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State of the City: Residents Highly-Satisfied with Quality of Life
City Manager Michael Frank delivers his sixth State of the City address at a Feb. 24 Chamber-hosted annual event
This year, the State of the City theme was "A City that Works." City Manager Michael Frank emphasized the many ways in which Novato has successfully emerged from the recession and how the City, as an organization, really works for Novato.
Highlights included the growth of the economy--creation of 1,300 new jobs; value of Novato homes up 13%--development interest in Novato, and local growth of the bio-life science industry. Frank also cited a 45% overall drop in crime in Novato, and the many street and sidewalk projects completed last year and slated in 2015. Read the speech/watch the video here.
A recently-commissioned independent survey shows residents in the City of Novato are highly satisfied with their quality of life and the services the City provides. The survey, conducted January 27 through February 3, shows a remarkable 93% of respondents rate Novato's quality of life as "excellent" or "good." Additionally, of those residents who have come in direct contact with City staff, 83% give staff "excellent" or "good" ratings on responsiveness.
"Novato prides itself on a tradition of community engagement, fiscal accountability and the delivery of excellent, quality of life services. After years of Sacramento takeaways and money grabs, we are still a City that works," says Novato City Manager Michael Frank. Read more and take a quick survey.
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News Highlights
 
City maintenance crews recently install an all-way stop at Wilson Ave. and Mill Road
Citywide, we are improving bicycle and pedestrian safety and promoting safe streets:
- new sidewalk on Vineyard Road
- a new pathway adjacent to Lynwood Drive
- repaved 5 miles of streets, installed 15 new wheelchair ramps, and corrected more than 150 sidewalk trip-hazards
- and coming this year: a multi-use path on Nave Drive
In other news, Annette Chavez joined our team as the new Chief Building Official. Annette has more than 25 years of both public and private experience in project management and building inspection and oversight and has served most recently as a Principal Project Manager for Willdan Engineering's Building & Safety Division in Roseville and in Redding.
The Building Official oversees and coordinates plan-checking, issuance of permits, and building inspection procedures for the City. The position also helps to manage the plan check and inspection phases of the development review process, and assists in budget, fee development, and administration.
The Novato Police Department announced its 8th Community Academy. The Community Academy is an eight-week overview of the Novato Police Department and law enforcement in our community. Each session will be presented on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. except for a 5-hour field exercise training day, which will be held on a Saturday. The first session starts on Thursday, April 16.
The Academy provides community members with an inside look at local law enforcement. For more info and the application, click here. NOTE: as this is a popular offering and class size is limited, please submit your application on or before April 2.
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Novato PD: Novato Response Team Reaches Out
Officer Nick Conrad (above) presenting to Deer Park Senior Housing residents. Conrad is an officer on the Novato Response Team.
The City's Novato Response Team (NRT)--a special police team focused on proactive crime prevention, intervention and enforcement to address gangs, crime and issues affecting quality of life--continues to reach out to the community with guidance and information on crime prevention to keep Novato safe.
Recently, Officer Nick Conrad met with the Deer Park community and provided crime prevention tips on how to avoid falling victim to various scams, i.e., phone, credit card, fake IRS contacts. Financial scams targeting seniors have become so prevalent and are referred to as "the crime of the 21st century." Financial scams often go unreported or can be difficult to prosecute, so they're considered a "low-risk" crime. However, they're devastating to many older adults and can leave them in a very vulnerable position with little time to recoup their losses.
Schedule a NRT presentation for your group or organization today! Topics will be tailored to fit your audience and can include: crime trends, safety tips, property improvements to prevent crime, and tips on how to protect yourself. For more info, contact Officer Nick Conrad or call 415.899.7039.
NRT Mentoring Novato Youth through GREAT Program
Thirty-two eighth-graders at San Jose Middle School are getting face time with some of NPD's finest. Recently, the NPD launched a first installment of the GREAT program--a 13-week class, that takes place once a week--teaches students a number of skills to help avoid involvement in gangs, violence, drug abuse, and crime.
The GREAT program, or Gang Resistance Education and Training, is a nationally- recognized school-based gang prevention program that started in 1991. It is brought to Novato schools through the Police Department and coordinated by the NRT.
