NOVATO CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
901 SHERMAN AVENUE
NOVATO, CA 94945
July 12, 2022 – 6:00 PM
A. CONVENE, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND ROLL CALL
The City Council meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m., with Mayor Lucan leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Eric Lucan, Mayor Pro Tempore Susan Wernick, Councilmember Denise Athas, Councilmember Pat Eklund, and Councilmember Mark Milberg
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Adam McGill, Assistant City Manager Jessica Deakyne, Public Works Director-City Engineer Chris Blunk, Community and Economic Development Manager Vicki Parker, Chief Building Official Jay Bradford, Sustainability Coordinator II Gretchen Schubeck, Assistant City Attorney Gary Bell and City Clerk Laura McDowall
B. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
There was no closed session.
C. CEREMONIAL MATTERS/PRESENTATIONS
C.1. Introduction of New Police Chief Beth Johnson
City Manager Adam McGill introduced new Police Chief Beth Johnson.
D. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Councilmember Wernick, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to approve the Final Agenda.
AYES: ATHAS, EKLUND, MILBERG, WERNICK, LUCAN
NOES: NONE
Motion carried.
E. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL & CITY MANAGER
City Manager McGill reported on various City matters and the City Council gave reports on meetings and events they had attended.
F. PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Paula Neese
2. Kevin Morrison
3. Hilary Maslon
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem Wernick and seconded by Councilmember Athas, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to approve the Consent Calendar.
AYES: ATHAS, EKLUND, MILBERG, WERNICK, LUCAN
NOES: NONE
Motion carried.
G.1. Waive reading and authorize introductions and/or adoption of ordinances by title only This was standard procedural action so that the City Council did not have to read ordinances aloud in their entirety.
G.2. Approve the closed and open session meeting minutes of May 10, 2022 The City Council approved the closed and open session meeting minutes of May 10, 2022.
G.3. Adopt Ordinance 1689 repealing Ordinance #1150 codified as Novato Municipal Code Section 4-8 Residential Resale Reports in its entirety and finding such actions exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)
The City Council adopted Ordinance 1689.
H. UNFINISHED AND OTHER BUSINESS
There were no items listed for this section.
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS
I.1. Consider and discuss introducing an ordinance amending Novato Municipal Code Chapter VII, Section 7-13 to ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers, restrict the hours of use for electrically-powered leaf blowers, and find the amendments exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)
Sustainability Coordinator Gretchen Schubeck gave the presentation and responded to Council questions.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Bob Lewis
2. Sherry Jacobs
3. Jesus Santana
4. Lauren Elkin
5. Lori Baily
6. Ula Burmaed
7. Kevin Jacobs
8. Mark Baily
9. Marissa
10. Tim Blofeld
11. Chris Carpiniello
12. Hilary Maslon
13. Jerry Desmond
14. Kevin Tavenner
Council discussed potential changes to the ordinance, including amending the definition of “Electrically-powered leaf blower” from reading ““Electrically-powered leaf blower” means any leaf blower, leaf vacuum or other leaf gathering device powered by electric means, including but not limited to battery-powered leaf blowers and cordless rechargeable leaf blowers” to read ““Electrically-powered leaf blower” means any leaf blower, leaf vacuum or other leaf gathering device powered by electric means, including but not limited to battery-powered leaf blowers and corded leaf blowers” and the definition of “Gas-powered leaf blower” from reading ““Gas-powered leaf blower” means any leaf blower, leaf vacuum or other leaf gathering device directly powered by an internal combustion engine using gasoline, alcohol, or other liquid or gaseous fluid” to read ““Gas-powered leaf blower” means any leaf blower directly powered by an internal combustion engine using gasoline.”
It was further suggested to update the final portion of Section V. from reading “This ordinance shall become effective 30 days after the date of its passage and adoption. Section 7-13.3 of this ordinance shall not be enforced by the City until January 1, 2023 and thereafter. All other provisions of this ordinance shall be enforced by the City on the effective date of this ordinance and thereafter” to read “This ordinance shall become effective 30 days after the date of its passage and adoption. Section 7-13.3 of this ordinance shall not be enforced by the City until July 1, 2023, except on parcels of ten (10) acres or more with a land use designation of agricultural or conservation, on which enforcement shall commence on July 1, 2024. All other provisions of this ordinance shall be enforced by the City on the effective date of this ordinance and thereafter.” The City Council took a brief recess at 8:30 pm and returned at 8:46pm COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Councilmember Athas, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to introduce the ordinance, with the changes discussed.
AYES: ATHAS, EKLUND, MILBERG, WERNICK, LUCAN
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council introduced Ordinance 1690.
J. GENERAL BUSINESS
J.1. City Council Sub-Committee recommendations for improvement and streamlining of building permitting: receive a report on the outcomes of the sub-committee’s work, consider, discuss and possibly take action on the set of recommendations, providing staff with direction regarding implementation of the various actions and timing thereof
Chief Building Official Jay Bradford presented the item and received feedback from the Council.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
K. COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES AND BOARDS (CCB’S) APPOINTMENTS There were no items for this section.
L. WORK STUDY SESSION
There were no items for this section
M. ADJOURNMENT
At 10:16 pm, the City Council adjourned the meeting in memory of Phyllis Metcalf.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and adopted at the Novato City Council regular meeting of September 13, 2022. /Laura McDowall/
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Laura McDowall
City Clerk