All right, we will start the Novato City Council meeting.

This is our January 13th, 2026 meeting.

Welcome everyone and happy new year.

We'll get started with the Pledge of Allegiance.

To the flag.

United.

Which it stands.

Under the indivisible.

Laura, can you please take roll?

Councilmember Eklund present.

Councilmember Carkel.

Present.

Councilmember O'Connor.

Present.

Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs.

Present.

And Mayor Farak.

And I am present.

There were no closed session items, and there are no ceremonial presentations.

So we'll move on to approval of the final agenda.

I'll move approval.

I'll move approval.

All right, can you call vote?

Councilmember Eklund?

Aye.

Councilmember Carkle?

Aye.

Councilmember O'Connor.

Aye.

Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs.

Aye.

And Mayor Farak.

Aye.

All right, that passes.

Now we'll go on to reports from the City Council and City Manager.

We'll start with our city manager, Amy Cunningham.

Good evening, Council.

Happy New Year.

By now, all Nevada residents should have received a new year brochure in the mail from our Parks Recreation and Community Services Department.

The brochure promotes the fantastic programs and membership offerings happening at Margaret Todd Senior Center.

The new year's a perfect time to try out a new class or start a new hobby, and Margaret Todd has something for everyone, so please go and check them out.

The brochure is available at all of our customer service sites, and class offerings can also be viewed on the city website.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

So I just want to do a shout out to Marcia Basalia who has been organizing the team up to cleanup one Saturday a month so we can clean up Novato.

And so this Saturday we spent um four hours cleaning up Alameda de La Loma.

And it's amazing what I picked up.

But anyway, it really looks a lot better.

And I will be talking with the city manager about opportunities to help do a little bit more publicity so we can get some more volunteers for that.

Also, too, I did uh participate in.

I'm on the ABAG executive board and I'm on several committees, administrative as well as legislative.

So we had a meeting last week, which I was really struck by, and it was a meeting about how travel has changed between 2019 and 2023.

And you think about it, between those four years, a lot of things happened, you know, COVID and change and people's travel.

And it was a very interesting that the number of people using public transit is below the 2019 levels significantly.

Um so before there used to be 40 million people using public transit, now there's down to 30 million.

There's also an increase in remote and hybrid work, and what we're not surprised about is that the increase of delivery trucks for food, groceries, packages, or whatever is significantly increased, and not all of those delivery trucks are electric, most of them are not.

So that's really having a substantial increase in the number of miles traveled, and then also our air uh reduction in our air quality.

Uh so anyway, just uh we're gonna be doing a lot more studies about this and what impact this has.

Uh, but since public transit is down so much, um, it's uh concerning.

Um, I also spent some time at Building 500, which is the Novato Arts Center, this last week.

Um, and it's just amazing the number of artists that um live in Novato and um actually have their studios here in Novato out of Hamilton.

And it's really uh quite a gem if you haven't been out there.

Uh so this week we're also having an ABAG executive board meeting finance committee meeting on Thursday, which I will be attending in person.

So that's about it.

Oh, one more thing.

I have a very personal thing I wanted to share with everybody.

And today is my mother's 99th birthday.

We had a wonderful party.

She's such a kick in the pants, I tell you.

Her name is Winnie, and I'm just so proud to be her daughter.

And um, just really glad that we were able to spend today just celebrating.

A lot of people came over and congratulated her.

Um she lives in Terralinda in the house that I was raised in, and I'm just so honored to have that.

So I just wanted to share that with everybody.

She's a she's a kick in the pants, and I know several of you have already met her, so anyway, thank you.

Thanks.

Happy birthday, Winnie.

Um, Councilmember Carkle.

I'll have no.

I have no reports, thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember O'Connor.

Yes, thank you, Mayor.

Um, happy birthday to Winnie, first and most importantly.

Congratulations, 99, is a huge milestone.

Um, I want to wish everybody a happy new year.

I hope everyone had a nice relaxing holiday season.

Um, had the opportunity to attend a lot of great events over the last month or so, and I just want to give a shout-out to a few folks.

So, um, close to a month ago now, I had the opportunity to attend the city's Menorah Letting, which is a really special event that they host annually.

I want to thank Rabbi Landa and the Shabbat Jewish Center for organizing it.

It was very family friendly, very inclusive, and they have wonderful food, particularly Lacas, which are potato cakes.

That's an Irish man.

I enjoyed them very much.

Um the Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual awards dinner.

It was another really wonderful event that showcases the best of Novato and some very worthy winners who will get to recognize in the near future here at a council meeting.

Um I want to give a shout out to Stephanie and the DMBA for the bouncy ball drop.

It's one of the best events that happens each year here in Novato.

20,000 balls bounce out of the sky.

It's Kid Armageddon, hundreds of kids.

As a parent, I am always amazed by the same group of kids that can't put away a pair of shoes for three weeks.

Managed to suck up 14, 15, 16,000 bouncy balls in 30 seconds in the streets clean.

They don't miss one.

Um finally, I just want to give a shout out to the Paint the Town Red Dinner that's coming up this Saturday in January 24th.

Hope you guys can make it.

Looking forward to it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mayor Putem Jacobs.

Thank you.

Uh yes, I also uh attended the bouncy bowl put on by the DNBA, and it was great.

And the weather held out for it, which was wonderful.

Um also attended the Nevado Chamber Honors Dinner.

There were three businesses that were recognized.

Uh large business was Mayan Climbers.

Small business was Moonstone, and the microbusiness was South Nevada living.

Uh also this past weekend I attended the Knos Field Monthly Breakfast Meeting where they honored two flyers who have over 50 years experience flying.

Uh, Dan Wood and our own here from Novato, Sue Royce, and that was a wonderful thing.

Thank you very much.

Amazing.

Um, my update, uh, like my colleagues attended and kicked off the year with the 2026 bouncy ball New Year's Eve or noondrop, I guess.

Um, and that was just a great reminder of how this community comes together and big shout out to the DMBA, and then the chamber dinner and awards that really highlighted the dedication of our local businesses, and then lastly, I attended the Marin Belly Company's performance of Sophie's Toy Story at Novato High School Theater, and that was just a beautiful display of local artisty and youth talent.

All right, so moving on to our item uh public comment, item F.

Um, this is general public comment for items that are not on the agenda or items that are listed on the consent calendar.

There is a three-limited minute time limit.

Uh, do we have any public comment?

I have no general public comment cards.

All right.

So then I'm gonna um ask council for a motion for the consent calendar.

I'll move the uh excuse me.

Could we ask for public um comment specifically on the consent first?

It's included in that.

Oh, I'm so sorry, I thought it would be separate.

Thank you.

And what about public comment online?

We aren't doing online, we're not doing online in July.

In July.

Okay.

Is there a second for the consent?

I'll second the motion.

Sorry.

Um I'd like to uh abstain on items G2 and G3, please.

All right, uh Councilmember Eklund.

Um, I um I just wanted to make a comment that I had some questions on G7, but I will be talking with the city manager about the the policy and um about use of credit cards.

Okay, so I will vote yes, okay.

Councilmember Carko?

All right, Councilmember O'Connor.

All right, Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs.

All right, and Mayor Farak.

Aye.

That motion passes.

All right.

So moving on to general business, um, so we will have one.

Okay, so we will be conducting a public hearing to consider an appeal of the community development director's decision to approve the gelardio heritage tree removal.

Um, how this is gonna work is staff will have 20 minutes um to present their case, and then the appellant will have 20 minutes to state theirs, and then each party will have uh a rebuttal period, and then we'll ask questions.

Welcome.

Good evening, Mayor.

Mayor Pro Temp and City Council members.

My name is uh David Ayala.

Is the microphone on?

Yes, yes, it is you might want to speak a little bit closer to the microphone.

Thank you.

Apologies.

Yeah.

Uh my name is David Ayala, and I'm a planner one with the uh with the planning division.

Uh this evening I will be presenting the Gallardo Heritage Tree Removal appeal.

