Snapshot – de parte del Gerente de la Ciudad de San Rafael
Spotlight Photo
CAPTION: Freitas Park located at 371 Montecillo Road
PHOTO CREDIT: Lara Washburn, Library and Recreation Program Coordinator
Last Quiz Question
Congrats to Luben Stoilov for being the first to respond correctly to our mystery photo in the last Snapshot Quiz. The photo featured was of a bunya pine tree located at the Falkirk Cultural Center. These trees are located throughout San Rafael and are especially popular with local wildlife. Congratulations Luben, and thanks for reading Snapshot!
Scroll down for this week’s quiz and be the first to answer.
San Rafael City News
City Council to Consider Urgency Ordinance to Prevent Evictions
At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, the San Rafael City Council will consider adoption of an urgency ordinance that would temporarily prevent residential evictions and late fees for nonpayment of rent due to COVID-19 financial loss. The urgency ordinance provisions would start on July 1st, following the expiration of State eviction protections on June 30th, and would last through September 30, 2022.
The Marin County Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, which provides rental relief to Marin County landlords and renters who have faced financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has a substantial number of applications to be processed and funds awarded. The ERA program continues to process applications and anticipates that the remaining funds will be administered by September 30, 2022. The proposed urgency ordinance would provide stability to residential tenants in San Rafael who face ongoing impacts from COVID-19 and would help ensure that landlords and tenants who are eligible for rental assistance can receive available ERA funds from the County.
“Streetary” Program Guidelines Go to the City Council
Also, at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, staff will be recommending approval of guidelines for the outdoor dining “Streetary” Program that sets clear rules, parameters, and processes to ensure a positive impact on the City’s economic vitality. “Streetaries” are outdoor dining areas that are located on City parking spaces adjacent to a local restaurant.
The Streetary Program has been created over the past seven months by a cross-departmental team of staff with community feedback from key partners such as the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Business Improvement District, as well as several local restaurant business owners. The current COVID-19 Temporary Outdoor Dining Program will end on November 30, 2022, and all existing and new streetaries would be required to comply with the Streetary Program Guidelines beginning December 1, 2022.
Council to Review Proposed FY 2022-23 Budget
At Monday’s regular Council meeting, the City Council will review the proposed budget for fiscal year 2022-2023. The budget includes $95.3 million in General Fund expenditures to support programs such as public safety, library and recreation, and community and economic development. The proposed budget includes all personnel costs, including fixed-term staff such as those supporting wildfire management programs. The annual budget process focuses on implementing the City Council Goals & Objectives.
Council to Hear Proposal for Canal Community Based Transportation Plan
A Community-Based Transportation Plan (CBTP) brings residents, community organizations, and transportation professionals together to improve mobility options for low-income communities. These plans identify the most important transportation challenges in low-income neighborhoods and develop strategies to overcome them. This plan identifies street lighting, transit improvements, and traffic calming as priorities to the community. The City and local transit agencies can use this plan to identify and apply for grant funding sources to complete the desired improvements.
Openings to Serve on Marin County Youth Commission
Made up of 23 youth, the Marin County Youth Commission (“MCYC”) acts as the political voice for young people by engaging with the Marin County Board of Supervisors and other policy makers. Youth leaders identify issues they are passionate about and then create and implement social justice campaigns to create change. This year, the MCYC focused on Education Equity, Mental Health, substance abuse, and LGBTQ issues in Marin!
MCYC applicants should be between the ages of 12-23, must live and/or attend school in Marin, must have a passion for youth issues and leadership development, and must be able to attend four meetings a month. Youth of color, LGBTQ, and all marginalized youth are encouraged to apply. Apply between June 1st – July 2nd to serve on the Marin County Youth Commission at https://bit.ly/mcycapp. For any questions reach out directly to Samantha Ramirez at sramirez@yli.org or 628-236-6589.
Third Street Improvements
During the week of June 13 – June 17, crews will be installing a conduit and drilling at the intersections of Third Street and D Street and E Street. A new sewer pipe will be installed at East Street and Second street, and trenching will occur for the next two weeks to install sewer pipe in the eastbound lanes of Second Street from East Street to Marquard Avenue. Crews will also build retaining wall panels on the eastbound curb lane of Second Street between Ida and Miramar Avenue. Crews will also be demolishing curbs and sidewalks at the intersections of Second Street and Shaver Street and Second Street and Miramar Avenue, in preparation of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements at those corners.
