Purpose of the 3/21/16 City Council Meeting – On March 21st, 2016, the City Council reviewed the Ritter Center’s 6-month performance report. This was the fifth such report created by City staff working with in conjunction with Ritter Center staff (you can read the report and watch the meeting here). The performance report covers the Ritter...
Vinh Pham, Senior Network Analyst, was recognized as the Employee of the 1st Quarter of 2016. Vinh is an invaluable member of the ITO team and manages the day-to day operation of the City's enterprise computer network, including all communication links, server computers, database systems, as well as security for an environment that supports over 400 telephone and...
by Andrew Hening, Director of Homeless Planning & Outreach It is perhaps fitting that my first official message to you as the Director of Homeless Planning & Outreach comes on the heels of a 200-person strong City Council meeting this past Monday that witnessed the full gamut of public opinion and general mounting frustration about...
The City continues to work with the businesses around Albert Park area as there were a high rate of calls to the police department and concerns by local residents. Recently Mayor Phillips and City staff met with Safeway and 7-Eleven to discuss solutions. In addition, the City has made some changes around the B Street...
Finding successful solutions for the chronically homeless is complex and challenging but local officials recently visited a promising program, HOT or “Homeless Outreach Team.” Vice Mayor Colin and Chief Bishop were part of a small contingent organized by St. Vincent’s to visit San Mateo and learn if it would be possible to implement a similar...
Dominican’s community online forum, NextDoor, recently had discussion threads regarding the impact of homelessness on their neighborhood. At the invitation of the HOA, Mayor Phillips, Vice Mayor Colin as well as Corporal Reese and Officer LaPlante met with neighbors at Dominican University on Sunday, February 21st. They shared information about City and County initiatives as...
by Downtown Streets Team Downtown Streets Team is proud to announce its expanded contract with the City of San Rafael to clean Davidson Middle School, the Mahone Creek Trail, Albert Park and the surrounding neighborhoods! The new program comes after months of collaboration with concerned community members, school staff, and city officials and is our...
David Haydon's dedication and passion for the San Rafael community is authentic and tireless. He founded II Davide Restaurant, 20 years ago, and built a successful business through challenging economic times. In addition to running one of the top restaurants in San Rafael and indeed Marin County, he strives to give back to the San Rafael...
Guest post written by Carol Thompson, Executive Director of the Business Improvement District Observe always that everything is the result of change, and get used to thinking that there is nothing nature loves so well as to change existing forms and make new ones of them. Marcus Aurelius, emperor of Rome (121-180 AD) Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes. ...
Following a nationwide search, the City of San Rafael is pleased to announce Andrew Hening as the new Director of Homeless Planning & Outreach, effective March 7, 2016. Hening previously served as the North Bay Regional Director of the Palo Alto-based Downtown Streets Team, where he launched the first Downtown Streets Team branch outside of...
Steve Mason, Senior Recreation Supervisor, Employee of the Year 2015! Steve exemplifies positive attitude and his colleagues declare: "Steve can ONLY do good." He operates the Albert J. Boro Community Center with a full time staff of three, but consistently offers his time, and that of his staff, to support other Community Services managers in...
Omar Garcia, Public Works Facility Repair, Employee of the 4th Quarter 2015 Omar began his career with the City of San Rafael Department of Public Works in December 2014; and is one half of Public Works' Facility Repair Division, which is responsible for the maintenance of all of San Rafael's 20 plus municipal buildings and facilities....
Aldersly Aldersly's Story Aldersly is a retirement home that was established in 1921. Aldersly has been around for 94 years, and they have been successful in part because of their forward thinking. As mentioned on their web page, “Although established many generations ago, a profound sense of compassion still guides us as we continue to...
Debbie Yates, Parking Services Division, Employee of the 3rd Quarter 2015 Debbie has worked for San Rafael Parking Enforcement for over 25 years, providing her with valuable knowledge that she happily passes on to her co-workers. Exuding a positive attitude, Debbie is always willing to help others and although she may be performing a sometimes...
Pilgrim Park Apartments Pilgrim Park’s Story: The objectives at Pilgrim Park Apartments are “to provide quality affordable housing and to promote community among the residents and with the neighbors on Pilgrim Hill.” Improving their waste management turned out to be a way to advance both goals. This year, Pilgrim Park staff worked with Marin Sanitary...
