For over 30 years, the City has looked at various scenarios to construct or purchase a building for City staff. Prior to January 2005, city staff was located in numerous small houses in the downtown that were determined not safe for occupancy. Since that time, the City has leased space at 75 Rowland Way for over $650,000 per year. Since the City's lease will expire in September 2013, the Council directed staff to look for a permanent location. The City analyzed over 20 properties (both existing buildings and vacant land) located throughout Novato. After much research and analysis, the research narrowed the recommended choices to the purchase of a relatively new concrete and steel frame 'Class A' building, construction of a new building downtown on the Civic Center location off Machin Avenue, or the construction of a 'Build to Suit' office building on a site currently entitled for an office building. For the last few months, the City conducted a feasibility analysis to determine the implications and parameters of a permanent office building being constructed downtown.

Based on this information, on May 10th, the Novato City Council voted 5-0 to move forward and construct a permanent City office building in downtown across the street from the Police Department on Machin Street. The Council directed staff to initiate a process to hire an architectural firm and directed the City Manager to hire a project manager. As a governmental agency with long term operations, the City Council determined that it is more financially prudent to own an office building than to lease. The elimination of lease payments is a critical part of the City's strategy to become more financially sound by reducing the structural deficit. Fortunately, the City has one-time financial resources from monies recently paid to the General Fund from the Redevelopment Agency that can be used to purchase or build a permanent office building for City staff. The City will be moving forward quickly on this project in order to spend 85% of the bond funds within three years and to complete the construction before the end of the lease at 75 Rowland. For more information as this project moves forward, please watch the City Offices web page.

As the community is aware, the City's financial condition has been impacted dramatically by the recession and ongoing budget deficit issues. On April 19th and May 2nd, the City Council held two budget work sessions to begin discussions on the City's 2011-2012 operating budget. Sadly, revenues (property taxes, investment income, and private development projects) continue to decline, however sales tax receipts are seeing a slight increase as the economy begins to slowly recover.

For the Operating Budget for FY 11/12, the City Council already made many of the difficult reduction decisions last year when it approved two years of budget reductions totaling $4 million. Approximately $2.4 million in cuts have been implemented in the current fiscal year. The remaining $1.6 million in reductions are slated to take effect on July 1, 2011. Fortunately, the residents of Novato approved Measure F, a temporary ½ cent sales tax, which provides funds to prevent more cuts, funding for key priorities, and allows the City time to move towards fiscal sustainability in a strategic and paced manner.

The City Manager's budget recommendations does include a few staff changes in order to give more time to implement reductions as we plan for the future, these include: (1) deferring the elimination of two Maintenance Worker positions for one year, (2) deferring the elimination of a front Receptionist position for one year, and (3) creating a part-time School Liaison Officer. The School Liaison Officer will work collaboratively with the City and Novato Unified School District in order to look at best practices, models from other agencies, and an overall needs assessment. The goal is to develop a program that is financial sustainable in the long run and that will have strong impacts for our youth and community. The City understands that there is strong community interest in adding back the School Resource Officer program.  Two School Resource Officer positions were recently eliminated as part of the deficit reduction effort for a total of $250,000 per year. The School Resource Officer program may ultimately be part of the solution, but additional research and discussion need to be considered within the City's fiscal sustainability efforts.

Capital Improvement Program Budget:
The Council continued its discussion of the 2011-2012 budget on May 2 when it received a presentation on the proposed capital improvement program (CIP) budget. There is approximately $24.9 million in funds available for capital projects in the 2011-2012 fiscal year. These are one-time funds that are specialized and are utilized for capital investments. These funds are not available to fund ongoing operations, like enhancing the Police or park maintenance staffing. Below are some of the key projects.

• Build a joint-use gymnasium (replacing the City's existing gym) at the Hamilton school in partnership with the Novato Unified School District.
• Construction of new City offices building in downtown.
• Build six electrical vehicle charging stations in the community.
• Construct a Commuter Bike Connection which will create a Class I multi-use pathway between South Novato Boulevard and Enfrente Road.
• Deck resurfacing of Atherton Avenue / US 101 Overcrossing Bridge.

