Category: From the City Manager’s Desk

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: San Quentin, Testing Video, School Reopening, & More

We are seeing a sharp rise in cases of COVID-19 in Marin. With the 4th of July right around the corner, COVID-19 has altered many plans from travel, to family gatherings, to firework shows. Many local shows, events, and parades have been cancelled to avoid large group gatherings. Local first responders are planning for a potential influx of visitors, especially to Marin’s coastal communities. Get creative this … Continued

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Reopening Guidelines Halted, Dining Under the Lights, & More

The County of Marin has decided to suspend many of the reopening guidelines for the June 29th reopening because of the recent spike in COVID-19 positive cases. According to the testing data on Marin Health and Human Services data and surveillance page, Marin County has seen a spike in cases, currently with 12 hospitalizations.   Industries still permitted to open June 29th :    Hair Salons / Barber … Continued

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Dining Under the Lights, Downtown Streets Team, & More

Starting tomorrow evening, Thursday from 5—9 p.m., “Dining Under the Lights” will begin, sponsored by the Downtown Business Improvement District as a way to support our local restaurants and help people get back to work. An on-street, socially distanced dining experience, the program will take place every Thursday this summer. If you decide to head out to Fourth Street … Continued

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Reopening, Dining Under the Lights, & More (updated 08.01.2020)

Welcome back to another week, we hope you were able to enjoy your weekend. Last Friday, the County of Marin issued a press about Social Bubbles, as well as, additional reopening guidelines that will go into effect on Monday June 29th.  With the completion of and compliance with a Site–Specific Protection Plan, many more of our businesses will be able to reopen and restaurants can offer indoor seating (at reduced occupancies), which … Continued

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Schools, Bubbles, Farmer’s Markets, Face Coverings, Terra Linda Pool & More

Have you heard? Marin County Schools will be back in session for Fall 2020. On Thursday, June 18th the County of Marin released the news with details for a safe return to in-classroom learning. Through a collaboration between Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County Public Health and Mary Jane Burke, Marin County Superintendent of Schools, a 30-point safety protocol structure was created.  The Marin Office of Education (MCOE) created a … Continued

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Dine San Rafael, Testing Increases, & PG&E Resources

Shops and restaurants are expanding their operations to offer indoor retail (starting today) and outdoor dining on sidewalks and parking spaces. If you don’t have any plans this weekend, consider taking a stroll downtown to experience new shopping and dining options and support our San Rafael businesses.   Many of the products you need can be purchased right here in San Rafael. We recently installed more bike racks throughout … Continued

A Virtual Sustainability Scavenger Hunt

Need more activities during your shelter-in-place life? Do you want to reduce your impact on the planet? Take part in the virtual Sustainability Scavenger Hunt organized with some of our community partners to learn strategies for living more sustainably while connecting with local climate action organizations.  This online contest starts June 15th and ends July … Continued

Sales Tax Survey Results

One of the action items identified in the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan is to “explore and gauge community interest in other revenue generating possibilities.” The City recently worked with a third-party to conduct a survey of local voters to determine community sentiment for a potential ballot measure to increase the local sales tax rate. On Monday evening, the … Continued

Priority Development Areas

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 … Continued

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Open Business Map, Indoor Retail, Homelessness During a Pandemic, & More

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 … Continued

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