Frat.

Hi.

And Mayor O'Connor.

Hi.

Motion passes 4-0.

Thank you.

And we'll move on to reports from the City Council and City Manager.

We'll start with City Manager Cunningham.

No reports tonight.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Councilmember Eklund.

Thank you very much.

Over the last couple of weeks, I've attended numerous meetings.

I'm just gonna talk about the highlights.

I serve on the Bay Conservation and Development Commission Sediment and Beneficial Reuse Committee.

And what this committee is looking at is ways that we could use dredge material or sediment more beneficially in the bay.

Draft plan and draft EIR.

So this Plan Bay Area came up 10 years ago, and we now are doing an update to 2050.

And so that we could be eligible for some additional funding from the federal government, but it doesn't look likely that that money will be there by the time we get the plan done.

I also participated and represented Novato on the Highway 37 meeting and the San Francisco Estuary Partnership Meeting, the North Bay Watershed meeting.

And I wanted to talk a little bit about the ABAG Housing and Bafa, which is the Bay Area Finance Housing Authority.

We're looking to again to try to get funding for cities and counties to help plan for the additional housing that's required by the state of California.

And so we are we have some funds that we've been able to apply for and get, and so we are going to be issuing some grants as grant applications come in.

The other thing that I did participate too, which was absolutely fine fascinating.

Um I participated in an offshore desalinization and pilot project where they're actually taking, and they're um they're doing this on the east coast, but they're not doing it on the west, and so there's one proposal on the west part of the country here, where they're actually looking to use seawater or ocean water, desalinize it, and then use it for public drinking water.

And so it's really fascinating to look not only at the environmental impacts, but also the impacts it does to the community too, um, and the benefits.

So that's gonna be very interesting to follow.

And the last thing I wanted to recognize is that I had the honor uh to be able to participate in the Veterans Day um celebration memorial at the Civic Center, and this year was especially um heartwarming uh because there were a lot of veterans from Marin County that were in attendance, and again, my heart, and um all of me just really thanks all the veterans that live here in Novato for their huge sacrifice and their uh ability to help make a better country.

So thank you.

Thank you very much, Councilmember Jacobs.

Thank you.

Just two items.

Um I attended the uh trunk retreat over at uh near Hamilton, and it was a wonderful event.

A lot of kids, a much bigger turnout than they expected.

And I also attended the Sanitary District's 100 year anniversary, and that was a wonderful event.

We had great weather for it.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor Potem Farrak.

Thank you so much.

Um I volunteered at the Pleasant Valley Elementary School Book Fair, helping students and families collect books and assisting with event logistics to promote literacy and school fundraising, and then I also supported the school's joggathon by encouraging students, students and raising funds for school activities.

Um, in addition, I attended the bingo night fundraiser for Seroptimus International.

This is an organization dedicated to empowering women and girls through education and advocacy, and then lastly, I attended the Novato Sanitaries District 100 year anniversary, a milestone that honored a century of public service and infrastructure stewardship.

So that was a fun event with some of my colleagues.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And then I just had a couple of items to share.

I on Veterans Day had the opportunity to go to the Oakland Oakland Retirement Home to participate in their ribbon present presentation.

They have 14 veterans out there with the from a range of wars over the years.

Um it was a really special uh occasion, and I just appreciate the opportunity to be able to join them for that.

Um, along with two of my colleagues, I had I attended the Nevada Sanitary District uh centenary, yes, centenary celebration.

Um it's really remarkable what they've managed to do over a hundred years, they precede the city by about 45 years, um, which Supervisor Lucan made some jokes about bathrooms being more important than cities, but okay.

Um, and then finally, along with my 11-year-old daughter who also serves as my senior advisor on handing out candy downtown.

We had the opportunity to attend the downtown truck retreat.

I just wanted to thank Barbara Slack and the DNBA for all of the hard work around that.

Had a great time with uh council member Jacobs, and we saw hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of kids.

It was it was fantastic.

So thank you guys for all you do.

Um moving on.

Our next item is public comment.

So this is for public comment for items that are not on the agenda.

If you'd like to speak, please fill out a yellow card and hand it to the city clerk Laura.

There is a three-minute time limit.

We do have some requests to speak.

