Novato City Council Meeting - July 28, 2026

The Novato City Council met on July 28, 2026, at 6:00 PM at 901 Sherman Avenue and via teleconference, with Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Jacobs presiding due to Mayor Rachel Farac's absence. The meeting covered four general business items: a controversial trail restoration project, the city's fleet electrification plan, participation in a regional shoreline adaptation grant, and establishment of a homelessness ad hoc committee. The council also heard public comment on non-agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (4-0-1, with Mayor Farac absent) the consent calendar, which included: waiving reading of ordinances, approving minutes of July 14, 2026; extending an agreement with Coastland Civil Engineering (up to $450,000) through June 30, 2027; authorizing bid advertisement for the Wooden Streetlight Replacement Project Phase II; authorizing a recreation services agreement with Buzzer Beater Events (up to $200,000/year with two one-year options); and awarding a construction contract for the 2026 Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Project to Team Ghilotti, Inc. ($1,389,483 base plus $277,897 contingency).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Flock Cameras (non-agenda): River L. urged the council to consider ending the city's contract with Flock (automatic license plate readers) and deleting stored data. Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs offered to meet with him and discuss further with the police chief.
• Buck Gulch Falls Project (Item J.1): Over a dozen residents and advocates spoke.
  • Opposition/Concerns: Leonard Shaw (Fairway Drive resident, 56 years) said the county's outreach was inadequate and they denied an extension. Gail Perrin cited lack of cumulative analysis, aggregate compaction concerns, and no direct physical impact finding. Mark Scardina (Marin Country Club Neighborhood Association) noted alignment with staff’s draft letter but urged stronger mitigation. Judy Shaw (87 years old) recalled donating the land and asked the city to use its leverage. Others raised parking, emergency evacuation, wildfire risks, and increased traffic.
  • Support: Dr. Colleen Arnold urged focusing on safety and inclusion, calling opposition “ableism.” Lauren Vreeland Long (Age and Disability Friendly Novato) highlighted need for accessible trails for seniors and people with disabilities. Melissa Incho Oga (parent of a child with a disability) supported the project as a matter of equity. Jeremy Hogan reminded that open space belongs to all, and the project includes environmental restoration.
  • Online: Bridget McDonald (attorney for Fairway residents) argued the IS/MND is insufficient under CEQA and urged the city to use its authority as a responsible agency to require mitigation, including parking restrictions and wildfire impact analysis.
• Fleet Electrification (Item J.2): No public comment.
• Shoreline Adaptation Plan (Item J.3): No public comment.
• Homelessness Ad Hoc Committee (Item J.4): Sarah M. and Jason Saras spoke in support, recommending transparent public forums and collaboration with existing committees.

Discussion Items

• J.1 – Buck Gulch Falls Creek Restoration and Trail Improvement Project: Public Works Director Chris Benigni presented the staff’s draft comment letter on the Marin County Open Space District’s (MCOSD) Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND). The letter addressed construction traffic, trail surfacing, emergency access, public outreach, and technical corrections. Councilmember Eklund raised detailed concerns about parking (questioning a stated 25 spaces), lack of handicapped parking, staging of construction equipment, public notice for encroachment permits, aggregate material compaction, and tribal consultation inadequacies. She proposed numerous amendments. After a recess, Councilmember O'Connor moved to limit debate (passed 3-1, with Eklund opposing) and then moved to send the letter as drafted by staff. The substitute motion to include Eklund's noted amendments failed for lack of a second. The final vote on the motion to authorize Mayor Pro Tem to finalize and transmit the letter passed 3-1 (Eklund no, Farac absent).
• J.2 – Fleet Electrification Plan Update: Sustainability Coordinator Gretchen Schubeck presented an informational update. The city is developing a fleet electrification plan, funded by MTC, expected fall 2026. The Advanced Clean Fleet regulation requires 50% zero-emission purchases by 2024 and 100% by 2030, with exemptions for emergency and light-duty vehicles. Challenges include high costs, infrastructure needs, and limited vehicle availability. Councilmember Eklund asked about existing and future charging stations; staff clarified the plan is fleet-only. No action taken.
• J.3 – Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan (RSAP) Grant: Staff presented a resolution to join Marin County’s multi-jurisdictional grant application to the California Ocean Protection Council’s SB 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program. The plan is required by SB 272 by 2034. Participating jurisdictions include Novato, county, and others. Councilmember Eklund expressed concerns about county leadership and asked for policy decision-maker involvement throughout the process. Resolution adopted unanimously (4-0).
• J.4 – Homelessness Ad Hoc Committee: City Manager Amy Cunningham proposed establishing a two-member council ad hoc committee to engage stakeholders, build relationships, and develop policy options. Councilmember Eklund nominated herself; Councilmember O'Connor and Carkal also expressed interest. Eklund made a motion for herself and Carkal to serve, which passed 4-0. The committee will gather information and report back to the full council; it cannot make policy decisions.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved 4-0-1 (Farac absent).
• Buck Gulch Falls (J.1): Motion to send staff’s draft comment letter as written passed 3-1 (Eklund no). Mayor Pro Tem authorized to finalize and transmit. The council did not adopt Eklund’s proposed amendments.
• Fleet Electrification (J.2): Informational item only; no vote.
• RSAP Grant (J.3): Resolution adopted 4-0, authorizing participation in the county’s grant application.
• Homelessness Ad Hoc Committee (J.4): Established with Councilmembers Eklund and Carkal as members, approved 4-0. The committee will report to the full council.

Reports from City Council & City Manager

• Councilmember Eklund reported on MC legislative committee (opposed AB 956 on ADUs, SB 866, SB 1164), volunteer activities.
• Councilmember Carkal had no report.
• Councilmember O'Connor had no report.
• Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs attended ribbon cutting for Crimson Mercantile and Relay for Life.