Novato council appoints Mark Milberg to uncontested seat

Dealing with no challengers within the upcoming November election, Mark Milberg was reappointed to the Novato Metropolis Council this week to serve a two-year time period.

The council voted unanimously on Tuesday to reappoint Milberg, 62, to the District 5 seat representing southeastern Novato communities, together with Hamilton.

“I assumed I’d be a formidable debate associate however now I don’t need to even try this for myself,” Milberg stated throughout the assembly.

Milberg, a director on the Novato-based biotech firm Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., was first appointed to the council in October 2021 following the resignation of Amy Peele to serve till the November 2022 election.

Peele, who was first elected to the council in 2019, stepped down from her seat in September 2021. She cited bodily and psychological well being stress from the pandemic, vitriolic public discourse and the lack to enact significant coverage adjustments as causes for her departure.

Milberg will now serve on the council via the tip of 2024, which might have been the rest of Peele’s time period.

“I’ve discovered a lot. I’m thrilled to have District 5 to have the ability to assist,” Milberg stated throughout the assembly. “There may be nonetheless a lot extra to be finished and a lot enthusiasm for some nice new concepts which might be being stimulated all through.”

Following Peele’s departure, the council had the choice to carry a particular election for the District 5 seat in April of this 12 months.

Employees estimated holding the particular election would value town $102,000 if it used polling places, or round $30,000 utilizing mail-in ballots solely. As a substitute, the council opted to nominate Milberg to the seat to serve till the November 2022 normal election, which might considerably scale back the price.

Milberg was the one candidate to file for the seat within the upcoming race. On Tuesday, the council once more had the choice to proceed to carry the election for the uncontested race at an estimated value of about $11,000 to $17,000, however opted to not.

“I’ve observe document of saving cash for town,” Milberg stated with fun throughout the assembly.

Councilwoman Pat Eklund stated Milberg is the primary individual within the metropolis’s 62-year historical past that has not needed to run for election to acquire a seat on the Metropolis Council.

“You’re an important addition to the Metropolis Council and actually glad to have you ever right here,” Eklund instructed Milberg on Tuesday.

Nancy Kawata, president of the Hamilton Householders Affiliation and 25-year Hamilton resident, stated she and different residents she’s spoken with are “more than happy” that Milberg will likely be representing them for an additional two years.

“He has been very conscious of neighborhood issues and as well as, he cares quite a bit about Novato as an entire,” Kawata stated.

Eklund, who has served on the council since 1995, is going through two challengers — Nicole Gardner and Chris Carpiniello — in November for the District 4 seat representing southwestern Novato.

Rachel Farac and Andy Podshadley will compete for the open District 2 seat at present held by Denise Athas. Athas introduced earlier this 12 months that she wouldn’t search reelection after serving 12 years on the council.

The council may even need to resolve tips on how to change outgoing Mayor Eric Lucan, who was elected to the Marin County Board of Supervisors. Lucan, who has served 12 years on the council and at present represents the downtown space in District 3, stated he’ll proceed serving on the council till he’s sworn on to the board in January 2023.