City of Novato
July 2014
City of Novato Our Town Masthead
Photos above: City of Novato and Craig Solin/Marin County Parks
Summer Camps For All
    

This summer, and every summer, you'll find Novato Parks, Recreation and Community Services staff and programs in a neighborhood near you!  Programs are happening all over town - inside gyms and classrooms at Hill, Novato and San Marin High, Hamilton Gyms, Lu Sutton and Rancho, Hamilton Community Center, Novato Gymnastics Center and the Downtown Recreation Center and outside on fields and playgrounds at Marion, Indian Valley College, Hill Fields, Rancho Playground and Fields, and at the Hamilton Pool. These summer camps and programs are so popular that we had up to a 30% increase from the same time last year, and approximately 500 kids join us EVERY WEEK. There is still three weeks left of our nine-week summer program, so sign-up now!

News Highlights 

 

 

 Photo courtesy of City Maintenance Worker Greg Tognotti 

     

July 1 marks a new budget year for the City. The $56.5 million budget includes funding to strengthen City core services including emergency and police, maintenance, parks and recreation, and economic development and addresses deferred and ongoing maintenance needs that have accumulated during the recession. Additionally, nearly $5 million has been earmarked for community projects. Read more.
 

This month, the City welcomed a permanent Public Works Director, and the City Council approved agreements with Habitat for Humanity for homes on Fourth Street and with Urban Community Partners LLC for senior housing in the Hamilton neighborhood. The City was also recently named a "Green Power Community" by the EPA, and our Shop Local Campaign received industry recognition.
 

Although there are no "lazy days of summer" for the City and its staff--as we continue to offer you prompt, professional, and and friendly customer service, Monday through Thursday and alternating Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.--the last City Council meeting will be July 29, with meetings resuming August 19.
 
 

To get quick previews and recaps of Council meetings, sign-up for our e-notification. 

Keeping Our Community Clean & Green
C&G day 2014   C&G Day 2014      

Did you know that you can help keep Novato clean and green by volunteering only one hour a month? Dozens of Novatans help by picking up trash, planting native plants, and fixing up our street medians. To find out more about this organized effort, contact our Streetscape Advisory Committee via their website: www.novatostreetscape.com

 

Photos courtesy of  Stuart Lirette

NPD in the News

    

Our Novato Police Department keeps our community safe in so many ways--they enforce, they educate, and yes, once in awhile, they get to play. Pictured above are this summer's participants in the NPD's Youth Camp--a no-cost kids camp for ages 10-13. This year, 25 kids had the opportunity to learn about the various jobs throught the department and 15 NPD staff showed the students how speed radar works, saw a K-9 demo, got to play in the armored vehicles, and took their own fingerprings. A big thanks to Hennessy Advisors, Inc. for sponsoring.

 

The NPD will be again hosting National Night Out in August and will also be offering a Citizen's Academy this fall. This class provides Novato residents an in-depth look at the department and how it works. For more info.

 

Finally, kudos to our NPD for winning 2nd place in the National Law Enforcement Challenge for municipal police agencies with 26-75 sworn officers. The NPD was the only municipal police agency in the State of California to win an award, in any category. The National Law Enforcement Challenge (NLEC) is a national traffic safety awards program sponsored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) that recognizes excellent law enforcement traffic safety programs. For more info, go to: www.theiacp.org/nlec.

Monthly Tips for Emergency Preparedness

In a continuing effort to provide robust emergency management services to the community, Novato Emergency Management--a partnership of the City of Novato and the Novato Fire District, is asking Novatans to "do 1 thing" a month that prepares you and yours for the next disaster.
 

This month's tip is to stay connected with your family during a disaster. Go to http://do1thing.com/things/jul for easy ways to prepare your family and stay connected.


For additional local preparedness information take a look at our
Get Ready course and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training at: www.readymarin.org

 

Get Ready is a free two-hour preparedness course with registration available by calling the Novato Police Department at 415-897-4361. Next Get Ready class begins Aug. 5. CERT is an 18-hour course that takes you beyond the basics offered in Get Ready. CERT is offered throughout Marin County, and the next class begins July 31.

It's Never too Early...

4th of july parade 2014  

...to get involved

Thousands of parade-goers packed the sidewalks of Downtown Novato to see the annual Novato 4th of July Parade. The event--one of the largest, and most spectacular, of its kind in the West Coast--is organized by volunteers and supported by donations. Click here for more information on how you can support this community celebration and keep it going!
  
Apply NOW ONLINE!

 

Applications are now being accepted for City Commissions, Committees, and Boards. This is great way to learn more about Novato and meet some amazing people! Deadline to file is August 25. Find out more.
Label Me...Done!

PW label cleanup   

City Public Works crews came to the rescue recently when they received a call from the NPD  requesting assistance in a cleanup of errant beer labels that flew out of a pickup on San Carlos And San Luis Way.

 

Enlisting as many hands as they could muster, and with the use of the street sweeper, blowers, trash picker-uppers, and leaf vacuums, the street and sidewalks were returned to a pristine condition.

 

A big thanks to our maintenance crews and NPD staff for a quick response and quality clean-up! To report issues like the one above on City streets. parks, or islands, please call 899.8280.

In This Issue
In this issue
Summer Camps for All
News Highlights
Keeping Novato Clean & Green
NPD in the News
Monthly Tips for Emergency Preparedness
Its Never too Early...
Apply NOW ONLINE!
Label Me...Done!
Quick Links:
Contact Us:
  
922 Machin Way,
Novato, CA
94945
  
415.899.8900

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Calendar Highlights
For a complete listing and updated information, please check out the City Calendar.

 

8/1
City offices closed
 
8/3 (and every Sunday in Aug)
Big Bucks Public Bingo

8/4
Prescription Drop-off
Planning Commission

8/5
No Council Meetings until 8/19
Lunch @ Margaret Todd Cafe
Downtown Farmers Market
NPD hosts National Night Out
  
 
8/6
Blood Pressure Clinic
Senior Produce Market
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Brown Bag Market
Design Review Commission meeting

  

8/7

Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
  
8/11
Streetscape Advisory Committee mtg
 
8/12
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Healthy Aging for Seniors
Downtown Farmers Market
8/13
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Brown Bag Market
  
8/14
Legal Services
Lunch at Margaret Todd
Zoning Administrator meeting
  
8/15
City Offices closed

8/18
Planning Commission

8/19
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Downtown Farmers Market
City Council meeting

8/20

Blood Pressure Clinic
Senior Produce Market
Alzheimer's: Know the Signs
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Brown Bag Market
Design Review Commission meeting

8/21
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe

8/25
Application deadline for City Commissions, Committees, & Boards

8/26
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Downtown Farmers' Market
City Council meeting
  
8/27
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Brown Bag Market
8/28
Legal Services
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Zoning Administrator meeting

8/29
City offices closed

SAVE THE DATE:
18th Annual Nostalgia Days Hot Rod & Custom Car Show in Downtown Novato, Fri., Aug. 29 & Sat., Aug. 30; more info: www.downtownnovato.com
    
Want to beat the heat? Stroll Downtown's cool, tree-lined streets and check out the 4th annual sidewalk sale in Downtown Novato! For participating stores, go to the Downtown Novato Business Association website or like them on Facebook.
novato theater summer gala
                     
Wildfire season is here--is your home protected? Check out the free programs offered by the Novato Fire District.
Be in the know about teen drinking in Novato:
 
and take this quick survey from the Healthy Novato Project to learn even more. 
Meeting Novatans where they are:
Open Novato   
Additional
Community Info: