OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Novato City Council Meeting May 12, 2026: Budget, Economic Plan, and Proclamations

City Council — Tuesday, May 12, 2026
BodyNovato, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, May 12, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:09:36
Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Welcome to the City of Novato's City Council meeting for May 12th.

0:06

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:14

The United States of America.

0:30

Laura, can you take roll call?

0:32

Councilmember Eklund.

0:37

Present.

0:37

Councilmember Carkle.

0:39

Here.

0:39

Councilmember O'Connor.

0:40

Here.

0:40

Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs.

0:42

And Mayor Farak.

0:43

Present.

0:44

We did have a closed session.

0:47

Our attorney Gary Bell, was there anything to report?

0:49

Yes, thank you, Mayor and Council members.

0:52

The council voted 5-0 to initiate litigation.

0:55

The action, defendants, and other particulars will, once the action is commenced, be disclosed to any person upon inquiry.

1:01

That's all I've got.

1:03

Thank you very much.

1:04

Now moving on to item C, ceremonial matters.

1:08

We'll invite my colleagues to go up front.

1:29

All right, and I'm gonna let my mayor pro tem uh do the first proclamation.

1:36

Thank you.

1:38

Hello?

1:43

Public Works Director Chris Ben Gini, can you come up, please?

1:48

And staff?

1:57

Recognizing National Public Works Week, May 17th to 23rd, 2026.

2:02

Whereas the American Public Works Association marks the 66th annual National Public Works Week with a theme Rooted in Service, powered by community, which highlights the essential role public works professionals play in building and maintaining infrastructure that supports thriving communities.

2:21

And whereas public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, emergency management, and services that are vitally important to sustainable and resilient communities and to the health, quality of life, and well-being of the people of the city of Novato.

2:38

And whereas Novato Public Works staff provide the Novato community with ongoing essential services by efficiently maintaining, repairing, and preserving the city's 460 medians, 318 miles of road, and 115 acres of parks, as well as numerous buildings and fleet vehicles.

2:56

And whereas the quality and effectiveness of projects and services, as well as their planning, design, and construction is vitally dependent upon the efforts and skills of public works officials.

3:09

And whereas the City of Nevada Public Works Department is committed to providing top quality programs, projects, and services, and is dedicated to ensuring that residents, businesses, and visitors experience a safe, healthy, and beautiful community.

3:24

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City of Novato or City Council of the City of Novato on behalf of the residents of Novato does hereby proclaim the week May 17th to 23rd, 2026 as National Public Works Week in the City of Novato, and be it further resolved that the City Council recognizes the vital importance of public works staff and orphas, the Nevado Public Works Department, its heartfelt thanks and appreciation for everything they do for health, safety, and quality of life in our community.

3:55

Thank you.

4:03

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem.

4:04

Thank you, Mayor.

4:05

Thank you, Council.

4:06

It's an honor to accept this award on behalf of the entire public works team.

4:10

Uh it's often the case with public works.

4:13

The best days are the days where you don't hear us.

4:15

You don't see us, you don't hear about us, because everything's working perfectly.

4:21

So Public Works Week is an opportunity to really put the spotlight on our team and show the world, show Novato that we are so proud to serve them, so proud to serve our community and make Novato a better place.

4:34

So it's an honor to work alongside all of my peers in public works, and it's an honor to serve you, so thank you.

4:50

All right, I'm gonna invite our chief up and members of our police department.

5:12

Alright, so this is recognizing National Police Week.

5:17

Whereas in 1962, President John F.

5:20

Kennedy signed the proclamation, which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which that date falls National Police Week.

5:31

And where the City of Novato has declared law enforcement, officer safety and wellness a top priority.

5:39

And whereas the city, the Novato Police Department is a modern and scientific law enforcement agency, which unseasonally provides vital public service.

5:51

And now, therefore, let it be resolved that the City Council of the City of Novato, on behalf of the residents of Novato, here observed the week of May 15th to May 21st, 2026 as National Police Week.

