Tuesday, June 10, the SEIU 1021 members who keep Novato running — including street maintenance workers, building inspectors, park recreation coordinators, and city planners — joined local law enforcement to speak out at the regularly scheduled city council meeting. 

During the November 2024 elections, Novato voters passed Measure M. Replacing a former sales tax, Measure M is estimated to bring in $10 million of locally-controlled revenue per year. As described on the City of Novato’s website, this funding was proposed to “directly support community-identified priorities such as public safety and emergency response, roadway repairs, and parks and facilities maintenance.” 

But Novato City Council is refusing to follow through on their promise to Novato’s voters. Instead, they are proposing to use the money for pet projects. 

Perry Siu, a recreation supervisor for the City of Novato, said, “As a community, we passed Major M to provide the necessary funds to make our city thrive. The City of Novato must honor the will of the voters. The City should follow its strategic plan to recruit and retain staff so that we can fix Novato’s potholes and keep our city safe.” 

“The City of Novato refuses to negotiate our contract in good faith,” said Brett Walker, a senior planner for the City of Novato. “When the City regularly comes to bargaining 45 minutes late and refuses to respond to our proposals, they’re disrespecting what should be our shared mission of supporting parks and police. They’re disrespecting the community.”