September 2024

Welcome to the City of Novato's monthly newsletter! This issue features the launch of Novato's new all-agency permit advice center, Fall CCB recruitment - now open, upcoming opportunities to meet your councilmembers, Grant Avenue Bridge project update, Pedestrian Safety Month tips from Novato Police Department, Parks & Recreation events 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.

Novato Launches New All-Agency Permit Advice Center

The City of Novato is pleased to announce the launch of Novato Permit Connections, a new all-agency permit advice center aimed at streamlining the permit process for Novato’s homeowners and small businesses.

Novato Permit Connections is available the first and third Thursday of every month from 9am to 11am at our Permit Center located at 922 Machin Avenue. Offering drop-in consultations to homeowners and small business owners, this service provides an opportunity to meet with staff from the City and partner agencies all under one roof — including City permitting, planning, building, public works and code enforcement, as well as representatives from Novato Fire, North Marin Water and Novato Sanitary.

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La Ciudad de Novato se complace en anunciar el lanzamiento de Novato Permit Connections, un nuevo centro de asesoramiento sobre permisos para todas las agencias cuyo objetivo es agilizar el proceso de permisos para los propietarios de viviendas y las pequeñas empresas de Novato. 

Novato Permit Connections esta disponible el primer y tercer jueves de cada mes de 9 a. m. a 11 a. m. en nuestro Centro de Permisos ubicado en 922 Machin Avenue. Este servicio, que ofrece consultas sin cita previa a propietarios de viviendas y propietarios de pequeñas empresas, brinda la oportunidad de reunirse con el personal de la Ciudad y las agencias asociadas, todo bajo un mismo techo, incluidos los departamentos de permisos, planificación, construcción, obras públicas y cumplimiento de códigos de la Ciudad, así como representantes de Novato Fire, North Marin Water y Novato Sanitary.

Novato Commission, Committee and Board Recruitment / Proceso de reclutamiento para comisiones, comités y consejos

If you have an interest in serving your community, applying for a position on a City Commission, Committee or Board is a great place to start! CCB members are appointed by the City Council and provide important oversight to City operations and the decision-making process.

The application period is currently open and will close on Sunday, September 29 at 5pm. 

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Si le interesa servir a su comunidad, ¡postular a un puesto en una Comisión, Comité o Consejo de la Ciudad es un buen lugar para comenzar! Miembros de los CCB son nombrados por el Concejo Municipal y aportan supervisión importante a las operaciones y el proceso de toma de decisiones de la Ciudad.

El período de postulaciones está abierto ahora y cerrará el domingo 29 de septiembre a las 5pm. 

Meet Your Councilmembers / Conozcan a los concejales de su ciudad

Join the Novato City Council and staff at upcoming community pop-up events for an opportunity to discuss City projects and initiatives, ask questions, share feedback, and help us get to know you better!

City Council and staff will be at upcoming Downtown Novato Community Farmers’ Markets as well as locations by district throughout the summer. 

Through meaningful conversations, we can continue to shape Novato’s future and strengthen our community together. 

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¡Acompañen al Ayuntamiento de Novato y a su personal en un evento emergente para la comunidad en el que tendrá la oportunidad de discutir proyectos e iniciativas de la ciudad, hacer preguntas, compartir opiniones y ayudarnos a conocerlos mejor!

Oportunidades adicionales para conectarse con el Ayuntamiento y el personal se llevarán a cabo en los próximos mercados de agricultores de la comunidad en Downtown Novato, así como las ubicaciones por distrito durante todo el verano. 

A través de conversaciones significativas, podemos continuar dando forma al futuro de Novato y fortalecer juntos nuestra comunidad. 

Grant Avenue Bridge Project Update

Construction crews continue to make progress on the Grant Avenue Bridge Project with rock slope protection placement complete, as well as the pouring of the deck and sidewalk. Over the next month, they will pour the bridge barrier, retaining wall, and finish the southern sidewalk.

Reminder: One-way traffic control will continue to be in place, with the detour expected to remain until November 2024. Pedestrian access will be maintained during this time. ⁠

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This project is anticipated to be completed in January 2025. Benefits include:

• widened roadway access;
• safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists;
• new bridge railing and pavement;
• new signage and a streetlight system.

All timelines are estimates and subject to change.⁠

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Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to make these much-needed improvements to your roadway.⁠

September is Pedestrian Safety Month

Novato Police Department (NPD) would like to remind drivers to slow down and be alert of people walking our streets. By always taking extra precautions, you can help protect pedestrians and reduce the risk of crashes and injuries. Walking should always be an easy and safe option for getting around in any community.

To promote the safety of our community, NPD will conduct traffic safety operations throughout the month of September, which will be focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of pedestrians at risk, including speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield and running stop signs or signals. 

NPD offers the following tips to ensure the safety of everyone:

Drivers:

• Do not speed. Slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
• Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.
• Never drive impaired.

