Hi! Just a reminder that you are receiving this message because you have previously expressed interest in the City of Novato. Please add publicinfo@novato.org to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox. |
|
Welcome to the City of Novato's monthly newsletter! This issue features Novato's minimum wage increase, a winter storm advisory, a Housing and Homeless Committee reminder, Parks and Recreation events and 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 Minimum Wage Increase In Effect as of January 1
As of January 1, 2023, the minimum wage within Novato city limits has increased based on business size to:
➡️ $16.32 per hour for very large businesses with 100 or more employees (adjusted based on CPI-W);
➡️ $16.07 per hour for large businesses with 26-99 employees; and
➡️ $15.53 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.
For more information or to download the Official Novato Minimum Wage Notice in both English and Spanish, please visit novato.org/minimumwage. |
|
Get Prepared Novato - Winter Storm Advisory
Weather forecasts are predicting significant rain and high winds for Novato this week and next. Parts of the City may experience flooding, downed trees, or other storm damage as a result. Please use caution if you travel.
What you can do:
- Rake and bag leaves as often as possible before storms, as leaves can clog storm drains;
- Clean drains around your home, including roof gutters, downspouts, drain inlets, pipes, drainage ditches and driveway culverts;
- Do not construct driveway ramps in street gutters;
- Always check with our Community Development Department before you build on, alter, regrade or fill on your property at (415) 899-8989;
- If you do not have flood Insurance, talk to your insurance agent - homeowner's insurance policies do not cover damage from floods.
As a reminder, sandbags are available for free to Novato residents outside of the Corporation Yard located at 550 Davidson Street in Novato - Limited to 10 bags per household, first-come first-served.
To receive real-time local public safety alerts and advisories, sign up for Nixle alerts at nixle.com or text your zip code to 888777. |
|
Last Chance to Apply to Serve on the Housing and Homeless Committee
The Novato City Council recently established a new Housing and Homeless Committee whose purpose will be to provide information and make recommendations to the City Council regarding housing and homeless issues within the City.
The Committee will be comprised of seven members, two of whom will be Marin County Homeless Union representatives. Members must reside within City limits.
If you’re interested in serving on the Committee — apply now at novato.org/applyonline or contact the City Clerk Laura McDowall at 415.899.8986 or lmcdowall@novato.org. Applications are being accepted for this committee through January 6, 2023 at 5pm.
Serving on a City Commission is a great opportunity to get involved in your community and participate in local government. Learn more about this new Committee and other City Commissions, Committees and Boards at novato.org/ccb. |
|
Check out the #NovatoFUN our Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department is hosting this month!
|
|
|
|
View the Winter and Spring Activity Guide!
Our Winter and Spring Digital Activity Guide is available for viewing! We have even more #NovatoFUN to offer you this winter and spring. To view the guide visit novatofun.org.
Registration is open for all winter and spring programming.
|
|
Margaret Todd Senior Center Congregate Lunch Program
The MTSC Congregate Lunch Program has returned in person! Seniors 60+ are invited to join us for hot meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-1pm. Reservations must be made 2 weeks in advance by calling (415) 899-8290. Guests must dine onsite, to-go lunches will not be offered, and the suggested contribution is $3.
For more information on Margaret Todd Senior Center programs go novato.org/mtsc.
|
|
|
The Novato Historical Guild: "Novato had the World's Largest Orchard in the late 1860s”
Located between Pacheco’s Rancho San Jose and the Olompali property, Rancho de Novato did not come into its own until the arrival in 1856 of two settlers from the East, J.B. Sweetser and Francis C. DeLong.
Observing a demand in the West for fresh fruit, the industrious pair planted thousands and thousands of trees, mostly apple. In 1858, in order to provide for the educational and religious needs of their employees and neighbors, the partners built a one-room school and church.
By the late 1860s, Rancho de Novato was considered the largest orchard in the world! As well as meeting U.S. demands, DeLong and Sweetser shipped apples to Australia. Apples were sorted for the San Francisco winter market in a building which held 20,000 boxes of apples at one time. Poorer grades of apples were turned into cider and vinegar.
|
|
City of Novato Sustainability |
|
Sustainability Commission Study Session on "Reach" Codes
The Sustainability Commission will be hosting a study session on ‘Building Electrification & Electric Vehicle “Reach” Codes as a Climate Action Tool’ at their regularly scheduled meeting to be held at 6pm on January 19, 2023, at Novato City Hall, 901 Sherman Ave.
Reach codes are local building energy codes that “reach” beyond the state minimum requirements for energy use in building design and construction. The study session will include presentations from experts in the field, as well as a discussion on the impacts and benefits of building electrification and enhanced EV charging infrastructure to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting.
|
|
|
|
North Marin Community Services Emergency Rental Assistance Program
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. |
|
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.
January 5 at 3pm | Economic Development Advisory Commission - Cancelled
January 9 at 7pm | Planning Commission
January 9 at 7pm | Streetscape Committee
January 10 at 6pm | City Council
January 12 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator
January 12 at 6pm | Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Commission
January 18 at 7pm | Design Review Commission
January 19 at 7:30am | Finance Advisory Commission
January 19 at 6pm | Sustainability Commission
January 23 at 7pm | Planning Commission
January 24 at 6pm | City Council
January 25 at 6pm | Multicultural Advisory Commission
January 26 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator
|
|
We're Hiring — Join Our Team!
Interested in a career in local government? Check out some of our current openings:
-
Building Plans Examiner I/II (Full Time) - application period closes January 23
-
Recreation Coordinator - Aquatics (Full Time) - application period closes January 25
-
Senior Building Inspector (Full Time) - application period closes January 31
-
Police Officer Trainee (Full Time) - application period closes March 31
-
Accounting Assistant I/II (Full Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received
-
Police Officer - Lateral/Academy Graduate (Full Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received
-
Parks and Recreation Gymnastics Instructor (Part Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received
-
Parks and Recreation Umpire / Referee (Part Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received
|
|
Top Stories from Our Previous Edition
|
|
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
|
|
Upcoming Vaccination Pop-Ups in Novato:
Villas at Hamilton, 410 S Palm Dr.
January 13, 11:30am - 2:30pm
Margaret Todd Senior Center, 1560 Hill Rd.
February 1, 1-5pm
|
|
Stay Healthy Novato
The best way to reduce the risk of becoming infected with a 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.
|
|
CITY OF NOVATO
publicinfo@novato.org
415.899.8900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
