Tired of all the waste from the holidays? If you are, there are number of ways you can reduce your waste by (1) shopping locally, (2) giving the gift of experiences and (3) ditching gift wrap and using alternative wrapping materials like gift bags, tins or baskets. Remember, gift wrap is not recyclable so look...
This week, we reviewed the results of the Business Retention and Expansion interview findings, which were gathered by the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce. We learned that the business environment in San Rafael is going well, but some concerns exist surrounding issues largely beyond local control, such as long commute times. Other highlights include that the economy continues...
The City takes a big step this week in its commitment to increase energy efficiency and reduce San Rafael’s overall carbon footprint with the replacement of more than 2,700 street light bulbs with LED lights. The LED (light-emitting diode) lights, use dramatically less energy than standard older, high pressure sodium lights, and are estimated to...
On Tuesday night, in a 5-0 vote, the City of Novato approved two pilot locations for the Marin Mobile Care mobile shower program. This is a huge step towards increasing countywide access to basic hygiene services while simultaneously connecting people with the new Coordinated Entry system for housing. We thank the City of Novato for...
Effective October 1st, the County of Marin - working in partnership with local providers and the City of San Rafael - officially launched Coordinated Entry. Coordinated Entry is our new strategic framework for ending chronic homelessness. As a quick reminder, the strategy is: People with lower scores are still being served...
Last week, the City received a letter from a Malibu-based attorney challenging San Rafael’s at-large election structure based on an alleged history of “racially polarized voting.” Following a study session on November 20, the City Council will continue the conversation about district-based elections and the City’s options on how to proceed. The topic is planned to be...
On November 8, 2016, the voters of the State of California enacted Proposition 64 to allow for non-medical/recreation adult-use. On Monday evening, the City Council will consider an ordinance regulating commercial cannabis activity in San Rafael city limits. The proposed law will allow a limited number of certain types of commercial operations, as well as...
General Plans have been called the blueprint for the community’s future. At their Monday meeting, the City Council will appoint members to a steering committee to oversee the development of the General Plan 2040. The multi-year planning process will help us develop a vision of what we all want San Rafael to be in 2040. READ...
Also on Monday evening, the City Council will review the environmental clearance for a multi-use pathway along the SMART rail line south of Second Street. This is an important section of the pedestrian and bicycle connection from Downtown to the Cal-Park tunnel and Larkspur ferry. READ THE STAFF REPORT
Working closely with the City, the County of Marin incorporated a portion of the City’s Promenade Plan and Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan concepts into its design for the Civic Center Drive project. At Monday night’s meeting City Council will consider vacating an unneeded portion of the City’s Civic Center Drive right-of-way in order to...
Each year, we recognize a member of the community for their contributions in making San Rafael an amazing place to live and work. If you know someone you believe is worthy of this recognition, please consider nominating them! Nominations are due January 3rd. NOMINATE SOMEONE Citizen of the Year 2017 Tamra Peters and Bill Carney
Help us make improvements to the playground at Albert Park! We've identified funding in the city budget, but are about $100,000 short of the goal to achieve the vision. The B Team and Gerstle Park Neighborhood Association have teamed up to help us raise the remaining funds. And, join us for dinner at The State...
Drop off a new, unwrapped toy or game, or several, into one of the barrels around town and bring a smile to a child's face this holiday season. Toys of all kinds are needed; from Baby’s First Blocks to Candyland, Pimki Pops to Lego sets. Donations will be accepted until December 19. DONATE
We recently completed our third municipal solar project to reduce emissions and boost renewable energy sources. The 3rd & C Street Garage will have an annual greenhouse gas reduction of 98 tons. The three solar arrays (also, at the Boro Community Center and our Public Works building) are estimated to save the City $35,000 in...
Based on the 2017 Homeless Point-in-Time Count, there are approximately 1,100 people experiencing homeless in Marin County. Over 70% of Marin's homeless community resides outside of San Rafael. In an effort to simultaneously reach people outside of San Rafael, de-concentration services in Downtown San Rafael, and get people plugged into the County of Marin's new...
