📸 Snapshot – City Council meeting agenda, storm preparedness, winter events, and more!

The San Rafael City Council will be meeting on Monday, November 17 at San Rafael City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue.

Meeting Details:

Regular Meeting: Begins at 6:00 PM, in the Council Chambers

City Manager and Councilmember Reports:

• Reports from the City Manager and Councilmembers, including updates on meetings and conferences attended

Consent Calendar Highlights:

• Adoption of an ordinance to prohibit all smoking in duplexes and multi-family residences

• Resolution authorizing an agreement with Rincon Consultants, Inc. and AECOM for on-call environmental consulting services

• Resolution approving an art installation by Youth In Arts at the Pickleweed Library

• Acceptance of the City of San Rafael Quarterly Investment Report

• Resolution authorizing an agreement between the Transportation Authority of Marin and the City of San Rafael for the US 101/I-580 Multimodal and Local Access Improvement Project

• Proclamation supporting Shop San Rafael

Other Agenda Items:

• Resolution responding to a Cease and Desist Demand dated November 3, 2025 with an Unconditional Promise – Without Admitting Any Violation of the Brown Act – to Cease and Desist Certain Conduct

Public Hearings:

• Declaration of a Shelter Crisis, approval of related actions, and acquisition of the property located at 350 Merrydale Road for use as an interim shelter and for affordable housing

View the full agenda and watch the meeting online via Zoom or YouTube. Participate in person or submit public comments ahead of the meeting by emailing city.clerk@cityofsanrafael.org.

At the upcoming meeting on Monday, the City Council will hear a presentation on the proposed interim shelter program and the potential purchase of the property at 350 Merrydale Road. The City Council will not be voting on an interim shelter site plan, the operations plan, or the Good Neighbor Policy, at this meeting.

The Council will decide whether to:

• Approve the purchase of the property;

• Approve a City–County funding agreement; and

• Authorize the City Manager to work with the County to develop an operations plan and a Good Neighbor Policy, shaped by additional community feedback.

What’s next: If the City Council approves the staff recommendations, the work to establish the interim shelter would begin. Staff would also develop a preliminary interim shelter site plan, and a detailed public engagement plan.

The City is committed to an ongoing and transparent public process that ensures community feedback is acknowledged, responded to, and integrated into the project’s design and operations. The City and County would hold community meetings to discuss the Good Neighbor Policy, preliminary site plan, program design, and security procedures.

Dive deeper: Visit the City’s website to learn more about the project and to register for updates.

San Rafael City Council has officially approved a new Mobile Vending Permit Program, creating clear rules for vendors and stronger tools for enforcement.

The new program takes a three-pronged approach:

• Strengthen enforcement tools for unpermitted vending.

• Provide multiple paths to legalization through a new bilingual permitting process.

• Support local entrepreneurship by funding a community-based organization to help vendors navigate compliance requirements.

Over the next several months, City staff will:

• Develop bilingual application and outreach materials.

• Establish new enforcement protocols with Marin County’s Environmental Health Division.

• Conduct outreach to local vendors before the program launches.

Need to report a concern about food safety? Call the County of Marin Environmental Health Services Division at 415-473-6907. Their office is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Complaints may also be reported to the City of San Rafael Code Enforcement Division at 415-485-3097.

Winter storms can bring heavy rain, high tides, and fast-moving flooding in low-lying areas of San Rafael. Now is the time to get prepared.

Stay informed: Sign up for AlertMarin to receive emergency alerts and warnings directly to your phone, email, or text.

Protect your home: Add these to your winter to-do list to reduce potential property damage and keep yourself and your community safe!

• Clear gutters, storm drains, and drainage paths.

• Test pumps and backup power sources.

• Move valuables above floor level in garages or low-lying rooms.

• Know where to pick up free sandbags in San Rafael.

• Keep an emergency go-bag with key documents, medications, water, and essentials in case you need to leave quickly.

Make a family plan: Identify an emergency meeting place, prepare supplies for pets, and talk with your household about what to do if flooding happens while people are at work or school.

The City has a variety of resources available to support winter storm preparedness. Visit cityofsanrafael.org/flooding for flood risk maps, sandbag locations, and storm updates throughout the winter season.

Come join your neighbors, local scientists, and community partners to document the highest tides of the year in San Rafael.

Teams will use community science kits to observe how low-lying areas along our waterfront respond to extreme high tides—also known as king tides. You’ll help measure flooding, take photos, and learn alongside local experts, including guests from the Exploratorium.

San Rafael is one of the Bay Area’s most flood-vulnerable cities, and the information gathered helps improve local planning and strengthen our community’s long-term resilience.

Waterproof boots recommended!

This free event is co-hosted by Canal Alliance, City of San Rafael, UC Berkeley, and the Multicultural Center of Marin, with support from the California State Coastal Conservancy, the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, and the Marin Community Foundation.

The details:

• When: December 6, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

• Where: 711 Grand Avenue, San Rafael

• Who: Hopefully, you!

The holidays are here, and Library & Recreation has a full season of events to help you get into the spirit. Learn about winter gardening with the Marin Master Gardeners, create a handmade gift with the Terra Linda Ceramics Studio, build community at the Goldenaires Holiday Afternoon Gala, and celebrate a modern holiday classic at Happy Lane Children’s Theater’s performance of Elf Jr. The Musical.

There’s even more in store: Drop by the Downtown or Northgate Libraries anytime in November and December to celebrate the season with community craft activities.

Give back: Spread holiday cheer by supporting local families in need! Donate to the San Rafael Santa Cop Toy Drive or the SF/Marin Food Bank Drive. Donations are accepted at all San Rafael libraries and community centers.

Celebrate creativity, community, and cheer — right here in San Rafael.

City administrative offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, in observance of Thanksgiving. Regular operations will resume on Monday, December 1.

The City of San Rafael is looking for talented people to join our team! Please click the link below for more information about our open positions.

• Facilities Attendant – Athletic Fields

Have questions about working for the City? Please reach out to human.resources@cityofsanrafael.org.

Join us for these upcoming events in San Rafael:

Falkirk Art Gallery Exhibition Opening Reception, November 14 5-7:30 p.m., Falkirk Cultural Center, 1408 Mission Ave.

• Celebrate the opening of Falkirk’s winter exhibition with an evening of art, community, and creativity.

1 Hour 2 Get Ready Workshop, November 14 11 a.m.-12 p.m., San Rafael Community Center, 618 B. St

• Join the Office of Emergency Services for a preparedness workshop designed for older adults and caregivers.

2nd Friday Art Walk, November 14, 5-8 p.m., Downtown San Rafael

• Free public art walk featuring galleries, open studios, and exhibits throughout downtown San Rafael. Anchored by Art Works Downtown.

Holiday of Lights: Winter Wonderland, November 28, 5-7 p.m., Downtown San Rafael Plaza

• Kick off the season with a festive community gathering featuring the annual holiday tree lighting, warm drinks, twinkling lights, and joyful entertainment for all ages.

Plus, there’s always something happening at the library! Check out the San Rafael Library event calendar!