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City Council
Agenda
901 SHERMAN AVENUE
NOVATO, CA 94945
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 - 6:00 PM
Mayor
Tim O’Connor
Mayor Pro Tempore
Rachel Farac
Councilmembers
Pat Eklund
Kevin Jacobs
City Manager
Amy Cunningham
City Attorney
Gary Bell
City Council meeting are usually held each month on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (415) 899-8986. Notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable accommodation to help ensure accessibility to this meeting.
The agenda is divided into three main sections and includes other categories covering routine business.
All references to “City Council” include those other agencies which may be listed at the top of the Agenda.
The City Council may discuss and/or take action on any or all of the items listed on the agenda irrespective of how the agenda items are described. The Council may establish and make appointments to a Council committee (made up of two Councilmembers) with respect to any item appearing on this agenda.
Public Participation Options
Members of the Public may participate and provide public comments for the City Council as follows:
• Written public comments may be submitted via eComment. Written public comments received more than 3 hours before the start of the meeting will be distributed to the Council prior to the meeting.
Written public comments will not be read during the meeting. • In-person public comments may be made at the meeting, which are held in the Novato City Council Chambers located at 901 Sherman Avenue.
The Mayor has the authority to rule any speaker out of order, including speakers during the Public Comment period, if the subject raised is not within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council, or Page | 2 Phone No. (415) 899-8900
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during a public hearing or a general business item if the speaker is not presenting testimony or evidence relevant to the matter or if the speaker becomes disruptive to the proceedings and conduct of the meeting.
The Mayor also has the authority to order any person who willfully interrupts the meeting to be removed.
All persons are expected to conduct themselves with civility and courtesy at all times. All persons giving comments shall speak directly to the Council and address issues, not individuals. Personal attacks, cursing and outbursts from the audience in support or opposition to a speaker are not tolerated in order to foster an environment where everyone feels welcome to speak
A. CONVENE, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND ROLL CALL
B. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
C. CEREMONIAL MATTERS/PRESENTATIONS
D. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
E. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL & CITY MANAGER
F. PUBLIC COMMENT
All members of the public wishing to address the City Council are requested to submit a speaker card in advance to the City Clerk. (Please remember that all comment cards are PUBLIC RECORDS).
The Mayor will call the names of speakers from the cards. In addition to receiving comment from the public during the Public Comment period, the Mayor will recognize persons from the audience who wish to address the City Council on a particular agenda item at the time that item is considered by the City Council.
There is a three-minute time limit to speak although the Mayor may shorten the time based on the number of speakers or other factors. A speaker may not yield his or her time to another speaker. For issues raised during Public Comment that are not on the published agenda, except as otherwise provided under the Ralph M. Brown Act, no action can legally be taken. The City Council may direct that the item be referred to the City Manager for action or may schedule the item on a subsequent agenda.
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and will be enacted by a single vote of the Council. There will be no separate discussion unless specific items are removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion and action. Any Councilmember may remove an item from the Consent Calendar and place it under General Business for discussion.
G.1. Waive reading and authorize introductions and/or adoption of ordinances by title only this is a standard procedural action so that the City Council does not have to read an ordinance aloud in its entirety.
