December 2023

Welcome to the City of Novato's monthly newsletter! This issue features the welcoming of Novato's new Community Development Director, a minimum wage update, upcoming Parks & Recreation events, safe shopping tips, 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.

Novato Hires Community Development Director

The City of Novato is pleased to announce the hiring of Clare Hartman as our next Community Development Director overseeing the Planning, Building and Code Enforcement divisions.

“I am thrilled to join the vibrant Novato community and contribute to the City organization,” said Hartman. “As Community Development Director, I am committed to fostering the fiscal and organizational health of the department. Additionally, I look forward to supporting the efforts of our dedicated staff to maintain an enhanced customer service experience and to facilitate housing and economic opportunities for all in the community.”

Hartman brings 30 years of community development experience to Novato and began her new role on December 11.

Novato Minimum Wage Increase Effective January 1, 2024

Starting January 1, 2024, the minimum wage within Novato city limits will increase based on business size to:

• $16.86 per hour for very large businesses with 100 or more employees;
• $16.60 per hour for large businesses with 26-99 employees; and
• $16.04 per hour for small businesses with 1-25 employees.

The Novato minimum wage applies to each employee who performs more than two hours of work in a particular week within city limits. 

Please note that there may be minimum wage laws set by the State of California that are different and in addition to the City of Novato's minimum wage laws, which also apply generally and to specific business types, such as fast food workers and healthcare workers. It is the responsibility of all employers to comply with prevailing wage laws set by the State of California and by the City of Novato. 

Aumento del salario mínimo en Novato a partir del 1 de enero de 2024

A partir del 1 de enero de 2024, el salario mínimo dentro de los límites de la ciudad de Novato aumentará según el tamaño del negocio a:

• $16.86 por hora para negocios muy grandes con 100 o más empleados;
• $16.60 por hora para negocios grandes con 26-99 empleados; y
• $16.04 por hora para negocios pequeños con 1-25 empleados.

El salario mínimo en Novato se aplica a cada empleado que realiza más de dos horas de trabajo en una semana en particular dentro de los límites de la ciudad.

Tenga en cuenta que puede haber leyes de salario mínimo establecidas por el Estado de California que son diferentes y además de la ciudad de Novato leyes de salario mínimo, que también se aplican en general y a tipos de negocios específicos, tales como los trabajadores de comida rápida y los trabajadores de atención médica. Es responsabilidad de todos los empleadores cumplir con las leyes de salario prevaleciente establecidas por el Estado de California y la ciudad de Novato.

Winter & Spring Registration NOW OPEN

Our winter and spring programs offer a dynamic array of options for all ages including gymnastics, dance, specialty activities and camps, theater classes, yoga, sewing, computer basics and many more. And gather your team for adult athletic leagues including basketball, pickleball, softball and volleyball. View the activity guide at novatofun.org.

Amazing Athletes

Ready to kick, jump, and score with Amazing Athletes? This program is all about making sports fun for kids aged 2.5-7!  We utilize the movements of ten different sports in a way that helps them meet, master and exceed their motor development milestones and build self-confidence. We also incorporate lessons in sportsmanship, teamwork, and nutrition.

All Sports Camp

Winter break wonders await! Unleash the excitement with All Sports Camp! Our supercharged staff is all set to turn the chilly season into a hotbed of sports fun!

From basic sports games to sharing traditional game thrills, we've got your child's winter break covered in style! Let the frosty festivities begin!

Sewing Support Sessions

Whether you're a beginner or already have some stitching skills, this class is designed to take your sewing game to the next level. Join our skilled instructors, Karen and Linda, as they guide you through the art of sewing. They will work with you on your own projects or can help you start a new one, all in a fun and supportive environment.

Safe Shopping During the Holidays

During the holidays, the Novato Police Department (NPD) is providing extra patrols at the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center and downtown business area in Novato, to ensure a safe shopping experience for all who visit.  

Retail stores experience an increase in shoppers during this time of year and as a result, there is an increase in retail thefts, auto burglaries, stolen vehicles, and robberies. To address this anticipated increase in crime, NPD will implement increased patrols and a police presence in the downtown business and Vintage Oaks shopping areas.  

Safe Shopping Tips:  

• Be alert and aware of your surroundings  
• Avoid isolated areas — underground garages, alleys, parking lots, and offices after business hours 
• Be aware of your surroundings when using ATM’s 
• Keep valuables out of sight, including purses, wallets, cell phones, electronics, jewelry, etc. 
• Carry your wallet inside your coat or in your front pants pocket 
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash 
• Don't be overburdened with packages or shopping bags 
• Keep a firm grip on your purse or backpack 
• Shopping with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if you get separated. 

Report suspicious activity, when it occurs, by calling 415-897-4361 or report crime online at novato.org/reportacrime. In an emergency, call 9-1-1.

Holiday Happenings

Bouncy Ball New Year

Kids of all ages are invited to Downtown Novato to see what happens when 24,000 (celebrating 2024) small bouncy balls are dropped onto the street from a ladder truck 40 feet in the air!

This FREE event will take place on December 31 at 12pm — arrive early so you don't miss the countdown. Kids will get a souvenir “hard hat” and can keep as many bouncy balls as their pockets & buckets can hold! What if it’s raining? No worries! Your umbrella will protect you from the bouncy balls raining from above.

