Congrats to Larry Andow! The last Snapshot Quiz featured a picture of the Terra Linda community pool! The pool is open for summer; make sure to check out the schedule and go for a swim. Thanks for reading Snapshot. Scroll down to see this edition’s quiz and be the first to answer.
SPOTLIGHT PHOTO
Farmers Market Signs Return- Photo Credit: Bernadette Sullivan, City Managers Office
NEWS
The City Council will meet on Monday, June 3, 2024.
City Council Closed Session- 5:30 p.m.
The City Council will hold a closed session starting at 5:30 p.m.
Pride Flag Raising Ceremony- 5:40 p.m.
The City of San Rafael will host the raising of the Pride Flag at City Hall on Monday, June 3, 2024, at 5:40 p.m. in celebration of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. See full event details in the Pride events section below.
During the regular City Council meeting, the City Council will proclaim June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in San Rafael.
Regular City Council Meeting – 6:00 p.m.
San Rafael Police Department AB 481 Annual Report & Ordinance Renewal
The City Council will hear a presentation on the AB 481 Military Equipment Annual Report. Passed in 2021, AB 481 requires a governing body to adopt an ordinance approving a military equipment use policy for the funding, acquisition, and use of military equipment by a law enforcement agency and to renew the ordinance annually.
The San Rafael City Council approved its military equipment use policy by ordinance in May 2022. This policy emphasizes transparency, oversight, and accountability as it relates to the use of military equipment that is needed to ensure the community’s safety if a significant incident. The City Council will consider the renewal of this ordinance with no changes to the current policy.
Preliminary FY 2024-25 Budget
Staff will present the preliminary Citywide budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25. This report is the next step in the development of the City’s FY 2024-25 budget and is intended to provide the City Council with the opportunity to preview the overall proposed budget as well as specific funding recommendations prior to staff preparing the final FY 2024-25 Proposed Budget for adoption by the City Council at their June 17 meeting. The budget is both a spending plan for the City’s available resources and the legal authority for City departments to spend these resources for public purposes.
Economic Development Strategic Plan
The City Council will receive an update on the Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP), which includes 31 action items over five years, complete with workload, cost, and timeline estimates. For fiscal year 2023-24, eight items are being implemented and another eight are in development.
Some of the key actions underway include:
- Launch of the San Rafael GO program to support business retention and attraction
- Introduction of a web-based site selection tool
- Exploration of converting the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) to a Property and Business Improvement District (PBID)
- Feasibility analysis for Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts (EIFD)
- Coordination of arts programming with a California Arts Commission grant
- Addressing cannabis business opportunities
Labor Agreement Successor Memorandum of Understanding with the Police Mid-Management Association (SRPMMA) and the San Rafael Police Fire Chief Officers’ Association (SRFCOA)
Over the past several months, City representatives have met with the San Rafael Police Mid-Management Association (SRPMMA) and the San Rafael Police Fire Chief Officers’ Association (SRFCOA) to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The proposed agreement for City Council ratification outlines salary, benefits, and employment terms for this employee group for the next three years.
Read the (SRPMMA) Staff Report
Read the (SRFCOA) Staff Report
Citizen-Sponsored Initiative Measure
On January 31, 2024, a Notice of Intent to Circulate a Petition to Provide Funding for the Construction of a New Main Library and Community Center at Albert Park was filed with the City’s Elections Official. The proponents circulated the petition and filed it with the Elections Official on April 16, 2024 for signature validation.
At Monday night’s City Council meeting, the City Council will consider accepting the certification of the sufficiency of the petition and submitting the citizen initiative to the City of San Rafael voters at the November 5, 2024, general election.
This measure proposes an annual special parcel tax to fund the construction of a new Albert Park main library and community center, generating approximately $6,370,000 annually for thirty years or until construction bonds are satisfied. The proposed initiative will be presented to voters this November, requiring a majority vote to become effective.
OTHER NEWS
City Administrative Offices Closed for Juneteenth
The City’s administrative offices in City Hall, the San Rafael Public Library, and the City’s community centers will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. 24-hour operations will remain in effect for the Police and Fire Departments.
Summer Reading: Books and More!
Join the San Rafael Public Libraries for our annual summer reading challenge!
Starting June 14th, come to the library to pick up your game card and summer reading bookbag! Fill your bag with books to check out and read. Use your game card to mark off each day you read or listen to a book over the summer.
And don’t forget all the fun summer activities at Downtown, Pickleweed, and Northgate libraries! We’ll have special storytimes, arts and crafts activities, and many special programs.
Check out our events calendar for more details!
SUN Bucks
Starting this summer, you can buy more food for your child with California SUN Bucks, also called Summer-EBT. SUN Bucks works just like CalFresh but for the summer.
Children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through a school meal application or an Alternative Income Form or get CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal are automatically enrolled. You don’t need to do anything to sign up. SUN Bucks provides $40 per month for food for June, July, and August 2024 ($120 total)
For more information, click here.
TALES OF THE CITY– Station 55 Open House
Fire Station 55 bustled with activity on Saturday, May 18, as visitors gathered to partake in the open house festivities.
- The event welcomed all to explore the newly constructed fire station.
- The Operations Division showcased various fire vehicles, demonstrating the equipment housed within.
- The Defensible Space team arranged informative displays and materials for attendees to peruse and take home.
LAST CITY COUNCIL MEETING on May 15, 2024
At the Regular City Council meeting, the City Council:
- Heard City Manager and Councilmember reports.
- Approved the consent calendar.
- Approved an ordinance Amending Green Building Codes.
- Received report on FY 2023-2025 Goals and Objectives. Annual Update and Introduction of Infrastructure and Transportation plan.
- Adopted a resolution for the Successor Memorandum of Understanding with the San Rafael Police Association (SRPA).
