Spotlight Photo
We <3 Sun Valley
Photo Credit: Bernadette Sullivan, City Manager’s Office
Last Quiz Question
ongrats to Tom Obletz! You can find the firefighter gnome behind the Public Safety Center Fire Station in downtown San Rafael! 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 on Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Closed Session – 4:45 p.m.
The City Council will hold a closed session starting at 4:45 p.m.
Regular City Council Meeting – 6:00 p.m.
Special Presentation supporting Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15th to October 15th. In honor of the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans, the City Council will be presenting a proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month. Join us as we recognize and pay tribute to the significant role of the Hispanic and Latino community in shaping our nation’s past, present, and future.
Special Presentation supporting National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month
September marks National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to bring awareness to the warning signs of suicide and to the resources available to prevent it. The City Council will present a proclamation in recognition of National Suicide Prevention and Awareness to highlight the profound importance of mental health and the lives touched by suicide.
Smoking Ordinance Update
At Tuesday night’s meeting, the City Council will hear a proposal to amend Section 9.04.120 of the San Rafael Municipal Code to allow for a private right of action for violations of the City’s smoking ordinance. This amendment aims to address community concerns about secondhand smoke, which poses significant health risks and is difficult to regulate through current enforcement methods. By introducing a private right of action, residents would have the ability to seek their own legal remedies, which would provide a stronger mechanism for protecting public health and ensuring compliance with the City’s smoking regulations.
Housing Trust Fund Application Process
At Tuesday night’s meeting, the Council will hear a proposal from staff to implement a rolling application process for the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, enabling more timely support for property acquisitions that align with affordable housing goals. The proposal also includes aligning the City’s regular funding process (i.e. Notice of Funding Availability) with the County of Marin’s to improve coordination and efficiency. This initiative is part of the City’s broader effort to increase the availability of permanently affordable housing in San Rafael, ensuring that projects can fully leverage other funding sources and continue to provide much-needed housing for vulnerable populations. In recent years, the trust fund has supported key developments, including permanent supportive housing and affordable units, demonstrating its critical role in the community.
Personnel Updates
The City Council will consider a series of personnel changes in various departments to serve the community better and further achievement of the City Council’s Goals & Objectives. Key recommendations include retitling a position as the Community Services Division Director. Additionally, a Wildfire Mitigation Program Manager position is proposed to enhance wildfire prevention efforts, as well as a Chief Assistant City Attorney position. Along with these proposed positions are updates to salary schedules to support effective recruitment and retention across departments.
Other News
How-to-Guide for Reporting Issues to the City
Our brand-new video tutorial and comprehensive step-by-step guide will teach you to use SeeClickFix, which is the City’s work order request system. In our user-friendly tutorial, you’ll learn how to navigate SeeClickFix on your mobile phone or tablet. Whether you need to report illegal dumping, graffiti, potholes, or other neighborhood issues, SeeClickFix makes it simple to submit and track your requests from start to finish.
Ready to get started? Click the link to watch the tutorial today!
Housing, Tenant Protections, & Anti-Displacement Workshops for Spanish-Language Speakers
The City invites Spanish-speaking residents and workers to apply to participate in a series of six housing workshops. Workshops will take place once a month over the course of six months. These workshops aim to inform participants about tenant protection policies and seek input from residents. All community members, regardless of immigration status, are welcome to fill out a brief form to apply. The deadline to submit your application is Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
Starting in September 2024 (exact dates/time to be determined), workshops will be held monthly in the evenings in Spanish. Stipends for participation, and meals will be provided.
For more information, visit this website, or email: housing@cityofsanrafael.org, or call (415) -485-3383.
TALES OF THE CITY- Station 52 Open House
On August 17th, Fire Station 52 hosted a successful open house, which included a fire equipment demonstration. Hundreds of attendees visited the station, explored the fire vehicles, and enjoyed a firefighting demonstration utilizing the station’s drill tower and training ground.
LAST CITY COUNCIL MEETING on August 19, 2024
At the Special City Council meeting, the City Council:
- Held Planning Commission interviews
At the Regular City Council meeting, the City Council:
- Heard City Manager and Councilmember reports
- Approved the consent calendar
- Adopted Camping Ordinance amendments and accepted an informational report on homelessness, including sanctioned camping program, homeless program contracts, and appropriation of funds
- Adopted ordinance amendments to Chapter 15.155 (Urban Lot Splits) and Chapter 15.03 (Minor Subdivisions)
- Adopted a resolution approving the Grand Jury response on Sea Level Rise
- Approved the Sidewalk Repair Program as a permanent program
- Adopted a resolution amending the City of San Rafael Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 to confirm authorized appropriations and transfers
- Awarded the Construction Agreement for the Pavement Maintenance Project FY 2024-25
- 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.
