Thanksgiving is a day to reflect on all we are thankful for, enjoy food together and spend time with friends and loved ones. Although it may not at the top of your menu or shopping list, focusing on safety can keep a happy holiday from taking a tragic turn. The San Rafael Fire Department has...
The Marin Master Gardeners (MMG) began working in the gardens at the Falkirk Cultural Center in 2002. MMG are volunteers trained by University of California Cooperative Extension and have since formed a partnership with Falkirk Cultural Center and the City of San Rafael that has proven to be beneficial and beautiful. There are now more...
On November 19, starting at 7:00am we will be covering: Gerstle Park - C St. & D St., Ross, Marin, San Rafael, Bayview, Antoinette, and a few others. Sun Valley - H St., Harcourt, Center, Fifth Avenue Rafael Meadows We'll get to as many of the surrounding streets as we can, pending any equipment problems or...
The City’s administrative offices in City Hall, the San Rafael Public Library, and the City’s community centers will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 24-25, for the Thanksgiving holiday. 24-hour operations will remain in effect for the Police and Fire Departments.
Mike was a long-time resident in Terra Linda and active member of the Santa Margarita Neighborhood Association (SMNA) for 25 years. He served as president of both the Terra Linda Orcas Swim Team and the Marin Swim League. He was also a founding member of the City’s Volunteer Program Advisory Committee. He worked with SMNA...
Mary worked for the San Rafael Police Department and Public Works Department for many years. Once she retired, she decided to contribute her time on a volunteer basis at the Concierge Desk at City Hall. She touched many people while with the City, and all remember her fondly. She had a graciousness about her and...
Jean gave so much to all of us in Marin, and to the planet at large. Jean shared her passion for birds, wetlands and open space, and contributed countless hours teaching people about the natural world around us. For more than 20 years she completed a monthly bird census and water salinity tests for, and...
As a longtime volunteer at the San Rafael Police Department, Bill Kay lent a hand in the Investigation's unit nearly every Tuesday for 28 years. Bill’s family fled Poland and then the Soviet Union ahead of Nazi invasions in World War II, and he lived various places before arriving in San Rafael in 1963. As...
Jason began volunteering with the Police Department in 2012 and during that time worked more than 1,300 hours in a variety of capacities. Jason could light up a room with his smile and good humor. He had a fondness for cats and owned three of them. Jason’s sister said that he would call her at the...
The City of San Rafael has a dozen Boards and Commissions that are populated by almost 100 volunteers with interest in city governance. These volunteers are professionals in specific fields or people that are passionate about an issue, topic or activity. Boards and Commissions advise the City Council on things like public safety and infrastructure,...
The switchgear at City Hall (1400 Fifth Avenue) is over 50 years old and is past its usable life. In addition, the existing transformer and service to City Hall are not complaint with current PG&E standards and will need to be upgraded as part of this project. The City plans to install solar panels at...
The City’s administrative offices in City Hall, the San Rafael Public Library, and the City’s community centers will be closed on Friday, November 11, for the Veterans' Day holiday. 24-hour operations will remain in effect for the Police and Fire Departments.
San Rafael Clean (SRC) is a coalition of residents, business-owners, nonprofits and government agencies working together to reduce litter in San Rafael. The coalition hosts cleanup days, outreach events, business partnerships, and strategic planning sessions. Projects SRC has organized include: a Clean Business Partner program; litter education at schools, businesses, and public events; and cigarette...
The Department of Public Works has begun preparing for what I think we all hope to be a wet winter. This process includes stockpiling sandbags and other supplies to facilitate our response to emergencies, cleaning and inspecting thousands of catch basins, and removing leaves from storm drains. Public Works removes over 100 tons of leaves...
Say goodbye to Daylight Savings time on Sunday, November 6 and don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour! This is also a good time to check your fire alarm batteries. Our Fire Department is asking for your participation in a home fire safety program called “Change Your Clock Change Your Battery.” The simple...
