Letter to Novato Council regarding tonight's agenda

Dear Mayor Athas and Council, I wish to call to your attention that one of the single most important issues for Hamilton and for development in Novato in general has been scheduled for the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. That means that the agenda and 37-page staff report came out during the Thanksgiving holiday, giving the public little time to read and understand the ramifications of the important decisions and discussion in front of the council. Additionally, due to the holiday schedule and the change in council venue, at the Novato Unified School District, seems designed to discourage public participation on this issue. The item is a robust one and is slated as the last item on a busy council agenda. Over 400 people signed a petition asking for the Hamilton Town Center to be saved for community use and have an interest in this topic. Additionally, although there was an April public engagement meeting and future promised visioning and engagements on this issue were never held as promised. On the July 25, 2017 Council meeting, the city manager set out a schedule for proposed meetings on parts of this issue. It is my understanding that none of those meetings took place. From city manager staff report •Staff has scheduled a City Council discussion regarding Hamilton as a potential for General Plan/focus area for August 29 • Staff will schedule more outreach/feedback meetings in Hamilton and Citywide for the summer and fall • Staff has scheduled a presentation to the City Council for September 26 to layout and discuss proposed next steps for the designated City owned parcels in Hamilton • After September 26 City Council meeting, Staff will schedule more outreach/feedback meeting(s) in Hamilton and Citywide in October • The first decision making date for the Council is tentatively set for November 14 The scheduling of this meeting during the busy holiday season and at a different location runs counter to the city’s goals for public engagement, public participation and engagement. Please consider rescheduling this item in the new year. -Tracey Ruiz Hamilton resident