The City is fortunate to have a number of funding sources for street maintenance. For instance, the City receives funds through Measure A, a County-wide transportation sales tax approved by the voters in 2004 and Measure B, a City-wide general obligation bond for streets, drains and sidewalk improvements passed by the voters in 2000. However, the great majority of Measure B funds need to be spent by March 2012 according to the bond proceeds requirements. There is no such restriction on Measure A funds or Gas Tax funding.

Unfortunately, there are four final City projects that were initially planned for Measure B that will not be able to be completed by the March 2012. These projects have been stalled due to a need to coordinate with other capital projects (like the construction of new city offices downtown) or due to private development activity not occurring as soon as planned. In a unique set of circumstances, staff is recommending shifting a portion of the Measure B funding with Measure A and Gas Tax funding to ensure that the promised street maintenance projects are completed and that all Measure B funding is fully utilized. It is important to state that all projects will be completed, though the timing has shifted for construction. Below is a table showing the funding swaps that staff is recommending for this year's CIP budget. A brief description of each project has also been provided for better clarification.

Olive Avenue Improvements - This project will resurface Olive Avenue from Redwood Boulevard to Railroad Avenue and has been delayed to coordinate with frontage improvements associated with the Trader Joe's development and a utility undergrounding project.

Rush Creek Drainage - Flooding in the downtown caused by lack of capacity along Rush Creek resulted in this project being placed within Measure B. Staff has completed the design and negotiated with SMART to include it as part of their Initial Operating Segment construction. This collaboration should provide a cost benefit to Novato.

Sherman Avenue / Cain Lane - These streets are in need of basic reconstruction and rehabilitation. Work has been delayed to allow Council time to consider and adopt a master plan for the Civic Center Area.

Redwood Boulevard / Golden Gate Place - This included roadway rehabilitation of Redwood Boulevard from Olive Avenue to Golden Gate Place and the City owned segment of Golden Gate Place. This project was removed from the Measure B list due to uncertainties associated with the North Redwood Corridor Plan.

Slurry Seal 1 - Measure B identified that any unused funds would be programmed to rehabilitate streets that were completed with Measure B funds early in the rehabilitation program. Staff has evaluated these streets and concluded that none require additional work at this time. This project has been determined unnecessary at this time.

Thus, City staff recommended that Measure A or Gas Tax funding be substituted for Measure B funds in order to complete the projects and adhere to the requirements of Measure B. Individual Councilmembers expressed concern about the transfer proposal, but also understood the need for the funding shift. The Council asked staff to actively reach out to individuals and property owners regarding the fund shift to explain this proposal. More information will be available on the City's website and letters are being sent to affected property owners with more detailed information.

The Council will further review the budget at a public hearing scheduled for June 14th and final approval on June 28th. The community can access information on the City budget on the City's website.

The passage of Measure F by the voters last November was an important action to prevent further reductions in staff and service levels. However, the sales tax increase is temporary and expires in five years. Projections demonstrate that the City still faces over a $3 million deficit in the first year after Measure F expires.

This summer, the City Council will begin discussions on additional actions needed to ensure the City's long-term fiscal sustainability. These discussions will look at the efficiency of City operations, employee compensation, revenue alternatives and other options as part of a comprehensive plan to achieve fiscal sustainability. 
If you would like to stay informed of these conversations and other City budget issues, please sign up for the City's "Budget Update" E-notification list here.

Since the publication of the last issue of Our Town, the City Council has been busy and has met either in regular or special session 10 times! Below are brief summaries of those meetings.

You can always check agendas and minutes of the meetings, along with the video footage, by visiting our website and clicking on the links.

March 1, 2011 - the Council met in joint session with the Redevelopment Agency to receive an update on the potential elimination of Redevelopment Agencies and to execute promissory notes assigning funds from the Agency to the City.

March 8, 2011 - For the joint meeting of the Council, Redevelopment Agency, Novato Finance Authority and Novato Public Financing Authority, the main order of business was to transfer real and personal properties from the various authorities to the City, in a further effort to protect the City's assets from being taken away by the Governor's potential actions.

March 22, 2011 - Council performed some ceremonial matters including honoring Police Volunteer Bill Megidovich, and then adopted the consent calendar. Council conducted a public hearing to adopt the recommendations for Community Development Block Grant funding and also approved the issuance of Redevelopment Agency Hamilton Field Redevelopment Project Tax Allocation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $17 million.

March 29, 2011 - The Council held a brief meeting to make appointments to the Measure F Oversight/Citizens Finance Committee.

