Construction has started on Francisco Blvd East from Vivian to Grand Avenue. The City has coordinated with the San Rafael Sanitation District to complete a much-anticipated sidewalk widening project with a sewer replacement project. We are taking advantage of the decrease in traffic volume during the COVID pandemic to do construction during the day for...
When the City was looking at furloughs and budget cuts for FY 2020-21, the Parks Division revaluated their contracted support and offered to take two major contracted services in-house for this fiscal year: maintenance of the citywide parkettes and the Puerto Suello Bike Path. Together, cutting these two contracts and performing the work with our...
A little-known fact: The Parks Division has planted more than 70 new trees around the City as after all, we are a tree city. And with new trees comes more maintenance. Here we see Parks crew member Alexis Nacaspaca watering one of those many new trees. Alexis waters between 60-80 newly planted trees per week....
Parks crew member Jim Dunn has been doing an extraordinary job keeping up with the mowing needs of the City. Earlier in the month, Jim was seen doing some much needed mowing around City Hall. Once this task was complete, Jim moved on to complete his other tasks around the City, which included the parks...
Parks crew member Daniel Walzer is the go-to person for any irrigation issues. Here we see Daniel working on a leaking valve at one of the Spinnaker Parkettes. Daniel took on the role as the irrigation technician for the Parks Department last year and has been learning on the go. He has been working diligently...
Parks Department crew members Matthew Scales, Jose Tellez, and Alex Nacaspaca have been working diligently to clear vegetation along Lucas Valley Rd. They all worked on cutting back the vegetation away from the sidewalk to create safe walkway for pedestrians. After loading up the truck with vegetation debris, the crew makes several trips to the...
Garage staff continue to keep busy with regular maintenance and unscheduled repairs of City vehicles. The Garage staff has also been working on putting this Black and White PD unit back into service. We salvaged parts from two other vehicles that will be sent to auction to make one functioning vehicle and will replace a...
Facilities crew members Michael Rieser and Anthony Heaven made necessary repairs to the Albert J Boro community Deck. The deck was missing boards and the existing gate and railing needed updating. The staff made repairs and inspected other areas of the deck to ensure that it was safe for use
Along with 10 other Marin Agencies, San Rafael was awarded funding to support local businesses and redesign public streets through the TAM Quick Build Program. San Rafael’s application proposed to convert 7-9 parking areas along Fourth Street into outdoor dining areas. The City would procure and install the barricades and planter boxes, so that restaurants...
It took a village, but with the help of City Maintenance Crews, Parking Services, Emergency Services, DC Electric, and the Striping Contractor, C and D Streets were opened to two-way traffic on Wednesday August 5. The main purpose was to better facilitate Emergency Access to and from the new Public Safety Center, but all visitors...
Matt Gaehwiler and the Forester & Kroeger crew worked in unison to prepare for the upcoming rains. Matt and the contractor worked on not only clearing the ditch near Smart & Final, but also did some vegetation management in the area. This work is important in helping prevent flooding and ensures proper water flow.
After two years of coordination between the City, Caltrans, County of Marin, and Kaiser, the City is moving forward with construction of the Smith Ranch Road Resurfacing project. This project stretches from just east of Smith Ranch Road and Los Gamos Drive under Highway 101 to Smith Ranch Road and Redwood Highway. As part of...
The Dining Under the Lights program has now expanded to Friday nights! It will run every Thursday and Friday night, from now to the end of October. We were able to expand it because of the overwhelming support of the local community in maintaining safe distances and wearing masks, except while eating. Fourth Street will...
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...
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...
Construction has started on Francisco Blvd East from Vivian to Grand Avenue. The City has coordinated with the San Rafael Sanitation District to complete both a much anticipated sidewalk widening project with a sewer replacement project. Due to the decrease in volume of traffic during the COVID pandemic, construction has moved to day work during...
San Rafael’s brand-new Public Safety Center is nearing the finish line. Earlier this week, the project team gave the Department Directors and City Manager a tour of the new building. Mayor Gary Phillips was also able to join in. The building has begun occupancy. San Rafael Police started to move in this week and Fire...
The Southern Heights Bridge replacement project, a fully state-funded project, is moving closer to construction. The City recently selected a firm to lead construction management for the complicated project and will be seeking Council approval on August 3rd for the $425,000 professional services contract. AT&T also recently moved their lines away from the bridge, readying...
In order to assure safe passage for our sidewalks and streets, Paving Crew employees Arturo Tinoco, Jeremy Quintal and Matt Gaehwiler are hard at work in the Peacock Gap area paving back the asphalt after the sidewalk, curb and gutter had been replaced as part of the sidewalk repair program.
Last week, Public Works Streets Division crew members Tyler Nord and Brendan Smith assisted Johnny Doughnuts to install their temporary outdoor dining space in two parking spaces adjacent to their business. Johnny Doughnuts applied to use the parking spaces through the City’s new Outdoor Dining & Retail Application, but shortly after they applied they reached...
During the first week of July we received information from a disabled resident that he was not able to access the Harry Barbier Memorial Park near the Nike missile site due to the lack of clearance at the entrance. Unfortunately, his mobility device could not fit in between the metal posts. Bill Guerin, Director of...
Parks Department employee Rene Ramos completed some much-needed weed removal around the Corporation Yard. The Parks Crews also started doing their annual pruning of bottlebrush in the median along Las Colindas. The crews are expected to finish this work next week.
Vehicle Mechanic Angel Lopez has been working on the upfit of a newly acquired car for PD. This includes installing and wiring all the emergency lighting/siren and Police radio. DPW purchased this vehicle Certified Used from a Ford Dealer which saved the City half the cost of purchasing new. One of the many ways the...
In with the new out with the old. Many of the police facilities and equipment have been moving to the Public Safety Center. This means that as they are moving, repairs and cleaning are needed in the previously occupied spaces. For the last few weeks the Facilities Division have been making numerous repairs to the...
The Facilities team has been sprinting to get various jobs done around the City. The team of three had to jump back into the fray by completing several electrical modifications for the new Public Safety Center in nine office spaces. The existing double gang receptacles were removed, and new junction boxes were installed allowing wiring...
It has been a hectic few months for the Facility Division. They have been assisting in the move for the Public Safety Center, however, current existing buildings still need attention. For the last few weeks, Omar Garcia, Michael Rieser, and Anthoney Heaven have been taking care of much needed work throughout the City. They are...
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...
Take private virtual music lessons with musician Willa Grey, who will help you learn a new instrument or advance your singing or piano skills. Classes are open to students age 9 and up. Willa teaches songwriting, composition, piano, ukulele, and voice, to distance learners. She uses Zoom because of its versatility and educational tools and...
The Sidewalk Repair Program resumed work in East San Rafael in early June. Since then, the City's contractor, Van Midde and Son Concrete have completed sidewalks at another 30 locations on San Marino and Riviera Dr with an additional 70 properties scheduled in the neighborhood. Work will continue on Riviera Dr and start heading back...