Our first speaker this evening is Serena Fisher.

Welcome, Serena.

Good morning, Council members and staff.

Um I'm a 13-year resident of Marin Valley Mobile Country Club, and I'm here to express support for extending the ENA with MVMCC for another six months.

We've had three productive in-person meetings with city staff, and progress is being made.

Uh, we understand the council wants a formal vote, a resident vote on whether to pursue self-determination or remain with the city.

Uh residents have already voted once with an overwhelming support for self-ownership and self-governance, and that really reflects our desire for long-term stability, concerns about future possible sale by the city, hegemony, and the history of deferred maintenance.

If the city requires a new vote, residents need clear, detailed information to make an informed decision.

Specifically, what does the city guarantee in terms of affordability, security, and long-term protection from being sold?

And especially given what's happening in Sonoma County, Petaluma, around the country, I think you can understand the fear that we have.

Providing this information, educating residents, and conducting a formal ballot vote takes time.

With December 31 deadline approaching and the holidays, it's not realistic to complete this process responsibly.

So for these reasons, I respectfully request that the ENA be extended so that the PAC ward can ensure residents have a thoughtful, thorough, and unhurried voting process.

Thank you.

Thank you very much, Sabrina.

Our next speaker is Janine Bradley.

Welcome, Janine.

Hello, my name is Janine Bradley.

I've lived in Marin Valley Mobile Country Club for 13 years.

I have supported the purchase of the park by MVC since its inception.

Initially, many residents were concerned about the possible effects of resident ownership or worse, a private owner.

Would there be buyers if we needed to sell?

Could we be forced to sell?

So many questions.

But the community really came together, a core group, organized us and repeatedly information, offered information to clarify our options and allow us to make informed decisions.

Our fears regarding the desirability of our community were unfounded.

Homes continued to sell.

And one of the best reasons new homeowners tell us is because of the community it provides.

There has been an incredible groundswell of involvement by both longtime and new residents.

Residents need information regarding a second vote on purchasing the park.

With our questions asked and answered and armed with facts and options, Marin Valley Mobile Country Club homeowners will once again provide clear direction for the future of the park.

MVC can provide the leadership given time to develop informational workships for its residents.

None of us have a guarantee of the future.

Council members come and go.

Thank you very much.

Our next speaker is Julie Manson.

Welcome, Julie.

Julie Manson, 7 Clubview Drive, Marin Valley Mobile Home Park.

As a resident of the Marin Valley Mobile Home Park for 23 years, I'm here to request that the Council extend the exclusive negotiating agreement between the city and Marin Valley for another six months.

Now that meaningful negotiations are underway, it's essential the process continue unrushed so that both parties can provide residents with clear, respectful arguments, and due diligence.

Many of us live on low fixed incomes, a situation that can be stressful in itself.

The uncertainty regarding the long-term future of the park is an additional stress.

Extending the ENA signals a commitment to doing what's best to ensure sustainability, affordability, and security for a vulnerable community.

Please extend the exclusive negotiating agreement for another six months.

Thank you for your consideration.

Thank you very much.

Our next speaker is Alan Gump.

Welcome, Ellen.

Thank you.

Mr.

Mayor, Council members, staff.

First, I want to acknowledge and thank staff for commencing these face-to-face negotiations with our team.

It's critical that we continue that process.

We understand that a lot of effort is required to do that.

There's a lot of work both before and afterwards.

We also understand that we're not your only fire in the kitchen.

So at the same time, we feel that this process is critical for us to understand what our options will be going forward.

Now you've heard tonight from my people, and you've gotten a lot of email today.

I think unanimous and strong support for continuing this ENA.

This process starting, starting to get clarity on what the city wants, what we want.

Now we've got a December 31st deadline.

You want a vote.

We want to vote.

It's been been in our work plan for almost two years now.

So we strongly support this vote.

In order to do that vote, though, we have to put on a community workshop.

It's been my job over the last two years to organize the development of content and presentation of those workshops.

I know the work involved with it.

There's a lot of work in terms of determining the content, putting that in order, developing the slide decks, scheduling and presenting the workshop, then holding follow-up workshops afterwards for QA.

This is the only responsible process we can go through to inform our people.