The request before the City Council this evening is to conduct a public hearing and to consider an appeal uh for a heritage tree removal permit.

As part of this item, the city council will review the director's decision to approve the removal of a designated heritage tree and to evaluate whether that decision is consistent with applicable uh municipal code requirements and adopted policies.

Uh the council may take one of three actions either to approve the director's decision authorizing the removal of the heritage tree, to modify the director's decision through the addition or revision of conditions, or to disapprove the director's decision, thereby overturning the approval.

The heritage tree that is subject to this appeal is located on 1294 Parkwood Drive.

The tree is identified as a coast redwood tree.

The request for removal is based on impacts associated with the tree's root system, which has been documented as causing damage to existing hardscape improvements to the property.

These impacts uh include disruption to paved services and related site features, which form a basis for the applicant's request to remove the tree.

The appellant uh has emphasized that the heritage tree is in good health and provides substantial environmental aesthetic and shading benefits to the surrounding area.

The appeal letter um, the appeal letter noted that the tree is located approximately 10 feet from the nearest overhead power lines.

The appellant also indicates that damage to the existing property improvements predated the tree.

In lieu of removal, the appellant suggests exploring alternative strategies to address the root-related impacts and has requested an evaluation by an independent arborist andor qualified tree professional to further assess any potential mitigation options.

Under Novato Municipal Code Chapter 17, a heritage tree removal permit may be approved if specific findings, including whether the tree constitutes a hazard due to poor health or physical instability, or whether it creates a nuisance by causing damage to existing property improvements.

The heritage tree permit was initially granted based on the finding that the tree met the nuisance criterion due to the documented damage to property improvements consistent with criteria number two.

A subsequent Arborist report further supports approval of the permit under criteria number one, identifying that the tree is a potential hazard to individuals andor existing structures.

City regulations do not require a property owner to implement remedial measures to retain a heritage tree.

Citing concerns related to physical instability resulting in utility trimming by PGE, the presence of electrical service lines running through the tree, and the resulting hazard posed to individuals and existing structures.

This evening staff is recommending that city council adopt the resolution as presented.

This concludes this presentation.

Staff are available for any questions that the city council members may have.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Now I'm gonna ask the appellant to come out, and they'll have up to 20 minutes to state their case.

This is humana and I'm coding.

Sorry, nice to meet you guys.

We live on an eighth of the heights behind the house.

And when we moved there 13 years ago, there was six or seven red roots.

Can you speak into the mic?

Sorry.

Yeah, the home directory behind us on parkour and the home that currently has one tree that we call the survivor because they I think the neighbor behind us cut two down, and I believe they got two down, and she went over primary.

Okay, so cut that one and it's been alive for seven or eight years.

It's uh cut out around the power line, and uh I know it's messy, I know the roots are intrusive, and uh we had the same thing on our power line, which runs across the four of the pool to our to our uh electric box, and then our next door neighbor also has a power line from the post by the tree that runs across their pool, and then like a solution to remove the power line to the other corner, but the tree is in the corner about as far away from the house, and then corner defense, and I've seen that route we offered to um here.

Can you get closer to the mic?

So, here for like a root guard, which is a small rubber regular roots are not super deep, but they're expansive to protect any foundation or anything like that.

The existing patterns probably 70 years ago, it's broken up maybe from the previous redwoods or it's just it's not new, or another sedition would be uh if you install that to protect or something like that.

But anyway, which I offered to rank some money for it, because they mentioned that um they think they can never have any gatherings in their patio, because it's just a structure is pretty damage.

So we'll just get that uh you know, in our health, we have like a day, and the roots aren't altered, so there we mentioned that there are other possible solutions to this, and we offered to contribute to that.

And most of the they have not um consulted with the arborists at the time to have said it hadn't happened yet when we filed the appeal.

So I guess they've done it since then.

But we feel like uh independent arborists would be more qualified than someone that works for a tree company that's obviously it's in their best interest, but redwood is expensive, and you can almost get it cut down for three amount of money the lumber's worth.

Um it's just if it's the last redwood in a neighborhood where South Abbott Boulevard is lined at the three redwoods and redwood boulevards all the way here, full of redwoods in Moran County.

I drove them around.

It's it's special California's own place on earth with redwood trees and I think they should be chairs, and it's left from the original amount.

You know, you buy a house and know it's not a tree, it's not our property, and your whole skyline is gone.

Like it nothing's left.

The last one that the neighbor behind us cut was the one by the power line on that side, and that one's much thicker, much shorter, much around the power line.

When they get to that age when their heritage is when they're 70 plus years old, they don't grow as fast as they do.

So if the branches that are cut out on the highest power in the main power line are super clear from it, and you might wait 10 years before you have to take one branch off that's on that particular side.

But the roots are a pain that the debris I offered to send my gardener over there once a month to clean debris to help.

You know, I know it's domestic, domestic tree.

It's beautiful.

My daughters love it.

If we call it the survivor, they can see it from school, they go to Linda.

And we only look left from that from both neighbors that a couple of years ago they caught everything.

So it's surprising to me that there's not a limit on the amount of red woods back between those two properties in the certain amount of treat.

That person can just cut.

Um I think I mean, part of it we're crazy about that is we went to Sequoia last summer, we go to Santa Cruz, we're going up to almost Oregon of 101.

And uh they're they're beautiful tree.

I think they should be cherished.

They were there's four percent of what was left in California today, and it's it's fully beats the head, it's a hundred and something inches wide, it's gorgeous.

It's a very healthy tree, and when we visit the property, um, they did mention, you know, the damage to their foundation by the roots.

But if you take a look at it on the um, I mean, it was a whole family, right?

So the roots that were from the trees that were there before, they're still there, obviously, and just when it's right in the corner of the patio, really, really far away from the entrance.

Well, we were considering the kill.

I had asked David, had he been out there himself, he had not uh worker from the city.

I checked it out.

But if you look at the patio, there's broken pieces of existing concrete, like little little patches of concrete.

It's it's it's um the other two redwoods where that is happening, may have caused that.

I don't know, but the redwood is in the corner, and I see tons of videos and they saw them on Home Depot.

They only need to be 18 inches of this thick plastic thing, and they have a trench fair, it's like a chainsaw, and it cuts like a three-inch like zip zip, drop them in, and redwood tree roots don't go deep, they don't they're they're expansive, they go wide, you know.

But like, yeah, there are other solutions, and that's why I would like to be considered that the tree doesn't have the only one that is standing there, does not have to be chopped if there are other solutions, right?

Um also I mean it's not just about us in the community, but I want to say that when we got the first um notification, I went out just collecting um signatures around our neighborhood, and it was really surprising to see that in just one afternoon.

Over 25 people have signed and chip in so we can just we only went to 25 houses.

We started over a hill around the heights and turned around not very far, like 12 houses on each side, and people supported us paying for the appeal, they donated, I paid for half of it but our neighbors pay for half of it we didn't even go to sunset or parkwood or just surrounding neighborhoods.

There are other solutions and I I find it like it would be really like unnecessary to do that you know there are other other things that it can do and it's just long only about all us at the community it's also that bigger bird species when there are their long travels I mean that's they rely on these tall trees to land and to rest.

All right just this morning there was a huge red shoulder pot just resting there right and it's just every time that we take a look at it there's tons of birds there tons of birth there that it's important the last refuge in that area in that she's a bird watcher but it they land in that tree and the crows chase them away it's just special trees it's a definite heritage tree that we would like to be preserved you know there are other solutions why not and if there are other ones that were right there in the property that were already that are already gone um why not why why not relocate the electric the electric um cord you know it's like there are other solutions that they can be that can be done um we're catty cornered to the property if the pole was in that corner the power line wouldn't go across the neighbor directly behind them and the power line that's on the corner of our other side of our yard wouldn't go across our pool.