IMPACTS: The stairway from Second Street to Jessup Street (south of Ida Street) will be temporarily closed until further notice. The posted speed limit is 25 mph for the lane shift on Second Street, and motorists should be aware of changed conditions and drive with caution. Traffic controls (temporary signs, message boards, traffic cones, delineators and detour signs) will be put in place to direct motorists through the work area. Curb parking spaces will be marked “No Parking” and there will be intermittent lane closures on Third Street and detours on A Street, B Street, C Street, D Street, and E Street.
For businesses in this section of Second Street, the City’s contractor, Ghilotti Bros. Inc., will help facilitate deliveries by providing traffic controls and flagging.
The daytime hours of work will be from 6 am to 6 pm, with lane closures from 6 am to 3 pm on Third Street and Second Street westbound. Lane closures will also be in effect from 9 am to 6 pm on Second Street eastbound.
Night time work hours will be in effect for the following days:
- Monday through Thursday: 7 pm to 6 am
- Friday: 12 pm – 6 am
- Sunday: 7 pm – 6 am
Visit the Third Street Improvements Project website to learn more about this critical effort, and sign up here to receive weekly email updates.
COVID-19 Updates
According to the Marin County Department of Public Health, as of June 10, Marin County has 760 “Active Cases” (cases confirmed in the previous 10 days) bringing the total confirmed cumulative cases to 35,545 since March 2020. These numbers continue to highlight the remaining threat of COVID-19 in our communities, and the need for all community members to remain diligent in their efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Please follow the links below regarding the appropriate steps to follow if:
COVID-19 booster shots and vaccination appointments continue to be offered at all Marin vaccine clinics. If you need transportation assistance to get vaccinated, please visit the following links about Lyft’s Vaccine Access Program and GoGoGrandparent. As always, if you are experiencing any COVID-19 like symptoms, please get tested as soon as possible, even if you are fully vaccinated.
TALES OF THE CITY – City of San Rafael Leaders Pitch in to Beautify Downtown Headquarters for Multicultural Center of Marin
On Thursday, June 2, several of the City of San Rafael’s management team gathered with local community partners at the Multicultural Center of Marin (“MCM”) to help beautify the grounds and facilities of the new MCM headquarters. City of San Rafael employees assisted with landscape management, painting, trash cleanup, building maintenance, and graffiti abatement. By the end of the clean-up event, the transformation was clearly visible, and many pedestrians and MCM employees thanked the volunteers for their efforts.
City of San Rafael employees are dedicated to the well-being and beautification of San Rafael, and often find opportunities such as these to contribute in a volunteer capacity. Thank you for your continued support and appreciation in our community and keep up the good work!
AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING on June 6, 2022
Beginning with the April 18 City Council meeting, the City Council has returned to in-person meetings combined with a virtual real-time public comment on agenda items.
At the June 6, 2022 regular City Council Meeting, the Council:
- Approved Consent Calendar Items
- Heard Special Presentations of LGBTQ+ Pride Month Proclamation and Juneteenth Proclamation
- Adopted Resolutions Setting the Special Tax for Loch Lomond #10 and The Village at Loch Lomond Marina Mello-Roos Community Facilities Districts
- Held a Public Hearing and Adopted a Resolution and Ordinance Change to Existing City Boards and Commissions
City Council meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month. City Council meetings that fall on a holiday are rescheduled for the following Tuesday
Events
Resilient Neighborhoods Summer Climate Action Workshop
Thursdays starting June 16 | 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Register here
Wednesdays, starting June 29 | 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Register here
Are you ready for a summer of Marin climate action, resilience, and community? Sign up for the online 5-session Climate Action Workshop presented by Resilient Neighborhoods. You will reduce your household carbon footprint and get prepared for emergencies like wildfires and droughts with your climate action team. Taking simple actions like trimming energy and waste, conserving water, and making smarter transportation choices can save you money too. You’ll achieve measurable results and help build a stronger and safer community. More than 1,800 Marin residents have already reduced more than 10 million pounds of CO2 pollution through the program. Choose from workshops starting on June 16 and 29. Free for Marin residents!
Click Here to Sign Up
Quiz
Where is this shaded table located?
