📸 Snapshot – City Council meeting highlights, wildfire goats, immigration resources, and more!

The San Rafael City Council will be meeting this Monday, May 5, at San Rafael City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue.

Meeting Details:

Special Meeting: Begins at 4:00 PM, for a workshop regarding the City Council Goals and Objectives for 2025-2028.

Closed Session: Begins at 5:00 PM, to discuss 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:

• Proclamations Supporting National Older American’s Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, National Wildfire Awareness Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, Public Service Recognition Week, and National Police Week

• Acceptance of the City Quarterly Investment Report for January-March 2025

• Adoption of a Resolution of Local Support, which confirms San Rafael’s commitment to complete the Downtown San Rafael North-South Greenway Gap Closure Project, authorizes an application for funding, and commits matching funds for the project

• Resolution to update the professional service agreement with El Reino Lara LLC DBA Cal Pavement Management for pavement design and planning services

• Resolution adopting a list of road maintenance and rehabilitation projects funded by Senate Bill 1 for fiscal year 2025-26

Public Hearing:

• Introduction of an ordinance to designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones in San Rafael

• Introduction of two ordinances to amend Chapter 2.55 of the San Rafael Municipal Code, “Purchasing Policy”, and Chapter 11.50, “Public Works Contract Policy

• Report on vacancy rates in City departments and actions taken to improve recruitment and retention

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 San Rafael Police Department (SRPD) has released a factsheet addressing frequently asked questions about immigration.

Why it matters:

The factsheet aims to clarify SRPD’s role and policies in immigration matters, ensuring transparency and trust within the community. The Police Department’s mission to ensure safety for all members of the community.

Key points:

• SRPD does not release information about an individual’s immigration status when they report or are victims of a crime. Police officers will not ask questions relating to immigration status.

• SRPD has bilingual officers, and all officers have access to translation services when needed.

• The department does not investigate, interrogate, detain, or arrest persons for immigration enforcement purposes, and does not transfer individuals to ICE custody.

Access the factsheet:
Read the document in both English and Spanish at SRPD Transparency Portal.

Last month, Casa Canal opened its doors, converting a vacant San Rafael office building into 40 new supportive housing units in the Canal neighborhood. Casa Canal will provide safe, long-term housing for individuals experiencing homelessness in our community.

Holistic support: The site includes 32 studios and 8 one-bedroom apartments, each paired with onsite services such as case management, health care and rental assistance. Casa Canal is located across from the Marin Health and Wellness Campus, which will enable residents to easily access health, behavioral health, and substance use support services. Residents began moving in throughout April, and the site is expected to reach full occupancy by the end of May.

The big picture: Casa Canal supports the City’s ongoing efforts to expand affordable housing and create pathways to long-term stability for all residents. The City of San Rafael contributed $1.5 million toward the project.

The Public Works Department is launching a new online permitting system through OpenGov on May 1st, designed to streamline access for community members and contractors.

Why it matters: This user-friendly platform will make it easier for community members and contractors to find information and apply for encroachment, grading, transportation, and water course and tideland permits.

Get started: Visit the platform to explore and apply for permits easily.

Thank you for your patience and feedback as we continue to improve our services!

Goats and sheep are have made their annual journey to begin grazing in San Rafael as part of the City’s wildfire reduction efforts. Work will begin at the northern side of the City and generally move southward.

Why it matters: These hungry herbivores help reduce vegetation across 11 sites across San Rafael and Marinwood – with a focus on clearing steep hillsides and other hard-to-reach areas. This program is one aspect of the City’s comprehensive wildfire prevention strategy.

The details: The City contracts with a grazing service provider with expertise in caring for the animals’ safety and wellbeing. Herders and herding dogs live on site to monitor the welfare of the animals and to address any urgent issues that may come up.

How you can help: While our team takes every precaution possible, our furry friends are intelligent and curious — in rare circumstances, they may make an escape. If you see a goat or sheep outside of its pen, call the City of San Rafael’s non-emergency number at (415) 485-3000.

Thank you to the community members who joined the City in celebrating Earth Week. San Rafael hosted several events with significant community participation. We are grateful for a shared commitment to addressing climate change in San Rafael and preserving the natural beauty of our community.

San Rafael goes green:

• Dozens of volunteers came out to Pickleweed Park to do a neighborhood and shoreline cleanup with Councilmember Maika Llorens-Gulati and Public Service Award Recipient Year Tom Harrison. A few days later, over 40 people joined together to spruce up Downtown San Rafael with Councilmember Rachel Kertz and the Downtown Business Improvement District (which was even featured on KTVU!).

• 40 people came out to the Sea Level Rise and Climate Action event at BioMarin on April 24 as a part of SF Climate Week. Thanks to Sustainable San Rafael for being our partner for this event.

• Mayor Kate Colin represented San Rafael on a panel for SF Climate Week on using AI to address climate adaptation.

Remember: every week can be Earth Week! Visit the Sustainability website to learn more about ongoing initiatives and how to get involved.

Join the City this Saturday 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!

Join us on May 21st to celebrate National Public Works Week! San Rafael’s Public Works Department will open its doors and show you around. Bring your family for a fun and educational experience!

Learn about the role Public Works plays in maintaining and enhancing our community. Each team—Parks, Streets, Engineering, Garage, and Facilities—will showcase their work.

Event highlights:

• See and sit in the big equipment our team uses

• Tour the Department of Public Works facility

• Learn about current and upcoming projects

• …and much more!

Join us:
📅 Date: May 21, 2025
🕛 Time: 12pm – 2pm
📍 Location: 111 Morphew St, San Rafael, CA 94901

Join the Marin Center for Independent Living and Prepared and Resilient Communities for a town hall workshop on preparing caregivers and care recipients for disasters and emergencies. Enjoy a free lunch for everyone and a complimentary Go-Bag backpack for the first 100 attendees.

Event details:

• Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025

• Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

• Location: San Rafael Community Center, 618 B St, San Rafael, CA 94901

Open to All: Whether you are caring for an older adult, person with a disability, a child, or a family member, or are someone who receives care, this workshop is open for all, including allies and those planning for the future.

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.

• Senior Management Analyst I/II | Management Analyst

• Librarian I/II

• Senior Librarian

• Street Maintenance Worker I/II

• Facility Repair Worker II/III

• Deputy Building Official | Senior Building Inspector

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

Join us for these upcoming events in San Rafael:

• 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.

• Friday, 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.

• Tuesday, May 20, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Marin County Commission on Aging: Power of Connection Forum. Location: College of Marin, 1800 Ignacio Blvd., Building 19, Novato.

• 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!