NOVATO CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
901 SHERMAN AVENUE
NOVATO, CA 94945
February 27, 2024 – 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 Milberg leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Mark Milberg, Mayor Pro Tempore Tim O’Connor Councilmember Rachel Farac, and Councilmember Susan Wernick COUNCIL PARTICIPATING REMOTELY: Councilmember Pat Eklund STAFF PRESENT: Interim City Manager Amy Cunningham, Finance Director Carla Carvalho-Degraff, Community Services Division Manager Drew Bendickson, Principal Analyst Jennifer Maldonado, Recreation Supervisor Perry Siu, City Attorney Gary Bell and City Clerk Laura McDowall CONSULTANTS PRESENT REMOTELY: Terry Madsen, Clear Source Financial B. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
The City Council met in closed session prior to the open session. The City Attorney reported that the City Council authorized staff to file an appeal of a recent order of the Regional Water Quality Control Board and stated that a copy of the order and the City’s appeal are available from the City Clerk upon request.
C. CEREMONIAL MATTERS/PRESENTATIONS
C.1. Proclamation: Gymnastics Boosters
Recreation Supervisor Perry Siu introduced members of the Gymnastics Boosters who accepted the proclamation and presented the City a donation of $25,000.
C.2. Proclamation: Jim Spilman CPRS Community Service Award Jim Spilman was present to accept the proclamation.
C.3. Proclamation: Juanita Bruner
Juanita Bruner accepted the proclamation.
D. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Farac and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem O’Connor, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to approve the Final Agenda.
AYES: EKLUND, FARAC, WERNICK, O’CONNOR, MILBERG
NOES: NONE
Motion carried.
E. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL & CITY MANAGER
Interim City Manager Cunningham reported on various City matters and the City Council gave reports on meetings and events they had attended.
F. PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Jeanne MacLeamy
2. Bob Mittelstaedt
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Wernick and seconded by Councilmember Eklund, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to approve the Consent Calendar, with Councilmember O’Connor voting No on Item G.6.
AYES: EKLUND, FARAC, WERNICK, O’CONNOR, MILBERG
NOES: NONE
Motion carried.
G.1. By motion, authorize Councilmember Eklund to participate remotely under AB 2449 due to an emergency circumstance
The City Council authorized Councilmember Eklund to participate remotely under AB 2449 due to an emergency circumstance.
G.2. 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.3. Approve the closed and open session City Council meeting minutes of February 13, 2024
The City Council approved the closed and open session meeting minutes of February 13, 2024.
G.4. Adopt ordinance 1714 repealing and reenacting Appendix A to Section 2-
22.1 of the Novato Municipal Code relating to the Conflict-of-Interest Code, to add, delete or change specific employee position titles The City Council adopted Ordinance 1714.
G.5. Adopt a resolution approving the plans and specifications, authorizing advertisement of bids, and finding that the project is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15301, Existing Facilities for the Center Road Sidewalk Gap Closure, CIP Project No. 24-001
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-017.
G.6. Approve the Final Map and Subdivision Improvement Agreement for Bahia River View (Bahia Lands LLC) Subdivision
The City Council approved the Final Map and Subdivision Improvement Agreement and adopted Resolution No. 2024-018.
G.7. Adopt the amended Community Sponsorship Policy, Administrative Policy (5.23, October 2014), based on staff and Council feedback The City Council adopted the amended policy.
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. Receive the Multicultural Advisory Commission’s 2023 Annual Report and consider approving the Multicultural Advisory Commission’s 2024 Work Plan
Community Services Division Manager Drew Bendickson opened the item and Multicultural Advisory Commission Chair Cliff Jacobs presented the workplan.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem O’Connor and seconded by Councilmember Farac, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to receive the Multicultural Advisory Commission’s 2023 Annual Report and approve the Multicultural Advisory Commission’s 2024 Work Plan
AYES: EKLUND, FARAC, WERNICK, O’CONNOR, MILBERG
NOES: NONE
Motion carried.
The City Council took a recess at 7:18 pm and returned at 7:24 pm.
J.2. Receive and discuss a report on the Internal Service Fund Study (Equipment Maintenance and Equipment Replacement Funds)
Finance Director Carla Carvalho-DeGraff opened the item and introduced Principal Management Analyst Jennifer Maldonado and Consultant Terry Madsen from Clear Source Financial. Staff and Consultant Madsen gave the presentation and responded to Council questions.
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
The City Council adjourned the meeting at 8:57 p.m.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and adopted at the Novato City Council regular meeting of March 12, 2024.
/Laura McDowall/
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Laura McDowall, City Clerk