Snapshot en Español
Spotlight Photo
Remembering warmer weather on the library lawn
Photo Credit: Bernadette Sullivan, City Manager’s Office
Last Quiz Question
Congrats to Tom Obletz! They were the first to answer our Snapshot quiz. In 1953, the Freitas family sold a large portion of their property for development. The developers asked the family to name the new subdivision, and Rose Freitas, one of Manuel and Maria’s daughters, suggested “Terra Linda.” The name “Terra Linda” is Portuguese for “beautiful land”. Thanks for reading Snapshot! Scroll down to see this edition’s quiz and be the first to answer.
San Rafael City News
The City Council will meet Tuesday, January 16th, 2024
Boards, Commissions, and Committees Interviews (4:45 p.m.)
The upcoming special City Council meeting planned for Tuesday, January 16th, at 4:45 p.m. is open to the public and will be dedicated to interviewing candidates for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Access Advisory Committee and the Voter Approved Tax Oversight Committee.
Closed Session (5:00 p.m.)
Following the Boards, Commissions, and Committees interviews the City Council will hold a closed session.
Regular City Council Meeting (6:00 p.m. *Note new regular start time)
Age-Friendly San Rafael Special Presentation
The City Council will hear a special presentation from Age Friendly San Rafael, providing an update on the Age Friendly San Rafael Community Partnership’s goals, objectives, and recent accomplishments. This initiative is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for our senior community members and making our City more age-friendly.
Other News
Northgate Mall Redevelopment Draft Environmental Impact Report Released
The City of San Rafael released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Northgate Mall Redevelopment Project. Required for certain development projects under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) serves as an informational document that identifies and analyzes the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project and the mitigation measures, if any, that are needed to address those impacts.
The public may review and provide comments and questions on the DEIR during a 45-day public review period that begins on January 5th, 2024, and ends on February 19th, 2024, at 5:00 pm. Following this period, the City will prepare a Final EIR which will include responses to all substantive comments received on the Draft EIR. The Draft EIR and Final EIR will be considered by the Planning Commission and City Council in making the decision to certify the EIR and approve or deny the project.
The public is encouraged to visit www.cityofsanrafael.org/northgate-town-square to access the DEIR and accompanying materials and to learn more about the proposed project and public review process.
2024 Business License Renewal
Business owners with active licenses expiring December 31st, 2023, are reminded that the deadline to renew their license is February 15th, 2024. The City accepts cash, checks, money orders, and most major credit cards. Licenses may be renewed online via credit card or through eCheck. If you have questions about business licenses, please contact the Business License Tax Division at (415) 485-3051 or BLRenewal@cityofsanrafael.org.
Pickleball Returns to the Albert J. Boro Community Center
January 19th to March 1st, 2024, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
We’re excited to bring back the Pickleball program at the Albert J. Boro Community Center’s Gymnasium. Available on Tuesdays and Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., starting January 19th to March 1st, for a drop-in fee of just $4. Our setup includes three courts, each lined with blue tape, and our staff takes care of assembling the nets before each session. We even have extra paddles for those who need them.
Resilient Neighborhoods Climate Action Workshops- Registration is Open
Thursdays starting January 18th, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
The Resilient Neighborhoods’ online Climate Action Workshop offers a transformative learning experience where participants will embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle, work towards creating a sustainable home, and gain skills to thrive in today’s changing environment. By learning to reduce energy and waste, use clean energy, conserve water, and opt for smarter transportation options, not only do you contribute to a healthier planet, but you also save money. This is a chance to strengthen and safeguard your community. This opportunity is available at no cost to residents of Marin. Attendees may start participating on January 10th or January 18th. To enroll, visit http://tinyurl.com/RNProgram or www.ResilientNeighborhoods.org.
