OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Novato City Council Meeting – March 10, 2026: Youth Tobacco Prevention, Library Improvements, Homeward Bound Lease, and Housing Report

City Council — Tuesday, March 10, 2026
BodyNovato, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, March 10, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:58:43

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Let's do the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:06

I pledge allegiance to the fly of the United States.

0:16

I don't know.

0:24

Laura, can you please call the role?

0:27

Councilmember Eklund.

0:28

Present.

0:29

Councilmember Carkle.

0:30

Here.

0:31

Councilmember O'Connor is absent.

0:33

Mayor Proton Jacobs.

0:34

Sure.

0:35

And Mayor Farak.

0:36

Present.

0:37

Alright.

0:37

And there was no closed session item this evening.

0:41

Moving on to item C: ceremonial matters.

0:44

I'm happy that we have a presentation from the Youth Advocacy Committee, Tobacco Use Prevention.

0:51

So I'd like to invite Fraven Twilling and members of the Youth Advocacy Committee to give their presentation.

0:59

Welcome.

1:01

Thank you.

1:04

Happy to have you guys.

1:06

Nicotine Free Marin policy solutions for protecting our youth.

1:09

I'm Say Gucci, I go to Terra Linda, and I'm a junior.

1:13

I'm Danny and I'm a senior at Novato High School.

1:17

I'm Isaac and I'm a freshman at San Marin.

1:23

The youth advocacy is made up of high schoolers from Marin County who are committed to addressing our youth nicotine epidemic.

1:30

Our goal is to engage with local organizations organizations, policymakers, and citizens to raise awareness for youth nicotine use and solutions to protect community health.

1:41

Our slogan is not about us without us, and our belief is that our voices matter when it comes to addressing the very situations that we the youth face.

1:53

One of the most prominent issues that young people face today is nicotine addiction.

1:57

To better understand nicotine use in Marin, we will now look at the most recent county level data on teen nicotine consumption.

2:04

The data we are showing today comes from California Healthy Kids Survey.

2:10

As you can see, the rates for youth lifetime tobacco use are greatly on the rise.

2:15

What may be more alarming or surprising is the large jump between the Novato average and the California average.

2:21

As you can see on the graph, Novato is uh the red and California and blue.

2:31

These rates for tobacco vaping among juniors in Novato versus California, as the graph demonstrates, while California's average is at a standstill, Novato experienced a major increase.

2:42

Here California is the red in Novato's blue.

2:47

So why do these numbers matter?

2:49

Nicotine, regardless of how it's consumed, is toxic and has damaging effects on human health.

2:55

Nicotine use impacts brain circuits that control learning, attention, memory, mood, and reward systems.

3:02

The damage is even more pronounced in younger brains, where these brain circuits are still developing.

3:09

It also causes damage to the lungs and cardiovascular system.

3:17

So what?

3:18

Even more, the health and financial burdens of smoking are huge.

3:22

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death.

3:26

In California, it results in 40,000 deaths a year.

3:30

Smoking costs California 18 billion dollars per year.

3:34

However, for every dollar spent on tobacco control in California, healthcare costs fall by 231 dollars.

3:42

The tobacco industry also targets specific communities such as the LGBTQ community, the people of color, and the low-income communities who have doubled exposure to second-hand smoke.

3:56

Teen nicotine addiction is a serious issue in Marin.

4:00

One way we can combat nicotine addiction is decreasing the availability of addictive tobacco products in Marin.

4:08

This can be achieved through updating our logo tobacco retail licenses.

4:13

A tobacco retail license is a local license required for businesses that sell tobacco or nicotine products.

4:19

TRLs regulate and monitor tobacco cells and also provide a way for local jurisdictions to enact stronger protections against the tobacco industry.

4:30

At this point in time, every jurisdiction in Marin County has a tobacco retail license in place.

4:36

The current resale license included following rules.

4:40

One, Novato, like other cities in Marin, ended the sale of flavored nicotine and tobacco products.

4:46

State of California later passed a statewide law to end the sale of flavored nicotine products as well.

