At last night’s meeting, the Novato City Council appointed Mayor Pro Tem Pat Eklund as the new Mayor, and Councilmember Eric Lucan as Mayor Pro Tem. Each will serve in that capacity for one year.

Outgoing Mayor Denise Athas passed the Mayoral Gavel to Mayor Pro Tem Pat Eklund during the Council’s very first virtual reorganization meeting.

“I want to thank all of my fellow councilmembers for the honor of serving as Mayor,” said newly-appointed Mayor Eklund. “I approach every day with the dedication of improving our community, strengthening our neighborhoods and maintaining the small-town character and spirit of our town.”

This will be Eklund’s seventh time serving as Mayor of Novato.

Novato is a “general law” city, which means its governance structure is specified by state law, and its Council selects the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem for one-year terms. The Mayor signs official documents, presides at Council meetings, and acts as the official head of the City at public and ceremonial occasions, but has no additional power on the Council.

“I’m really proud of this entire Council as it’s been such a privilege to work with you all this year,” said newly-appointed Mayor Pro Tem Lucan. “We’re five councilmembers that are dedicated to the city of Novato and working together. I know that this next year, 2021, is going to be a good one.”

Outgoing Mayor Denise Athas completed her third term as Mayor. "Although it was an unusual year, I am so grateful and honored to have served as your Mayor, and I look forward to working with staff, Council and the community during the coming year,” said Councilmember Athas. Athas was presented with the Gavel Plaque by incoming Mayor Eklund.

Following councilmember comments regarding the accomplishments of the past year and aspirations for the upcoming year, the Council resumed their regular meeting as agendized.

The next meeting of the Novato City Council will be January 12, 2021.

Video of the reorganization will be available at novato.org/watchmeetings.

For more information about the City Council, please visit novato.org/citycouncil.