So we strongly urge you to continue this process.

If we voted tonight without this information, there's no legitimate answer, but it depends.

We simply don't have the information to do that.

But there's no way we could schedule a vote, a ballot vote, and do this in an orderly process according to your procedures and procedures of our of our according to our PAC bylaws.

So the only logical point, I think, is to continue the ENA, let this process with staff and our negotiators work out, and so we can present this community with two good options so that you can get a true picture of what this community wants.

And again, we want to thank the staff for their engagement on this.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Our next speaker is Dale White.

Yesterday, one of my clients sent me a fee schedule, which you got from the building department for a house and an ADU at 227 Oak No Road.

The fees on the fee schedule, I believe, were many of these were excessive or illegal.

I went to City Hall this morning to find out more about what the breakdown was.

And I was told that the excess the fees that I called excessive from building were 908 dollars.

Other building division fees that I think are illegal are 4,802.97.

And the um other fees are development impact fees to the planning department, and the total um $31,847.

So ADUs for the second unit were the same as eight of the ADUs for the development fees for the main unit.

And those fees were 11,172.

So the total for the fees listed, and I'm not counting the uh building permit fees or the inspection fees or the plan check fees.

The total for those listed are $37,558.

Um, I believe the city must prove these fees roughly proportional to the impact the inhabitants will have on the city, and um take into account the fact that it's a new house, the ADU will be paying roughly two to three times what other people pay on property taxes.

So that's uh all this is based on the US Supreme Court findings and rulings for.

Nolan, Dolan Kunz and Sheets.

So just ask that you follow the law.

Thank you.

Thank you, Taylor.

That concludes public comment.

Our next item is the consent calendar for the motion to approve.

I'll move.

All second.

Thank you.

And then Laura, if you please call the vote.

Councilmember Eklund.

Hi.

Councilmember Jacobs.

Mayor Bertem Ferrath.

And Mayor O'Connor.

Hi.

Thank you.

Passes 4-0.

Moving on, we have a public hearing this evening to consider completing the annual assessment process for the downtown Novato Business Improvement District in partnership with the Downtown Novato Business Association by one holding a public hearing and two adopting a resolution confirming the DNBA bid 2025 annual report and 2026 budget as modified by the council during their October 28, 2025 meeting, thereby authorizing the levying collection of assessments within the downtown Novato Business Improvement District for calendar 2026.

I'll open the public hearing and call on Katie Skirping, our economic development manager, to present the item.

Welcome, Katie.

Thank you.

Good evening, Mayor and Council members.

I'm Katie Sherping, economic development manager in the city manager's office.

I'm here before you tonight to complete the two-step process to levy the 2026 annual assessment for the downtown Novato Business Improvement District.

To initiate the bid annual assessment process, city staff mailed out the bid information mailing packet to members the week of October 20 or sorry, October 13th, 2025.

The packet included a cover letter from the city, the DNBA and bid annual report, the proposed budget for the upcoming year, an overview of the bid assessment process and directions for members to participate if desired.

A copy of that packet is included with the staff report.

The packet was mailed prior to the first council meeting, which was held October 28th, 2025, and initiated the beginning of the protest period.

The entire packet and 2026 protest form were made available online at the city's website.

At the October 28, 2025 council meeting, you received a presentation by the DNBA bid advisory board, approved the DNBA and bid 2025 annual report and the 2026 proposed budget with modifications, and adopted a resolution declaring the intention to levy an annual assessment within the downtown Novato bid for the calendar year 2026 and setting a public hearing for today, November 18th.

The resolution was published in the Marin Independent Journal on November 7, 2025 to provide public notice for today's public hearing.

To date, staff has received two formal protest forms from bid members.

The first was submitted by Novato Builders, and the second was submitted by Cyrus Properties Incorporated.

Both forms were submitted in protest of the assessment in its entirety.

As a reminder, proceedings to levy assessments must be halted only if protests are received from owners of businesses within the bid that will together pay 50% or more of the total assessments of the entire bid.

To complete the annual assessment process, staff is recommending holding a public hearing to hear the testimony of any person for or against the assessments to be levied.

