Bob Brown received a rock-hard vote of confidence from local government leaders Tuesday night in light of some opposition to his recent appointment as the city of Novato's new community development director.
Members of the Novato City Council were unanimous in their support of City Manager Michael Frank naming Brown to the post after Brown served 10 months in an interim role. The vacancy was created by the 2012 retirement of David Wallace.
Mayor Pat Eklund addressed the matter after a few members of the public, mostly notably Al Dugan and Trish Boorstein, spoke during open time at Tuesday's council meeting, essentially calling Brown an advocate for high-density housing. At one point, Frank and Brown were called "the enemy."
For about 2 1/2 years, Novato has undergone a very public rift about forced planning for future housing developments; hundreds of residents have joined grassroots groups against low-income, high-density housing over concerns about potential crime increases and potential decreases in property values. It's a touchy issue to say the least.
Frank made the decision to hire Brown, who has more than 30 years of community development experience with public agencies and retired in 2011 as community developement director in San Rafael. Frank's move last week was met with some opposition, but Frank stood by his choice Tuesday and reiterated that the decision was not made without careful consideration and solid input from others.
"I do expect the community to hold council accountable, to hold me accountable and our department heads accountable," Frank said. "I'm accountable to the council — they're my bosses. ... I can assure those in the community that it's not our role as staff to advocate. Bob and I have had conversations about this as far to take positions that are in opposition to what council advocates. I would be very surprised if that were to occur."
The council members clearly stated their support of the personnel move and their support of the council being accountable for staff member's actions.
Councilwoman Jeanne MacLeamy said she has found Brown to be a "true professional" who has found creative ways to solve problems and make improvements during his interim stint.
Addressing the public opposition to Frank's appointment of Brown, MacLeamy said, "Obviously there is a level of trust that is missing, and we have to earn that trust. We hope you gain trust in us. Truly, Michael and Bob are not the enemy."
Council members Eric Lucan, Madeline Kellner and Denise Athas also took a minute to support Brown.
"We don't have rogue employees roving out there doing their own thing," Lucan said.
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Tina: WHile I agree with lots of what you are saying - the biggest concern I have is that California cannot control its spending - nor can its counties and cities. We have one of the highest overall tax rates in the country - which drives out industry. WHile I am a "moderate", the liberalism in California is so strong that no one wants to make the hard decisions to cut deeply into budgets and fix our overall economy. Yes, as a state we are the Greece of the USA. And within that state, many cities can't fix their spending as well. We plan so hard for the future, but ignore the present. We are in such deep financial trouble - and tax potential is pretty much maxed out. Yes, we can keep greenhouse gases, housing, and city planning in the back of our heads - but we have to fix our economic woes or we won't have much to plan for. If cities and towns in east coast states can manage, then California can also.
How do you want to spend your tax dollars? The complexities of housing and its relationship to mandates, money, and social changes are better understood if the city council made the effort to change the strategic plans in accordance to saving the small town character, protecting the citizens from crime, and helping to solve the educational budget deficit of Novato. One issue is the use of Measure F funds for five years. Currently, there is over $ 450,000 taxpayers’ money being spent on new hires and consultants, approximately: • $ 150,000 for new housing, general plan, Hamilton, and Redwood Blvd. manager. • $ 122,000 for a new downtown economic advisor • $ 80,000 for new public relations person • $ 80,000 for new economic person for Hamilton • $ 63,000 for a survey of properties, structures and costs to maintain or remove $ 495,000 total costs from Measure F funds. This is almost a cost of $ 5,000,000 in ten years- what is the cost/benefit to the city? This may mean that after three more years residents will be asked for more money to pay for extra personnel. At the same time, more money is needed for the upkeep of streets, buildings, and maintenance, retirees, and safety personnel. The issue is how much is spent not how much is saved. The schools and the city each need over $ 3,000,000 to keep out of debt per year. How do you want the city to spend your tax dollars?
