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Novato council approves Scott House rehabilitation agreement amendment and CIP project after Guild raises $3.2M
Summary
The Novato City Council unanimously approved an amendment and capital-improvement project to convert the city-owned Scott House into the Novato History Museum after the Novato Historical Guild reported raising $3.2 million. The agreement sets funding milestones and reporting rules to limit city exposure.
The Novato City Council voted unanimously to approve Draft Amendment No. 1 to the agreement with the Novato Historical Guild and to amend the fiscal year 2025–26 capital improvement program to establish a formal Scott House rehabilitation project.
Council considered a presentation from Katie Scotland, the city’s parks, recreation and community services director, and fundraising and feasibility updates from the Guild’s relocation committee chair, Jean McLeany. Staff and the Guild described 13½ months of study — including building-code, land-use and historic-resource assessments and conceptual drawings — that produced a $3.2 million renovation estimate.
Jean McLeany told the council the Guild met its fundraising target by December, raising the $3.2 million goal from more than 140 donors and a $1 million bequest. The council packet includes a 600‑page report summarizing the feasibility work.
The approved amendment clarifies how donated funds will be handled and replaces the originally proposed joint escrow accounts with two Bank of Marin accounts: one for design and one for construction. It establishes staged funding thresholds intended to protect the city: staff will not begin design services until $341,000 is deposited for design, will not proceed with procurement of construction services until 90% of total construction funds are on deposit, and the Guild must deposit 100% of construction funds no later than July 1, 2027. The amendment also obligates the Guild to provide quarterly written reports of pledges, receipts and outstanding or lapsed pledges, and sets procedures for addressing potential cost overruns.
City staff recommended, and the council approved, allocating just over $222,000 from Fund 118 (long‑term maintenance) for engineering and project management in the FY26 CIP planning, and recognized a recommended BRIC brick‑fund transfer of about $91,000 for immediate use in the current fiscal year. Staff said the Guild also has $250,000 in cash on hand and certificates of deposit maturing in April ($750,000) and July ($1,000,000), and that the combined project total with city contributions is just over $3.4 million.
Several community members, including Denise Athos, president of the Novato Chamber of Commerce, and former councilmember Susan Wernick, urged approval and praised the Guild’s fundraising and volunteer work. Councilmember Eklund moved approval; Councilmember O’Connor seconded. Roll call recorded unanimous support.
Under the approved arrangement the city retains full responsibility and contract authority for the project as owner of the Scott House; the Guild will continue to lead fundraising and participate in project activities under the new financial safeguards. Pending the council’s action, staff and the Guild will reconvene to begin preconstruction discussions, refine scope and begin procurement planning.
