NOVATO CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
901 SHERMAN AVENUE
NOVATO, CA 94945
August 25, 2026 – 6:00 PM
A. CONVENE, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND ROLL CALL
The City Council meeting was called to order at 6:08 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, Public Works Director Chris Benigni, Deputy Community Development Director Steve Marshall, Deputy Public Works Director Mahesh Yedluri, Senior Civil Engineer Elisa Sarlatte, Assistant Engineer Manijeh Larizadeh, Management Analyst I Stacey Hoggan and City Clerk Laura McDowall
STAFF PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: City Attorney Gary Bell 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. Presentation: July 4th Parade Grand Prize Trophy
Stacey Beltran and Louise Koenig from Marin Landscape Materials accepted the trophy.
D. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Karkal and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs, 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
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. Jeanne MacLeamy
2. Jeremy Hoggan
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Eklund announced she would be pulling items G.8 and G.9, and Mayor Farac announced she would be pulling item G.12 from the Consent Calendar to be placed under General Business.
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember O’Connor and seconded by Councilmember Karkal, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to approve the Consent Calendar with items G.8, G.9 and G.12 removed and placed under General Business.
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 closed session special meeting minutes of July 20, 2026 The City Council approved the minutes of July 20, 2026.
G.3. Approve the closed and open session meeting minutes of July 28, 2026 The City Council approved the minutes of July 28, 2026.
G.4. Receive and file the Investment Report for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 Quarter 4 The City Council received and filed the report.
G.5. Adopt a resolution approving the Economic Development Advisory Commission Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-083.
G.6. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to (1) award a three-year contract for $300,000 to DC Electric Group, Inc., for traffic signal and traffic infrastructure maintenance services in an amount not to exceed $100,000 per fiscal year, (2) negotiate and approve non-substantive terms, administrative provisions, and minor scope updates in consultation with the City Attorney, and (3) approve up to two one-year contract extensions contingent on budget approval by City Council each fiscal year The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-084.
G.7. Adopt a resolution approving the plans and specifications for the Scott House Renovations Project, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project No. 26-017, subject to final administrative revisions and approval by the City’s Building Division that do not materially alter the scope of the Project; authorizing advertisement for construction bids following final approval by the City’s Building Division; and finding the Project categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-085.
G.8. Adopt a resolution awarding a professional services agreement to KimleyHorn and Associates, Inc. for the North Redwood Boulevard and San Marin corridor studies in an amount not to exceed $692,399; authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement and approve amendments or additional services, as necessary, provided sufficient project funds are available and total project expenditures do not exceed the approved project budget of $818,000; and finding that approval of the professional services agreement is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15262
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar and placed under General Business.
G.9. Adopt a resolution ratifying Public Works Department's submission of an application for One Bay Area Grant (OBAG 4) County Program funding for the North Redwood Boulevard Corridor Study, authorizing acceptance of grant funds if awarded, and authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary grant agreements and related documents
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar and placed under General Business.
G.10. Adopt a resolution awarding a construction contract for the Hamilton Amphitheater Park Playground Improvements, CIP Project No. 26-004, to Treaty Construction, as the lowest responsible bidder, in the amount of $332,950 and authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to execute the construction contract and approve the contract changes within the authorized contingency
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-086.
G.11. Adopt a resolution approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute the City of Novato’s response to the June 16, 2026, Marin County Civil Grand Jury report entitled, “MCE, Marin Clean Energy: A Series of Missteps Highlight Need for Governance Changes”
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-087
G.12. Adopt a resolution awarding a construction contract for the Novato Boulevard Improvements Project (CIP Project No. 01-004) to Team Ghilotti, Inc. (Team Ghilotti) in the amount of $16,824,357.50 as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder; and authorizing the City Manager to execute the construction agreement and approve change orders within the authorized contingency; and approving an amendment to the FY2026/27 Capital Improvement Program budget in the amount of $16,824,357.50 This item was removed from the Consent Calendar and placed under 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 repealing and replacing Section 5-31 of Chapter 5 of the Novato Municipal Code (Flood Damage Prevention Requirements) in its entirety to include among other things a one-foot freeboard requirement to comply with the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS); and find that the action is categorically exempt from CEQA Guidelines Section 15307 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources), Section 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Environment), and Section 15061(b)(3) (the Common Sense Exemption) Public Works Director Chris Benigni opened the item and Assistant Engineer Manijeh Larizadeh gave the presentation.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Karkal and seconded by Councilmember O’Connor the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to introduce the ordinance repealing and replacing Section 5-31 of Chapter 5 of the Novato Municipal Code (Flood Damage Prevention Requirements) in its entirety to include among other things a one-foot freeboard requirement to comply with the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS); and find that the action is categorically exempt from CEQA Guidelines Section 15307 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources), Section 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Environment), and Section 15061(b)(3) AYES: EKLUND, KARKAL, O’CONNOR, JACOBS, FARAC
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council introduced Ordinance No. 1734.