Pedestrians:

• Be predictable. Use signalized crosswalks where drivers may anticipate foot traffic.
• Watch for approaching vehicles and practice due care crossing the street. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.
• Make it easier for drivers to see you at night – consider wearing bright colors, reflective material, or use a flashlight when practical.
• Be careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night or on busier streets with higher speed limits. 

Hamilton Pool Fall Season

Who says pool season has to end with summer? Not us! The Hamilton Pool Fall Season runs from September 4 to October 12.

Fall hours will be slightly different, so be sure to check novato.org/hamiltonpool for the latest schedule.

Daily admission and 15-visit punch passes, swim lessons, and lap swimming will all be available this fall.

Movies at Pocket Park

Join us for a FREE Movie at Pocket Park, 950 7th Street. We'll be playing Despicable Me on Saturday, September 14 at 7:30pm.

Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic dinner to enjoy during the show.

While service animals welcome, we ask that you please leave pets at home.

Fall Trash to Treasures

Flea Market

Fall into Fantastic Finds at the Trash to Treasures Flea Market on Saturday, September 28, from 9am-2pm at the Margaret Todd Senior Center. This free event will be held indoors, rain or shine. Food and other goodies will be available for purchase. Vendor booth applications must be returned to the Margaret Todd Senior Center by 5pm on September 12.

Floating Pumpkin Patch

Join us for our 2nd annual Floating Pumpkin Patch event at Hamilton Pool on Saturday, October 12. Choose between two sessions: 10am - 12pm or 1pm - 3pm.

Ticket includes pool entry, a pumpkin, and decorating materials. Be sure to register by October 1. 

Please note: all participants attending the event must be registered.

Novato Gymnastics Center Silver Celebration

Join us in celebrating the 25-year anniversary of the Novato Gymnastics Center on Saturday, October 19 from 10am - 3:30pm. Festivities include a performance by Novato Gymnastics Competitive Team and official recognition by the Novato City Council. Enjoy memorabilia displays, interactive art, an inflatable obstacle course, a free 25-minute gymnastics class for kids ages 3-12, and more! Registration required.

Community Empowered: United Against Hate Week Event

The Multicultural Advisory Commission invites you to attend an in-person panel discussion on Wednesday, September 25 at 6pm at Novato City Hall, 901 Sherman Avenue. Discussion focuses on combating hate, strengthening community connection, and affirming shared values of safety, equity, inclusion and belonging for all.

Additionally, learn about resources and reporting tools available through the Novato Police Department.

Join us as we come together to stand United Against Hate.

PG&E Overnight Work: Atherton Ave & Redwood Blvd near Highway 101

PG&E overnight work has begun near the intersection of Highway 101 and Atherton Avenue on Redwood Blvd. Nightly work will take place Sunday through Thursday from 9pm to 6am. This work involves critical infrastructure maintenance and is expected to last approximately three months. Traffic controls will be in place and all work is weather permitting. 

Questions? Please contact PG&E Outreach Specialist John Baston at (707) 867-9466.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as these important safety improvements are being made.

Rooted in Marin Community Workshop

Join us on September 12 from 6 - 7:30pm for a virtual community workshop hosted by the Cities and County of Marin. Learn about Rooted in Marin, a countywide outreach and education effort to understand housing and displacement in our community, and share your input.

Additionally, we want to learn more about what Novato community members need and want to know about housing and displacement. Please help by completing and sharing this community survey by September 16, 2024.

Find more information and sign up for updates on Rooted in Marin at rootedinmarin.org. 

Arraigado en Marin taller comunitario

Únase a nosotros el 12 de septiembre de 6 a 7:30pm para un taller comunitario virtual organizado por las Ciudades y el Condado de Marin. Obtenga información sobre Rooted in Marin, un esfuerzo de divulgación y educación en todo el condado para comprender la vivienda y el desplazamiento en nuestra comunidad.

Además, queremos aprender más sobre lo que los miembros de la comunidad quieren saber sobre la vivienda y el desplazamiento. Complete esta encuesta comunitaria antes del 16 de septiembre de 2024.

Para más información, visite rootedinmarin.org. 

Downtown Novato Community Farmers' Market

Join your friends and family in the heart of downtown to enjoy a diverse selection of fresh produce from local farmers, prepared and packaged foods to enjoy at the market or to go, local artisan booths and activities for kids. Come check out all the market has to offer, grab some dinner and shop downtown every Tuesday through October 29, 4pm – 8pm on Sherman Avenue between Grant and De Long Avenues.

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Reúnase con sus amigos y familiares en el corazón del centro de la ciudad para disfrutar de una variada selección de productos frescos de agricultores locales, alimentos preparados y envasados para disfrutar en el mercado o para llevar, puestos de artesanos locales y actividades para niños. Venga a ver todo lo que el mercado tiene para ofrecer, cene algo y compre en el centro todos los martes del 7 de mayo al 29 de octubre, de 4:00 a 8:00 p. m., en Sherman Avenue, entre las avenidas Grant y De Long.

First Fridays on Grant: September 6

Join businesses downtown on September 6 at 5pm for the last First Fridays of the season — a closed streets program designed to create a safe, pedestrian and bicycle-friendly shopping, dining, and recreation environment on Grant Avenue.

