Welcome everyone to the City of Novato City Council meeting Tuesday, July 14th.

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

To the Republic for which it stands when you should undergo liberty and justice protocol.

Moving on to item B, there was no closed session.

So I'd like to invite the council up for a proclamation.

We have two tonight.

Her hard work has just made a tremendous difference, and I'm just honored I get to present this to you.

So for the GOA, Outstanding Public Service Award recipient, whereas the Government Finance Officers Association was founded in 1906 and represents public finance officials throughout the United States and Canada.

And whereas the work of finance professionals is critical to the government's ability to serve, yet it often happens behind the scenes.

And whereas GFOA's membership network includes many individuals who exemplify public service, supporting others, leading organizations through both good times and challenges, and making a positive impact on those they serve.

And whereas Carla joined the city following the pandemic when the finance department was operating with limited staffing, several years of outstanding audits, she focused on rebuilding the department while maintaining essential financial operations.

Whereas she recruited, trained, and mentored staff, established clear processes, improved internal controls, and helped the city complete six audits in just three years.

Now, therefore, they have resolved that the City Council of the City of Novato on behalf of the residents of Novato does hereby congratulate Carla Calvo de Graff for this outstanding achievement and offered its heartful appreciation for all that she's done for the Novato community.

Let's give a big round of applause.

This award reflects a commitment to serving our community with integrity, transparency, and dedication.

I'm grateful to the GFOA for this recognition, and I'm equally appreciative of our city council and leadership for valuing the work we do to support our city's financial health.

Public service is never done alone.

I want to thank my colleagues and the finance department for hard work, collaboration, and shared purpose.

This honor represents the efforts of many people who care deeply about this community.

Thank you again for this recognition and for your continued support of responsible and transparent public service.

So next, um I see actually a lot of gymnastics teachers here that teach my uh daughter.

Um, and we'd like to invite the uh Park and Rec's crew and Katie up uh to accept the recognition.

Recognizing July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month in the City of Novato, whereas parks and recreation services are essential to a healthy, connected, and vibrant community, creating opportunities for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to gather, play, learn, grow, and build meaningful connections with one another.

And whereas Novato's community events bring thousands of people together each year to celebrate, connect, and create shared experiences, strengthening civic pride and fostering the sense of belonging that makes Novato a special place to call home.

And whereas recreation opportunities for older adults at the Margaret Todd Senior Center support active and engaged lives for providing spaces for social connection, lifelong learning, wellness, creativity, and meaningful participation in community life.

And whereas youth enrichment camps and activities provide children and teens with safe and supportive environments to discover new interests, develop skills and confidence, build friendships, and create memories that will last well beyond their time in the program.

And whereas classes at the Nevada Gymnastics Center encourage participants to challenge themselves, build strength and confidence, develop new skills and experience, and joy the joy of movement in a positive and supportive environment.

And whereas youth and adult sports leagues bring people together through teamwork, friendly competition, and a shared love of the game, helping participants build skills, stay active, form friendships, and strengthen connections across the community.

And whereas Novato's aquatics program at the Hamilton Community Pool provide opportunities for recreation, fitness, and connections for all ages while teaching critical water safety and swimming skills that build confidence and help keep community members safer in and around the water.

Whereas Novato's parks and open spaces serve as a community shared backyard where playgrounds inspire imagination, courts, and athletic fields encourage play and competition, picnic and barbecue areas, bring families and friends together, and trails and open spaces provide opportunities to connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors.

And whereas these programs, events, facilities, and public spaces are made possible by dedicated parks, recreation, and community service professionals who create whose creativity, expertise, care, and commitment enrich community life and help make Novato a more welcoming, active, connected, and joyful place for all.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Novato on behalf of its residents proudly proclaims July 2026 as park and recreation month in the City of Novato, encourages all community members to celebrate by visiting a park, joining a program, attending an event, trying a new activity, and recognizing the dedicated staff who work every day to create opportunities for Novato to play, connect, grow, and thrive.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

I know that was a lot of whereas.

But that's because this is very small but mighty team does a lot.

So there's a lot of uh work behind the scenes that most of you don't know, and that's how we like it because we want to deliver a quality service to you all.

Um this is your staff of Parks and Recreation.

We have a couple missing tonight, but there's only 19 of us.

There's a hundred and fifty part-time staff that serve you during this summer, um, but we're really happy to be here, and we couldn't do it.

I couldn't do it without all of you.

So really the thanks goes to them.

So thank you all.

All right, Laura, can you do roll call?

Councilmember Eklund, are you present?

I think I am.

Okay.

Uh Councilmember Carkle is absent.

Councilmember O'Connor.

Here.

Mayor Pur Tem Jacobs.

Here.

And Mayor Farak.

Here.

All right.

So moving on to item C three, presentation of the utility box art.

So I'd like after Kitty's done taking the picture for her to come up.

And uh Drew to come up to give the presentation.

Thank you, Mayor.

This is um the Parks and Recreation Month and show this evening, so appreciate your patience.

But I am very excited to be here tonight because not only does Parks and Recreation deliver a lot of programs, special events, and help support our um community facilities, but we're also uh a part of our public art program.

And so I'm very excited tonight to introduce Drew Ben Dixon, our community services division manager, who's gonna give you an overview of the 2026 utility box art program.

Thank you, Katie.

Good evening, Mayor, Mayor Pro Tim, and Council members.

Thank you all for having me tonight.

Uh I want to give you a recap of this year's utility box art program now that it's officially complete.

Uh it's been a big year for this returning program, so I'm excited to walk you all through it.

So a little background first.

This started just a few years ago as a leadership nevato service project, and this was the first year that parks, recreation, and community services took it on from start to finish.

Our theme was where stories grow, and we asked local artists to capture the places and moments that make Novato what it is our parks and trails, our gatherings, and our history.

And the big headline is that we grew it from seven boxes to eleven this year.

So out along Redwood Boulevard, South Novalo, South Nevada Boulevard, and the streets nearby.

So here's the year at a glance.

Eleven boxes, eleven plus local artists across three corridors with two community partners helping us pull it off.

It was funded through the public art fund with up to a thousand dollars per artist uh for materials and supplies.

Peony Hardware donated the primer and the Rotary Club of Nevado sanded and primed every box with a hand from our parks and rec staff.

Uh getting here took most of the year, so here's how it all came together.

It was about eight months from start to finish.

The recreation commission recommended it in early October 2025, uh and council then approved the funding on October 28th.

We opened the call for artists in November, closed it in February, and selections were made this past March.

Then is when it uh got a lot more hands-on.

Park and Rec staff coordinated with the Rotary Club of Novato volunteers to stand in prime boxes.

Our artists painted through April and May.

Uh, and we just wrapped up last month.

So along the way, the response has been nothing but positive.

So this year, 28 applications were submitted, more than double last year's 13.

Uh the interest was so strong that we expanded the program from the original seven boxes to eleven.

Uh and you supported that expansion with an additional 4,500 in March to fund those added boxes.

Uh the response has been great.

Residents and visitors are sharing positive feedback with staff and online on next door.

Uh the boxes are getting posted on social media, and artists are already calling about next year.

So we also had some great help along the way from our community partners.

The Rotary Club of Novato uh sanded and primed all 11 boxes the week of March 30th.

We did have some help.

Uh Director Katie Gauntlet, recreation division manager Alexander Camber, recreation coordinator Sarah Bailey and myself, uh pitched in.

Uh Peeney Hardware donated primer and offered supply discounts just like they did in year one.

Uh and we're we're just extremely grateful to Rotary Club of Nevado and Peony Hardware, and I'm excited to show you what they helped support.

Now here are five of our 11 boxes before and after.

I do want to give a quick shout out to Freddie Coronado, who's actually one of our own, a City of Novato public works employee.

So Freddie painted on his own time to give back to the community he works for, so that was really special.

Uh and across all five, you'll see so much of Nevado in them.

Uh Mount Birdell in our open space, our native trees and plants, the marshlands out of Bahia, and even the history of all in poly.

Uh and here are the remaining six boxes.

Now here I'd like to call out Diego Lemus, our very first high school student to take part in the program.

Uh and across all six of these, you'll continue to see Nevada's story, our rolling hills and trails, native plants and pollinators, the wildlife, and our Coast Miwok Heritage.

Uh if you'd like to see all of this up close, there's an easy way to do that.

The city website has everything in one place.

There's an interactive map with every box location, so you can plan your own tour around town, profiles of all the artists and their work and the story behind each box.

Uh just head to nevado.gov forward slash utility box art to explore it all.

Now I'd like to bring it back to the people who made this all possible and made it happen, our artist.

I can't wait to see what next year brings, but thank you to everyone that did it this year and last year.

You've made a huge difference in our town.

And I understand that we do have some of our talented artists here this evening.

So council, if you'd rejoin me at the podium, please.

So Freddie Cornado.

Kevin Ackers.

Denise Garibaldi die.

She moved out to be here, what, two years ago now?

One year ago.

Kelsey Lombardi.

Monica Murphy.

Lindsay Vera.

Trevor Cooper Smith.

I do.

Lindsay Vera.

Amy Wells.

Heather Phelps.

And Diego Limas.

Thank you all.

Your artwork makes everyone happy when they drive by.

Little kids point it out.

It truly is a gem to the city.

So thank you for your using your beautiful artistic talent to make Nevada an even better place.

If you could go to the mural and take a picture, we would love that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Do you want to get rid of it?

All right.

So moving on to item D, approval of the final agenda.

City Manor Conningham.

Thank you, Mayor.

Staff is proposing that item G eight be pulled from the agenda and be brought back at a later date.

Okay.

I'll make a motion to pull item G eight and approve the final agenda.

Do you have a second?

I'll second that.

Laura, can you take vote?

Councilmember Eklund.

Aye.

Councilmember Carkle is absent.

Councilmember O'Connor.

Aye.

Mayor Pretem Jacobs.

Aye.

And Mayor Farrak.

Aye.

All right, that passes.

Moving on to item E, reports from the City Council and City Manager.

So I'm going to turn it over to Councilmember Eklund to present the item.

If you do have a yellow card and want to speak, please fill that out.

So Councilmember Eklund.

Okay, thank you very much.

Wanted to make sure if everybody could hear me first because there's a lot of back noise here.

Okay, it sounds like it's getting a little bit quieter.

That's great.

And thank you very much.

I place this item on the City Council agenda.

Um about a decade or so ago, uh, the city council established a process where a city council member can bring an item before the city council.

Before that, we had no way to do that.

So this item is the first step and the three-step process that was established.

And then talking with our city attorney, the council does have some options tonight because of our future agendas.

Um is the first step, and I am asking the council to support placing on a future council agenda an item on whether or not the city council can and should provide input andor comments on the draft initial study and mitigated negative declaration for the proposed Buck Gulch Falls Creek Restoration and Trail Improvement Project.

If there are three votes, then at that future meeting.

Um we would have a discussion on the process, and the last step is to actually to discuss the project and the environmental document.

Unfortunately, we cannot satisfy this three-step process within the deadline of the public comment period on this negative deck, which is July twenty fourth.

It's only in ten days.

So according to our attorney, we can tonight direct staff to send a letter to the county to extend the public comment period.

That's what we're going to be working on.

This proposed project includes placing aggregate material, which I'm not going to pronounce this correctly.

It's installing Maya, red.

Which will dramatically change the trail to be more accessible.

The project also includes installing two steel bridges over Arroyo de San Jose Creek, installing three drainage crossings, one punch in.

Because I did not know.

And you know what?

This negative declaration didn't even explain what it was.

I had to look it up on the internet.

And basically, it is a lower type of a walking board so that you don't have to walk over the rocks over a creek.

They are proposing one boardwalk and one aggregate base, restoring almost 19,500 square feet of stream bank and reparian area, realigning about 850 feet of the existing trail segments, constructing a viewing platform at the falls, and installing new fencing and other trail improvements.

And no on-site parking is planned.

