November 2024

Welcome to the City of Novato's monthly newsletter! This issue features Measure M information, a fiscal sustainability update from City Manager Cunningham, Novato's new General Fund Forecasting Tool, information about Novato's Street Paving Program, Grant Avenue Bridge Project update, Parks & Recreation programs, holiday happenings, and more!

You can stay up-to-date on City news and events throughout the month by visiting novato.org/connectwithus and signing up for specific topics that are most important to you.

What is Measure M?

After receiving feedback on our community’s top budget priorities, the Novato City Council unanimously voted to place Measure M on the November 2024 ballot. 

If approved by local voters, Measure M would increase Novato’s local sales tax rate by 0.75%, adding 7.5¢ to a $10 purchase. Measure M would continue to protect services and quality of life with locally controlled revenue which could be used to:

• Fix potholes and maintain city streets
• Maintain 9-1-1 emergency response and public safety
• Maintain parks and recreation programs and facilities
• Reduce the risk of wildfires

If enacted, Measure M requires fiscal accountability protections, including:

• All funds must stay in Novato for local services only and cannot be taken by the State, the County or other agencies; and 
• All funds would be subject to independent audits and mandatory public spending disclosure as well as reevaluating the measure’s necessity at year 10 and every 5 years thereafter.

The City’s ongoing budget deficit, $4.3 million this fiscal year, will continue to grow without service reductions or enhanced revenue. 

Fiscal Sustainability Update

At last week’s City Council meeting, City Manager Amy Cunningham shared important updates on our City’s fiscal sustainability. In her presentation, she highlighted the City’s ongoing efforts to manage expenses, enhance revenue, and address our increasing budget deficit — all while working to preserve service levels for our community. 

Key highlights included:

• Funding priorities for critical needs, including deferred infrastructure such as streets, parks and other capital assets. 
• An overview of Measure M, which proposes a ¾¢ increase to Novato’s local sales tax, unanimously placed on the November 5 ballot by the City Council.
• A five-year general fund forecast emphasizing Novato’s ongoing fiscal challenges. 
• Novato’s emergency reserves, which will be insufficient to maintain current service levels by fiscal year 2026/27 without significant changes to revenue or expenses.

Tap on the video above to watch the presentation or click below to learn more.

Share Your Input on Novato’s Budget Challenges with our Forecasting Tool

To encourage collaboration and transparency, the City has launched our Community General Fund Forecasting Tool. This interactive tool allows our community to explore the impact of revenue changes, expenditure growth, and funding alternatives for key General Fund needs. It uses the City’s Adopted General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25, which is projected to use approximately $4 million in emergency reserves to maintain existing services through the end of the fiscal year. 

Try out the Forecasting Tool to gain insight into Novato’s financial situation and help shape possible solutions. Your perspective is invaluable and can help improve Novato’s financial future.

As we work to maintain essential services and address deferred infrastructure needs, finding solutions to both the current and future General Fund deficits is essential to ensure long-term sustainability.

Novato did you know? Street Paving Edition

The City maintains 320 lane miles of road — that’s nearly equivalent to the distance between Novato and Santa Barbara! Earlier this year, the City Council received an update on Novato’s Pavement Management Program, identifying the City's need to invest an additional $5 million each year just to maintain our roadways in their current "fair" condition. Even with this investment, the City is not able to address the deferred maintenance costs for our roads, which is projected to be about $42 million by 2027.

Ensuring our roadways are well-maintained for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists is a top priority.

Tap on the video above to watch the pavement management presentation or click below to learn more.

Grant Avenue Bridge Project Update: Traffic Shift

As part of the Grant Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation project, the traffic detour has shifted from the north traffic lane to the south traffic lane:

• The south side sidewalk and roadway will be open to pedestrian and vehicular traffic
• The north side sidewalk and roadway will be closed
• Pedestrians must cross Grant Avenue at 8th Street and at Virginia Avenue

This project is anticipated to be completed in January 2025 and benefits include widened roadway access; safety improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists; new bridge railing and pavement; and new signage and a streetlight system. All estimated timelines are tentative and subject to change.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we move into the final stage of construction.

Novato's All-Agency Permit Advice Center

Novato Permit Connections is an all-agency permit advice center designed to streamline the permit process for our community.

Whether you’re working on a common homeowner project, considering an accessory dwelling unit, or planning for commercial tenant improvements, our dedicated team is here to provide the resources you need to move your projects forward efficiently.

1st & 3rd Thursdays of every month

9am to 11am

Novato Permit Center, 922 Machin Avenue

Novato Permit Connections brings together City staff and representatives from Novato Fire, North Marin Water, and Novato Sanitary—all under one roof. No appointment necessary!