4:51

Second, pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens cannot sell tobacco products except for FDA-approved quit support products like nicotine gum or nicotine patches.

5:03

Adding to that tobacco and nicotine products must also be stored behind the counter, and the Marin County Sheriff's Department is responsible for the tobacco retail license enforcement.

5:16

Our point is the Novato City Council can do more to protect these youth in our community.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Health████████████████████████24%
Public Engagement████████████████16%
Affordable Housing██████████████14%
Disability Rights███████████11%
Procedural██████████10%
Parks and Recreation██████████10%
Homelessness████4%
Youth Programs███3%
Public Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Novato City Council Meeting – March 10, 2026: Youth Tobacco Prevention, Library Improvements, Homeward Bound Lease, and Housing Report

The Novato City Council met on March 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM. The meeting featured presentations from the Youth Advocacy Committee on tobacco use prevention, the Marin County Free Library on facility improvements, and an update from Age and Disability Friendly Novato. The council also approved a lease amendment for Homeward Bound’s supportive housing parcel and received the 2025 annual housing progress report. Public comments addressed disaster loans, police accountability, and tobacco policy.

Ceremonial Matters

  • Youth Advocacy Committee Tobacco Use Prevention Presentation: The committee presented data showing Novato’s youth tobacco use rates are above the California average. They advocated for updating the Tobacco Retail License (TRL) to include minimum price, minimum pack size, end of discounts, and bans on e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. They cited statistics: California smoking costs $18 billion per year; for every $1 spent on tobacco control, healthcare costs fall by $231. Councilmembers asked about outreach and county support. The committee expressed willingness to help.
  • Library Services Facility Improvements: Director Lena LeWan presented short-term and long-term improvements for both Novato libraries. South Novato branch (C Street) closed for refresh with $320,000 budget, reopening April 2026. Novato Boulevard branch to close mid-June to mid-August 2026 with $525,000 budget. Long-term capital improvements at Novato Boulevard branch include a new roof, ADA upgrades, new lobby, and restrooms, with a $9.5 million budget, design through 2027, construction starting fall 2027 to early 2028. A creekside path refurbishment (est. $500k–$1M) is planned in partnership with the city.
  • Proclamation: Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month: The council proclaimed March 2026 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Lauren Long and Colleen Arnold accepted, highlighting inclusive programs like sensory-friendly events.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Joe Fairens (SBA): Updated on disaster loan outreach for Marin County after January flooding. Loans available at low interest (2.875% for homeowners, 4% for businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits). Mobile outreach center closing March 13, but applications accepted online until April 6 (EIDL until Nov 3).
  • Concerned Citizen: Alleged misconduct by the Novato Police Department, stating officers are biased and unresponsive. He claimed an incident on January 15, 2026, and that Chief Noggle was dismissive. He demanded accountability and warned of potential litigation. City Manager confirmed an investigation was opened.
  • Jeremiah Mock (UCSF professor): Supported ending all tobacco sales. Cited 33 Surgeon General reports, rising youth prevalence in Marin (contrary to state trend). Projected 1,800–2,800 new youth smokers in next five years. Also noted cigarettes as wildfire ignition risk.
  • Pam Kramer (Smoke Free Marin): Recommended ending tobacco sales entirely, citing industry innovation. Offered coalition support for a total ban.

Reports from City Council and City Manager

  • City Manager announced: annual community budget priority survey (March 10–23), spring trash to treasure flea market (March 21), and commission/committee recruitment (through March 30).
  • Councilmembers reported on various meetings and events, including Team Up to Clean Up, Bay Conservation Development Commission, employee recognition, and cannabis farm tour.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved with item G4 pulled. Items included routine approvals.

Homeward Bound Lease Amendment (Item J1)

  • Assistant City Manager Bill Rose introduced Principal Management Analyst Katie Hahn. She presented the lease writer amendment to the 2020 ground lease for the HUD parcel (APN 157-9707) to enable Homeward Bound to obtain a $3 million loan from the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development for construction financing of 50 supportive housing units completed in 2024. Homeward Bound CEO Paul Fordham explained the urgency to close quickly to avoid $18,000/month interest costs. The council unanimously approved the resolution.

