📸 Snapshot – City Council meeting agenda, new EMT pilot program, Tree City USA, road repaving, and more!

The San Rafael City Council will be meeting on Monday, December 15 at San Rafael City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue.

Meeting Details:

Closed Session: Begins at 5 p.m., in the Third Floor Conference Room, Conference with Real Property Negotiators.

Regular Meeting: Begins at 6 p.m., 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:

• Resolution waiving bidding requirements for services and authorizing an agreement with MarinIT, Inc. for audio-visual systems upgrades at the Public Safety Center.

• Resolution authorizing the use of up to $490,000 funding from the California State Office of Emergency Services to replace the San Rafael Police Department’s 9-1-1 call processing equipment.

• Resolution authorizing an agreement with Miovision Technologies Incorporated for the purchase of eight traffic detection and monitoring cameras and associated software.

• Resolution authorizing the submittal of an application for CalRecycle grants.

• Resolution approving the plans and specifications for the Lincoln Ave Corridor Safety Improvements, and authorizing an agreement with Altor Construction and an amendment to the agreement with Bennett Engineering Services for additional construction support services; CEQA determination exempt pursuant to CEQA Guideline 15301.

• Resolution to execute a certification form for the San Rafael Fire Department to participate in an intergovernmental transfer with the California Department of Health Care Services for reimbursement of ground emergency transportation services.

Public Hearings:

• Resolution confirming the 2025 Annual Report for the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District and levy of assessments for 2026, approving the 2026 assessment budget and appropriating revenue derived from assessments.

Other Agenda Items:

• Resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce.

• Resolution appointing Downtown Business Improvement District Advisory Board Members.

• Election of the Vice Mayor for 2026 and approval of City Council appointments to committees and representation for 2026.

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 has finalized the purchase of 350 Merrydale Road, marking an important step toward providing both interim shelter and long-term affordable housing. The temporary tiny cabin community will offer safe shelter and supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness, while planning continues for permanent housing on the site.

Community input is central to the project’s success. Since announcing the project in October, resident feedback has led to significant updates to the Good Neighbor Policy, program model, and participant code of conduct.

Thank you to the neighbors who have shared their concerns and recommendations over the past two months. Your candid feedback has helped us refine the program, and we have also gained valuable insights into other ways the City can improve the neighborhood, including trash cleanup, neighborhood beautification, creating safer routes to school, and more.

What’s next: The next engagement session is scheduled for Tuesday, January 14, location TBD. We encourage the community to are encouraged to join the conversation and help shape the project’s development.

For more information and to sign up for updates, visit cityofsanrafael.org/merrydale.

The 2025 Triennial Edition of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) goes into effect on January 1, 2026. This update includes several key changes that affect new construction, major renovations, and permit applications.

If you are planning to submit a building permit, please review the deadlines below—no exceptions can be made due to the City Hall holiday closure. The building code in effect at the time a complete building permit application is submitted will apply to the project for its entire duration.

• Submit by Friday, December 26 at 4 p.m.: Applications received on or before this deadline — and deemed complete (including completeness review, project-specific invoicing, and full fee payment) — will be reviewed under the 2022 California Building Standards Code.

• Submit after December 26 at 4:01 p.m.: Applications received on or after this date must comply with the 2025 California Building Standards Code.

If you have an active or upcoming project, please plan ahead to meet these deadlines.

Questions? Contact building@cityofsanrafael.org.

The City of San Rafael is planning improvements to roughly 34 miles of roads over the next three years through the 2025–2027 Pavement Management Plan. Based on a detailed assessment conducted in 2024–2025, the Plan identifies streets in need of repairs, evaluates curb ramps, and recommends preservation treatments to keep our roads safe, smooth, and accessible.

The Plan also coordinates with nearby infrastructure upgrades and utility projects, helping minimize disruptions for residents while maximizing efficiency. This means better streets, improved safety, and a more predictable schedule for the work that affects your neighborhood.

You may view the proposed pavement treatments and yearly selection of roadways in the interactive map on the program website.

The San Rafael Fire Department (SRFD) has introduced a Basic Life Support EMT Pilot Program, enhancing the City’s emergency medical response and making sure patients receive the right care at the right time.

Until now, all San Rafael ambulances and fire engines have been staffed with paramedics providing Advanced Life Support (ALS), the highest level of pre-hospital care. While this ensures critical emergencies get advanced treatment, it also means paramedics are dispatched for every 9-1-1 call, including lower-acuity incidents.