6:06

And May 15th, as Peace Officer Memorial Day, to honor those officers through their courageous deeds, have sacrificed in performance of duty.

6:18

Congratulations.

6:39

Thank you.

6:40

And I agree.

6:41

But no, you know, and I just want to say thank you for honoring the men and women that work so hard for this city, and honestly, thank you, Novato, for being a city worse.

6:49

I appreciate it.

6:50

Thank you.

7:00

All right, now we have one more proclamation, and um my colleague uh council member Carkle is gonna deliver this one since it's in his district.

7:10

So I'd like to invite Katie and Tiffany up for the proclamation.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development███████████████████████████████31%
Fiscal Sustainability███████████████15%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Procedural██████6%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Public Safety█████5%
Land Use Policy████4%
Historic Preservation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Novato City Council Meeting May 12, 2026: Budget, Economic Plan, and Proclamations

The Novato City Council met on May 12, 2026, to address a full agenda including ceremonial proclamations, a police military equipment report, street excavation prohibitions, an economic development strategic plan update, and the preliminary FY 2026-27 operating and capital budgets. The meeting also featured extensive public comment regarding the Marin Valley Mobile Country Club and a pulled consent item on a property agreement.

Consent Calendar

  • The council approved the final agenda and the consent calendar (with item G9 pulled) unanimously, including routine approvals. Item G7 (chief of police salary adjustment) was approved with an oral report.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Ryan Ralston (Director of Operations, nonprofit You Are the Power) spoke on behalf of Marin Valley Mobile Country Club residents, urging the council to listen with understanding and respect, and to resolve the situation through human respect and open dialogue.
  • Bernie Myers (former council member and mayor) urged the council to honor original commitments to Marin Valley seniors, calling the promise a moral obligation and emphasizing that affordability is not a political throwaway.
  • Sonia Seaman (former deputy city manager, 25+ years) explained that the original intent of the Marin Valley transaction was to transfer ownership to a nonprofit after bond repayment, with affordability covenants, and called for fact-based dialogue to resolve current transfer matters.
  • Dave Kenyon (attorney and real estate broker involved in the 1990s transaction) stated that the city held the park in trust for residents and that transferring to a nonprofit was a promise; he noted the promise was omitted from bond documents only to preserve tax-exempt status.
  • Alan Gum cited 1999 NFA meeting minutes and a 1996 council resolution confirming the city's intent to transfer to a 501c3, and argued that the city undertook reputational risk if it reneges.
  • Sonica Goel invited the council to a community wellness event on June 20, 2026, celebrating the UN International Day of Yoga.
  • A resident (unnamed) urged rejection of a proposed Costco gas station, citing the city's 2020 gas station prohibition and Climate Action Plan 2030, calling it the largest gas station in Marin and contrary to climate goals.

Discussion Items

  • Police Department Military Equipment Report (AB 481): Chief Jim Nigel presented the annual report, covering six categories of equipment, 174 drone flights, and eight peaceful SWAT deployments. The council approved the resolution renewing the ordinance.
  • Prohibition of Excavation for Road Projects: Public Works Director Chris Benini and Senior Engineer Ollie Iqbal presented the request to prohibit excavation for five years after the 2026 pavement rehabilitation (Redwood Boulevard) and Olive Avenue widening projects. The council approved the resolution.
  • Economic Development Strategic Plan Update: Assistant City Manager Carla Hansen and consultants Dina (Strategic Economics) and Sabina (Good City Company) presented findings from 843 survey responses, 80 workshop attendees, and extensive stakeholder input. They shared a draft vision statement and six goals. Council members asked about business attraction, zoning modernization, promotion of underperforming shopping centers, and workforce housing. The plan will be drafted over the summer and brought back in fall.
  • FY 2026-27 Operating and Capital Budget (Study Session): Finance Director Carla Hansen and Jen presented a balanced $62.5 million operating budget, $21.5 million capital improvement program, and a $10 million Measure M allocation. Key points: 2.5 FTE reduction, 3.5% COLA, increased UAL and benefits costs, and a 30% emergency reserve. Council members asked about facility maintenance plans, open space goat grazing, and board/commission televising costs. The budget will be finalized at June 9 and June 23 meetings.
  • Item G9 (Pulled from Consent): Councilmember Eklund expressed concern that a revised proposal for the Sherman houses (a property negotiation) had not been discussed publicly. The item authorized a one-year extension to the exclusive negotiation agreement. After debate, the motion passed 4-1 with Councilmember Eklund opposed.