Shop Local this Holiday Season

As you're making your holiday plans, don't forget to support Novato's business community by shopping locally this holiday season. Every purchase in Novato positively impacts our local economy. Check out a listing of Novato businesses below.

There's no place like Novato for the holidays!

Marin County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2023 / Plan Local de Mitigación de Riesgos ACdel Condado de Marín 2023

Every few years the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) is updated. The plan presents projects focused on reducing the impacts of natural hazards like, sea level rise, wildfires, floods and more. The community is invited to provide feedback. 

• Use the interactive map to see the potential impact of natural hazards in our area.
• Look through the proposed projects listed. 
• Do these projects reflect community needs? Let us know by filling out the survey.

Marin County Fire’s OEM is coordinating the plan and working with individual jurisdictions to present their plans as they become available. Check back later if a city, town or special district is not listed. 

Cada cierto tiempo se actualiza el Plan Local de Mitigación de Riesgos (LHMP). El plan presenta proyectos centrados en reducir el impacto de peligros naturales como el aumento del nivel del mar, los incendios forestales, las inundaciones y más. Se le pide a la comunidad que dé su opinión.

• Utilice el mapa interactivo para ver el impacto potencial de los peligros naturales en su área. 
• Revise la lista de proyectos propuestos.
• ¿Reflejan estos proyectos las necesidades de su vecindario? Déjenos saber llenando la encuesta. 

El Departamento de Manejo de Emergencias del Condado de Marin (OEM) está coordinando el plan y trabajando con las jurisdicciones individuales para presentar sus planes a medida que estén disponibles. Vuelva más tarde si una ciudad, pueblo o distrito especial no está en la lista.  

Marin County Participatory Budgeting Voting Now Open / Condado de marin presupuesto Participativo la votacion

Participatory Budgeting (PB) voting is now OPEN! The County of Marin is making $2.5 million dollars available to advance racial equity and YOU can decide how it will be spent. Voting will be open until December 29. Immigration status is not required to be part of this process. Vote online or meet us in person to vote at one of our upcoming events listed at at pb.marincounty.org.

¡La votación del Presupuesto participativo (PB) ya está ABIERTA! El condado de Marin facilitará $2.5 millones de dólares para fomentar la equidad racial y USTED puede decidir cómo se gastarán. La votación estará abierta hasta el 29 de diciembre. No se exige estatus migratorio para ser parte de este proceso. Vote en línea o reúnase con nosotros en persona para votar en uno de nuestros próximos eventos que se listan en pb.marincounty.org.

The Novato Historical Guild

The Novato Historical Guild operates two museums — the Novato History Museum and the Hamilton Field History Museum. Both museums are open Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 12-4pm. For more information, please call (415) 382-8614 or go to novatohistory.org.

The Holidays Don't Have to Cost the Earth

It is estimated that between Thanksgiving and New Year, household trash increases by more than 25%. You can help prevent waste by:

✅ Shopping locally and avoiding the wasteful packaging from online purchases;

✅ Gifting high-quality, durable items in smaller quantities, rather than several lower-quality gifts;

✅ Choosing reusable options for gift wrapping;

✅ Planning holiday meals in advance to avoid over-shopping; and

✅ Using ‘real’ cutlery, cups, and plates rather than single-use disposable items.

Resolve to Take Climate Action in 2024

Are you looking for a fun and engaging way to take climate action in 2024? Look no further than Resilient Neighborhoods! Their online Climate Action Workshops are FREE to Marin residents.

Over the course of five sessions, you’ll take practical action to reduce your energy consumption, switch to renewable energy sources, minimize waste, conserve water, prepare for climate-related emergencies and more. You’ll also create a personalized climate action plan to help achieve your goals – efficiently and cost-effectively.

Food Scraps and Garden Waste go in the Green Cart

When organic materials such as food scraps or garden waste are buried in landfills, they create a dangerous greenhouse gas called methane, which contributes to climate change. By putting these materials in our green cart, they get turned into another resource – compost! 

In 2022, the Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction law (SB 1383) went into effect and affects all Californians. The law addresses “short-lived climate pollutants” (greenhouse gases produced when organic waste ends up in the landfill) and requires that everyone play their part to keep organic material out of our landfills.

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.

December 11 at 7pm | Planning Commission

December 12 at 6pm | City Council

December 13 at 5pm | Housing and Homeless Committee Committee

December 14 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator - Cancelled

December 18 at 7pm | Planning Commission

December 20 at 7pm | Design Review Commission

December 21 at 7:30am | Finance Advisory Commission

December 21 at 6pm | Sustainability Commission - Cancelled

December 27 at 6pm | Multicultural Advisory Commission - Cancelled

December 28 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator

We're Hiring — Join Our Team!

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

• Deputy Public Works Director (Full Time) - application deadline is December 13

Please note the following positions will remain open until filled:

• Senior Office Assistant (Full Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received
• Deputy Director of Finance (Full Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received
• Fire Mitigation Ranger (Police Officer - Part Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received
• Police Intern (Part Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received
• Police Officer Trainee (Full Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received
• Police Officer - Lateral/Academy Graduate (Full Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received

Visit novatojobs.org for more information and to apply.

Top Stories from Our Previous Edition

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