January 2024

Welcome to the City of Novato's monthly newsletter! This issue features a message from Interim City Manager Amy Cunningham, the opening of Novato's new adaptive playgrounds at Pioneer Park, a minimum wage update, upcoming Parks & Recreation events, flood preparedness 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.

A Message from Interim City Manager Amy Cunningham

As we start off a new year, it’s a fitting moment to reflect on the journey we’ve shared as a community in 2023 — a journey filled with many accomplishments, celebrations and, inevitably, some challenges.

Novato's New Adaptive Playground Opens at Pioneer Park

Check out the #NovatoFun at our brand-new inclusive playground - the first of its kind in Marin! Two new play structures that feature ramps, rubber surfacing, sensory wave rockers, expression swings, and more adaptive elements, fostering play for children of ALL abilities.

“We are thrilled to announce construction at Pioneer Park is finally complete. Novato now has two state-of-the-art accessible playgrounds offering opportunities to children of all abilities,” said Parks & Recreation Director Katie Gauntlett. "This was made possible by our community’s unwavering support and invaluable input from our adaptive needs families."

Some additional amenities will be added to this renovated play space in the coming weeks. Benches will be installed to either side of the center retaining wall providing additional seating for parents and guardians, as well as a large shade structure to cover this resting area. The main entrance gate will also be updated as part of our final touches to the project. These pieces will be installed as soon as the City receives delivery. We appreciate the community’s understanding and patience as we await these last improvements.  

Important Reminders When Visiting the Playgrounds



We ask the community to follow a few tips and rules when visiting the playgrounds to ensure the safety and well-being of all those who have come to play!

• Hours of use are from 8am - Dusk
• Use of play equipment is at your own risk and children should always be supervised by an adult
• Avoid use of play equipment when surfaces are wet or hot
• No bicycles, skateboards or scooters are to be used inside the play area
• No dogs permitted inside the play area, dogs outside the play area must be on a leash at all times
• No amplified sound in the play area
• No smoking, littering or consumption of alcohol

Stay tuned for the official #NovatoFun grand re-opening celebration this spring! In the meantime, come experience these exciting inclusive play amenities for yourself at 1007 Simmons Lane in Novato!

Novato Minimum Wage Increase Effective January 1, 2024 / Aumento del salario mínimo en Novato a partir del 1 de enero de 2024

Starting January 1, 2024, the minimum wage within Novato city limits increased based on business size to:

• $16.86 per hour for very large businesses with 100 or more employees;
• $16.60 per hour for large businesses with 26-99 employees; and
• $16.04 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. 

Please note that there may be minimum wage laws set by the State of California that are different and in addition to the City of Novato's minimum wage laws, which also apply generally and to specific business types, such as fast food workers and healthcare workers. It is the responsibility of all employers to comply with prevailing wage laws set by the State of California and by the City of Novato. 

A partir del 1 de enero de 2024, el salario mínimo dentro de los límites de la ciudad de Novato aumentará según el tamaño del negocio a:

• $16.86 por hora para negocios muy grandes con 100 o más empleados;
• $16.60 por hora para negocios grandes con 26-99 empleados; y
• $16.04 por hora para negocios pequeños con 1-25 empleados.

El salario mínimo en Novato se aplica a cada empleado que realiza más de dos horas de trabajo en una semana en particular dentro de los límites de la ciudad.

Tenga en cuenta que puede haber leyes de salario mínimo establecidas por el Estado de California que son diferentes y además de la ciudad de Novato leyes de salario mínimo, que también se aplican en general y a tipos de negocios específicos, tales como los trabajadores de comida rápida y los trabajadores de atención médica. Es responsabilidad de todos los empleadores cumplir con las leyes de salario prevaleciente establecidas por el Estado de California y la ciudad de Novato.

Sing, Dance & Discover Interactive Concert

Join us at the Margaret Todd Senior Center, 1560 Hill Road, for a special children's event celebrating Black History Month on Saturday, February 3, 11am-12pm! Get ready to sing, dance, discover and explore the vibrant Kreole culture and Zydeco music of Southwest Louisiana with Grammy-nominated Andre Thierry. This free and interactive experience introduces kids and families to a mix of African and Native American Blues and French Kreole dance melodies with elements of Afro-Caribbean music.

Aging with Joy

Introducing one of our newest offerings - Aging with Joy! Embrace the beauty of aging gracefully alongside like-minded souls as we explore new mindsets that help us learn how to stay in the moment and move from negative feelings, such as depression or fear, to joy and positivity. Click below to reserve your spot or call (415) 899-8290⁠.

Play-Well Lego Workshops

With two offerings of Lego fun, we've got something for everyone! Come build your best creations at our camp and workshop this spring, in conjunction with Play-Well. Play, create, and learn in a world inspired by the animal kingdom. And celebrate nature, think sustainably, and commemorate Earth Day with an Earth Day Engineering Workshop.

Prepare for Winter Storms

Sand and bags are available at the City of Novato Corporation Yard, 550 Davidson Street. Please be considerate and limit sandbags to 10 per household, first-come first-served. 

The City provides a limited stockpile of bags and sand available to Novato residents for emergency use. To use these stockpiles, you must supply your own labor, shovels and support. If you are physically unable to fill the bags, please contact the Public Works Corp Yard at 415.899.8280 during business hours and schedule a time to pick-up prefilled bags.

For more information on flood preparedness, please visit novato.org/floodpreparedness.

Diablo and DeLong Avenues Road Work & Construction

Construction has begun on the Diablo and DeLong Avenues Corridor Enhancements project. Road work will take place Monday - Friday from 7am-5pm, and is scheduled to be completed on March 11, 2024. Schedule is weather permitting.

