Novato’s top administrator outlines ‘state of the city’

Novato’s city manager struck a positive note during the annual “state of the city” address, noting recent accomplishments such as the passage of Measure M and a balanced budget for the first time in more than five years.

Amy Cunningham delivered the remarks on Feb. 4, highlighting key moments for the municipality for the past year and upcoming projects. The speech is presented by the city and the Novato Chamber of Commerce.

Cunningham opened the speech with a brief remembrance of Mark Milberg, the City Council member who died unexpectedly in October. She dedicated the address to him.

“Mark led with heart, humility and an unwavering commitment to the betterment of our community,” she said. “Those qualities didn’t leave with him though. They remain embedded in the work we your city staff do for you every day.”

Cunningham said the work of 2025 illustrated a new chapter for the city. Novato faced years of financial challenges as it grappled with a systemic deficit of roughly $4 million and a backlog of audits. The city was able to balance its budget through the Measure M sales tax, which passed in November 2024, and recently caught up on its financial audit requirements.

Cunningham touted the work of Novato city staff for reaching the milestones.

“Some days and nights it was hard to believe we could get here, but here we are,” she said.

Cunningham said the city is continuing to focus on financial stability and asked community members to participate in budget conversations for the next budget cycle. The next fiscal year will begin July 1.

Novato relaunched its tenant improvement grant program last year to provide matching funds to business owners. The city also plans to develop an economic development strategic plan.

Cunningham discussed housing developments in Novato, including plans for roughly 1,000 to 1,300 new homes at the former Fireman’s Fund campus on San Marin Drive. Demolition began in September.

At the end of the session, Cunningham took questions from attendees. Some audience members asked questions about housing opportunities for homeless residents and tenant protections.

Cunningham said the federal government has made addressing homelessness in the city more difficult, but said the staff is poised to pursue grant funding to try.

“We’re doing what we can,” she said.

Cheryl Paddack, chief executive officer of North Marin Community Services, asked about landlord accountability. The nonprofit organization worked with displaced residents from the 6 Romar Court apartment building, which was vacated last year because of unsafe conditions.

“I am just wondering what plans the city has to hold apartment building, property managers more accountable for uninhabitable conditions,” Paddack said.

Cunningham said the city is working on measures such as a “just cause” ordinance to prohibit unwarranted evictions. She expects the ordinance to go before the City Council in April.

“And so we are in the process of seeking community input for that,” she said, “and we want to understand some of the different actions we can take to protect tenants, hold property management companies and owners accountable, and make sure that we have safe, healthy living conditions for everybody in our community.”