NOVATO CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
901 SHERMAN AVENUE
NOVATO, CA 94945
September 26, 2023 – 6:00 PM
A. CONVENE, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND ROLL CALL
The City Council meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m., with Mayor Wernick leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Susan Wernick, Mayor Pro Tempore Mark Milberg, Councilmember Pat Eklund, Councilmember Rachel Farac, and Councilmember Tim O’Connor
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Adam McGill, Deputy Director of Community Development Steve Marshall, Principal Management Analyst Sullina Sanchez, City Attorney Gary Bell and City Clerk Laura McDowall
B. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
There was no closed session.
C. CEREMONIAL MATTERS/PRESENTATIONS
There were no ceremonial items.
D. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
Councilmember Eklund suggested removing item J.1 regarding Marin Valley Mobile Country Club from the agenda, however it was generally felt that the agenda should remain as-is.
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember O’Connor and seconded by Councilmember Farac, the City Council voted 4-1 via roll call to approve the Final Agenda.
AYES: FARAC, O’CONNOR, MILBERG, WERNICK
NOES: EKLUND
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
The City Council moved Public Comment to the end of the meeting.
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
Principal Management Analyst Sullina Sanchez gave an overview of revisions made to item G.6 and clarified that the motion to approve the Consent Calendar should include approving the revised version.
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Councilmember O’Connor, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to approve the Consent Calendar, including the revised version of item G.6.
AYES: EKLUND, FARAC, O’CONNOR, MILBERG, WERNICK
NOES: NONE
Motion carried.
G.1. Waive reading and authorize introductions and/or adoption of ordinances by title only this was a standard procedural action so that the City Council did not have to read ordinances aloud in their entirety.
G.2. Approve the City Council closed and open session meeting minutes of August 22, 2023
The City Council approved the closed and open session meeting minutes of August 22, 2023.
G.3. Adopt Ordinance 1704 amending Novato Municipal Code Chapter XVIII (“Traffic”) to add subsection 18-16 (“Median Regulations”) to provide rules for the use of medians to promote traffic safety and find the amendment exempt from the requirements of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)
The City Council adopted Ordinance 1704.
G.4. Adopt the City Council meeting schedule for 2024, holding a regular City Council meeting every second and fourth Tuesday with certain exceptions The City Council adopted the meeting schedule for 2024.
G.5. Adopt a resolution approving the revised Joint City of Novato and Novato Fire District Emergency Operations Plan
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-091.
G.6. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or their designee to execute a third amendment to the lease agreement with the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art for 6 months until March 31, 2024, and to make minor corrections to the lease agreement
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-092.
H. UNFINISHED AND OTHER BUSINESS
There were no items listed for this section.
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS
I.1. Hold a public hearing to consider and introduce an ordinance amending Novato Municipal Code Chapter XIX (Zoning) to establish Division 19.27 specifying objective architecture standards for residential and residential mixed-use developments and associated amendments noting the applicability of Division 19.27 and finding the amendments to be exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)
Deputy Director of Community Development Steve Marshall gave the presentation and responded to Council questions.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Zachary Griggy
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Milberg, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to introduce the ordinance amending Novato Municipal Code Chapter XIX (Zoning) to establish Division 19.27 specifying objective architecture standards for residential and residential mixed-use developments and associated amendments noting the applicability of Division 19.27 and finding the amendments to be exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
AYES: EKLUND, FARAC, O’CONNOR, MILBERG, WERNICK
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council introduced Ordinance No. 1705.
J. GENERAL BUSINESS
J.1. Discuss and provide direction regarding the City’s ownership and management of Marin Valley Mobile Country Club (“MVMCC”); consider establishing a City Council ad-hoc committee to work with the Park Acquisition Corporation to address the long-term fiscal sustainability of the park and authorize the City Manager to enter into an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with the PAC for the PAC to purchase MVMCC (if they desire to do so) from the City; consider and adopt a resolution authorizing a rent increase at MVMCC
City Manager McGill opened the item and the City Council discussed potentially forming a City Council MVMCC ad-hoc committee, providing authorization for the City Manager to enter into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) with the PAC, and adopting a resolution authorizing a rent increase at MVMCC. It was explained that during the 2023/24 budget process, the City Council authorized a 5% rent increase at MVMCC, however under current calculations the maximum amount that rents could be raised was 3.4%.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Steve Ploucher
2. Mary Currie
3. John Jay Schelfer
4. Carol Joy Harris
5. Pam Drew
It was generally felt that an ad-hoc committee consisting of Mayor Pro Tem Milberg and Councilmember O’Connor should be formed, that the City Council should authorize the City Manger to enter into an ENA with the PAC, if desired, and that a resolution increasing rents at MVMCC by 3.4% should be adopted.
COUNCIL ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Milberg and seconded by Councilmember O’Connor that the ad hoc committee, in partnership with the PAC Board, address the fiscal standing of the park and address the long-term fiscal sustainability of the park, that there be two members assigned, Mayor Pro Tem Milberg and Councilmember O’Connor, and that the committee be commissioned for a period not to exceed 6 months.
COUCNIL ACTION: Councilmember O’Connor suggested an amendment to the motion to include that the ad-hoc also work to repair relationships with the PAC, address the delegation agreement and all legal documents, discuss budget, security and affordability, and to consider all options in relation to the sale and/or lease or other options as part of the ENA discussion, to which the maker of the motion agreed.
AYES: EKLUND, FARAC, O’CONNOR, MILBERG, WERNICK
NOES: NONE
Motion carried.
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember O’Connor and seconded by Councilmember Farac, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to adopt the resolution establishing a rent increase of 3.4% at Marin Valley Mobile Country Club effective January 1, 2024.
AYES: EKLUND, FARAC, O’CONNOR, MILBERG, WERNICK
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-093.
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem Milberg and seconded by Councilmember O’Connor, the City Council voted 5-0 to authorize the City Manager to an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with the Park Corporation.
AYES: EKLUND, FARAC, O’CONNOR, MILBERG, WERNICK
NOES: NONE
Motion carried.
The City Council took a brief recess at 8:38pm and returned at 8:51pm.
J.2. Consider and possibly take action to adopt the updated City Council Policy Manual with or without further amendments or provide direction to staff on further amendments
City Attorney Gary Bell opened the item. It was suggested that a special meeting be held before the end of the year to discuss this item.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Zachary Griggy
2. Hans Landa
3. Sadie Enwird
4. Dylan Roof
5. Judy Stroyer
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.
F. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comment was taken at the end of the meeting due to prior Council direction.
1. Phil Barber
2. Mike Hawk
3. Judy Stroyer
4. Kai Caiters
5. Ryan Messano
6. Tom Gates
7. Harold Benson
8. Jeffrey Perrine
9. Adam West
10. Tom Keenan
11. Menachem Landa
12. Ed Gaines
13. Sandra Yoshiem
M. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:55pm, the City Council adjourned the meeting in memory of Judy Montero.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and adopted at the Novato City Council regular meeting of November 14, 2023. /Laura McDowall/
___________________
Laura McDowall, City Clerk