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.
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.