NOVATO CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
901 SHERMAN AVENUE
NOVATO, CA 94945
February 25, 2025 – 6:00 PM
A. CONVENE, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND ROLL CALL
The City Council meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m., with Mayor O’Connor leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tim O’Connor, Mayor Pro Tempore Rachel Farac, Councilmember Pat Eklund, Councilmember Kevin Jacobs, and Councilmember Mark Milberg
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Amy Cunningham, Senior Planner Vivek Damodaran, 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 - Recognizing NFPD Chief Bill Tyler upon his Retirement Novato Fire Protection District Chief Bill Tyler was present to accept the proclamation.
C.2 Presentation from Marin/Sonoma Mosquito Vector Control District Manager Peter Bonkrude
Marin/Sonoma Mosquito Vector Control District Manager Peter Bonkrude gave the presentation.
D. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem Farac and seconded by Councilmember Eklund, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to approve the Final Agenda.
AYES: EKLUND, JACOBS, MILBERG, FARAC, O’CONNOR
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. Mary Currie
2. Dean Moser
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Councilmember Milberg, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to approve the Consent Calendar.
AYES: EKLUND, JACOBS, MILBERG, FARAC, O’CONNOR
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 open and closed session meeting minutes of January 28, 2025 The City Council approved the open and closed session meeting minutes of January 28, 2025.
G.3. Approve the closed and open session meeting minutes of February 11, 2025 The City Council approved the closed and open session meeting minutes of February 11, 2025.
G.4. Adopt a resolution approving the Valley Oaks-Phase One Final Map, a 38±- acre lot (APNs 125-58034 and -37) located on the west side of Redwood Blvd, near Verandah Avenue and Pinkston Road, approximately one-half (1/2) mile north of San Marin Drive
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-015.
G.5. Receive and file the Multicultural Advisory Commission’s 2024 Annual Report and approve the Multicultural Advisory Commission’s 2025 Work Plan
The City Council received and filed the 2024 Annual Report and approved the 2025 Work Plan.
G.6. Receive and file the progress report on the fourth quarter of 2024 of the Council adopted Strategic Plan
The City Council received and filed the progress report.
G.7. Adopt a resolution to authorizing the City Manager to execute a second amendment to the December 1, 2012 loan as amended August 1, 2023 with Bank of Marin for Marin Valley Mobile Country Club (MVMCC) The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-016.
H. UNFINISHED AND OTHER BUSINESS
There were no items listed for this section.
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS
I.1. Greek Orthodox Church
Master Plan, Precise Development Plan, & Design Review
CEQA Exempt: CEQA Guidelines Section 15183
APNs 160-150-03 & 160-920-24; 1110 Highland Drive
Conduct a public hearing to consider and:
1. Adopt a resolution finding and determining that no further environmental review is required pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15183;
2. Introduce an ordinance approving a master plan; and
3. Adopt a resolution approving a precise development plan and design review acknowledging the operation of an existing religious facility, associated existing wireless telecommunications facilities, and address proposed building additions and site improvements for the Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church at 1110 Highland Drive, APNs 160-150-03 & 160-920-24
Senior Planner Vivek Damodaran gave the presentation and responded to Council questions.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem Farac and seconded by Councilmember Milberg, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to adopt the resolution finding and determining that no further environmental review is required pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15183, introduce the ordinance approving the master plan and adopt the resolution approving a precise development plan and design review acknowledging the operation of an existing religious facility, associated existing wireless telecommunications facilities, and address proposed building additions and site improvements for the Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church at 1110 Highland Drive, APNs 160-150-03 & 160-920-
24. AYES: EKLUND, JACOBS, MILBERG, FARAC, O’CONNOR
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-017, introduced Ordinance No. 1722 and adopted Resolution No. 2025-018.
J. GENERAL BUSINESS
J.1. Consider and approve the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 budget calendar listing public meeting dates for the upcoming budget development process Councilmember Eklund explained that she had pulled this item from the Consent Calendar of the February 11, 2025, meeting because she wanted clarification on when a discussion of Measure M funds would take place. It was clarified that a discussion on Measure M funds would happen throughout the budget process, and that the first opportunity would be at the April 8, 2025, City Council meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, the City Council voted 4-1 via roll call to move the item with the acknowledgment that the discussion on Measure M funds would occur on April 8th, with Mayor O’Connor voting No.
AYES: EKLUND, JACOBS, MILBERG, FARAC
NOES: O’CONNOR
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
The City Council adjourned the meeting at 7:06 p.m.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and adopted at the Novato City Council regular meeting of March 11, 2025.
/Laura McDowall/
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Laura McDowall, City Clerk