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We hope you enjoy this edition of the Our Town Novato weekly newsletter which includes new small business grant and loan opportunities for Novato businesses, COVID-19 news, Novato's move to green its fleet, updated citywide events & programs, and more!
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Marin County Small Business Fund:
Application Period Opens February 22
Beginning Monday, qualified small business owners in Marin County may apply to receive a portion of $915,000 in federal relief funding targeted to businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The money will be in the form of grants of no more than $10,000 and interest-free loans of no more than $50,000.
As recommended by the Marin County Community Development Agency, 27% of the Marin County Small Business Fund will be targeted for businesses in or near Novato. Funding distribution is tied to coronavirus infection rates throughout the county. Businesses will be selected by a lottery because of the expected high demand for assistance and forms must be submitted by March 15.
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Check out daily updates from Marin County Public Health about confirmed COVID-19 cases countywide, vaccination efforts, and 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.
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Marin in Tier 1, But Nearing Tier 2
Earlier this week the California Department of Public health confirmed Marin County’s placement in Tier 1 - Widespread Risk, which is the most restrictive Tier of the State's COVID-19 blueprint. In general, for a County to advance to a less restrictive tier, it must:
- be in the current tier for a minimum of three weeks; and;
- meet criteria for the next less restrictive tier for all three measures for the prior two consecutive weeks in order to progress to the next tier.
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COVID-19 Case Rates Drop in Senior Facilities Post-Vaccine
After a multi-agency campaign to bring vaccines into facilities across Marin, cases have dropped following the wave of second doses through January in both residents and staff in skilled-nursing and senior care facilities.
Through the month of January, there was an average of 60 active COVID-19 cases among residents of long-term care facilities across Marin. For February, that number has dropped more than 10 times, to a monthly average of four active cases total, with no facilities currently experiencing outbreaks.
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When Can I Get My Shot? / ¿Cuándo puedo recibir mi vacuna? |
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Are you a Marin County resident and want to be notified when you can get the COVID-19 vaccine? Answer a few questions to be subscribed to receive email or text notifications when your turn has arrived.
¿Es usted residente del condado de Marin y desea que se le notifique cuando pueda recibir la vacuna COVID-19? Responda algunas preguntas simples para suscribirse y recibir notificaciones por correo electrónico o texto cuando llegue su turno.
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COVID-19 Testing Information |
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Looking for COVID-19 testing in Novato? Residents have access to two local sites offering free, safe and easy testing.
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Novato High School (625 Arthur Street): Tuesdays from 1pm-3pm (walk-in and first come, first served)
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Novato Library (1720 Novato Blvd): Fridays from 10am - 4pm. By appointment only.
Drive-thru testing is offered at the Marin County Civic Center "Armory Parking Lot" along Civic Center Drive in San Rafael on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am - 5pm and on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8am to 2pm.
To schedule an appointment at the Novato Library or the County Civic Center drive-thru, please visit the Curative website.
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BUSINESS RESOURCES & INFORMATION |
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Marin Small Business Development Center |
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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 are added monthly.
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Marin County Business COVID-19 Impact Survey
Do you own a business in Marin County? The County of Marin, cities, and business associations have created this brief survey to help better understand the stability and financial needs of Marin businesses.
All information is confidential and anonymous and will be used to better inform initiatives and activities to create opportunities for survival. The survey closes February 19.
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Encuesta sobre la estabilidad económica de los negocios
¿Tiene un negocio en el condado de Marin? Las ciudades y el condado de Marín, así como las asociaciones de negocios, quieren entender la estabilidad y las necesidades financieras de tu negocio, para que así podamos apoyarte mejor.
Toda la información es anónima y confidencial, y solo será usada para tener inicativas y actividades mejor informadas y crear oportunidades para sobrevivir y tener éxito durante y después de la pandemia. Haz favor de tomarte unos minutos para responder a esta encuesta. La encuesta cierra el 19 de febrero.
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Save the Date!
State of the City with City Manager Adam McGill
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The Novato Chamber of Commerce presents the annual State of the City Address with City Manager Adam McGill on March 17, 2021 from 5:30-6:30pm, via Zoom.
Please join us at this FREE virtual event for a discussion on how Novato adapted to the challenges of 2020, and a look forward into 2021.
Join us on Zoom:
Event ID 898 7801 3885
Password 738967
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Make a Difference in Your City: Apply Now for a Commission, Committee or Board
The City of Novato welcomes community participation in local government through its Commissions, Committees, and Boards (CCBs). If you have an interest in serving your community, applying for a position on a CCB is a great place to start!
Commissioners have a chance to be involved in upcoming projects and policies in the City and make recommendations to the City Council. There are a number of openings available now!
The application period is currently open through March 15 at 5:00pm. Applicants will be interviewed and appointed by the City Council.
HAGA UNA DIFERENCIA EN SU CIUDAD: Novato Ahora Reclutando para Comisiones, Comités y Juntas
A través de sus comisiones, comités y juntas, la ciudad de Novato da la bienvenida a la participación de la comunidad en el gobierno local. Si tiene interés en servir a su comunidad, solicite un puesto en una junta, comisión o comité de la ciudad.
Los comisionados tienen la oportunidad de participar en los próximos proyectos y problemas de la ciudad y hacer recomendaciones al concejo municipal.
El período de solicitud está actualmente abierto y se cerrará el 15 de marzo a las 5:00 pm. Los solicitantes serán entrevistados y designados por el concejo municipal.
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Not In Our Town: Speaker Series
A More Just Novato for Racial Equity is a four-session, online, speaker series featuring young adults from Novato sharing their experiences with intolerance and hatred.
