Public Works and our construction management team, Substrate Inc, will host a virtual public outreach meeting on November 4th at 6 PM for the City’s project to reconstruct the Southern Heights bridge, located at 116 Southern Heights Blvd. This is a neighborhood meeting for not only residents directly affected by the new bridge, but adjacent...
From March of 2016 through September of 2017, a pilot program in San Rafael called the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) created a new collaborative service model that housed 23 of the hardest-to-serve, chronically homeless people in San Rafael. On October 1, 2017, this strategy of prioritizing housing and services for the most vulnerable, high-needs members...
Yesterday we received the State’s weekly update on the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Marin remains in Tier 2 (red status) for a fifth straight week. The October 13th assessment for Marin includes: Testing Positivity: 1.5% (decrease of 0.3% since last assessment) Adjusted Case Rate: 4.0 (no change) Health Equity Quartile Test Positivity Rate: 2.7% (decrease of 0.4%) In order to achieve Tier 3 (orange status)...
Author: Sergeant Justin Graham #494 Date: October 13, 2020 12:00 PM Case Number: SR20-06974 The San Rafael Police Department was aware of and monitored a protest that resulted in the vandalism and destruction of the Junipero Serra statue at Saint Raphael's Church in San Rafael. SRPD arrested the five suspects responsible and will forward the...
The Streets Division staff has had a very busy schedule heading into the rainy season. Catching up on pothole and road repairs, applying new STOP locations, updating crosswalks as well as other special requests. Here you see Streets Maintenance Supervisor John Shindelus with Streets crew members Kenny Gatlin and Jeremy Quintal installing benches on Robert...
The Parks Division has been busy setting up planters for the outdoor dining areas downtown and the business owners have been very pleased with all their hard work. The Parks Division has also been busy preparing for a tree planting ceremony where over 60 trees will be planted along McInnis Parkway and 30 to be...
The Garage Division has been staying busy with regular maintenance and unscheduled repairs. Here you see Garage Tech Jay Arieta doing some preventative maintenance on the shop service truck. This vehicle is crucial to the fleet as it responds to all the repairs required in the field. It is supplied with an on-board air compressor...
Facilities staff members Omar Garcia, Michael Rieser and Anthony Heaven have been working hard at the new Public Safety Center and the lower level of City Hall. Below, this is one of the many walls they are in the process of removing.
After two years of coordinating with Caltrans, the City received permission to move forward with a project to repave Smith Ranch Road/Lucas Valley Road under Highway 101. Between September 28th and October 1st, the City’s paving contractor, Ghilotti Bros, removed the top 4” of asphalt and paved back the new asphalt providing a smooth riding...
Following the State’s weekly update on the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, Marin County’s placement was confirmed for Tier 2 (red status) for a fourth straight week. The October 6 assessment for Marin includes: Testing Positivity: 1.8% (decrease of 1.1% since last assessment) Adjusted Case Rate: 4.0 (decrease of 1.7 since last assessment) Health Equity Metric / Quartile Test Positivity Rate: 3.1% For...
On Thursday October 1, Lorenzo Jones, who previously helped the City with the #8cantwait task force meetings, facilitated a community conversation with 12 members of the community. City employees Cristine Alilovich, Talia Smith, and Iman Kayani also participated in the meeting. The purpose of the discussion was to hear feedback from those who have expressed...
On October 1st, 2020, City of San Rafael officials, including the Police Chief, Fire Chief, City Attorney's Office, and City Manager's Office, met with community members to discuss recent encampment activity in residential parts of the city.
Earlier this week, the State released guidelines which allow playgrounds to reopen. Public parks and playgrounds provide a critical shared outdoor resource for families. The guidance requires cities and towns to meet specific guidelines, like signage and capacity limits. We’re working to ensure our playgrounds are ready for safe play—playgrounds in City parks can be expected to reopen early next week. The guidance does not allow for indoor playgrounds or...
The Sidewalk Repair Program passed another significant milestone this month, having completed over 33,000 square feet of new sidewalk in San Rafael. 33,868 Sqft of sidewalk have been replaced at 196 properties and represent nearly 1.5 miles of new sidewalk. Work continues in the Peacock Gap neighborhood where 75 of 120 properties have already been...
Author: Lt. Dan Fink #447 Date: September 29, 2020 11:06 AM Case Number: SR20-06584 For the last few weeks, we have received a number of calls for service at the location of a mural honoring the memory of Breonna Taylor. There has been high tension in the area because there are some individuals who are washing the...