Key Outcomes

  • Closed session: Council voted 5-0 to initiate litigation (specifics to be disclosed later).
  • Approved resolutions for police military equipment use (AB 481) and prohibition of excavation for road projects.
  • Received the economic development strategic plan update as a study session; staff will draft the plan for fall adoption.
  • Took public direction on the FY 2026-27 budget; final adoption scheduled for June 9 (hearing) and June 23 (adoption).
  • Approved the ENA amendment (G9) 4-1.
  • The next regular meeting will be June 9, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome to the City of Novato's City Council meeting for May 12th. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. The United States of America. Laura, can you take roll call? Councilmember Eklund. Present. Councilmember Carkle. Here. Councilmember O'Connor. Here. Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs. And Mayor Farak. Present. We did have a closed session. Our attorney Gary Bell, was there 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, once the action is commenced, be disclosed to any person upon inquiry. That's all I've got. Thank you very much. Now moving on to item C, ceremonial matters. We'll invite my colleagues to go up front. All right, and I'm gonna let my mayor pro tem uh do the first proclamation. Thank you. Hello? Public Works Director Chris Ben Gini, can you come up, please? And staff? Recognizing National Public Works Week, May 17th to 23rd, 2026. Whereas the American Public Works Association marks the 66th annual National Public Works Week with a theme Rooted in Service, powered by community, which highlights the essential role public works professionals play in building and maintaining infrastructure that supports thriving communities. And whereas public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, emergency management, and services that are vitally important to sustainable and resilient communities and to the health, quality of life, and well-being of the people of the city of Novato. And whereas Novato Public Works staff provide the Novato community with ongoing essential services by efficiently maintaining, repairing, and preserving the city's 460 medians, 318 miles of road, and 115 acres of parks, as well as numerous buildings and fleet vehicles. And whereas the quality and effectiveness of projects and services, as well as their planning, design, and construction is vitally dependent upon the efforts and skills of public works officials. And whereas the City of Nevada Public Works Department is committed to providing top quality programs, projects, and services, and is dedicated to ensuring that residents, businesses, and visitors experience a safe, healthy, and beautiful community. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City of Novato or City Council of the City of Novato on behalf of the residents of Novato does hereby proclaim the week May 17th to 23rd, 2026 as National Public Works Week in the City of Novato, and be it further resolved that the City Council recognizes the vital importance of public works staff and orphas, the Nevado Public Works Department, its heartfelt thanks and appreciation for everything they do for health, safety, and quality of life in our community. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council. It's an honor to accept this award on behalf of the entire public works team. Uh it's often the case with public works. The best days are the days where you don't hear us. You don't see us, you don't hear about us, because everything's working perfectly. So Public Works Week is an opportunity to really put the spotlight on our team and show the world, show Novato that we are so proud to serve them, so proud to serve our community and make Novato a better place. So it's an honor to work alongside all of my peers in public works, and it's an honor to serve you, so thank you. All right, I'm gonna invite our chief up and members of our police department. Alright, so this is recognizing National Police Week. Whereas in 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed the proclamation, which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which that date falls National Police Week. And where the City of Novato has declared law enforcement, officer safety and wellness a top priority. And whereas the city, the Novato Police Department is a modern and scientific law enforcement agency, which unseasonally provides vital public service.

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