So to access the trails, the visitors walk across city open space in order to get to the county trail.

Visitors that come by car also park on fairway andor side streets legally and illegally, especially in the fairway cul-de-sac, which is a cul-de-sac, and there's no parking in that cul-de-sac because there's a fire hydrant there that is needed to be free so that the hoses that are hooked up to it can go to the houses unrestricted.

If there are so many cars parked in that cul-de-sac, the fire district would not be even able to access that fire hydrant because the trucks would not be able to get there.

And I actually have pictures of what the parking situation has, and I know that some community members do as well, where there was sometimes parking in people's uh driveways so that they couldn't even get out.

And then when I learned of that, and there was one instance, I thought to myself, what happened if that was my mom?

You know, um there's and you can't find the people that are up on the trail because there's someplace uh up there.

Um so uh the proposed improvements, in my opinion, along with the neighbors, will increase visitation.

And as the council knows, I worked for the U.S.

environmental protection agency for over 35 years.

I worked primarily in the water programs, but I did a stint in pesticides and air and solid waste and others, and I did combined EIS EIRs with our the states, because we are federal agency, and we also did them with cities, especially those who are building uh wastewater treatment facilities.

And so, in my opinion and reading this negative declaration, um I've uh expressed my opinion to both Supervisor Lucan as well as Supervisor Rodoni, this negative declaration that was released really is insufficient to really articulate what the impacts would be and what the mitigation measures need to be.

So, unfortunately, this environmental document states there's there's not gonna be increased use of this trail, yet they're gonna be spending millions of dollars to upgrade it.

And my question is is that the proper use of public funds, especially if they're not anticipating an increased use?

If the county or the open space district does not anticipate an increase, as I said, why would they want to spend taxpayer money to change a trail that will not increase use?

So residents have photos that show that during the pandemic or shortly there was thereafter, there are so many cars parked illegally that the safety in case of their emergency is really threatened.

So over time, the conditions on Fairway has reached an intolerance level for the community, and this proposed project will only exasperate the current situation.

We have other county and open space trails that already adversely affect Novato residents.

And I can go through and name them where even some council members are adversely impacted, as well as a lot of other neighbors.

And we need to learn from those experiences and really require mitigation measures that was going to reduce the impact, either providing a parking lot or whatever.

So in summary, I'm asking that the council direct city staff to prepare a letter for the mayor's signature, requesting at least a 60-day extension, and it may be a 90-day extension, depending on our agenda and how we handle this item.

Especially if we don't have meetings that we normally have, and that's which is also on the agenda tonight, too.

So Gary, I need to ask you two questions.

So one does our process allow us to direct staff tonight to send a letter to uh no for to write a letter for the mayor's signature to request a 60 or a 90-day extension to the public comment period on this negative declaration.

So yes, but I would like to give a little explanation for the benefit of all the council members during the meeting.

You do have a council policy manual that requires at least a two-step process here where a council member proposes an agenda item.

You can only do that at certain intervals, and then if a majority of you all approve, it comes back on a future agenda for a full discussion.

Separate from that though, the Brown Act allows you to give direction on things that are on your agenda.

This is on your agenda to direct staff tonight.

Um and your council policy manual also allows you to waive that if you choose to.

So it's up to this council if you would like to give that direction tonight, or if you would like to strictly follow the policy, and that's leave that discretion up to you all.

And the reason I ask Gary to state that is because on the front page of the mitigated neck negative declaration, their public comment period closes July 24th, which is in 10 days.

And there's no way that we're gonna be able to have a council meeting unless the council wants to meet emergency tomorrow night, Thursday or whatever, um, for us to be able to get our comments in.

And it's unfortunate that this wasn't we didn't know this in advance that it was going to be issued because we could have fit it into our schedule.

And so I've got some ideas how we're gonna be able to do that in the future.

The second question I have is because again, our council agenda schedule, which is also on tonight's agenda, which I will be pulling off the consent calendar, also has some major changes on our um our scheduled city council meetings.

And so in order for us to get the comments to the county, it won't be by the deadline, but at least in August or at least in September, can we skip the second pro the second step?

And the second step of our three-step process is for us to discuss whether or not uh we want to agendize it for action.

So I'm gonna ask you again now.

So because of our future schedule being limited, is it possible for the city council tonight to identify a date sooner for us to actually have the discussion on the merits of this mitigated negative declaration and then uh direct staff to prepare comments and send it to the county?

Yeah, part of your direction can be when staff would bring this item back, yes.

Okay, great.

Great.

So that actually makes it a lot easier for us in the future.

So um I I have um other issues here, but for the sake of our time and the other items on the agenda.

Does the council members have any questions of me on this particular project?

Councilmember O'Connor.

Thank you, Councilmember Eckland.

I just had a clarifying question.

So the ask tonight is to as a first step, basically authorize staff to issue a letter requesting a 60 or 90 day extension.

Is that correct?

Yes.

Okay.

But for the mayor's uh signature.

Right.

And then the second ask is at an upcoming meeting we agendize a review of the actual environmental document as well.

Exactly.

Exactly.

And we skip that second process.

That will save a lot of time.

Okay, no, that makes that makes sense to me.

Thank you.

Okay, great, thank you.

Are there any other questions of staff?

I mean of council.

I'm sorry.

I I have a question.

Um from my understanding, and just want to make sure this is correct.

We patrol the streets.

So Novato police department, that is that area.

And then at the trail point is when it becomes county.

Well, let me tell you, no.

Part, well, the the city staff is in um uh control of the city streets and the sidewalk, and also part of the trail.

But then when it hits county property, then the county takes over.

But to get access to the trail, you have to walk on dirt.

That is part of the city of Nevada.

Is that answer your question?

Yeah.

Is the do you know if that's it is true.

I just I I um spoke to someone at county and they said like where the trail starts is when county is.

So I was just curious.

Well, in order to get to the trail, they have to walk through city property.

That's dirt.

And then um, were we planning on commenting on this since it does involve our you know, police and patrol as far as um you know keeping the neighborhood parking under control?

Yeah, thank you, Mayor.

Um, yes, staff is already reviewing this, uh reviewing these documents and is um working with the city attorney's office to prepare a response.

Okay, so Nova we are doing a response on this.

We're yes, uh limited to the city's impacts.

But but the difference is, Mayor, is that staff doesn't necessarily um uh they they wrong on comments of the of this document, but not on whether this proposed alternative is something that the community wants.

That's our responsibility.

And this really, in fact, I believe all environmental documents that has done by outside or even inside should come to the city council on projects that are being proposed so that we can have an opportunity to provide comments that our community is telling us about these projects.

And um, so um I did not know that the can the city had received the copy of the negative declaration when I became aware of this, which was um July uh second.

Um I did not know that we had gotten a copy, and again it was released on June 23rd.

So maybe it was the uh it was no, I'm sorry, it was June, June 30th or June 29th, one of those two days that I had um called Amy and tried to find out about this document.

And that's when I also talked to Supervisor Luca.

Okay.

And then Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs.

Thank you.

Um if I'm not incorrect.

Um you exit fairway, there's a gates there.

When you go through the gates, I think you go in about 20 feet before you hit uh county property.

And that area is I believe it's concrete or it's paved in one way.

So you're not walking.

Just go ahead.

You're not really walking through dirt at that point.

Okay.

But you're walking on city property.

You are walking on city property, yes, you are.

Whether it's dirt or paved or whatever, you're walking on city property, and then the trail begins.

Right.

Which is when the county's property starts.

Thank you.

So there is some responsibility for the city as part of this trail.

All right.

Um other questions?

Nope.

Can I have a note to public comment?

Um sure.

Okay.

That's the normal process, correct?

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

Um you'll have two minutes to talk, and we have a uh timer up here so you can keep track.

Um, if you do agree with um what someone says, just use the woohoo uh hands just so we keep it going, and then I will call up a second person to just line up here so we keep the flow um efficient because we do have uh quite a few cars.

Um I'd like to invite Daniel Christensen first and then uh Diana Barnstrand.

Thank you.

My name is Dan Christian, and I live off of Fairway, and all these good people behind me are my neighbors.

And I walk down fairway every day.

My dog, we walk down every day.

We walk out to Gulch Falls uh weekly.

My children have learned to ride their bicycles in that cul-de-sac.

So it's a very small, intimate cul-de-sac.

We now have a five-year-old, his training wheels are off, and we are in that cul-de-sac.

So it's really important.

It's a very small little neighborhood, and it's not a place where you're gonna have high volume traffic, and it is a place that just has parking just for its residents.

Uh so please take that into consideration.

It's where neighbors walk their dog, and it's not doesn't have much room for much else for a whole lot of people to come.

There just is not adequate parking.

And the cul-de-sac is two miles away from the main street on Ignacio Boulevard.

So you have to drive a long way down through the street.

So I want to uh encourage you to uh for this extension uh at this time.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

Uh Diana Barnstrand and then Mark Sebastian, he'll be next.

Welcome, Diana.

How are you?

I have a letter also that I guess into the microphone, please.

I'm sorry.

Yeah, you can give the letter here.

Okay.

And then you can speak into the mic.

This is going to be quick because I wrote the letter.

I just wanted to stand up and you know say a few words, and I don't have my glasses, so we'll see how this goes.

Hi, everybody.

Uh I respectfully ask the city council to pause the Buck Gulch Falls uh trail project and allow for further environmental and community review.

This area is a rare natural refuge, valued for its quiet character, uh, wild life, and undeveloped beauty.

While I support responsible access uh access improvements, the scale of the proposed infrastructure raises concerns about wildfire safety, emergency access, erosion, and permanent impacts to the sensitive landscape.

Sometimes the best stewardship is to allow a place to remain natural.

More review is needed to analyze the lengthy Marin County open space district, Buck Gulch Falls Restoration and Trail Project.

Uh community input and collaboration is lacking by MCOSD, and that is a concern for me.

Um thank you for your consideration.

Thank you so much.

Welcome, Mark and Chris Capanelli.

Thank you.

Mark Sebastian, I live at the end of six uh Fairway 607 to be specific.

So I'm one house from the uh the uh project here.

Uh we support Councilmember Eklund and her concerns regarding the trail.

Thank you very much, Pat.

Appreciate that.

Um this thing, this pro this trail has three problems.

Infrastructure, unrealistic vision for the area, and fire safety concerns.

Quickly going through it.

I find it interesting they built a 231-page declaration with no dollar amount in it.

No dollar amount.

Right.

What they expect to spend.

Nobody's gonna read 231 pages, but they'd like to go to the bottom and find that dollar amount.

This this uh waterfall flows only a few months a year at best.

Their spend is unknown with significant negative consequences to our neighborhood.

This is a modest walking trail, not a large-scale park.

We've already had massive increase in traffic.

I've sent pictures to all of you.

Please take a hard look at them.

That's a normal day out there.

Wonderful to live there now, isn't it?

Uh we've also had parking issues, trash issues, e-bikes, which are dangerous, uh smoking on the trails.

Fair Fairway Drive and its side streets were not built for visitors that is as it is today, and certainly not with additional more to come.

The current congestion is already happening due to social media.

Buck Gulch again was not meant to be a park, a large-scale park.

It's a small local walking trail.

That's what it should remain.

The trail will lose its tranquility, safety, and natural integrity.

Finally, the proposed plans seem to have provide more challenges than benefits for the residents than visitors.

Fire concerns.

Fire is a major risk.

One way in, one way out.

If you don't believe me, watch the Palisade fires.

They all got stuck.

I see the clock.

Don't worry, Mayor.

Photos that show these, I've shown you how given you photos.

The Buck Gulch is currently designated by Cowfire as high or extremely high risk fire.

It's a problem out there.

And we don't need people out there with their cigars, cigarettes, or whatever else they're smoking.

It's essentially, it's essential that we prioritize the safety of our residents and our first responders.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Chris Carpanelli and then Gabrielle Campi.

Chris Carpeniello.

Thank you.