Reduced capacity, along with fires and heat, impacting energy supplies The California Independent System Operator (ISO) has issued a statewide Flex Alert, a call for voluntary electricity conservation, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. today. With high temperatures in the forecast, the power grid operator is predicting an increase in electricity demand, primarily from air...
The City of San Rafael is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to develop a Conceptual Design Option for a combined library and community center of approximately 43,700 square feet in San Rafael, California. The Project will build upon the results of the San Rafael Public Library Facilities Planning Study completed in August 2019. Additional information regarding...
The National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning when a combination of warm temperatures, very low humidity, and strong winds puts a community at extreme risk of wildfire. A Red Flag Warning for the North Bay Mountains, interior valleys, and other parts of the Bay Area is in effect from Saturday, September 26 at 9 P.M. through 8 A.M. Monday, September 28. The affected area includes...
Can you believe we have been at this pandemic for six months now?! There were some really positive changes to our roads at the very beginning of this – traffic volumes plummeted as a result of adults working from home, kids distance learning, and all our extracurricular activities cancelled. It’s been six months and people...
Streets Division crew members replaced a damage wooden guard rail this week along Elkin Ct. Here you see Streets Division crew members Arturo Tinoco and Mathew Gaehwiler putting the finishing touches on that project. Streets staff members also assisted in moving some parking stops at the Public Safety Center this week. Here you see Mike...
Emergency tree work is a constant job for Parks Division personnel. Here you see Parks Division crew members Jorge Hernandez, Alfredo Tellez and Brendan Mitchell removing a downed tree branch on D St. The crews have been handling several special projects as well. In the photos, you will see Parks Division crew members Jorge Hernandez,...
Garage staff continue to stay busy with ongoing and regular maintenance of City vehicles. Here you see Garage technician Jay Arieta performing the first service on SRSD's new Vactor Truck. Garage staff will be preparing for the upcoming storm season as well by conducting inspections on the Streets Division Vactor Truck, Leaf Vacuum and Pump...
On Aug 7, 2020, a high-risk traffic stop was conducted in San Rafael after police received a report of an armed carjacking. Despite similarity, it was the wrong car. The City has invited this individual to engage with the police officers who were involved to have a session of conversation and restorative justice with the...
The Sidewalk Repair Program passed another significant milestone this month, having completed over 30,000 square feet of new sidewalk in San Rafael. 31,847 Sqft of sidewalk have been replaced at 196 properties and represent nearly 1.4 miles of new sidewalk. Work continues in the Peacock Gap neighborhood where 60 of 120 properties have already been...
The Department of Public Works issues encroachment permits for many projects. These are online at https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/departments/publicworks/ and more information on the individual permits can be viewed within the City’s permitting system https://epermits.cityofsanrafael.org/etrakit3/Search/permit.aspx We would like to highlight some notable projects, currently underway and upcoming which will have a larger impact on City streets and neighborhoods....
Public Works and Ghilotti Bros team are planning to grind and overlay the pavement on Smith Ranch Road/ Lucas Valley Road. There will be a full road closure during the night construction next week. This includes off-ramp closures that will require detours for motorists. What: Road Closure during resurfacing operations Where: Lucas Valley Road at...
Yesterday, the State of California provided its weekly update on the Blueprint for a Safer Economy framework. This framework lays out the measures that each county must meet, based on indicators that capture disease burden, testing, and health equity on a weekly basis. Marin’s September 22nd assessment allows us to remain in Tier 2 (red status). As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be an evolving situation...
On Monday evening, City Attorney Rob Epstein provided the City Council and the community with a description of an event that recently occurred involving a high-risk traffic stop. Watch the video: Transcript of Mr. Epstein’s comments: I am going to offer some remarks on an incident that occurred last month. It was an incident involving...
A recent high-risk traffic stop has sparked the City of San Rafael to offer a process in which police officers would meet with a community member for a session of healing, mutual understanding, and restorative justice. Local restorative justice expert Rochelle Edwards has agreed to facilitate this process. On Aug 7, 2020, a high-risk traffic...
Yesterday, Marin County was cleared to take another step forward in reopening following an appeal to the California Department of Public Health. Based on the most recent local coronavirus metrics, the State of California has downgraded the risk level assigned to Marin from "widespread" to "substantial," which allows more doors to open in businesses and schools. The primary changes allowed under the state order as...
