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 In Memoriam: Chuck Bennett | |
 | | Chuck Bennett |
The City would like to extend condolences to the family of Chuck Bennett, who passed away on March 19th at the age of 69. Chuck was a long-time Novato resident and was a member of the second graduating class of Novato High School.
Among other things, he will be remembered as a tireless volunteer for numerous causes in the Novato community. His involvement in the community was just one of the reasons he received the Novato Citizen of the Year Award in 2001.
A celebration of Chuck's life will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Novato on April 14th at 1pm. |
| Council Receives Financial Update, 2012-2013 Budget Process Update and Continues Fiscal Sustainability Discussions | |
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On March 13th, the Council and the community received a presentation from staff on a variety of City financial topics. This presentation included an update on the current 2011-2012 financial picture, an outline of the 2012-2013 budget process and a primer on long-term fiscal sustainability options for Council and community consideration.
2011-2012 Financial Status
Staff reported that the City's actual revenues and expenditures are on track with budgeted amounts. Property tax revenues continue to decline while sales tax revenues are increasing slightly. General Fund expenditures are tracking with projections made last June.
The elimination of the City's Redevelopment Agency will have a modest impact in the current fiscal year.The more significant impacts from redevelopment will be realized in the 2012-2013 fiscal year.
Overall, staff remains hopeful that the economy has turned a corner and that we are in the beginning stages of a long, slow recovery. Macro-economic factors such as unemployment, consumer debt and budget deficits on the national and state government level continue to threaten the City's fiscal position. At the same time, increasing sales tax revenues and consumer confidence are positive signs that economic conditions may be improving.
2012-2013 Budget Process:
Staff informed Council and the community that the budget process for next year has formally begun. The City Manager is reviewing department budgets with department heads and will bring forward his recommendations for Council consideration at a budget workshop on April 17th.
Fiscal Sustainability Discussion:
Staff introduced issues and options associated with the City's long-term fiscal sustainability plan. The need to develop a long-term plan that ensures Novato's continued financial viability is evident in today's uncertain economic climate. Staff outlined a framework for discussions and highlighted the tradeoffs that need to be balanced.
The fiscal sustainability discussions will continue in April when Council considers the 2012-2013 budget and over the next year.
Additional information is available in the staff report and the staff presentation on the City's website.
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| Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department Maximizes Grant Opportunities | |
Last month, the Our Town highlighted the federal, state and local grant funding secured by the Novato Police Department. This month's article highlights the success the City's Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Department has had in securing local, state and federal grant funding. Through the department's hard work, the City has secured grants that fund the following programs: facilities that support active youth recreation during after school hours, drug prevention programs and community youth sports programs.
The table below highlight the Department's active grants.
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Active Grants
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Grant Source
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Grant Allocation
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1. Proposition 40 State Urban Parks & Healthy Communities Program
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State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation
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$1,000,000
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2. Community Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention Coalitions
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Marin County Health and Human Services Department
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$180,000
(allocated over 3 years)
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3. Justice Assistance Grant
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U.S. Department of Justice
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$2,000
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More information about each grant is available at this link.
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| Value Engineering Changes Reduce City Office Project Cost | |
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On March 27th, the Council approved an amendment to the architectural contract for the City office project to incorporate value engineering savings. These changes will reduce the overall project cost by approximately $770,000.
A host of options were identified and analyzed during value engineering discussions between the City's project team, the project manager and the architectural design firm. Examples of the savings include: removing parking lot seat walls, replacing a concrete slab on level 1 of the building and providing slate shingle roofing in lieu of cementitious shingles that match the existing Town Hall roof. The staff report for this agenda item and a summary of the accepted value engineering items can be found here.
All team members are committed to keeping costs to a minimum while providing a facility we can all be proud of. |
| New Parks, Recreation and Community Services Summer Camp Brochure and Activity Guide Coming Soon! | |
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 For most Novato kids, school is out in a couple of months. For parents, that means it's time to begin looking at how their children will spend all that free time. The Novato Parks, Recreation and Community Services staff has a solution through our Summer Camps program. The Parks, Recreation and Community Services staff will be mailing a Summer Camp brochure to all Novato residents shortly listing all of the summer camps. The brochure is also available on our website here .
Summer camps offer children opportunities to build friendships and self-confidence. This year's listing of summer camps offers a variety of choices. The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department offers week-long day camps for child care, theater, science, dance and a variety of sports. There is almost a 100% chance we have a program for your child!
In addition, staff is also putting the final touches on the coveted Activity Guide for recreation programs and community facilities. The Guide will cover programs offered from May through December. The full Summer/Fall Activity Guide will be mailed to residents the week of April 9th and can be picked up at the following locations:
- Margaret Todd Senior Center;
- Novato Gymnastics Center;
- City Offices (75 Rowland Way);
- Novato and South Novato Libraries; and
- Novato Chamber of Commerce.
Registration begins on April 9th. Be sure at look for the City's Summer Camp brochure and the Activity Guide. For additional information, please call 899-8279 or 899-8290.
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| Marin Energy Authority To Hold Community Meeting | |
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As recounted in previous Our Town articles, the City Council previously voted to join the Marin Energy Authority (MEA) and participate in the Marin Clean Energy Program. This action was taken to provide residents a choice regarding whether to receive their energy from MEA or PG&E. Due to provisions in state law, residents will be automatically enrolled in the Marin Clean Energy Program unless they specifically choose to opt-out.