If the pole was right there it would straight shots the houses but I know that'd be difficult with PGE and whatnot but that would you know clear all power lines the line to their house from the power line yeah it's more maintenance and I'd be willing to pay for that like my gardener try to couple branches you know and as well as uh come once a month for as long as the tree's alive to like blow leaves up for 15 months I just want to say two more things of large specimen trees cannot as much as 10% to a property value and you know our landscape has completely changed since 14 years ago without me moving to that house because our view was just redwoods and now there's just one left right and also it's like a mature tree can that that size catches thousands of gallons of rainwater per year and the house is situated a housing way of home sunset park way which is um considered a flock so much this is the thing we read this on your on city of bottle website that it catches all the water that it's a nesting um when the nesting season is and when um it's important for all the species of critter I hope you're really considered this he can survive um we had like a post on next door to help and the response of the community most of people are in the neighborhood but it was warm you know I think David received some emails in support of trying to say survive we love the tree and we love to work with uh these guys and do what's necessary so and you know we we go to Neal Valley Fairfax I mean there are way more many trees red little trees there and the bottom it seems to be just they seem to be just disappearing you know and I I don't want to think that nobody cares about them.

We have um a couple large palm trees on the front of our house that if we're facing in front of our house, we have to swim for we see those, but if we look backwards, we don't really see anything anymore.

It's um kind of most of the trees have been cut down and sort of get to something about a pool of it's beautiful like whenever I see them I see them in Ignacia I see them in the Gnostic, and uh large spur I see them all over the place, and gorgeous trees.

That's it.

We carry on the boat as a solution to save this one.

I appreciate it.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Um, does the city have a rebuttal they would like to say?

We have the uh property owners slash applicants here present.

So they're also gonna have time to present, and they have a translator, so if we want to give them extra time to do the translation portion.

So, we can give them some extra time.

What I'm explaining to the city so that they're prepared to make their comments as well.

Perfect.

So my name is Paul Cohen.

I am an attorney.

I am someone who has been on the property multiple times.

I am Gallardos are my clients and friends for over 10 years.

They have lived at this property for 20 years.

I think it is admirable that the appellants would like to maintain this redwood tree.

However, there is no obligation on the part of the Gallardos to maintain a tree that is both a nuisance and a hazard.

Even a healthy tree can be a threat to people and property.

In Yosemite, last summer, a woman who used to work at Frugal was killed because a redwood branch fell on a hiker at Useman.

And that was a healthy tree.

This is not a healthy tree.

Not in neighborhoods where property damage can occur and where people can be injured.

The Gallardos do not use their patio in the back because of this tree, it has created a nuisance in the sense that the slabs have been raising.

It's not something where they can entertain, and now the roots are approaching the foundation, and in less than a year are likely to impact the foundation.

You'll hear from the arborist who wrote the report in support of that fact.

The roots are shallow, but these are not simple roots like another kind of tree where you can put a barrier around it and keep it contained.

These are roots that are thicker than I have, these are roots that grow very fast every year, and on 20 years they've been approaching this structure, and that is why it is dois.

Patio substructure is already damaged, the impact on the property value and potentially the neighbor's property values as well, can be negatively impacted.

The only way to stop the tree growth is through its removal, and that's the reality.

As far as the aesthetic of this tree, depending on how you look at it, this tree is not a beautiful tree.

The way that it has been trimmed by PHE makes it an eyesore depending on what angle you're looking at.

Mr.'s report has photographs of the tree and showing how it's been cut out.

That makes the tree unstable.

And should a part of the tree fall on the power lines, who's going to be responsible for the damage?

Not the city, the property owner.

So there is liability involved here as well.

The roots and the tree, the way it's growing is unrepairable.

It is definitely within 10 feet of the power lines if you consider the branches that are over the electrical lines.

PGA has been consulted about whether or not anything could be done, and they basically said we're not going to do anything about it.

One-sided pruning around the power lines has caused part of the problem.

The canopy creates a reduced vigor of the tree, should it fall?

No one knows what direction it's going to fall in.

As far as birds and the environment, this would be the time to act upon the permit because it is not the migration season.

So it's important that if the permit is issued, there's an opportunity to bring the tree down before migration occurs, and birds might actually be in the tree.

We wouldn's my presentation.

I have not been in front of this council for over 10 years.

Mayor, I don't think I've ever met you, either.

Council Member Eklin is the only person that I know from over 10 years ago.

I used to be the executive director of legal aid for nine years.

I am now an administrative law judge at the City of Richmond Red Control Program.

So I'm hoping that this permit gets approved.

The appeal is denied, and should there be any further action, I'm perfectly happy to address that.

I hope it does not.

I can be certified as a Spanish interpreter as well, so that Ms.

Baggaru could explain her testimony to the council.

Thank you.

Yeah, that's it will be that in the newspaper media.

So I mean, I think that's a little bit of a just want the city council to know that this is a tree that's affecting our patio.

It's already affected it and it's going to affect our foundation.

Is that the same?

Is that como crachiano?

Yeah, I mean, those can also start this up on the one that's what I think.

What is the police suspect on the same place there?

The patio is also a triggering hazard.

It's broken up considerably, and it's one of the reasons we don't use the patio in the back of the house because it's a danger to us in our family.

And now we'd like to be um arborists to speak on behalf of the property owners.

Hi, name's Robert Rivero, uh certified arborist, tree risk assessment qualified, and also a member of the Native Plant Society.

Um things that I wanted to address was um I am independent arborist, I'm not the one that proposed removal.

I'm not doing any work with removal.

Um, I really have no skin in this game other than that I wrote a report on this tree.

Um, sorry, my voice does get a little shaky.

You think it would get easier when I just went to Sacramento to speak on behalf of uh protecting 3,500 who oaks.

Um, so I too do totally get the aspect of wanting to protect native trees.

Uh, but when we do look at this tree, how PG has pruned it, um the damage from roots on the concrete slabs, which I can guarantee that these roots are damaging the concrete on or the concrete slabs.

This is not something that was prior to this tree.

Um I also talked to the guyardos, and they had told me that from the PGE pruning that two limbs had fallen over into the back neighbor's property.

Uh that is something that's quite common with PG pruning, as they do do C-shaped prunes.

What happens is it extends lateral growth over on those limbs.

PGD does not address that, they're just there to protect their assets, which is understandable because we do have nutrifiers, and so I do commend them for that, but they don't go beyond that to push back those overarching limbs.

Um the redwood itself, while I did write it as a good health.

I don't think that it's the most healthy redwood I've looked at.

It's not as vigorous as most other redwoods.

As we know, redwoods grow in their native environment about 50 miles from the coast.

They get about 70% of their water from the fog.

So we do see bits of decline in redwoods that are outside of this range.

If the city cannot um finding their hearts to remove this tree on the basis solely, I would ask that they would at least consider replanting with us some other kind of baby species.

Maybe something small, like a toyon, CNO Bis, uh different kind of sages, something that's kind of small for their area.

That would be great for local wildlife, birds, whatever we have.

But I can guarantee you that everything I wrote in that report was honest, and like I said before, I haven't skin of the game of this redwood.

So those are just some things I wanted to address.

I'd be more than happy to answer.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Do we have a rebuttal from the applicant?

Appealant.

Do you guys have anything else you want to say?

And what they say.

Photos?

Laura, can you have the printing or the I just think that it's an opinion to say, I think that the tree is not beautiful, not amazing.

And I think you know, I'm an immigrant to this country, and I think that as an immigrant, I mean, when I first approached the owners, and they were cutting the first trees.

I remember I told her that as influence we have a duty to also take care of the land that we are occupying that we don't that we just can't all come here and take over and get rid of what was before us, right?

That tree has been over 70 years, all the right, and whether it's it's beautiful or not, it's it's part of like it's an important part of the environment for sure of the tree of the birds that are around and the community things different.

Most trees, like my neck our new next room area's been there like a year and a half.

We love them.

They cut all the trees, and it's like, all right, do what you gotta do.

You know, that's that's you know, whatever he was he was putting like a job.

Like it's just this tree is different.

You know, it's it's a heritage redwood.

