NOVATO CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
901 SHERMAN AVENUE
NOVATO, CA 94945
March 12, 2024 – 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 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 PARTICPATING REMOTELY: Councilmember Pat Eklund STAFF PRESENT: Interim City Manager Amy Cunningham, Police Chief Jim Naugle, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Katie Gauntlett, City Attorney Gary Bell and City Clerk Laura McDowall
B. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
There was no closed session.
C. CEREMONIAL MATTERS/PRESENTATIONS
C.1. Presentation: Police Department Annual Report
Police Chief Jim Naugle gave the report.
D. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Wernick and seconded by Councilmember Farac, 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
None
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem O’Connor and seconded by Councilmember Wernick, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to approve the Consent Calendar.
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 City Council closed and open session meeting minutes of February 27, 2024
The Council approved the meeting minutes of February 27, 2024.
G.4. Approve reclassifying the current position title of Police Aide to Police Cadet and adopt a resolution approving an updated City of Novato salary schedule to reflect this change
The City Council approved reclassifying the current position title of Police Aide to Police Cadet and adopted Resolution No. 2024-019.
G.5. Receive the Quarter 2 Budget Report for Fiscal Year 2023/2024 The City Council received the report.
G.6. Adopt a resolution amending the City of Novato Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2023/24 and direct the Interim City Manager to take actions necessary to enact approved budget modifications
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-020.
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 a presentation from BerryDunn consultants Jeff Milkes and Art Thatcher; review and consider approving recommendations provided by the Recreation, Cultural, and Community Services Advisory Commission and the Finance Advisory Commission; provide feedback and consider approving the Draft Parks Master Plan
Parks, Recreation & Community Services Director Katie Gauntlett gave the presentation and responded to Council questions along with consultants Art Thatcher and Jeff Milkes from BerryDunn.
The City Council took a brief recess from 8:05pm to 8:17pm.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Justin Derby
2. Russell Krug
The City Council provided feedback on the Draft Parks Master Plan, which would be returning at the April 9, 2024 City Council Meeting for final adoption.
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 9:27 pm, the City Council adjourned the meeting in memory of Basia Crane.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and adopted at the Novato City Council regular meeting of March 26, 2024.
/Laura McDowall/
___________________
Laura McDowall, City Clerk