Community Garden Ready to Sprout

Tuesday is a big night for backers of a long-planned community garden in Novato.

The Novato City Council will ponder a 25-year lease of city property for the Novato Live Well Network, a nonprofit group that has spent four years planning and fundraising for a community garden at the undeveloped on the city's west side.

City staff has recommended approval of lease terms, which includes payment of 8 percent of the previous year's income. If the group loses money, it can re-up for $1 for the following year.

For the duration of the lease, the city essentially cuts its ties with that piece of land adjacent to the dog park on Novato Boulevard. The city would have no responsibilities for the planning, setup, management or maintenance on the parcel. 

The site design was approved in September 2011 by the city's zoning administrator. The next step is for Novato Live Well Network and the city to agree on a lease for construction and use of park land. Terms have been reviewed by the network's attorney.

Also, the council will weigh the plusses and minuses of having the city's electricity accounts switched from Pacific Gas and Electric Co. to Marin Clean Energy. The council has the choice to sign up for the "light green" package of power from partially renewable sources or stick with PG&E's product.

A contract services agreement with the Marin Humane Society for animal control services is up for a vote as well. The council plans to consider a three-year agreement with the Marin Humane Society for an annual countywide amount of $3,070,788.

 The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at .