I still don't understand, what do we need all this housing for? Or are we just building it because we are told to? Will all the people living there be working in counties other than Marin? I certainly don't see a growing job market here (in Marin). If, as Al Dugan has pointed out - that Novato has built FAR MORE than its fair share, why do we continue to burden our city with the costs of even more on top of that? The concept of moderation is what a stellar example should be. We have gone way farther beyond moderate. That is not NIMBYism, it is pragmatism. It's why California is the Greece of the USA, and why the USA is quickly becoming a second tier country. We want to gorge ourselves on good deeds - helping everyone. But what of the costs?
As far as overall spending, perhaps this city needs bankruptcy to finally learn their lesson. They spend money like it grows on trees. And there aren't very many trees these days.
People are saying some rootin' tootin' darn right mean and unkind things about a man who (whom?) we simply don't personally know. I hope I am so lucky as to one day cross paths with the legendary Mr. Brown and talk shop over a capuccino or the like (at Dr. I's, would be my preference 'cause I fancy that place more than the others). We can agree to disagree, but there ain't one singular vision 'o Novato, meaning some people might actually be supportin' what he's plannin' and perhaps it is time for Novato to evolve and change. Peace out (and WELCOME, Mr. Brown, I'm sorry people be stompin' all over your welcome mat).
We have a parcel tax of $251 dollars that expires in 2015. The deficit is only going up and the level of services down.
While this vision fits San Rafael's General Plan it does not fit Novato's. The General Plan is suppose to be a reliable blue print. San Rafael also has two to three times the land zoned for commercial development. By comparison Novato lacks the tax base to support this degree of high density development. Mr. Brown's projects represent his views on the New Urbanism. He has always been quite outspoken on what he believes should be built in Novato. Since Novato has more than one voice Mr. Brown's inherent bias makes him a source of controversy.
Jeanne Maccleamy DID mislead the voters. She did say she didn't want Novato to be a San Rafael, then enthusiastically supports the man that ruined San Rafael. Novato is next. Thanks Jeanne Maccleamy, the rest of the city council and Michael Frank.
I get tired of people thinking NIMBY is a bad thing. What is wrong with trying to stop housing that is not needed? Many Marin physicians can't afford to live here. I know lots of medical professionals that can't afford to live here. Lots live in the east bay. Why don't we house them? At least they work here. How much housing does Novato need to sustain its workforce? It sounds that if you are not poor, you can't live here. Sorry, but it seems to me that Novato is not this huge metropolis with the urgent need to increase employment. NIMBY sounds very appropriate given we don't NEED any of this. Sounds to me like Sonoma or Napa is going to get a lot of people looking to move there. If you ruin San Rafael and Novato, they are next to go to. Aside from all this senseless building, it seems that the rampant corruption in our city is getting lots of people nauseous. Top that with a city council that is totally unresponsive to its constituents and over spends like crazy - it is looking less and less attractive to live here.
Dave, the General Plan is in the process of being updated. Here is a link to the current plan http://www.ci.novato.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=949 In both plans words like maintaining existing character, compatible land uses, rural and suburban are part of the mix. San Rafael has a tax base that is two to three times greater than Novato's. Under Bob Brown's tenure San Rafael created multistory, high density, low income housing in downtown areas and along the freeways. This housing has a total tax base that includes 17% of land zoned commercial, industrial, retail, even though the rental property is non profit and pays no taxes. By comparison Novato has only 5% of its land zoned commercial. Novato does not have the tax base to support development that will impact schools and city services. If we want to become financially solvent we must begin by increasing our tax base on both ends - property taxes and sales tax. That includes using the Redwood Corridor primarily for retail/commercial development. AH advocates want to use that land to put extremely low and low income housing above stores and mixed in with retail/commercial. Low income rental housing pays no property taxes. It qualifies for tax breaks in the same way schools, churches and other non profits qualify but it uses resources that take property tax money to survive. We must strengthen our tax base and bring companies to Novato that provide jobs with living wages.
That means Agenda 21, and if you don't know what that is, you better pay attention.
Is there any single viable organization that exists to stop further development and systematically oust the whole city council as the come up for election? The next election is this coming fall!
There is an old custom for how to deal with people of your type: Klingon Discommendation. You no longer exist by any of your troll names to me.