At their May 18 meeting, the City Council provided direction to staff to get community feedback and initiate a letter of interest for two “priority development areas” (PDA) in San Rafael. Since then, City staff created a webpage with an online engagement platform to collect comments and held seven virtual community meetings. The meetings provided an opportunity for participants to get a better understanding of PDAs, the current thinking and recommendations, ask...
WATCH VIDEO San Rafael restaurants are excited to bring more outdoor dining to the community and we’re excited to be helping them hit the ground running! We created new, free permit types to accommodate businesses who want to use the sidewalk, plaza, or parking space in front of their business for outdoor dining and retail. Interested in dining outside at one of your favorite San Rafael restaurants? Not...
The past few months have brought a number of unprecedented challenges to our local system of care. This newsletter will provide an overview of six of the most significant ways in which the City, the County, and our local homeless service providers are responding to the COVID-19 crisis. If you or someone you know is...
Celebrate World Oceans Day with us by pledging to make a change in your life that will benefit our Oceans. You can say no to plastic straws and replace them with bamboo or stainless steel, pack your reusable cups/food containers instead of plastic water bottles and plastic baggies that end up in our Ocean. Color...
This week, we worked with various City departments to create a free and automatic temporary encroachment permit that will allow businesses to use the sidewalk or plaza space in front of their business for outdoor dining or retail. Next week we plan to offer businesses the option to use parking spaces in front of their businesses as an additional outdoor dining location option. In addition, we’re building a crowd-sourced restaurant map so diners can easily find...
From your Mayor & City Council We stand with everyone in our community and across the nation against systemic racism. Enough is enough. Our communities are demanding change that is deserved and past due. It’s time for all leaders to listen and do more to support our black community. And we won’t stop there. We...
At the June 1, 2020 City Council meeting, Chief of Police Diana Bishop commented on the death of George Floyd. Watch this video to hear her full comments.
The Sidewalk Repair Program, like most construction in the State stopped and took a pause in March and April. With the amendments to the Shelter in Place order allowing construction to resume, the City and contractor, Van Midde and Son concrete have slowly started repairing sidewalk again. Additional protective and preventative measures are being taken...
We know how important it is for our San Rafael Businesses to reopen, so we’ve partnered with the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Improvement District to support our incredible business community as best as possible. Over the weekend we created a free and automatic temporary permit process for businesses to use the sidewalk space in front of their...
Progress continues! New guidelines have been posted to Marin Recovers allowing additional businesses (that follow specific criteria) to reopen Monday, June 1, 2020, including, outdoor retail, office space, outdoor dining, and curbside library services. We'll be working to open our Downtown and Pickleweed libraries for curbside pickup beginning Wednesday, June 3rd - stay tuned! Additionally, more parks and beaches will be opening up to motorized access on June 1st. Marin County Parks has curated...
The death of George Floyd is appalling and unacceptable. We in law enforcement must continue to improve and hold ourselves to a higher standard. The men and women of the San Rafael Police Department (SRPD) strive to reach that higher standard every day and are committed to providing professional, fair, compassionate, and dedicated law enforcement...
Access to COVID-19 testing continues to increase in our community. In the past three weeks, Marin County has nearly tripled its testing capability. Widespread testing is a crucial step in containing the virus and moving us forward on our path towards recovery. Anyone who is feeling sick should get tested. Also, even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms, it’s recommended that you get tested if you were exposed...
Should the City continue to pursue a PDA-designation and funding for a PDA planning process for Northgate and Southeast San Rafael/Canal? As part of the on-going work for San Rafael’s General Plan 2040, City staff has received requests for deeper planning efforts in the Canal neighborhood and around the Northgate Mall area. Planning efforts such as these require grant...
With Shelter in Place, there has been a surge in illegal dumping around the City. Maintenance crews have been busy responding and notify adjacent property owners accordingly. The issue has been particularly worrisome as there are more people out than ever using sidewalks for their Shelter-in-Place walks – and they do not want to have...