G.2. Approve the closed and open session City Council meeting minutes of September 9, 2025
Staff contact: Laura McDowall, City Clerk, 899-8900
Minutes - September 9, 2025
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G.3. Approve the City Council meeting minutes of September 23, 2025 Staff contact: Laura McDowall, City Clerk, 899-8900
Minutes - September 23, 2025
G.4. Adopt a resolution approving the Novato Economic Development Advisory Commission Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Staff contact: Katie Skjerping, Economic Development Manager, 899-8900 Staff Report - EDAC Workplan
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - EDAC Workplan
G.5. Adopt a resolution approving the Finance Advisory Commission’s Workplan for Fiscal Year 2025/26
Staff contact: Carla Carvalho-DeGraff, Finance Director, 899-8913 Staff Report - Finance Advisory Commission Workplan
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - Draft Finance Advisory Commission Workplan G.6. Adopt a resolution approving the Novato Housing and Homeless Committee Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Staff contact: Bill Rose, Assistant City Manager, 899-8900 Staff Report - Housing and Homeless Committee Workplan
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - Draft Workplan
G.7. Introduce an ordinance to modify the radar enforceable speed limit along specific segments of Alameda Del Prado, DeLong Avenue and Ignacio Boulevard and find the modification exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3)
Staff contact: Tim Burke, Interim Director of Public Works, 899-8246 Staff Report - Speed Limit Modification Ordinance
Attachment 1 - Draft Ordinance
Attachment 2 - Alameda Del Prado Traffic Study
Attachment 3 - DeLong Traffic Study
Attachment 4 - Ignacio Blvd Traffic Study
G.8. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a three-year agreement with Whitlock & Weinberger transportation, inc. for $300,000, not to exceed $100,000 per fiscal year, pending each fiscal year’s budget authorization
Staff contact: Chris Benigni, Deputy Public Works Director, 899-8246 Staff Report - W-Trans Agreement
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - Draft Agreement
Attachment 3 - Scope of Work/Cost Document
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G.9. Receive and file the progress report on the third quarter 2025 of the Council adopted Strategic Plan
Staff contact: Amy Cunningham, City Manager, 899-8900
Staff Report - Strategic Plan Progress Report
Attachment 1 - Strategic Plan Progress Report
Attachment 2 - City Council Strategic Plan 2023-2025
G.10. Receive and file the City of Novato’s first quarter payment register report for the months of July, August, and September 2025
Staff contact: Polo Lopez-Carrasco, Accountant II, 899-8900 Staff Report - 1st Quarter Payment Register
Attachment 1 - 1st Quarter Payment Register
G.11. Adopt a resolution awarding the construction contract for the Marin Valley Mobile County Club Clubhouse (MVMCC) Roof and HVAC Replacement, for the base bid (clubhouse roof and HVAC replacement) of $327,000, and alternates, allowances and a 10% contingency in the amount of $445,720 to Diablo Roofing Inc and Waterproofing as the lowest responsible bidder, and authorize the City Manager, or his/her designee, to execute the construction contract and amend the Fiscal Year 2025/26 MVMCC Capital Improvement Program (CIP) (Reso 2025-055) in the amount of $486,620 Staff contact: Tim Burke, Interim Public Works Director, 899-8900 Staff Report - MVMCC Clubhouse Roof Contract
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - Bid Abstract
Attachment 3 - Site Location
G.12. Adopt a resolution approving two new job classifications assigned to the Community Development Department
Staff contact: Greg Canfield, HR Analyst, 899-8900
Staff Report - CDD Job Classifications
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - Deputy Building Official Job Description Attachment 3 - Senior Permit Technician Job Description Attachment 4 - Draft Salary Schedule
G.13. Approve the 2025-2026 Utility Box Art Program concept with the theme "Where Stories Grow," endorse the seven proposed utility box locations, and authorize a $7,000 allocation from the Public Art Fund (Fund 215, CIP 11-019) to support the program, as recommended by the Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Advisory Commission
Staff Contact: Katie Gauntlett, PRCS Director, 899-8900 Staff Report - Utility Art Box Program
Attachment 1 - Art In Public Places Admin Policy 5.13
Attachment 2 - Application Materials
Attachment 3 - Program Guidelines
Attachment 4 - Proposed Utility Box Locations
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G.14. Receive and file an update on the Community Sponsorship Program for FY 2024-2025
Staff contact: Carla Hansen, Assistant City Manager, 899-8900 Staff Report - Community Sponsorship Program Update
Attachment 1 - Program Funding Allocations
G.15. Approve a donation from the Rotary Club of Novato and Rotary Club of Novato Sunrise, of an educational public art display to be installed at the Hamilton Arts Center, located at 500 Palm Drive, in accordance with the City’s Art in Public Places Policy, Admin Policy 5.13
Staff contact: Katie Gauntlett, PRCS Director, 899-8900 Staff Report - Rotary Public Art Donation
Attachment 1 - Project Proposal
Attachment 2 - Art in Public Places, Admin Policy 5.13
H. UNFINISHED AND OTHER BUSINESS
There are no agenda items.