It's it's well over the 100 inches wide that it's supposed to be.

It roots out, and he's right, like um having its two brothers cut, they they place their roots together and support each other, and it's uh it's healthy to us.

Like you look at it, it's it's bright red on the on the trunk.

It's um it's what I read was 70 miles from the coast, the coastal river is not 50 miles, but we're almost within that range from Marshall or wherever it's Malls Bay.

But um that's just sad because it's like I said, it's down to 4%, and I know there's efforts to grow them where they ought to be, not on someone's property, but I see them all over our neighborhood, all over the bottom, all over Marin, from Fairfax to Mill Valley up to the Samarin has a growth by Stafford Lake that's like big, it's like five miles from Stockford Lake, and it's a natural growth, like Mirror Woods or Armstrong Woods or in Santa Cruz, and all over there's like little pockets like what's left of um that the chainsaws that I've got to.

Four percent means 90, 96 percent that they cut down.

So we're just hoping there's there's a way I've watched five videos about the root guard, and it turns the root away.

It's it's thick, it doesn't um it doesn't like stop there and build up and puncture the plastic, it redirects the root, it's not meant to um whatever, and and and they need irrigation in the summertime.

The water in the corner, it couldn't be in a better position on that law, it's up against two fences in the corner, which you know it is the power line's pretty close to the pole, but um, and as far as our patio, um, again, I'm happy to help raise money for a deck.

You know, just that will say if we can save that some kind of tree, and they can driven on it.

I mean, I understand that part, but it like he said it's it's kind of it's really old.

The concrete has everything.

The patio from the Google maps.

If you put it in satellite mode, it's just chunks of concrete, you know, it's and grass, and it's I don't know where the other tree or two trees were, but it's clearly as old as the house, which is 7070.

If it's built in the 50s, like mine is over 70 years old.

The trees over 70 years old, the concrete and the foundation are all um up there just like our house.

It's not some new patio that was installed, and that's what the website said, like new uh construction, and that's what the permit said, it stands in new construction, and it's there's nothing uh, everything there is older than the and all of you.

Um that's that's very good.

Um, the harbor's um report is uh I know if you work for tree masters and you work for you know my tree climbers, we work for um 80 tree or any of those all those harbors want the job, you know, and it's just I know there's other arbors that are really expensive, more you know, more expensive than the permit that we can hire one.

There's a couple there's some guys in the end that uh would do that and get it with more honest attorney, but yeah.

Thank you for your consideration.

Thank you very much.

All right, I'm gonna bring it back to council for questions, and we'll get off with council member Uckland.

Uh thank you.

Thank you uh very much.

Um I have a couple of questions for staff.

Uh, first of all, um about the selection of the arborist.

It was stated that it was an independent um selection.

Um, it was a selection made by the owners, but um I'm not quite convinced that it is quote in independent arborist, uh, because it was hired by the owner, um, as pointed out by the appellants.

So my question is is that why doesn't the city um hire at the cost of the um applicant um the arborist to with the instructions that they're to you know strictly look at the health of the tree um and not necessarily um uh look at it um with the perspective of um necessarily protecting the person that's paying them.

So I I'm kind of curious about that.

Good evening, council member Michael Smith, planning department staff.

So what you're describing is kind of like a consultant services type of uh feature, uh something that we would do like for environmental services that we have in the department.

Um that is a more intensive process just to bring those people on board to do that review.

We do get a lot of uh tree removal permits.

Um if that is something that the council uh would like to have to entertain, it's something we can look into, um, but it does require um a bit more time uh to do this review that we are asked to do.

Okay, I guess we're gonna have to have some discussion about that because I really think that we need to um take take a look at that process.

Um what about a replacement tree?

Have um I didn't see anything in the report about that.

Uh the code as it's written does not require a replacement tree.

Um it's just it's just not part of the ordinance.

So it's not something that's the city is requiring to be done.

But typically, in cases where there have been lots of trees, and then now they're just down to like one or two.

Um sometimes the council has had the made the decision that they you know do a two to one that they plant two that replace the one that they're removing.

Um had staff uh thought about that at all in order to help?

Because frankly, when I visited the site, I was really struck with how all the trees are gone in that whole neighborhood.

There's not one tree, there's a palm.

Um, but that's it.

And um, you know, I grew up in Terra Linda, but I've lived in Novato longer than I ever lived at Darylinda.

And um South Novato is where I've lived most of my life in Novato, and that area used to have a lot more trees, as was being explained by the appellants.

So um why um in and actually it's an opportunity to help resolve some of the issues too between the neighbors.

So I was kind of curious as to why staff hadn't uh maybe require that as a mitigation measure.

So again, um staff can't make that requirement.

We could certainly ask the homeowners if that was something that they were interested in doing, and they may be perfectly willing to do that.

I don't know that that question's been posed to them at this point.

Well, is the council and the council available to make that decision tonight?

Yeah, that's exactly what I was gonna say.

Okay, that's um something that we can talk about.

Um the selection of the arborists because uh as was explained to us, most of the trees were removed by other trees, which may have caused the damage in the backyard.

And the roots from what I have experienced, roots of trees may still live on long after the tree is gone.

Um, and so that's m what may be causing the damage in this uh the applicant's uh backyard, but without an arborist that is really truly independent, um and not hired by the applicant, we may not necessarily know that.

So um, do we ask the arborists when they do their work to look at what past trees may have caused or may still be causing because the roots are still there?

That's probably something you could ask the arborist if it's part of the scope of their work.

Oh, Steve Marshall, Deputy Director.

Good evening, Steve Marshall, the director of community element.

So I would wanted to address the issue of independent arborists.

Um in this instance, the tree removal is presented as damage occurring in your patio.

Uh it's often the case that you don't need an arborist to verify that type of damage.

It's very clear when roots are causing heating and concrete or uh photographs or site visits to look at damage that's occurring.

So in this instance, there was no initial requirement to have an arbitrary report, it's not a mandatory element of the tree removal process.

It was only after the appellant uh submitted their appeal and requested a harbor silicate this matter that staff asked the owners of the applicants if they would consider hiring their own arborists to look at this issue and address some of the issues that it's might be.

Now, if the city were to engage in the process of hiring its own arborist, that would involve services contract, and we also uh incur charges to the applicant for that uh service.

So we could probably look at anywhere from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars for these reviews.

Um it's the case that planning department handles probably a little over 100 tree rule or permits in every year.

Um this is the first one in recent memory that's resulted in appeal, and so um I think as we're looking at this issue, um this is easy circumstance.

I just want to make sure that the council understands that uh arbitry boards are not a mandatory element of the ordinance, they're optional, and in fact, also on the side of replacement trees.

Uh, Council Member, I think you're speaking of two different approaches.

Um, one is a sequel review where you have development taking out a large number of trees, and to mitigate that impact, you have a tree replacement ratio in the instance where we have existing properties where trees are being proposed for removal, we especially where there's damage.

Staff often does not uh require replacement trees because we want to leave the homeowner with the option of number one, but if they want a tree at all, and if so, what type of tree they achieve?

So we don't insert ourselves into that decision.

But certainly it's an option to the council if you'd like to require replacement tree.

I guess I would look at things a little bit differently given the um uh what's been happening in that neighborhood, Steve, and the fact that um there's no more trees left after this one goes, except for that palm.

So um I don't know.

I think that um uh I think that, in my opinion, we should have an arborist to rehired, um, in order to really determine whether or not the roots that are causing the problem are come from that tree or from the trees that have been removed in the past, because the roots were not removed and roots stay alive for a long time and continue to do damage.

So this damage could have been from roots from the previous trees that have been removed.

Um the other question I had is what is the status of the undergrounding of um all the wires in South Dovato?

Do we have that information tonight?

We can certainly provide you.

In fact, I believe that there was an update in the Friday memo on that.

Um we continually make sure that everybody's aware that process is still happening.

PGE's still out there doing their um doing their work before the other utilities come in.

Um my understanding is is there's an issue.