Following the public hearing, staff recommends adopting a resolution confirming the DNBA bid 2025 annual report and 2026 budget as modified at the October 28th council meeting, thereby authorizing the levy and collection of assessments within the downtown Novato Business Improvement District for calendar year 2026.

If the council authorizes the levy and collection of assessments, staff in concert with HDL will incorporate the bid levies into the bills for business licenses, which are distributed to all members during the month of December for payment by January 31st.

That concludes my presentation.

I'm happy to answer any questions.

Thank you, Kenny.

I'll bring it back to council for any questions.

Uh Councilmember Jacobs.

Thank you.

Um, couple questions.

The um protests, do you know why those two businesses protested the bid?

I don't know why there were no comments included.

Okay.

Yeah, I noticed that, but I went I went back five years and I've only seen one other protest in five years.

So I was kind of curious about that.

Um is the budget going to get updated to delete the white lights on the trees and the planters?

Yes, the intention is to bring back the modified budget to the council.

Um, you may remember at the October 28th meeting, we also discussed some minor amendments related to insurance and indemnification language.

So the intention is that when those pieces come back to the council, we'll also include a modified budget.

Okay.

All right, thank you.

Thanks.

Any other questions?

Not seeing any questions.

We'll go to public comment.

If you wish to speak and sign them, please fill out a yellow card and hand it to the city clerk Laura.

I have one request to speak, that's for Rob Sundberg.

Welcome, Rob.

Good evening.

Uh my name is Rob Sunberg.

I currently serve as the vice president of the Downtown Novato Business Association.

Insert applause here.

Kidding.

I truly believe the business improvement district is vital to the health of the businesses we serve and thus Novato overall.

I greatly appreciate our mayor, city council, and city staff for their continued partnership with the DMBA and the bid.

I believe in the bid's role as an essential mechanism for supporting small businesses and sustaining economic vitality in the downtown district.

I emphasize that the bid resources directly contribute to marketing, events, beautification, and advocacy efforts that strengthen downtown's overall appeal and functionality.

Bless you.

I appreciate the board's strong commitment, professionalism, and collaborative approach in guiding bid priorities.

For more than nine years of steady leadership, sound management, and consistent delivery of results.

I affirm my support for the continued renewal of the bid and the shared goal of maintaining a vibrant, welcoming and economically resilient downtown.

I have sincere appreciation for the city's ongoing support and partnership in advancing in advancing these objectives.

Please consider continuing your support for the business improvement district.

Thank you.

Thank you very much, Rob.

Our next speaker is Steve Gibbs.

Welcome, Teith.

Hi.

Okay.

Yes, and I'm on the board as well of the Downtown Business Association.

A vibrant downtown doesn't happen by accident.

It happens because people intentionally invest their time, energy, and resources into making it a place where businesses thrive and the community feels proud to gather.

And that is exactly what the Novato Business Improvement District is designed to do.

The Novato bid is more than just an organizational structure, it is the engine that keeps the downtown active, clean, safe, and welcoming.

When we see beautifully maintained planters, festive lighting, special events that draw families and shoppers to our downtown, or marketing that shines a spotlight on local businesses.

Those are bid dollars at work.

Those are bid volunteers and leaders that live and work in Novato, ensuring that the heart of the city stays strong.

The City of Novato relies heavily on the bid, often more than people realize.

The city simply cannot provide the level of daily attention, beautification, and business focused support that our bid delivers.

Cities depend on bids to fill that crucial gap and to maintain the charm, economic vitality of the downtown core, to identify emerging issues, and to act quickly in ways city departments often can't.

Keeping our bid will continue to bring stability and vision to our downtown.

We advocate for the business community, build partnerships, and ensure that local entrepreneurs have a voice in decisions that directly affect us.

When our downtown succeeds, Novato benefits economically, socially, and culturally.

That's why a healthy partnership between the city and the bid is essential.

The bottom line is this a thriving downtown requires constant care, and the city cannot do it alone.

The business improvement district is the backbone of that effort, creating the conditions for business success and community pride.

When our bid is strong, our downtown is strong.

And when our downtown is strong, Novato thrives.

And I do want to say too, we have open spots on the bid board, and that we would welcome any eligible downtown business representative on the board.

Thank you.

Thank you very much, Teef.

And our next speaker is Stephanie Kohler.

