NOVATO CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
901 SHERMAN AVENUE
NOVATO, CA 94945
December 3, 2024 – 6:00 PM
A. CONVENE, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND ROLL CALL
The City Council meeting was called to order at 6:08 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, Lieutenant Alan Bates, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Division Manager Alexandra Kambur, City Attorney Gary Bell and City Clerk Laura McDowall STAFF ATTENDING VIA TELECONFERENCE: Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Katie Gauntlett
B. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
The City Council met in Closed Session prior to the open session. City Attorney Gary Bell announced that the City Council authorized the filing of two lawsuits; the parties to those suits and the particulars will be disposable upon request if and when those suits are filed.
C. CEREMONIAL MATTERS/PRESENTATIONS
C.1. Proclamation - Ana Frias-Bravo
Ana Frias-Bravo accepted the proclamation.
D. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
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.
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. Jeanne MacLeamy
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund 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. 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 October 22, 2024
The City Council approved the closed and open session meeting minutes of October 22, 2024.
G.3. Approve the closed and open session City Council meeting minutes of November 19, 2024
The City Council approved the closed and open session meeting minutes of November 19, 2024.
G.4. Approve the program concept and allocate $3,000 from the Public Art Fund (Fund 215) to support Leadership Novato Class of 2025 Team Big Rock Ridge's Grant Avenue Utility Box Art Project, as recommended by the Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Advisory Commission The City Council approved the program and allocated the funds.
G.5. Adopt a resolution approving the updated minimum wage and the City of Novato Salary Schedule for FY 2024/25
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-110.
G.6. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or their designee to execute an Agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) utilizing $1,540,646.70 of the current FY 2024/2025 project budget for CIP #01-004 to Perform Tariff Scheduled Work for the undergrounding of existing overhead utilities on Novato Boulevard between Diablo Avenue and Boulevard Terrace (PG&E Agreement)
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-111.
G.7. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or their designee to execute Amendment No. 1 to Maintenance Agreement 5571 with Natalini Industries, LLC., increasing the contract amount in the amount of $150,000, which brings the total contract amount to $250,000 for on-call maintenance services
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-112.
H. UNFINISHED AND OTHER BUSINESS
There were no items listed for this section.
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no items listed for this section.
J. GENERAL BUSINESS
J.1. Review and consider adopting a resolution authorizing the City Manager or their designee to execute an Agreement with the Novato Historical Guild for operation of and funding improvements to the Novato History Museum at the Scott House (917 Sherman Avenue) and finding that the approval is exempt from the requirements of CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities)
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Katie Gauntlett opened the item and introduced Novato Historical Guild members Jeanne MacLeamy, Lynn Dawson and Susan Magnone who gave the presentation and responded to Council questions.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Elizabelth Sleath
2. Barry Smail
3. Susan Magnone
4. Anne Russell
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Councilmember Farac, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to adopt the resolution authorizing the City Manager or their designee to execute an Agreement with the Novato Historical Guild for operation of and funding improvements to the Novato History Museum at the Scott House (917 Sherman Avenue) and finding that the approval is exempt from the requirements of CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities)
AYES: EKLUND, FARAC, WERNICK, O’CONNOR, MILBERG
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-113.
The City Council took a brief recess at 7:28pm and returned at 7:40pm.
J.2. Receive a presentation and consider providing direction to staff regarding the Council initiated item requesting the creation of a digital safety course for children ages 10-16 years old
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Gauntlett opened the item and introduced Parks, Recreation and Community Services Division Manager Alexandra Kambur who gave the presentation. Division Manager Kambur responded to Council questions along with Lieutenant Alan Bates.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
Discussion ensued regarding the potential program.
COUNCIL ACTION: Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem O’Connor to move forward with a two-year pilot program that sees our police department partner with the Polly Klaas Foundation, the school district and whatever partners they deem necessary to deliver this in Novato at least two times up to four times a year based on demand, after an initial six month consultation period with the school district.
Motion failed for lack of a second.
It was suggested to move forward with Recommendation #1 in the Staff Report, which was “a cross-promotion strategy to raise awareness among Novato families about existing local initiatives. This could include promoting MCOE’s upcoming events, as well as any community events hosted by NUSD or other organizations related to digital safety. For outreach, Staff recommend a mixed-method approach that combines digital and physical promotion. This would include utilizing the City’s Monthly E-newsletter and social media channels (Instagram and Facebook) of the City, PRCS and NPD, along with posting flyers at key City locations such as the Administrative Building, the Maragaret Todd Senior Center, and the Novato Gymnastics Center/Downtown Recreation Center. This approach enhances community awareness by leveraging existing communication channels and tools.
Ongoing monthly Staff time is estimated at approximately 3 hours. This includes coordinating and communicating with MCOE and other organizations to identify key events and initiatives for cross-promotion, developing and updating a content calendar, and continuous digital and physical promotion efforts.” COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem O’Connor and seconded by Councilmember Wernick, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call that the City partner with the Polly Klaas Foundation to collaborate on a way to deliver this training in Novato along with Recommendation #1.
AYES: EKLUND, FARAC, WERNICK, O’CONNOR, MILBERG
NOES: NONE
Motion carried.
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 8:42pm, the City Council adjourned the meeting in memory of Denny Wetzel, Judith Martin and Diane Milberg.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and adopted at the Novato City Council regular meeting of January 14, 2025. /Laura McDowall/
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Laura McDowall, City Clerk