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We hope you enjoy this edition of the Our Town Novato weekly newsletter which includes information on the Hamilton Pool Summer Season, updated COVID-19 status for Marin County, preview of the May 11 City Council meeting, a red flag warning & critical fire weather conditions this weekend, community wildfire workshop and more! |
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Novato’s Hamilton Pool Reopens on June 1
The City of Novato is pleased to announce that the Hamilton Pool, located at 203 El Bonito, will open for the Summer 2021 season on June 1.
The Hamilton Pool offers Aquatic Programs through a partnership with the City of San Rafael including lap swim, recreation swim and swim lessons. This year, reservations will be required for all visits through an online reservation system to ensure sufficient space for social distancing, as well as implementation of required cleaning protocols.
We look forward to safely welcoming you back to the pool this summer!
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Marin Remains in Orange Tier
Earlier this week, the California Department of Public Health announced that Marin will remain in Orange Tier 3 status of the State's Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
Marin's case rates exceeded the allowable level to move forward into the yellow tier. The next opportunity for Marin to move into the yellow tier is May 18.
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Check out daily updates from Marin County Public Health about confirmed COVID-19 cases countywide, vaccination efforts, & more at coronavirus.marinhhs.org.
COVID-19 QUICK LINKS
Marin County Health & Human Services (HHS) is available to answer your questions at the HHS COVID-19 Information Line: Please call 415.473.7191, Monday-Friday between 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-5:00pm.
New! Marin County COVID-19 Immunization Progress Dashboard measures our immunization progress when ALL of our community members are taken into account, including those not yet eligible to receive the vaccine (e.g., youth below the age of 16). View Dashboard
A reminder that regular COVID-19 testing remains important to keep our community safe and moving forward. There is now one testing site in Novato at the Novato Library. See updated flyer for info on all Marin locations: English | Español
Marin County Mobile Vaccination Unit is providing FREE vaccines to people 18 and older who live or work in Novato on Wednesday, May 12 at North Marin Community Services, 1907 Novato Blvd, from 8am-2pm. More Info
La Unidad Móvil de Vacunación del Condado de Marin pondrá vacunas GRATIS en su vecindario para personas de 18 años o más: North Marin Community Services, 1907 Novato Blvd, Novato en Miércoles, 12 de mayo, 8:00am-2:00pm. Más Información
NEW! Marin poised to vaccinate 12 to 15 year-olds: A decision from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is anticipated as early as Wednesday, May 12, making Pfizer the first vaccine available for adolescents. Read More
Marin Public Health continues to offer home visits to anyone age 16 & older who cannot physically leave their residence to access a vaccine: For additional information, please call 833.641.1988
Drive-Through Vaccination Site at Larkspur Ferry Terminal Parking Lot at
101 E Sir Francis Drake Blvd: Appointments are required and are now available to anyone, in or out of the county, age 16 and up. Schedule an appointment
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Free Rides to Vaccines
Did you know? Golden Gate Transit, Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit and Marin Transit offer free rides to vaccination appointments, with proof of same-day appointment.
Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for Workers Impacted by COVID-19: Governor Newsom signed SB 95, creating a statewide policy to ensure employees have access to COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave through September 30, 2021. Learn More
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Get Involved & Be Heard: eComment Period Now Open
Your Novato City Council meets Tuesday, May 11 at 6pm via Zoom, and it’s easier than ever to share your comments with the City Council.
Use eComment to provide online public comment on upcoming City Council agenda items. Your comments are sent directly to the City Council to review and consider prior to the meeting. The eComment period is open now through 3pm on the day of the meeting.
Agenda items include, but are not limited to:
- Information on a potential ban of gas powered leaf blowers, lawn edgers/trimmers;
- Preliminary considerations for City Council redistricting process;
- Budget Overview for Fiscal Year 2021/22, including City's Operating Budget, one-time funds, proposed CIP Budget; and more.
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Novatans Volunteer to Help Create a Greener Community
Last weekend's Novato Arbor Day tree planting was a TREE-mendous success thanks to YOU, our community!
More than 100 people came out to Hamilton Field and Scottsdale Pond to plant 80 trees last Saturday. Thank you all, and many thanks to our partners at California Urban Forests Council, West Coast Arborists, Inc., Western Chapter ISA, and Sustainable Novato, as well as our Public Works & Sustainability staff!
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#NovatoFun for All Ages!
Our Parks & Recreation Team is excited to offer a summer full of in-person and virtual programs and classes for all ages!
Classes are filling up quickly! Check out our Summer Activity Guide & register online at novato.org/regforfun.
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May is Bicycle Safety Month: Share the Road and “Go Safely”
May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and Novato Police is encouraging drivers to slow down when passing bicyclists, and asks bicyclists to be visible, predictable, and safe on the road.
“Bicyclists are safest when they act like and are treated the same as drivers,” Lieutenant Chris Jacob said. “Please share the road with bicyclists and think of them as your closest friends or family. We all want to get where we need to go safely, whether that is in the car or on a bike.”
Mayo es el Mes de la Seguridad de las Bicicletas: Comparta la Carretera y “Ve con Seguridad”
Mayo es el Mes Nacional de la Seguridad de las Bicicletas, y la Policía de Novato alienta a los conductores a reducir la velocidad al pasar a los ciclistas y les pide a los ciclistas que sean visibles, predecibles y seguros en la carretera.
