San Rafael has a long history of leading efforts to proactively address the risks associated with wildfire. Despite our best local prevention efforts, wildfires do not respect jurisdictional boundaries. Given the changing climate and increased risk of wildfires, and taking into consideration the widespread impact that wildfires can have across Marin County, we have been...
Back in August 2018, the City Council was presented with an informational report on the state of housing in San Rafael. In response to that housing report, the City Council directed staff to follow-up on four, specific housing topics and issues. One of these four topics/issues was to identify what changes could be made to facilitate housing...
This past June, the Marin County Civil Grand Jury issued a report entitled Marin’s Telecommunications Disconnect regarding telecommunications-related activity in Marin County. The report focuses on the role and responsibility of the Marin Telecommunications Agency (MTA), a countywide joint powers authority that was established in 1998 to to negotiate, collect, and disburse cable TV franchise fees and Public, Education and Government...
Did you know? Thousands of income-eligible PG&E customers could save up to 20 percent or more on their monthly energy bill by enrolling in Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program. The CARE program gives income-qualified households discounts on their energy bills, but thousands of eligible customers are not signed...
In preparation for the threat of wildfire, PG&E has launched a robust weather webpage to better predict when a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is likely to occur. The PSPS Potential Forecast will provide an instantaneous sense of what’s going on and what’s ahead. The forecast encompasses nine geographic regions of PG&E’s service area (we’re in Region 3) and...
As part of its efforts to prepare customers and communities for the growing threat of wildfire, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has launched a robust weather webpage on pge.com, providing detailed, localized forecasts. Of special note, the page offers a seven-day, look-ahead regional forecast updated daily by a PG&E meteorologist or fire scientist that indicates the potential...
Please be advised that SMART intends to resume overnight testing on Friday, August 30, and continue through Sunday, September 1, between 9:30 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Regular updates on the testing schedule will be posted on SonomaMarinTrain.org as they become available. According to SMART, railroad crossing warning devices and train control systems along the new extension from San...
SMART is getting closer to opening its extension to Larkspur and will begin testing the train control and railroad crossing warning systems along the newly constructed portion of track from San Rafael to Larkspur. Track testing will take place on track segments between Mission Ave and Larkspur. The overnight testing will take place between 9:30...
Although we are enjoying this beautiful summer weather, it’ll be autumn before we know it, and the rains will return. The Public Safety Center project team is making sure they are prepared for the rains. This includes ensuring the building envelope is water-tight. The roof installation has started in some areas and will continue for...
On August 14, 2019, PG&E contractors began work associated with the maintenance of an existing groundwater extraction and treatment system, located primarily on the southern parcels of the BioMarin campus at the San Rafael Corporate Center. The system is part of the remedy for the 17-acre former manufactured gas plant/San Rafael Service Center site. Work...
Bret Harte Park experienced a major upgrade with the new restroom building that was installed this year. However, some issues were brought to light after the community started to use it. The toilet kept plugging up due to the shape of the Penal-style toilet. These types of toilets have drainage pipes with smaller diameters due...
The Parks Department is currently pruning along Las Collindas Avenue in Terra Linda. Pruning consists of trimming trees by cutting away dead or overgrown branches in order to stimulate growth. Work is expected to wrap up this week.
SMART has completed the bulk of their construction project to bring the SMART trains from central San Rafael to Larkspur. In the course of this “second operating segment”, SMART contractors rebuilt the entire track, spent two consecutive weekends crossing Second and Third Streets, replaced the bridge that crosses the San Rafael Creek with two brand...
The Terra Linda Community pool encountered some excitement this past week. Apparently, someone was running a little late for a bridge tournament when they mistakenly pressed the gas pedal instead of the brake and drove through the pool fencing. Fortunately, the pool was closed at the time and no one was hurt when the incident...
*This post has been edited to include the scheduled Design Review Board and Planning Commission meeting dates (edit 9/30/2019) Costco has applied for a “Pre Application and Conceptual Design Review” for their proposal to demolish the existing multi story Sears building along with the two out buildings (former Sears catalog building and automotive center building)...