I.2. Hold a public hearing and consider introducing an ordinance amending Novato Municipal Code (“NMC”) Chapter XIX (“Zoning Ordinance”) of the Novato Municipal Code (“NMC”) to modify the Division 19.08, Division 19.10, Division 19.12, Division 19.14, Section 19.16.070, Section 19.24.030, Section
19.34.031, Section 19.42.030, Section 19.42.060 and Section 19.60.020, and establish Division 19.29 and Section 19.34.028, and finding the amendments are not subject to further environmental review pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Guidelines Sections 15162, 15183, and 15061(b)(3)
Zoning Ordinance sections to be amended:
Division 08 (Agricultural and Resource Zoning Districts) Division 10 (Residential Zoning Districts)
Division 12 (Commercial/Industrial Zoning Districts)
Division 14 (Special Purpose Zoning Districts)
Section 16.070 (Affordable Housing Opportunity Overlay District) Section 24.030 (Number of Affordable Units)
Section 34.031 (Junior Accessory Dwelling Units)
Section 42.030 (Design Review)
Section 42.060 (Master Plans and Precise Development Plans) Section 60.020 (Definitions of Specialized Terms and Phrases) Zoning Ordinance sections to be added:
Division 29 (Transfer of Development Rights – Residential Density (TDR)
Section 34.028 (Housing Development Projects)
Senior Planners Vivek Damodaran and Brett Walker presented the item and responded to Council questions along with Deputy Community Development Director Steve Marshall.
Concerns were raised regarding adding Division 19.29, Transfer of Development Rights – Residential Density (TDR), which was contained in Exhibit B of the proposed ordinance. It was generally felt that this provision should be tabled for a future date, and the ordinance should be introduced with Exhibit B removed.
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember O’Connor and seconded by Councilmember the City Council voted 4-1 via roll call to introduce the ordinance with Exhibit A and exclude Exhibit B, with Councilmember Eklund voting No
AYES: KARKAL, O’CONNOR, JACOBS, FARAC
NOES: EKLUND
Motion carried. The City Council introduced Ordinance No. 1735.
J. GENERAL BUSINESS
J.1. Consider adopting a resolution approving the City Council Strategic Plan Framework for the Period July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029
City Manager Amy Cunningham opened the item and Management Analyst I Stacey Hoggan gave the presentation. It was clarified that this was the Strategic Plan Framework, and that a workplan would be brought to Council for approval at a future meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember O’Connor and seconded by Councilmember Karkal, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to adopt the resolution approving the City Council Strategic Plan Framework for the Period July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029
AYES: EKLUND, KARKAL, O’CONNOR, JACOBS, FARAC
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-088.
The City Council took a brief recess at 7:33 p.m. and returned at 7:40 p.m.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
G.8. Adopt a resolution awarding a professional services agreement to KimleyHorn and Associates, Inc. for the North Redwood Boulevard and San Marin corridor studies in an amount not to exceed $692,399; authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement and approve amendments or additional services, as necessary, provided sufficient project funds are available and total project expenditures do not exceed the approved project budget of $818,000; and finding that approval of the professional services agreement is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15262
Councilmember Eklund explained that she pulled this item to receive clarification on why these two streets had been selection, which was provided by Public Works Director Chris Benigni.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to adopt the resolution awarding a professional services agreement to Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for the North Redwood Boulevard and San Marin corridor studies in an amount not to exceed $692,399; authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement and approve amendments or additional services, as necessary, provided sufficient project funds are available and total project expenditures do not exceed the approved project budget of $818,000; and finding that approval of the professional services agreement is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15262
AYES: EKLUND, KARKAL, O’CONNOR, JACOBS, FARAC
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-089.
G.9. Adopt a resolution ratifying Public Works Department's submission of an application for One Bay Area Grant (OBAG 4) County Program funding for the North Redwood Boulevard Corridor Study, authorizing acceptance of grant funds if awarded, and authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary grant agreements and related documents
Councilmember Eklund stated that she had pulled this item in error.
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 adopt the resolution ratifying Public Works Department's submission of an application for One Bay Area Grant (OBAG 4) County Program funding for the North Redwood Boulevard Corridor Study, authorizing acceptance of grant funds if awarded, and authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary grant agreements and related documents
AYES: EKLUND, KARKAL, O’CONNOR, JACOBS, FARAC
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-090.
G.12. Adopt a resolution awarding a construction contract for the Novato Boulevard Improvements Project (CIP Project No. 01-004) to Team Ghilotti, Inc. (Team Ghilotti) in the amount of $16,824,357.50 as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder; and authorizing the City Manager to execute the construction agreement and approve change orders within the authorized contingency; and approving an amendment to the FY2026/27 Capital Improvement Program budget in the amount of $16,824,357.50 Councilmember Sandeep Karkal announced he would be recusing himself from this item due to his employment at the Novato Sanitary District and left the dais at 7:49 p.m.
Public Works Director Benigni presented the item and responded to Council questions along with Deputy Public Works Director Mahesh Yedluri and Senior Civil Engineer Elisa Sarlatte. It was explained that a bid protest had been received, and that approval of the item was subject to resolution of that protest.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs and seconded by Councilmember O’Connor, the City Council voted 4-0-1 via roll call to adopt a resolution awarding a construction contract for the Novato Boulevard Improvements Project (CIP Project No. 01-004) to Team Ghilotti, Inc. (Team Ghilotti) in the amount of $16,824,357.50 as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder; and authorizing the City Manager to execute the construction agreement and approve change orders within the authorized contingency; and approving an amendment to the FY2026/27 Capital Improvement Program budget in the amount of $16,824,357.50, subject to resolution of the bid protest, with Councilmember Karkal recused AYES: EKLUND, O’CONNOR, JACOBS, FARAC
NOES: NONE
RECUSED: KARKAL
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-091.
Councilmember Karkal returned to the dais at 8:15 p.m.
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 8:15 p.m., the City Council adjourned the meeting in memory of Mary Colleen Murphy and her dog.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and adopted at the Novato City Council regular meeting of October 13, 2026. /Laura McDowall/
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Laura McDowall, City Clerk