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Category: From the City Manager’s Desk

Emergency Update: Suicide Prevention, Small Business Relief, & More

Living in the Bay Area can feel especially tough these days, from the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, wildfires throughout the state, unhealthy air, and a general anxiety throughout the nation. Though we may feel overwhelmed by all this, it is important to take care of ourselves and our loved ones.   Today is Thursday, September 10th—World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD).  Each year, suicide claims more lives than war, murder, and natural disasters … Continued

Emergency Update: Tier 2 delayed, preparing for a power outage, face coverings, + more

The National Weather Service issued an Excessive Heat Warning that’s been extended through September 9th. Forecasters predict a prolonged period of potentially dangerous heat across the Bay Area and Central Coast. A Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures combined with low humidity and strong winds are expected to produce an increased risk of fire danger. Tier 2 Status … Continued

Emergency Update: SIP Violations, Woodward Fire + Smoke, & Voting

To expedite the process for resolving business violations of the Shelter-in-Place Order, each jurisdiction has set up a way to report these violations, instead of being triaged by the County. This will allow cities and towns to respond faster to the complaints. To report a business violation in San Rafael please email SIPviolations@cityofsanrafael.org and include the following information: Business name Address … Continued

Emergency Update: Smoke in the Air, Lodging Guidelines & Watch List Data Released, + Remote Learning Begins

Air quality in Marin is fluctuating with the direction of the winds, so continue to keep doors and windows closed when you can, and check AirNow to determine the quality of the air in your zip code.   CalFire’s website continues to be inundated with visitors, forcing it to crash. Their Facebook page and Twitter remain the best ways to access the most up-to-date information about evacuations and wildfire spread around the greater … Continued

Emergency Update: Wildfires, Power, & COVID

Where to begin? Following severe lightning storms, wildfires are active statewide, many with evacuation orders in place. Smoke and ash from the Woodward Fire, Hennessey Fire, and other regional fires have impacted our air quality here in Marin. AirNow provides reports about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index (AQI). Search your zip code to see the quality of the … Continued

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Are you wearing a mask?

It’s no secret that COVID-19 is dynamic, from how long the virus lives on various surfaces to the level at which some are affected by the virus compared to others. It can feel complex and exhausting in the ways in which we must be on guard to protect ourselves and others at all times. COVID-19 safety measures, including wearing a mask, are still more important than … Continued

Community Survey about Housing

Inclusionary housing is a requirement that when a new housing development is built, that it includes some units that are considered affordable. Alternatively, the housing developer can pay a fee that goes towards creating affordable housing at another location in the City to meet this requirement. To make San Rafael a more livable and inclusive … Continued

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Enforcement Ordinance, Schools, Bags, & More

Yesterday morning, the Marin County Board of Supervisors passed an urgency ordinance that enhances enforcement efforts of the Public Health Order. The idea of this urgency ordinance is not to issue citations without warnings to individuals and businesses; in fact, it allows for a grace period so a notice of violation can be issued before issuing a citation. Education and awareness is preferred prior to issuing citations.   The penalty for individuals would be between $25 and $500. For businesses, it … Continued

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: In-Classroom Learning Delayed

Marin County Public Health and Marin County Office of Education presented a recommendation to implement a phased-in, hybrid approach to learning for the fall K-12 semester. The gradual approach will include distance learning along with small in-person groups.  Following the guidance of Marin Public Health, individual districts will determine when it is appropriate to bring small groups of children into the classroom. … Continued

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