Each year, we recognize a member of the community for their contributions in making San Rafael an amazing place to live and work. If you know someone you believe is worthy of this recognition, please consider nominating them! Nominations are due January 3rd. For information about the selection criteria & guidelines, past recipients and an...
Starting Monday, December 4th, 2017, City Hall 3rd floor functions of Planning/Zoning, Building and Cashier/Business Licenses will have new counter hours. The Planning Division will add one additional afternoon (Tuesdays) for counter hours during the week. Building Division & the Business Licenses/Cashier counter hours: Monday- Thursday: 8:30am - 4:30 pm; and Friday: 8:30 am -1:30...
You may have noticed our recent road closure signs posted on the 100 block of Irwin Street. During the 2016-17 winter season, heavy storms and rainfall contributed to a slide on part of the hillside adjacent to the upper portion of Irwin Street. We are working with FEMA to make necessary repairs on this steep...
The City of San Rafael (City) hereby requests proposals from qualified consultants for the design of pedestrian and bicycle access from Las Gallinas Avenue to Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit’s (SMART) Civic Center station, and to provide project management, environmental clearance, permitting assistance, and construction support services. The final product sought is construction contract documents including plans, specifications and...
Park stress-free while you shop and dine downtown this holiday season. Starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving through December 31, enjoy 3-hours free parking in all City-owned parking lots & garages in Downtown. On-street parking meters still require payment from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday thru Saturday. Parking in Downtown is free every Sunday. Happy...
To start the school year with sustainability in mind, Dominican University introduced composting in Caleruega Dining Hall. Now instead of four landfill bins, there are four compost bins and just one small landfill container adjacent to the bins! Over 100 students pledged to start composting prior to its launch, and the staff and students who...
If you, or someone you know, love helping to build young minds, want to be a positive influence in children's lives, and enjoy being part of a great team, then check out the following jobs and join our team with the City of San Rafael’s Child Care program. LEARN MORE & APPLY
Friendly reminder that drainage channels on private property are the property owner’s responsibility to keep clear. Get ready for winter weather before it happens by disposing of leaves in your green cart and don’t place anything in the street or in the way of a drainage system. Follow Public Works on Twitter for storm-related info...
On Monday evening, the City Council will consider the 2018 bail schedule for the Marin County court system. Under state law, the City receives about 20% of the total bail in any case, with the remainder going to the County and State. READ STAFF REPORT
Also on Monday evening, the City Council will consider an agreement with the City of Novato to create a Joint Crisis Response Unit with the San Rafael and Novato police departments. Although events requiring the use of a Crisis Response Unit are infrequent, it is imperative that a team be well prepared and has sufficient...
Also at their Monday meeting, the City Council will hold a public hearing and consider a proposed ordinance to limit parking time to reduce long term vehicle storage on certain public streets. These amendments will result in changes that allow for enforcement of parking limits by defining the hourly limit, the distance a vehicle must...
As you likely know, the SMART rail line bisects the existing Bettini Transit Center in Downtown San Rafael owned by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District. As SMART is currently underway with their construction of their extension to Larkspur, modifications will be made to the existing transit center so that bus service can...
The City Council will hold a Study Session on Monday evening from 6 to 7 p.m. at City Hall to hear a presentation about the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA), which requires cities under certain conditions to transition from at-large elections to district-based elections. San Rafael has learned that it will be receiving a letter that...
On November 6, 2017, the San Rafael City Council received a presentation about the key policies governing development and design in Downtown San Rafael. The presentation highlighted past plans such as the 1993 Downtown Vision, General Plan 2020 (adopted in 2004) and the Downtown Station Area Plan (2012). It included a series of maps showing...
Over the past few weeks, the contractor has made great strides to complete the wheelchair ramps and sidewalk, with only one small portion remaining. The landscaping contractor has installed an irrigation system for future use, and will install mulch throughout the landscape areas. On November 7th, the electrician began erection of the new traffic signal...
