Novato seniors continue fight for ownership of mobile home park after decades of payments

Added: 2026-05-14

[00:00:00]We do start with that dispute between a group of low-income seniors and the city of Novato over the ownership of a mobile home park. The residents of the Marin Valley Mobile Country Club say that they have spent almost three decades paying off a loan for the land beneath their homes, but now that it's almost paid off, the city says it is the sole owner of that land and they have no obligation to give the property to the residents. A lot of them packed into tonight's Novato City Council meeting demanding a solution. Kevin Ko shows us the latest developments from that meeting including testimony from a former mayor who joined the seniors' side.

[00:00:39]Senior residents packed Novato City Council Chambers for an agenda item that didn't exist.

[00:00:45]>> This has really tested my patience.

[00:00:47]>> City Council members have to agree to put us on the agenda.

[00:00:50]And that's what we're pushing for. We want to sit down with the City Council.

[00:00:54]Serena Fisher has lived at the Marin Valley Mobile Country Club for 14 years.

[00:00:59]This senior community houses 400 people with more than 90% low income. In 1997, park seniors created a plan to purchase the property for $17 million, but needed the city's help to guarantee the 30-year loan. Now that the loan is almost paid off, the city claims it is the sole owner of the property. A 2023 staff report shows there are no documents that indicate park ownership would transfer to residents while also noting the city hasn't paid anything to purchase the property.

[00:01:32]>> They're dealing with seniors who are on a mission and we feel we're just. And the city cannot guarantee that a future city council won't sell us. So there's no security in staying with the city.

[00:01:43]These seniors say they haven't been able to get a meeting with their council members, so they packed Tuesday's meeting. That included former mayor Bernie Myers who showed up after hearing residents out.

[00:01:54]>> Got their input and found that yes, what the residents are saying is correct.

[00:01:59]>> Myers is also a former federal antitrust attorney who says the evidence, including documentation, proves the seniors are rightful owners. During public comment, speakers were limited to 3 minutes.

[00:02:11]>> I understand that this is not a 3-minute topic. Well, then we can set up a meeting.

[00:02:17]I'd be glad to. What she said was, well, we should have a meeting that deals with this. She is 100% correct. There should be a meeting that deals with this.

[00:02:27]Another resource for the Novato seniors is the nonprofit You Are the Power. Ryan Ralston traveled from Georgia to help.

[00:02:34]>> Our goal is ultimately to help an individual, a family, or an organization who's been harmed by government overreach or government abuse.

[00:02:41]>> Once public comment wrapped up, council chambers emptied before the rest of the meeting could continue. A visual message from the seniors that the most important matter on any agenda is the future of their homes.

[00:02:55]So, we've heard their position. We also did reach out to the City of Novato for theirs, but we have not yet heard back from them.