NOVATO CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
901 SHERMAN AVENUE
NOVATO, CA 94945
October 28, 2025 – 6:00 PM
A. CONVENE, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND ROLL CALL
The City Council meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m., with a moment of silence in honor of Councilmember Mark Milberg. Mayor O’Connor then lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tim O’Connor, Mayor Pro Tempore Rachel Farac, Councilmember Pat Eklund and Councilmember Kevin Jacobs DISTRICT 5 SEAT: Vacant
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Amy Cunningham, Community Development Director Clare Hartman, Chief Building Official Bob Curry, Senior Planner Kaitlin Zitelli, City Attorney Gary Bell and City Clerk Laura McDowall STAFF PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: Interim Chief Building Official Mark Setterland
B. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
There was no closed session.
C. CEREMONIAL MATTERS/PRESENTATIONS
There were no items listed for this section.
D. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem Farac and seconded by Councilmember Eklund, the City Council voted 4-0 via roll call to approve the Final Agenda.
AYES: EKLUND, JACOBS, 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. Christina Mendes
2. Kim Stahley
3. Larissa Thomas and Tina McMillan
4. Sylvia Barry
5. Jim Vilday
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, the City Council voted 4-0 via roll call to approve the Consent Calendar.
AYES: EKLUND, JACOBS, 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 closed and open session City Council meeting minutes of September 9, 2025
The City Council approved the closed and open session meeting minutes of September 9, 2025.
G.3. Approve the City Council meeting minutes of September 23, 2025 The City Council approved the meeting minutes of September 23, 2025.
G.4. Adopt a resolution approving the Novato Economic Development Advisory Commission Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-089.
G.5. Adopt a resolution approving the Finance Advisory Commission’s Workplan for Fiscal Year 2025/26
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-090.
G.6. Adopt a resolution approving the Novato Housing and Homeless Committee Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-091.
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)
The City Council introduced Ordinance 1728.
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
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-092.
G.9. Receive and file the progress report on the third quarter 2025 of the Council adopted Strategic Plan
The City Council received and filed the report.
G.10. Receive and file the City of Novato’s first quarter payment register report for the months of July, August, and September 2025
The City Council received and filed the report.
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 The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-093.
G.12. Adopt a resolution approving two new job classifications assigned to the Community Development Department
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-094.
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
The City Council approved the 2025-2026 Utility Box Art Program concept, endorsed the proposed locations and allocated the funds.
G.14. Receive and file an update on the Community Sponsorship Program for FY 2024-2025
The City Council received and filed the update.
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
The City Council approved the donation.
H. UNFINISHED AND OTHER BUSINESS
There were no items listed for this section.
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS
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 Senior Planner Kaitlin Zitelli presented the item.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Councilmember Farac, the City Council voted 4-0 via roll call to adopt 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); adopt 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); introduce 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 adopt a resolution approving a use permit allowing operation of a golf driving range, on a 10-acre portion of APN 157-160-18.
AYES: EKLUND, JACOBS, FARAC, O’CONNOR
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-095 and Resolution No. 2025-096, introduced Ordinance 1730 and adopted Resolution No. 2025-097.
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 Community Development Director Clare Hartman opened the item and introduced new Chief Building Official Bob Curry. Interim Chief Building Official Mark Setterland gave the presentation via teleconference.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Jacobs and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Farac, the City Council voted 4-0 via roll call to introduce 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.
AYES: EKLUND, JACOBS, FARAC, O’CONNOR
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council introduced Ordinance 1729.
J. GENERAL BUSINESS
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
Economic Development Manager Katie Skjerping opened the item and Downtown Novato Business Association (DNBA) President Stephanie Koehler presented the DNBA Annual Report and 2026 Proposed BID Budget. It was suggested that the City take over maintenance of the planters and the white lights in downtown Novato, to which the City Council agreed.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, the City Council voted 4-0 via roll call to give direction that the City take over the planters and the white lights and adopt the 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.
AYES: EKLUND, JACOBS, FARAC, O’CONNOR
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-098.
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
City Clerk Laura McDowall presented the item, and the City Council discussed the options to fill the vacancy in District 5. Concern was expressed that filling the seat by appointment may give the incumbent an advantage if they ran for office in 2026, however it was generally felt that an appointment should be made instead of holding a special election.
The City Council gave direction to update the application to include a question regarding potential conflicts of interest, and to set a special meeting the first week of December to interview candidates.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Curtis Aikens
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Farac and seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, the City Council voted 3-1 via roll call to move forward with the appointment process and add the conflict of interest question to the application, with Councilmember Eklund voting no.
AYES: JACOBS, FARAC, O’CONNOR
NOES: EKLUND
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 7:43 p.m., the City Council adjourned the meeting in memory of Councilmember Mark Milberg.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and adopted at the Novato City Council regular meeting of November 18, 2025. /Laura McDowall/
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Laura McDowall, City Clerk