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We hope you enjoy this edition of the Our Town Novato weekly newsletter which includes information on the State's move away from the Blueprint for a Safe Economy, Upcoming Homekey 2.0 Info Sessions, an exciting announcement about the Hamilton Pool, Marin County COVID-19 updates, Parks & Rec info, and more! |
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Moving Beyond the Blueprint for a Safe Economy
With statewide vaccinations increasing and hospitalizations continuing to steadily decline — Governor Gavin Newsom this week outlined the state’s next step in the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, moving beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
On June 15, California will fully open its economy if two criteria are met:
- If vaccine supply is sufficient for Californians 16 years and older who wish to be inoculated; and
- If hospitalization rates are stable and low.
“It’s reassuring to see that the state’s plan for moving beyond the Blueprint is tied to metrics, continuing to follow science and data as we have all along,” said Dr. Matt Willis, Marin’s Public Health Officer.
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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! B.1.1.7 COVID-19 Variant Detected in Marin. Two local cases of COVID-19 infection with the B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2, first detected in the United Kingdom, have been reported by Marin Public Health. Read More
Looking for COVID-19 testing? Two locations available in Novato.
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
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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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Get Involved & Be Heard: Submit Your eComments to the City Council
It’s easier than ever to share your comments with the Novato City Council! The eComment period is currently open for you to provide online public comment on City Council agenda items for the upcoming April 13 meeting. Your comments are sent directly to the Novato City Council to review and consider prior to the meeting.
Agenda items include, but are not limited to:
- Fiscal Year 2021/2022 Budget Study Session;
- Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Mid-Year Budget Report;
- Possible assignment of one-time funds;
- and Discussion on creating a City Council sub-committee on homelessness.
eComments must be submitted by 3pm on April 13.
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Swim Season 2021 Is On!
We can’t wait to welcome our community back to the Hamilton Community Pool this summer! Be on the look out for program details in our Summer Activity Guide being released NEXT WEEK!
In the meantime, if you or someone you know is interested in working at the Pool this swim season send them our way! Our community partners at the City of San Rafael are currently hiring lifeguards to work at the Hamilton Pool. No prior experience necessary.
Rate of pay is $14.56-$23.27. Minimum age is 15. Come join a fun team and serve an important role in your community. We are looking for individuals who are team players, with good communication skills, enjoy working outdoors, are safety minded and want to make a difference in their community. For more information, please email terralindapool@cityofsanrafael.org or call (415) 485-3344.
Not certified? We will provide training. Apply Soon!
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Margaret Todd Center Book & Puzzle Exchange
On Tuesdays from 10-11am, rain or shine, we’ll be out in front of the Senior Center at 1560 Hill Road for our weekly Puzzle & Book Exchange! Upcoming dates include April 13, 20, 27, and May 4. The next themed day (with extra books on the topic) is Classics Day on April 13!
Books are pre-sorted by genre and COVID protocols are required, so please remember your mask and be prepared to sanitize your hands when you arrive.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Project Homekey 2.0 Info Sessions
During the weeks of April 12 & 19, Opening Doors Marin, in partnership with the County of Marin, is hosting a series of ten community information sessions about a possible Homekey 2.0 program. The goal of these sessions is to provide an overview of Homekey 1.0, describe what Homekey 2.0 might look like, and solicit community feedback about both the process and possible projects.
In July 2020, the State of California launched Project Homekey with the aim of helping local communities acquire hotels, motels, commercial buildings, and other creative housing types in order to rapidly house people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this program, Marin County received approximately $8.6 million to aid the purchase of 63 new units of permanent supportive housing in San Rafael and Corte Madera.
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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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#NovatoProud: Sustainability Superstar
In honor of Earth Month, we're Novato Proud of Eagle Scout James Wreden, who led a team of adult volunteers and other Scouts in updating approximately 60 local storm drains with "No Dumping" medallions for his Eagle Project.