Okay.

The story of Buck Gulch is a long and somewhat sorted one.

There's been good and bad, mostly good, thankfully.

Most of us here know it, or at least what we've been told.

And parts of the story are not being told.

Human intervention had created a dam.

That dam created a lake, and that lake became a sanctuary to wildlife in the area.

It supported a plethora of species, multiple varieties of frogs and fish, and on up the ladder, snakes, turtles, raccoons, possums, foxes, coyotes, deer, bobcats, and even mountain lions.

I've seen them.

It also served as a recreational area for the local community where people camped, swam in the lake, used the famous rope swing, and swam with their friends and explored an area that, although touched by man, still felt wild.

It was wild.

The current plans to develop that area may not be looking at the big picture.

At a time when our budgets are being stressed to the max and ever increasing taxes on the local government's answer to every budget shortfall.

Why on earth would we be guaranteeing a perpetual drain on the unfair tax monies Nevadoans already pay?

By that I mean to say that this project will never pay for itself, and the people of Nevada will be forced to subsidize it in perpetuity.

It might make sense if the city were to consider restoring the dam and leaving the rest alone continue to have public access in the area.

I would much rather will much prefer a more sensible one-time expense over perpetual subsidies.

I would much prefer creating a wild oasis in the midst of our ever encroached upon city.

And by encroached upon, I'm talking about Sacramento, who has stolen our sovereignty and set upon us a gaggle of advisors and lobbyists to thwart our own intentions for the future of Novato.

They want Navado to be more like Oakland.

Just ask the Association of Bay Area Cities or the League of California Cities.

Thank you, Clay.

They want Novato to be home to high-rise apartment complexes and high-density housing, and this is all connected.

Paving wild places may not be in our best interest, but will certainly make this place less wild and will not encourage the ecologic diversity that it always has in the past.

Thank you, Chris.

I appreciate it.

Hello, members of the Novato City Council.

I would like to respectfully request the Marin County Open Space District extend the public review period for the Gulch Falls Creek Restoration and Trail Improvement Project located at the end of Fairway Drive.

I understand that this report is extremely lengthy and that the size and complexity of the environmental review report is immense for a project of this size.

At this time, many residents are on vacation and have not had time to review these documents, nor have they had the time to understand what may be taking place in their own neighborhood.

In addition, time is also needed regarding the fire evacuation, potential erosion, and natural habitats in the area.

This would also include getting a clear and understanding and collaboration for what will be occurring in the neighborhood.

My intention is not to delay this project.

I'm simply requesting that the City Council extend the public review period and grant the residents in this area the time to do the due diligence that is necessary to make this a successful project.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you so much.

Kevin Bardsham and then Tim O'Connell.

Welcome.

Good evening.

Thanks for the opportunity to share some thoughts.

Given that I'm joined by so many community members with similar concerns, and I've also submitted a more detailed letter for consideration.

I'll be direct.

We need to extend the public review process for the Buck Gulch Falls Project to allow the Navado community to consider implications and to work with the appropriate agencies to mitigate impacts.

In particular, we are just starting the process of becoming a firewise community and developing a community fire preparation plan for the Marine Country Club neighborhood.

We see there being a potentially significant increase in fire risk with the new park being developed in the urban interface and need time to collaborate with the appropriate agencies to ensure full consideration is being given to the residents who would be most affected.

We also need to plan for evacuations in the event of a fire in the high-risk area where the park is being placed.

Fairway drive is the primary artery for a large percentage of Marine Country Club residents, and we need to have the time to develop a formal evacuation and emergency vehicle access plan.

I ask that you request additional public review time from the county and encourage city staff to engage in review plans and consideration of the safety and well-being of your Novato constituency.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Tim O'Connell and then Gary Jones.

Oh my god.

Sorry, Tim.

All right.

So Gary Jones, you're up.

And then A.

G.

Patterson.

I'm Gary Jones.

I live at 11 Wentworth.

Which is just off Fairway Drive.

I want to say that this report says that the impacts are either less than significant or can be reduced to less than significant through mitigation.

And given the scope and complexity of the project, I think it really certainly needs more review by everybody.

I have a vested interest in this because Fairway Drive is the only vehicle evacuation route for over 300 homes.

And a fire could be terrible.

And it the project doesn't really just involve Fairway Drive.

Emergency and fire services, law enforcement, and even city maintenance of those streets is going to affect the whole city.

And uh we just need to we need time to review this whole process.

So I hope the city will do it.

Thank you.

E.G.

Patterson and then Gail Perrin.

Good evening, Mayor, Council members.

You guys too.

My name is A.J.

Patterson.

I live at 45 Fairway Drive, and I'm a proud 20-year resident of the country club neighborhood.

I'm here tonight with many others to respectfully ask the city to request that the Marin County Open Space District extend the deadline as we have heard.

There's many reasons for the Council to do this.

I just wanted to add one more.

Quite compelling.

On July 13th, just yesterday, I received a written response to my request from the Native American Heritage Commission regarding this specific Buck Gulch Falls project.

As you may know, the NAHC identifies catalogs and protects known ancient graves and cemeteries of Native Americans on public and private lands in California.

I provided copies to the clerk for your review.

In the letter of the Commission states, and I quote, a search of the Native American Heritage Commission sacred lands file was completed based on information I submitted for the above project.

The results were positive.

I believe this information raises serious and legitimate questions that the public deserves adequate time to understand.

Once sacred cultural resources are disturbed, or worse, destroyed, the damage cannot be undone.

I'm not asking the council to decide tonight whether this project should proceed.

I'm simply asking you to request an extension of the deadline to give our residents sufficient time to understand completely the impact the project will have on these precious Native American resources that we now know exist.

Thank you.

Thank you, AJ.

Gail Perren and then Judy Shaw.

Welcome, Gail.

Hi.

Thank you for the opportunity and good evening to all of you.

I've lived in this neighborhood for over 30 years.

I've hiked that falls every season, and I've watched it change, especially in the last five years, as more and more people have found out about it.

I'm here tonight to thank you for considering extending the review period because it is something that I know personally from experience of spending two weeks trying to respond to it with a team of people.

We're still going to have struggle meeting that deadline.

Many of them are here tonight.

I'm grateful for the teamwork that we've experienced.

It's actually been a really valuable experience.

Many residents did not receive the actual document or even the card in the mail until after the review period started, and it was right before the July 4th weekend when everyone was taking off.

So by the time we actually got to review the document, a lot of that time period had already lapsed.

And what we found working together as a team reviewing this document, that's 231 pages, is that there are so many emissions that we've had to go back to the underlying documents, the hydrology reports, the geology reports, the soils reports, the feasibility studies, just to make sense of the comments that were made in the initial study.

So as far as I'm concerned, whether you support this project or are opposed to this project, what we need is a longer period to give it an adequate review, and not just the public, but all the agencies that are going to be issuing permits for this project to go forward.

So I respectfully ask council to support requesting an extension of the public review period and encourage city staff to provide public comments on the behalf of not only the city but the residents of Navado.

Thank you for the opportunity.

Thank you, Gail.

Judy Shaw and then Mark Scardinia.

Welcome, Judy.

And just you can put the mic down.

Judy Shaw, 57-year resident at the end of Fairway Drive.

I think this document is fantastic, and you have that, so I'm not going to repeat that.

Whoops, no point.

What I will instead, what I will instead show you is a picture taken during the rainy season.

That is your city street.

There is no mention in the document that is requesting extension of what it will cost you as a city to repair and maintain that street when all the trucks go back and forth to do the trail work.

One more picture.

This is a picture.

This is a picture of what the creek looked last year in July, the waterfall, no water.

The water flows about three months of the year, and all that work will be done.

Have you walked the trail?

Have you taken children with their boots on through the creek?

That's half the fun of it.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you, Judy.

Mark, and then we have Donna Steeger.

Welcome, Mark.

Good evening, Mayor, Council members.

My name is Mark Scardina, and I live in that neighborhood, but not right on Fairway Drive.

I would like to thank Councilmember Eklund for bringing this forward because this letter is extremely important for the residents of Marin Country Club neighborhood.

While I am the secretary of the Marin County Club Neighborhood Association, I am not here today in that capacity.

I'm just here as a resident.

Now, whether you support or oppose this project is not on the table right now.

It is simply asking for time.

And this is a very complex project, as has been illustrated.

And insufficient notice as well as time has been given by the county.

I too have requested for an extension and was denied.

So it's not the first time, and many of our neighbors have done the same thing.

And the county simply says we only do it for 30 days.

So we really appreciate this letter from you.

Additionally, our neighborhood, as I mentioned, has been working on this project for the last couple of weeks.

And it is extremely complex.

All of the sources we have to reference to see whether or not the findings are actually what the county says.

In fact, because this project actually is on city land, it has you have to start there as well as, even though it's been deeded to the county, it's still zoned as a city.

And that cul-de-sact is, in fact, a fire lane.

Engines cannot turn around if there's any cars in that lane.

So we really appreciate you looking at that and giving it your approval.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mark.

Donna and then Kevin Hogan.

Thank you.

Welcome.

I'm Donna Stager, and I too live in the country club.

And I am here to support Pat Eklund's request for the Navado City Council to send a letter to the Marin County Open Space District.

The open state open space initial study comment period is too short because the proposed project is incomplete and needs additional review.

The proposed project will result in a major change to the existing trail use and will not only impact the neighbors but also impact the City of Novato.

Specifically, the proposed project is incomplete because its purpose is to create a multi-use path which includes promoting use by people with disabilities.

However, the proposed project does not include accessible parking.

If it went forward as proposed, the city would end up having to provide accessible parking along Fairway, creating additional impacts to the neighbors.

This unscoped part of the project would create additional capital expense to Novato as well as enforcement expense to patrol and issue parking citations.

At a minimum, the Marin County Open Space District needs to modify the proposed project to provide off-street accessible parking as part of the project and reanalyze the project's impacts.

This additional work should not be left to the City of Novato and has not been evaluated in the draft initial study.

Therefore, I am here to support Councilmember Eklund's request to send a letter.

Thank you.

All right, Kevin.

And then we have Mary Rollers.

Good evening.

Prior to tonight, there's only been one community meeting that's met Brown Act requirements, and that was when this was presented to the Board of Supervisors.

There has been little to no discussion with the neighborhood or in general throughout the community.

So I find that unconscionable.

Many have said what I've written out here already, but some I'd like to offer an alternative.

If this is something that the city wants to do and wants to spend the money, uh why not look at the Ken Hearth waterfall?

It's at the end of the College of Marin.

There's bus service to the College of Marin, so it would bring service uh ADA service to even more people.

There are parking spaces there.

There are ADA spaces there, there are services there.

This is out of a neighborhood.

The hike to uh the Ken Hearth waterfall is approximately the same distance as it is for the Buck Gulch Falls.

And this does not impact a residential neighborhood.

Um it would cost much less uh at the Ken Hearth Waterfalls because there's already a bridge there.

Most of the pathway is already smooth enough for ADA compliance.

Uh and there would only be, as I said, the one bridge that would have to be built.

Um there's also been discussion about adding battery operated vehicles for ADA compliance.

Adding battery operated vehicles to a forested area this close to a residential neighborhood in Fairway Drive is unconscionable.

I believe the county is exposing itself to real legal and financial risk.

A serious fire in a residential area could lead to home insurance polling coverage, which would be a significant blow to property values and to the neighborhood.

I request that you extend it by 90 days.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mary, and then we have Ann Rottenberg.

Hi, my name is Mary Rawls.

I live a couple blocks from the waterfall.

And timing has been an issue all along this project.

And much of the planning and uh for the waterfall project happened without community input.

I worked for public agencies for 25 years.

I worked for the county administrator.

I worked for uh LAFCO, I worked for A Bag for I worked with 32 cities there, and I was a teacher.

And if I don't know anything, I know that public input can be can influence what happens if it's in a classroom or in a neighborhood.

