NOVATO CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
901 SHERMAN AVENUE
NOVATO, CA 94945
September 22, 2026 – 6:00 PM
A. CONVENE, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND ROLL CALL
The City Council meeting was called to order at 6:05 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 Bill Rose, Assistant City Manager Carla Hansen, Public Works Director Chris Benigni, Deputy Community Development Director Steve Marshall, Deputy Public Works Director Mahesh Yedluri, Economic Development Manager Katie Skjerping, Senior Civil Engineer Elisa Sarlatte, Sustainability Coordinator II Gretchen Schubeck, 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: Make It Home
Zoe Neil from Make It Home accepted the proclamation.
D. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
It was suggested that City Council and City Manager reports be moved to the end of the agenda, and City Manager Amy Cunnigham announced that item G.8 was being removed from the agenda and would return at a later date.
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs and seconded by Councilmember O’Connor, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to approve the Final Agenda with City Council and City Manager Reports moved to the end of the agenda and item G.8 removed.
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. Christina Mendes
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
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 Consent Calendar with item G.8 removed.
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 special meeting minutes of August 18, 2026 The City Council approved the special meeting minutes of 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 Agencies for Protection of Environment), and Section 15061(b)(3) (the Common Sense Exemption
The City Council adopted 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 The City Council adopted Ordinance 1735.
G.5. Adopt a resolution approving updates to the investment policy The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-092.
G.6. Adopt a resolution approving the investment policy for the combination Section 115 trust for pension and Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-093.
G.7. Adopt the City Council meeting schedule for 2027, holding a regular City Council meeting every second and fourth Tuesday with certain exceptions The City Council adopted the 2027 City Council Meeting Schedule.
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 amount not to exceed $413,760 and authorizing the City Manager to finalize and execute the contract
This item was removed from the agenda and would return at a later date.
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 The City Council approved the mural design and authorized staff to proceed.
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 The City Council took a position of support for the League of California Cities resolution.
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
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-094.
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 The City Council approved the program concept, endorsed the proposed utility box locations and authorized the funding allocation to support the program.
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 The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-095.
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 The City Council introduced Ordinance 1736.
H. UNFINISHED AND OTHER BUSINESS
There were no items listed for this section.
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS
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
Councilmember Karkal announced he would be recusing himself from this item due to his employment with the Novato Sanitary District and left the dais at 6:14 p.m.
Deputy Public Works Director Mahesh Yedluri presented the item along with Senior Civil Engineer Elisa Sarlatte. It was clarified that there was a clerical update to the resolution to change the date that the bid was advertised to July 21, 2026.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Steven Copeland
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember Eklund and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs, the City Council voted 4-0-1 via roll call to adopt the resolution denying the bid protest filed by Argonaut Constructors, Inc. and determining Team Ghilotti, Inc. to be the lowest responsive, responsible bidder with the clerical update, with Councilmember Karkal recused.
AYES: EKLUND, O’CONNOR, JACOBS, FARAC
NOES: NONE
RECUSED: KARKAL
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-096.
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Councilmember O’Connor and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs, the City Council voted 4-0-1 via roll call to adopt the 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, with Councilmember Karkal recused.
AYES: EKLUND, O’CONNOR, JACOBS, FARAC
NOES: NONE
RECUSED: KARKAL
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-097.
The City Council took a brief recess from 6:25 p.m. to 6:26 p.m.
Councilmember Karkal returned to the dais at 6:26 p.m.
J. GENERAL BUSINESS
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 Economic Development Manager Katie Skjerping presented the item and responded to Council question along with Garrett Grialou and Novato Chamber of Commerce CEO Christina Mendes.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs and seconded by Councilmember Karkal, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to adopt the resolution accepting the FY 2025-26 Annual Tourism Committee Report and FY 2026-27 Tourism Budget.
AYES: EKLUND, KARKAL, O’CONNOR, JACOBS, FARAC
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-098.
The City Council took a recess at 6:48 p.m. and returned at 6:54 p.m.
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
Economic Development Manager Katie Skjerping presented the item and responded to Council questions along with Aaron Ackman and Sabina Mora from Good City Company and Dena Belzer from Strategic Economics.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Denis Athas
2. Robert Sundberg
3. Susan Wernick
4. Daniel Christian
5. Sara Terklay
COUNCIL ACTION: Upon motion by Mayor Farac and seconded by Councilmember Eklund, the City Council voted 5-0 via roll call to adopt the resolution approving the Economic Development Strategic Plan.
AYES: EKLUND, KARKAL, O’CONNOR, JACOBS, FARAC
NOES: NONE
Motion carried. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-099.
The City Council took a recess at 8:05 p.m. and returned at 8:13 p.m.
J.3. Receive a presentation and consider filing the Climate Action Plan 2030 Annual Progress Report for Fiscal Year 2025-26
Assistant City Manager Bill Rose opened the item and Sustainability Coordinator II Gretchen Schubeck gave the presentation.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Jeremy Hoggan
2. Bob Brown
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
Public Works Director Chris Benigni presented the item and responded to Council questions. While appreciation was expressed for the discussion on the item, it was generally felt that the item should not move forward.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
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 discontinue work on this item at this time, with Councilmember Eklund voting No.
AYES: KARKAL, O’CONNOR, JACOBS, FARAC
NOES: EKLUND
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 the end of the agenda)
The City Council gave reports on meetings and events they had attended.
M. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:15 p.m. the City Council adjourned the meeting in memory of Virgina Miller and Anna Holyoak.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and adopted at the Novato City Council regular meeting of October 13, 2026. /Laura McDowall/
___________________
Laura McDowall, City Clerk