City of Novato
Nov/Dec 2015
Fog over Novato hills  
  
Sweet Home Novato for the Holidays
          



Every holiday season, Novato offers fun and festive activities for the entire family. Below are just a few to put on your calendar:

Downtown for the Holidays: Holiday shopping season kicks off in Downtown Novato starting on Sat., Nov. 28 for Small Business Saturday. Novatans are encouraged to shop local (and often!) during the holidays and throughout the year. Every weekend from now until Christmas, Downtown will offer goodies, activities, carolers, carriage rides, and one-of-a-kind gift ideas! More info: downtownnovato.com
 
Annual Tree Lighting: Join us at City Hall on Sat., Dec. 5 , 4-8pm for Novato's beloved tree lighting! Dancers, singers, food, crafts and cheer galore! AND don't forget Santa; he will be there too, taking photos with children. More info: downtownnovato.com

Holiday Crafts Faire: this fun & festive event has become an annual tradition for holiday shoppers. Stay local and shop for handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts from 50+ vendors. Hosted at Margaret Todd Senior Center on Fri., Dec. 4, 6-9pm & Sat., Dec. 5, 10am-4pm. More info: novato.org/events

Sundays on Sherman Winter edition: it's back and promises to put you & yours in the holiday mood! On Sun., Dec. 13, 11am-3pm, join us at City Hall & the Civic Green--transformed into a holiday haven for all ages! Hot cocoa, cookies, activities for all--and best yet--a GIANT 100-foot slide and a mini train ride around City Hall! Event is free. More info: novato.org/events

Breakfast with Santa: join Novato Kiwanis and the Margaret Todd Senior Center on Sun., Dec. 6, 9:30am-12pm for a festive pancake, egg and sausage breakfast.  Make sure to bring your camera and take a photo with Santa! More info: novato.org/calendar

Selfies with Santa:new this year and sponsored by the Downtown Business Association, will be at the Novato Theater every Saturday from Nov. 28 until Dec.19 to take photos with the kiddies against a very unique backdrop. More info: downtownnovato.com
News Highlights 
 













SMART train was recently in town and gave folks a sneak-peek inside! For updates on progress of the train, go to http://main.sonomamarintrain.org/construction-updates/

Nov. 2015 Election results: On Nov. 3, Novato voters were asked to consider Measure C to maintain essential City services. Measure C passed with nearly 73% of voter support. Measure C was placed on the ballot via unanimous Council approval after months of discussion and community input regarding maintaining essential City services and long-term fiscal sustainability.

Measure C continues locally-controlled funding that was previously approved by a majority of voters to maintain essential public safety, street maintenance and pothole repair, youth and senior services, parks, and quality of life in Novato. At a ¼ cent, the measure is expected to generate approximately $2.3 million annually and will take effect when Measure F-the half-cent sales tax--expires March 31, 2016. For more info on Measure C, go to novato.org/measurec.

Regarding the City Council election, one incumbent--Councilmember Eric Lucan--and two new councilmembers-Josh Fryday and Pam Drew--will be seated on Dec. 8 during the City's annual Council reorganization. Official results of the Nov. 3 election are available here.

Dogbone Meadow Design Workshop & Open House: On Saturday, November 14, the City held an open house to get input from dog park users on how best to improve Dogbone Meadow dog park. Ideas included restrooms, walking paths, and agility equipment for dogs. The general consensus from park users was that they wanted to have turf installed in the park that would be available for use year-round. Next steps include drafting designs based on the initial feedback and bringing those concepts back to the public for feedback in early 2016. For more info on this project e-mail prcs@novato.org or call 415.899.8900.

 

Interim City Manager appointed: At the Nov. 17 meeting, the City Council approved a contract with Cathy Capriola to serve as the interim City Manager until a permanent City Manager is hired. Capriola has served as the City's Assistant City Manager since 2009. City Manager Michael Frank announced his resignation earlier this year and will be staying with the City through the end of the year.


 
To get previews and recaps of Council meetings, sign-up for our e-notification.
Heroes & Helpers Event

The Novato Police Department (NPD) is once again teaming up with the Target Corporation, the Novato Unified School District, the Novato Human Needs Center and the Novato Youth Center to bring holiday joy and cheer to Novato children and their families.

On Saturday, December 5, 2015, at 8 a.m., Novato Police Department officers will accompany approximately 40 children on a shopping spree at our local Target store, located at 200 Vintage Way in Novato. Each child will be accompanied by a NPD officer as well as other department employees and members of the Elks Lodge.

Each child will receive a Target gift card to purchase gifts for themselves or members of their family. The children and their families were selected by the Novato Youth Center and the Novato Human Needs Center. The transportation to and from the event was generously donated by the Novato Unified School District.

