NOVATO CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
901 SHERMAN AVENUE
NOVATO, CA 94945
March 24, 2026 – 6:00 PM
A. CONVENE, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND ROLL CALL
The City Council meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m., with Mayor Farac leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Rachel Farac, Mayor Pro Tempore Kevin Jacobs, Councilmember Pat Eklund, Councilmember Sandeep Karkal and Councilmember Tim O’Connor
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Amy Cunningham, Assistant City Manager Carla Hansen, Community Development Director Clare Hartman, Finance Director Carla Carvalho-DeGraff, Chief People Officer Eva Hilliard, Senior Planner Kaitlin Zitelli, 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: Government Finance Professionals Week Finance Director Carla Carvalho-DeGraff accepted the proclamation along with members of the City of Novato Finance Team.
C.2. Proclamation: George Brenton Estes
George Brenton Estes accepted the proclamation.
D. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
The City Council agreed to move Council and City Manager Reports to the end of the agenda.
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Councilmember O’Connor, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to approve the Final Agenda with Council and City Manager Reports moved to the end of the agenda
AYES: EKLUND, KARKAL, O’CONNOR, JACOBS, FARAC
NOES: NONE
Motion carried.
E. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL & CITY MANAGER
This item was moved to the end of the agenda.
F. PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Bret Goldman
2. Michelle Leopold
3. Bridgete Clark
4. Don Carney
5. Elizabeth O’Donnell
6. Kate Ruehle
7. Allie Behr
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Eklund announced she would like to pull item G.8 from the Consent Calendar and place it at the end of General Business.
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Councilmember O’Connor, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to approve the Consent Calendar, with Item G.8 removed and placed at the end of the agenda.
AYES: EKLUND, KARKAL, O’CONNOR, JACOBS, FARAC
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 City Council Meeting Minutes of March 10, 2026 The City Council approved the meeting of March 10, 2026.
G.3. Approve 11 artist selections and their assigned utility box locations for the 2025-2026 Utility Box Art Program and four additional utility box locations as recommended by the Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Advisory Commission
The City Council approved the artist selections, their assigned utility box locations and the four additional utility box locations.
G.4. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or their designee to execute a fourth amendment to the agreement with ClientFirst Technology for $15,000 bringing the total contract amount to $245,600
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-021.
G.5. Approve the Recreation, Cultural & Community Services Advisory (RCCS) Commission’s recommendation to install a mural at Hamilton Amphitheater Park Playground (601 N. Hamilton Pkwy.) during the upcoming renovation, allocating $10,000 from the Public Art Fund (Fund 215) to support the project; and authorize Staff to issue a Call for Artists in accordance with the Art in Public Places Policy seeking qualified muralists and potential design options suitable for the play space and children ages 2-5 years old The City Council approved the mural location, allocated the funds and authorized Staff to issue the Call for Artists.
G.6. Approve the Recreation, Cultural & Community Services Advisory (RCCS) Commission’s recommendation to approve the concrete retaining wall located at the Downtown Recreation Center and Pocket Park facility at 950 Seventh Street as Novato’s next mural location and support the proposed conceptual theme of Celebrating Unity & Diversity in partnership with the Marin County Youth Commission (MCYC)
The City Council approved the mural location and proposed conceptual theme.
G.7. Adopt a resolution amending the City of Novato Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget for Fiscal Year 2025/26 and direct the City Manager to take actions necessary to enact approved budget modifications
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-022.
G.8. Adopt a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget (Reso 2025-2055) in the amount of $55,000 and authorize the City Manager to execute related operating budget adjustments in order to make repairs to the Hamilton Field History Museum exterior walkways and site improvements
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar and placed at the end of General Business.
H. UNFINISHED AND OTHER BUSINESS
There were no items listed for this section.
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS
I.1. Hold a public hearing and consider introducing an ordinance adding Section 4-17 (Tenant Protections) to the Novato Municipal Code and finding the amendment to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378(b)(5). The Ordinance establishes local regulations related to residential tenancies, including provisions addressing tenancy termination standards, relocation assistance, notice requirements, and related tenant protections. The proposed ordinance is intended to implement and expand upon certain provisions of state law, including the Tenant Protection Act of 2019.
Mayor Rachel Farac and Councilmember Pat Eklund announced that they would be recusing themselves from this item due to real property that they owned and left the dais at 6:32 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Jacobs became chair, and Community Development Director Clare Hartman gave the presentation. Council discussion ensued on provisions of the ordinance.