TALES OF THE CITY- Annual “Cocoa with a Cop” event at Pickleweed Preschool
Pickleweed Preschool recently hosted its annual “Cocoa with a Cop” where students were visited by Sergeants Graham and Lily, Officer Marshall, Cadets Taylor and Collins, and CSO Bullock. During this event, the officers spent quality time with the students, engaging them in story time, distributing stickers, eating cookies, and, of course, enjoying hot cocoa. Maria Velarde, the Director of Pickleweed Preschool, expressed her gratitude for this unique chance to connect with the officers. As a thank you the students and teachers crafted special tokens of appreciation to gift to the officers.
LAST CITY COUNCIL MEETING on December 18th, 2023
At the December 18th City Council meeting, the City Council:
- Held a closed-session conference with legal counsel;
- Heard City Manager and Councilmember reports;
- Approved the consent calendar;
- Approved a resolution authorizing new rates to be collected by Marin Sanitary Service;
- Heard a report on a proposal to consolidate the Design Review Board and Planning Commission;
- Approved City Councilmember appointments;
- Approved the election of Vice Mayor Eli Hill; and
- Held open time for public expression.
City Council meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. City Council meetings that fall on a holiday are rescheduled for the following Tuesday.
Events
Falkirk Exhibit: “A Gathering of Color”
Friday, January 12th, 5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.- Falkirk Cultural Center, 1408 Mission Avenue at E Street San Rafael, CA 94901
Don’t miss the opening of “A Gathering of Color” on Friday, January 12th, during the San Rafael ArtWalk. “A Gathering of Color” is a celebration of the profound impact color has on our emotions and experiences. We hope to fill our galleries with a multitude of artworks focusing on color, recognizing that we are drawn to combinations of colors and to the density of certain colors. This multimedia showcase will feature artists from all nine Bay Area counties.
San Rafael Fire Foundation Crab Feed
Saturday, January 13th, 2024, 5:00 p.m., 618 B St, San Rafael, CA 94901
The SR Fire Foundation’s 2023 Crab Feed Fundraiser, originally scheduled for Saturday, December 9th, is now a go for January 13th. Individuals who have purchased tickets are invited to join us for the rescheduled event. Tickets are still available for purchase, $100 for all-you-can-eat fresh Dungeness crab, or reserve a table seating up to 10 people for $1,000. There will be live music and a silent auction. To register online, go to www.srfirefoundation.org or by mail: check payable to the San Rafael Fire Foundation, 369B Third Street #257, San Rafael, CA 94901. All proceeds from the San Rafael Fire Foundation crab feed support the San Rafael Fire Department and its Firefighters and Paramedics.
Police Advisory & Accountability Committee (PAAC) Meeting
Wednesday, January 17th, 6:00 p.m., Public Safety Center, EOC Training Room (1375 5th Ave, San Rafael, California 94901)
The next meeting of the Police Advisory & Accountability Committee (PAAC) is scheduled for January 17th at 6:00 p.m. Community members can participate and provide public comment in person at the Public Safety Center, EOC Training Room (1375 5th Ave, San Rafael, California 94901), or you can watch the meeting via Zoom. If you would like to subscribe to receive notifications about the City’s public meetings, including the PAAC, click here. To view agendas and staff reports, and for the Zoom link to watch the PAAC meeting live, visit the PAAC’s public meeting webpage.
Climate Action Community Forum January 2024
Thursday, January 18th, 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Marin Academy, 1600 Mission Avenue- Science and Innovation Building (#9), First floor, room #106 or virtual via Zoom
Join the quarterly community update meeting on the City’s Climate Change Action Plan, hosted by City Councilmember Maika Llorens Gulati and co-hosted by Marin Academy. This hybrid meeting welcomes everyone to join either in person or virtually. Event highlights include student presentations from Marin Academy and the Marin School of Environmental Leadership, along with discussions on the Countywide Building Electrification Strategy and San Rafael’s Equitable Low Carbon Economy Project, and City updates.
Quiz
Where did the San Rafael neighborhood Gerstle Park get its name?
Be the first to respond!