NOVATO CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
922 MACHIN AVENUE
NOVATO, CA 94945
August 18, 2026 – 5:30 PM
A. CONVENE, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND ROLL CALL
The City Council meeting was called to order at 5:29 p.m.
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, City Attorney Gary Bell and City Clerk Laura McDowall
B. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
The City Council met in Closed Session upon adjournment of the Open 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 Jacobs and seconded by Councilmember Eklund, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to approve the Final Agenda.
AYES: EKLUND, KARKAL, O’CONNOR, JACOBS, FARAC
NOES: NONE
Motion carried.
E. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL & CITY MANAGER
There were no reports.
F. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no items listed for this section.
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. Take action to either:
1. Adopt a resolution appointing nominee Sandeep Karkal to the District 5 City Council seat; or
2. Continue to hold the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election for the District 5 seat, as called
City Clerk Laura McDowall presented the item, and it was generally felt that Sandeep Karkal should be appointed to the District 5 seat in lieu of holding the election.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember O’Connor and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to adopt a resolution appointing nominee Sandeep Karkal to the District 5 City Council seat.
AYES: EKLUND, KARKAL, O’CONNOR, JACOBS, FARAC
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-082.
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
The City Council adjourned the meeting at 5:34 p.m.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and adopted at the Novato City Council regular meeting of September 22, 2026. /Laura McDowall/
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Laura McDowall, City Clerk