*This post has been edited to include the scheduled public meetings for conceptual design review (edit 9/9/2019) The information below outlines the steps taken by an applicant in the Community Development Review Process. For more information about the Costco project visit the Project webpage and read our article about the Costco Pre Application and...
Spontaneous Combustion of Oily Rags Yesterday, the San Rafael Fire Department responded to an accidental fire caused by “spontaneous combustion.” The department has responded to over a dozen fires over the past several years that were caused by improper disposal of materials used to stain or paint decks or furniture. The property damage in yesterday’s...
With PG&E’s plans to shut down power at vulnerable times during high fire season, residents and business owners alike are gearing-up to prepare for power loss over extended periods--and some folks are considering using portable generators. Here is some general information that is good to know: Portable generators that use fossil-fuels (i.e., gasoline, diesel) are...
I’m saddened to share with you that our former City Clerk, Jeanne Leoncini, passed away on Sunday, August 11, 2019. She served as the City Clerk for 30 years, from 1977 to 2007--and was a long-time San Rafael resident who dedicated herself to serving our community. Jeanne was a true public servant: she thoughtfully considered...
At Monday’s meeting, the City Council will present a proclamation to recognize former Planning Commissioner Jack Robertson, who recently retired after having served on the Planning Commission for nearly eight years. During his tenure on the Planning Commission, Jack contributed to the long-range planning of the City through his participation in the review and action...
Also at Monday’s meeting, the City Council will hold a public hearing to consider approving changes to our Burglar/Fire Alarm Ordinance, which establishes an alarm permit/registration system and sets associated fees. The goal is to address the insufficiencies of the current program and design the service so that it is smooth for all parties involved....
The City and Van Midde & Son Concrete have been busy replacing sidewalk in Gerstle Park. In the past month, work has been completed on Ross, Marin, Bayview, and Clorinda Avenue. Nearly 1,700 square feet of new sidewalk has been installed covering about 350 feet of sidewalk. Sections of San Rafael Avenue and D Street...
As Wildfire Season Progresses, Contact Information Needed from About 150,000 Customers More than 425,000 PG&E Customers Have Provided Updates Since June 2018 SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is reaching out to about 150,000 customers encouraging them to update their home phone number, mobile number, email and other key information so the...
The City of San Rafael has installed 4 new electric vehicle (EV) chargers at 1400 5th Avenue, serving City Hall and the Library. They were installed in June as part of the upgrade to the City Hall electrical system and PG&E transformer, and were paid for by grants from the Bay Area Air Quality Management...
San Rafael to Consider All Potential Gun Control and Safety Measures SAN RAFAEL, CA: City of San Rafael Mayor Gary Phillips has directed City staff to present the City Council with all available legal and policy actions that the City can take to address the issue of gun violence. “These may include new ordinances restricting gun...
Last week, Valentine Corporation completed the landslide repairs at 70 Irwin Street. After nearly two and half years of detours and closure, the portion of roadway between 70 and 90 Irwin is now open. This project included the installation of four retaining walls, significant drainage improvements on the slope, permanent slope retention, and a new...
The Alten construction team is nearing the completion of the new Fire Station 57 project. After many hours spent putting together innumerable details and materials, the contractor is nearly ready to bring the building to life. In the last few weeks, crews installed concrete pavers, a generator and fuel tanks, building signage, as well as,...
The Streets division crews have been busy preparing San Rafael’s waterways for the 2019/20 rainy season. Over 300 tons of debris and sediment have been removed in the last 10 days because of last year’s storms. Eventually, over 700 tons of material will be removed from San Rafael’s waterways, headwalls, and containment basins. This work...
The 2019 goat grazing contract is in its final stages. So far, the goats have helped reduce the fire hazard in 14 locations covering nearly 100 acres. The goats started the year on Robert Dollar Drive and are currently concluding their work in Peacock Gap and East San Rafael.
The SMART Larkspur Extension is moving into the next phase as construction winds down and testing of trains begins. The City has coordinated with SMART on the installation of new traffic signal lights at the railroad tracks on 2nd and 3rd Streets. These lights will work in tandem with nearby traffic signals and serve the...