Enjoy extended hours and “sip & shops” from several retailers, live music, Princess Storytime, expanded seating at select restaurants and more.

Please note: Grant Avenue will be closed from 4pm - 12am between Machin and Reichert Avenues.

Rock the Block: End of Summer Edition

Head Downtown on Grant Avenue on Thursday, September 12 from 6pm - 9pm for the ultimate FREE street party, hosted by the Downtown Novato Business Association.

Wonderbread 5 will rock the streets and our local food & drink vendors will make it a night to remember. Select local restaurants will also be open late.

Nostalgia Days Classic Car Show & Night Cruise

Join the Downtown Novato Business Association for the 28th Annual Nostalgia Days Class Car Show on Saturday, October 12 from 10am - 4pm. Enjoy live music while you admire classic cars, hot rods and customs followed by an award ceremony at the end of the day. Admission is free. 

This event includes a Friday Night Hot Rod Cruise on Friday, October 11 from 5pm to 7pm through Downtown Novato.

Visit nostalgiadaysnovato.com to register your car for the competition or sign up to be a vendor or volunteer.

Ember Stomp 2024

Fire Safe Marin and Marin Wildfire Prevention invite you to Ember Stomp on Saturday, September 7 from 11am to 5pm at the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael, to learn how to prepare for wildfire.

This FREE event is fun for the whole family. A “Kids Zone” will feature a magician, face painting, sing-a-longs, and interactive games. The event includes wildfire products and service providers, fire smart landscaping exhibits, and live burn demos. Live music, food trucks, art, and firefighting goats & sheep guarantee a good time.

Chipper Days Program

Have a yard full of tree branches and brush? Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority is offering FREE curbside chipper days. It's a great way to dispose of unwanted vegetation & prepare your property for wildfire season.

Be sure to sign up by the Friday before each chipping event. After registering, homeowners should place their pile on the curb (typically where garbage cans go) by 8am on Monday morning, which will be picked up by 5pm that Friday.

Upcoming Program Dates:

• Week of September 9
• Week of October 14

Don't miss this chance to clean up your yard and reduce wildfire risk!

Pictured: Southeast Asian refugee children at Hamilton Transit Center, which operated from 1980-1983

Novato Historical Guild: Quarterly Membership Meeting

The Novato Historical Guild's quarterly membership meeting will be held on Saturday, September 14 from 10am to 12pm at the Hamilton History Museum, 555 Hangar Avenue. Featured speakers Laurie Reemsnyder and Lauren Vuong will present their talk "Hamilton's Hidden Narrative: The Story of 180,000 Southeast Asian Refugees and Survival in the South China Sea". This meeting is open to the public.

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.

City of Novato Sustainability

Green Your Trip to School

The City of Novato and Novato Unified School District have been working with Marin County Safe Routes to Schools to increase green trips to school (walking, biking, carpooling, or taking transit).

This school year, Safe Routes to Schools will also be hosting several exciting events and contests, starting with the Buddy Up Contest to encourage students to travel to school together. Buddying up with other families to walk, bike, or carpool is a great way to save time and build relationships in our community! Other events this year include Walk & Roll Wednesdays, International Walk to School Day (October 2) and Ruby Bridges Day (November 13). 

Climate Action Workshops

Interested in reducing your environmental impact but not sure where to start? Join a FREE Resilient Neighborhoods Climate Action Workshop for community support and practical advice on tackling climate change! 

You'll learn easy and budget-friendly ways to shrink your carbon footprint, create resilient homes and communities, and prepare for climate-related emergencies. After five meetings, you'll have your own personal Climate Action Plan and all the support you need to make it happen.

Choose between one of two groups starting Thursday, September 12 at 4pm or Wednesday, September 18 at 6:30pm.

September is Transit Month

Join Marin Commutes for the Transit Month Challenge in September! Your bus, train, or ferry trips can earn you bonus rewards and contribute to a greener future.

Here's how to participate:

• Give Transit a Try: Earn Marin Commutes Rewards for taking the bus, train, or ferry 
• Go for the Grand Prize: Log at least one transit trip each week in September to automatically enter our grand prize drawing for a $250 gift card
• Share Your Transit Story: Inspire others by sharing your transit experiences! 

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.

September 9 at 7pm | Planning Commission - Cancelled

September 10 at 6pm | City Council

September 11 at 5pm | Housing and Homeless Committee

September 12 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator - Cancelled

September 12 at 6pm | Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Commission - Cancelled

September 17 at 6pm | Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Commission (Special Meeting)

September 18 at 5:30pm | Complete Streets and Pathways Oversight Committee

September 18 at 7pm | Design Review Commission

September 23 at 7pm | Planning Commission

September 24 at 6pm | City Council

September 25 at 6pm | Multicultural Advisory Commission

September 26 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator

September 26 at 6pm | Sustainability Commission (Special Meeting)

We're Hiring — Join Our Team!

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

• Planner I/II - deadline to apply is September 8

Please note the following positions will remain open until filled.

Community Development

• Principal Planner (Full Time)
• 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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