The City Council continued its discussion of fiscal sustainability in September with the first of two meetings analyzing each City department. On September 18th, the Council received presentations from the Central Administration, Administrative Services and Community Development Departments. 

The departments updated the Council and the community of the following topics:

• Current service levels;
• Key issues and trends in the department;
• Measure F-funded services/programs and staff;
• Current service level "holes" or deficiencies;
• Ideas and proposals to achieve fiscal sustainability.  

The staff report and the presentations from September 18th can be viewed at this link.

The next fiscal sustainability work session will take place on October 16th. At this session, the Council will receive presentations from the Parks, Recreation and Community Service Department, the Police Department and the Public Works Department.

Get more information on this effort--including staff reports and presentations from the fiscal sustainability work sessions--here. We welcome your ideas and input throughout this process.

Closeup of the pile driver used to drill piles that will form the footings of the new office buidling

As work continues on the new City Office project, Public Works staff and the project manager have created a project newsletter to update the community on the project status. This bi-weekly newsletter provides information on work completed to date, work to be performed in the near future, project activities that may impact project site neighbors and photos of the construction progress.

The newsletter contains a wealth of information to keep the public updated on the new City Office project.

The most recent newsletter can be viewed at this link. Future newsletters will be posted on the City Office project webpage.

 
Get to know Chief Jim Berg and other representatives of the Novato Police Department at the Creekside Bakery on Wednesday, October 17, from 8 to 9 a.m. for the inaugural "Coffee With the Cops" event. This event is an opportunity to come have a cup of coffee and talk informally with your new Police Chief and his staff.

We hope to see you there! Please see this notice for additional information.

The Our Town newsletter features employee profiles to help the community meet City employees and learn about 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 September profile is of Engineer Gosia Woodfin. 

Engineer Gosia Woodfin

What is your role with the City?

I am an Engineer in the City's Public Works Department. In this role, I am the project manager for a number of the department's capital improvement projects. I design and prepare project bid documents  and create project plans and specifications for solicitation from private contractors. I also manage the City's annual street pavement rehabilitation project where I assess the conditions of City streets and determine where repairs are needed. I recently became the staff liaison to the City's Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee where I prepare agendas and attend the Committee's meetings.

How long have you worked for the City? 
  
I have worked for the City for approximately four and a half years. I started in February of 2008. 

What do you like best about your position with the City of Novato?
 
I like the diversity of this position as I have multiple tasks. I have the opportunity to design capital projects and apply my engineering skills. At the same time, I perform field work taking measurements as well as interacting with contractors and residents. My job has many challenges and I enjoy working through those challenges to accomplish the City's goal on a particular project.

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
  
I am most proud of my involvement in the project to install an emergency generator at the Margaret Todd Senior Center. The timeline for this project was very short. The entire process (project design, development of bid specifications, purchase of the equipment and construction) had to be completed in three months in order to secure funding for the project. Fortunately, I was able to meet this deadline and get the project completed.

What are some of your personal interests outside of your role with the City? 
 
I live in Novato, specifically the San Marin neighborhood. My children have attended public schools in Novato and I have always been active as a volunteer.  I recently served as the Membership Chair of the San Marin High School's Parent Teacher Association.

I also love to read and try to read at least one book a month as part of a book club.

 
My family and I love to snow ski and water ski.  In the winter, we drive up to the Tahoe/Truckee area to ski the mountains. In the summer, we make a yearly visit to Lake Powell in Utah to water ski.