Uh there's an engineering concern about how to um go around a creek right now that's in the process of being looked at, so that may have delayed PG's work just as much.

But what about South Novato?

It's a the undergrounding of the wires in South Novato near near the this property.

Is that what I don't know if they're near this property or not, but um, well, that's that's another consideration too is that if the applicants are concerned about the wires, um, as undergrounding is progressing.

I believe that they are gonna be working on South of Auto, at least they have been for some time now.

So I would have to look at the map.

I don't think we have nope, that's not in this area.

I'm looking at public works, not in this area of this property.

Councilmember Eckland, can I go to the other council members and then come back?

Um, actually, if we could just get the answer to this question, this will I think most of them there may be more.

Perfect.

Thank you very much.

And your credit of your rooms in council.

I'm I'm not certain of that.

We can look well while the council's deliberately right now, but I don't have that information.

Okay, thank you.

And I'll uh raise my hand if I need more questions.

Perfect, thank you.

Uh Mayor Putum Jacobs.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Um, I do see there's power lines running to it, those are the ones running to the house.

Are there any power, any other power lines running through the tree?

It appears in the picture.

You can see them in one point one four.

You can see them running through the canopy of the tree.

Right.

Are there any other ones or just those?

Just those.

Okay.

And there is uh a point where they do connect to the main power line to the actual house itself as well, and that's kind of entangled in the branches.

Okay, and PG and it does not trim those, trim around those wires because those are the responsibility of the homeowner.

Is that correct?

Or what's their deal?

Do you know?

That I don't know.

Okay.

I'm assuming there's no birds nesting in the tree at this point.

Not that we've identified.

Okay.

And third question is how tall is the tree?

Good question.

Maybe the arborist knows.

We may lean on the arbors for this answer.

I'd estimate that it's probably about 65 feet.

I could also answer about the service row.

That is something that's required by the homeowner.

Since it is coated in plastic, it's not as likely to start fire compared to the high voltage lines that you can see run through the tree.

What if the tree came down and took out those power lines?

The high voltage?

Well, they take out the surface drop?

The service drop.

It would be it would be hazardous, but it wouldn't be nearly as bad as taking out the high voltage.

But it would still be a hazard and there would still be electricity.

I think that runs at 220 voltage.

Or is the high voltage can run from somewhere like 30,000?

I also have a line current certification as well.

Okay, and this is the tree stands about 10 feet away or from the main from the high voltage power line.

From the trunk, yes.

Yeah, all the way around.

Yeah, I'd probably say the canopy as well foliage is all about 10 feet.

And that's probably at about 20 feet in height, I'm guessing.

The power lines?

Yeah, maybe about from the property, I'd say about 20, 25.

Okay.

And do you know how far away from the house that tree is?

Uh I would say maybe about 13, 14 feet, roughly.

And the neighbors' homes?

Uh, the neighbor's homes, the neighbor next door would maybe be about 21, the neighbor down below on the back side, the other power lines.

I'd say maybe about 30 feet.

So in it in any direction, if that tree went down, it'd take out somebody's house.

I understand, yeah.

Okay, thank you.

You're welcome.

And Councilmember O'Connor.

Thank you.

Um I had a couple of questions for our city attorney.

Um, as I'm reading our code, um, this section that deals with this is I mean it's 17-1, and then section C and this this two examples.

So the permit may be granted if it is determined that the subject tree is due to the size, type, condition, and location.

So one is a hazard to individuals or existing structures, and then the second speaks to a nuisance by causing damage to improvements, such as building foundations, retaining walls, utilities, and so on.

Is it correct to say those those are the two expressed explicit exact circumstances in which a permit would be approved?

Is that right?

Correct.

Okay.

So just push pushing one to the side for a moment because I think we're having some conversation around that that's maybe muddy in the water.

The second part seems to be the majority of the evidence as presented tonight, in your opinion, does it clearly demonstrate that the tree is causing an use and spike creating damage to improvements such as building foundations and in this case patios.

I'm sorry, are you asking for my personal opinion?

Yeah, based on the evidence that was presented.

Well, I think there is substantial evidence in the record for the council to be able to make that finding, and it would be upheld by any reviewing court.

Okay, thank you.

Um and then I guess my question for staff is we had an arborist opinion, he came out, he looked at the roots.

I'm assuming you did a similar assessment when you visited the property, is that correct?

That is correct.

And in your professional opinions, do you also agree that the roots from this tree clearly extend directly out from the tree to the property damaging the proper the patio?

That is correct.

Okay, thank you.

And then my last question, just circling back to the city attorney.

So we heard a lot of great suggestions around how the tree might be preserved or may maintained.

Is there anything in city coat that's enforceable that would allow us to enforce any of these alternative suggestions onto the property owner?

You do have discretion to apply conditions that you think would be appropriate.

Um I can find the specific language here.

It says um the permit may be issued subject to such conditions as are deemed reasonably necessary to accomplish the objectives of that chapter, including without limitation requirements for protecting and maintaining the trees to be saved.

In this case, that would not be relevant unless you decided to decline to uphold this permit.

Um establishing root protection zones, grading limits, cut and fill restrictions, temporary barricades.

Again, this is more um applicable when there are other trees that need to be preserved in the area.

I think the remaining condition that's listed here as an example is requirements for replacing removed trees with trees of reasonably comparable quality.

That would be what seems available here.

Okay.

Thank you.

I didn't have any other questions.

Yeah, and I just I just had one question.

Um I know root guards were brought up a couple of times.

Can you give me some more information on like what that is, what that does to the trees, that sort of thing.

Or expert.

We do do repairs quite often.

And so what we try to do is establish about an eight-inch barrier from the foundation of the home.

Uh we try to stick to the guidelines and not cutting any roots that are uh above four inches.

So same thing with pruning as well.

We don't want to prune any branches over four inches, as well as uh roots.

Um, from looking at the distance of the tree to the home, I would say that it's quite close.

Um we would be cutting quite significant roots, which would then give uh a counterbalance effect that the tree would fall as tension roots are the side that holds the tree up.

The tree could potentially you know fall from the roots that are being cut.

I would also say it'd be quite difficult to remove the concrete uh slabs um without damaging the roots uh because those roots are lifting quite high.

I'd say some of those roots might be eight inches and they're well above the soil.

So then you'd have to add soil on top of that, which would then also cause uh restriction of getting water to the feeder roots.

Feeder roots are within the top 12 inches of soil.

So if we have to add soil on top to make a level ground, then those feeder roots are gonna be damaged because it's gonna be a lot harder for them to get water as well.

And then if you did that, would it then it enhance the chances of the tree falling because the roots are not I would mostly say with the I mean it would add an added stress to the tree, but I would say that the root barrier would be more of something that would cause a tree failure.

Whereas adding soil, doing damage to the surface anchored roots would add stress to the tree, which in theory adding stress to the tree does increase the likelihood of failure, but I think most likely looking at the likelihood of tree failure would be from cutting roots for the root barrier.

So if you if you had to mitigate this with not cutting it down, what would just be your professional opinion?

Without cutting it down.

I'm just curious to see the option.

I mean, like you know, when I wrote the report, I wrote it for removal.

I don't know, like you know, I'm not in the construction business.

I think that someone had brought up a deck, right?

Adding a deck instead of a concrete uh slab, but then I think you get to the aspect of you'd be damaging roots regardless because you have to put posts or it matters what kind of deck would be installed if they had peers.

Uh but regardless, you're gonna be adding stress to the tree.

Because what I like to use is uh how we talk about how far redwood roots reach is I like to tell the clients that when you lay that tree down, there's roots all within that area where you lay the tree down.

Redwood roots are quite large, they're they're it's I don't want to say the word basic, but they are quite shallow.

Um so there's roots all within that area, even if there was a uh patio or uh a deck to install, there's gonna be roots that are gonna have to be cut, there's gonna have to be damage.

So I I don't really have another mitigation effort, and that's why I brought up the idea of planting something small like a toyon, right?