Events
Ember Stomp 2024: Marin’s Wildfire Prevention Festival
Saturday, September 7, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Marin Civic Center (10 Ave of the Flags, San Rafael, CA 94903)
Don’t miss this free event that is fun for the whole family! The 3rd Annual Ember Stomp Festival focuses on experiential learning that makes the ideas of home hardening, fire-smart landscaping, and preparing for evacuation come alive. A “Kids Zone” will feature a magician, face painting, sing-a-longs, and interactive games. The festival also features live music, food trucks, art, and firefighting goats and sheep. Fire Safe Marin organizes this community-driven festival with the support and participation of the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority, major donors, and community partners.
Check out Fire Safe Marin’s website for more on the event.
2nd Friday Art Walk 2024
Friday, September 13, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., 1325–1337 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA
The 2nd Friday Art Walk in Downtown San Rafael is a monthly event that is free to the public and welcomes everyone to enjoy a night of art exploration. Scheduled for the second Friday of each month, the event features galleries, open studios, art exhibits, and more throughout downtown. The event includes studio tours of Art Works Downtown galleries, connecting various art venues in San Rafael.
Youth in Arts United Against Hate Week Poster Project
Friday, September 13, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., 917 C Street
While exploring the different exhibits, at the 2nd Friday Art Walk be sure to stop by Youth in Arts and participate in the United Against Hate Poster Project! This special event, part of the United Against Hate initiative, will feature a poster-making workshop led by an art teacher, giving participants a chance to create their own powerful messages of unity and inclusion.
Marin County Electrification Career Fair
Saturday, September 14, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Marin Exhibit Hall (10 Ave of the Flags, San Rafael)
The Marin County Electrification Career Fair is on September 14th! Industry experts will offer valuable insights into the rapidly growing electrification and renewable energy fields. There will be opportunities for networking with potential employers, and live workshops with insights into potential education opportunities and/or career trajectories will be held.
This free event will be held at the Marin County Fairgrounds and open to all residents of the North Bay. Register here to reserve your spot
San Rafael PorchFest
Sunday, September 15, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., various porches around the Gerstle Park Neighborhood
The 5th Annual San Rafael PorchFest returns on Sunday, September 15th, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the historic Gerstle Park neighborhood. This free, family-friendly event invites the community to stroll from porch to porch, enjoying live music from a diverse lineup of local Marin County artists, including folk, Latin, funk, and more. With gourmet food trucks, picnic spots, and activities for kids, it’s a day filled with music, community, and creativity. PorchFest has quickly become a cherished annual tradition, organized by the Gerstle Park Neighborhood Association in partnership with the City of San Rafael.
FREE Movies in the Park – Toy Story 4 at Sun Valley Park
Friday, September 20, 5:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., Sun Valley Park, 144 Solano St.
Join us for the second of the City’s Movie in the Park series and meet your City of San Rafael team! Please stop by to say hello one hour before showtime to meet our team members from various City departments. Attendees are welcome to bring low chairs, blankets, a picnic dinner, or snacks to enjoy during the movie, and are reminded to bring a flashlight for when it gets dark.
For information, click here, email recreation@cityofsanrafael.org, or call (415) 485-3333.
Sea Level Rise Community Meeting #2
Saturday September 28, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Albert J. Boro Community Center (50 Canal Street)
Please join the City of San Rafael for the second community meeting in a series on sea level rise. This is an opportunity to share your ideas and reactions about how to prepare our community for sea level rise and subsidence. This event is part of a collaborative project involving the Canal Alliance, the County of Marin, the Multicultural Center of Marin, and researchers at the University of California Berkeley. We are all working together to understand the hazards facing our community, prioritize actions, and build capacity.
To learn and stay in the loop please visit our project page.
MarinMOCA’s (Museum of Contemporary Art) ART FWD Auction & Party
Saturday, September 28, 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
“ART FWD” is MarinMOCA’s flagship annual event, celebrating the North Bay’s creative spirit. It introduces museum members and new audiences to the depth and breadth of MarinMOCA’s exhibition programming, educational initiatives, and community-focused events. This year’s theme—Art All Around Us—will come to life at the ART FWD Party. To purchase tickets and learn more, click here.
West End Block Party
Every Friday, August – October 2024 – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Fourth Street between F to G Streets
The West End Block Party in Downtown San Rafael returns on Friday evenings from August through mid-October. Enjoy eight unforgettable Fridays filled with music and community spirit. Don’t miss out on the fun—bring your friends and family to experience the best of San Rafael’s West End!
Due to the street closure for the block party, Golden Gate Transit will reroute several stops along Fourth Street. Find the Bus Re-route Information HERE.
Quiz
When was the first public high school opened in San Rafael?
Be the first to respond!