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Welcome to the City of Novato's monthly newsletter! This issue features the selection of Novato's new Police Chief, Novato's City Budget 101, resumed construction at Pioneer Park playground, Parks & Recreation events and updates, business visits, Hispanic Heritage Month, Bullying Prevention Month, 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.

The City of Novato is pleased to announce the selection of Jim Naugle as Novato’s next Chief of Police. Chief Naugle will be Novato’s 13th Chief of Police and will begin on October 23.

Born and raised in Petaluma, Chief Naugle began his career with the Novato Police Department in 1998, where he worked patrol and was a Defensive Tactics Instructor, DARE instructor, and Special Response Team member.

“I feel so fortunate to return to Novato after 22 years to lead the outstanding team of law enforcement professionals that make up our department” said Chief Naugle. “As your Chief, I’m excited to get to know this community and look forward to finding opportunities to build partnerships that’ll enable our police team to provide the best possible public safety service. More than partnerships, I want to reach further into the community to those who don’t think about the police department on a daily basis and ensure we’re meeting the expectations of all our community members.”

Both Novato and Chief Naugle are excited for him to return home as Chief.

A Swearing-In Ceremony where our community will have the opportunity to meet our new Chief is tentatively scheduled for November 14, 2023, at 5pm with more details to follow.

Have you ever wondered how a City budget is developed? Watch this brief video to learn about the City's budget, including how money is allocated, what City services the budget pays for, where your tax dollars go and how we can address the City's fiscal challenges together.

Learn more at novato.org/budget.

Construction has resumed on the City of Novato’s two new play structures at Pioneer Park, featuring amenities that provide more opportunities for inclusive play.

Enhancements include:

Be sure to follow Novato Parks, Recreation & Community Services' social media platforms @NovatoFun on Facebook and Instagram for construction progress footage and details on our grand re-opening celebration.

Additional information on this project is available at novato.org/pioneerpark.

The City’s Economic Development Team & Economic Development Advisory Commission are meeting with local businesses to develop a greater understanding of our business community and to support you in ensuring your business thrives in Novato.

Staff and Commissioners schedule a 45-minute meeting with each interested business and ask a series of questions that help us get to know you.

Last month we met with Kelly from San Marin Animal Hospital and one of their office cats (pictured).

If you would like to schedule a business visit, please contact econdev@novato.org.

September 15 through October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. During Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the diverse history of generations of Hispanics whose vital contributions and achievements have shaped our Nation.

This year's national theme is “Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power and Progress in America” which highlights modern Latino trailblazers and their contributions to American prosperity, power and progress. We are #NovatoProud of our Hispanic community members and their many contributions and achievements.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Did you know that approximately 50% of students in the U.S. are involved in bullying on a regular basis, either as a victim, bully or both? This is especially true among the more vulnerable populations of Disabled, LGBTQ+, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

The goal of Bullying Prevention Month is to encourage communities to work together to stop bullying and cyberbullying by increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of bullying on people of all ages. The devastating effects of bullying can have both immediate and lifelong impacts on resiliency, mental and physical health — so bullying prevention education is critical.

At their regular meeting of October 10, Novato City Council issued a proclamation to officially recognize October as Bullying Prevention Month. Novato stands #UnitedAgainstHate and bullying of all types.

Lu Sutton Elementary School, 1800 Center Rd in Novato

4pm - 6:30pm

Margaret Todd Senior Center, 1560 Hill Rd in Novato

2:30pm - 6:30pm

Join Downtown Novato Business Association for their Safe Trick or Treat at various downtown businesses.

And while you're downtown, head over to the Novato Civic Green to pick up your free interactive family history kit from the Novato Historical Guild. See details below.

Share your history and traditions — Celebrate our City’s diversity!

Learn more about our communities diverse history from supporting groups including the Hamilton Meadow Park Mother’s Club, Novato's Multicultural Advisory Commission, Novato Unified School District, and the Marin Indian Alliance

In collaboration with the City of Novato and Novato Unified School District. For more info, please email info@novatohistory.org.