Toyons produce fruit for native birds, CNO that's uh some kind of native plant that will give back to the ecosystem in a way that's not gonna damage a barrier's property.

And I have a bunch of recommendations for them as being a member of the society.

Thank you very much.

All right, well, that concludes.

Uh do you you don't have oh city miniature coming cutting hand?

Yes, thank you.

Um, so question was asked about undergrounding.

This site is actually about a mile away from um the undergrounding project.

So it would not be applicable in this situation.

Close, but not there.

Thank you.

All right.

I'm gonna move on to open public comment.

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

Do we have any yellow cards?

I have no cards for this item.

Alright, so coming back to council for discussion or a motion.

I'd like to make a motion to uh support the community development director's decision to approve the tree removal and issuing the permit.

I will second that motion.

Any discussion.

Yes.

Councilmember Eklund?

Great.

Um would the maker of the motion agree that um to require uh a replacement tree to be planted?

Um a tree type of tree that could be mutually agreed upon by um the two neighbors.

Um I appreciate that the idea, but I wouldn't be willing to support that by putting it into the motion.

I think that's at the discretion of the property owner.

Okay, with that, then I will not be supporting the motion.

I really feel that um it's uh uh not fair um for the community members that live around there uh to be able to have a voice um in the last tree standing.

Um I don't know how many other council members actually went to the site and looked at it, um, but I was shocked when I saw um devoid of any trees other than that palm tree.

Um it was it was quite a shock.

So I I will not be supporting the motion.

I think that our process uh should be changed, and I'll be uh looking at maybe even bringing a uh an item to the council where um we should be able to consider um uh having quote an independent a real truly independent arborist taking a look at this.

And I am um in support of with having that added to the motion.

Um so um I will I will ask the maker of the motion then that the staff bring back an item for us to have a discussion about um who really hires the arborist um in this process.

So does the maker of the motion um agree to make that amendment?

Do you mind clarifying the amendment request?

Sorry.

The amendment is what I've been saying is that instead of the applicant hiring the arborist, that we actually hire the arborist independent of the property owner.

Um that way the arborist is in fact neutral and not necessarily um hired um by the uh the applicant.

Okay, so I have two answers to this.

Excuse me, but the the applicant would pay for it, so the city would not be out the cost of that.

Yes, I I'm not willing to make that amendment for two reasons.

First, I have no concerns about a professional with the professional designations neutrality at all.

And second of all, something as obvious as roots where you can just walk the route to the tree and back to the patio.

I I don't think it requires an arbore's opinion to determine that the roots coming out of the tree and damaging the patio.

So no, I I wouldn't be willing to make that amendment.

I'm in support of asking the applicant to put a tree um where that one is.

Uh you you do have the option to make an alternative motion if you want to proceed that way as well, and then the city clerk can call the vote.

I'm comfortable.

Or an amendment that I made and it's been seconded.

Can we also make an amendment to the motion?

You can have an alternative motion on the floor, and then we would consider the last raise motion before we then consider Mr.

O'Connor's motion.

Okay, then I will make an amendment that um the uh city council require a replacement tree that is of um uh agreement between uh the uh two property owners.

I think there's a repla a replacement tree.

I think that'll be 200 monitor, but hopefully they'll get input from the neighbor.

Pardon me if uh a replacement tree.

Yeah, uh Mayor, I think we got a little bit of a header ahead of ourselves, and um we need public comment.

We did do public comment.

Did we?

Yeah, okay.

This came late.

Okay, can I reopen public comment?

Okay, are you making that motion, Councilmember Uckland?

Yes, I make it the marsh and that we require replacement tree.

Okay, and I'll second that, and then I'm gonna open public comment again um for M.

Is that okay if I address one thing?

Um, if there is a replacement tree, I would ask that uh we do take into consideration things like right tree right place, since there are power lines there.

We wouldn't want to plan another Redwood in this place, a value of things that are gonna get large and are gonna have to turn.

Um, something that would be small, it doesn't have to be native, right?

I would appreciate it very much if it would be native, uh but something that it wouldn't be large that would get into these power lines and uh be a future nuisance for clients.

Or any part of the house and uh Jason.

Thank you.

Is M Coops yep?

You have three minutes.

Well, my name is Martina, Martina and for me this is a personal thing from experience.

Mommy said I have a tree behind my house and is after it.

I evaluated and I and I'm able to get it cut down for a number of reasons.

So you want to buy a couple of my home now.

Then I said aside, I work with a lot of people, and their safety is off my most um in my head.

So when I'm considering everything I recognize, I realize that safety for people and the prevention of priors is always in the back of my mind.

However, one of my guests has stumbled in the city, you know, all in San Francisco, and they easily fall.

So I will go to this property and I will walk around and see if it's really dangerous for pedestrian to walk by there because if it's not dangerous for pedestrians, it's a neighborhood issue.

If neighbors do not like doesn't mean it's dangerous to them because they know where the roots are.

So the main danger remaining in my mind is how much fire danger really is there as compared to the importance of having the tree remain for the birds and for the people.

We simply don't have many other trees to look at.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, any other cards Laura?

No, all right.

Close public comment.

I believe we have a motion um on the floor in a second.

Will you call roll?

Okay, and to clarify, this is for the substitute motion.

First, so council member Eklund.

Aye.

Councilmember Carkle.

No.

Councilmember O'Connor?

No.

Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs?

No.

And Mayor Farak.

Aye.

Alright, that motion doesn't pass, so we'll go to the original motion.

Can you take roll call?

Councilmember Eklund?

No.

Councilmember Carkle?

Aye.

Councilmember O'Connor.

Aye.

Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs?

Aye.

And Mayor Farak.

Aye.

Alright, that motion passes.

Thank you very much.

All right.

And the public hearing is now closed.

Mayor, can I quickly um recognize David and Michael?

This is David's first presentation to council tonight.

So congratulations, thank you very much.

I'm not sure if it was Michael's or not.

Nice job.

Thanks, you guys.

Alright, so moving on to general business, J1.

Um, this is to adopt a resolution awarding the professional service contract for economic development strategic plan.

And um we have Katie Skerping, um, our economic development manager to present the item.

Welcome, Katie.

Thank you.

Good evening, Mayor and council members.

Um, I'm very excited to present to you this evening um this very first step towards creating an economic development strategic plan for City of Navado.

So tonight we're asking you to adopt a resolution to award the professional services contract of the Economic Development Strategic Plan to Good City Company to authorize the city manager to execute that contract and amend the operating budget to appropriate $145,000.

Sorry, 145,050 to execute that contract.

I'm gonna take the opportunity this evening to tell you a bit of detail about the economic development strategic plan, its purpose and the process as we get ready to kick off what will be a high level of effort and engagement at the staff level, the council level, and really across the community.

So as you know, the directive to complete the economic development strategic plan came from the council's citywide strategic plan, goal number five, economic vitality, which is to assess economic development needs and develop a strategy toward building a comprehensive long-term economic development plan.

There you go.

We know that we want the EDSP, sorry for the acronym, but it's a lot of times to say all those words.

We want the EDSP to build on the general plan's economic vitality chapter, and we want it to create a vision for our future economic development and growth.

Because this level of strategic focus on economic development is new to the city, it's worth taking a moment to define what economic development is and what we're really talking about with this idea of our economic future and vision.

So economic development is the long-term process of improving the economic well-being of a community and expanding a broad array of the opportunities enjoyed by people in the community.

This includes economic growth in terms of success by small businesses and large employers, but it also includes other indicators like job creation, housing availability, infrastructure improvement, workforce education and skills, innovation, and the larger social well-being of the community.

While economic development relies on investment in our community, as we know, much of that investment is not actually done by the city itself, rather by individuals and businesses, entrepreneurs, industry who stick their neck out to invest in our community, create jobs, and support our communities thriving.

For this reason, I always think about economic development like a gardening metaphor.

As the city, we're the gardeners.