And we're here to ask for more time to consider this project.

I went to the open space district meeting, and I it had been 25 years since I'd been involved with public agency.

And it felt like a deal they had decided already.

In fact, there was almost disrespectful treatment of a couple of the speakers.

And it was just like it just amazed me because one of my jobs as a uh clerk to a commission was to notify the public.

And we worked so hard finding every homeowners group and uh I don't you know wim, I don't know who anyone that would possibly be interested so they would know the process and have a chance to be involved.

And Marin County has a long history of citizens influencing uh land use planning, and I I appreciate the city's help in doing this.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And last we have Ann Rettenberg.

This is my hi, my name is Anne Rettenberg.

I live at 8 Capilano Drive, which is off of fairway.

Um I use these trails frequently.

Uh there's nothing wrong with trails as they are.

They're used by five-year-olds, by 95-year-olds.

They will never be wheelchair accessible unless the plan is to level the entire area, which would be a disaster.

This uh plan is a boondoggle and a massive, it would be a massive waste of taxpayer dollars.

I've been unable to figure out whose idea it was or how much it would cost.

And these are things we need to know.

And uh so I'm here to support an extended comment period because we don't have all the information that we need.

Um I haven't met anyone yet who in the area who supports it.

I use these trails all the time.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Um now I'm gonna call for Zoom public comment to so to speak.

Click the raise hand feature on your computer or press nine if you're joining us by a telephone.

Your telephone will prompt you to press six to unmute yourself when it is your turn to speak.

Uh Laura, is there any online comments?

There are no raised hands online.

All right.

So um moving back to council.

I do have a uh just a clarifying question.

Um this is coming from uh Marin County, not the city, and it's not city allocated money.

So this is not um we're not spending city funds for this project.

So just wanted to um clarify that so we're all on the same beach here.

Um councilmember Eklund, do you have anything you'd like to add?

Um yes.

Um so I first of all I want to thank all of the residents for speaking with your heart.

And um totally agree with um all the comments and I'm interested in following up with some of you on some of the things I had not heard.

Um so um with this though, so I would like to help facilitate um the movement of this item.

I would first like to make a motion that we uh direct uh staff to prepare a letter for the mayor's signature requesting a 60 or 90 day extension for public comments on the uh mitigated negative declaration.

And if I get a second, then we can talk about the motion itself.

I'll second, but do you want 60 or 90?

We should probably just pick one.

Pardon me?

Do you want 60 days or 90 days?

Well, I think that that's something that we need to decide once we start uh and I would I'm going to propose a date for us to actually discuss it, which will do and if the council agrees, then that will determine whether it's a 60 or 90 days.

Why don't we ask for the 90s?

Okay, let's ask for the 90 then.

And then see what they come back with.

Okay.

Um they can reject us, though, correct correct, because it's their jurisdiction, they could uh reject our us.

That that's not our okay.

That would be that's I that would be a sad day if they did.

So I would So I would I would recommend the nine.

Let's do the nine.

That's fine.

So my motion includes a 90-day extension on the second at 90 days, thank you.

Mayor Hurtsham, did you have a question?

Yeah, no, I've got a few comments.

Um we okay, we're gonna ask for 90 days at this point.

Um parking is a major concern.

Uh I know there's areas there where they could open those gates and have a parking area inside those gates on county property.

So so we need to talk about the merits of the project next, or that's part of the next motion.

We're just talking about the extension of the time.

Okay.

Thank you.

Okay.

So Laura, can you take a vote?

Councilmember Eklund?

Aye.

Councilmember Carkle is absent.

Councilmember O'Connor.

Aye.

Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs.

All right.

And Mayor Frack.

Aye.

All right, that passes.

Great.

And so I I would suggest that staff make it clear that um all council members present voted for that motion.

I think that would be very persuasive.

Okay, so then the uh second motion would be at uh what point can we talk about the project, um, which will include issues like parking and all this other kind of stuff that uh we're not able to talk about tonight because it's part of the project.

And so in looking at our proposed agenda items coming up.

Would it just be with if if we get granted, it would be within that 90-day period?

Um and sooner than later.

Well, I don't want us to get to the end of that 90-day period because um I want to make sure that we're gonna be able to um make make sure that our comments but given so let me just go through the agenda here.

So we have a meeting in two weeks, and um I'm not sure that that would give staff enough time to be able to put the agenda item together.

I'm not sure how far along they are in reviewing that negative deck negative declaration.

So we have only one meeting in August.

That's August 25th, and in September, we only have one meeting, September 22nd, which I'm gonna question when we talk about this item.

And then the next meeting after that is October 13th.

So if we um ask for a 90-day extension and get it, so that's July.

So why can't we do the August 25th?

That's fine.

If um August 25th works, that's fine with me.

Will that work with you guys?

May that's the question.

Yeah.

And and the purpose of the item is for us to actually talk about the merits and talk about our comments on the mitigated negative declaration.

Uh I just had a question for the city manager.

You mentioned that staff is already working on reviewing this.

When do you expect them to be finished with their review?

Well, the deadline is um the 24th.

So we are getting close to being done.

Okay.

Yeah.

We would be submitting before the 24th.

So you'd be if I may.

Theoretically, you'd be prepared for us to be able to have a conversation in July around this if the work's already going to be done.

Um the way the agenda is posted, we're cutting it close.

Okay.

Let me look back here.

Yes, we could do it for the for July 28th.

So I would suggest we do it then.

There's no reason to wait.

And even if they refuse to extend the period, we can still provide our comments.

Yeah.

So if we bring this before the city council on July 28th, um that's after the public comment period.

Right.

Right.

Okay.

That's that's fine.

If the council wants to do it on July 28th, I'm good to go.

Right on?

Okay.

Laura, do you want to take a look at the question?

So then I'll I'll make the motion.

You have to do a motion.

Um sorry, can I just add one thing?

Um Mayor Farrakh will be out on that date.

So just be aware of that.

There's before council members.

Are we going to have all council members on August 25th?

We will.

That's to my knowledge.

I would suggest we do it August 25th.

I think we need to have all council members present.

I'm fine with the other date.

I was just trying to get it done sooner so that if they don't extend the period, at least we're getting our comments in right on top of that.

And effective.

Right.

So my point is that that the comment period closes on July 24th.

So if they refuse our extension, we'll still be able to get our comments in a few days later.

If you choose to wait to a month later, that that time could have some negative impact, and I prefer I I I would prefer if all five of us could be here too, but that's always work.

That's fine.

So I'm uh I'm I'm completely open to either date.

I just think it might be more impactful to get it in as close to that date in case it's not extended.

Okay.

And actually, you know what, let's do this.

If it's not extended, let's do it on the 28th.

If it is extended, let's do it in August.

And so are the uh com comments of the staff going to be provided to council sooner?

So that uh the draft.

That was going to be one of my questions is council would council's direction be for staff to hold off on submitting those comments until they come before council.

That's not typically something we would do.

Um but if that's council's direction, then we would go ahead and do that.

So I have never heard the City of Novato staff making uh comments on a project to the to any other um entity if the council is providing comments as well.

It should be one comment from the city.

Um and so um the sta staff in there if they're gonna submit comments, then at least they're gonna council's direction is for us to hold if you wanted to have the discussion on July 28th, and you'd like us to hold back on our comments, we're happy to do that.

My intent initially was just to point out that the mayor would not be here at that meeting.

And um it sounds like there's some urgency to this.

We're happy to hold off on our comments and submit them late if council wants to have the conversation on July 28th.

Um we would take your direction, fold it up, and then get it over to the county as quickly as possible.

See the problem is is that if the county receives comments from the staff, then they're saying, well, why is the council asking for an extension?

And that's why I asked for the clarification, council.

Um if we come up with that package with our comments, staff's comments as one will be stronger than two different ones.

I agree.

We we should not send two.

We have no.

So let's why don't do you want to make the motion for um July 2028?

Uh I'll I'll move that.

And then if we do if we do do this extension, then it's August 25th.

25th.

So um I make the motion that we agendize this for July 28th.

Well second.

One second.

Can you take a vote?

What the review period is on July 24th.

I know that.

We don't have a council meeting.

There's no way to I know I know what I'm saying is that if you wait another day, okay.

The review period, the county's review period ends on July 24th.

So if you review your comments and the comments of staff on July 28th, you won't be able to submit them.

No submit them.

You can still submit comments after the comments.

Absolutely.

And then the county decides whether or not they are going to take the accept those comments.

And I've spoken to someone in the county who says they'll accept it.

Well, you might be interested in reviewing the letter that was written to me by Jason Horn that explicitly says all comments to be considered for review must be received by July 24th at 5 p.m.

So it's in yeah, semi letter.

But we are asking for an extension.

And so hopefully the county will give it to us.

Um that's and to everybody because they're gonna have to do it for everybody.

Okay.

Well, that's just I uh yeah, you read my letter.

Read the letter from Jason because it's all in there.

Thank you.

And I think some of us have talked to the county um because this is such an important issue.

So I have already talked to Supervisor.

Well, let's make the motion, let's pass the motion because I think we're at a good spot.

I think we all um have faith that the county would look at the comments.

Okay.

So does that.

So I believe that there was a motion, there was a second, and I think it's to Lower the vote told about.

Thank you.

Councilmember Eklund.

Hi.

Councilmember Carkle is absent.

Councilmember O'Connor.

Hi.

Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs.

All right.

And Mayor Farak.

Hi.

All right.

That passes.

And then I also wanted to mention that I have talked to both Supervisor Lucid and also Supervisor Radoni and have a meeting set up with Supervisor Moulton Peters as well.

Also, I spoke with uh Supervisor Lucan today, and he said they would accept um comments after the comment period ends.

And I heard the same thing.

All right.

So that passes.

Thank you.

All right.

So moving on to item E2 reports from the city council and city manager.

We will start with the city manager.

And can we hold just hold on really quick?

I need to change it.

I mayor, I have no comments this evening.

If you want to take a quick, you can do it yourself.

I had my original viewing.

Okay.

Uh Councilmember Eklin.

Uh yes.

Um I um it's been a busy uh couple of weeks.

Um I met with uh Dennis Radoni and uh Supervisor Lucan as well.

I've been meeting with constituents on various issues, and the most exciting thing was the Fourth of July parade.

And the nice thing about this, and I would love the community to know, is that my 99 and now a half-year-old mom rode with me.

And she had so much fun that she refused to get out of the car that she was riding in.

Uh notwithstanding the fact that the driver of the car on the way back got lost.

And and so my mom, I had the highway patrol and I had the Nevada police officers all looking for my mom in the uh parade car.

So anyway, it was and she she had a she had a gas.

She just really had a lot of fun.

And I I just really want to thank the organizers of that parade to be able to give all the community that parade is incredible, but then also someone who's 99 to be able to even ride in the parade.

I mean, it it's incredible.

Um so I volunteered at the Hamilton Museum, which um I do all the time and encourage people to come and and look at the history of Hamilton.

It's uh it's a great museum, and we had no breaks uh for four hours.

We were on our feet talking with visitors.

Um I met um with residents in Romar Court, and we actually celebrated uh finalizing the uh tenant protection ordinance.

And I will be asking staff to give us an update on what's happening with Romar Court because now the one building is now vacant, has been blocked off for almost a year now, and no work has been done.

So we have some affordable housing that's not being worked on.

Um I participated in um the um amphitheater uh music festival at Hamilton.

Um I also participated in the ribbon cutting um that rotary put on over at Hamilton also for the Vietnamese that um were brought over to the United States through Hamilton.

It's quite an exhibit and would encourage people to go and attend that and see it.

Um it's right at the Art Center.

And then obviously uh we participated in uh run county mayors and council members.

Thank you.

All right, Councilman Member O'Connor.

Yes, thank you, Mayor.

Um I had the opportunity to attend the annual mixer for the downtown Novato Business Association last week at Topo Chiropractic.

I want to thank John Christman, Daniel Spain for hosting it.