Comparte tu historia y tradiciones — !Celebre la diversidad de nuestra ciudad!

Recoja su kit de historia familiar interactivo gratuito 28 de octubre, de 10 a.m. a 2 p.m., Areas verdes del centro de Novato, 901 Sherman Avenue. ¡Todos los miembros de la comunidad son bienvenidos!

Aprende más información sobre la diversa historia de nuestras comunidades de grupos de apoyo que incluyen el club de madres de la escuela media de Hamilton, Comisión Asesora Multicultural de Novato, Distrito Escolar Unificado de Novato y lianza India Marin.

En colaboración con la ciudad de Novato y el Distrito Escolar Unificado de Novato. Para obtener más información, envíe un correo electrónico a info@novatohistory.org.

The Downtown Novato Community Farmers Market is held every Tuesday in October from 4pm – 7pm. Head over to the Downtown Novato Center, 7th Street behind CVS, to enjoy fresh, nutritious produce from local farms, packaged and prepared foods, local artisans, community groups, and live music.

We hope you enjoy everything the Downtown Novato Farmers Market has to offer this year!

More information is available at ilovefarmersmarkets.org.

La feria comunitaria de agricultores del Centro de Novato toma lugar cada martes en octubre de 4pm - 7pm. Vaya al Downtown Novato Center, por la 7th Street detrás de CVS, para disfrutar frutas y verduras nutritivas y frescas de granjas locales, comidas preparadas y empaquetadas, grupos comunitarios y música en vivo.

¡Esperamos que disfruten de todo lo que ofrece la feria comunitaria de agricultores de Novato este año!

Hay más información disponible en ilovefarmersmarkets.org.

The City of Novato is updating our Climate Action Plan, and we want to hear from you! We’re hosting topic-focused workshops at our regularly scheduled Sustainability Commission meetings starting at 6pm at Novato City Hall, 901 Sherman Avenue. We will discuss policies and programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Novato. The October 19 meeting will focus on waste and water — composting, recycling, foodware, water conservation, recycled water and more.

The Marin Green Home Tour on October 26 at 6pm is a free, virtual tour of six Marin homes featuring solutions to improve indoor air quality, generate clean energy, and move towards a safer, healthier, greener, more resilient future. There will be live Q&A sessions with the homeowners and experts will be available in the chat to answer your questions! You’ll also learn about local, state, and federal funding to help you create your own sustainable, climate-resilient home! The Marin Green Home Tour is a fiscally-sponsored project of Sustainable Marin.

Are you planning a home efficiency or electrification project? Join the Marin County Sustainability Team’s webinar series in November for deep dive discussions with industry experts on heat pumps, solar & battery storage, electric vehicles and planning electrification projects for your home.

The first webinar is on November 2 at 6pm and will focus on Heat Pump Water Heaters.

The Chipper Day Program offers free curbside pickup and disposal of excess vegetation from residential properties in Marin. The purpose of the program is to provide assistance with the process of removal and disposal of hazardous vegetation to residents. Activities include the chipping and transportation of vegetation from properties within MWPA’s jurisdiction as well as assisting MWPA member agencies in vegetation management projects that are in line with the core mission of the program. Learn more at firesafemarin.org/chipper.

Do you live in Novato and need help paying your rent? Whether your name is on the lease or you are renting a room, you may qualify for assistance if your household income qualifies according to HUD guidelines.

To find out how you may be eligible for Rental Assistance, contact Ceci Olmedo at 415-897-4147 ext 0 or info@northmarincs.org.

Para saber cómo puede ser eligible para asistencia de alquiler, comuníquese con Ceci Olmedo al numero 415-897-4147 ext 0 o info@northmarincs.org.

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.

October 12 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator

October 18 at 7pm | Design Review Commission

October 19 at 7:30am | Finance Advisory Commission

October 19 at 6pm | Sustainability Commission

October 23 at 7pm | Planning Commission

October 24 at 6pm | City Council

October 25 at 6pm | Multicultural Advisory Commission

October 26 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator

Visit novatojobs.org for more information and to apply.

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