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 City Council Adopts 2011-2012 Budget | |
 On June 28th, the City Council formally adopted the 2011-2012 budget. The total City budget is approximately $57.3 million. The General Fund budget comprises $31.8 million.
The City continues to be impacted by the effects of the economic recession. City revenues are beginning to stabilize, yet the uncertain economic conditions remain a concern. Over the past 18 months, the City Council has made difficult decisions to contain expenditures and manage the budget deficit. In addition, the voters approved Measure F last November which will provide a bridge towards long-term fiscal sustainability. During this five-year period, the City will look at options to transition city government and enhance efficiencies. The Council will begin discussions on fiscal sustainability this summer/fall.
For additional information on the 2011-2012 City budget, please visit the 2011-2012 budget page on the City's website. |
| Housing Element Update: Next Meeting on July 14th | |
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On June 21st the City Council conducted a work session on the update of the City of Novato Housing Element. The Council received about 3 ½ hours of public comment on the various potential housing sites recommended by the City Manager's Ad Hoc Housing Working Group. Due to the large amount of public comment, the Council continued this discussion to July 14th at 6:30PM.
At this meeting, the Council will focus on potential housing sites. The Council has added six additional sites for consideration. These sites may be included in the draft Housing Element update in lieu of sites considered at the June 21, 2011 meeting. The additional properties are:
1) 7506 and 7530 Redwood Blvd, near the northeast corner of Redwood and Olive, to the east and north of Trader Joe's, APNs 143-011-08 and 143-011-05;
2) A 39.9 acre parcel, approximately 900 feet north of the intersection of Wood Hollow Drive and Redwood Boulevard, APN 125-202-18;
3) The Buck Institute housing site, APN 125-580-11;
4) The site of the former Birkenstock business at 8171 Redwood Boulevard, APN 125-18-45;
5) The property at 1905 Novato Boulevard, partially occupied by Lifelong Medical Care, APN 140-011-66; and
6) The Novato Police Station at 909 Machin Ave., APN 153-061-28.
Owners of these sites and property owners surrounding these potential new sites are being notified of the Council's consideration.
Additional public comment will be allowed at the July 14th meeting with a preference for those who did not speak at the last Council work session and parties interested in the newly identified sites. The Council is being asked to provide direction on housing density, housing sites and relevant housing policy.
For additional information, please visit the City's Housing Element website.
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| State Approves Elimination of Redevelopment Agencies | |
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The City's fears were realized late last month when the state Legislature approved its 2011-2012 budget and passed legislation to eliminate redevelopment agencies. On June 29th, the Governor signed the budget and the accompanying redevelopment trailer bills (ABX1 26 and ABX1 27). These bills provide redevelopment agencies with two options: agree to make payments to local schools (relieving the state of these obligations) and special districts or be eliminated. ABX1 26 eliminates all redevelopment agencies effective October 1, 2011 and ABX1 27 provides that that an agency can continue to operate if certain revenues are turned over to schools and special districts.
The saga now moves to the California Supreme Court. The League of Cities along with the California Redevelopment Association (CRA) will file a lawsuit in the coming weeks challenging the constitutionality of these two bills. Specifically, the League and CRA will argue that the legislation violates Proposition 22 passed by the voters last November.
The lawsuit will also include a request for the Court to grant an immediate stay on the two bills. A stay would prevent the provisions of the two bills from going into effect until the Court decides on the broader constitutional questions.
Future discussions about the future of the Novato Redevelopment Agency will take place as the legal process moves forward.
Additional updates will be provided on the City's website as well as the City's Facebook page. |
| Commuter Bike Connection Only Months Away | |
 Construction is well underway on the City's Commuter Bike Connection Project on the west side of US 101 between South Novato Boulevard and Enfrente Road. This project will construct a 0.6-mile class one multi-use path, providing a much-needed link between South Novato Boulevard and Alameda del Prado. Currently cyclists must choose between riding on the southbound freeway shoulder, or climbing up Redwood Boulevard, or Sunset Parkway to Ignacio Boulevard to make this connection.
Work is anticipated to be completed in mid-October. Below is a map of the new bike connection. 
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| Street Light Conversion Program Moves Forward | |
The City's streetlight contractor, Republic ITS, has begun replacing high-pressure sodium (HPS) streetlight fixtures with new energy efficient LED streetlight fixtures. Work has already been completed on Ignacio Boulevard, Sunset Parkway and Novato Boulevard. The replacements are proceeding quickly and will be completed within budget and on schedule. At the July 12th Council meeting, staff will request that Council adopt a resolution and authorize staff to enter into an agreement with PG&E and the Marin Community Foundation to expand the streetlight conversion program to include over 800 additional fixtures. A detailed staff report will provide a clear description of the funding strategy and streets proposed to be included in the expanded program.
In addition, staff is finalizing details with PG&E to initiate a pilot test of programmable photocells. These products are very inexpensive and, upon approval from PG&E, will reduce the energy costs of those fixtures by 50%. The pilot test will include adding programmable photocells to every other streetlight, other than intersections, in the Vintage Oaks and Bel Marin Keys communities. These photocells will allow the streetlight to turn on at dusk, turn off at midnight, turn back on at 5:30 a.m. and off again at dawn. This will reduce the amount of light during non-active hours.
Provided that the pilot test is successful, staff will then consider expanding the implementation of the programmable photo cells to other portions of the City. Staff will provide additional information prior to a formal expansion. |
| Scottsdale Pond News | |
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Last month, Public Works staff discovered that the two spray fountains at Scottsdale Pond that serve as aerators have malfunctioned and require repair. The fountains have reached the end of their useful service life and need to be replaced. Replacement fountains are being ordered and will be installed as soon as possible. Aeration of the pond is important to control algae blooms and support the inhabitant fish population.
In addition, staff also discovered an invasive plant species within the pond. The species, Sago Pondweed, has become well-established and requires eradication or mitigation. The Public Works department is finalizing research on the most eco-friendly methods to address the plant species. Once staff has developed a list of options, a meeting will be scheduled with the community prior to taking action. |
| Novato Theater Needs Your Help! | |
 Volunteers continue to work on making the Novato Theater a reality. Over the past few months, a number of fundraising events have been held to generate community support and contributions.
As of June 16th, the Novato Theater Project has raised over $300,000. The organization seeks to raise $750,000 by September 1st. If this goal is reached, the City will sell the theater to the nonprofit and renovation work can formally begin.
We need your help, Novato! For additional information on how to get involved in the Novato Theater effort, please see this article on the City's homepage. |
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CITY OF NOVATO
| 75 Rowland Way, #200 Novato, CA 94945-3232 415/899-8900
FAX 415/899-8213
city@novato.org www.cityofnovato.org
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Our Town
E-Newsletter Staff
Contact Us: city@cityofnovato.org
Cathy Capriola, Editor-in-Chief
Dane Wadlé, Editor
Maureen McNiff, Production |
 The first issue of the Novato Advance was printed on July 1, 1922. The first editor was Mr. William Hanen. The paper was published twice a month until September 1924, when it became a weekly publication. |
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Plan for Summer and Fall Fun! | |
Summer/Fall Activities Guide is filled with many classes and programs for all ages!
If you did not receive a guide in your mailbox, click here to view it on our website. You can also pick up a guide and register at one of our customer service centers:
Novato Gymnastics Center
950 Seventh Street
Novato, CA 94945
415-899-8279
415-897-6395 Fax
M/W/F 9-4:30PM
Tues & Thurs 9-6PM
Margaret Todd Senior Center
1560 Hill Road
Novato CA 94945
415-899-8290
415-897-0239 Fax
Mon-Fri 9-5PM |
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