Welcome, Stephanie.

Actually, Teef said a lot of the things that I just wanted to remark about, but just a few things that I wanted to say, not so much to you all that are in this room, but to the people that are listening and the throngs of people in this space.

I think sometimes we forget to take a step back and explain what the bid is.

The bid is 430 businesses, as you all know.

But originally, this organization was developed to counterbalance some of the successes we see in places like Vintage Oaks and the larger, the larger shopping centers that have national marketing dollars.

So the best way we can support our local businesses, which to TIFF's point are owned by people that live in our community, raise their kids in our community, the best way we can support them is pooling this money and the dollar for dollar match from the city allows us to.

I mean, we can't match Target's marketing budget, but we certainly can pool our resources and create the story that is our downtown.

So I appreciate everything that you all do and support staff throughout the year, council throughout the year.

And obviously, I appreciate you move the assessment along.

Thanks.

Thank you very much, Stephanie.

We have no other request to speak, so we'll close public comment.

I'll bring it back to council for a motion.

I'll make a motion to approve as presented.

I'll second.

Thanks.

Any additional comments?

Yes.

Please.

Is my mic on?

Oh, it is.

Okay.

Um, first of all, I wanted to thank everybody for coming and um participating in this, and it would have been nice to know a little bit more about the two protesters.

Um, but I uh remember this discussion in the late 1990s, and um I wanted to uh announce that actually this year's the 25th year of the downtown business um association um bid um so uh I think when I look back on 1999 is when we first established it to today, 2025.

I I think that um the bid has done a tremendous job in our downtown because we've had a lot of development along the freeway that is very competitive, um, businesses.

Uh but uh the heart is still in the downtown.

That's because the businesses are still downtown.

Um just want to thank all of you that have been spending so much time all these last 26 years.

Um, you've really had made a difference, not only with the community, but also with the businesses that are currently downtown.

So I will wholeheartedly support this motion and recognize all the past supporters that have really helped make this work and the people who are currently doing it.

So thank you very much for all your hard work.

Thank you, Councilmember.

Any additional comments or questions?

Laura, if you please call the vote.

Council Member Eklund.

Aye.

Councilmember Jacobs.

Mayor Pertem Farak.

Hi.

Hands Mayor O'Connor.

Hi.

Motion passes 4-0.

Thank you very much for all your great work, guys.

We'll close that hearing.

Our next item on our agenda is a consider holding a public hearing and adopting a resolution making findings pursuant to government code section 4217.10 and approving a sole source energy services contract with Eco-Green Solutions incorporated for energy efficiency improvements at city-owned facilities and holding a public hearing and authorizing the city manager to execute PGE on bill financing agreements and related documents.

Regarding CECO exempt pursuant to Section 15301 existing facilities 15302, replacement of construction 15307, protection of natural resources, and 15308 protection of the environment.

I will open the public hearing and welcome Gretchen Schubek, our sustainability coordinator to present the item.

Good evening, Mayor O'Connor, Mayor Pro Tem Farak, and Council Members Ekman and Jacobs.

It's my pleasure to be here tonight to request that council conduct a public hearing and consider adopting a resolution making findings pursuant to government code section.

Oh apologies one second.

I can read them again.

There we go.

That's okay.

Pursuant to government code section 4217.10 and approving a sole source energy services contract with Eco Green Solutions Incorporated for energy efficiency improvements at city-owned facilities and conduct a public hearing authorizing the city manager to execute PGE on-bill financing agreements and related documents.

So many of the lighting, HVAC, and other mechanical systems in city-owned facilities are aging and as a consequence are operating less efficiently, resulting in both higher energy and maintenance costs.

Additionally, long-standing city budget constraints have led to a piecemeal approach to equipment replacement, creating operational challenges across multiple facilities.

In response to rising utility costs, staff have been exploring opportunities to replace inefficient equipment using the contracting and financing tools that are available under government code section 4217.10 with the goal of reducing energy consumption, lowering operational costs, and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions at city-owned facilities.

Government Code 4217.10 was adopted in 1984, and it provides cities with a streamlined pathway to fund and implement energy conservation and alternative energy projects.

