The Novato City Council met on March 24, 2026, for a regular meeting that began at 2:00 PM and extended into the evening. The agenda included a public hearing on a proposed just cause tenant protections ordinance, public comments on a potential cannabis retail dispensary, approval of a master plan amendment, and a council compensation increase. The meeting also featured ceremonial proclamations and a closed session report.
Welcome everyone to the City of Novato City Council meeting for March 24th. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Laura, can you please take roll call? Councilmember Eklunds. Present. Councilmember Carkle? Here. Councilmember O'Connor. Here. Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs. Here. And Mayor Frack. Present. We did have a closed session. Gary, our city attorney, do we have anything to report? Yes, thank you, Mayor and Council members. The council voted 5-0 to initiate litigation. The action defendants and other particulars will be available upon request once the action is commenced. Thank you very much. Moving on to item C, ceremonial matters, I'd like to ask the council to uh meet me up front at the podium, and then also want to invite Carla Calva de Graaff, our finance director and members of the finance team to accept the proclamation. All right, well, this one I'm really, really excited to give out. And as some of you are aware, we were behind on our audits, and um our council has made it a priority, and staff has delivered to catch up on our audits and really become fiscally sustainable. So their hard work, we're now in a great position. So with this, I'd like to recognize government finance professionals week. Whereas the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers is the state's leading professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence in financial management for California's local governments. And whereas these professionals play a critical role in managing complex budgets, compliing with state and federal laws, maintaining accurate financial reporting in compliance with government accounting standard, administrating great processes, and a verity of funding with different requirements and supporting long-term fiscal sustainability. And whereas Finance Professionals Week diligently, often behind the scenes, to provide critical information that enables informed policy decision and ensures the delivery of essential public services. And now, therefore, be it resolved that the City of Nov City Council of the City of Novato on behalf of the residents of Novato does hereby proclaim the last week of March as government finance professionals week and encourages all residents to recognize and appreciate the hard work and contribution of the finance professionals who serve our community. Would you like to say a few words? Um I just like to thank uh city council for all the support you've given us over the last few years in um catching up, and I would just say that I am um lucky to be a member of such an amazing finance team that is truly dedicated to working really hard to ensure that the finances are done, but not only done, but done well, and um they are super dedicated and a really amazing group. You want to go over there and take take a photo? Now I'm gonna hand this over to Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs. Thank you. Uh this next one is for George Brenton Estes. George, you want to step up? Whereas the City of Novato proudly recognizes individuals who demonstrate commitment to and support for the community values and principles, and whereas George Estes has been a proud resident of Novato since 1965, where he attended all of school Hill Junior High and Novato High, and whereas in 1975 he left to serve a two-year full-time mission for the Church of Latter-day Saints. And in 1982, George and his wife, Rayleigh Davis, returned to Novato to raise their two children, whereas George started working at Valley Memorial Park on January 26, 1981, where he started a tradition of scouts from local Boy Scouts of America units placing flags on the graves of veterans at VMP, followed by a flag ceremony and a short memorial service. And whereas in 1984, George became involved in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 79, and is now the present member of the Executive Board of Marin Council Scouts of America, formerly Boy Scouts of America. And whereas in 1997, George received the Silver Beaver Award from Marin Council Boy Scouts of America, the highest award that can be bestowed on an adult leader for noteworthy exceptional service and youth to youth. And whereas George is also a devoted Rotarian, he was inducted into Rotary Club of Novato in 1983 and served as president of the Rotary Club of Novado for 1996, 97 term. And whereas, after a long 45-year career at Valley Memorial Park, George retired January 27, 2026. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Novato, on behalf of the citizens of Novato, does hereby express its sincere appreciation and gratitude to George Brenton SDs for his unwavering dedication and meaningful contributions to the community and wish him all the best in his retirement. Good heavens. Well, thank you. Thank you very much. This is indeed an honor. I'm just gonna make this real quick. I'd like to thank my family, my wife, my two kids are here. Um got some grandsons over in Fairfield that couldn't make it, but uh, and a granddaughter there as well.