Candidate for
Council Member; City of Novato

"As I began my service on the City Council and began to understand the issues facing Novato I discovered three overarching principles that helped focus my efforts and get things accomplished.

These three principles + Fiscal, Facilities and Land Use + are described in more detail below along with what has been accomplished and what more must be done."

Fiscal Novato's budget should be like a good family budget + income should not all be spent on day to day expenses. Instead some should be put aside for long term maintenance such as for a new washing machine or roof repair. Some should also be put aside for dreams such as a college education or retirement. During the great recession, Novato's budget should be like a good family budget + income should not all be spent on day to day expenses. Instead some should be put aside for long term maintenance such as for a new washing machine or roof repair. Some should also be put aside for dreams such as a college education or retirement.

Fiscal History

• Novato must have a balanced operating budget by law
• Novato receives less than 7 cents of every property tax dollar
• Novato receives no garbage franchise fees or utility taxes
• Novato never put aside money for long term maintenance of parks, buildings and streets

• Reduced staff by 30% and budget by $4M during the Great Recession
• Negotiated pension concessions + the maximum allowed for Novato
• Reviewed all programs and services to cut waste and become more efficient
• Passed voter-approved Measure F funds
• Determined actual costs necessary for infrastructure maintenance -- for the first time in Novato history
• Determined core staffing needs to provide adequate city services -- for the first time in Novato history Coming out of the recession:
• Set aside $1M annually for infrastructure maintenance -- for the first time in Novato history
• Added back only 8 core staff positions -- but still down 38 positions from pre-recession.

• Get voter approval of a local sales tax measure approved unanimously by the City council.
• Assure public safety and other critical services can be met within our budget.
• Assure reserves are set aside for infrastructure and retirement.
• Make prudent decisions for the use of the remaining Measure F funds

Facilities History

• Novato buildings -- including two house trailers housing employees -- were all code-deficient and had to be shuttered or demolished.
• Employees were housed in leased space for 5 years
• Hamilton surplus buildings were in limbo without proper approvals to repurpose need from the Federal Government
• City parks, islands and medians suffered from lack of adequate maintenance

• Brought city government back downtown by restoring the iconic Historic City Hall, creating a Civic Green and building City Offices -- providing spaces for civic engagement, commerce and community gatherings.
• Removed Federal Government restrictions from several vacant city properties at Hamilton, including the old hospital site.
• Partnered with Novato Unified School District to construct a much-needed and well-used Gymnasium.
• Collaborated with the downtown Novato Theater to encourage this to be a vital downtown entertainment destination
• Fostered Adopt an Island program to have private parties pay for maintenance.

• Complete the Downtown Civic Center including the Community House, the Simmons and Hanen Houses and restoration of Sherman Avenue to host special events in combination with an enlarged Civic Green.
• Carefully guide the repurposing of surplus Hamilton properties for the benefit of all Novato.
• Participate in the grand opening of the Downtown Novato Theater
• Create solution to the parking issues in downtown.
• Fund well-maintained parks and landscaped areas.

Land Use History Pressure grew to develop hillsides, ridgelines and beyond Novato City Limits.

Land Use Accomplishments Preserved Novato's edge:

• Established an Urban Growth Boundary 20 years ago to limit sprawl
• Adopted Hillside and Ridgeline Ordinances to restrict development
• Acquired, Preserved and Restored Public Open Space
• Hamilton Wetland Restoration Project restored historic wetlands over the old Hamilton Airfields
• Constructed a link of the San Francisco Bay Trail as part of the Hamilton Wetland Restoration *Project at Novato's eastern doorway.
• Developed solutions to address State of California Housing Mandates that:
• Respect the small town character of Novato
• Encourage Senior Housing.

• Renew our Urban Growth Boundary for another 20 years
• Preserve Novato's character:
• Update our General Plan to balance environment, neighborhoods, housing and quality of life for our residents.
• Create a vibrant North and North North Redwood Corridor to complement our downtown heart, to connect to multi modes of movement and to bring modest revenue to the city.
• Monitor proposed projects on designated Affordable Housing Sites so they are appropriate for Novato.