NOVATO CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
901 SHERMAN AVENUE
NOVATO, CA 94945
April 23, 2024 – 6:00 PM
A. CONVENE, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND ROLL CALL
The City Council meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m., with Mayor Milberg leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Mark Milberg, Mayor Pro Tempore Tim O’Connor Councilmember Pat Eklund, Councilmember Rachel Farac, and Councilmember Susan Wernick
STAFF PRESENT: Interim City Manager Amy Cunningham, Assistant City Manager Jessica Deakyne, Community Development Director Clare Hartman, Principal Management Analyst Sherin Olivero, City Attorney Gary Bell and City Clerk Laura McDowall
B. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
The City Council met in Closed Session prior to the open session; there was nothing to report out.
C. CEREMONIAL MATTERS/PRESENTATIONS
C.1. Proclamation: Mia Roe
Mia Roe was present to accept the proclamation.
C.2. Proclamation: Ryan Judd
Ryan Judd accepted the proclamation.
C.3. Proclamation: Fair Housing Month
Mayor Milberg read the proclamation.
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
1. Fred Reece
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem O’Connor, 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. Waive reading and authorize introductions and/or adoption of ordinances by title only 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 Meeting Minutes of April 9, 2024 The City Council approved the meeting minutes of April 9, 2024.
G.3. Approve the City Council Closed Session Special Meeting Minutes of April 11, 2024
The City Council approved the closed session special meeting minutes of April 11, 2024.
G.4. Approve the City Council Closed Session Special Meeting Minutes of April 15, 2024
The City Council approved the closed session special meeting minutes of April 15, 2024.
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 adopting a resolution recommending Community Development Block Grant project funding for Fiscal Year 2024-25 to the Countywide Priority Setting Committee and Marin County Board of Supervisors for the Novato Planning Area
Community Development Director Clare Hartman opened the item and introduced Molly Kron, Senior Planner for the County of Marin who gave the presentation.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Paul Russell
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Councilmember Wernick, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to adopt the resolution recommending Community Development Block Grant project funding for Fiscal Year 2024-25 to the Countywide Priority Setting Committee and Marin County Board of Supervisors for the Novato Planning Area.
AYES: EKLUND, FARAC, WERNICK, O’CONNOR, MILBERG
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-028.
J.2. Receive an update on the evaluation of city-owned property, provide feedback on evaluation criteria, and consider directing staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional real estate services Assistant City Manager Jessica Deakyne presented the item and responded to Council questions. The City Council gave direction to Staff on the next steps in the process.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
The City Council took a brief recess at 8:33 p.m. and returned at 8:41 p.m.
J.3. Consider providing direction to staff on options to enhance the City’s current level of community engagement between Council, staff and the community
Principal Management Analyst Sherin Olivero presented the item and the City Council provided feedback on options for additional outreach to the community to increase engagement.
Public Comment:
1. Sandra Marker
K. COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES AND BOARDS (CCB’S) APPOINTMENTS City Clerk Laura McDowall presented the item and there was consensus from the City Council on the following appointments:
Design Review Commission: Michael Barber
Joseph Farrell
Kevin Jacobs
Tonya Church (1-year Term)
Michelle Derviss (Alternate)
Finance Advisory Commission: Michele Manos
Housing and Homeless Committee: Mark Brand
David Fariello
Lucie Hollingsworth
William Meecham
Multicultural Advisory Commission: Cliff Jacobs
Sophia Osotio
Vladimir Matviishin
Planning Commission: Bill Crockett
Justin Derby
Curtis Havel
Peter Tiernan
Police Advisory and Review Board: Bruce Bartel
Francis Drouillard
Sandra Marker
Bruce Ritter
Recreation, Cultural and Community
Services Advisory Commission:
Dennis Bentley
Suzanne Crow
Erin Lacey
Mavi Pilloton
Beverly Winsor
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Zachary Griggy
L. WORK STUDY SESSION
There were no items for this section
M. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:21 p.m., the City Council adjourned the meeting in memory of Dave Jeffries.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and adopted at the Novato City Council regular meeting of May 14, 2024.
/Laura McDowall/
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Laura McDowall, City Clerk