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City Council
Agenda
Tuesday, September 22, 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 Cunningham
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 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. • In-person public comments may be made at the meeting, which are held in the Novato City Council Chambers located at 901 Sherman Avenue.
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• 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/4y3tOzK
or
Join at Zoom.com
Meeting ID: 871 1315 3560
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: 871 1315 3560
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
Live closed captions are available. To access closed captions during the meeting, click on the CC icon available through Zoom.
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A. CONVENE, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND ROLL CALL
B. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
C. CEREMONIAL MATTERS/PRESENTATIONS
C.1. Proclamation: Make It Home
Make It Home Bay Area
D. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
E. 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.
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 special meeting minutes of August 18, 2026 Staff contact: Laura McDowall, City Clerk, 899-8986
Minutes - August 18, 2026
G.3. Adopt ordinance 1734 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 Page | 4 Phone No. (415) 899-8900
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Agencies for Protection of Environment), and Section 15061(b)(3) (the Common Sense Exemption
Staff contact: Terri Brown, Assistant City Clerk, 899-8900 Staff Report - Ordinance 1734 Adoption
Attachment 1 - Ordinance 1734
G.4. Adopt ordinance 1735 amending Novato Municipal Code Chapter XIX (Zoning; “Zoning Ordinance”) to implement table GP-3 “Land Use Categories” of General Plan 2035, implement programs 3.D, 3.E and 3.I of the 6th Cycle Housing Element, including the establishment of section
19.34.028 specifying permit processing procedures for certain housing development projects, and reorganize, correct, and clarify existing sections of the Zoning Ordinance 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)in provisions of state law, including the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 Staff contact: Terri Brown, Assistant City Clerk, 899-8900 Staff Report - Ordinance 1735 Adoption
Attachment 1 - Ordinance 1735
G.5. Adopt a resolution approving updates to the investment policy Staff contact: Giuliana Custode, Senior Accountant, 899-8900 Staff Report - Investment Policy Update
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - Memo from PFMAM
Attachment 3 - Draft Investment Policy - Clean Version
Attachment 4 - Draft Investment Policy - Redline Version G.6. Adopt a resolution approving the investment policy for the combination Section 115 trust for pension and Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) Staff contact: Carla Carvalho-DeGraff, Finance Director, 899-8900 Staff Report - Investment Policy - 115 Trust
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - Draft Policy
G.7. Adopt the City Council meeting schedule for 2027, holding a regular City Council meeting every second and fourth Tuesday with certain exceptions Staff contact: Laura McDowall, City Clerk, 899-8900
Staff Report - City Council 2027 Meeting Schedule
Attachment 1 - Proposed 2027 City Council Meeting Schedule Attachment 2 - Resolution 2018-006
G.8. Adopt a resolution awarding the construction contract for the removal and replacement of existing wooden streetlight poles project (CIP Project No. 23- 003), to DC Electric Group, Inc., as the lowest responsible bidder in an Page | 5 Phone No. (415) 899-8900
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amount not to exceed $413,760 and authorizing the City Manager to finalize and execute the contract
Staff contact: Ali Iqbal, Senior Civil Engineer, 899-8246 Staff Report - Wooden Streetlight Replacement
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - Draft Agreement
Attachment 3 - Bid Abstract
Attachment 4 - Location Map
Attachment 5 - Budget Excerpt
Attachment 6 - Outreach Flyer for Pacheco Valle
Attachment 7 - Outreach Flyer for Parkhaven
G.9. Approve the mural design submitted by artist Lynsey Vera for installation at the Hamilton Amphitheater Park Playground, 601 N. Hamilton Parkway, soon to be known as Mark J. Milberg Community Park, as recommended by the Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Advisory Commission (RCCS), and authorize Staff to proceed with final design coordination and installation in accordance with the City’s Art in Public Places Policy Staff contact: Katie Gauntlett, PRCS Director, 899-8900 Staff Report - Hamilton Amphitheater Park Mural
Attachment 1 - Art in Public Places Policy 5.13
Attachment 2 - Call for Artists Program Information
Attachment 3 - Recommended Design by Lynsey Vera
Attachment 4 - Submitted Mural Designs
G.10. Take a position of support for the League of California Cities resolution calling for a working group to consider a state constitutional amendment or other form of initiative to ensure final local authority over housing and land use decisions, to be voted on by Mayor Farac as the voting delegate, or Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs as the alternate voting delegate, at the Annual Conference Business Meeting to be held on September 25, 2026 Staff contact: Laura McDowall, City Clerk, 899-8900
Staff Report - Cal Cities Conference Resolution
Attachment 1 - Resolution Packet