In preparation for the start of passenger service, Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) is increasing the frequency of its system-wide testing from the Sonoma County Airport Station to the San Rafael Station. With increased train speeds and frequency of train movements, drivers and pedestrians should always be alert and aware at all railroad crossing gates....
Tuesday, November 8 is Election Day! I urge everyone to participate in this important process; remember that your vote counts in selecting those who will make critical decisions on issues that will have direct impacts on our lives. Polls will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Vote by mail ballots...
Also on Monday, the City’s financial auditors and Finance Director Mark Moses will present the annual financial reports for fiscal year 2015-2016, which ended on June 30, 2016. The City’s General Fund Emergency Reserves continue to meet the target level of ten percent of operating expenses established by City Council Policy. Read about that and...
San Rafael’s Mobilehome Rent Stabilization Ordinance restricts the rents that may be charged at mobilehome parks within the City. However, expenditures qualifying under the ordinance as capital improvements or replacements are not considered to be part of the base rent, allowing the park owner to pass the costs of reasonable capital improvements through to the...
Also on Monday, the San Rafael City Council will consider making improvements to the City’s residential building resale (RBR) program. The primary goal of the RBR program is to protect the health and safety of San Rafael residents by inspecting for unsafe, hazardous, or unpermitted work as a residential unit is changing ownership. The California...
At Monday’s regularly scheduled City Council meeting at 7 p.m., the City Council will consider an appeal of an approved, new, two-story single-family residence located at 270 Linden Lane. The Design Review Permit for the new home was reviewed by the Design Review Board (“DRB”) on two occasions, and recommended for approval. The Zoning Administrator...
On Monday, November 7 at 5 p.m., the City Council will hold a special study session to discuss the potential for an integrated business relationship between the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce and the Business Improvement District. Then at 6 p.m., the City Council will hold a special study session on Latino Outreach. Dr. Mara...
On Saturday, November 5th, we'll be out roaming around! Areas of service will include: Gerstle Park - C & D St., Ross, Marin, and San Rafael Sun Valley - H St., Center, Harcourt Santa Margarita St. Dominican - Clyde, Elm, Belle, Palm and Olive We'll get to as many of the surrounding streets as we can, pending any...
Describe your volunteer activity with San Rafael? In 2004, I joined the Canal Youth & Families Council (CY&FC). I am the treasurer for this group of parents who meet monthly to plan activities and raise money for Canal Arts and other youth activities and holiday events at the Albert J. Boro Community Center. Canal Arts...
On Saturday, October 29th, starting around 7:30 a.m, we'll be out and about! Gerstle Park - Mainly C Street & D Street as well as various side streets including Ross, Marin, and Bayview. Sun Valley - H Street, Center Street, and Harcourt Street will also get a visit from the sweeper and vac. Dominican -...
The public sector moves more slowly than the business world. Government information technology contracts are huge, long-term beasts. Public agencies prefer establishment over risk. All of that used to be true — but it’s changing. Read the full article on GovTech.com...
Meet two great guys – City of San Rafael Custodians Ross Morrison and Juan Carlos Sorto. Between the two, they have worked 27 years for San Rafael. Each manages the cleaning and maintenance of busy San Rafael Community Centers. By default, they are also volunteer coordinators, working mostly with court mandated community service workers (CSW)....
After about 70 days of interviewing departments, creating content, uploading files, developing online forms and a whole lot of refining, we launched a beta version of the new San Rafael website. Read the full article on ELGL.org...
Having access to timely and comprehensive election data is fundamental to democracy. Knowing when and where to vote, as well as what your ballot options are is critical to being fully informed. Read the full article on govfresh.com...
In 1999, the Marin Boy Scout Council asked Willy Coronado if he could help bring Scouting to the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael. Willy had been a leader and Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 1 in Mill Valley for 15 years. Willy, originally from Peru, was a great choice to lead a Troop in...