It allows the use of flexible, no-bid energy services contracts when the cost of the improvements are expected to be offset by projected energy savings.

Eligible projects include lighting, HVAC upgrades, solar installations, and building automation improvements.

Eco-Green was founded in 2007.

They have extensive experience helping public agencies and private companies across California to reduce operational costs through energy efficiency improvements.

To support these potential upgrades that were identified, staff also evaluated PG<unk>E's energy efficiency retrofit loan program as a financing tool.

This program offers zero interest loans to qualify qualifying projects with repayment made through the city's monthly PGE bill and offset by the resulting energy cost savings.

Government Code Section 4217.12 authorizes the city to enter into an energy services contract when the council determines that doing so is in the city's best interest and that the projected energy savings will exceed the cost of the project.

Section 4217.13 further authorizes the city to enter into a facility financing contract when it is in the city's best interest, and repayment can be made using the funds that would otherwise be spent on energy.

Both findings must be made at a public hearing with notice provided at least two weeks in advance.

Notice that this public hearing was published in the Marin Independent Journal on November 4th, 2025.

EcoGreen, uh EcoGreen's February 2025 survey identified potential energy efficiency projects across the four facilities listed here, along with estimated project costs and projected energy savings.

The analysis shows total project costs of approximately 246,700 and projected total energy cost savings of around 248,800.

Because the projected savings exceed the cost of improvements, the findings required under government code section 4217.2 and 4217.13 can be made, and the project is determined to be in the city's best interest.

In terms of fiscal impacts, the project requires no out of pocket expenses, as the city will repay PGE's zero interest on bill financing loan using the energy savings generated by the upgrades.

Additionally, as a participant in MCE's strategic energy management program, the city will also receive an additional $6,420 in incentives based on projected savings.

After the loan is fully repaid, the city will retain all ongoing energy savings and fixed payments will help protect against future utility rate increases.

The upgraded equipment will also help to reduce ongoing maintenance costs, including staff time.

Staff recommend that the city council approve a sole source energy services contract with EcoGreen solutions to complete energy efficiency upgrades at four city owned facilities.

To fund the project, staff also recommends utilizing PGE's zero interest on bill financing program, which allows the city to repay project costs through the energy savings generated by the improvements, resulting in a cost-neutral financing approach.

To reiterate, the request of you this evening is to conduct a public hearing and consider adopting a resolution making findings pursuant to government code section 4217.10 and approving a soul search sole source energy services contract with Eco-Green Solutions Incorporated for energy efficiency improvement at city-owned facilities and conduct a public hearing authorizing the city manager to execute PGE on-bill financing agreements and related documents.

That is all I have for you tonight.

That concludes my presentation.

I'm happy to answer any questions.

We do also have a representative from Eco Green Solutions, Andy Garcia's in the off in the audience.

If you have any questions that I can't answer.

Thank you very much, Gretchen.

Bring it back to council for questions.

If you have any questions, please use the raise hand button.

Councilmember Jacobs.

Thank you.

Thank you for your presentation.

That's excellent.

I did some research on Eco Green Solutions.

They have a great rating, great reviews, good choice.

So they're going to be increasing.

So we're going to have even more of a savings.

Well, so we assume.

Thank you, Bill.

Um, my understanding is that the rates will stay fixed for the life of the loan.

So one of the advantages of um going of using the on-bill financing is that it's it the rate will be fixed.

So we'll be shielded against future utility rate increases at these four facilities.

Wow, that's great.

It is great.

Um is there a projected start date and length of construction?

As soon as we as soon as we get the contracts in place and the on bill financing agreements signed by PGE, Eco Green Solutions can start.

Yeah, we're thinking probably early in 2026.

Projected length of time of the construction.

We can um as part of uh Future Friday memo, once we get all that hammered out with the consulting firm, we can provide that information to you so that you have an understanding of what all those timelines would be and where the priorities lie.

Okay, great.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Um Mayor Petem Frock.

Thank you.

Uh thank you for the presentation.

Um the idea makes sense to me.

Um, I had a couple questions for Eco Green.

Do you want to come up?

Evening council members, Mayor.

Okay.

Um what other cities have used Eco-Green?

Gosh, I'll if you'd like I'll email you a list.

Goes on and on.

