NOVATO CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
901 SHERMAN AVENUE
NOVATO, CA 94945
October 22, 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 Pat Eklund, Councilmember Rachel Farac, and Councilmember Susan Wernick
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Amy Cunningham, Community Development Deputy Director Steve Marshall, Principal Management Analyst Sullina Smith, 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 - Coy Smith
Outgoing Novato Chamber of Commerce CEO Coy Smith accepted the proclamation.
C.2 Proclamation - Pini Hardware 2nd Location
Tom, Russell, and David Young from Pini Hardware were present to accept C.3 Proclamation - Rotary of Ignacio Youth Financial Assistance Program Donation
Jennifer Goldfinger and Members of Rotary Ignacio accepted the proclamation.
C.4 Proclamation - Bullying Prevention Month
Multicultural Advisory Commission Chair Cliff Jacobs accepted the proclamation.
D. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
Councilmember Eklund proposed reordering the agenda to take item J.2 before item J.1, to which the Council agreed.
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 Final Agenda, with item J.2 being heard before item J.1 AYES: EKLUND, FARAC, WERNICK, O’CONNOR, MILBERG
NOES: NONE
Motion carried.
E. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL & CITY MANAGER
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. Christina Mendes
2. Kim Stahley
3. Stacey Hoggan
4. Emma Wheatley
5. John Feld
6. Elizabeth Sleath
7. Mark Schatz
8. Bernie Meyers
9. Amy Peele
10. Emma Messenberg
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 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 closed and open session City Council meeting minutes of September 24, 2024
The City Council approved the closed and open session City Council meeting minutes of September 24, 2024.
G.3. Adopt a resolution approving and authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to that certain ground lease agreement with Vero West 103 LLC for the lease of a portion of the City property located at 501 Davidson Street
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-095.
G.4. Adopt a resolution approving an updated Policy Manual for the Novato City Council and rescinding prior policies
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-096.
G.5. Accept the work as complete and authorize the City Manager to sign the Notice of Completion for the 2023 and 2024 Annual Pavement Rehabilitation – Contract 2, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project Numbers.: 23-001 & 24-001
The City Council accepted the work as complete and authorized the City Manager to sign the Notice of Completion.
G.6. Adopt a resolution approving the plans and specifications and authorizing bid advertisement for the replacement of the play area at Josef Hoog Community Park, as part of the Hoog Park Playground and Accessibility Enhancements Project, CIP #17-004, and finding that the Hoog Park Playground project is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Protection Agency (CEQA)
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-097.
H. UNFINISHED AND OTHER BUSINESS
There were no items listed for this section.
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS
I.1. Landing Court Apartment (P2023-055)
AB 2011 Objective Design Review & Density Bonus
Conduct a public hearing and consider adopting a resolution approving the Landing Court Apartments Project, including 302 Multi-Family Dwellings and associated site improvements on a 2.11 acre parcel located on the northerly side of Landing Court (APN 153-162-70) pursuant to California Assembly Bill 2011, including a density bonus and concessions to development standards Community Development Deputy Director Steve Marshall presented the item and responded to Council questions along with Alexis Gevorgian from AMG Land Development.
The following people spoke in support of the project:
1. James Lloyd
And the following people spoke in opposition:
1. John Christopher
2. Jesika Whithouse
3. Emily Larsen
4. Ben Oyle
5. Klaus Larsen
6. Joe Dorsey
Concerns were expressed by the Council regarding parking, the height of the project and the density, however it was clarified that approval of the project was required under the provision of Assembly Bill 2011.
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Wernick and seconded by Councilmember Farac, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to adopt the resolution approving the Landing Court Apartments Project, including 302 Multi-Family Dwellings and associated site improvements on a 2.11 acre parcel located on the northerly side of Landing Court (APN 153-162-70) pursuant to California Assembly Bill 2011, including a density bonus and concessions to development standards.
AYES: EKLUND, FARAC, WERNICK, O’CONNOR, MILBERG
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-098.
The City Council took a brief recess at 8:32 p.m. and returned at 8:42 p.m.
J. GENERAL BUSINESS (reordered to take item J.2 before item J.1) J.2. Begin the annual assessment process for the Downtown Novato Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with the Downtown Novato Business Association (DNBA) by:
1. Receiving a presentation by the DNBA/BID Advisory Board of its 2024 DNBA Annual Report and 2025 Proposed BID Budget; and
2. Reviewing, including making any changes if desired, and approving the 2024 DNBA Annual Report and 2025 Proposed BID Budget to begin January 1, 2025; and
3. Adopting a resolution declaring the intention to levy an annual assessment within the Downtown Novato Business Improvement District for calendar year 2025 and setting a public hearing for November 19, 2024
Principal Management Analyst Sullina Smith opened the item and introduced DNBA President Stephanie Koehler who gave the presentation.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Councilmember Farac, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to approve the 2024 DNBA Annual Report and 2025 Proposed BID Budget and adopt the resolution declaring the intention to levy an annual assessment within the Downtown Novato Business Improvement District for calendar year 2025 and setting a public hearing for November 19, 2024.
AYES: EKLUND, FARAC, WERNICK, O’CONNOR, MILBERG
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council adopted resolution No. 2024-099.
J.1. Receive an update on the City’s fiscal sustainability planning efforts and discuss funding priorities
City Manager Amy Cunningham gave the presentation and responded to Council questions.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Clark Moretti
2. Jana Blunt
3. Paul Perryman
K. COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES AND BOARDS (CCB’S) APPOINTMENTS K.1. Consider reviewing, discussing, and possibly making 5 appointments to the Complete Streets and Pathways Oversight Committee, 5 appointments to the Economic Development Advisory Commission, 3 appointments to the Finance Advisory Commission, 2 appointments to the Housing, Zoning and Building Code Appeals Board, 1 appointment to the Marin/Sonoma Vector Control District, 1 appointment to the Multicultural Advisory Commission, and 3 appointments to the Sustainability Commission
City Clerk Laura McDowall gave the presentation.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
The City Council made the following appointments to their Commissions, Committees and Boards:
Complete Streets and Pathways
Oversight Committee:
Keith Buchignani (Regular)
Joakim Osthus (Regular)
Mark Vanderscoff (Regular)
William Fitzgerald (Alternate)
Zaz Linkous (Alternate)
Finance Advisory Commission Rafelina Maglio
Dean Smith
Andrew Zmyslowski
Economic Development Advisory
Commission
Christina Mendes
Harry Thomas
Alex Tishman
Bradley Wright
Thomas Young
Housing, Zoning and Building Code
Appeals Board
Lisa Lucchesi
Timothy Snead
Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector
Control District
Piper Primrose
Multicultural Advisory Commission Sloan Takeuchi-Ross
Sustainability Commission Robert (Bob) Brown
Pablo Paster
Cheryl Timoney
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Farac and seconded by Councilmember Wernick the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to make the appointments.
AYES: EKLUND, FARAC, WERNICK, O’CONNOR, MILBERG
NOES: NONE
Motion carried.
L. WORK STUDY SESSION
There were no items for this section
M. ADJOURNMENT
At 10:17pm, the City Council adjourned the meeting in memory of Skip Fenner.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and adopted at the Novato City Council regular meeting of December 3, 2024. /Laura McDowall/
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Laura McDowall, City Clerk