Um I also want to share my thanks and gratitude for the Fourth of July parade organized.

This is a wonderful time.

I think I can safely say it's it's our favorite event of the year.

It's a real highlight.

And my two kids really enjoy themselves, although my 14-year-old is getting progressively less happy about being able to sit in public with me.

And then I finally I want to share I joined Councilmember Eklund at Romore Court, and I just wanted to thank uh parent voices and legal aid of Marin for all of the partnership and work.

Thank you.

All right, May Mayor Pro Tem.

Thank you.

Uh on June 30th, I I attended the ribbon cutting for a Vilus construction.

They had purchased the old firehouse on South Nevada Boulevard and they've renovated it and it's their new office.

Was pretty exciting to see that.

Uh also attended the Novato Fire District's 100th anniversary.

It was a wonderful presentation.

It was a packed house.

Also attended Gary Beretta's retirement party.

And it was great to see him heading into retirement, but he surely will be missed here in town.

Also attended the Ignacio Rotary luncheon where my wife Sherry was installed.

July 4th parade was a wonderful time.

And it's nice to be on the other side of it because I was on the committee for a number of years and I had an opportunity to go to the Buckaroo breakfast again.

And that was a great time.

And I was driven in a car by Ron.

And his wife drove Pat's mom.

Right.

Also I attended the DNBA social event at Topokiropractic.

That was great.

And right outside, I attended the concert on the green that again was put on by our great park and wreck department.

They hit a grand slam again.

They had a great band, and it's also going to be another one this coming Friday right out here on the City Green.

Thank you.

All right.

And I um attended by Councilmember Aklin, the Vietnamese Rotary Ribbon comment cutting.

It's a uh phenomenal mural, and I got to uh present them with a proclamation.

Um also attended uh the fire district's hundred year anniversary, and uh the then attended the Fourth of July parade and just want to thank everyone for all their hard work.

Um is absolutely magical for my kids, and they had a blast waving to their friends.

Um thank you for all the hard work and it was amazing.

All right.

So now we're gonna move on to general public comment, and this is item F.

So this is general public comment for items that are not on the agenda or for items that are listed on the consent calendar, and there's a two-minute time limit.

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

Uh the first one is B.

Myers.

Welcome, Bernie.

Good evening, Mayor, members of the council and staff.

Bernie Myers, former member of the council.

Uh Barney Frank died on May 19, 2026.

He was the co-author of the Dodd Frankl legislation of 2010 that strongly strengthened the United States financial system.

What is the connection between Congressman Frank and Novato, California?

The answer, Robert J.

DeGrazia.

Who then was Bob de Grazia?

He was the Novato Chief of Police between 1962 and 1969.

I learned this in late 2010 or thereabouts, when I was in the Rayburn House building visiting Congressperson Woolsey, and stopped by a small cafe to get a cup of coffee.

I took it to a small seating area, no bigger than what we have in front of you right now, and was soon joined nearby by Congressman Frank.

I thanked him for his efforts in passing the Dodd-Frank pill, and we began to chat across the tables.

When he learned I was from Novado, he promptly asked me if I knew uh Bob de Grazia.

I told him I did not, and he informed me that Bob was perhaps the first Novato chief of police.

Here I am in the building talking to Congressman Frank, and he's telling me the first chief of police in Nevada.

Um it turns out that Bob was later hired by Boston Mayor Kevin White as Boston's chief or commissioner in about 1972, which is where he met Congressman Frank, who was then working for Mayor White.

That speaks volumes about the ability to recall all sorts of things that really good politicians have.

I never did.

Um there is a very good memorial service in remembrance of Congressman Frank on YouTube, and I commend it to you.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Uh next we have Eliza Cleek.

Who is Eliza Cleek?

Okay.

We can go to Kelsey Lombardi then.

She's a I just came by first on the call.

Um thank you.

Um I'm really sorry.

I need to bring a notice to the council and make them aware of something that's we have an invasion in the city of Novato.

Unfortunately, it's a type of wildlife.

And it may, it will eventually, and if not taken care of, it will affect every neighborhood in Novato.

About two years ago in May, uh, we went out into the garage, and we found, I'm sorry to say, several very large, like an inch, two inch long, cockroaches.

Oh my goodness.

And we thought, what is this?

It turns out we thought maybe it's the demolition in Romar Court.

Maybe it's the fact that Novado Sewer, the sanitary is doing sanitary work.

Maybe it's because PGE is doing underground work all close by.

So we handled it the best we could, but I must admit it was pretty creepy saying hundreds as you're walking out to your car, these insects dare night running by your feet and coming into your into your garage.

So a year has gone by, and we're still seeing these insects.

And so it turns out to, in fact, we're seeing a lot of them.

In fact, we end up putting gravel.

The neighbors ended up putting gravel along the garages to keep them out.

Um I checked with them with the water district.

They said we don't handle it.

Actually, the neighbors said they're coming out of the storm drains.

All the sewer sewer covers are sealed.

There's no work as far as we know on Romar Court.

They're coming out of the storm drains by the thousands.

Now the water district says we don't handle storm drains.

Check with sanitary.

Chanitary says we don't handle storm drains.

Check Novato maintenance.

Maintenance says we don't handle storm drains.

Check with vector control.

Vector control says we know what those are.

That's an invasive species called the Turkmostan cockroach.

Thank you, Eliza.

Your time is up.

Do you want to?

I would encourage you to um write us an email.

Okay, I'm sorry, but unless it's taken care of, I need to finish this.

I would really ask the mayor to give her an extension of time.

I I'm interested in the we've lived in a neighborhood 39 years.

How much a minute or less?

Okay, a minute.

Go.

I checked with Vector.

They said contact AG.

Ag says, hey, we've just seen them coming into our office.

We don't know what to do.

But we will get back to you on what government agencies can assist you.

This is an invasive species from Asia.

It carries diseases.

It'll go anywhere, get through any crack you can imagine.

Imagine something as long as your thumb coming into your home and they carry diseases.

Unless Novato does something and coordinates with these government agencies, there will be no neighborhood because they live in trash, they live in your green bin.

And what goes to every single neighborhood in this town?

Street cleaning and garbage pickup.

So they will spread it.

So the time to act as now while we still can, because it'll be a lot more expensive to find someone to abate the storm drains a lot later, and God only knows how they'll spread.

And I'm sure you're not gonna like showing off a house you want to sell with these things crawling all over the place.

That's all I came to say.

I just came to put you on notice.

And not only that, but if it gets too much out of hand, people are gonna start throwing poisons down the storm drains.

And we all know where those go.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

I appreciate your comments.

Um now I'm gonna call for Zoom public comment.

Uh Laura, is there anyone online that has their hand raised?

There's no raised hands online.

All right.

So moving on to item G, consent calendar.

Do I have a motion?

I'll make a motion to approve the consent calendar.

Do you have a second?

I'll second.

And I'd like to pull two items.

I'd I'd like to pull number G3, G8, G9.

Oh, we already pulled G8.

Good.

G9 then.

Just G3 and G9.

Okay.

Well, Councilmember Ackland.

Aye.

Councilmember Carkel is absent.

Councilmember O'Connor.

Aye.

Mayor Pur Tim Jacobs.

And Mayor Farak.

Aye.

All right.

So now we are holding uh moving on to item I, public hearings, and holding a few public hearings.

So I want to open the public hearing and then I want to invite Cindy Chong, the public works administrative manager to present.

And we'll be reviewing Hillside Park, Wildwood Glen, and San Pablo Landscape and Lighting Districts.

And I'll need to recuse myself.

I need to recuse myself in the last time.

Oh, we're not there yet.

Okay.

Yeah.

Good evening, Mayor.

Mayor Pro Tem and Council members, thank you for having me here tonight to bring to you the public hearing for the landscape, uh lighting landscape of district assessments for the fiscal year of 26 and 27.

So for tonight's request is that overall we're going to conduct hearings for four landscape assessment districts.

We're first going to consider Hillside, Wildwood, and San Pablo, and we'll bring San Morin to you afterwards so that council member can recuse himself.

We're asking you to consider adopting resolutions authorizing the levying of the assessments for the fiscal year of 26-27.

And this is so that we can do the routine maintenance within the assessment districts as well as any capital improvements that are needed.

So I think you know what is in what is the landscape assessment district.

I think most of us do know, but for those of us that don't, these are generally formed during the subdivision approval process.

Um and they are there to provide for maintenance funds to maintain the common areas that help the property values and for us to continue to improve the districts.

Now these assessments generally can increase annually either by CPI or CCI.

So the consumer price index or construction cost index, or we can go ahead and increase it to the maximum allowable unit assessment.

Um some of the assessment districts have a ceiling where we can raise it if there's funds needed to do any improvements.

Outside of that, we would have to take it to ballot, and it needs to be voted by the district members and approved by the majority in order to increase outside of that.

So what is city staff's responsibilities?

Our responsibilities are to number one help maintain the district, listen to the the property owners, their concerns, um, create the annual budget and the needs, work with our consulting engineer to create the engineers report, make sure routine landscaping services are happening, and to plan and implement any any needed major repairs.

So in these assessment districts, each one is different.

Each one has different things that they may need to work on.

Some have retaining walls, some have storm drains, some may have just general landscaping, some may include pathways, but it depends on what the enabling resolution included within their scope to maintain.

So for this year, for our Wildwood Glenn, the current assessment is 274.64 cents.

That is increasing by 2.477 to 281 dollars and forty-four cents.

For Hillside, it's 432.82 cents.

It's included, it's increasing by 5% to 454.56 cents.

And for San Pablo, it is currently $926.92 cents and is increasing to $952.08.

So for tonight's request, we're asking you to open the public hearing for Hillside, San Pablo, and Wildwood Glen, and to receive the public comments and to consider abducting the associated resolutions for each.

Do you have any questions from council?

All right, I'm gonna move on to I do have one question.

Hillside Park Unit 4, which uh side of the street is that on?

Is that on the um I guess it's redwood that's going up there?

Um is it on the east side or the west side?

I believe it's the west side.

It is actually considered the north side, so it goes side.

Yeah, it's gonna be on on the north side of Ignacio.

Okay.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

All right, gonna open it for public comment.

I have um Tim O'Connell.

Welcome, Tim.

Well, thank you very much.

Um I live at nine live oak court, and I was first time buyer of the subdivision, and I have been active in attempting to maintain this district assessment and the work thereof, of which never gets done, which we as homeowners have entrusted your prior uh city council and mayors to do, to act in our behalf.

So you have now hired finally someone who's competent, capable, and willing to do what needs to be done.

She needs your support.

You finally got somebody who can do the work that the city has never done.

You need to write those wrongs for your predecessors.

We are owed.

So unfortunately, I'm at a point where I'm going, what gifts?

So I wrote her a letter, and I'm gonna read it to you because it sums up pretty much where I'm at.

And first of all, there are 68 homeowners, and a lot of the homes have turned over, and a lot of the homeowners have no idea what this assessment is about, and that's why no one's here tonight.

Okay.

They assume it goes for the park that our property taxes goes to maintain, which looks questionably, which is worse.

Our landscape area or the park.

It's toss up.

Anyway, so I put, hey Cindy, it's me, Tim.

I plan to be there on Tuesday, and to my disbelief, possibly two of my neighbors.

Um, they text me they couldn't find a place to park.

Hey, do you guys do this on a Tuesday night and have all this going on out here?

Where does the public find a place to park to take participation in this?

You know, if I was conspiratorial type of person, I think you guys have a plan.

In any event.

So uh they didn't show.

So I put in uh for your information, they're most interested, and these are things we discussed, with the following.

Where does the when does the fire break start?

If the cost of cutting is no longer at our cost, why then a need for the increase in assessment when the scope of the work has been reduced?

Who was responsible for cleaning the drainage dishes of flammable debris after the cutting?

And of course, the ongoing question of why it looks so neglected.

I will I will voice my views.

I'm doing it now, that we have discussed.

