At the September 23 City Council meeting, staff presented a proposed sale and purchase agreement for the hospital at the former Hamilton Air Force Base which has been vacant for decades. The Council voted to sell the property for $2 million to Avesta Development LLC, who plans to renovate the historic structure and develop a residential care and skilled nursing facility for memory care patients. Approximately 50 assisted-living units and 30 memory-care units are anticipated. For more information, read the staff report here.

Novato Police Department Wins Statewide Honors

Kudos to our NPD who captured 1st Place in the California Law Enforcement Challenge, in their category for '26-75 sworn officers.' This annual program is sponsored by the California Highway Patrol and the Office of Traffic Safety, and this is the first time in the NPD's history to receive 1st place in their category. Addtionally, the Department received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration "Occupant Protection Special Award" for the entire State of California, and was selected as the winner of the Commissioner's Award for the best overall traffic safety program in the State of California. You make us proud Novato PD!
  

Also at the September 23 City Council meeting, staff provided an update on SMART Quiet Zones. The City is in support of quiet zones and is currently researching the extent of it's liability if the zones were to be established. Staff plans to return to Council with additional information by or before the end of March 2015.

Additionally, the City held a public workshop on the proposed designs of the two SMART stations slated for Novato--Hamilton Station located north of Main Gate Road at the railroad line and Atherton Station located on the east side of Redwood Boulevard north of San Marin Drive and south of Rush Landing Road--to collect feedback to provide to SMART. The City Council also weighed in on the proposed designs at their Sep. 9 meeting and staff took the collective feedback and sent this response to SMART.

North, North Redwood Boulevard

Staff received feedback regarding the North, North Redwood Blvd Corridor Study, which the City Council discussed at their Sep. 9 meeting. In summary, the City will focus on retaining existing zoning for office and research & development uses. This direction will be incorporated into the draft General Plan and accompanying Environmental Impact Report, which is anticipated to be completed in 2015.

 

Environmental Stewardship 

On Sep. 16, 2014, the City Council approved the City's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Policy, which minimizes the use of pesticides on city-owned property. The policy formalizes the City's long-standing practice of using safe and effective non-pesticide alternatives. The City worked with the Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention and Sustainable Novato to draft the IPM Policy, which complies with the California State Water Board requirements to reduce the use of pesticides that threaten water quality within the regional watershed.

 

Habitat for Humanity Breaks Ground

On Sep. 23, Novato City Councilmembers joined other civic and community leaders and organizations including the Marin Community Foundation, to celebrate the groundbreaking for 10 new, affordable homes at Mt. Burdell Place. This project is funded, in part, by the City and is the first new-home construction project for Habitat for Humanity in Marin.

 

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Come Downtown for the first "Scream On The Green Faire" weekend Saturday, Oct. 25th 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. & Sunday Oct. 26th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. located on Sherman Avenue and the Civic Green & City Hall complex. On Saturday, the Downtown Novato Business Association will host their  annual "Safe Trick or Treat" event on Grant Avenue from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. More info, go to www.novatochamber.com

 

It's SCARY how much fun you can have in Downtown Novato! This is a City-sponsored event.