|
|
| Measure F - Novato Revenue Measure on November 2, 2010 Ballot | |
|
On July 27, the City Council unanimously approved placing a revenue measure on the November 2 ballot. While the City Council acknowledged that with the state of the economy it is a difficult time to bring forward a revenue measure, the Council felt strongly that a revenue measure is necessary in order to protect public services and the quality of life in Novato. At the meeting, the Chamber of Commerce endorsed the measure and members of the public expressed support.
Specifically, City of Novato voters will be asked to consider a ½ cent sales tax to maintain vital city services during these difficult economic times. If approved the measure will give Novato local control over local funds for local needs. Funds generated by the measure cannot be taken by Sacramento.
The City has already had to cut more than $6.5 million, almost 20 percent of the budget. In recent years, the City has eliminated over 51 full-time equivalent staff positions, negotiated salary concessions with all employees, implemented cost savings, and dramatically reduced services.
Although the City's budget has been balanced for this year, the cost for essential City services is expected to be greater than existing revenues for the next five years. With painful reductions already impacting services, there still remains a $1.4 million gap between revenue and expenses. Further cuts will result in an even greater deterioration of services.
A recent survey of community members indicated that Novato residents would support a temporary local finance measure for five years to maintain vital city services. To ensure public accountability, the City is committed to routine audits, an annual report and monitoring by a resident-based Citizen's Oversight Committee. Funding from the proposed sales tax measure would help the City maintain some priorities identified by the community as essential, including:
- Maintain rapid 911 emergency response times;
- Restore senior services and keep the Margaret Todd Senior Center open;
- Restore youth and teen crime prevention and gang intervention programs;
- Maintain neighborhood police patrols; and,
- Maintain city parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields and courts.
Over the next couple of months we will be providing more public information on the sales tax measure. For more information, please call the City Manager's Office at 899-8900. |
 In early July, PG&E began installing Smartmeters in Novato and the City started receiving questions about them.
PG&E is a public utility governed by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Cities and Counties do not have jurisdiction over PG&E. The CPUC approved PG&E's request to replace current analog meters with digital Smartmeters. The Smartmeter system is an energy management tool designed to reduce energy consumption by providing computerized information to energy users about their energy usage in real time and how usage and costs could be decreased by using energy at "off-peak" times. The system is considered to be an integral part of the State's "demand response" energy management SmartGrid.
In October 2009, in response to a high volume of rate payer complaints filed with the CPUC regarding billing accuracy, the CPUC ordered an independent investigation to evaluate the system. That investigation is currently on-going and is expected to be completed later this year. The CPUC did not order suspension of the deployment during the investigation.
PG&E is holding two Answer Center sessions in Novato in the lobby of 75 Rowland Way August 18, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, and August 19, 1:00 - 5:00 PM. Also, PG&E is planning a community workshop for Novato residents in early September.
The City Council will hear a brief presentation by PG&E at its upcoming August 24th Council meeting.
For additional information:  - Visit www.pge.com/smartmeter
- Call PG&E at 707-577-7097 or 866-743-0263
- Complaints? Call the CPUC at 800-649-7570
or 800-848-5580
|
|
DeLong Avenue Paving and Landscaping | |
 Work on the DeLong Avenue paving and landscaping project has been completed. The project included grinding DeLong Avenue between the freeway and Redwood Boulevard, repaving the roadway, striping, adding a second lane westbound between Reichert and Machin Avenues and adding landscaped medians. The repaving was funded mainly with Federal Stimulus grants and the rest of the project was required as part of Whole Foods development. Many thanks to everyone for their patience while construction was in progress. |
|
Traffic Delays on Novato Boulevard | |
 Traffic on Novato's busiest intersection, Novato Boulevard at Diablo Avenue, will be subject to delays from August 23 to September 3 while PG&E works on mandated replacement of aging copper gas lines. These lines must be replaced to ensure the safety of gas customers. One lane on Novato Boulevard between Diablo Avenue and 7th Street will be closed during the construction, forcing all traffic onto the remaining open lane. The work will be done Monday to Friday starting each day at 7:00 AM and continuing until 3:00 PM. The best advice is for everyone to avoid the area if at all possible and choose alternate routes during the construction. Julian Skinner, Senior Engineer, will be working with PG&E during the project. For more information, please call Julian at 899-8246. |
| New Provider for Margaret Todd Senior Center Nutrition Site | |
On July 7, 2010, Good Earth Natural Foods became the food provider at the nutrition site a the Margaret Todd Senior Center. All the food served is organic and locally grown, and the meals are prepared fresh daily. The positive response has been overwhelming. Participation has increased from an average of 25 per day to 35-45 per day, which is more than a 50% increase in participants in less than three weeks.
 Seniors 60+ must call Good Earth at 382-1334 by 4:00 p.m. the day before they plan to dine to make their reservations. Lunches are served on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday each week at noon for a suggested $2 donation. The program is made possible through the collaborative efforts of the City of Novato Independent Elders Program, Marin County Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, Marin County Commission on Aging, and grant funds provided from the Federal Older American Act to Good Earth Natural Foods. For more information on senior programs, please call Jillian Horton at 899-8290. |
| City Receives California Office of Traffic Safety Grants | |
 The City is constantly on the lookout for grants to enhance our services. Recently the Police Department submitted a grant application to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety Program. On June 22, 2010, we were notified that our application was successful and we would receive a grant of $135,000.
The Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety Grant includes funding for costs to provide:
- Bicycle Safety Rodeos
- Bicycle Safety School Presentations
- Bicycle Safety Community Events
The grant also includes equipment funding for:
- Radar/Message Trailer
- Bicycle Helmets
- Bicycle Rodeo Supplies
- Pole Mounted Radar
- Camera, Computer and other technology enhancements
For more information on the grant or the City's traffic safety program, please contact Sergeant Oliver Collins at 897-4361. |
|
Scottsdale Pond and Marsh FAQs | |
|
 Scottsdale Marsh and Pond are located on the west side of U.S. Highway 101 adjacent to the Rowland Boulevard Interchange. This freshwater wetland area is comprised of ±52 acres including the Pond which is ±10 acres. The marsh and pond provide habitat for many species of waterfowl, shorebirds and animals, and the site is an important resting point for migratory waterfowl on the Pacific Flyway Wildlife Corridor. The Pond and Marsh serve (human) residents as a passive recreation area.
In the early 1980s when Scottsdale Marsh was threatened with the development of a 360 unit condominium complex, the Scottsdale Marsh Acquisition Committee spearheaded a ballot initiative to set aside money from the General Fund to purchase the marsh. The ballot measure passed and the acquisition of the marsh was completed in 1995. In June 2000, with the assistance of a State grant, the City completed the restoration and enhancement of Scottsdale Marsh. Restoration and enhancement of Scottsdale Pond was completed in December 2003, and an interpretive gazebo, donated by local Rotary Clubs was added in 2004.
Can I fish in the Pond?
Yes. Anyone 16 years or older must obtain a valid California fishing license. Please take all hooks and debris with you when you are done fishing, to help us keep the pond safe for people and wildlife.
Can I recycle my fishing line and hooks?
Yes. Please use the white recycling bins for fishing line and hooks. The line is taken to WildCare in San Rafael, our local wildlife rehabilitation hospital. Please do not discard fishing line or hooks on the ground or in the water. These items can cause injury and death to the birds that visit the ponds. Please do not place any trash in the recycling bins. Trash cans are provided at the entrance to the pond.
Can I sail model boats in the Pond?
Yes. However, only model sail boats. Motorized model boats are not allowed. Model sailboats are permitted at Scottsdale Pond from July 1 - January 31, between 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. with a City permit.
 What birds and fish are at the Pond? You could see Pied-Billed Grebe, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Double-Crested Cormorant, Mallard, Canada Goose, Ring-Billed Gull and California Gull.
What fish are in the Pond?
Catfish, trout and carp can be found in Scottsdale Pond.
Can I canoe or kayak in the Pond?
No. You may periodically see someone in a boat in the pond, but that will be a City maintenance person, doing work in the pond.
Can I walk my dog at the Pond?
Yes, but as in all City parks, dogs must be on-leash at all times in order to protect wildlife. Please pick up all dog waste and deposit in the trash cans provided.
Can I feed the birds and ducks at the Pond?
No. Please do not feed the wildlife. Feeding the birds and ducks can promote the spread of disease, increase pollution in the pond, and cause the birds to become malnourished. Feeding the wildlife upsets the ecosystem.
Does algae grow in the Pond?
Yes. Scottsdale Pond experiences algae blooms resulting in algae growing rapidly and causing a reduction in the oxygen level in the pond making fish survival challenging. The City does not control the algae bloom or attempt to kill it, as it is a naturally occurring event at the pond. The algae bloom combined with low oxygen levels can make it difficult for fish to survive in late summer. City maintenance crews are quick to remove any dead fish when this does occur.
What is the pelican sculpture at the Pond?
The bronze and stone sculpture is called Omay, a Miwok word for pelican. To the native Miwok people, pelicans provided commerce, ornamentation and culture. The City commissioned Idaho artist, David Clemons, to sculpt and cast in bronze, a monumental pelican in flight. Omay's shape was created from smaller sculptures of the birds found in the Pond habitat. 
Scottsdale Marsh and Pond lie on a major gateway into Novato. Can groups put up temporary signs to advertise community events?
No. A condition in the State grant prohibits the area being used for any type of advertising, as the area is a wildlife area. The City strictly enforces this ban.
For more information, please call Kathy Kormos at 899-8200. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
CITY OF NOVATO
75 Rowland Way, #200 Novato, CA 94945-3232 415/899-8900
FAX 415/899-8213 www.cityofnovato.org
|
 In June the North Bay Business JournaI released its list of the County's 25 largest private sector employers. Two of the top five are located in Novato: #3 Fireman's Fund (950 employees) #5 BioMarin Pharmaceutical (700 employees)
Other Novato employers in the top 35 are: Brayton Purcell
(275 employees) Frank Howard Allen Realtors
(273 employees)
Costco (260 employees)
W. Bradley Electric(227 employees)
Novato Community Hospital (225 employees) Bank of Marin
(178 employees) |
|
Council Boards
& Committee Vacanies | |
|
Would you like to
Volunteer for a City
Commission, Board or Committee?
The City Council appoints members of the community to various commissions, boards or committees which provide input to the Council in many different areas.
If you are interested in serving on any of these groups, please check the City's website at www.cityofnovato.org for more details.
The current application deadline is August 27.
|
|
Update to the Novato Housing Element
City Manager Michael Frank has updated the community on the City's General Plan Housing Element.
As part of the City's ongoing effort to communicate regarding the Housing Element, the City Manager sent a second update letter to the community. The letter outlines what efforts staff has been undertaking and an update on the Hanna Ranch project.
To provide comments or questions, email us |
|