As part of this work, safety improvements on the Diablo Avenue / DeLong Avenue corridor between Novato Boulevard and Reichert Avenue include:

• New roadway signage;
• Striping;
• Minor concrete-curb work;
• Improved pedestrian access;
• Increased visibility of traffic signals; and 
• Curb ramp ADA upgrades.

RK Engineering, contractor for this project, will make every effort to maintain normal traffic access and minimize disruption.

Questions? Please contact RK Engineering’s on-site foreman, Jose Lozada, at (707) 495-9017. For after-hours emergencies, please contact Tom Tierney at (415) 420-9993.

Additional project information is available at novato.org/pwprojects.

City of Novato Administrative Offices Holiday Closure

The City of Novato Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

This closures does not affect the Novato Police Department, which is open every day.

As always, upcoming City meetings, events and closures can be found online at novato.org/calendar.

Novato Fire Protection District: Tips to Avoid Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning

The holidays may be over, but the winter chill is here to stay with expected temperatures to drop in the mornings through next week. Remember, with cozy fires and running heaters comes the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

• Know the symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue. If you suspect it, get outside to fresh air and call 9-1-1 immediately.
• Install & test CO detectors monthly. Place them near bedrooms and on every floor.
• Never run a generator indoors, even with the garage door open. Use it outside, at least 20 feet away from your home.
• Don't use gas stoves or ovens for heat. They're not designed for it and can create dangerous CO levels.
• Get your gas appliances inspected annually to ensure proper ventilation.
• Clear debris from vents & chimneys to prevent CO buildup.
• Never warm your car inside a garage, even with the door open. CO can quickly build up to deadly levels.

Marin County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan / Plan Local de Mitigación de Riesgos del Condado de Marín

Every few years the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) is updated. The plan presents projects focused on reducing the impacts of natural hazards like, sea level rise, wildfires, floods and more. The community is invited to provide feedback. 

• Use the interactive map to see the potential impact of natural hazards in our area.
• Look through the proposed projects listed. 
• Do these projects reflect community needs? Let us know by filling out the survey.

Marin County Fire’s OEM is coordinating the plan and working with individual jurisdictions to present their plans as they become available. Check back later if a city, town or special district is not listed. 

Cada cierto tiempo se actualiza el Plan Local de Mitigación de Riesgos (LHMP). El plan presenta proyectos centrados en reducir el impacto de peligros naturales como el aumento del nivel del mar, los incendios forestales, las inundaciones y más. Se le pide a la comunidad que dé su opinión.

• Utilice el mapa interactivo para ver el impacto potencial de los peligros naturales en su área. 
• Revise la lista de proyectos propuestos.
• ¿Reflejan estos proyectos las necesidades de su vecindario? Déjenos saber llenando la encuesta. 

El Departamento de Manejo de Emergencias del Condado de Marin (OEM) está coordinando el plan y trabajando con las jurisdicciones individuales para presentar sus planes a medida que estén disponibles. Vuelva más tarde si una ciudad, pueblo o distrito especial no está en la lista.  

The Novato Historical Guild: The History Behind How Novato Got Its Name

How did Novato get its name? No one knows for sure, but May Rodgers Ungemach provided several theories in her book "Novato Township” (available for purchase at the Novato History Museum and the Hamilton Field History Museum).

1. On September 15, 1887, the following article appeared in the Marin Independent under “Novato Notes”: “The oldest inhabitant of this place knows nothing concerning the origin of the name Novato. It is believed that it is an Indian appellation and it is closely associated with a celebrated spring of living water on the DeLong Ranch.”
2. The June 1, 1893 edition of the Marin Journal stated: “New Novato, one of the youngest towns in Marin (its name derived from the Latin novus, ‘new’).”
3. Famed ethnologist C. Hart Merriam believed the name comes from that of a chief of the Coast Miwok. He may have been baptized and named after Saint Novatus.
4. “A Canada de Novato,” where cattle from Mission San Rafael grazed, was mentioned in 1828.
5. On November 18, 1836, the name was applied to a land grant, and on February 2, 1836, to a post office.

Interested in learning more about Novato's history? The Novato Historical Guild operates two museums — Novato History Museum, located in the 1850 Postmaster’s House, 815 DeLong Avenue, and The Hamilton Field History Museum, located in the 1935 Hamilton Firehouse, 555 Hangar Avenue. Both museums are open Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 12-4pm. For more information, please call (415) 382-8614 or go to novatohistory.org.

Upcoming City Meetings

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.

January 11 at 6pm | Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Commission

January 17 at 5:30pm | Complete Streets & Pathways Oversight Committee - Cancelled

January 17 at 7pm | Design Review Commission - Cancelled

January 18 at 7:30am | Finance Advisory Commission

January 18 at 6pm | Sustainability Commission

January 22 at 7pm | Planning Commission

January 23 at 6pm | City Council

January 24 at 6pm | Multicultural Advisory Commission

January 25 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator

We're Hiring — Join Our Team!

Interested in a career in local government? Check out some of our current openings:

Please note the following positions will remain open until filled.

• Parks & Recreation Facility Attendant (Part Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received
• Parks & Recreation Gymnastics Instructor (Part Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received
• Parks & Recreation Recreation Leader (Part Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received
• Senior Office Assistant (Full Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received
• Deputy Director of Finance (Full Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received
• Fire Mitigation Ranger (Police Officer - Part Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received
• Police Intern (Part Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received
• Police Officer Trainee (Full Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received
• Police Officer - Lateral/Academy Graduate (Full Time) - continuous; applications reviewed as they are received

Visit novatojobs.org for more information and to apply.

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