The Shelter-in-Place order has been in effect for two months now. The State has issued a four-phase plan for counties and cities for businesses to reopen especially the ones that can operate outdoors like car washes, golf courses, constructions, etc. In San Rafael, the impact of the modified restrictions showed a slight increase in traffic. ...
It’s Memorial Day Weekend! Disappointed that you won’t be able to attend the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in-person this year? Don’t worry—event organizers have moved the ceremony online so you can participate safely from your home. Hop onto the Marin County United Veteran’s Council Facebook page to watch the ceremony live at 8:30 AM on Monday, May 25. If you miss the live viewing, it will be replayed later...
The installation of a cycle track, flatwork, streetlight installation, traffic signal work, striping, sheet pile installation, creek work, and landscape with an irrigation main. There will be both day and night work components to this project. For more information, please click here. List of Bids
The project is located at 5th Avenue between A Street and the Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery, D Street between 5th Avenue and 4th Street, C Street between Mission Avenue and 4th Street, and Via Sessi from D Street to the end of the road, and is described as follows: Pavement resurfacing Slurry seal Grind and overlay...
Can you believe Memorial Day weekend is coming up!? We hope you’ll take an opportunity to relax and reflect. Maybe enjoy a local trail or park, go out for a bike ride or walk in your neighborhood, have a barbecue with your household, or treat yourself to a frozen dessert. Don’t forget to thank the people in your life who have served...
Happy Friday, San Rafael! Today, the County Health Officer issued an updated Parks Public Health Order that supersedes the order issued on April 29. Under the new order, certain parks and open spaces in Marin County will allow motorized vehicle access again, effective May 18. This means you will now be able drive to some of your favorite trailheads to enjoy the outdoors. Not all areas are open yet, so please check this list before heading out the door. ...
The County of Marin issued a new public health order today with guidance for retailers. Starting Monday, May 18, 2020, retailers will be able to reopen for curbside pick-up and delivery only. Each curbside Retailer must create, adopt, and implement a written COVID-19 Site-Specific Protection Plan that incorporates and addresses all applicable Public Health Order requirements....
Happy Friday San Rafael! This is week four of tackling one fire safe tip per week to make your home, drum roll please, more fire safe! This week we'll be working on how to choose fire safe landscaping while maintaining your defensible space. We aren’t looking to get rid of all plants, don’t be crazy! The goal is to identify landscaping that...
At the last City Council meeting, staff presented a report on preliminary financial impacts that projects revenue losses of almost $12M through July 2021. The City Council also took several actions to curb expenses including voluntary retirement and work hour reduction programs as well as mandatory furloughs. On Monday night’s meeting, the City Council will review a...
Also on Monday, the City Council will hold a public hearing to review an annual housing report required by the State. The report must include data on housing development applications submitted, approved units, building permits issues, built units, etc. Since January 2020, the City Council has approved four development projects that total 150 units, and...
On Monday evening, City Council will receive a two-part report from City staff: the preliminary Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and the Measure A – Open Space Work Plan. The CIP is a planning document that summarizes the City’s planned capital and infrastructure improvement projects. Measure A, a tax passed in 2013, is used to preserve...
It’s hard not to notice the amazing progress of the construction at the Public Safety Center (PSC). In the next few weeks, we plan to finish the site walls, brick stairs, and landscaping around the building. Interior finishes, such as: carpet, wall panels, whiteboards, and countertops are currently being installed; additionally, audiovisual, fire alerting, surveillance and other integral systems are being finalized. Solar...
Coming soon… Last week the State of California announced that retail businesses could begin reopening for curb-side pickup, subject to local orders. Later this week, Marin County will provide reopening guidelines for retail businesses in Marin to reopen on Monday, May 18th—we can’t wait! The goal is to reopen safely and thoughtfully, while maintaining compliance with the Public Health Order. Tomorrow evening at 5:30 p.m., Supervisor Damon Connolly will host “office hours” and has invited Vice...