We're not the shoots of flowers that we ultimately hope to see blooming, but we do have a lot of responsibility to create healthy soil, like the policies that are supportive of our economy, trim away the weeds by removing obstacles and barriers to economic growth, and cultivating the space for this long-term vision.

So in this context, the EDSP not only creates the vision for our future growth, it also provides an implementation plan mapping out how we as the city can cultivate that garden.

Things like assessment of opportunity sites, code updates, infrastructure upgrades, and business support services.

So some background on the process so far.

The RFP was released on September 19th, 2025, based on a scope that received input from the Economic Development Advisory Commission as well as from staff in nearby jurisdictions that have recently completed similar plans.

We were really excited to receive 10 proposals from excellent firms and move forward with interviews with four firms.

I'm excited tonight to introduce you to our recommended consultants, Good City Company, and Strategic Economics.

The team is here on Zoom and available for questions after the presentation.

This team is extremely well qualified and well regarded in the Bay Area where they're based, as well as nationally, where they have abundant experience.

We're excited about this combination of deep knowledge of our region specifically, as well as a broad understanding of innovative approaches based on work across the country.

Their expertise includes strategic land use and economic development planning, opportunity site assessments, policy evaluation, fiscal and economic impact analysis, economic development and retail strategies, and real estate advisory services.

The work on the EDSP really falls into three major phases.

The first is economic analysis, which includes an assessment of our existing programs, assets, and partnerships, analysis of existing economic data, and of sites across the city that present opportunities for future development or redevelopment.

The second phase focuses on community and stakeholder engagement, including outreach to key stakeholders, a public workshop, public events, and formal presentations to EDAC and the city council.

And finally, the team will synthesize these findings from the first two phases in order to develop a SWOT analysis, strategic framework, and implementation roadmap.

You will be hearing from us throughout the process as we will be looking for your participation to guide that vision.

In terms of project timeline, pending your approval tonight, we plan to kick off work with the consultant team as soon as next week, which will initiate the first phase of work.

You can expect to see public engagement happening throughout the spring with project completion by late summer.

So tonight, staff recommends that you adopt the resolution to award the professional services contract, authorize the city manager to execute the contract and amend the operating budget to appropriate 145,500 for that contract.

Thank you.

I'm available for questions, as is Good City Company if you have any.

Thank you so much for the great presentation.

Bringing it back to council, Councilmember Eklund.

Uh yes, I have a couple of questions.

First, who served on the panel interviewing the different companies?

The interview panel was made of city staff, including myself, um, assistant city manager Carla Hansen and Community Development Director Claire Hartman.

And could you say that a little bit more slowly?

The city staff and who else?

Community development director Claire Hartman.

Okay.

Assistant city manager Carla Hanson and myself.

Okay, so nobody from the business community or um, okay.

Not on the interview panel.

Again, they did provide feedback on the scope and the RFP, but not actually assessing the firms themselves.

Okay, great.

Um the other question is is that how, because when I read this and in the past, the city council has been able to provide input as we go.

I did not see any opportunities for the city council providing some feedback to staff.

So can you help me to understand how will council be engaged in the development of the plan as we go along?

Absolutely.

The first engagement will likely be in what is called stakeholder interviews in the scope of work.

So those are interviews specifically with important and engaged stakeholders that will include the council as well as other economic development stakeholders in the community.

Then there will, of course, be the public opportunities where we would welcome and hope to see your presence, as well as a presentation to the council about halfway through the process, and then an additional presentation, of course, at the time of adoption.

So as so the interviewing by the consultant would of the council would be early on.

That's going to take a year or thereabouts to develop the plan.

Um, where are the strategic opportunities for the council to have some input?

We could certainly look at additional opportunities, but again, the um the timeline is a bit shorter than that.

So we're kicking off kind of mid to late January, and we hope to come back to you with a draft of the plan by the end of the summer.

So it's really, it's really sort of the the next few months where there's gonna be the in-depth analysis and engagement after that point.

The consultants are off drafting the plan again, based on multiple points of your feedback.

Okay, well, in the past we've been actively engaged, so I know that there um there may be some council members like myself that would like to be more engaged than um the plan identifies.

So I look forward to an opportunity for us to have that discussion.

I should say that's absolutely our hope as well, and I should have emphasized that more.

But this is something that will take a lot of engagement, and we hope to have a high level of participation.

Absolutely.

Great.

I look forward to that.

Thank you.

Councilmember Carkle.

Uh, yes, I just have a quick question as to the company, Good City Company.

Uh, I'm sure as part of the uh interview process and you know looking at the qualifications and stuff.

You probably and maybe I may have missed this somewhere in here, but could you give us some examples of similar work that this company has performed possibly in this area, maybe.

Yeah, if if Good City Company is able to jump on and speak to that, I know they would do a better job than I would.

Um, otherwise, I'm happy to get them on.

Can you hear me okay?

Yeah, we can hear you.

Good evening.

Um I can't hear you.

Good evening, uh, mayor, members of the city council.

Um, my name is Sabina Mora, and I'm the economic development lead for Good City Company.

Um I work for the company about uh five years, and I've been in economic development for about 16 years.

Um we've put together a team with strategic economics and good city company um that has a lot of experience in both land use economics and um the financial side in economic development and assessing economic development opportunities and some of the strategies that we've worked on recently.

Uh we've done strategies for uh San Mateo County uh looking at um site assessments.

We've worked for the city of Pacifica, uh, and we've done area and specific plans for Scots Valley uh and Belmont and Woodside, um, and on the economic development strategy side, um, strategic economics has completed or has recently worked on eight economic development strategic plans.

Um, some of those include Will Pedas, Pleasanton, Family Android, Dublin, Bailey City, among others.

Um, and they're also currently working um in uh Marin County on the economic benefits um economic benefit assessment of Smart Train.

Um, also um specifically in Marin County, um, there's a few additional projects that um that are is considered relevant work experience and strategic economics um has worked on uh for Moran and Sonoma counties on uh county city housing in LU fee studies, uh, in Lu fee study for San Rafael and on the Kaluma General Plan, as well as um a few area plans uh in Saratoga um and um a couple other um well and several other area cities um so together we have a lot of local experience um and as well as national experience.

Great, thank you.

All right, MC, no other questions.

I'm gonna open up for public comment.

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

Um I'd like to invite Stephanie Kohler up to talk.

Welcome, Stephanie.

Thank you.

Welcome.

Um, hello, council and Mayor Mia Cochem.

I am the executive director of the DMDA, the downtown model business association, which uh I'm assuming about 430 businesses.

I am speaking on behalf of the entire board.

We talked about this and um have been speaking with Karma and Katie on this sort of ongoing designer for city to step up and uh do more, and not I won't say more because I'm not trying that it's not happening, but to to put a focus on economic development and all the things that are outlined in this potential strategic plan.

So we just really want to thank the city for putting this in the front and the initiative I read through the staff report and the scope of work and I think it looks it looks great and we look forward to participating on any levels that are appropriate.

Thank you, Stephanie.

Um the next speaker, Denise Athos.

Welcome Denise.

Hi there, happy new year, and thank you all for your service and happy birthday to you.

Um I'm Denise Anthos, and I'm here as president of the Chamber of Commerce representing the board of directors.

Our CEO Christina Mendez gives you her request that she couldn't be here this evening.

She wanted to, but she had a prior commitment.

Chamber's 100% supportive of hiring the big city company as a consultant to develop an economic development strategic plan.

This is a necessary move to plan for what Navado could be and the type of businesses that we want to see here.

The most important part of the plan will actually be the eventual implementation of the vision.

With Sacramento taking away so much public opinion in regards to certain developments, it's refreshing to see a plan that will be seeking public and stakeholder engagement and outreach.

The city's got a prime time with a wonderful economic development staff headed by economic development manager Katie Scherfing and assistant city manager Carla Hansen to look at the city's economic vision and create a roadmap to what Nevada could look like in the future.

The chamber's prepared to assist the council, the staff, and the city in any way needed, and we're excited to be part of the venture.

Thanks very much.

Thank you, Denise.

