Novato manager shares updates on city's key issues
In the coming months, I'll be meeting with city managers, executive directors of independent special purpose districts and senior county managers across Marin.
These women and men are senior staff members who guide their agencies on a day-to-day basis. I'll report on their observations and, hopefully, provide insight on how local governments operate.
I am starting with Adam McGill, Novato's city manager. McGill is the city's former police chief.
Q How is the city addressing its homeless population?
A We have two very different unhoused groups — the sanctioned camp at Lee Gerner Park and the one in the woods near Hamilton. The first group is open to services and willing to move to subsidized housing. Those living near Hamilton are experiencing deep psychological and substance abuse issues. They've been on the street for years, reject offered services and are unwilling to move even if appropriate housing is offered. The frustration I and other city managers have is that the county is, so far, unwilling to include lowcost temporary housing among the options. That's the needed middle space between someone living under a bridge and moving them to expensive, slow-to-build permanent supportive housing.
Q What's happening regarding Costco's proposed gas station?
A The topic will return to the council within six months for review, public comments and decision. … We've revised the (environmental impact report) per court order.
Q At Hamilton, the old
Coast Guard housing has been slated for private sector residential development. When might the restoration work start?
A We've recently learned the Coast Guard changed their policy. Given that California's housing shortage also negatively impacts Coast Guard families, their dilapidated Hamilton housing will be restored and then used exclusively to house Coast Guard personnel and their families.
Q Novato has a perpetual budget shortfall. Why?
A The numbers tell the story. Out of every property tax dollar paid in Novato, the school district receives 31%, county government 16%, the state's Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund 14.8%, Novato Fire District 14.5%, College of Marin 6.6% and “other” 10.1%. That leaves the city of Novato with only seven cents of each property tax dollar paid. Before Proposition 13 passed in 1978 — essentially freezing property tax rates — the city was flush and cut its own tax rate. Ever since, Novato has endured the results of that decision. We just don't have sufficient revenue to fund city services at the level residents understandably expect.
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There are “tin horn” patriots and there are true patriots who show their colors by their deeds. Sausalito is blessed with two council members who have done their duty: Jill Hoffman and Joan Cox. This month, the U.S. Department of Defense is celebrating women in military history and it's appropriate to acknowledge their service.
Councilmember Hoffman is also appropriately addressed as Capt. Jill Hoffman of the United States Navy. For those who never have had the honor of serving in the military, a captain in the Navy is the equivalent of an Army or Air Force full colonel. It's a big job.
Hoffman is being honored this month on her retirement from the Navy Reserve. A ceremony In Honolulu aboard the battleship USS Missouri marks her retirement from a naval career which included overseas duty.
Councilmember Joan Cox has the distinction of being part of one of the first classes of women at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
Women like Cox and Hoffman today play an essential role in America's uniformed services. Both are role models for young women demonstrating that they, too, can serve as leaders in the military and in elected office.
These women and men are senior staff members who guide their agencies on a day-to-day basis.