As you are aware, on one level I've given up.

What I see is a hopeless cause.

I'll put forward two proposals.

One is to dissolve this district and have the community the community meeting to discuss that.

And the other is to remove the existing vegetation and replace it with something that incorporates current landscape design for low maintenance and fire abatement.

Excuse me for my choice of words, but I want you to take this to heart now.

It's either time to shit or get off the pot.

Let's do something about this.

One way or the other.

If the city wishes to move on one of the either above, then I'll be back on board with her to help her with my community.

Cindy, when we first met, I was happy to finally have you, your enthusiasm, knowledge, and experience to ride a sinking ship.

I appreciate your focus and assume the responsibility that prior management has left you with.

But for me, there's a time to reassess the situation and change direction.

They shoot horses, don't they?

Thank you, Tim.

Your time is up, and I gave you an extra minute.

Okay, well, I'm one last thing.

So you two guys are meeting with the fire district, right?

You're out there, everything's 100th anniversary or some stupid thing, right?

If you were aware of the situation we have out there, you would have taken time to talk to people in charge out there and say, when are you gonna start this fire cut out there?

If that thing takes off, we're gonna have a major fire in Novato.

Okay.

And who, when all the houses get burnt and everything goes to hell, who do we sue for neglect?

Think about that.

Um Laura, is there uh any online public comment?

There's no raised hands online.

All right, I'd like to bring it back to council for a motion.

I'll move the item.

Do you have a second?

I'll second.

Laura, can you call the for the vote?

Councilmember Ecklands?

Aye.

Councilmember Carkle is absent.

Councilmember O'Connor.

Aye.

Mayor Pertem Jacobs.

All right.

And Mayor Farack.

All right, and that passes.

Um to item I four.

Uh Mayor Pro Tem uh House to recuse itself.

Um this public hearing and Cindy, I believe you are presenting this one again.

Thank you.

So now we're bringing forward San Marin Landscape Assessment District.

Um, and just briefly, I won't be reviewing what I brought forward earlier, which is you know, just the information about our responsibilities and what a landscape assessment district is.

For San Marin, the current assessment is 4942.

We're going to be increasing that to 5064.

Um, and just so that you're aware if you have not read through the full engineers report, we are going to bring this forward for a prop treating process because there are some funds needed to do some capital improvements in Samarin.

So next year you'll likely see a bigger change.

Any questions?

Any questions from Council?

All right.

Councilmember Eckland.

Councilmember Carkle is absent.

Council Member O'Connor.

Right.

So that passes.

All right, you guys ready?

Ready?

All right.

So moving on to item January Business Jay Wanna received a presentation on the Hamilton Amphitheater Park Playground.

All right, so moving on to item J General Business, J1 receive a presentation on the Hamilton Amphitheater Park Playground, and I'd like to call on Park Rec Director Katie Gauntlet to present this item.

Thank you, Mayor.

Good evening.

I'm here tonight with our deputy director of public works, Mahesh Yluri, to present to you the proposed enhancements for the Hamilton Amphitheater Park.

This is part of the Hamilton Amphitheater Playground CIP number 26004.

So the item before you tonight is to request uh an adopted resolution approving the proposed playground design for Hamilton Amphitheater Park, approving the plans and specifications, authorizing staff to advertise for the project for construction bids, and finding this project categorily exempt from CECWA under Section 15301 for existing facilities.

Tonight I'll provide a brief overview of the existing playground conditions, explain how the priorities identify with the city's adopted 2024 Parks Master Plan, and how this project has been incorporated into the CIP list for this capital improvement project budget cycle.

I'll also summarize how the community outreach and engagement has uh helped shape the design of this playground and walk through the proposed playground features and play elements.

Laura, our screen is not up.

That's okay.

After I give you all a summary of that and how we came to be with the design, I'll pass it over to Mahesh, who will highlight the ADA accessibility improvements and other renovations that will be included in the project that will be folded into this park renovation.

So a brief overview of the park for those of you that may not be familiar.

Hamilton Amphitheater Park is located at 601 North Hamilton Parkway and immediately serves the Hamilton neighborhood at just over four acres.

It's one of the community's most cherished neighborhood parks and provides a variety of amenities for residents and visitors of all ages.

The park features the historic 1930s style uh amphitheater and continues to host uh community events and performances, including the Parks and Recreation Department's annual Hot Amphitheater Nights free concert series in the summer.

And the park also has an expansive green space for informal recreation, a playground designed for children uh ages two to five, picnic areas and barbecue uh reservable barbecue areas uh that are used for family gatherings and celebrations as well as public restrooms.

Together, these amenities make the park an important neighborhood destination and a larger community gathering space, which is why maintaining enhancing the playground has been identified as a priority for the community.

A little background on why this park and why now.

As you will recall, in April 2024, the City Council adopted the city's first ever parks master plan, which established a long-term vision for our park system and included a prioritized capital improvement project list based on extensive community engagement, an existing facilities condition uh report, an ADA assessment, a levels of service analysis, and a system-wide needs assessment.

The replacement of the Hamilton Amphitheater Park Playground was identified as one of the playground replacement projects in the plan alongside Joseph Hope Park, Murr Highlands Park, Hillside Park, and Slade Park.

As you'll recall, Joseph Hoad Park was completed earlier in 2025.

And tonight's project represents the next major playground investment identified in the master plan.

As you can see from the pictures included in this slide, the existing playground has served the community well over 20 years.

So making this this makes replacement parts extremely increasingly challenging, um, if not impossible for our maintenance staff, um, and obtain and to make long-term maintenance just frankly unsustainable for this space.

Um the proposed project will replace the play structure you see here with but maintain the existing footprint.

So that curbing that you see all the way around the play structure will remain in place.

So we're replacing like for like in terms of space.

One feature we're especially pleased to retain is the park's large mature tree, which provides valuable natural shade and is an important part of the playground experience for families.

It will remain in place as part of the new design.

As with all of our major park improvement projects, community input played a central role in shaping the proposed playground design.

The community survey was first reviewed and approved by the Recreation Cultural and Community Services Commission in July of 2025 before launching as a bilingual online survey at the end of that month.

The survey remained open through September 1st, giving residents more than a month to share their feedback and priorities with staff.

To ensure the community was not only aware of the project but also encouraged to participate in the survey, staff implemented a comprehensive mixed media outreach method.

We engaged residents in person at the park and at community events.

We promoted the survey through social media, targeted email campaigns through the city's e-newsletter, and distributed bilingual flyers to the community, all with the goal of reaching as many users and neighborhood neighbors as possible and inviting them to help shape the future of the playground.

Building on that outreach strategy, I'm happy to share that the community responded with strong participation across each of those engagement efforts.

In addition to connecting directly with families on site through play groups that regularly attend the playground at the playground and attending community events like the Hot Amphitheater Nights concert series, our digital engagement reached thousands of community members.

Social media posts across the city's parks and recreation platform and the city's platform generated thousands of views and meaningful engagement, helping to broaden the awareness of the project and encourage participation in the survey.

Outreach to the city's eMonthly newsletter is wonderful.

We're really grateful for that outlet with nearly 38,000 subscribers and an open rate of 63%.

It's pretty incredible.

In addition, we use targeted email campaigns through the parks and recreation department's registration system with just under 14,000 unique recipients and a 68% open rate is also we're very proud of that.

So of course, we also rely on traditional methods of outreach like flyers at our customer service locations, park kiosks.

Those flyers are also translated, and we also partner with uh NUSD to distribute them through the online flyer distribution system, Peach Jar.

And our outreach efforts resulted in a strong community participation in the survey.

As a reminder, the survey was available in English and Spanish and received 394 site visits and received 287 response.

The survey was released through Open Novado, which is used for most of our city surveys, and the results are always available online, so you can view them anytime.

They're also included in the attachment tonight.

But Open Novato survey platform uses it generates the response rates and converts them into what that would be at a three-minute public comment.

So if somebody came to our public meeting tonight, what would that look like?

This amount of engagement would equate to over 14 hours of public comment.

Overall, the survey provided a clear picture of who we are hearing from and what they want to see in the new playground.

Nearly 97% of respondents were Nevada residents, and almost half of them have or regular regularly care for children between the ages of three and five, which aligns well with the primary users of the neighborhood playground.

The community's top priorities were clear.

They are interested in climbers and agility features, slides and swings were the three most requested play elements.

Respondents also showed a strong preference for the rubberized safety surfacing, also known as Port in Place or PIP, to improve accessibility along with additional shade throughout the playground.

Staff presented these survey findings to the Recreation Commission at its regularly scheduled October, or excuse me, it was a special meeting in October to receive direction on the playground design.

The commission supported maintaining the playground design for children ages two to five while incorporating a music theme that complements the Hamilton's historic amphitheater and reinforces the park's unique identity.

Although the survey showed interest in a nature of boat or airplane theme for the play equipment, staff recommended that the music theme would fit this play area more appropriately to diversify the city's playground system, particularly since the nature theme was just installed at Hoges newly completed playground.

And staff also felt that a boat or airplane theme might be better suited for a larger destination playground where we have a larger footprint to accommodate those types of equipment that have a much larger scale.

The commission also supported that recommendation as well as use of cool or natural color tones, interactive play panels, and spring riders, additional shade were feasible, and rubberized play surfacing to create a more accessible and inclusive play environment.

The proposed design being presented tonight reflects both the community's priorities and the commission's direction.

And here is the proposed design.

So based on the commission's direction, PRCS and public work staff work to develop the proposed design you see here.

The structure is specifically designed for ages two to five, so maintaining the same structure that serving the same age that is there currently and provides a variety of developmentally appropriate play opportunities, including including climbing, sliding, imaginative play, and sensory experiences.

It does not include the shade structures as the last picture did.

So that shade structure would be attached to the top of that play structure.

But you can just see there are play elements included here, and including that inclusive ramp right there.

We have a music panel there on the far left.

This is another angle so you can get a different view.

And the structure incorporates a variety of interactive and sensory play elements designed to encourage creativity, exploration, and early childhood development appropriate for children ages two to five.

Some key features include the musical xylophone, the gear and sound panels, a clock panel, interactive binoculars, and other hands-on play components that promote imaginative play.

This slide highlights several of the structure's key elements focused on inclusive and movement-based play features.

The accessible ramp creates an easy entry point to the playground, allowing children of all abilities to access and enjoy the structure together.

Swings were one of the community's top requests for play elements at this park.

But again, while the existing playground, the existing playground that is there incorporates two infant swings, and the survey showed a desire for an additional swing, and also perhaps not just including infant swing seats, including the belt seat you see there.

Because of the playground's existing footprint and the required safety clearances, expanding to a traditional multi-swing bay isn't necessarily feasible.

So instead, staff and the recreation commission is recommending this three swing set structure that you see here, which is a very unique model and would add a really um more of a destination space for this park because we don't have anything else like this in Novato.

Um but it meets the interest of the community by adding more swings without impacting the footprint.

So it's within our budget limitations while also meeting the desires of the community.

And I should also note that this we would still include one infant seat as you see here and two belt seats.

So as part of the design process, staff also identified an opportunity to add a third play element within the existing playground footprint shown here on the right side of the rendering where the green star is located.

Um because this element is dependent on available project funding, um, which Mahesh will go over the uh the additional enhancements for the park.

Um, staff asked the commission in their May meeting to provide a preference on what should be included in this space as funding allows.

Um on the next slide, I'll briefly walk through the three options that were presented for the commission's consideration and how they prioritize them.

Option one was featuring um two of these spring, we call them spring riders.

So this is a uh snail.

Um the other one that is presented was um a bug, and it's very cute as well.

It also features that kind of wooden look.

Um, but there would be two of them because you know, bugs have to have friends.

Um the second option is an inlaid surface hopscotch.

So that would be put right into the surfacing.

Um so it wouldn't be something standing out from the structure.

We are already recommending that we go with the rubberized surfacing.