The program differs from most efforts to reduce gang problems. Typical programs are directed at active gang members, and most target youths who are at risk for joining gangs. In contrast, the GREAT program is presented to entire classrooms without attempting to predict which students are most likely to become involved with a gang.
The G.R.E.A.T. program is aimed at middle school students and seeks to:
- Reduce involvement in gangs and delinquent behavior
- Teach consequences of gang involvement
- Develop positive relationships with law enforcement
Students are taught to set positive goals, resist negative pressures, resolve conflicts, and understand how gangs impact the quality of their lives.
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| Novato Neighborhood Plan to be Developed | |
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As part of the General Plan update, the City of Novato will be working with the "Northwest Quadrant" neighborhood, located north of Grant Avenue between First and Seventh Streets, to develop a neighborhood plan.
There will be two neighborhood workshops to discuss neighborhood priorities for amenities such as street trees and landscaping, sidewalks and bike paths, lighting, and zoning for development. The last neighborhood plan was created in 1977.
A walking tour of the neighborhood kicked-off the first workshop on Saturday, March 14, where approximately 60 community members attended.The second workshop, on the evening of Wed., March 25, will include review and discussion of the draft plan. This topic will also be included on Open Novato by Mar. 20 for folks interested in giving input, but unable to attend workshop
For more information, check out the fliers in English and also en Espanol. Spanish translation will be available at both meetings. For questions, please contact Community Development Director Bob Brown at 415-899-8938.
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 GET INVOLVED NOVATO  Sign-up now for the 20th Annual Clean and Green Day! Join your neighbors on the Civic Green on Sat. April 25 to help keep our City beautiful. |
Calendar Highlights
For a complete listing and updated information, please check out the City Calendar.
3/22
Big Bucks Public Bingo
3/23 Gymnastics Pre-registration begins (Season 5)
Reverse Coed Volleyball Summer League
Registration begins
Men's & Women's Volleyball League Registration begins
Pickleball drop-in
3/24
Lunch @ Margaret Todd Café
Pickleball drop-in
English as a Second Language class City Council meeting
Evening of Big Band
3/25 Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy
Program
Lunch at Margaret Todd Café Brown Bag Market Pickleball Drop-in English as a Second Language class Northwest Quad Neighborhood Plan meeting
3/26
Legal Services for Seniors
Lunch at Margaret Todd Café Pickleball Drop-in English as a Second Language class
3/27
City offices closed
3/28
Gymnastics Pre-Registration for Season 5 ends
Spring "Trash to Treasures" Flea Market
3/29
Big Bucks Public Bingo 3/31
NO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Gymnastics open registration for Season 5
begins
4/1
Senior Produce Market
Lunch at Margaret Todd Café
Brown Bag Market
English as a Second Language class
4/2
Victim Witness Protection Program
Free Blood Pressure Clinic
Lunch at Margaret Todd Café
English as a Second Language class
4/3
Men's Basketball Summer Season Registration
deadline
4/4
Eggstravaganza in Downtown Novato!
4/5
Big Bucks Public Bingo
4/6
Prescription drop-off
Planning Commission meeting
4/7
Lunch at Margaret Todd Café
English as a Second Language class
City Council meeting
4/8
HICAP meetings
Caregiver Support Group
Lunch at Margaret Todd Café
Brown Bag Market
English as a Second Language class
4/9
Legal Services for Seniors
Lunch at Margaret Todd Café
English as a Second Language class
4/10
Friday Night LIVE MUSIC @ City Hall Series
4/11
Gymnastics Session 4 ends
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The egg hunt is back! This year the Downtown Novato Business Association will be hosting an egg hunt that will cater to the little and big kids alike. The event will take place on Saturday morning, April 4th @ City Hall. Visit our website or Facebook page for details as they become available.
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MERA Accepting Exemption Applications for Low-income Seniors
The Marin Emergency Radio Authority (MERA) is now accepting exemption applications for low-income seniors for the 2015-16 tax year. To apply for an exemption for the Measure A Parcel tax for the MERA Next Gen Project, click here.
Additionally, MERA is seeking applicants for its Measure A Citizens Oversight Committee. For more info, click here. Applications for this Committee are due April 3.
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Bulb & Battery Take-back Program
A free & easy way to protect our environment
Click image below for more info
A Community Resource of the Marin County Hazardous & Solid Waste Management
Joint Powers Authority
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