NOVATO CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
901 SHERMAN AVENUE
NOVATO, CA 94945
and
TELECONFERENCE
September 9, 2025 – 6:00 PM
A. CONVENE, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND ROLL CALL
The City Council meeting was called to order at 6:06 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 Brett Walker, Principal Management Analyst Kate McCoy, 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 and reconvened back into Closed Session upon adjournment.
C. CEREMONIAL MATTERS/PRESENTATIONS - NONE
D. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
It was announced that item G.2 would be removed from the agenda because Councilmember Eklund was participating in-person instead of via teleconference.
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Councilmember Milberg, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to approve the Final Agenda with item G.2 removed.
AYES: EKLUND, JACOBS, MILBERG, FARAC, O’CONNOR
NOES: NONE
Motion carried.
E. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL & CITY MANAGER
The City Council gave reports on meetings and events they had attended. There was no report from City Manager Amy Cunningham.
F. PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Nick M.
2. Robbie Powelson
3. Jennifer Mallow
4. Jason Sarris
5. Heidi
6. Perry Siu
7. Brian Skinner
8. Jana Blunt
9. David Tillotson
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to approve the Consent Calendar with item G.2 removed.
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. By motion, authorize Councilmember Eklund to participate remotely under AB 2449 due to an emergency circumstance
This item was removed from the agenda because Councilmember Eklund attended the meeting in-person rather than via teleconference.
G.3. Approve the closed and open session meeting minutes of August 26, 2025 The City Council approved the closed and open session meeting minutes of August 26, 2025.
G.4. Adopt a resolution authorizing participation in the Purdue Pharma/Sackler and Generic Manufacturers national Opioid Settlements and authorize the City Manager to execute the related participation agreements and documentation by the required deadlines
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-076
G.5. Adopt a resolution directing the City Manager to transfer permanently unclaimed deposit in trust funds, in the amount of $656,735.13 to the City’s General Fund
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-077.
G.6. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or her designee to execute an agreement with Jacob Green & Associates (JGA) for a total not to exceed $78,000 to provide strategic planning and organizational assessment services for the Police Department
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-078.
G.7. Receive and file the Annual Investment Policy Review The City Council received and filed the Annual Investment Policy Review.
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. Receive a presentation and consider adopting a resolution accepting the Novato Chamber of Commerce Annual Tourism Committee Report for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and Tourism Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Principal Management Analyst Kate McCoy opened the item. Tourism Committee Chair Garett Ghirardo gave the presentation and responded to Council questions along with Novato Chamber of Commerce CEO Christina Mendes.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Mayor O’Connor and seconded by Councilmember Milberg, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to adopt the resolution accepting the Novato Chamber of Commerce Annual Tourism Committee Report for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and Tourism Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
AYES: EKLUND, JACOBS, MILBERG, FARAC, O’CONNOR
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-079.
The City Council took a brief recess at 7:04 p.m. and returned at 7:11 p.m.
K. COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES AND BOARDS (CCB’S) APPOINTMENTS There were no items for this section.
L. WORK STUDY SESSION
L.1. Receive a presentation regarding conceptual policies for the General Plan Safety Element Update and provide direction to staff to inform the preparation of specific policies and programs to be subsequently considered by the Planning Commission and City Council
Senior Planner Brett Walker opened the item and Jacqueline Protsman Rohr from PlaceWorks gave the presentation. The City Council provided feedback to staff.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
M. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:52 p.m., the City Council adjourned the meeting in memory of John Burton.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and adopted at the Novato City Council regular meeting of October 28, 2025. /Laura McDowall/
___________________
Laura McDowall, City Clerk