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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
APRIL 23, 2021
We hope you enjoy this edition of the Our Town Novato weekly newsletter which includes information about upcoming vaccination opportunities for Novato residents, how to provide online public comment on City Council agenda items, 2021 Annual Street Paving Program, a tree planting event in honor of Arbor Day and more!
Vaccine Site
COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available at Two Novato Locations
The Marin County Mobile Vaccination Unit is providing FREE vaccines to people 18 and older who live or work in Novato at two locations:

North Marin Community Services, 1907 Novato Blvd
Wednesdays, April 28, May 5 & 12 from 8am-2pm

Hamilton Community Center, 503 S. Palm Dr.
Fridays, April 30 & May 7 from 8am-2pm

Vacunas Gratis de COVID-19
La Unidad Móvil de Vacunación del Condado de Marin pondrá vacunas GRATIS en su vecindario. Personas de 18 años o más.

Servicios Comunitarios de North Marin, 1907 Novato Blvd, Novato
Miércoles, 28 de abril y 5, 12 de mayo, 8:00am-2:00pm

Centro Comunitario de Hamilton, 503 S Palm Drive, Novato
Viernes, 30 de abril y 7 de mayo, 8:00am-2:00pm
Novato Vaccine Flyer - English
Novato Vaccine Flyer - Spanish
California Department of Public Health
Marin Remains in Orange Tier after Uptick in Cases
The State has confirmed that Marin County will remain in Tier 3 or “orange” status in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. The earliest Marin could move into yellow status is May 4.

In general, for a county to advance to a less restrictive tier during the COVID-19 pandemic, it must:

  1. have been in the current tier for a minimum of three weeks; and
  2. meet criteria for the next less restrictive tier for the prior two consecutive weeks.

While Marin had achieved the first seven days of the required two weeks of qualifying data to move into the less-restrictive yellow tier, it narrowly missed the mark due to an uptick in COVID-19 cases.
COVID-19 Updates

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! No Wait for Vaccine Appointments in Marin: Many sites offering same-day or next-day access. All Marin County residents age 16 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Everyone is encouraged to schedule an appointment at GetVaccinatedMarin.org.

NEW! What is herd immunity? If more than 75% of Marin residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine, are we close to achieving herd immunity? Dr. Willis breaks down the concept of “community immunity” and the steps in front of us in order to reach this milestone. Watch Video

A reminder that regular COVID-19 testing remains important to keep our community safe and moving forward. Two locations available in Novato.
See flyer: English | Español

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

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
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.

Get Involved & Be Heard: eComment Period Now Open
Your Novato City Council meets Tuesday, April 27 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:
  • Discussion of Project Homekey 2.0 with a presentation from Opening Doors Marin & the County of Marin;
  • E-Bike Share Pilot Program;
  • Annual Housing Element Progress Report; and more.

Submit eComment and see full agenda at novato.org/councilagendas.
Annual Street Paving Program Begins
Novato's Annual Street Paving Program will be underway beginning Monday, April 26 at the following locations:

  • San Marin Drive from Aspen Drive to San Andreas Drive
  • San Marin Drive from San Andreas Drive to Sereno Way
  • San Marin Drive from Simmons Lane to Somerset Drive

Construction activity is scheduled to occur Monday through Friday from 7am-5pm. Please expect delays and use alternate routes when possible.

We appreciate your patience as we improve our streets.
Novato Arbor Day 2021
Trees to be Planted at Two Novato Parks in Celebration of Arbor Day
Volunteer to help plant 80 trees at Scottsdale Pond and Hamilton Amphitheatre Park on May 1. All ages are welcome at this family-friendly event. Volunteers are required to pre-register online and choose their preferred park at caufc.org/plant-trees-in-novato.

Locations:
  • Hamilton Amphitheatre Park, 601 Hamilton Pkwy, 8:30am
  • Scottsdale Pond, 1202 Redwood Blvd, 9:30am

Strict COVID protocols will be in place. When registering to volunteer, please limit your volunteer group to a pod of 3-4 family members or vaccinated friends. Please note: Walk-ups will not be allowed.
Picnic Areas Coming Soon
RX Safe Marin - English
RX Safe Marin - Spanish
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 24
Bring your expired and unneeded medications to the Novato Police Department Lobby, 909 Machin Avenue, to be properly disposed of on Saturday, April 24, from 10am - 2pm.

Help keep Marin County healthy and safe by properly disposing of unused, unwanted or expired medications. Mail back services are available too. Visit RxSafeMarin.org to learn more about what you can do. Please note, proper disposal of unwanted medication does not include flushing it or throwing it in the trash.

Ayude a mantener al Condado De Marin sano y seguro desechando de los medicamentos no utilizados, no deseados, y caducados correctamente. Servicios de correo de vuelta están disponibles también. Visite RxSafeMarin.org para aprender más sobre lo que usted puede hacer.
Weekends are Better on Grant Avenue!
Head Downtown to shop, grab a bite to eat or just stroll down Grant Avenue. Each weekend, Grant Avenue is closed between Reichert and Machin Avenues to create pedestrian-only access from 4pm on Fridays to 7am on Mondays. 


¡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.

Weekends on Grant 2021
Homeless Outreach in Novato banner
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.

View biweekly updates on encampment activity or sign-up to stay in the know at novato.org/homelessness.
PG&E Aerial Patrols Start Monday
PG&E will begin conducting aerial patrols of gas transmission pipelines throughout the North Bay starting on Monday, April 26. Residents may notice a helicopter flying as low as 300 to 500 feet, or fixed-wing aircraft, following gas transmission lines in Marin County. 

Flights will include possible stops at Novato's Gnoss Field, between the hours of 8am and 4pm.

Questions? Contact PG&E at 1.800.PGE.5000.
Novato Free Library Now Open
Bookworms rejoice! After a temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Marin County Free Library has opened most of its branches for express service.

The reopened branches provide modified operations including Library Express Service, which allows in-person browsing and select services for up to 30 minutes per visit. All visitors will be asked to abide by safety protocols including wearing a mask and social distancing requirements.
Library Express
Marin County Youth Commission
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 events:

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.
need support
"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
Marin Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA):
Free Family Day Activities Resume May 2 & June 6
MarinMOCA's free Family Fun Day program provides art-making opportunities for the whole family! A fun and educational alternative to “screen time,” the program is taught by professional art instructors in a variety of media – from painting to mixed media to clay. During the events, COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place.
MARIN MOCA
Marin SBDC
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.
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.

April 26 at 7pm | Planning Commission
April 27 at 6pm | City Council
April 28 at 6pm | Multicultural Advisory Commission
May 5 at 7pm | Design Review Commission
May 6 at 3pm | Economic Development Advisory Commission
May 10 at 7pm | Planning Commission
May 10 at 7pm | Streetscape Committee
May 11 at 6pm | City Council
May 13 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator
May 13 at 7pm | Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Commission
We're Hiring — Join Our Team!
Interested in a career in local government? Check out some of our current openings:

  • Police Officer - Lateral / Academy Graduate (continuous; applications reviewed as they are received)
  • Senior Accountant (continuous; applications reviewed as they are received)

Visit novatojobs.org for more information and to apply.
COVID-19 FAST FACTS
Dont assume you are immune - English
Dont assume you are immune - Spanish
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.
Connect With Us - English
Connect With Us - Spanish
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