City of San Rafael

City Offices Prepare to Close in Response to Budget Deficit

A mandatory furlough program (unpaid time off) for City employees is set to get underway this month. This means that city offices will be shut down every second Monday each month beginning on Monday, July 13.

Residents and business will notice a reduction in services as staff will be required to cut hours which will close the doors of City Hall, the Library, the Redevelopment Agency, the Community Centers, Falkirk, the Public Works department and Parking Services. It’s is necessary to take this action in order to deal with a $3 million deficit for the 2009-10 fiscal year. Our employees have really stepped up to the plate and are taking a 5% reduction in pay in order to make it through these hard economic times. The City will save $500,000 as a result of the furlough program that will close the buildings for a total of 13 days.

The public should be prepared for a disruption in services (public safety operations are exempt) on the furlough days. Some of the most frequently used services that will not be accessible include: obtaining building permits and scheduling building inspections; paying parking tickets in person; cleaning up of parks, playgrounds, picnic areas, the downtown corridor, tennis courts and other public facilities after the weekend; no contact for park or facility rental or program registration services; no response to potholes or pickup of debris dumped on streets. For a full list of online services go to our website at www.cityofsanrafael.org.

Monday July 6^th City Council meeting

As the first meeting of the new fiscal year gets underway, several important topics are scheduled for the City Council to consider. Of interest to many of you will be a public hearing, establishing our paramedic tax rates for the 2009-10 year. These long standing, voter approved taxes provide designated revenues to hire paramedics and pay for the emergency services needs of our community 365 days a year.

The Council will also consider adopting budget for the City and Redevelopment Agency. The City budget process has been underway for months, and this meeting will solidify many actions and directions needed to keep our budget balanced. Aside form the furlough impacts noted above, a loss of 29 staffing positions over a two year period necessitates reduced services across many of our operations. Staff and the City Council have been, and will continue to, working together to make sure the highest service priorities remain in place, while also implementing changes to those service areas of lesser importance. The City of San Rafael will continue to do its best to serve the community with less staff, but ask for patience as responses for non-emergency issues will be slower.

A copy of the reports that will be before the City Council are available online by clicking here. You can also call the City Clerk’s office for a copy of the documents at 415.485.3065.

Police Department Service Changes to Begin

Due to the current fiscal crisis the City was required to eliminate four police officer positions from the department’s budget. These reduced staffing levels have created a corresponding reduction in the types of service the police department can provide. Starting this week officers will no longer be sent to document crime reports where there is no identifiable suspect. This includes almost all misdemeanors, identity thefts, and use of stolen checks or credit cards. Victims of these kinds of crimes have several options: they can make a documentation report online at www.srpd.org; they can come to the police department and fill out a counter report; or they can call and ask for a report form to be mailed to them. Non-injury traffic collisions that occur on private property will be handled in a similar manner. Both parties should exchange names, drivers’ license and insurance information. If the drivers want documentation for insurance purposes they can fill out an accident report at the department, or call 415.485.3000 and ask to have the form mailed.

New Business Opening its Doors

Some good economic news for a change. The Arizmendi Bakery, the worker-owned coop specializing in artisan breads, pastries and gourmet pizza in the Inner Sunset, is slated to open Downtown this year. The business has signed a lease to occupy a 2,700 square foot space at 4th and Court Streets. The Cheese Board in Berkeley and Arizmendi stores in Oakland and Emeryville are independently operated sister coops.

Red Light Photo Enforcement – Coming Soon

The City is moving forward with its approved Red Light Photo Enforcement Program. We have identified that our first two camera systems will be installed at the following locations: Northbound Irwin Street at Third Street and Westbound Third Street at Irwin Street. We are currently working with our chosen vendor, Redflex Traffic Systems, in obtaining the necessary permits. Once they have been obtained, construction will begin. For further information, questions or comments, you can call the San Rafael Police Department’s designated Red Light Photo Enforcement Information Hotline at: 415-458-2395.

Art Work Around Town

You can’t miss the 10’ tall sculptures that are staged in various locations throughout the City. All of them are the artworks of a father and son team, working together for years to create award winning sculptures from discarded equipment. Temporary placement on city property is an on-going public art project called ArtReach, the result of a partnership between nonprofit Art Works Downtown and the City of San Rafael.

    

The Summer Reading Program Is Underway and Business Is Booming

As a rule, the library checks out an average of 100 items per hour. Since the Summer Reading Program began on June 15, that average has increased to 136 items per hour.

In addition to checking out materials at the Circulation Desk, staff issue new library cards, update patron information, renew library cards, collect fines, answer the phone, and respond to numerous questions. Even with the desk double staffed, there are frequent lines for checkout.

Community Events and Reminders

San Rafael Twilight Celebrates its Eleventh Year of Racing Action

The San Rafael Twilight Criterium will get underway on Saturday, July 11, Downtown between Fourth and Fifth Streets. The nation’s top cyclists will convene to produce a showcase of world-class bicycle racing.
Each race during the day is a 40-minute anaerobic contest around a 1-kilometer course on the streets of San Rafael. The best pro teams from around the country cap the day when they race for over $10,000 under a twilight sky for 75 minutes to a crescendo of cheers and cowbells. For more information go to: http://www.srtwilight.com/

San Rafael Fire Department Promotes Safe and Fun Fourth of July

It’s almost the Fourth of July, a time to celebrate and enjoy the holiday with friends and family. It’s also a good time to remind residents that all fireworks, including those commonly known as “safe and sane” are illegal in Marin County. Fire and Police Departments across Marin are warning people that this year the penalties have increased for sale and use of fireworks. Senate bill 839 raises fines for the use of illegal fireworks and even allows the state to suspend the commercial driver’s license of someone involved in the transportation of the illegal activity. The best way to enjoy fireworks this year is to go the Marin County Fair, July 2 to July 5 at 9:30 p.m.