You can choose to attend one or more of the following webinars, at 6:30pm on the following dates:
- February 25, 2021
- March 11, 2021
- March 25, 2021
Not In Our Town: Una sesiones con panelistas
Un Novato más Justo para la Equidad Racial hará un examen honesto de la inequidad racial con jóvenes de Novato como presentadores de un panel. Ellos compartirán sus propias experiencias con micro agresiones, intolerancia y odio.
Puede elegir asistir a uno o más de los siguientes seminarios web:
- 25 de febrero de 2021, 6:30pm
- 11 de marzo de 2021, 6:30pm
- 25 de marzo de 2021, 6:30pm
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Homeless Outreach in Novato
During the current public health crisis, the City of Novato remains committed to protecting the health and safety of community members and employees, while also striving to deliver public services to the greatest extent possible.
The City partners with the County of Marin and local service providers to ensure that people experiencing homelessness have access to services and support programs.
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PG&E Work: February 28 in South Novato
PG&E will be working on electrical transmission lines in the Highway 101 Caltrans right-of-way on Sunday, February 28 between 6am and 1pm in the vicinity of the Nave Drive exit and the Alameda del Prado exit.
This work will require brief slow downs of Highway 101 around these exits. California Highway Patrol will engage in rolling slowdowns of freeway traffic for periods of up to 10 minutes at a time to allow PG&E to safely access their transmission equipment.
The work will also require traffic controls on surface streets in the following areas:
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Nave Drive, between Ignacio and Alameda del Prado
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Alameda del Prado, between Los Robles Road and Nave Drive
Drivers are advised to avoid the area or plan other routes and expect delays during this time. Questions may be directed to PG&E at 415.238.5349.
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Outdoor Chess for After School Fun Starts February 22
A new session of after school Novato Chess club begins Monday, February 22, and we invite 3rd through 8th graders to join us!
Classes are Mondays 2:30pm-3:30pm outside at the Margaret Todd Center, 1560 Hill Road.
Space is limited!
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Free Virtual Gymnastics Classes Continue Throughout February!
Ages 2-5 | Tuesday & Thursday | 10-10:30am
Ages 5-12 | Tuesday & Thursday | 3:30-4:15pm
Registration Required. Email gymnastics@novato.org with your email address, classes you are interested in, and the number of children you expect to participate
Amazing Athletes Camp
February 23 - March 11 | T & TH | 9am - 6^12pm
February 22 - March 12 | M, W, F | 2:30 - 5:30pm
Virtual Gentle Yoga for Adults
March 3 - March 34 | 6:30 - &:30pm
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Bocce Ball Drop-In at Hill Recreation Area
Have you visited the new Hill Recreation Area yet? Join Novato Parks & Recreation and check out the New Bocce Ball Courts Drop-in Program!
Details:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, between 9:30 and 11:30am
- Tuesday and Thursday, between 5:30and 7:30pm
- Singles and Doubles (members of same household only)
- Cost is $5 per person
- No food or drink on courts
- Restrooms & picnic tables are closed due to COVID restrictions
COVID-19 protocols must be followed at all times, including face coverings, six feet physical distancing, no spectators. Cleaning protocols by city staff include cleaning bocce balls after each use, hand sanitizer available on-site.
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#NovatoFUNatHome: Virtual Story Time with Copperfield's |
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Join #NovatoFunatHome and Novato's own Copperfield's Books on Saturdays at 9:30am throughout the month of February. Tune in for three short stories read by the delightful Katherine Anderson of Copperfield's Novato.
Join us on February 20 & 27!
This 20-30 minute show is geared for infants, toddlers, and school-aged children, but will leave the whole family smiling!
Guests will be emailed a link to our Virtual Theater 10 minutes before the show begins. The Virtual Theater will open promptly at 9:30am at which time guests will have 3 minutes to enter before the "doors" close and the show begins! Please "arrive" to the Theater on-time to ensure your "seats"!
TO REGISTER: Please either direct message Novato Parks & Recreation on Facebook or Instagram @Novatofun or email Novatofun@novato.org your email address and the number of guests watching from home to be added to our Guest List.
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MTSC Free Book & Puzzle Exchange |
On Tuesdays from
10-11am, rain or shine, staff will be out in front of the Margaret Todd Center.
Next exchange on February 23.
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 hope you'll stop by and find a new book or puzzle to fall in love with!
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City Vehicle Fleet Gets Greener
The City is greening its fleet and plans to replace 60 older, less fuel-efficient vehicles with new electric, hybrid and fuel-efficient models over the next several years.
“We are in a climate emergency, and these actions will have a beneficial impact on our environment and community, as well as our overall City budget,” said Mayor Pat Eklund. “The City’s commitment to help further reduce greenhouse gas emissions also includes our recent switch from traditional diesel to 99% renewable diesel with the goal of being diesel-free by 2033. I am confident that we as a city will continue to do our part to help reduce our impact on the climate.”
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It's a Dry Year: Time to Save Water
It's been an unusually low rainfall this winter and combined with below average rainfall conditions last year, the North Bay's water storage levels are particularly low. This means we must be diligent in conserving water and preserving our community’s water sources.
Here are a couple of easy and useful tips from North Marin Water District to help you conserve water:
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Don't use the toilet as a trash bin. Never flush wipes, tissues, masks, gloves, or paper towels.
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When loading the dishwasher, skip rinsing and scrape food scraps into the compost bin instead of the garbage disposal.
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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.
February 22 at 7pm | Planning Commission
February 23 at 6pm | City Council
February 24 at 6pm | Multicultural Advisory Commission - Cancelled
February 25 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator
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Top Stories from Our Previous Edition
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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
novato.org
415.899.8900
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