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public Hearings are announced and advertised in advance to allow interested persons to make comments for, against, or otherwise, regarding a proposed project or decision. Anyone who challenges any hearing matter in court may be limited to only those issues raised at the public hearing described therein, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the public hearing.
I.1. Conduct a public hearing regarding the Stonetree Golf Club Driving Range and consider:
1. Adopting a resolution making findings and adopting a California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP);
2. Adopting a resolution approving a General Plan land use map amendment changing the land use designation of a 10-acre portion of APN 157-160-18 from Open Space (OS) to Conservation (CON);
3. Introducing an ordinance amending the Novato Zoning Map to change the zoning of a 10-acre portion of APN 157-160-18 from Open Space (OS) to Conservation (CON-10); and
4. Adopting a resolution approving a use permit allowing operation of a golf driving range, on a 10-acre portion of APN 157-160-18 Staff contact: Kaitlin Zitelli, Senior Planner, 899-8900 Staff Report - Stonetree Driving Range
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution - Mitigated Negative Declaration Attachment 2 - Draft Resolution - General Plan Amendment Attachment 3 - Draft Ordinance - Zoning Map Amendment
Attachment 4 - Draft Resolution - Use Permit
Attachment 5 - Public Correspondence
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I.2. Hold a public hearing and consider introducing an ordinance repealing Section 4-1 of Chapter 4 (Building and Housing) of the Novato Municipal Code in its entirety and reenacting a new Section 4-1 to adopt by reference parts 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 of the 2025 California Building Standards Code as amended; adopting by reference the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code; adopting by reference the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code as the Construction and Abatement Codes of the City of Novato; making Findings of Fact based on local conditions in support of the amendments; and adding new Section 4.5 Gate Safe Safety Staff Contact: Mark Setterland, Interim Chief Building Official, 899-8900 Staff Report - 2025 Code Adoption
Attachment 1 - Draft Ordinance
J. GENERAL BUSINESS
These items include significant and administrative actions of special interest and will usually include a staff presentation and discussion by the Council. They will be acted upon by a separate vote.
J.1. 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 2025 DNBA Annual Report and 2026 Proposed BID Budget; and
2. Reviewing, including making any changes if desired, and approving the 2025 DNBA Annual Report and 2026 Proposed BID Budget to begin January 1, 2026; and
3. Adopting a resolution declaring the intention to levy an annual assessment within the Downtown Novato Business Improvement District for calendar year 2026 and set a public hearing for November 18, 2025
Staff contact: Katie Skjerping, Economic Development Manager, 899-8900 Staff Report - DNBA Report and BID Assessment
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - DNBA-BID Annual Report Mailer
J.2. Consider and provide direction to staff regarding filling the vacant City Council seat in District 5, which includes Hamilton and parts of southern Novato by either:
1. Directing staff to begin the process for Council to appoint an interim City Council member to fill the seat until the November 3, 2026, Statewide General Election; or
2. Directing staff to begin the process to call for a Special Election to be held on April 14, 2026
Staff contact: Laura McDowall, City Clerk, 899-8986
Staff Report - District 5 Vacancy
Attachment 1 - Sample Application and Interview Questions Page | 7 Phone No. (415) 899-8900
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Attachment 2 - District Map
Attachment 3 - Government Code 36512
Attachment 4 - Elections Code 1000
K. COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES AND BOARDS (CCB’S) APPOINTMENTS This section is used by the City Council to make appointments to fill vacancy/vacancies on their Commissions, Committees and Boards.
L. WORK STUDY SESSION
M. ADJOURNMENT
Materials that are submitted to members of the City Council after the distribution of the agenda packet will be made available to the public at the time it is provided to the City Council.
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
I, Laura McDowall, certify that on the Thursday before the Council meeting of October 28, 2025, the agenda was posted on the City Community Service Board at 922 Machin Ave in Novato, California and on the City’s website at novato.org.
/Laura McDowall/
Laura McDowall, City Clerk