April 5, 2011 - Council met in a work study session to receive a report on crime trends and multi-family housing from the Chief of Police, and heard presentations on best practices in multi-family housing management.

April 12, 2011 - Council held a regular session and approved amending the City's graffiti ordinance to shorten the response time required for clean-up of graffiti vandalism on private property. Council also approved sending a letter of support to Assemblymember Jared Huffman on his measure related to housing element law, and received a report on potential design schemes and exterior treatments for City administrative offices.

April 19, 2011 - The Council took its show on the road, meeting at Hamilton Community Center for a budget work session to receive reports from City Departments on their proposed FY 2011-12 General Fund/Redevelopment operating budgets and to allow the Council and the public to ask questions. After a long evening filled with good information about the past year's accomplishments and goals for the upcoming year, the Council continued the conversation to May 2nd.

April 26, 2011 - The Council recognized Christopher Green for his heroic act of saving a young boy from drowning in a pond near his home. Council also proclaimed April as Alcohol Awareness Month and then approved the consent calendar. As there being no other business on the agenda, there was an early end to the meeting.

May 2, 2011 - Council completed its questions and comments on the FY 11-12 operating budget, and then moved on to consider the Capital Improvement Program budget, for which the Public Works and Parks and Recreation directors outlined planned upcoming capital projects. The budget will next be discussed at the budget hearings to be held on Tuesday, June 14, and June 28.

May 3, 2011 - The Council received a presentation on the transition of the Novato Independent Elders Program to Episcopal Senior Communities, discussed the report on a parking study that was done in the downtown area and formulated feedback on the Initial Vision Scenario. Due to the lateness of the hour, the update of progress on the 2010-13 Strategic Plan was continued to the meeting of June 14, 2011. Please check the City's website for information on all Council meetings.

In October 2010, the City Manager's Ad Hoc Housing Group was created consisting of 23 Novato community members. The group was formed to provide input on housing policies and potential housing sites for an update of the City's Housing Element, a chapter in the General Plan. The group will formulate recommendations which will be sent to the City Manager and then forwarded to the City Council. At the beginning of April, the group members completed a long education process during which they familiarized themselves with State and regional housing law, housing related crime statistics, multi-family housing management practices, and opportunities and constraints to providing housing.

Since the beginning of April, the group has conducted four meetings to consider potential sites for multi-family housing in Novato. From a list of possible sites, the group has identified nine sites which they believe are worthy of careful consideration and additional feedback from the community. The site locations, along with background information for each site, are listed on the City of Novato Housing Element webpage.

The Ad Hoc Housing Group held a meeting on May 25th to receive comments from the community about the potential sites. Over 200 community members attended and provided feedback. The Ad Hoc Housing Group will discuss this community feedback. It is expected the group will finalize its recommendations on housing sites and housing policy considerations in early June with a recommendation to the City Manager and then City Council review and consideration.

Recently the Police Department received information about "bombs" being made with readily available household items including cleaning agents, plastic bottles and tin foil. Some incidents started occurring several months ago, but appear to be making the rounds again. The Police Department has also been receiving inquiries from parents about these incidents.

Vandals are creating these devices as a "prank" and leaving them on lawns and other outdoor locations. When individuals pick up the seemingly innocent trash to throw it away, the ingredients mix, and in about 30 seconds or less, explodes with enough force to cause serious bodily injury including burns as the liquid that comes out is boiling hot.

If you see a plastic bottle with liquid inside your yard or anywhere outside, please don't pick it up. If it is one of these bombs, you could end up severely injuring yourself, so please call the Police Department directly at (415) 897-1122 and request assistance.

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By upgrading now, you are making a smart long-term investment in your home's value. And, there are thousands of dollars in rebates available. Please visit www.EnergyUpgradeCA.org to learn more.

When you want to find information on a City-related topic that you have been hearing about, the quickest place to check it out is on the Hot Topics page of the City's website. Just click on the words "Hot Topics Page" on the upper right hand corner of the home page and you will get to a listing of items that are "hot". The current listing includes the City Budget, City Offices, Graffiti, the Housing Element, Redevelopment Agency Elimination, SMART, and Smartmeters.