MEA staff will be hosting a community meeting on Thursday, April 12th, at the Council Chambers starting at 6:30p.m. to provide residents with more information about the Marin Clean Energy Program. Residents will have an opportunity to learn about the enrollment process and ask questions of MEA staff. The staff will also discuss the public outreach notices that will be mailed out over the next two months.
To learn more about the Marin Clean Energy Program, visit www.marincleanenergy.com or call (888) 632-3674. The community meeting will also provide valuable information.
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| Employee Profile: Ronele Schaefer | |
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The Our Town newsletter features employee profiles to help the community learn about City employees and the services they provide to the public. The profile includes highlights of the employee's interests and community contributions outside of their professional role with Novato.
The March profile is of Recreation Supervisor Ronele Schaefer.
 | | Recreation Supervisor Ronele Schaefer offers some pointers to the Terra Linda girls basketball team |
What is your position/job with the City?
I am a Recreation Supervisor with the Parks, Recreation and Community Services department. I oversee and manage adult and teen athletic programs including basketball leagues, teen classes and sports camps. I am also part of the production team for the department's activity guide. Finally, I manage the department's webpages on the City's website.
How long have you worked for the City?
I started as a part-time employee with the City in 1981 as a youth basketball coach. I became a full-time employee in 1998 when I was hired as a Recreation Coordinator in Adult Athletics.
What do you like best about your job with Novato?
I am very sports-oriented, so I enjoy planning sports programs. I also like the fact that my work changes as the seasons change. I go from planning basketball leagues to planning summer teen camps throughout the year. Finally, I am proud to provide quality programs that enhance the lives of our participants.
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
I don't have one specific accomplishment. Rather, I am very proud of organizing and managing well-run sports programs for our community. We have a number of repeat participants and that speaks to the quality of our programs. I work to make each program I work on the best that it can be.
Editor's Note: Ronele received the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department PRIDE award in 2001. This award recognizes employees that provide exemplary work performance, behavior and actions.
What are some of your personal interests outside of your role with the City?
I am currently the Assistant Girls Varsity Basketball Coach at Terra Linda High School. I have coached high school or college girls basketball since 1984. I have also served on the California Parks and Recreation Society Board for the past 10 years and I recently concluded a term as the District 1 President.
I am also an avid mountain-bike rider and participate in many sports leagues.
What is an interesting fact about you that people may not know?
I am a fan of Garfield the Cat and have an extensive collection of Garfield items.
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| Arbor Day Observation and Tree Planting Ceremony | |
On March 8th, the City observed Arbor Day with a Tree Planting ceremony at Miwok Park. The attendees planted a California buckeye tree, which was historically significant to the Miwok Indian tribe. This event was part of the City's application process for Arbor Day Tree City USA program through the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. This program has been in existence since 1976. The City participates in the program as part of our overall commitment to build a viable tree management plan.
Council Members and staff were joined by members of the Streetscape Maintenance Coalition, the Recreational, Cultural and Community Services Commission and volunteers who manage the City's tree and landscape services.
At the City Council meeting on March 13th, the Council formally presented the Public Works department with a proclamation honoring March 7th as Arbor Day.
The City thanks everyone for their participation! |
| Dogbone Meadow Volunteer Group Receives Community Spirit Award | |
 | | From left to right - Council Member Pat Eklund, City Recreation Supervisor Ronele Schaefer, Dogbone Meadow President Brian Pearson, Dogbone Meadow Vice President Courtney Flavin, City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Pam Shinault and Novato Recreation, Cultural and Community Service Commission Chair Karyn Kambur |
Last month, the Friends of the Dogbone Meadow group was awarded the Community Spirit Award by the California Park and Recreation Society, District 1. This award acknowledges a commitment to promoting participation in recreation, strengthening community identity and unity, promoting health and wellness, fostering human development and strengthening community pride.
Congratulations to the Friends of the Dogbone Meadow! The City appreciates your commitment and volunteer contributions.
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| Novato Clean and Green Day Coming Soon | |
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On April 21st from 9am to 1pm, the Novato Streetscape Maintenance Coalition will sponsor the 17th Annual Clean and Green Day. This event celebrates Earth Day by cleaning up our town. Participants will meet at the Scottsdale Pond Gazebo and will remove litter from city streets, median strips, creek banks, parks and bike paths.
For additional information, please call the Clean and Green hotline at 415-899-8244. Please come out and help keep Novato clean and green! |
| Local Bus Route Changes in Effect | |
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In February, Marin Transit announced the restructuring and changes to local bus routes serving Novato, Marinwood and Terra Linda. These changes went into effect on March 11.
The changes include the cancellation of Local Route 52, the realignment of Local Routes 49, 51 and Community Shuttle 259 and the introduction of Community Shuttle 257. These changes are designed to align service with demand and allow for increased service frequency and coverage in the area.
Please view this press release for more information. |
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CITY OF NOVATO
| 75 Rowland Way, #200 Novato, CA 94945 415/899-8900
FAX 415/899-8213
city@novato.org www.novato.org
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Our Town
E-Newsletter Staff
Contact Us:
city@novato.org
Cathy Capriola, Editor-in-Chief
Dane Wadlé, Editor/Production
Maureen McNiff, Production |
 A reminder that Earth Day 2012 is on Sunday, April 22nd. |
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Plan for Winter and Spring Fun! | |
Winter/Spring Activities Guide is filled with many classes and programs for all ages!
The guide is posted on the City's website. You can also pick up a guide and register at one of our customer service centers:
Downtown Recreation 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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