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We hope you enjoy this edition of the Our Town Novato weekly newsletter which includes Marin County's move into the next tier of reopenings, an invitation to help shape Novato's Fiscal Year 21/22 budget, Marin County Rental Relief Assistance, Parks & Rec updates, and more! |
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Marin County Graduates to Orange Tier
On March 24, Marin County progressed from “red” to “orange” status in California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
The primary changes allowed under the state order as Marin moves into tier 3:
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Retail & grocery stores: can expand indoor capacity to 100%.
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Restaurants – indoor dining: can expand indoor capacity to 50% or 200 people (whichever is fewer).
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Museums & movie theaters: can expand indoor capacity to 50% or 200 people (whichever is fewer).
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Houses of worship: can expand indoor capacity to 50% or 200 people (whichever is fewer).
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Weddings/funerals: can expand indoor capacity to 50% or 200 people (whichever is fewer).
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Family recreation / entertainment facilities: can expand indoor capacity to 25%.
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Gyms & fitness studios: can expand indoor capacity to 25% and reopen indoor pools.
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Breweries/wineries that do not serve food: can expand indoor capacity to 25% or 100 people (whichever is fewer).
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Bars that do not serve food: can operate outdoors only.
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Non-essential offices may reopen (but working remotely is still encouraged).
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Higher education: can expand indoor capacity to 50% for indoor lectures.
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Virtual Community Budget Workshop on April 7
Help develop the City's budget and fiscal plan for the next year!
Join our Virtual Community Budget Workshop on Wednesday, April 7 at 5:30pm to learn about the City’s budget, ask questions, and share your feedback.
You can participate directly through Zoom by visiting zoom.com or calling 1.669.900.9128. Please use Meeting ID 981 6782 0511 and Meeting Password 1960.
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Take Our City Budget Survey
You can help guide the City's budget process by prioritizing the City service areas that are most important to you!
With the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 on our community, your feedback on this year’s budget is more important than ever. Survey closes Wednesday, April 7 at noon.
More information on the City’s budget process, upcoming budget workshops and meetings, and previous budgets is available at novato.org/budget.
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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.
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! State to Expand Vaccine Eligibility to 50+ starting April 1 and all individuals 16+ on April 15 based on expected supply increases. Learn More
NEW! Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for Workers Impacted by COVID-19: L ast week, 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
Vaccine Appointment Line for those unable to schedule online or need assistance with transportation to and from a vaccine appointment. Please call 833.641.1988, Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm to schedule a vaccine appointment.
Drive-Through Vaccination Site at Larkspur Ferry Terminal Parking Lot at
101 E Sir Francis Drake Blvd
Appointments are required and are limited to Marin residents age 65 and older who can show proof of age and residency. 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.
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COVID-19 Video Update from Marin Health & Human Services
On March 23, Dr. Willis provided a COVID-19 response update to the Marin County Board of Supervisors.
The update included a review of current COVID-19 data, vaccination progress, Marin’s achievement of Tier 3 (Orange) in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, steps for Marin to achieve Tier 4, and more.
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Application Period Now Open for Rent Relief
Renters: The online application period is now open for Marin County renters who have experienced economic hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local landlords: have a choice to accept 80% of unpaid rent owed between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, in exchange for forgiving the remaining 20%. If a landlord chooses not to accept the offer, tenants may still apply for relief valued at 25% of unpaid back rent owed for the covered period.
If you need assistance with the online application, you may call 415-473-2223 or email RentalAssistance@MarinCounty.org to learn more about the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
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COMMUNITY INFORMATION & RESOURCES |
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We Stand United Against Hate
The City of Novato is a proud sponsor of Not in Our Town Novato (NIOT) with our partners at Novato Police Department, Novato Unified School District and North Marin Community Services.
"We stand united with our Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and do not tolerate any form of hate in Novato. We advocate for diversity, inclusion, understanding and respect," said City Manager Adam McGill. "We are committed to supporting and celebrating the unique qualities of all members of our community."
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Homeless Outreach in Novato
The City of Novato partners closely with the County of Marin and local service providers to ensure that people experiencing homelessness have access to the resources they need.
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Weekends are Better on Grant Avenue!
Head Downtown for Weekends on Grant! Each weekend, Grant Avenue is closed between Reichert and Machin Avenues to create pedestrian-only access from 4pm on Fridays to 7am on Mondays (weather permitting).