G.11. Adopt a resolution authorizing staff to apply for an Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program grant from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation in an amount up to $1,200,000 and, if awarded, authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents required to accept and administer the grant, subject to review and approval as to form by the City Attorney
Staff contact: Gretchen Schubeck, Sustainability Coordinator II, 899-8900 Staff Report - Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program Grant Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - Notice of Funding Availability
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G.12. Approve the 2026-2027 Utility Box Art Program concept with the continuing 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 Staff contact: Drew Bendickson, Community Services Division Manager, 899-8900 Staff Report - Utility Box Art Locations
Attachment 1 - Art in Public Places Policy 5.13
Attachment 2 - Application Materials
Attachment 3 - Program Guidelines
Attachment 4 - Proposed Utility Box Locations
G.13. Adopt a resolution supporting The Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 (Proposition 1), which authorizes $11.25 billion in state general obligation bonds to fund several housing affordability programs which would provide additional affordable housing opportunities, which aligns with the City of Novato’s adopted 2023-2031 Housing Element Staff contact: Katie Hawn, Principal Management Analyst, 899-8900 Staff Report - Proposition 1 Support
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
G.14. Introduce an ordinance repealing and reenacting Appendix A to Section 2-
22.1 of the Novato Municipal Code relating to the Conflict-of-Interest Code, to add, delete or change specific employee position titles Staff contact: Laura McDowall, City Clerk, 899-8900
Staff Report - Conflict of Interest Code Update
Attachment 1 - Draft Ordinance
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 a resolution denying the bid protest filed by Argonaut Constructors, Inc. and determining Team Ghilotti, Inc. to be the lowest responsive, responsible bidder; and, adopt a separate resolution (1) repealing Resolution No. 2026-091 (2) awarding the construction contract for the Novato Boulevard Improvements Project (CIP 01-004) to Team Ghilotti, Inc. in the amount of $16,824,358; (3) authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to execute the construction agreement and approve change orders within the authorized contingency and project budget; and (4) approving an amendment to the FY 2026/27 Capital Improvement Program budget in the amount of $7,500,000
Staff contact: Elisa Sarlatte, Senior Civil Engineer, 899-8246 Staff Report - Novato Blvd Bid Protest
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Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution - Bid Protest Denial
Attachment 2 - Draft Resolution - Construction Contract Attachment 3 - Argonaut Constructors Bid Protest
Attachment 4 - Team Ghilotti Response to Bid Protest
Attachment 5 - Team Ghilotti Letter
Attachment 6 - City Response to Argonaut
Attachment 7 - Bid Abstract
Attachment 8 - Vicinity Map
Attachment 9 - Construction Agreement
Attachment 10 - Cost Sharing Agreement with NSD
Attachment 11 - NSD Board meeting minutes, August 21, 2026 Attachment 12 - Cost Sharing Agreement with NMWD
Attachment 13 - NMWD Draft Board Meeting Minutes, August 27, 2026 Attachment 14 - NMWD Special Meeting Agenda, August 27, 2026 Presentation
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 the Novato Chamber of Commerce’s annual report on tourism activities and consider adopting a resolution accepting the FY 2025-26 Annual Tourism Committee Report and FY 2026-27 Tourism Budget Staff contact: Katie Skjerping, Economic Development Manager, 899-8900 Staff Report - Annual Tourism Committee Report
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - Tourism Committee Report
Presentation
J.2. Receive a presentation and consider adopting a resolution approving the Economic Development Strategic Plan, a ten-year roadmap to strengthen Novato’s economy and advance the City Council’s 2026–2029 Economic Vitality goal
Staff contact: Katie Skjerping, Economic Development Manager, 899-8900 Staff Report - Economic Development Strategic Plan
Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 - Economic Development Strategic Plan
Attachment 3 - Appendix A - Zoning Recommendations
Attachment 4 - Appendix B - Existing Conditions
Attachment 5 - Appendix C - Community Engagement
Presentation
J.3. Receive a presentation and consider filing the Climate Action Plan 2030 Annual Progress Report for Fiscal Year 2025-26
Staff contact: Gretchen Schubeck, Sustainability Coordinator II, 899-8900 Staff Report - Climate Action Plan Progress Report
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Attachment 1 - Climate Action Plan Progress Report
Presentation
J.4. Receive a presentation regarding permitting solutions for subdivisions created prior to the incorporation of the City of Novato, discuss policy options, and provide staff direction on how to resolve right of way and setback constraints for homeowners
Staff contact: Christopher Benigni, Public Works Director, 899-8246 Staff Report - Right of Way Adjustments
Attachment 1 - Councilmember Eklund Proposed Agenda Item Attachment 2 - Nave Gardens Subdivision Map
Presentation
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
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 September 22, 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