NOVATO CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
901 SHERMAN AVENUE
NOVATO, CA 94945
November 1, 2022 – 6:00 PM
A. CONVENE, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND ROLL CALL
The City Council meeting was called to order at 6:00 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, City Attorney Jeff Walter and City Clerk Laura McDowall
B. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
There was no closed session.
C. CEREMONIAL MATTERS/PRESENTATIONS
C.1. Proclamation: United Against Hate Week
Multicultural Advisory Commission Chair Sophia Osotio was present to accept the proclamation
C.2. Presentation: Multicultural Advisory Commission Workplan Multicultural Advisory Commission Chair Sophia Osotio gave the presentation.
D. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Councilmember Athas, 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. David Moller
2. Jeanne MacLeamy
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no items listed for this section.
H. UNFINISHED AND OTHER BUSINESS
There were no items listed for this section.
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no items for this section
J. GENERAL BUSINESS
J.1. Consider and discuss sending a letter to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) urging the Commission to accelerate planning and construction of a pile-supported causeway along the current SR 37 alignment and limit interim projects to low-cost, low impact fixes or serve as initial phase of the ultimate project
City Manager Adam McGill opened the item and the Council proposed edits to the letter.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Susan Stompe
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Wernick, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to approve the letter as amended.
AYES: ATHAS, EKLUND, MILBERG, WERNICK, LUCAN
NOES: NONE
Motion carried.
J.2. Adopt a resolution accepting the resignation of Jeffrey Walter as City Attorney and appointing Gary Bell as City Attorney, and amending Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley’s retainer agreement with the City accordingly
City Manager Adam McGill opened the item and the City Council gave words of thanks and appreciation for City Attorney Jeff Walter for his 29 years of service to the City of Novato.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Madeline Kellner
2. Pam Drew
3. Jeanne MacLeamy
4. Bernie Meyers (read into the record by Mayor Lucan)
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Wernick, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to adopt the resolution accepting the resignation of Jeffrey Walter as City Attorney and appointing Gary Bell as City Attorney, and amending Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley’s retainer agreement with the City accordingly.
AYES: ATHAS, EKLUND, MILBERG, WERNICK, LUCAN
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-090.
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
The City Council adjourned the meeting at 7:11pm.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and adopted at the Novato City Council regular meeting of December 6, 2022. /Laura McDowall/
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Laura McDowall, City Clerk