City of Novato
September 2014
City of Novato Our Town Masthead
Photos above: City of Novato and Craig Solin/Marin County Parks
Measure F at Work for Novato
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On September 23, the City Council received the Measure F Annual Report by the Citizens Oversight Committee, an advisory committee of seven Novato residents tasked with reviewing and reporting on activity of the five-year, 1/2 cent sales tax that took effect in 2011.

 

The report provides a comprehensive look at how Measure F funds have benefitted the community, as well as a brief background of the sales tax measure, and the City's current financial situation. In addition to the report, you can read the staff report which outlines the Committee's efforts here.

News Highlights 

 

 Photo courtesy of Hamilton resident J. David Brewer

  
Hamilton Happenings
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!
  

SMART Update

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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Halloween Happenings in Downtown Novato
          
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.

Plastic Bag Ban in Novato

     

Effective October 17, 2014, a City ordinance will prohibit Novato grocery stores and pharmacies from providing plastic bags at checkout and will require retailers to charge 10 cents for each paper bag requested. It is estimated that Novato retailers give out nearly 28 million plastic carry-out bags annually--or 540 bags per person in Novato. Plastic bags cause significant impact to wildlife and the environment and cost tax dollars to remove. With this ordinance in place, the City hopes to reduce plastic bag use by 95%. Read more.

Autumn Treasure Trove

    

In This Issue
In this issue
Measure F at Work
News Highlights
Halloween Happenings
Plastic Bag Ban
Autumn Treasure Trove
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Novato, CA
94945
  
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Calendar Highlights
For a complete listing and updated information, please check out the City Calendar.

 

10/1 
Girl's Basketball Registration begins
Blood Pressure Clinic
Senior Produce Market
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Brown Bag Market
Oktoberfest Dinner @ Margaret Todd

  

10/2

Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Picklebal drop-in
  
10/4
Gymnastics Pre-registration/S#2 ends
Open House @ Margaret Todd
  
10/5
Big Bucks Public Bingo
 
10/6
Prescription Drop-off
Planning Commission

10/7
Gymnastics Open Registration/
  Session # 2 begins
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Pickleball Drop-in
City Council meeting

10/8
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Brown Bag Market
  
10/9
Legal Services
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Pickleball Drop-in
Zoning Administrator meeting
  
10/10
City Offices closed

10/11
Fall "Trash to Treasures" Flea Market

10/12
Big Bucks Public Bingo

10/13
Novato Streetscape Committee mtg

10/14
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Pickleball drop-in
City Council meeting

10/15
Blood Pressure Clinic
Senior Produce Market
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Brown Bag Market
Design Review Commission meeting

10/16
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Pickleball drop-in

10/19
Big Bucks Public Bingo

10/20
Planning Commission meeting

10/21
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Pickleball drop-in
City Council meeting

10/22
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Brown Bag Market

10/23
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Pickleball drop-in
Zoning Administrator meeting
  
10/24
City offices closed

10/25
Gymnastics Session 1 ends
Scream on the Green Faire
Downtown Safe Trick or Treating

10/26
Scream on the Green Faire
Big Bucks Public Bingo

10/27
Adult Coed Winter Volleyball
   registration begins
Gymnastics Session 2 begins

10/28
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Pickleball drop-in
City Council meeting
  
10/29
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Brown Bag Market

10/30
Lunch at Margaret Todd Cafe
Pickleball drop-in
     
SAVE THE DATE!
DECEMBER 5 & 6 for the annual Holiday Crafts Faire
  
Novato Parks & Rec is on Instagram
                      
BE DISASTER-PREPARED
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