A page called "Just the Facts, Novato" is available to "set the record straight" by providing factual information directly to the community when we believe that inaccurate information has been published about City-related items. Click here if you have a question or have something you would like clarified, please call 899-8900 or e-mail city@novato.org.

After months of work by volunteer Elayne Miller and another volunteer who wishes to remain anonymous, the Brick Locator map has been completed and placed on the City's website.

All bricks that have been installed at the Novato City Hall can be located by looking up the name of the purchaser. The map can be found by clicking here.

The fifth set of bricks (bricks purchased between August 2010 and March 2011) was installed in early May. The map will be updated to include their locations.

Bricks cost $100 and can be purchased by mailing, faxing or bringing the order form to the City's offices at 75 Rowland Way #200. The cost is considered tax deductible to the "maximum extent under the law."  Individuals should always consult a qualified tax professional with regard to their tax returns.  The purchase price of the bricks covers buying and engraving the bricks, installation and equipment.  Any remaining funds will be used to further beautify the area surrounding City Hall.

A Brick Program booth staffed by volunteers will be at the Farmers' Market during its season (every Tuesday from May to September, in Old Town Novato on Grant Avenue). Brick order forms will be available and forms can also be dropped off with the volunteers.

For more information about the Brick Program, click on the link above or call Jennifer Goldfinger at 899-8900.

Could your business benefit from FREE professional advice related to securing capital, improving your marketing strategy and maximizing your website? Need some fresh independent recommendation regarding your business plan, product or service?

With offices throughout Marin County, including the Novato Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides current and future business owners with no cost, confidential counseling, various low-fee services and partial scholarships. Funded in part by the Small Business Administration, the SBDC has helped hundreds of local business owners and their advisors are knowledgeable in a broad scope of industries and business management.

To learn about the SBDC's various services or to register for a workshop, visit their website, or call
(707) 524-1770.

Have you heard about WalkBikeMarin? It's an initiative by the County of Marin to help make Marin a healthier, more livable and environmentally sustainable place.

WalkBikeMarin has funded a range of outreach and training opportunities countywide, including: a website; personalized bicycle and pedestrian travel planning; development of community walking and bicycling maps; confident cycling courses for adults and children; bicycle repair courses; bicycle and pedestrian informational booths at community events, including the Marin County Fair; safety programs targeted at vehicle drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians; a toolkit for health professionals; pedestrian and bicycle facility design seminars for local agency staff and engineering professionals; events which promote the health benefits of biking and walking; a Built Environment conference overseen by the Marin County Health Department; and development of a walking and bicycling toolkit for business owners, teachers, and managers. These efforts enable and encourage increased walking and bicycling throughout the County.

On March 17, 2011, the City of Novato, in addition to Caltrans, Marin County, all Marin cities and towns, the Transportation Authority of Marin, and the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District, was recognized by the United States Department of Transportation with a 2010 Exemplary Human Environment Initiatives (EHEI) award in the Education and Training Programs category for the County of Marin's WalkBikeMarin initiative for "using a range of education and encouragement activities to promote walking and bicycling." EHEI awards recognize outstanding examples of transportation projects that either create or improve conditions for human activities while protecting the natural environment. Ten projects received EHEI recognition nationwide.

Check out the website at www.walkbikemarin.org.

Construction has started on the Commuter Bike Connection Project (CIP Project 98-028.) The project will construct a 0.6-mile class one multi-use path adjacent to the southbound lanes of US 101 between South Novato Boulevard and Enfrente Road.

The path will meander along the adjacent hillside and will require extensive grading and installation of three retaining walls. This project received $1.95 million in federal funding, which together with a small amount of Development Impact Fees funds will cover the construction costs. The contractor, Ghilotti Construction, estimates that construction will last until mid-October of this year. The South Novato Boulevard on-ramp to both US 101 and SR 37 will be closed between 10pm and 6am on two occasions to facilitate the placement and later removal of a concrete barrier between the freeway and work site.  The first closure dates will be June 6 and June 7.  The second closure dates will be in October.

Cooler than normal temperatures graced opening day at the pool, but that did not stop the public from coming out. Pre-summer swim lessons began this week and vending machines will be onsite, providing drinks and snacks poolside.

The solicitation for a food and beverage concessionaire to provide hot and cold food and drink at the pool on weekends has not been successful so far. However, City staff remains open to new opportunities for food service at the pool that may arise.