Here are a few links to view to make sure you have a safe and happy Fourth of July.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVcF7uD3eIA

http://www.safejuly4th.org/fw/index.htm

http://lafd.blogspot.com/

City Offices Closed on July 3^rd. Happy Fourth of July

Council Approves Budget Recommendations

This week the City Council approved a series of budget balancing recommendations that were the result of much deliberation, exploration and analysis about how to reduce our workforce and still retain essential and important services in all departments. Indeed this was a difficult process for all involved as it included a number of permanent position reductions throughout all departments and suspensions for police positions heading into fiscal year 2009-2010. These recent actions reduced our workforce by 29 positions. Only 6 of 29 reductions required layoffs. . We are not just focusing on cost and staffing reductions, but are also working hard on our economic vitality efforts, shared services opportunities with other agencies, and maximizing outside opportunities through grants, volunteers, etc.

Unfortunately, adopting a balanced budget on July 6 may not be possible as more clouds loom on the horizon, such as the possible takings of our taxes and other revenues from the State. Given their fiscal chaos, everything I read and hear is this loss is highly likely. The disturbing question remains - When will they take our money, and how much will be lost of local revenues? Although difficult to hear or accept, more layoffs may be necessary to keep our overall budget in balance. In the meantime, we must continue to seek alternative funding sources, plus look for more creative and cost effect ways of delivering services.

I believe our City has responded strategically and thoughtfully to a recession unlike any of us have ever seen or experienced. Over the past two years, we have taken $5 million out of our budget, and did so by minimizing layoffs and attempting to keep our service levels high. I am very proud of this fact, and for our employees for making it happen. I have put together a rather lengthy report on the recommendations that I’ve only brushed on here. Please feel free to see the in depth version by clicking here.

Volunteers off to a Great Start

Volunteers will begin our second week of going-door-to-door in an effort to inform San Rafael residents about our aging facilities. Members of our Critical Facilities Committee, Friends of the Library, firefighters, police officers and City staff spent last Saturday walking through neighborhoods and contacting residents to make them aware of the need for updated public safety buildings (fire and police), Downtown library and community centers. More volunteers will commit time over the next three Saturdays to continue this effort. The public will get an opportunity to hear about these 50 to 100 year old structures that are outdated and can no longer support the current needs of our community. Some facilities do not meet modern seismic safety standards and may not withstand a major earthquake. If we don’t make it to your door in the coming weeks there’s still an opportunity to learn about this important safety issue. We will soon be mailing out an educational brochure coming soon to your mailbox. To learn more about the critical facilities, please go to www.cityofsanrafael.org; or call Terri Hardesty at 415.485.3072.

Community Events and Reminders

The Councilmember is In

Individual City Councilmembers will be available to meet with members of the public during the Thursday Night Farmer’s Market, 7 to 8 p.m. Downtown (Fourth and A Streets). This is a great opportunity to get input or just talk to the people who make decisions on important issues that impact our residents and businesses. Damon Connolly is available on Thursday night, June 4^th. Please click here for a full calendar to see which councilmember is in on Thursday nights.

Road Closure On Los Ranchitos Road

Starting June 8^th, the County will begin construction on Los Ranchitos Road to widen the roadway for bicycle lane installations. This is one of the county’s non-motorized transportation projects. This construction requires northbound Los Ranchitos Rd to be closed 24 hours a day between Fair Drive and Glenside Way. During this construction period, a detour will be posted to direct motorists to take the NB 101 freeway onramp near Hammondale Court, travel north on US 101, exit on N. San Pedro Road, and travel west on N. San Pedro Road until they reach Los Ranchitos. Southbound Los Ranchitos Road will remain open throughout the duration of the project. The project is scheduled to take 45 working days.

Italian Street Painting Festival

Hundreds of madonnari (street painters) will soon be transforming the streets of San Rafael into a color-splashed gallery for 60,000 visitors expected to attend this year’s Italian Street Painting Festival on Saturday and Sunday June 13 and 14. Using chalk as the medium and asphalt as the canvas, artists create over 200 images in various styles and sizes. Founded in 1994, the Youth in Arts festival is renowned as one of the finest street painting festivals in the world. The Festival is both a fundraiser and a gift to our community--a popular celebration of art, music and culture. Festival sponsors not only make this free event possible, but also help us provide programs for Marin students year-round. To learn more about the event, click here.

Home Safety Month

June is Home Safety Month. Each year during June, the Home Safety Council, a National Citizen Corps Affiliate, works to educate and motivate families to take actions that will increase the safety of their homes. This year's Home Safety Month campaign theme - Hands on Home Safety - asks the public to take some simple steps to create a safer home environment from the five leading causes of home injury - falls, poisonings, fires and burns, choking/suffocation and drowning. Check out these information and resources for a hands-on approach to making your home safer.