This would just be a design similar to what we did at Hogue with the leaf design, but we would be integrating hopscotch into the surfacing.

Um, and then option three was the play panel, specifically this emotion-based one, um, geared for children ages two to five.

Um the commission recommended this order of um going with option one as our most preferred option for the spring riders should we have funding available.

And with that, um your motion tonight to approve the design would include the same recommendation.

Um so as we move through the bid process, we will be looking to implement the two spring riders as our first priority for that third area.

Um that concludes my portion of the design.

I'm gonna pass it off to Mahesh to talk about the rest of the scope.

Thank you, Katie.

Um good evening, Mayor and the members of the council.

The next couple of slides will present some of the design elements.

Uh the first slide you see saw the driveway improvements we are making, so to access the parking lot more easily.

And on the other side, this colors are not showing up very well on this screen, but uh they're very clear on there.

So on that's uh on the the one the dark purple, we are making accessibility improvements and also adding a path uh accessibility path that connects to the uh path to the park.

Uh next slide.

On this slide, uh the first one, Katie touched most of it in her presentation.

Uh to the left, uh, we are seeing accessibility improvements to the restroom and also accessibility improvements to the water fountain over there, and also to the north uh to the top, uh you see uh another accessibility improvement to the water fountain.

Uh next slide.

So the project budget is about 700,000 for this, and the next steps on this one is you finalize the design documents, arrested the project for bids, and we'll come back to the council for a construction of art uh in the anticipated construct anticipated construction is uh summer uh 2026.

Uh next slide.

Uh in summary, uh in summary, we are here uh to uh to request for approval of the design, authorize uh to this project to arise for bid construction bids, and also uh find this project exempt from CEQA because we are making improvements to the existing facilities.

That's all I have.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Um Councilmember O'Connor.

Yeah, thank you.

Thank you for the presentation.

I just had one question.

The anticipated construction timeline on your presentation, it said summer 2026.

Is that accurate?

Yes.

Yeah, we're planning on finishing the bid documents soon and going out uh project for bids.

That's exciting.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Eklund.

Uh yeah, a couple of questions.

Um, how long is the construction anticipated?

I'm assuming it will probably last for a couple of months.

So a couple of months.

And so it will actually be uh like sectioned off so that people can't access the site.

Okay, great.

And then um, I want to put a bid in on slide number 18.

I I really like option one to spring riders.

Yeah, I just it's so cute.

I I really think that um that way they can get a whole body experience, which I think is that's I I put my vote in for that one.

Yes, and I don't know if you recall, you probably do, but um there used to be in previous iterations of that park in that area.

There was a ride-on tractor um that would scoop the sand.

Um, but because of aging and not having replacement parks, that um that same structure was removed.

So that would be a good replacement because I think the kids really enjoyed that and missed that.

Yeah, they do definitely.

So anyway, that's my thank you.

I suggested miss.

And uh Mayor Fortin Jacobs.

I just want to compliment you on it.

Um it's great we're gonna have another park that has an inclusive aspects in it because we're the only city that has any like that in the county, which is wonderful.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And I just have one question.

Um so um page 19.

So the driveway improvements as far as accessibility parking and connecting, path improvements.

Do you think that'll also um just help with like using strollers and stuff like that?

Since um this is more geared towards the lower uh age range.

Yes, that's subject to yes.

Perfect.

All right, so gonna move on to public comment.

I'm not seeing any public comment.

Anyone online?

There are no raised hands only.

All right.

Uh, can I get a motion as presented?

I'll move approval.

Do you have a second?

I'll second.

Laura, can you call vote?

Councilmember Eklund?

Aye.

Councilmember Carkle is absent.

Councilmember O'Connor.

Aye.

Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs.

Aye.

And Mayor Farak.

Hi.

All right, that passes, and we're getting a new park.

Exciting.

Um, all right, moving on to item J2.

So consider adopting a resolution to rename Hamilton Amphitheater Park to Mark J.

Milbert Community Park and honor our former Mayor and Councilmember Mark J.

Milberg.

So Katie, I believe you're presenting this one, so you're not going far.

Yes.

All right.

Well, good evening again, Mayor and Councilmembers.

In a continuation of the last item, this item before you is to consider adopting a resolution to rename the Hamilton Amphitheater Park we were just speaking of to Mark J.

Milberg Community Park in honor of former mayor and councilmember Mark J.

Milberg.

As you will recall, on June 9th, Councilmember O'Connor and Mayor Pratem Jacobs proposed a future agenda item for consideration at the City Council meeting directed and the City Council directed staff, I should say, to bring forward this request to consider renaming the Hamilton Amphitheater Park in honor of former mayor and councilmember Mark J.

Milberg, who unexpectedly passed away in October of 2025.

The proposal recognizes Mark's extraordinary service to the City of Nevada, his leadership within the Hamilton community, and his longstanding support of this specific park and the overall surrounding neighborhood.

The city's uh community facilities naming policy establishes a formal review of process for requests to name or rename city facilities.

Under the policy, the appropriate advisory commission first reviews the request at a public meeting and makes a recommendation to City Council.

That recommendation is then returned to City Council.

Um who has the final authority on naming any naming changes or any decision regarding naming of a city facility?

Because the Hamilton Amphitheater Park is a city-owned park, staff brought this request to the Recreation Cultural and Community Services Commission at their regular meeting of July 9th, so just last week.

Um following that review, staff is now returning to you all with the commission's recommendation for your final consideration and action.

The community facilities naming policy also uh establishes the criteria specific um when to be considered uh for naming a city facility.

After reviewing each of these uh policy criteria, staff believes that item two on this screen is the most appropriate basis for this request.

Item uh two states that a request to name a facility after a person or organization who has made a significant contribution other than a financial contribution to the community, but not necessarily connected to the facility can be considered.

Based on former council member and mayor Mark Milberg's extraordinary public service leadership within the Hamilton community and lasting contributions to the City of Nevada, staff believes that this request is consistent with the intent and criteria outlined in the city's naming policy.

And I know I just went over it, but for those of that might be tuning in online and may not be familiar with the park, it is just over four acres.

It does include the historic amphitheater and provides a variety of recreational opportunities, um, including the city's Hot Amphitheater Nights concert um series.

This park's especially meaningful because it was located within the district that Mark represented during his time on City Council.

Uh he was a regular attendee at the recreation department's Hot Amphitheater Nights concert, and um I'd like to say on behalf of the recreation staff, we always appreciated his presence uh and genuine support for the programs and community events that brought the Hamilton community but also all Nevada residents together.

Um as you heard in the previous agenda item, Hamilton Amphitheater Park is also the focus of several exciting improvements planned for later this year, um, guided by the city's parks and recuse me parks master plan.

Uh the aging playground will be replaced with a new accessible and inclusive play environment, and the players area will also be featuring a new public art installation.

We are currently accepting artist applications for that MERL project now.

Um so should the council choose to approve the proposed renaming tonight, it would align with these upcoming enhancements, allowing the community to celebrate both the renewed park experience and lasting tribute to Councilmember Milburg as these improvements come to life.

After reviewing their request and considering the city's naming criteria and policy, um the recreation commission voted unanimously to recommend that the city council rename Hamilton Amphitheater Park to Mark J.

Milberg Community Park.

The commission felt that this name best reflects the Council Member Mil, excuse me, reflects Councilmember Milburg's lasting contributions to the City of Nevada while recognizing the park as an important gathering place for Hamilton and the Nevado community.

In addition to its recommendation on the name, the commission also expressed an interest in the city considering a future review of the community uh facilities naming policy to explore opportunities for a more robust input process in the future, although the commission was clear that this was intended as a separate future policy discussion and doesn't change or diminish their recommendation.

So should council approve the proposed naming uh this evening, staff's next step would be to coordinate the official park renaming, uh install updated signage and plan a dedication ceremony.

Uh to maximize the impact of this recognition, staff anticipates holding the dedication in conjunction with the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the newly renovated playground and public art mural later this fall when construction is completed.

Um bringing these milestones together will create a meaningful opportunity to celebrate both Councilmember Milburg's legacy and the continued investment in the Hamilton community and our parks and recreation facilities.

This timeline is also consistent with the city's naming policy, which calls for naming ceremonies to occur within six months of the council council's final decision.

Finally, there are no immense uh excuse me, there are no immediate fiscal impacts associated with approving this tonight.

Um any changes uh to signage, we are gonna look to incorporate that into the existing project and also into future budget changes with way wayfinding signs and things like that.

And with that, I'm happy to answer any of your questions.

All right, Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs.

No, I didn't have any.

Um I have what just one question.

When was and not associated with the naming, but more so um on the community facilities naming policy.

When was that last updated?

It looked like it was like 2000.

I I believe two, yeah.

I would I would say 90.

I think 2000 might be generous.

Um, but I would say late 90s if if 2000.

Okay.

So that would be something I think just looking at and looking, and if it's modern.

Yeah.

Um I'm seeing no questions, so gonna open up for public comment.

I have no yellow cards.

Anyone online, Laura?

There's no raised hands for this item.

All right, do I have a motion?

I'll make a motion.

We approve the submitted uh renaming of the park.

Do you have a second?

I'll second that.

Laura.

Councilmember Eklund?

Aye.

Councilmember Carkell is absent.

Councilmember O'Connor?

Aye.

Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs?

Aye.

And Mayor Farack.

Aye.

And I would love to review that policy at some point.

All right, so that passes.

Um now uh moving on to item J three.

Mayor, before we move on, can I just recognize um our deputy public works director, Mahey?

Tonight was his first presentation in front of you.

He joined us on staff this last spring.

He was um integral, instrumental, so super helpful to all of us as part of the um capital improvement program development, and we are very grateful to have him here.

So thank you for doing your getting your first presentation under your belt.

Thank you.

You did excellent.

You have to come back for more presentations.

All right, so now moving on to uh J three.

Um so gonna call on City Clerk Laura McDowell.

Okay.

Thank you, Mayor Farratt.

So I'll be very brief.

So this item is to choose the voting delegate and up to two alternates for the upcoming League of California Cities annual conference.

Um the conference is held each year and brings an opportunity from councils from all over California to come together.

This year the conference will be held in September 23rd through the 25th in Anaheim.

They hold a general assembly meeting at the end of the conference, and the council can appoint one voting delegate and up to two alternates to participate in that meeting.

So with that, I'll turn it over to council.

Any questions?

All right, gonna open it to public comment for in-person public comment, not having any, anyone online?

Uh no raised hands online.

All right.

Do I have a motion?

I assume you're both attending, correct?

Yes.

And like you said, make the motion that the delegate is um is the mayor and the alternate first alternate would be the mayor pro temper.

Do you have a second?

So just one voting delegate and one alternate, not a second alternate.

Yeah, I'm not going.

Okay.

Okay.

Sorry, I don't think we need three two alternates to it.

Probably not.

Sure.

And stay that long.

I'll second that.

Okay.

Okay.

Lori, can you take a vote?

Uh Councilmember Eklund.

Aye.

Councilmember Carkle is absent.

Councilmember O'Connor.

Aye.

Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs.

Aye.

And Mayor Farack.

Hi.

All right, that passes.

Um, so uh Councilmember Eklund, you pulled item G3, so we'll start on that one.

Yes, I have um several questions.

Um, first of all, um, we're supposed to have the um agenda schedule every quarter.

And I'm kind of curious that the last time that we had this was on February 24th, 2026.

That's what I found on the agenda.

We can go back and look, but you have been receiving it quarterly.

Well, we did not, I went through all of the agendas for 2026.

Okay.

And this is the second you say here second quarter 2026, and the last time was February 24th, and that and I have a copy of it.

It says the first quarter.

Oh and if this is the second quarter.

My apologies, you said this year, February?

February 24th, 2026.

Yes, so that was so January, February, March, April, first quarter, May, June, July, August.

Is this how quarters work?

Is it three months?

I mean, at that what we're today is July.

Three months.

So we're a little bit behind on the second quarter.

