The North Marin Water District is taking another look at where it could build a new water pump station, a project that has roiled residents in a Novato neighborhood. The district’s board, which met Tuesday, voted unanimously to study one or two additional sites to construct its new primary pump station designed to replace the nearly 60-year-old one near Lynwood Elementary School. The vote authorized staff to amend the district’s consulting agreement with Freyer and Laureta Inc. to add $72,000 for services and an $8,000 contingency. The new contract total is $480,000. The duration of work has b ..read more

Oakland Grammy winner Fantastic Negrito, jazz great Bill Frisell, alt-rock favorites Cracker, acclaimed mandolinist Sierra Hull and popular guitarist Chris Shiflett (of Foo Fighters fame) are among the acts set to perform during the 11th annual Cookout Concert Series at HopMonk Tavern in Novato. Other acts in the lineup — which is presented by local promoter KC Turner — include Bill Kirchen, Box Set, James McMurtry, Megan Slankard, the Wood Brothers and Toad the Wet Sprocket. The outdoor series kicks off on May 27 with Brooklyn soul outfit Say She She, featuring vocalists Piya Malik (formerly ..read more

Oakland Grammy winner Fantastic Negrito, jazz great Bill Frisell, alt-rock favorites Cracker, acclaimed mandolinist Sierra Hull and popular guitarist Chris Shiflett (of Foo Fighters fame) are among the acts set to perform during the 11th annual Cookout Concert Series at HopMonk Tavern Novato. Other acts in the lineup — which is presented by local promoter KC Turner — include Bill Kirchen, Box Set, James McMurtry, Megan Slankard, the Wood Brothers and Toad the Wet Sprocket. The outdoor series kicks off on May 27 with Brooklyn soul outfit Say She She, featuring vocalists Piya Malik (formerly of ..read more

Bike-riding students, escorted by a Novato Fire District engine, arrive at Pleasant Valley Elementary School in Novato,Calif. on National Bike to School Day, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal) Stickers and pencils are set out for student participants of National Bike to School Day at Pleasant Valley Elementary School in Novato,Calif. on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal) Bike-riding students, escorted by parents and a Novato Police Department motorcycle officer, arrive at Pleasant Valley Elementary School in Novato,Calif. on Natio ..read more

A new Marin nonprofit organization is promoting accessible dwelling units as a solution to the state housing shortage. ADU Marin is working with officials in San Anselmo, Mill Valley, Fairfax, Larkspur, Sausalito, Novato, San Rafael, Corte Madera, Ross and the county to provide information on developing the apartments, also known as granny flats or in-law units. The organization launched a website, ADUMarin.org, on April 1. A series of recorded webinars featuring local building and planning officials has been uploaded to the site. “We think ADUs are a really good solution for Marin,” said Scot ..read more

More than 40 employees of the Novato Unified School District have accepted incentives to retire early, allowing some other COVID-era employees who were provisionally let go in March to fill vacancies for 2024-25. The district worked with Public Agency Retirement Services to offer packages to 43 senior-level employees. The workers include 16 teachers and other certificated non-management employees, one certificated management person, one confidential employee and 25 classified non-management workers. They will leave the district in June. Joshua Braff, the district’s chief financial officer, sai ..read more

The $18 million in state funds Marin jurisdictions are getting to get homeless out of encampments rightly puts pressure on officials to deliver. The sum is a huge infusion of cash into implementing effective, humane and compassionate short- and long-term solutions. The sum also means that local jurisdictions have to be accountable for spending it wisely. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration has already received blistering criticism from an independent state audit that millions are being spent on the state’s homelessness crisis without accounting for the effectiveness of that taxpayer investment ..read more

Novato City Council members will participate in neighborhood meetings in their respective districts as part of a citywide effort to promote community engagement. At its meeting on April 23, the council directed staff to begin organizing and planning annual sessions. The council also said staff should schedule “hot topic meetings” focused on specific programs; plan meet-and-greet events at the farmers market; and develop video-driven social media promotions. “I think this a really good opportunity,” said Councilmember Rachel Farac, who initiated the effort earlier this year. “I am so excited to ..read more

Novato officials are poised to narrow down which city real estate holdings might be considered for lease or sale. The City Council discussed the issue at its meeting on April 23. City staff recommended hiring a real estate services firm to guide the sale or lease of hundreds of city-owned buildings and sites. The council supported seeking a request for information, or RFI, which would kick off a bid process. The council also asked staff to return with a property list that would prioritize the first phase of the effort. The real estate adviser would evaluate properties selected by staff and the ..read more

The site of the former Novato Theater has been sold for considerably less than city officials had hoped. Matthew Burns, the owner of Sandbank Construction, and his wife, Julia Burns, paid about $375,000 for the 6,370-square-foot parcel on Grant Avenue. They are planning a mixed-use project that will feature a cafe on the first floor and three apartments and an office on the second floor. “We’re aiming to entertain the new demographic of people that are moving into Novato,” said Matthew Burns, a Novato resident. The buyers acquired the property from Novato Theater, a nonprofit formed to preserv ..read more