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Our Town Novato is a weekly update of news you may have missed throughout the week.
Resources and information for Novato businesses and workers impacted by COVID-19 is available at novato.org/COVID19biz.
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Marin County Recommends Urgent Next Steps to Avoid Economic Regression
Marin County worked hard to graduate from red to orange COVID-19 status in October, but its residents will have to double down on efforts to prevent a step backward in the pandemic economic recovery.
As coronavirus cases surge in Marin, regionally and nationally, the Public Health Division of Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said new precautions in the next few days and weeks will determine whether Marin is relegated back to the red Tier 2 (substantial risk) from the orange Tier 3 (moderate risk) on the State of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy scale.
Marin HHS has introduced recommended actions for industries and activities labeled higher risk for virus transmission. Businesses and organizations are being asked to take the following steps immediately:
- reduce indoor dining capacity from 50% to 25%;
- reduce indoor movie theater capacity from 50% to 25% and close concessions; and
- reduce capacity of indoor faith-based and cultural ceremonies from 50% to 25%
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Marin County Withdraws Offer to Purchase Inn Marin
On Tuesday, November 10, 2020, the Marin County Board of Supervisors held a closed session to negotiate acquiring Novato’s Inn Marin located at 250 Entrada Drive, Novato (APN 160-161-21) as part of the State’s Homekey Program.
Following this closed session meeting, the County permanently withdrew attempts to purchase Inn Marin, and issued the following statement:
“In closed session this afternoon, the Board discussed the potential acquisition of the Inn Marin at 250 Entrada Drive, Novato. In light of not being able to reach an agreement with the Seller on price, the Board directed the County’s negotiators to no longer pursue the property. The Board further directed the Clerk to cancel the Public Hearing on the proposed purchase previously scheduled for November 17, 2020, and to cancel any remaining publication of notices for the November 17th hearing on this matter.”
The Novato City Council will no longer consider or discuss taking a formal position on this matter.
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Measure Q Update from City Manager Adam McGill
While we continue to await final certified results in our national and local elections, I would like to extend a sincere thank you to those who have participated in this historic statewide all mail ballot election.
As many of you recall, Measure Q – an increase to Novato’s local hotel/lodging tax – was on your Municipal Election ballot. The unofficial results show voters have overwhelmingly supported Measure Q with 77% voting in favor of the measure so far.
Again, Measure Q is not a tax on Novato residents or their property – it is an increase to our local hotel/lodging tax rate to address the priorities you, our community, have identified:
- Keeping public areas safe, clean and healthy
- Ensuring the City is prepared for any future natural disaster or health emergency
- Supporting local businesses and residents through the COVID-19 recovery
- Providing disaster and health crisis response
- Maintaining 911 emergency response and capacity in any emergency
We look forward to keeping you updated and engaged on Novato’s local recovery and our approach to maintaining the services and the excellent quality of life you expect and deserve.
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Novato Minimum Wage Increase effective
January 1, 2021
Starting January 1, 2021, the minimum wage within Novato city limits will increase based on business size to:
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$15.24 per hour for very large businesses with 100 or more employees (adjusted based on CPI-W);
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$15 per hour for large businesses with 26-99 employees; and
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$14 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.
An official notice of this increase will be provided to Novato businesses with their business license renewals. The Official Novato Minimum Wage Notice is required to be posted in a location visible to employees.
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Marin County COVID-19 Update as of November 10, 2020
Marin County Public Health continues to monitor and report confirmed COVID-19 cases countywide on their dedicated coronavirus website at marinhss.org/coronavirus. Here you will find accurate, up-to-date information with a focus on how it is impacting our local communities.
Here are some data points, as of November 10, 2020, that may be of interest to you:
Marin Confirmed Cases: 5,044
Marin Cases Recovered: 4,797
Marin Deaths: 99
Tests Completed in Marin: 158,702
Marin Hospitalizations (cumulative): 179
Marin Hospitalizations (currently): 7
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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Bay Area Public Health Officers Emphasize Safe Holidays and Travel
Earlier this week, Marin County Public Health issued recommendations for safe travel and gatherings this holiday season to help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
"We've worked hard to achieve our gains, but we're seeing increases in cases regionally and could easily backslide if we import the virus back into our homes," said Marin County Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis.
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County Public Health COVID-19 Update to Board of Supervisors |
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Application Deadline for Commercial Cannabis Business Permits Extended
The City has extended the application deadline for proposals to operate allowable types of commercial cannabis businesses through Monday, November 23, 2020 at 5pm.
Commercial Cannabis Business Permits for allowable types of operations include:
- non-storefront retail
- manufacturing
- indoor cultivation
- testing laboratories
- distribution activities
- microbusinesses
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Downtown Novato Weekend Street Closure Continues Through November! |
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A reminder that our closed streets program in Downtown will continue on weekends through November 22! Please note that the street closure is dependent on weather so be sure to check the DNBA Facebook page for updates each Friday.
Since launching in June, this successful program has allowed our community to enjoy pedestrian-friendly, socially-distanced shopping and dining on Grant Avenue every weekend while adhering to County Public Health Orders.
City staff is currently working to help restaurants continue distanced dining in a new way while also still maintaining access to parking and allowing the street to remain open to vehicles.
We truly enjoy seeing our community come together to support our local businesses, and we hope you #shoplocal this holiday season!
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Letters to Santa
Children of all ages sharpen your pencils! Novato Parks & Recreation is delivering your letters to Santa, and Santa can't wait to send you a reply!
All you have to do is write a letter to Santa, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and drop it in the North Pole mail slot, at the Novato Gymnastics Center at 950 7th Street, between November 23 and December 14.
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SAVE THE DATE: Novato's Annual Tree Lighting Goes Virtual |
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#NovatoProud of our Veterans!
We are #NovatoProud of our local Hometown Heroes every day of the year.
Are you or someone you know a Novato veteran? Fill out our nomination form to be featured as a Hometown Hero on our website at novato.org/novatoproud.
Thank you for your service veterans!
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Essential workers may be at a higher risk of being exposed to #flu and #COVID19. Protect yourself by getting a #fluvaccine. The more people vaccinated; the more people protected.
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Los trabajadores esenciales pueden tener un mayor riesgo de estar expuestos a la #gripe y al #COVID19. Protéjase recibiendo una #gripevacuna. Cuantas más personas se vacunen; más personas están protegidas. |
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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.
November 12 at 7pm | Recreation, Cultural & Community Services Commission
November 17 at 6pm | City Council
November 18 at 7pm | Design Review Commission
November 19 at 12pm | Street Improvement Oversight Advisory Committee
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Our Top Stories from 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 your flu shot.
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CITY OF NOVATO
publicinfo@novato.org
novato.org
415.899.8900
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