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.

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.

As we came to the end of another year, City Manager McGill sent out his year end message last month reflecting on what we have achieved as a community in 2021 as well as a look ahead at the opportunities of 2022.

If you missed it, don't worry, we've linked it for you below.

Help reshape Novato's voting districts by drawing and submitting your own proposed district map using the online map-drawing tool or paper map! To allow ample time for Council consideration, draft maps should be submitted no later than February 7, 2022.

Ayude a reformar los distritos de votación de Novato al dibujar y presentar su propio propuesto de mapa de distrito usando la herramienta en línea para dibujar mapas o mapas de papel.

Check out daily updates from Marin County Public Health about confirmed COVID-19 cases countywide, vaccination efforts, & more at coronavirus.marinhhs.org. 

Novato COVID-19 Resources | Novato COVID-19 Business Resources | MarinRecovers: Safely Reopening Marin County | Marin HHS Dashboards | Frequently Asked Questions

Changes for COVID-Related Rental Assistance: A waitlist for rental assistance is being implemented because of high demand for the assistance and to prioritize those with low income and those at highest risk of eviction. County staff will prioritize applicants with incomes below 30% of Marin ’s median household income and who have been waiting the longest with unpaid rent. Read More

Marin Aligns with State on Face Covering Guidelines: With COVID-19 case rates rising rapidly, Marin County Public Health has aligned with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and requires the wearing of face coverings in all indoor public places to stem the virus’ spread. Read More

Last month, the Novato City Council appointed Mayor Pro Tem Eric Lucan as the new Mayor, and Councilmember Susan Wernick as Mayor Pro Tem. Each will serve in that capacity for one year.

The City of Novato is currently soliciting proposals from operators seeking to establish specific types of allowable commercial cannabis businesses within the City.

Submissions due no later than 5:00pm, Monday, January 24, 2022.

A new year often means new laws and regulations and Novato is no exception. In October 2019, the Novato City Council adopted Ordinance 1653 which includes an accelerated minimum wage schedule, with a minimum wage of $15 per hour reached by 2022 for all employees in Novato.

Starting January 1, 2022, the minimum wage within Novato city limits increased based on business size to:

Get involved in your community and help our City sparkle!

Novato Streetscape Committee Team Up to Clean Up volunteers meet the first Saturday of every month at a pre-determined location to pick up and properly dispose of litter.

When: Saturday, February 5 at 9am

Where: Meet at the Atherton Avenue Park & Ride

Did you know? Team Up to Clean Up is a great opportunity for Novato high school students to complete community service hours! All students must submit a Volunteer Services Agreement & Release form signed by a parent/guardian in order to participate. Please email gschubeck@novato.org to be sent a copy of the form.

Please bring a water bottle, snack, and wear closed-toed shoes and sun protection. The City of Novato provides vests, grabbers, and trash bags for use by volunteers.

Please join Novato Parks & Recreation Staff for our free, virtual Saturday Night Winter Wonderland Magic Show!

When: January 29, 6pm - 7pm

Where: Zoom link provided upon registration

To Register: Please send us your email address and the number of people watching the show by email at NovatoFun@novato.org or direct message @NovatoFun on social media.

Did you know the Novato City Council Subcommittee on Homelessness provides an update on how the City is working with local partners to address homelessness at each Council meeting?

Learn more at novato.org/agendas.

Additional information on homeless outreach in Novato, including updates on encampment activity is available at novato.org/homelessness. 

Grants Available to Help Prepare Your Home for Wildfire

Are your home and property ready for wildfire? Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA), a taxpayer funded program, via Marin County Measure C, has just launched 2 new grant programs to help Marin residents within its jurisdiction with expenses related to the creation of defensible space and home hardening!

To protect the wellness and safety of our docents and volunteers, the Novato Historical Guild will be temporarily closing the Novato History Museum & Hamilton Field History Museum due to the current COVID-19 spike. Novato Historical Guild hopes to reopen the museums on February 2.

Visit NovatoHistory.org for updates.

Paint the Town Red has announced postponement of their signature event, celebrating Novato's 62nd birthday, due to the surge of the Omicron variant and rising number of cases in Marin County.

If you made a reservation for January 22, but the new date doesn't work for your schedule, you may request a full refund, by emailing the Paint the Town Red Committee at pttr.novato@outlook.com. However, we hope you will choose to keep your reservation and attend the rescheduled celebration.

Additional information and tickets available at paintthetownred.org.

This free program, held the first Sunday of each month, provides art-making opportunities to parents with their children.

The event is held in MOCA's classroom, located at 781 Hamilton Parkway, directly behind the museum. Teachers will explain the project and will provide help from a safe distance. Masks are required and tables will be disinfected after each use.

Reservations are required, and only four families can be accommodated each hour. Families with children 12 and under receive free admission to the Museum's exhibitions.

Sign-up now for the Resilient Neighborhoods Climate Action Workshop series! Calculate your carbon footprint and take steps to reduce it.

In just five online meetings, every other week, you'll achieve measurable results through impactful climate actions that can also save you money too. All you need is access to your utility bills and a computer with internet access.

Here's another new development for 2022! As of January 1, all food waste now belongs in your green waste can so it can be turned into compost.

To accomplish this, communities across California are sorting organic material like food scraps, yard trimmings, and food-soiled paper into their organics bin. These organic materials don’t go to landfills – instead, they are sent to recycling and composting facilities throughout California where they are processed into valuable resources.

Important: plastic bags and containers marked "compostable" should not be put in green cans.

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

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 19 at 7pm | Design Review Commission - cancelled

January 20 at 7:30am | Citizens Finance Advisory-Oversight Committee

January 20 at Noon | Street Improvement Oversight Advisory Committee

January 24 at 7pm| Planning Commission

January 25 at 6pm | City Council

January 26 at 6pm | Multicultural Advisory Commission

January 27 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator

Visit novatojobs.org for more information and to apply.

Novato Gymnastics Center (Testing offered by Curative)

Visit cur.tv/novato or call 1.888.702.9042 to make an appointment. Slots for appointments appear online at 5:00pm the night before the scheduled testing date.

City of Novato Administrative Offices Parking Lot (Testing offered by COVID Clinic)

Appointment required. Visit covidclinic.org/novato to make an appointment.

WEBSITE | NEWS | WATCH MEETINGS | CALENDAR | CONTACT