¡Los fines de semana son mejores en Grant Avenue!
Grant Avenue estará cerrada todos los fines de semana entre las Avenidas Reichert y Machin para crear acceso solo a los peatones, desde las 4 p.m. los viernes hasta las 7 a.m. los lunes (si el clima lo permite).
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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!
New small business webinars and funding sources are added monthly.
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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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Want to help improve Highway 101 interchanges in Marin County?
The Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) wants to know how they can improve your experience around Marin County’s interchanges. Your feedback will be used to identify specific areas most in need of improvement and help TAM make Marin County’s interchanges safer and more efficient for everyone. The survey will be open through Friday, April 16, 2021.
Estudio de la carretera de enlace y de aproximación de la autopista 101
Responda a la encuesta para informarnos cómo podemos mejorar su experiencia en los intercambios del condado de Marin. Sus comentarios sobre esta encuesta se utilizarán para identificar las áreas específicas que más necesitan mejorar y así ayudarnos hacer que las intersecciones de la autopista 101 sean más seguros y eficientes para todos. La encuesta estará abierta hasta el viernes 16 de abril de 2021.
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Novato Parks & Recreation is Ready for Spring!
Our recreation staff is excited to offer new in-person and virtual programs for youth and adults this spring. Registration is now open!
All Parks & Recreation programs will continue to abide by state and county health guidelines.
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Get Ready for Summer Camp 2021!
Novato Parks & Recreation Staff can't wait to share our modified Summer program offerings with you in April!
All modified camps, classes and programs follow the updated best practices for recreation programming from Marin County Public Health. The best practices include mandated steps to prevent the spread of the COVID-19, including protocols on social distancing, hand washing, face covering, surface cleaning and disinfecting, and other precautionary practices, procedures and policies.
Stay tuned!
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Amazing Athletes Camp
Sign up for Amazing Athletes today! Athletes will be introduced to 10 different sports throughout the week, including obstacle courses, learning about fruits and vegetables and what they do for our bodies, and discovering different muscle groups. Lots of fun games, and lessons in sportsmanship, teamwork and self-confidence.
DATES & TIME
M-F, April 5 - 9 from 2:30-5:30pm
AGES
2.5 - 7
LOCATION
Hamilton Community Center and Amphitheater Park
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Novato Chess Club
Learn the game of chess! Playing chess provides a host of benefits including improved memory, problem solving skills, and an enhanced ability to think ahead. The program goal is to ensure that all of our participants improve at chess, gain valuable life skills, and have fun! All skill levels welcome!
DATES & TIME
Mondays, April 12 - May 17 from 3-4pm
AGES
Grades 3 - 8
LOCATION
Margaret Todd Center, 1560 Hill Road
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Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt
The Easter Bunny has been hopping around our Novato Parks and left some colorful painted rocks "eggs" ready to be found between 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟴𝘁𝗵 - 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟰𝘁𝗵.
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𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺!
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You can post your findings by tagging @𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗙𝘂𝗻 on Instagram and/or Facebook with #NovatoRocks
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Please remember to practice social distancing when visiting our parks!
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Team Up to Clean Up with the Novato Streetscape Committee
Looking to get some fresh air and a bit of exercise while making a contribution? Join Novato Streetscape volunteers for a neighborhood clean-up along Nave Drive and Marin Valley Drive on Saturday, April 3, 9 - 11am.
Meet in the parking lot at 5420 Nave Drive at 9am (where the Novato Theater Company is located).
Masks and social distancing required. Safety vests, grabbers, buckets, and gloves provided!
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How Mulch Can Help You Save Water & Money
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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.
March 31 at 6pm | Neighborhood Meeting: Hamilton Levee Fencing
April 1 at 3pm | Economic Development Advisory Commission - Cancelled
April 7 at 5:30pm | Virtual Community Budget Workshop
April 7 at 7pm | Design Review Commission
April 8 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator
April 12 at 7pm | Planning Commission
April 12 at 7pm | Novato Streetscape Committee
April 13 at 6pm | City Council
April 21 at 7pm | Design Review Commission
April 22 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator
April 26 at 7pm | Planning Commission
April 27 at 6pm | City Council
April 28 at 6pm | Multicultural Advisory Commission
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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 your flu shot.
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CITY OF NOVATO
publicinfo@novato.org
415.899.8900
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