Small Business Workshop & Networking Event

Join us for a free mini workshop about creative funding options for your business launch or expansion on Tuesday, November 12 from 5:30pm-7pm at Novato City Hall. An expert financial advisor will cover strategies around microloans, zero interest crowdfunded loans, crowdfunding, factoring and more.

No Digging in the Turf!

We’re all about keeping Dogbone Meadow fun and safe for everyone — humans and dogs alike.

Help us out by keeping an eye on your furry friends and preventing digging in the turf. Not only does it keep our park looking great, but it also keeps pups and their companions safe from harm.

Dog Translation: Bark, bark, woof!

Thank you for helping us keep our parks beautiful.

Margaret Todd Senior Center Membership

Applications for 2025 Margaret Todd Senior Center membership are now available. For $42 per year, gain weekly access to more than 15 game groups, puzzles, lending library and more. Get discounts on Center special events like our Irish Lunch and Summer Luau. Plus, receive a monthly newsletter via mail or email with important resources and program information.

Kids Night Out

Hey #NovatoFun Families! Need a night off? Let the kids have an amazing time at our Kids Night Out on Friday, November 22 from 5:30pm - 8:30pm⁠ at the Downtown Recreation Center, 950 Seventh Street.

Kids will enjoy crafts, games, pizza and a movie! For ages 5 to 10.

Residents - $44 / Non-Residents - $48.40

Kids Night Out

Hey parents — need another night off during the holiday season? Take advantage of our Kids Night Out on Friday, December 13 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm at the Downtown Recreation Center, 950 Seventh Street.

Kids will enjoy crafts, games, pizza and a movie! For ages 5 to 10.

Residents - $44 / Non-Residents - $48.40

Holiday Happenings in Novato

Día de los Muertos Celebration

Join us for our inaugural Día de los Muertos celebration on Saturday, November 2 from 4pm – 6pm on the Novato Civic Green, 901 Sherman Avenue.

Help us build a community ofrenda (altar) by bringing 3"x3" photographs or mementos to celebrate the lives we remember. We will provide you with electronic candles, silk marigolds, and cups of water for the ofrenda. Please label items with your name and phone number.

Letters to Santa

Starting November 12, children of all ages can drop their letters off at one of our North Pole mailbox locations:

📍 Novato Gymnastics Center, 950 7th St⁠ - Mail slot available 24/7

📍 Margaret Todd Senior Center, 1560 Hill Rd⁠ - Mailbox available 9am - 5pm, Mon-Fri

To all the parents and helpers out there — don't forget you MUST include a self-addressed, stamped envelope inside the letter to receive a response!

Crafts with the Cops

Need an exciting fall activity for the kids during the Thanksgiving break? Hop in your Autumn-mobile and join us for a spice-tacular crafting event on Monday, November 25 from 10am - 11am at Novato City Hall. Enjoy fun activities for the kids including a coloring station, DIY Thanksgiving crafts, storytime and Thanksgiving themed giveaways and books! Perfect for ages 3-10 years old, but all ages welcome.

Heroes & Helpers

Every year, North Marin Community Services partners with Novato Police, the City of Novato and Target to provide gifts to underserved families during the holidays. The event is funded through donations from community partners and community members. The event takes place at Target in Novato in December and provides gifts to 60 families during the holiday season.

Holiday Crafts Faire

Join us for the 2024 Holiday Crafts Faire on Friday, December 6, 6pm-9pm and Saturday, December 7, 10am-4pm at the Margaret Todd Senior Center. Purchase handmade crafts including jewelry, ceramics, specialty foods, wreaths, ornaments, bath & body products and more, and enjoy food and entertainment throughout the event.

Shoppers should bring cash, as we cannot guarantee all vendors will accept credit cards. Admission is free. Please note, we are no longer accepting vendor applications for 2024.

Photos with Santa

Santa is making a special stop at our Holiday Crafts Faire on Saturday, December 7. Five time slots are available from 10am to 12pm.

For just $5 per family, you'll receive a holiday photo shared on Novato Fun's Facebook and a special North Pole goodie bag for the little ones.

Spaces fill up quickly, so be sure to sign up today!

Holiday Tree Lighting

Join us for Novato's Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Festival, held on Saturday, December 7 from 4-7:30pm on Grant Avenue.

Enjoy live music, dance performances, arts & crafts, vendors and more!

There's no place like Novato for the holidays.