“Los ciclistas están más seguros cuando actúan y son tratados de la misma manera que los conductores”, dijo el teniente Chris Jacob. “Por favor, comparta la carretera con los ciclistas y piense en ellos como sus amigos o familiares más cercanos. Todos queremos llegar a donde necesitamos ir de manera segura, ya sea en el automóvil o en bicicleta."
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Marin County Project Homekey 2.0
In 2020, the County of Marin applied for Project Homekey funding and received approximately $8.6 million to aid the purchase of 60 new units of permanent supportive housing in San Rafael and Corte Madera.
On April 27, the Novato City Council received a Homekey 2.0 presentation from Opening Doors Marin and the County of Marin regarding the potential second round of funding for Project Homekey.
For more information on Project Homekey, and to watch the April 27 presentation to the Novato Council, please visit novato.org/homekey.
Additional information on homeless outreach in Novato, including biweekly updates on encampment activity is available at novato.org/homelessness.
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Marin County Rental Assistance Program for Renters & Landlords
Do you need help applying for the Marin County Rental Assistance Program? Low-income Marin County residents and landlords can apply to receive 80% of unpaid back rent due between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. The application does not ask for any citizenship information and is open to all eligible Marin County renters.
Come to an in-person registration event on Wednesday, May 19 from 4-8pm or Sunday, May 23 from 10am-3pm at Marin County Civic Center Exhibit Hall, 20 Avenue of the Flags in San Rafael.
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Hot & Windy Weather Coming this Weekend - Be Fire Safe!
Critical fire weather conditions with low humidity and gusty winds arrive this weekend beginning Friday night through Monday morning.
Residents are advised to exercise extreme caution because a simple spark could cause a major wildfire, including the use of equipment and machinery as well as smoking.
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Community Wildfire Workshop May 19
Prepare yourself for wildfire! Join FIRESafe Marin for the Novato Virtual Community Workshop on May 19 from 5pm to 7:30pm on Facebook live stream or via zoom on wildfire preparedness. Topics include wildfire science, defensible space, home hardening basics, community preparedness, personal preparedness, and evacuations.
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PG&E Regional Wildfire Safety Webinar on June 30
PG&E is hosting a series of weekly regional wildfire safety webinars. For Marin & Sonoma Counties, join PG&E on June 30 from 6-7:30pm
Each event will feature a brief presentation, after which participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback to PG&E subject matter experts. During the events, the PG&E team will discuss:
- PG&E’s wildfire prevention efforts
- Resources to help customers and communities before, during and after PSPS events
- Improvements to PG&E’s safety technology and tools
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May is Mental Health Month
This past year has been a rollercoaster of emotions for all of us. Now, more than ever, mental health for youth needs to be a priority. Please consider participating in Marin County's May Mental Health event:
What Helps Me Art Campaign
The Marin County Board of Supervisors Intern Team is hosting an art campaign for youth in Marin — inviting you to tell your story of emotions and mental health through art. Submit your art through May 15 to be showcased during May Mental Health Month. Note: Art will be submitted anonymously and no names will be show with art when showcased.
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"Warm Line" in English and Spanish: You Are Not Alone
Marin County’s confidential peer-run Warm Line is a place for you to talk about anything that is on your mind—including anxiety, depression, fear, financial struggles and substance difficulties. We are here for you!
English Warm Line: 415.459.6330
Hours: 9 AM – Midnight
"Warm Line" en inglés y español: No Esta Solo
La Warm Line confidencial administrada por pares del condado de Marin es un lugar para que hable sobre cualquier cosa que tenga en mente, incluida la ansiedad, la depresión, el miedo y la lucha, financiero, uso de sustancias, etc. ¡Estamos aquí para ayudarlo!
Español Warm Line: 415.457.4026
Horas: 1 PM – 6 PM
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Marin Small Business Development Center
Check out the Marin Small Business Development Center's website for up-to-date information from the Small Business Administration (SBA), info on new grants and other important news to help you navigate your business through COVID-19. They are also available to help you apply for relief, guide you through available resources, cash flow concerns, supply chain interruptions, workforce capacity, insurance coverage and more — at no cost!
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Upcoming City Meetings
The City of Novato encourages community participation at our upcoming public meetings. Meeting details, including information on how to participate, is 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.
May 10 at 7pm | Planning Commission - cancelled
May 10 at 7pm | Streetscape Committee
May 11 at 6pm | City Council
May 12 at 5:30pm | Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee
May 13 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator
May 13 at 7pm | Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Commission - cancelled
May 19 at 7pm | Design Review Commission
May 24 at 7pm | Planning Commission
May 25 at 6pm | City Council
May 26 at 6pm | Multicultural Advisory Commission
May 27 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator
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We're Hiring — Join Our Team!
Interested in a career in local government? Check out some of our current openings:
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Police Officer - Lateral / Academy Graduate (continuous; applications reviewed as they are received)
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Senior Accountant (continuous; applications reviewed as they are received)
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Top Stories from Our Previous Editions
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Stay Healthy Novato
The best way to reduce the risk of becoming infected with respiratory virus, whether the flu or coronavirus, is to practice good hygiene:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Wear a face covering when out in public spaces.
- Maintain 6 feet distance from those outside of your own household.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or crook of your elbow (not your hands). If you use a tissue, throw it away and wash your hands afterwards.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Get vaccinated.
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CITY OF NOVATO
415.899.8900
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