- Adopted a resolution for the Successor Memorandum of Understanding with the San Rafael Firefighters’ Association (SRFA).
- Held open time for public expression.
City Council meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. Meetings that fall on a holiday are rescheduled for the following Tuesday.
PRIDE Month Events:
Join us this June as we celebrate Pride Month in San Rafael with a series of exciting events and activities! Pride Month is a time to honor and uplift the LGBTQ+ community, recognizing the progress made and the work still to be done. From inspiring speakers to community gatherings and educational events, there’s something for everyone! Check out the list of events below and join us in celebrating love, diversity, and inclusion.
Pride Flag Raising Ceremony
Monday, June 3, 2024, 5:40 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Steps of City Hall, San Rafael, 1400 Fifth Ave. San Rafael
The City of San Rafael will host the raising of the Pride Flag in celebration of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. This event symbolizes the City’s commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all community members.
Suicide Prevention Collaborative meeting: “A Holistic Approach to LGBTQ+ Allyship for Suicide Prevention.”
Wednesday, June 5th, from 2:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.- Virtual event
The Marin County Suicide Prevention Collaborative invites community members to kick off Pride Month with Tasha Colin, who will present “A Holistic Approach to LGBTQ+ Allyship for Suicide Prevention.” This virtual discussion will engage ways to strengthen LGBTQIA+ allyship, inclusion, and equity for a safe and healthy community. You can register here.
Pride Art Walk June 2024
Throughout the entire month of June, stroll through Downtown San Rafael and enjoy the imaginative windows, each a tribute to LGBTQ Pride Month. But here’s the twist: hidden in each display is a special colored #PRIDE to discover!
Match the #PRIDE’s color to the corresponding business on your map as you go.
- As you embark on this quest, you will learn what each color in the Pride flag means.
- Once you’ve completed your Downtown Rainbow journey, turn in your map for a chance to win fabulous prizes, including tickets to the CAFILM Pride!
- Maps can be submitted via email to Info@SRBID.org.
CA FILM Pride- A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema
CAFILM is proud to present the second Pride series showcasing exceptional LGBTQ+ films that are thought-provoking, insightful, and entertaining – A celebration of the varied and vibrant community they reflect. To view a list of movies and purchase tickets, click here.
Read with Pride!
Saturday, June 15, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Downtown Library Front Lawn
Special Read with Pride activities will include a Drag Storytime, DJ Destro, face painting, crafts, community resources, and some tasty treats. Come on out, spread the love, and let’s make memories that shine brightly in the tapestry of Pride! This event is a partnership between the San Rafael Public Libraries and the Marin County Free Library.
EVENTS
Bret hARTe in the Park!
Saturday, June 1, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Bret Harte Park, 217 Irwin St, San Rafael
Join the Bret Harte Community Association’s (BHCA) fourth annual art and craft-focused event. Check out the creative talents of Bret Harte artists, musicians, and purveyors all in one place. Come by and check it out or sign up here to participate as an artist, musician, vendor, or volunteer.
Sea Level Rise Community Meeting
Saturday, June 8, 2024, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 50 Canal St., San Rafael
Join the City of San Rafael for the “Sea Level Rise Community Meeting”. This open house event will include a brief presentation, displays, and interactive activities for the whole family. Attendees are welcome to drop in at any time between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm. The event will be conducted in English and Spanish.
To learn more about the project, please visit our website. This project has been generously supported by the Marin Community Foundation, California State Coastal Conservancy, and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.
Register here.
The San Rafael Public Library and Friends of the Library – Juneteenth w/Historian John William Templeton
Tuesday, June 11, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., San Rafael Downtown Library, Carnegie Room
Join historian John William Templeton, for a talk on Juneteenth as he explains the real significance of the national and state holiday as a Tribute to the role of the U.S. Troops of African descent who reunited the nation, freed Mexico, and liberated France. JOhn William Tempelton is a subject matter expert on African Americans in the West and creator of the California African-American Freedom Trail. He is the author of the Road to Ratification: How 27 States Faced the Most Challenging Issue in American History, and Citizenship for All: 150th Anniversary of the 14th Amendment.
Resilient Neighborhoods-Online Climate Action Workshop
Beginning June 13, Thursdays, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Are you interested in taking action to create a sustainable future? Join a Resilient Neighborhoods Climate Action Workshop to make your home and lifestyle more climate-friendly. During the program, you’ll create a personalized climate action plan that identifies actions you can take now and through 2030. You’ll have ongoing access to up-to-date resources and financial incentives to achieve your goals efficiently and cost-effectively. Over 2,000 Marin residents have already participated, reducing nearly 13 million pounds of CO2 emissions!
The workshop meets five times over a ten-week period. Meetings are held virtually and are free for all Marin residents. Choose from sessions starting on June 13. Be part of the climate movement and register here or visit www.ResilientNeighborhoods.org for more information.
Juneteenth Family Festival
Saturday, June 15, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Christ Presbyterian Church 620 Del Ganado Rd, San Rafael
Christ Presbyterian Church invites Marin County to celebrate and remember the contributions of African Americans who advanced the development of Marin County, clinging to rock-solid faith, resiliency, and grit.
We will celebrate the San Rafael and Marin County African American community with delicious food, live music, community leaders, handmade arts, a bounce house, and good vibes. San Rafael Mayor Kate Colin will open the event.
Historic “Firsts” will be honored, including the FIRST African American:
- Librarian in San Rafael, William Calhoun
- Dean of San Francisco Theological Seminary, Rev Dr Laurie Garrett-Cobbina
- Elected Official in Marin County and former San Anselmo Mayor, Brian Colbert
- Principal in Marin County, Juanita Gaskins
QUIZ:
Who is the Belrose Performing Arts Center named for?