San and Salmo, we've worked with.

Um, we're working with the county council with uh, or the excuse me, Contracosa County, uh, Walnut Creek, um, Antioch, City of Panole, and that's just my territory.

So goes on and on.

Okay.

And then you guys are based out of Southern California?

Yep.

Okay.

I live in Padaluma.

Okay.

So you're the local rep.

Um, and then I know we didn't get a competitive bid because it's professional services, but do we have any idea what a competitive bid would look like?

So the tool that we are proposing the city move forward with under um under government code 4217.10.

Part of using that tool is that it's a streamlined process, and so uh we don't have to get a competitive bid.

And in these types of situations, um, my understanding is it is.

It would be very difficult to go to bid with this program because we're not paid until we prove the savings at the very end.

So in order to do bids with this, you would have to do what we did over the past year with other companies, right?

So we're again you'd be delayed historically and never get anything done, probably.

Thank you so much.

Those are my questions.

You're welcome.

Thank you.

Um sorry, Council Member Eklund.

Uh thank you.

No, I don't have any questions of you.

Okay.

Thank you, though.

Um, what is the uh life of the loan?

Uh I'll just go back to this slide.

So each each loan, each uh facility upgrade is its own agreement, and so it depends on the facility and what's the can you go through it for me?

Yeah, I'm just let me go back to the slide.

Okay, so here are the four facilities in the red column.

Um the last column shows the number of payments.

So they can't exceed a five-year period.

So the maximum is 120 months.

120 months on on according to PGE's on bill financing.

Okay, great.

Great, and then did you so 120 months?

Yeah, the longest l, the longest loan we would have is 11 months.

Yeah, okay.

Um, I'm question I'm curious.

Did you uh look at Bay Ren at all?

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

Um, did you happen to um look at Bay Ren before you chose this?

Um this um my understanding is that Bay Run doesn't offer a turnkey program like this.

Um, yeah, this these types of programs are offered through pro through companies like Eco Green Solutions, which which are energy services companies, and um EcoGreen Solutions is an authorized agent of PGE, and so there are a bunch of companies like this operating in California.

Okay, great, thank you.

You're welcome.

Thank you.

Um I had a question with regards to the project cost.

So you have the costs in there, I understand it's for improving, it's for various projects at the different buildings.

I didn't see a breakdown of what actually what the work actually was though.

Yes, is that available?

Yeah, sure.

The vast majority of the work is lighting.

So in the administration building and the Hamilton pool, it's all lighting.

And then at the gymnastics center, Downtown Rec Center, and Margaret Ted Senior Center Hill Gymnasium.

There are going to be some variable frequency devices installed on the HVAC systems there.

It's older equipment, but this these devices will make them run more efficiently.

But yeah, well, happy to send you that detail.

I'd appreciate that, please.

Sure.

Okay, that was that was my only question.

Thank you.

And so we'll go to public comment on this item.

If you'd like to speak, please fill out a yellow card, give it to the city clerk, Laura.

I don't have any request to speak, Laura.

Okay, we'll close public comment and bring it back to council.

Make a motion we approve.

It is submitted.

Second.

Thanks.

Any other discussion or comments?

No?

No, Laura, if you please call the vote.

Councilmember Eklund.

Aye.

Councilmember Jacobs.

Aye.

Mayor Pertem Farrak.

Hi.

Hands Mayor O'Connor.

Hi.

Passes 4-0.

That concludes the public hearing.

Thank you very much.

Really appreciate all the work and time you put into it.

Okay.

So at this point we're going to move to adjournment.

Our next regular council meeting will be held on December 9th, 2025.

And I just want to check council to see if they have anyone for whom that learned like to injourn a memory of.

Yes, I wanted to adjourn in Robert Bruce Levine.

He was a father and a grandfather.

He was raised in Marin, and he has a daughter that currently serves as a school board trustee and family was everything to Bob.

So thank you.

Thank you.

And I would like to add that we close in memory and we'll be recognizing him later too.

Is Phil Brown.

He was a great city manager and great person, and he also was part of my Nevada Rotary as well.

Thank you.

Gonna miss him a lot.

We're in journal to memory of Phil Brown and of Robert Levine.

Thank you.

Thank you.