Page | 1 Phone No. (415) 899-8900
novato.org Fax No. (415) 899-8213
City Council
Agenda
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 - 6:00 PM
901 SHERMAN AVENUE
NOVATO, CA 94945
and
TELECONFERENCE
Mayor
Rachel Farac
Mayor Pro Tempore
Kevin Jacobs
Councilmembers
Pat Eklund
Tim O’Connor
Sandeep Karkal
City Manager
Amy Cummingham
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.
Supplemental Materials
Public Participation/Comment Instructions
Members of the Public may participate and provide public comments to teleconference meetings 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.
Page | 2 Phone No. (415) 899-8900
novato.org Fax No. (415) 899-8213
• In-person public comments may be made at the meeting, which are held in the Novato City Council Chambers located at 901 Sherman Avenue.
• Remote public comments will be accepted through the Zoom meeting platform and via telephone.
To address the Council orally, please read and follow the following instructions carefully:
1. Join the meeting at: https://bit.ly/4eW9VDG
or
Join at Zoom.com
Meeting ID: 892 9709 1245
Password: 1960
Should the links above not work, please go to www.novato.gov/agendas for updated information a. You will be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you when it is your turn to speak. b. When the Mayor calls for public comment on the item on which you wish to speak, please use the “Raise Hand” feature by clicking on the hand icon at the bottom of your screen to notify the Host that you would like to speak.
c. The Host will unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified when it is their turn to speak. d. When called upon, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted by the Mayor or as specified on the agenda. Speakers will be muted when their time is up.
2. Join the meeting via telephone by calling (646) 558- 8656.
Meeting ID: 892 9709 1245
Password: 1960
a. When the Mayor calls for public comment on the item on which you wish to speak, press *9 to activate the “Raise Hand” feature to notify the Host that you would like to speak. b. The Host will unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified when it is their turn to speak. c. When called upon, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted by the Mayor or as specified on the agenda. Speakers will be muted when their time is up.
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 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
Closed Captions
Page | 3 Phone No. (415) 899-8900
novato.org Fax No. (415) 899-8213
Live closed captions are available. To access closed captions during the meeting, click on the CC icon available through Zoom.
A. CONVENE, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND ROLL CALL
B. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
C. CEREMONIAL MATTERS/PRESENTATIONS
C.1. Proclamation: Carla Carvalho-DeGraff
Carla Carvalho-DeGraff GFOA Award
C.2. Proclamation: Parks and Recreation Month
July Parks and Recreation Month
C.3. Presentation: Utility Box Art
Presentation
D. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
E. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL & CITY MANAGER
E.1. Councilmember Eklund Proposed Agenda Item: Consider sending a comment letter and a request to extend the public comment period for the Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the proposed Buck Gulch Falls Creek Restoration and Trail Improvement Project in the Ignacio Valley Open Space Preserve at the end of Fairway Drive
Eklund Proposed Agenda Item
E.2. 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 two-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 acted upon 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.
Page | 4 Phone No. (415) 899-8900
novato.org Fax No. (415) 899-8213
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 City Council meeting minutes of June 23, 2026 Staff contact: Laura McDowall, City Clerk, 899-8986
Minutes - June 23, 2026
G.3. Receive and file the list of upcoming and to be determined City Council agenda items for the second quarter of 2026
-Staff contact: Laura McDowall, City Clerk, 899-8902
Staff Report - Second Quarter Agenda Item Review
Attachment 1 - Tentative Agenda Item and TBD List
G.4. Adopt a resolution calling and giving notice of by-district elections for City Councilmember Districts 2, 4 and 5 in the General Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2026, requesting the Marin County Board of Supervisors to consolidate the election with any other election, and requesting election services by the Marin County Elections Department Staff contact: Laura McDowall, City Clerk, 899-8900
Staff Report - Election Consolidation
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
G.5. Receive and file the City of Novato’s Fiscal Year 2025/26 fourth quarter (April – June 2026) payment register report
Staff contact: Polo Lopez-Carrasco, Accountant II, 899-8900 Staff Report - Fourth Quarter Payment Register
Attachment 1 - Fourth Quarter Payment Register
G.6. Adopt a resolution to (1) authorize the Mayor to execute the Third Amendment to the 2020 Cooperation Agreement with the County of Marin for the administration of the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Programs; (2) authorize the Mayor to submit an updated HUD Form 424-B certifying the City's compliance with applicable federal laws; and (3) acknowledge that the Mayor signed and submitted a letter to the County of Marin on June 29, 2026, reaffirming the City's decision to defer its designation as a "metropolitan city"
Staff contact: Bill Rose, Assistant City Manager, 899-8900 Staff Report - Cooperation Agreement Amendment
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution with Exhibit A
Attachment 2 - HUD Form 424-B