Age and Disability Friendly Novato Update (Item G2)

  • Katie Gottlin (Parks and Rec) introduced the update. Steering committee members Lauren Long and Colleen Arnold presented achievements since the 2025-2028 Action Plan, including emergency preparedness trainings, sensory station at magic show, inclusive pickleball event, and intergenerational activities. Upcoming: Senior Health and Resource Fair (May 20, 2026), inclusive Santa, and summer camp training for inclusion of children with disabilities. Councilmember Eklund highlighted outreach to less mobile seniors. The council received the report.

Housing Element Annual Progress Report (Item G4)

  • Councilmember Eklund asked questions about local tenant preference policies (city attorney confirmed possible with weighted lottery), housing production projections (over 2,000 units in pipeline, expected to meet RHNA), SB9 urban lot splits (three splits approved, potentially nine units), and tenant protection ordinance outreach (workshops ongoing). Councilmember Eklund commended staff. The report was received and filed.

Key Outcomes

  • Unanimously approved the Homeward Bound lease writer resolution (subject to city manager and attorney approval).
  • Received and filed the 2025 annual housing progress report.
  • Approved the consent calendar (with G4 pulled).
  • Proclaimed March 2026 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
  • The next regular meeting is scheduled for March 24, 2026.
  • Council adjourned in memory of Nancy Marsh Sangster D. Hahn.

Meeting Transcript

Let's do the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the fly of the United States. I don't know. Laura, can you please call the role? Councilmember Eklund. Present. Councilmember Carkle. Here. Councilmember O'Connor is absent. Mayor Proton Jacobs. Sure. And Mayor Farak. Present. Alright. And there was no closed session item this evening. Moving on to item C: ceremonial matters. I'm happy that we have a presentation from the Youth Advocacy Committee, Tobacco Use Prevention. So I'd like to invite Fraven Twilling and members of the Youth Advocacy Committee to give their presentation. Welcome. Thank you. Happy to have you guys. Nicotine Free Marin policy solutions for protecting our youth. I'm Say Gucci, I go to Terra Linda, and I'm a junior. I'm Danny and I'm a senior at Novato High School. I'm Isaac and I'm a freshman at San Marin. The youth advocacy is made up of high schoolers from Marin County who are committed to addressing our youth nicotine epidemic. Our goal is to engage with local organizations organizations, policymakers, and citizens to raise awareness for youth nicotine use and solutions to protect community health. Our slogan is not about us without us, and our belief is that our voices matter when it comes to addressing the very situations that we the youth face. One of the most prominent issues that young people face today is nicotine addiction. To better understand nicotine use in Marin, we will now look at the most recent county level data on teen nicotine consumption. The data we are showing today comes from California Healthy Kids Survey. As you can see, the rates for youth lifetime tobacco use are greatly on the rise. What may be more alarming or surprising is the large jump between the Novato average and the California average. As you can see on the graph, Novato is uh the red and California and blue. These rates for tobacco vaping among juniors in Novato versus California, as the graph demonstrates, while California's average is at a standstill, Novato experienced a major increase. Here California is the red in Novato's blue. So why do these numbers matter? Nicotine, regardless of how it's consumed, is toxic and has damaging effects on human health. Nicotine use impacts brain circuits that control learning, attention, memory, mood, and reward systems. The damage is even more pronounced in younger brains, where these brain circuits are still developing. It also causes damage to the lungs and cardiovascular system. So what? Even more, the health and financial burdens of smoking are huge. Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death. In California, it results in 40,000 deaths a year. Smoking costs California 18 billion dollars per year. However, for every dollar spent on tobacco control in California, healthcare costs fall by 231 dollars. The tobacco industry also targets specific communities such as the LGBTQ community, the people of color, and the low-income communities who have doubled exposure to second-hand smoke. Teen nicotine addiction is a serious issue in Marin. One way we can combat nicotine addiction is decreasing the availability of addictive tobacco products in Marin.

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