The Novato Police Department would like to thank the Target Corporation for its continued support. This year, the Department was fortunate to also receive additional support from the Novato Elks Lodge--another great example of the partnership between our local non-profits, the Novato Police Department, the Novato Elks Lodge and Target Corporation to benefit children and families throughout our community.

Target Corporation partners with law enforcement and criminal justice organizations throughout the nation through the "Target-Heroes and Helpers" program, which builds stronger and safer communities.
Helpful Holiday Safety Tips from our NPD                             

In This Issue
In this issue
Sweet Home Novato for the Holidays
News Highlights
Heroes & Helpers Event
NPD Holiday Safety Tips
Honoring Civic Service
"King" Tide Season
Building Community
Be Prepared, Novato!
 
The City has sand and bags available to the Novato community:
City's Corp Yard (550 Davidson St.) and
 Hamilton Theater (507 S. Palm Dr.).
 
For more information on how to prepare for heavy rains and potential flooding, go to: http://novato.org/community/flood-information.
 
Check out this quick how-to video by our Public Works Department to show you a fast & easy way to fill a sandbag
(click the image below)
Quick Links:
922 Machin Way
Novato, CA
94945
415.899.8900
www.novato.org
Inquiries: publicinfo@novato.org
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Calendar Highlights

For a complete listing and updated information, please check out the City Calendar.
  
12/4 & 12/4 
Holiday Crafts Faire
 
12/5
Annual Community Tree Lighting & Holiday Festivities
Selfies with Santa (every Sat through 12/19)
 
12/6
Breakfast with Santa
 
12/8
City Council meeting & Council reorganization

12/13
Sundays on Sherman--Winter edition

12/15
Council meeting (last meeting of 2015)
 
12/24 & 12/25, 12/30 & 12/31 
Holiday closure--City offices closed

NOTE: City Council meets most Tuesdays. Check the City calendar for dates.
Honoring Civic Service

Recently, the Novato community, city partners, family and friends, joined City staff in thanking and recognizing the civic contributions of outgoing Councilmember Madeline Kellner, Mayor Pro Tem Jeanne MacLeamy (Dec. 1), and Novato City Manager Michael Frank at three separate public ceremonies. Many thanks Madeline Kellner, Jeanne MacLeamy, and Michael Frank for all of your years of work and dedication on behalf of the Novato community!
Above: Councilmember Madeline Kellner & Joan Lubamersky of Assemblymember Levine's office
Above: City Manager Michael Frank with County Supervisor Judy Arnold and aides Tanya Albert and Lynn Weber
"King" Tide Season
6ft 9in tide October 2015
High-tide flooding is expected in Marin County over the next few months and residents and visitors are urged to stay informed of changing conditions and research how high tides might affect travel plans. Drivers are encouraged to consider using alternative routes, avoid driving through ponded water, and allow extra time for trips, especially during peak times of holiday and commuter travel. Check 511.org for latest traffic and transit information.
 
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, the following are predicted high tides--at or above 6.5 feet Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW)--through December 31 at the San Francisco gauge. (KT = king tide)
 
Monday, December 21, 7:38 AM (KT)
6.5 ft.
Tuesday, December 22, 8:25 AM (KT)
6.7 ft.
Wednesday, December 23, 9:11 AM (KT)
6.9 ft.
Thursday, December 24, 9:56 AM
6.9 ft.
Friday, December 25, 10:41 AM
6.8 ft.
Saturday, December 26, 11:24 AM
6.6 ft.
 
Times are approximate but should be within 30 minutes of the actual peak. Novato "viewing" areas will include Novato Creek and Warner Creek as far upstream as Redwood Blvd and South Novato Blvd; and the Hamilton Wetlands area.
 
Additional king tides will occur in mid-January. For more info: http://california.kingtides.net/ and http://kingtides.net/
 
King tides occur when the earth is closest to the sun and when the moon's orbit is closest to the earth, thereby causing a strong gravitational pull on surface water. Normal tides can still be significant even when king tide conditions are not present.

Local tidal flood-prone locations in Novato where tidal water impacts roadways include Binford Road between Atherton Avenue and Airport Road and Harbor Drive in the Black Point area between Grandview Avenue and the Highway 37 entrance ramp. (Source: County of Marin)
Building Community                        
On Nov. 13, more than 20 City of Novato staff volunteered for Habitat for Humanity as they build 10 single-family homes on Mt. Burdell Place located at 1112 Fourth Street, just two blocks from downtown Novato. Each home will have a living area, kitchen, half-bath, and garage on the lower floor, and three bedrooms and two baths on the second floor.These homes will be available to families earning up to 80% of the area median income. Mt. Burdell Place homes feature sustainable building practices. Mt. Burdell Place homes will be available for purchase in early 2017. The City of Novato is also a funding partner in this affordable housing project.