Attachment 3 - Letter Reaffirming Metropolitan City Deferral G.7. Adopt a resolution approving an updated City of Novato salary schedule based on negotiated terms agreed upon during the 2025 labor negotiations and corresponding salary schedule
Staff contact: Greg Canfield, Human Resources Analyst, 899-8900 Staff Report - Updated Salary Schedule
Page | 5 Phone No. (415) 899-8900
novato.org Fax No. (415) 899-8213
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - Updated Salary Schedule
G.8. Adopt a resolution approving the City Council Strategic Plan for the Period July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029
Staff contact: Amy Cunningham, City Manager, 899-8900
Staff Report - City Council Strategic Plan
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - Draft City Council Strategic Plan 2026 - 2029 G.9. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to request that the Governor of California nominate all eligible Novato census tracts for Opportunity Zone 2.0 status
Staff contact: Katie Skjerping, Economic Development Manager, 899-8900 Staff Report - Opportunity Zones
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
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. Hold a public hearing and consider adopting the proposed resolution confirming the diagram and assessment roll for the Hillside Park Unit 4 Landscape Assessment District as set forth in the annual Engineer’s Report and thereby levy the assessment as set forth therein for Fiscal Year 2026/27 CEQA: Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Existing Facilities
Staff contact: Cindy Chong, Public Works Administrative Manager, 899-8946 Staff Report - Hillside Park LAD Assessment
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - Signed Resolution of Intention
Attachment 3 - Engineer's Report
Presentation I.1 – I.4
I.2. Hold a public hearing and consider adopting the proposed resolution confirming the diagram and assessment roll for the Wildwood Glen Landscaping District C-91 as set forth in the annual Engineer’s Report and thereby levy the assessment as set forth therein for Fiscal Year 2026/27 CEQA: Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Existing Facilities
Staff contact: Cindy Chong, Public Works Administrative Manager, 899-8946 Staff Report - Wildwood Glen LAD Assessment
Page | 6 Phone No. (415) 899-8900
novato.org Fax No. (415) 899-8213
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - Signed Resolution of Intention
Attachment 3 - Engineer's Report
I.3. Hold a public hearing and consider adopting the proposed resolution confirming the diagram and assessment roll as set forth in the annual Engineer’s Report for the San Pablo Subdivision Landscape District A-03 and thereby levy the assessment as set forth therein for Fiscal Year 2026/27 CEQA: Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Existing Facilities
Staff contact: Cindy Chong, Public Works Administrative Manager, 899-8946 Staff Report - San Pablo LAD Assessment
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - Signed Resolution of Intention
Attachment 3 - Engineer's Report
I.4. Hold a public hearing and consider adopting the proposed resolution confirming the diagram and assessment roll as set forth in the annual Engineer’s Report for the San Marin Landscaping Assessment District A-81 and thereby levy the assessment as set forth therein for Fiscal Year 2026/27 CEQA: Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Existing Facilities
Staff contact: Cindy Chong, Public Works Administrative Manager, 899-8946 Staff Report - San Marin LAD Assessment
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - Signed Resolution of Intention
Attachment 3 - Engineer's Report
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. Receive a presentation on the Hamilton Amphitheater Park Playground Improvements Project, Project No. 26-004; review the recommendations provided by the Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Advisory Commission on the proposed playground design and play equipment for Hamilton Amphitheater Neighborhood Park, located at 601 N. Hamilton Parkway and adopt a resolution (1) approving the Proposed Playground Design; (2) approving the plans and specifications; (3) authorizing staff to finalize the specifications and advertise the project for construction bids; and (4) finding the project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Existing Facilities
Staff contact: Chris Benigni, Public Works Director, 899-8900 Staff Report - Hamilton Amphitheater Park Playground Improvements Attachment 1 - Online Engagement Survey Results
Attachment 2 - Rendering of Proposed Play Structure & Swing Set Attachment 3 - Options for Potential Third Play Element Page | 7 Phone No. (415) 899-8900
novato.org Fax No. (415) 899-8213
Attachment 4 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 5 - Project Plan
Attachment 6 - Draft Notice of Exemption
Presentation
J.2. Consider adopting a resolution to rename Hamilton Amphitheater Park to Mark J. Milberg Community Park in honor of former Mayor and Councilmember Mark J. Milberg
Staff contact: Katie Gauntlett, PRCS Director, 899-8900 Staff Report - Renaming Hamilton Amphitheater Park
Attachment 1 - Community Facilities Naming Policy 5.11
Attachment 2 - Draft Resolution
Presentation
J.3. Consider and possibly take action to designate a voting representative and up to two alternate voting representatives for the League of California Cities Annual Conference General Assembly
Staff contact: Laura McDowall, City Clerk, 899-8900
Staff Report - Cal Cities Voting Delegate
Attachment 1 - Cal Cities Voting Delegate Packet
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
There are no agenda items.
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 July 14, 2026, 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.gov.
/Laura McDowall/
Laura McDowall, City Clerk