Yeah, this is the second quarter.

So the first quarter was done on February 24th.

And if you divide 12 months by quarters, it's supposed to be every three months.

Yes.

So we should have had this back in June.

Instead, we're having it in July.

That's correct.

Okay.

So I wanted to ask why.

We was originally scheduled for the June 23rd meeting, however, conflicting priorities had us push it forward to this one meeting to this meeting on July 14th.

Okay, because it does, and then so I guess in the future, if staff can let us know, um, because if we want to bring an item forward, this isn't um it's just harder for us to know what is anticipated.

Okay, because we didn't get notices of what was gonna, you know, what what was coming up for at least two or three months.

So in addition to council receiving this document quarterly or every quarter plus two weeks, you also receive this monthly uh from the city clerk's office.

So that this is the public distribution, there's also it's also submitted to you guys every month.

It's not only a public distribution, it's also for us to see what is anticipated over the next several months.

So Councilmember Eklund, excuse me, if you had concerns, um you would have received it uh last month and you would have been able to take a look at it then if you had scheduling uh questions.

Well, anyway, so it's uh little out of date, and so I'm hoping that we can get through all quarters um uh this year.

So anyway, that's my first question.

And then um the other question I have is that I'm can you help me to understand why we're not having two meetings in September?

Certainly.

So the um according to the City Council policy manual, we don't meet after a city recognized holiday, and in September is Labor Day.

So on the months previous, when those um when we would have holidays, we would do back-to-back meetings.

Those conflict with the school districts meetings sometimes, and also when we receive feedback from the count some council members that the back to back meetings were difficult.

So instead of doing back-to-back meetings in those instances this year when we adopted the city council um schedule back in September of 2025, we opted to do one meeting per month on those the months that have a holiday.

Right.

In August, we always only have one maybe.

And that's true as well.

Usually in July and September and October and November, we always have uh two.

So um, but anyway, so I I was just curious, and I guess um it would be helpful next time you just have an explanation on the document, just so that we don't need to ask.

Um, and then um I'm assuming that our next agenda setting will be on October 13th, correct?

Um do you mean this document when you say agenda setting?

It's I'm looking on page three, and the proposed agenda for October 13th does not have agenda setting on there.

Okay.

So I I just assume that it's gonna happen.

But I have a couple of other questions.

Um let's see.

I'm concerned about uh unfunded pension liabilities.

Um this is something that's been on the books for a long time, and that definitely does have some impact on obviously our financial situation since measure M did pass.

Um I think it would be helpful, and I'd like to see if we can at some point in the near future have a discussion about unfunded pension liabilities, which is an outstanding issue for some time.

And I was kind of curious as to why is that something that we can bring forward sometime this year to have a preliminary discussion?

Because I think when this was brought forward, um none of the other council members that have voted for it are here, except for me.

So if you look at attachment one, page two on September 22nd, you can see that there's item G3 on there that actually addresses your your question.

So which date is that again?

September 22nd receive uh yeah.

Um the investment criteria for the 115 trust.

So we are moving forward with it.

Um we do have a consultant, uh one of our favorites, Andy Heath, um, who's working on it right now, and so we're we're targeting the September timeline to bring that to you.

So what's the number of the item?

Because I don't see G3.

G3 and investment policy.

And then keep repeating.

And yeah, but that's not that investment policy and investment criteria for the 115 trust.

So we're moving forward with that project.

We have to, we're gonna have to do it incrementally because it's a very big uh a big discussion, a very big project.

Okay, but that's uh I don't uh so that's number three on the unfunded pension liabilities.

Correct.

It's the beginning, it's the first step in that project.

So right.

What what about the other two?

Why why can't those come forward at this point?

Because it's a very large discussion and we need direction from you before we move on to the following steps.

So then at least can we agendize that for um, I think that the next steps we don't know the timing of because it will be dependent on how much work we need to go back and do based on your initial direction.

Right, but um so is it possible for us to um and maybe Amy, you and I can talk talk a little bit about what dates seem appropriate uh for us to um deal with that because that's something that I sure would like to at least start on so that we can deal with it because it's been it's been an outstanding issue.

And the I think it seems like this is the like the first, and then we get directed.

So we're making progress when the consultants come.

That's how I'm hearing it.

Right.

So basically we're doing September.

We're gonna give direction, and it's not gonna just stop because it's incremental.

I would also say that actually council has been working on this by investing in the pension reserve and getting um and continuing to invest in the 115 trust.

So there are funds available to actually do something to pay down the pension liability when the time comes and we have the direction from you to do so.

Right, but I think it's important for us to have some discussion about what the direction is so that we can start dealing with this issue.

So well, and I think we can plan it out in September when we get all the information.

It seems like the consultants working on it right now, so we'll get all that information, and then we can be like, okay, in a month we want to see it, in two months we want to see it depending on that information.

So I don't I'm glad it's on there, and I'm glad you pointed it out.

Um, Councilmember Uckland.

Um so I think it's just something that will come after, right?

Okay.

Any other questions?

Um then council member Connor, did you have something to say?

I just had one.

I just wanted to correct the record.

You you you weren't behind actually, Laura.

You emailed it to us on June 12th, which was firmly in the second quarter.

Okay.

So you're right on time.

Don't be unduly harsh on yourself.

Thank you for sending it to us in June.

Thank you for that clarification.

Thank you for trying to.

No, that's the one item I wanted to bring forward is the uh pension um uh issue.

Okay, great.

Um so I'm gonna open it up to public comment.

Not seeing any public comment, Laura, do you have anyone online?

Uh no raised hands online.

All right, can I get a motion to pass that as presented?

Yeah, I'll make a motion we pass that as presented.

Laura, can you take oh?

Councilmember Eklund?

Aye.

Councilmember Carkle is absent.

Councilmember O'Connor.

All right, Mayor Pratem Jacobs.

All right.

Hands Mayor Farak.

Hi, all right.

That passes, and then did you have G9 you wanted to?

I sure do.

Okay.

Um it's not clear to me, it's not clear to me on this item.

It's not clear to me on this item.

What the South Nevada Boulevard opportunity is.

I when I read the location, it didn't was not clear.

And so and wait, the map is not very clear either.

These are eligible tracks, and it says on page, I think it's on two.

It's census track 104102.

It's bordered by Diablo to the north.

And I I really can't see that level of detail on the map.

And but then it says extends Redwood Boulevard and Highway 101 to the east and South Novato Boulevard to the south and west.

And generally encompassing the area along Redwood Boulevard south of Diablo to South Novato Boulevard.

But South Novato Boulevard starts at right there at Diablo, I believe.

South Nevada.

At the South East No, no, it's on the I would say West End.

So I I don't I don't know.

That's why I I don't understand what that where that track is.

So your question is I'm sorry, can you can you state your question again?

I I don't think I'm I'm following what what the question is.

So if you look on page two of this staff item and it says census track 104102, and it I try tries to articulate what the boundaries are.

And it's not clear to me where that goes because it go past Roland on South Nevada Boulevard.

So it's bordered by Diablo Avenue to the north, Redwood and Highway 101 to the east, and South Nevada Boulevard to the south and west, and generally encompasses the area along Redwood south of Diablo Avenue to South Nevado Boulevard.

I've read that two or three or four or five times, and it still is not clear because it says it's going to Highway 101.

But you get to Highway 101 on South Novato Boulevard.

Could we get a send like the map?

Yeah, we can send that out to you again.

Because I don't memo, so then because these tracks are supposed to be commercial.

It's not a um driving um map.

It's encompassing an area, a broad area.

Right, but my concern is is that um most of South Nevada Boulevard is residential and not commercial.

And so this opportunity zone is for commercial properties primarily.

It could also be for residential.

Right, but my question is is that I'm very familiar with that area.

And I don't see why that census track is included in this.

Because you know, I just I don't want us to use money to develop something that the community doesn't want.

And um, so I uh question whether or not this particular census track should be added.

Um because I I can't even figure out where it is.

Okay.

And I've lived there for you know 30 plus years.

So there are three census tracks, the three census tracks listed here that are eligible, and it's certainly the council's choice if they would like to remove one of those.

And we can also provide a map, um, uh provide the map again that shows in a greater level of detail where each of these are.

If the if the council's desire is to remove tract 104102, then that's certainly something we can do, but it is a qualifying tract.

Well, I I would at least like to see a good map for this census tract so that I could actually see what the area is, and then uh we could go ahead and approve it, and if there's issues, then um I can bring it back to the council for us to reconsider it.

But I think in the future it would be helpful if we would have maps that even the public would have an understanding because most people that are reading this agenda item doesn't they don't look at it as a census track and they see the names of the streets, but they it's when you live in that area, it's really hard to understand what areas you're actually including in this.

Yeah, I I can understand that that's the census tract is a technical term.

It's a term that's used by HUD to label different areas based on the census data there.

So I could see that very aware of that, but I think but the the general community may not be, so that's what you are saying.

Right.

So if you could just provide me a map, and then yeah, there's a lot of things.

We provided a map, we can provide you with that map again, and we can put it up on the website.

Yeah, I mean, and then in the future when we do these things, if we can provide a map that is a little bit better than what is in here because when I look at this, it's not really clear what the streets are.

I mean, there's no names of the streets and it doesn't identify which census track is which census track.

So it's a little confusing.

Okay, thank you for that feedback.

We'll we'll try to get that done.

So I I am okay with going forward with it, but I think um if there's an issue, then I would like to have the council be free to allow me to bring it back without having to go through our agenda setting process.

Um, because I want to make sure that this is not gonna bring development that um the neighbors don't necessarily want.

Is that Gary?

Is that something we could do?

Is this a time sensitive?

Is this something where if we're in it, we're in it?

Yeah, I'm not familiar with the exact timing with the state.

The state's the one that submits it on behalf and has solicited this.

Just for some background, though, this is about tax breaks for folks who are um investing in the area.

It does not cost the city anything, and these are eligible tracks.

So if you were to submit now, I might look to someone else or some other staff member if there's a particular deadline.

But I think once you submit it, the state's going to submit it.

Yes.

I don't anticipate that there's going to be an issue, but there may be.

So I you know, because we didn't get clear maps, and so the public wasn't even able to see it.

No, most people don't know what their census track is.

So um, and when I read this, I mean, I'm very familiar with that area, and I couldn't figure it out.

So I'm okay with going forward with this item with the understanding that if there is an issue, um, and then we could always I don't think we can like really if I can finish.

Um maybe we could always withdraw a census track if we find that it's um it's not um appropriate for that particular um census track.

Okay.

I'm gonna um open it for public comment.

I don't see you have any Laura.

Uh no raised hands online.

All right, Councilmember O'Connor.

I was just going to add that on May 26th, the city manager did email us a document that has a link to the to the maps where you can you can see it.

Right, but um I I don't necessarily have time to all do that, and I don't see the relationship.

So it's you you said you're looking for a detailed map.

I am looking for a detailed map.

You were emailed a link to a detailed map on June 26th.

Okay, so then uh there I've been having trouble with email as a city manager knows.

Okay.

And so I may not have gotten that one.

So I would like a copy of the map.

We can provide you with another copy of that, and I would like to remind you that on July 7th we did discuss this item.

So I'm a little bit concerned that you're bringing this up in such a um in this manner at this point.

And I would have expected that if you had questions or concerns of it of that nature, we would have you would have brought them up on July 7th when we reviewed this.

I didn't read the item before then because the item just came before us um at this meeting.

All right, I'm gonna ask for it is what it is.

A motion as presented.

I'll move the item.

Okay, Laura, can you please call for the vote?

Councilmember Eklunds?

Aye.

Councilmember Carkle is absent.

Councilmember O'Connor.

Mayor Pertem Jacobs and Mayor Farack.

Hi.

All right, so moving on to item M adjournment.

So the next regular city council meeting will be held on July 28th, 2026.

Does anyone from council have someone they'd like to adjourn in memory of?

All right, see none, so the meeting is done.