Strengthening emergency response: The new program adds a dedicated ambulance staffed by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to handle non-critical calls. This allows paramedic ALS units to stay available for life-threatening emergencies, like cardiac arrests, strokes, and major trauma. By introducing this resource, SRFD is expanding its ability to provide the right level of care at the right time, improving system efficiency, strengthening service reliability, and enhancing patient outcomes for everyone in the community.

The pilot also provides hands-on experience for aspiring firefighter/paramedics and helps SRFD manage high call volumes while keeping resources ready for fires and large-scale emergencies. SRFD will closely monitor the program to evaluate response times, unit availability, and patient outcomes.

On Tuesday December 2nd, San Rafael celebrated its 43rd consecutive year as a Tree City USA in Peacock Gap Park. The Public Works Department gathered with guests from the community, including Mayor Kate and Vice Mayor Bushey, to plant a few new trees in this beautiful park.

San Rafael is proud to be one of only 164 cities in California that receive the Tree City USA designation! We are also one of the longest-standing cities recognized – only 19 other cities have a longer tenure.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation, which is the oldest and largest tree-planting organization in the world. The City remains committed to fulfilling Tree City USA standards and is proud of its tree friendly heritage.

Trees make our neighborhoods healthier and more enjoyable by providing shade, improving air quality, and adding beauty to our streets and parks. Take a moment to enjoy the trees in your neighborhood—walk, relax, and appreciate the green spaces that make San Rafael a better place to live.

This year, the San Rafael Fire Department (SRFD) significantly expanded defensible space inspections to help reduce wildfire risk across the community—especially in areas newly identified as High Fire Severity Zones under Cal Fire’s updated maps.

From June through November, a team of five seasonal inspectors re-inspected every home in the High Fire Severity Zone, many of which had not received an evaluation in several years. These inspections provide residents with a personalized report on their property’s wildfire risk, along with targeted recommendations on how to protect their home.

By the numbers:

• 2,000+ homes in the High Fire Severity Zone were evaluated.

• 635 residents received full property evaluations, making them eligible for the San Rafael Wildfire Mitigation Grant.

• Each evaluation takes 20–30 minutes, totaling 200+ hours of direct engagement with residents.

• Citywide, seasonal inspectors completed 3,712 inspections, including 910 full evaluations, representing 300+ staff hours.

Take action today: San Rafael has tools to help you protect your family, property, and neighborhood. Visit the Fire Department’s website to learn more about our resident assistant program, grant funding, Chipper Days, and more!

The City of San Rafael is calling for nominations for the 2026 Public Service Award to honor outstanding community members.

Why it matters: Each year, the City recognizes a member of the community for their contributions in making San Rafael an amazing place to live and work.

• The recipient receives a $2,500 cash award from the Marin Community Foundation.

• They are honored at a City Council meeting and the State of the City dinner.

How to nominate: If you have someone in mind who you believe should be recognized, please consider nominating them! Submissions are due by February 6, 2026.

Join us for these upcoming events in San Rafael:

Goldenaires Holiday Afternoon Gala, December 12, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., San Rafael Community Center

• Enjoy a festive afternoon filled with music, laughter, and holiday cheer. Savor a holiday banquet and swing into the season with live music!

Second Friday Art Walk, December 12, 5-8 p.m., throughout downtown San Rafael

• Free to the public, enjoy galleries, open studios, art exhibits, and more on the second Friday of each month. Anchored by the Art Works Downtown galleries and studio tour, the 2nd Friday Art Walk connects art venues throughout downtown San Rafael for an evening of inspiration and community!

2025 San Rafael Lighted Boat Parade, December 13, 6-9 p.m., San Rafael Canal

• Set sail into the magic of the season! A Marin County holiday tradition since 1966! Rain or shine, beautifully decorated boats will parade through the San Rafael Canal.

Downtown Menorah Lighting and Gelt Drop, December 21, 5-6:30 p.m., San Rafael City Plaza on Fourth St.

• Light spreads hope and joy! Join Chabad of Marin and the City of San Rafael as we celebrate the first Sunday night of Chanukah. Music, dancing, Giant Menorah lighting, treats, chocolate gelt drop, and so much more! Working with the Marin/SF Food Bank, bring a non-perishable food item, and you will receive a free hot chocolate and latke!

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