Mill Valley's search for a new police chief closes Friday, Sept. 11.

Applications for the job shut that day at noon, or once 250 people have applied, whichever comes first, according to the city's career opportunities page. The position pays $15,510 to $20,785 a month. The posting, listed in August, is the city's first step toward filling the vacancy left by Rick Navarro, who was hired as the new director of the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety.

Navarro served as Mill Valley's chief since 2021. The Marin Independent Journal reported Aug. 29 that the Rohnert Park City Council unanimously approved his employment contract on Aug. 27. He is expected to start there Tuesday, Sept. 22.

Before joining Mill Valley, Navarro worked more than 31 years at the Marin County Sheriff's Office, according to the Marin IJ.

No public timeline exists for what follows. The city has not announced an interview schedule, an appointment target or an interim chief arrangement.

The police chief search was among several items discussed at the city's mid-year council retreat, according to the Mill Valley Briefing.

Hauke Park softball renovation heads to council Sept. 21

Also emerging from the retreat: the Hauke Park softball field renovation will go before the City Council on Monday, Sept. 21, for authorization to put the project out to bid, according to the Mill Valley Briefing.

The total estimated cost for core field work is $276,400. The city approved a $100,000 commitment in June 2026, and Mill Valley Softball has raised roughly $50,000. A contribution from Mill Valley Friends of Parks and Recreation is expected but not yet confirmed, the newsletter reported.

Planned improvements include new backstop fencing, dugout upgrades, a bullpen, a storage area and bleacher upgrades, according to the city's Mill Valley Recreation page. The current field lacks proper dugouts, spectator seating behind home plate, a safe warm-up area and storage, according to an earlier Mill Valley Briefing report.

The council voted 5-0 on June 16 to approve a memorandum of understanding with Mill Valley Softball committing the city funds, the Mill Valley Briefing reported. Julia Wilhelm, a Mill Valley Softball board member, led the renovation effort, according to the newsletter.

"I want to make sure we are thinking of this less like an amenity and more about what it is … which is remedying structural inequity in our facilities because the girls are getting wet and they have no place to store their things while the boys are playing at Boyle," Councilmember Katherine Jones said at the June 16 meeting, when the council approved the funding.

A snack shack and other extras, estimated at $80,000 combined, are a separate Phase 2. The goal is to finish core improvements before the 2027 season opens March 1, per the Mill Valley Briefing.