📸 Snapshot: City Council meeting, Earth Month, mental health events, local vendor fairs, and more!

The San Rafael City Council will be meeting this Monday, April 21st at San Rafael City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue.

Meeting Details:

Special Meeting: Begins at 4:00 PM to interview and appoint three new members to the Pickleweed Advisory Committee.

Closed Session: Begins after the special meeting, to discuss existing litigation and real property negotiations.

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:

• Final adoption of an ordinance to prohibit camping in City parks

• Resolution authorizing the City to submit a grant application to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), commit matching funds, and confirm the City’s intent and capacity to complete the Canal Neighborhood Bellam Gateway Local Access Improvement Project.

• Resolutions to amend professional services agreements with Canal Alliance and Multicultural Center of Marin for the Canal Community Resilience Planning Project.

Public Hearing:

• Appeal of the Planning Commission’s approval of a reasonable accommodation request for renovations at 131 Valley View Avenue.

Other Agenda Items:

• Resolution recommending Community Development Block Funding for fiscal year 2025-2026 to the Marin County Board of Supervisors.

• Resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with CSW/Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group, Inc for design services associated with the Second Street and Fourth Street Intersection Improvements Project.

Get Involved:

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.

The City of San Rafael is updating its Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan which was last revised in 2018. This plan will outline priorities for improving walking and biking in San Rafael over the next 5-10 years.

Get involved:

• Drop pins on the interactive map to show where improvements are needed.

• Take the survey to help guide the plan’s goals.

• Share your thoughts at an upcoming in-person event.

The big picture: The update will incorporate new data, best practices, and community input to help guide future transportation improvements. Whether you walk to school or bike to work, community perspectives are an important component for updating the plan.

At the April 7 City Council meeting, San Rafael honored longtime volunteer and retired firefighter John Chung with the 2025 Richard O’Brien and Mary Ferrario O’Brien Public Service Award.

Serving the community: From a career in the fire service to coaching student athletes and championing youth music programs, John has dedicated his life to lifting others up. As a member of the San Rafael Fire Commission, John regularly volunteers, participating in ride-alongs, lending a hand during major incidents, and organizing community events for the Fire Department’s 150th Anniversary.

Congratulations, John, and thank you for your dedication to San Rafael!

Mark your calendars for the Canal Alliance’s Nuestro Canal, Nuestro Futuro Community Fair!

Event Details:

• Saturday, May 3rd

• 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

• Canal Alliance’s headquarters, 711 Grand Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901

The big picture: As part of the Marin Climate Justice Collaborative, Nuestro Canal, Nuestro Futuro is an initiative launched by the Canal Alliance to create a Neighborhood Vision Plan for the Canal. NCNF empowers residents to shape a sustainable future, and builds community capacity and leadership in participatory planning, placemaking and community design.

Get involved: The Community Fair is an opportunity to learn more about the NCNF initiative and connect with community resources serving the Canal neighborhood. Be sure to stop by the City’s booths to learn about sea level rise in the Canal neighborhood, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, East San Rafael parking, emergency preparedness, and more!

April is Earth Month, and San Rafael is bustling with activities to make a difference! Whether you’re interested in hands-on volunteer work or want to learn how the City is planning for long-term climate resilience, there’s a way to get involved.

Upcoming Earth Month Events in San Rafael:

District 1 Neighborhood & Park Cleanup: Friday, April 19, 9:00 AM –11:00 AM.

• Join Councilmember Maika Llorens Gulati at Pickleweed Park and Shoreline Path for this annual cleanup.

Downtown Clean & Green + Shop Local for Earth Day: Monday, April 22, 10:00AM – 12:00PM

• Help make downtown sparkle and support local businesses.

Mayor Kate Colin at SF Climate Week: Using AI to Plan for Climate Change: Monday, April 22, 4:00PM – 5:00 PM

• Mayor Kate will speak on a panel exploring how artificial intelligence can support cities in planning for sea level rise

Climate Action Forum: What’s San Rafael Doing About Sea Level Rise?: Wednesday, April 24, 5:30PM – 7:30PM

• Hosted by the City and Sustainable San Rafael, this forum will feature updates on the City’s sea level rise feasibility study, including current options, vulnerabilities, and community perspectives.

May is Mental Health Month, and Marin County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services (BHRS) invites you to join the movement for mental wellness and connection.

Take action: There are over 15 free events are happening countywide, including:

• Mental health first aid trainings

• Youth Wellness Festival and Art/Film Showcase

• 5K for Hope, Help, and Recovery

• Live improvisational theater

Join us to support mental health awareness and connect with resources in your community. Check out the full calendar and get involved today!

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

• Facility Repair Worker II/III

• Counselor – Camp Chance at Walker Creek Ranch

• Deputy Building Official | Senior Building Inspector

• Child Care Instructor II

• Wildfire Mitigation Specialist I/II/III

• Emergency Management Coordinator I/II/III

• Senior Management Analyst I/II | Management Analyst

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

Join us for these upcoming events in San Rafael:

• Saturday, April 19, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Neighborhood Cleanup at Pickleweed Park. Location: Pickleweed Park, 40 Canal Street.

• Tuesday, April 22, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Downtown Clean and Green Day. Location: Meet at the San Rafael City Plaza, 1000 4th Street.

• Thursday April 24, 5:30PM – 7:30 PM: Sea Level Rise and Climate Action in San Rafael Forum (RSVP required). Location: Biomarin, 750 Lindaro Street.

• April 30 – May 4: DocLands Film Festival. Location: Smith Rafael Film Center, 1118 4th Street.

• Monday, May 5, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Seeds of Hope Service Fair and Luncheon. Location: 618 B Street.

• Saturday May 9, 6:00pm: May Madness Classic Car Cruise. Location: Terra Linda High School to Downtown San Rafael.

• Saturday May 10, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM: May Madness Classic Car Show and Parade. Location: 4th Street from Lincoln to D Street, Downtown San Rafael.

• Wednesday, May 14, 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM: San Rafael Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 State of the City Business Awards. Location: Northgate on the Turf, 5800 Northgate Drive.

• Every Sunday and Thursday, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Agricultural Institute of Marin Farmers’ Market. Locations: Sundays at 2501 Civic Center Drive, Thursdays at 10 Avenue of the Flags.

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