Karen Chew, Sanitation District, Employee of the 2nd Quarter 2015 Karen has worked for the City of San Rafael since 2005 and has served as Senior Civil Engineer for the San Rafael Sanitation District since 2009. She has managed and executed more than 20 capital improvement projects for the Sanitation District ranging from $20 thousand to...
The Albert Building The Albert Building’s Story: The Albert Building has come a long way since the days when so much trash was generated from the offices that it would fill up the freight elevator on a daily basis! Robert Berry, who has owned and managed the building for over 35 years, is helping to...
The San Rafael Pacifics Baseball Club The San Rafael Pacifics Story: The San Rafael Pacifics’ commitment to their community is evident in their approach to recycling and waste. Last season, the team realized they had a problem: the recyclables weren’t going where they are supposed to and the trash was overflowing. The Pacifics game day...
Project Description: These two projects included installation of hot mix asphalt and/or micro-surfacing treatments at various locations throughout the City. This project also included installation of American's With Disability Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps, curb, gutter, and sidewalk. Curb ramps must be installed prior to resurfacing of streets per federal law. Project Status: This project is complete. Ghilotti Bros. Inc was awarded...
West Brooklyn Pizza Company The West Brooklyn Pizza Story: West Brooklyn Pizza has been serving San Rafael from their Andersen Avenue location for over 30 years. The restaurant has always recycled, but owner Renato Fusari still felt bad about the food scraps they had to throw away. “It’s just me…I hate waste,” he says. Participating...
Diane Henderson is a Marin County native and a 25 -year resident of San Rafael who is well known for her volunteer work and civic involvement in the community. While known to be a passionate resident, Diane has had a "quiet touch" in her involvement with and contribution to many of the City's most respected...
Rebecca Woodbury, Management Analyst, Employee of the Year for 2014 Rebecca started working as an intern for the City of San Rafael's Economic Development Department in February 2009 and has served as the Management Analyst in the City Manager's Office since 2011. Rebecca assisted with the SMART Station Area Plans, replaced all the downtown newsracks, and...
Project Description: This project includes installation of 16 American’s With Disability Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps, curb, gutter, and sidewalk at various locations throughout the City. Project Status: Construction contract was awarded to Coastside Concrete. Construction began June 15, 2014 and completed on August 3, 2015.
Hugo Landecker is a 45 -year resident of San Rafael that is well known for his community activism and passion for protecting San Rafael neighborhoods. As a long-standing resident of Gerstle Park, in 1973, Hugo helped form the Gerstle Park Neighborhood Association so that neighbors could work in a unified way with the City of...
Patricia (Pat) Kendall is a long-time resident of San Rafael well known for her community and civic involvement. Trained as an emergency room nurse, Pat's community service began 35 years ago when she participated in the formation of Marin County's "911 Paramedic Program." Through these many years, Pat has continued to support this program as...
For more than 4 decades, Albert J. Boro served his community tirelessly, with distinction and unmistakable flair. From 1971 until his retirement in 2011, Al spent 16 years on the San Rafael Planning Commission, 4 years on the City Council, finally graduating to Mayor in 1991. He was consistently listed as one of the "top...
Carolyn Lenert has been selected as the Citizen of the Year due to her community involvement. Carolyn is a well-known community builder and leader. Carolyn has provided an effective presence as a key representative to the North San Rafael Coalition of Residents and as President of the Santa Margarita Neighborhood Association. Carolyn has contributed countless hours coordinating outreach, sharing resources...
Margie Belrose has been selected as the recipient of the Citizen of the Year award due to her lifelong accomplishments in promoting a vibrant presence of the theatre, entertainment and education in Downtown San Rafael. Margie's community contributions began in 1954 when she and her husband David opened their business to teach students the art...
Phyllis & Max Thelen have been selected as the Citizens of the Year award due to their community involvements and accomplishments promoting arts, culture and education. The Thelen’s community contributions began in 1963 with their founding of Marin Ballet which, over the years, has trained thousands of Marin children in ballet and dance arts. They...
Patty Garbarino has been selected as the Citizen of the Year award due to her community involvement. Patty is a life-long resident of San Rafael and graduate of San Rafael High School and Dominican University. Her Community service has long been tenured and broad, including being a program manager for Project Workability, matching special education...