Gingerbread Build

Register now for the 2024 Gingerbread Build on December 14 at the Margaret Todd Senior Center at 9:30am or 11am. Enjoy holiday music, hot chocolate, and coffee while creating with family and friends.

$20 per kit. Each kit includes a house, frosting, candies, and sprinkles - perfect for a group of four. Additional kits are available for larger groups.

Downtown Novato's

Not So Silent Night

Your favorite stores will stay open late for holiday shopping on Saturday, December 14 beginning at 4pm in Downtown Novato.

Restaurants, bars, taprooms and tasting rooms will be bursting with special treats, live music and holiday cheer.

Santa will be strolling the street, too, so you can share your holiday list with him!

Novato Historical Guild: Family History Day

On October 26, the Novato Historical Guild held their 2nd Annual Family History Day on the Civic Green. Attendees received family history kits and explored Novato’s rich history through fun facts and interactive exhibits. The event featured twelve canopies representing local families and community organizations, creating a vibrant and educational experience for all ages!

Supporting groups included Novato's Multicultural Advisory Commission, Novato Unified School District, School Fuel, Hamilton T - 8th School Mothers Club, North Marin Community Services, Novato Unified School District, the Marin Indian Alliance and more.

Interested in learning more about Novato's history? The Novato Historical Guild operates two museums — Novato History Museum, located in the 1850 Postmaster’s House, 815 DeLong Avenue, and The Hamilton Field History Museum, located in the 1935 Hamilton Firehouse, 555 Hangar Avenue. Both museums are open Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 12-4pm. For more information, please call (415) 382-8614 or go to novatohistory.org.

Novato Proudly Celebrates Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month, which recognizes and celebrates the traditions, languages, and stories of Native American communities and aims to ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive each and every day. We are #NovatoProud of our Native American community members and of our heritage as home to the Coast Miwok, who were sustainable agriculturalists who occupied Novato, as well as other areas of Marin and Sonoma counties.

City of Novato Sustainability

Compost Food Scraps this Holiday Season

As we enter the holiday season, we’d like to offer a friendly reminder to put all food scraps in your green Recology cart or in a backyard compost bin. Not only is it the best thing to do for our environment – it’s the law in California.

When food scraps get buried in our landfill they create methane, a powerful heat-trapping greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. By composting our food scraps, we can return those nutrients to the soil and avoid methane emissions from landfills.

Solar and Battery Storage Webinar

Marin homeowners are considering installing solar and battery storage for many reasons, including: resiliency to power outages, lower utility bills, reducing greenhouse gas pollution, and charging electric vehicles and appliances.

Join the Marin County Sustainability Team for a free informational webinar on November 13 from 6pm - 7:30pm, which will provide an overview on how solar and battery storage systems work, the economic and incentive landscape, how to choose a contractor for your project, and more!

Going All Electric at Home

Did you know that 28% of all greenhouse gas pollution generated in Novato comes from burning gas in our homes and businesses for water heating, cooking, drying clothes, and space heating?

If you’ve been thinking about electrifying your home to make it more energy efficient, check out the new Electrify Marin Information Hub! The curated pages at the hub provide a wealth of valuable information for residents looking to transition their homes from gas-fueled appliances to energy efficient, electric alternatives.

Upcoming City Meetings

The City of Novato encourages community participation at our upcoming public meetings. Meeting details, including information on how to participate, are included in each meeting agenda packet. Agendas are posted at least 72 hours prior to each scheduled meeting. To receive meeting agendas via email and/or text, sign-up at novato.org/connectwithus.

November 6 at 7pm | Design Review Commission - Cancelled

November 7 at 7:30am | Finance Advisory Commission

November 7 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator - Special Meeting

November 7 at 3pm | Economic Development Advisory Commission

November 7 at 5:30pm | Police Advisory and Review Board - Cancelled

November 14 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator

November 14 at 6pm | Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Commission

November 18 at 7pm | Planning Commission - Special Meeting

November 19 at 6pm | City Council

November 20 at 5:30pm | Complete Streets & Pathways Oversight Committee

November 20 at 7pm | Design Review Commission

November 25 at 7pm | Planning Commission - Cancelled

November 27 at 6pm | Multicultural Advisory Commission

We're Hiring — Join Our Team!

Interested in a career in local government? Check out some of our current openings:

• Permit Technician — deadline to apply is November 3
• Plan Check Engineer — deadline to apply is November 10

Please note the following positions will remain open until filled.

Community Development

• Senior Building Inspector (Full Time)

Police

• Police Cadet (Part Time)
• Police Officer Trainee (Full Time)
• Police Officer - Lateral/Academy Graduate (Full Time)

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