All right, bringing it back to council.

Do I have a motion?

So I have I have another question.

Okay, I raised my hand.

Um page three of the um professional services agreement uh 5.2.2.

They talk about um that if the consultant um believes that there is more work that is um needed beyond the scope of this agreement, um, that the city shall um uh do a fair and equitable basis.

But my question is is shouldn't we shouldn't there be some sort of a limit on what that can be because it doesn't really identify um a limit like if it's a 10 percent or 15 percent or 20 percent of the total of the agreement, it doesn't give any parameters like that.

Can you help me understand that?

Yes, the maximum amount that the council sets tonight and approves tonight will hold regardless of any um amendment or change in scope of work.

That might just be um change orders that move around specific work products within the scope of the project that is within that maximum amount.

Um if we if the city were to exceed that budget that you set, you they would have to come back for an amendment approved by you all.

So that they can move the money around, but as long as they do not exceed the overall amount, um just like any other uh budget budgetary restriction.

If the council approves the budget amount of this contract, then if there is an increase, if there's a need to increase it, we would come back to you and request come back to you the council and request an amendment to that.

Okay, great.

So as long as I know that the the amount is what it is and it can't be increased beyond that.

Great.

That's correct.

All right, um, councilman member Jacobs.

Do you like to make a motion?

Yeah, I will make a motion that we approve the economic development to strategic plan agreement and go forward with it.

All right, second that.

Oh, all right.

Second it.

Can you call roll call?

Council member Eklund.

Aye.

Councilmember Carkle, Councilmember O'Connor.

Aye.

Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs.

Aye.

And Mayor Farak.

Aye.

That motion passes.

Okay.

Congratulations, Katie.

We're excited to see what happens.

Alright, we're gonna take a uh eight-minute break, so I would be back at what 7:43.

All right, we will reconvene the meeting.

Uh next we have item J2, and Laura McDowell will be presenting this as our city clerk.

Thank you, Mayor.

So this is the item for the city council to make appointments to the outside local, regional, and state commissions committees and boards that you sit on.

We do have a new council member, so there are some vacancies to consider.

So I have the list up on the screen, and I will turn it over to the city council for discussion.

All right, so um we have the community development agency.

We have a vacant for the regular members, and then I'm the alternate.

Would anyone like to be a regular member of that?

Madam Mayor, um, instead of going um, um, I uh would like to say that I would like to continue serving on the commissions that I have been uh representing.

And so if there's any vacancies, I I think it would be appropriate for the new council member to and the rest of the council members to discuss whether they want to take those positions.

Um but I I prefer to just keep the assignments that I have now, and not have any change for me.

Okay.

Would anyone want to represent the I'm I'm happy to take the first one if no one else is interested?

That's the community development agency.

All right.

Um MCE, are we anyone interested in that?

Besides exit-okay, we'll keep that as it is.

Uh Mira, Kevin and Tim, are you good with that one?

Yeah, I'm good with staying on Mira.

Thank you.

All right, we have a vacancy for North Bay Watershed Association board.

And I'm interested in staying as the primary on that.

And I'd be interested in actually being appointed to the regular member there as well.

All right.

Uh let's come back to that one.

Um, and then uh we have the TAM board that's vacant.

I'd like to stay as an alternate.

I'd like to get on TAM board.

Uh, so one point of clarification for that.

So the um city council only appoints to oh sorry, you're right.

Yeah, so you have to be on the smart, you're right.

Sorry.

All right, uh Mayor Putem Jacobs will take that.

Um, and then I think the um safe routes of school C level rise, bay wave.

Is everyone good with those existing ones?

Which one are you talking about?

C Froze.

The three.

You want to remain them.

Is it yeah?

I was just offering if it's a little bit that was in the way in those definitely all right.

So the only coincides with all my bc D C work as well.

Yep.

Um, so the North Bay Watershed Association Board.

Um, so Pat or Councilmember Eklund and Councilmember Carkell are interested in that.

Um, do you all wanna I would like to be here?

Primary case, because it it coincides with my Bay Conservation Development Commission work as well as climate change and others, and I would welcome um Sandeep's um be my alternate.

And uh likewise uh I would be interested in being the regular member on that as well, because that's about the only real committee that I would be uh interested in that's not currently um, you know, um available um item that's kind of adjacent or relevant to the kind of work I do, and I feel I'd be um I'd be well suited for that position.

Okay, okay.

Do I have any conversations from my fellow members?

I had a clarifying question, I guess, for Sandy.

So Sandy, but you're saying this is the only.

Sorry, Councilmember Carkle.

Are you saying that this is the only the only commission you're requesting to be appointed as the regular member of?

Uh yes.

Uh I mean, I'm happy to take um any of the other vacant positions if the council wants to assign one or two other committees to me, but this is something obviously I have a lot of interest in given the kind of work that I do as well.

So then I guess I can't.

I guess my concern about that is that this is a city position.

And um Sandeep has been sitting on it as a representative of the sanitary district.

Um if I no, actually I have not.

No, I have not.

I'm not representing the senator district on the NBWA.

Oh, okay.

Who are you representing?

Um of our board members is actually the regular member to MBWA to the MBWA board.

So you're not currently serving then?

Okay.

So I am currently serving, so I'd like to continue.

I mean, in light of council member Carcell's expression that this is the only one who's interested in and you hold a number, would you be willing to let him be the primary on this one?

I would like to be the primary okay.

So you'd like to go to a vote.

Yeah.

Okay.

I didn't have any other questions.

Um also, if I may, another question.

Did I hear uh Councilmember Jacobs express interest in dam?

Yes.

Okay.

Thank you.

All right.

So that'll be left up to a vote.

I'm gonna call public comment right now.

So if you'd like to speak, please fill out a yellow card and hand it to Laura.

Laura, do you have any cards?

I have no cards.

All right.

So I'm gonna ask the council for a motion.

I guess I I'll make it.

I certainly respect Councilmember Eklund's experience and expertise in this area.

Um in the interest of of just balancing it out.

I'm supportive of council member being the primary for this one, North Bay Bordershed Association Board, and then Councilmember Eklund being the alternate.

And it as presented as what we discussed prior, what we agreed upon.

And then yeah, I mean, everything else I yeah, I'm completely fine with.

Do we have a second?

I'll second.

Sorry.

All right.

Laura, can you please call the vote?

Councilmember Eklund?

No.

Councilmember Carkel?

Yes.

Councilmember O'Connor?

Yes.

Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs?

Yes.

And Mayor Frack.

Aye.

All right, that motion passes.

And for one point of clarification, sorry, I you guys sit on these commissions and I'm not exactly sure.

Do you have to appoint to the um MCCMC homeless policy committee ad hoc committee?

No, that's that's voted on by the members at large, and they have two serving members right now.

Okay, perfect.

All right, you good, Laura?

I'm good.

Thank you.

All right.

Um, well, that's all we have tonight.

Um our next regular city council meeting will be held on January 27th, 2026.

Um do any council members have anyone whom they'd like to adjourn in memory of?

Uh yes, I do.

Councilmember Eklund.

Thank you.

Um I would like to um ask the council to close in memory of um Michael Mandel.

He actually was 99 and a half years old.

Uh he and his wife Anita lived in Marin for 60 years and 10 years in Cordomade and Santa Fell.

They moved north to Novato in 1976, and they've lived there in that house for 50 years, where they raised their two children in Novato.

And um Michael, um he was really uh an incredible man.

He worked for um in San Francisco for the Western Can Company, which was uh based in San Francisco and they were a can manufacturer, um, known for making lithographed cans and large coffee cans, and is especially for um MG MJB Um coffee.

And um, so anyway, they um started doing that um MG MJ B purchased it in 1916, and then they changed the name to Western Can Company at the time.

Anyway, so he worked there um all the way up until his retirement.

And he will be sorely missed.

So I'll provide the information to staff.

Thank you very much.

So we'll adjourn the meeting in memory of Bill.

Michael Michael.

All right, thank you.