City of Novato
June 2015
 
  

A City that Works, Celebrates!

         

Novato's Annual Fourth of July Parade--one of the largest in the Bay Area
 

Novato is getting a lot of recognition lately. In a recent AARP Bulletin, Novato was ranked #1  (among cities with 25-100k population) for the best places to be to stay healthy and ranked #4 among cities with the best places for a date night. The City also received the honor of being designated a "Playful City USA" community, and we are a ceremonial stop for the Special Olympics torch for the 2015 World Games. And why not, Novato? After all, we are one of the safest communities with residents who are very satisfied with Novato's quality of life. Let's celebrate, Novato! Check out the opportunities below:

 

July 4: Annual 4th of July parade & festivities

July 11: Concerts on the Green--free concerts on the civic green

July 13: Special Olympics torch run on Grant Ave--community celebration to follow

July 26: Sundays on Sherman--"play streets" on Sherman (see story below)

'Play Streets' Coming to Novato     

 

 

This new event was developed by our Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department to provide fun events to keep Novatans active and healthy--and to continue connecting our community through play for all ages. Sherman Avenue will be closed to vehicles and we will be offering healthy cooking demos, rock climbing, yoga on the civic green--and even an opportunity to create a community mural with artists from MarinMOCA. So, walk, bike, skip, or skateboard, to the kick-off of Sundays on Sherman, July 26, 11am-3pm. Check in often for updates: novato.org/sundaysonsherman (also en Espaņol).

 
News Highlights 

 

Novato students get Council recognition for their winning speeches (Margie Burke Tournament)

 

NEW CITY BUDGET YEAR: The $61 million City of Novato budget, approved by City Council on June 23, emphasizes the priorities that we heard from our residents in our recent survey:

  • Maintain quality of life in Novato
  • Maintain public safety services
  • Support our local economy & increase jobs
  • Maintain City streets, sidewalks, and parks

"This is an important and exciting year for Novato," said City Manager Michael Frank. "We have heard from our residents about what is important to them and we are committed to providing those services to the community while charting a long-term path to organizational and fiscal sustainability. I look forward to continuing the conversation with our residents and our City Council to ensure that we are a "City that Works" for the community."

 

Budget highlights include:

  • Maintain the Novato Response Team to continue its proactive work on crime prevention, intervention, and enforcement

  • Maintain rapid 9-1-1 response times;

  • Continue emergency preparedness planning and training;

  • Expand efforts to increase local job creation & business attraction/retention;

  • Invest in the North Bay Life Sciences Alliance to generate regional investments and establish Novato as a life sciences jobs hub;

  • Increase recreation programs for low-income and at-risk youth;

  • $1.1 million investment in City roads, bridges, storm drains, parks, facilities, and sidewalks

The new budget year begins July 1. Read the budget at novato.org/citybudget.

 

To get quick previews and recaps of Council meetings, sign-up for our e-notification.
Have a Voice in City Government

Committees, commissions, and boards play a significant role in helping City staff and the City Council make important decisions that affect the lives of Novato residents.The City of Novato values broad participation in these advisory bodies and highly encourages Novatans to apply. Committee positions are open to City of Novato residents. There are approximately 12 advisory bodies made up of active and engaged Novato residents who provide valuable input and energy to the local government process. Check out the list here.


 

It is a great way to meet other Novato community members and weigh-in on topics important to you. Read why two of our commissioners think serving on a City board is important:

 

 

" The reason I applied to serve as a member of the Planning Commission was because I find land use issues fascinating, and I wanted to be an active participant in our very vibrant democratic process in Novato. It is an opportunity for me to give something back to the community. At the same time, it's an opportunity to create community--for me, my family, my friends and my neighbors. And it's fun. I get to meet all kinds of different people and it breaks me out of my everyday rut." - Curtis Havel, Planning Commission since 2014

 Measure F Finance Committee member

"My grandparents relocated to Novato after World War II and my family moved

 from San Francisco in 1978 and since then I have witnessed the development and expansion of this beautiful location. This is a wonderful community to raise a family. I have learned a great deal about the workings of the City and I hope I have contributed to making it a better place to live. We are all responsible for our community and it is important for all of us to speak up, get involved and build a community and life style that is sustainable for our kids and grandkids. It's been a privilege to serve." - Cris MacKenzie, Measure F/Finance Committee since 2007


 

Interested in serving on a City committee? It's as easy as 1 - 2 - 3:

  1. Go to novato.org/government/citycouncil and click on "Applications for Membership" to view to look up current vacancies.
  2. Select committees you would like to serve on. (Check out "Agendas & Minutes" to check each committee's meeting schedule to ensure your availability)
  3. Complete the application online.

Once you've submitted your completed application, it stays on file in the City Clerk's Office and, as vacancies occur in your areas of interest, your application will be reviewed.
In This Issue
In this issue
A City that Works, Celebrates!
'Play Streets' Coming to Novato
News Highlights
Have a Voice in Your City
Annual Street Paving Begins
After Work Lecture & Social Series
Next mixer: July 2
"What's for Dinner?"
Register: 415.899.8290
More info 
Quick Links:
922 Machin Way
Novato, CA
94945
415.899.8900
www.novato.org
Inquiries: publicinfo@novato.org
facebook badge   twitter badge
Calendar Highlights

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

  

7/11
Concerts on the Green
 
7/13

7/26

SAVE THE DATE:

 

 


 
NOTE: City Council meets most Tuesdays. Check the City calendar for dates.
 Annual Street Paving Begins Mid-July
street crews patching


To help keep Novato a safe and accessible community for all, the City annually prioritizes streets and sidewalks in need of repair and kicks off its pavement rehabilitation program during the summer months.

 The first phase of work, which included replacement of damaged concrete curb, gutters, and sidewalks, replacement of street tree, and the addition of 40 ADA-compliant access ramps at crosswalks citywide, began in late May. 

 The next phase--pavement of City streets--is anticipated to start in mid-July and be completed by the end of August. All residents are notified of when work will begin and what to expect during the project. "No parking" signs are also placed at least 72 hours prior to the start date. As this phase of work gets closer, the City will post a schedule of when to expect work on your street.


Street listing here. More info: pw@novato.org or call 415.899.8246