City Senior Maintenance Worker Melanie Fraley assisted James in his effort to better our environment and community.
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Weekends are Better on Grant Avenue!
Weather's perfect 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.
We hope to see you Downtown!
¡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.
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Vallejo Avenue Traffic Advisory
PG&E is currently working on a gas main replacement project on Vallejo Avenue, starting at First Street and working toward Seventh Street. Work is expected to continue through April 26, between the hours of 7am and 6pm.
During this work, traffic may be reduced to one lane with detours in place. Please plan for delays and use alternate routes if possible.
Questions? Contact PG&E at 1.800.PGE.5000.
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Novato Free Library Set to Reopen
Bookworms rejoice! After a temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Marin County Free Library will reopen most of its branches for express service beginning the week of April 19.
The reopened branches will 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.
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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.
Youth Mental Health Summit
Marin County youth (grades 8-12) are invited to apply to attend the Second Youth Mental Health Summit on May 1 & 2 from 10 am-12 pm via Zoom hosted by Marin County Youth Commission’s Mental Health Subcommittee.
Learn about demystifying mental health, suicide prevention, and how to support yourself and your peers with mental health struggles. Guest speakers & FREE goodie bags for all participants! Spanish translation services will be provided. Space is limited and applications are due April 19. Apply today!
If you are concerned about yourself or someone you know, please contact:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Need help now? Text "START" to 741-741
BHRS Access Line: 1-888-818-1115
All available 24/7
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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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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.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. Please note, proper disposal of unwanted medication does not include flushing it or throwing it in the trash.
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New Classes and Workshops at Marin Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
Marin MOCA, at 500 Palm Drive in Hamilton, has retooled their classes to employ all recommended protective measures to safeguard public health with requirements for masks and social distancing. Classes are now available in ceramics, sacred heart & mask making, painting and summer camp for children.
Stay tuned for the return of Marin MOCA's popular Family Day, on the lawn in May!
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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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Resilient Highway 37 Virtual Meeting April 15, 6-7:30pm
Your input is needed for the future of Highway 37! Agencies and counties are coordinating on a Sea Level Rise resiliency effort for our region's crucial highway, and you can help with long-term planning! CalTrans is nearing completion of the environmental and engineering studies and this meeting will update participants about the critical next steps.
Please attend the April 15 virtual townhall meeting, hosted by Senators Mike McGuire and Bill Dodd, featuring representatives from many of the involved counties and agencies.
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Call 8-1-1 Before Digging
April is recognized as National Safe Digging Month. With the arrival of spring, many Californians are thinking of starting projects to make their outdoor spaces more livable, and many of these projects will require digging. To help ensure these projects can proceed safely, and without disruptions to essential utility services that we all depend on, please call 8-1-1 to have underground utility lines marked in advance of any digging project.
llamar al 8-1-1 antes de excavar
Con la llegada de la primavera, muchos californianos están pensando en iniciar proyectos para hacer más habitables sus espacios al aire libre y muchos de estos trabajos requerirán una excavación. Para ayudar a garantizar que estas labores puedan llevarse a cabo de manera segura, y sin interrupciones de los servicios públicos esenciales, de los que todos dependemos para poder seguir conectados durante la pandemia en curso, abril es reconocido como el Mes Nacional de la Excavación Segura. Así es como la compañía Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) y más de 1,000 empresas de servicios públicos apoyan esta iniciativa de seguridad pública a nivel nacional, con el objetivo de crear conciencia sobre la importancia de llamar al 8-1-1 para solicitar la demarcación de las líneas subterráneas de servicios públicos, antes de cualquier proyecto de excavación.
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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.
April 12 at 7pm | Planning Commission - Cancelled
April 12 at 7pm | Novato Streetscape Committee
April 13 at 6pm | City Council
April 15 at 7:30am | Novato Citizens Finance Advisory-Oversight Committee
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 vaccinated.
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CITY OF NOVATO
publicinfo@novato.org
415.899.8900
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