The City Council took a recess from 7:55 p.m. to 8:05 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Charlotte Gonnella
2. Kayrn Kambur
3. Dina Stathis
4. Chuck Hildebrand
5. Rosa Santos
6. Craig Franklin
7. Bill Stewart
8. Jason Sarris
9. Manny LaCarrubba
10. Heidi Merchen
11. Alma Ibarra
12. Burt Hoffman
13. Michael Sexton
14. Elizabeth Stahl
15. Yenifer Villatoro
16. Jesus Partillo
17. Veronica Hernandez
18. Morena Castaneda
19. Freddy Lopez
20. Armando Ordoñez
21. Sueely Gramajo
22. Veronica Duarte
23. Ethan Strull
24. Jesus Guzman
25. Kina Schanon
26. Aurelia Vargas
27. J Glenn Pogue
28. Diego Celis
29. Amrantha Silva
30. Linda Lippstreu
31. Suzie Dershowitz
32. Lucie Hollingsworth
33. Julia Kiely
34. Florencia Parada
35. Vince Sheehan
36. Erik Schweninger
37. Ericka Erickson
38. Joselin Ordoñez
39. Velma Manzon
It was generally felt that ordinance should include the small operator exemption, which matches state law; the at-fault and owner move-in section should align with state law; the red tag and substantial renovation should include the exemptions in state law for natural disasters and the like; that a flat $250 per diem is reasonable, and if still displaced at 1-year a permanent relocation fee should be paid; that right of return needs to apply and should match state standards; and that no per diem was needed with withdrawal from the market, but a permanent relocation fee matching the red tag and substantial renovation should apply. It was also suggested that landlords and tenants should have the ability to negotiate terms outside of the ordinance and work directly with one another.
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember O’Connor and seconded by Councilmember Karkal, the City Council voted 3-0-2 via roll call to introduce the red lined ordinance with the following modifications:
include the small operator exemption, which matches state law; for the atfault section, no change for state laws as discussed, same with owner move-in; with regards to red-tagged and substantial renovation, state law defines no fault cause in these circumstances- that definition should apply here; regarding a per diem or displacement fees, a flat $250 per diem is reasonable, if still displaced at 1-year, then you have to pay a permanent relocation fee; that landlords and tenants have the ability to negotiate terms outside of the ordinance and work directly with one another; that the right of return needs to apply and in regards to right of return, match the current state standard as discussed; and regarding withdrawal from market, no per diem needed because the tenant is not continuing to pay rent, however the permanent relocation fee matching the red tag and substantial renovation should apply, with Mayor Farac and Councilmember Eklund recused.
AYES: KARKAL, O’CONNOR, JACOBS
NOES: NONE
RECUSED: EKLUND, FARAC
Motion carried. The City Council introduced Ordinance 1731.
The City Council took a brief recess at 9:48 p.m. and reconvened at 9:55 p.m., and Mayor Farac and Councilmember Eklund returned to the dais. Mayor Farac became chair.
I.2. McPhail’s Commercial Office Development
Master Plan Amendment; File No. MP2025-831
5400 Hanna Ranch Road; APNs 153-220-32, -34, -35, -36, -37, -38, -39, & -40; Conduct a public hearing to consider and:
(1) Adopt a resolution finding the proposed master plan amendment to be exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183; and
(2) Introduce an ordinance amending the McPhail’s Commercial Office Development Master Plan to modify the permitted and conditionally permitted land uses allowed at 5400 Hanna Ranch Road
Senior Planner Kaitlin Zitelli opened the item and introduced Casey Baxter who presented on behalf of the applicant.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Derek Knell
2. Dale Kline
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Councilmember O’Connor, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to adopt the resolution finding the proposed master plan amendment to be exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 and introduce the ordinance amending the McPhail’s Commercial Office Development Master Plan to modify the permitted and conditionally permitted land uses allowed at 5400 Hanna Ranch Road.
AYES: EKLUND, KARKAL, O’CONNOR, JACOBS, FARAC
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-023 and introduced Ordinance No. 1732.
J. GENERAL BUSINESS
J.1. Consider introducing an ordinance amending Novato Municipal Code provisions related to City Council compensation, increasing the monthly salary for Council members from $400 to $1,552, with the new rate to become effective after the next general municipal election in accordance with State law
Chief People Officer Eva Hilliard and Assistant City Manager Carla Hansen presented the item.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Derek Knell
It was suggested that the increase be made in increments instead of all at once, however it was generally felt that the increase should be approved as presented.
COUNCIL MOTION: Motion made by Councilmember Eklund to increase compensation to $800 per month and reconsider it in 2027.
Motion failed for lack of a second.
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember O’Connor and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs, the City Council voted 4-1 via roll call to introduce the ordinance amending Novato Municipal Code provisions related to City Council compensation, increasing the monthly salary for Council members from $400 to $1,552, with the new rate to become effective after the next general municipal election in accordance with State law, with Councilmember Eklund voting No.
AYES: KARKAL, O’CONNOR, JACOBS, FARAC
NOES: EKLUND
Motion carried. The City Council introduced Ordinance No. 1733.
ITEMS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
G.8. Adopt a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget (Reso 2025-2055) in the amount of $55,000 and authorize the City Manager to execute related operating budget adjustments in order to make repairs to the Hamilton Field History Museum exterior walkways and site improvements
Councilmember Eklund explained that she had pulled this item from the Consent Calendar because she felt more input was needed from the Hamilton Field History Museum on the proposal. She suggested tabling the item to a future meeting, to which the City Council agreed.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Councilmember O’Connor, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to postpone the item and bring it back to Council once there is a proposal that can be supported by all involved.
AYES: EKLUND, KARKAL, O’CONNOR, JACOBS, FARAC
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
E. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL & CITY MANAGER (moved to end) There were no reports.
M. ADJOURNMENT
At 10:31 p.m., the City Council adjourned the meeting in memory of Ken Valente.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and adopted at the Novato City Council regular meeting of April 14, 2026.
/Laura McDowall/
___________________
Laura McDowall, City Clerk