Newsroom

Boards and Commissions December 2019 Appointments

Posted on January 16, 2020

In December, the City Council appointed five members to the ADA Access Advisory Committee: Ashley Tomerlin, Ewen McKechnie, John Erdmann, Timothy Lord and Francine Falk-Allen. Here is a little information about our newly appointed members: Ashley Tomerlin is a Certified Access Specialist and landscape architect specializing in inclusive outdoor recreation environments and Title II accessibility. Professionally,...

Francisco Blvd E. Sidewalk – Approved by State Transportation Commission

Posted on December 31, 2019

The project was presented to the California Transportation Commission on December 5th and was approved for federal funding allocation. Once we receive clearance from Caltrans to proceed with the project, we will be advertising for bids, which is anticipated by mid-January 2020. The project is on schedule with a proposed construction start time of early summer...

Sidewalk Repair 2019 Year-end Update

Posted on December 23, 2019

As we cross the one year anniversary of the commencement of the Sidewalk Repair Program I want to take the time to let you know where we stand and how we intend to move forward. Some of you signed up for the 2018 program and already have contracts in hand, others are part of the...

John Coen, San Rafael Police Department Open Space/Park Ranger, Retiring After 40 Years of Service

Posted on December 23, 2019

San Rafael is home to an impressive array of natural resources, including 19 parks, many miles of open space vegetation, and nearly 100 acres of marshland and estuarine settings leading out to the waters of the San Pablo Bay. For the last decade, these diverse and beautiful public resources have been overseen by Open Space/Park...

Southern Heights Bridge Utility Work Underway

Posted on December 20, 2019

For over one year, City staff and the design team have coordinated with impacted utilities on the Southern Heights Bridge replacement project. In late October, PG&E gas crews began the process of installing a new gas main on both approaches to the bridge and deactivating the gas line currently attached to the old bridge. Work...

B Street Community Center Bathroom Nears Completion

Posted on December 20, 2019

The City's contractors are putting the finishing touches on the newly remodeled bathrooms at the B Street Community Center. All new tile and fixtures were installed, and the project was designed to ensure both bathrooms were fully complaint with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In addition, baby changing tables were installed in both bathrooms...

Essential Facilities – Public Safety Center Year End Report

Posted on December 20, 2019

Construction of the Public Safety Center is currently on schedule for completion in Spring 2020. The gypsum board (drywall) is to be complete this week with tapping and plastering to follow. Final painting of the interior walls is ongoing. The T-Bar Ceiling is currently being installed along the first floor and lighting is being installed...

AmeriCorps Tree Planting

Posted on December 20, 2019

This past week, Public Works partnered with the Fire Department and their AmeriCorps team to plant 22 new trees in the Sun Valley neighborhood. The trees were planted in conjunction with the City's Sidewalk Repair Program; a joint program between property owners and the City to repair and replace damaged sidewalks. Many times, sidewalk displacement...

Trade in your old car for a new electric vehicle

Posted on December 16, 2019

Clean Cars for All Grant Program Are you interested in trading in your old car for a new electric vehicle? The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is inviting income qualified Bay Area residents to apply for the Clean Cars for All grant program which provides incentives to retire older vehicles and replace them with...

Help us make our O365 environment awesome

Posted on December 16, 2019

Our Challenge The City of San Rafael implemented O365 a couple of years ago, but with no adoption strategy. Since then, some employees and work groups have explored the applications but for the most part the organization is not leveraging the software to its full potential. Some users are frustrated because of the inconsistent use...

PG&E Emergency Work – Southern Heights Boulevard Closed

Posted on December 12, 2019

PG&E crews have closed Southern Heights Boulevard between addresses 78 and 94 to perform emergency work on a main gas line. Please avoid the area and use alternate routes until the work is complete and the road is reopened. More information regarding the reopening of Southern Heights Boulevard will be provided when it becomes available....

Boards and Commissions November 2019 Appointments

Posted on December 10, 2019

In November, the City Council appointed four members to the Park and Recreation Commission: Mark Machado, Cicily Emerson, Ariel Gutierrez and Jeren Seibel, and four members to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee: Barry Bergman, Philip Mooney, Marc Solomon, Jim Geraghty and Anne Coyne. Here is a little information about our newly appointed members: Mark Machado has lived...

City of San Rafael Hosting Roommate Matching Event

Posted on December 6, 2019

The City of San Rafael will be hosting a first of its kind “roommate networking lunch” to assist individuals looking for affordable housing. With such expensive rents in our community, one creative strategy for increasing housing placements is to help people find potential roommates. We are also encouraging landlords or homeowners looking for renters to...

Public Safety Center Update December 2019

Posted on December 6, 2019

Construction of the Public Safety Center continues to move forward despite the weather conditions. In fact, the rainfall gave the contractor’s team the opportunity to test the building’s waterproofing. The facility’s basement is completely built, and its walls are painted. Additionally, rollup doors have been installed. Currently, the first-floor is being painted. The exterior stucco...

Complete Demolition of Existing Restrooms

B Street Community Center ADA Restroom Renovation

Posted on December 6, 2019

The B Street Community Center restrooms were last renovated in June 1998. Since then, thousands of patrons have been using this facility. The Community Center is open 12 months of the year, 7 days per week. As can be imagined, the wear and tear of the facilities are evident. Last October, the City bid the...

SMART Update: Federal Railroad Administration Verifies Safety of New Railroad Crossings

Posted on December 6, 2019

On Wednesday, December 4th, City staff met with SMART, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and City consultants to visit each of the railroad crossings along the Larkspur Extension. The review was to verify that all required safety measures necessary for implementation of a Quiet Zone were installed. While both the City and SMART have minor...

Collision Database is Up and Running

Posted on December 6, 2019

Collision history is an important part of any analysis that the Traffic Engineering division prepares. We need to know the collision history at an intersection or roadway segment in order to determine the appropriate traffic control. Controls might include installing an all-way stop, adding more red curb, lowering the speed limit, or restricting right-turns on...

Weekend Storm Response

Posted on December 6, 2019

This past weekend’s storm dropped almost 6 inches of rain in the North Bay. Public Works maintenance crews worked around the clock responding to local flooding and downed trees. This weekend we are expecting another storm that is predicted to bring 3 to 4 inches of rain to the North Bay. Public Works crews have...

SMART Larkspur Extension Begins Service December 14th

Posted on December 5, 2019

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) has announced commercial service on the Larkspur Extension from Downtown San Rafael to the Larkspur Station will start on December 14th. A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled at 1:00 PM on December 13th at the Larkspur Station to celebrate the completion of this second segment of SMART’s rail service. The new service...

City Administrative Offices Holiday Closure 12/24 – 1/1/18

Posted on December 5, 2019

City administrative offices and facilities will be closed from Tuesday, December 24, 2019 through Wednesday, January 1, 2020. Offices will reopen on Thursday, January 2, 2020. Public Safety and Emergency Services Police, fire and paramedic services will be fully staffed with 9-1-1 emergency service continuing to dispatch calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a...

San Rafael Police K9 & Blue

Posted on November 27, 2019

If you love dogs, you’re in for a treat: San Rafael Police Department canine Jesko will be sworn in at the Monday, December 2nd City Council meeting, but the excitement doesn’t stop there; we will also be welcoming Blue, a retired Guide Dogs for the Blind golden retriever/labrador mix who will be providing therapeutic benefits...

General Plan 2040 Update

Posted on November 27, 2019

On Monday December 2, 2019 at 7 p.m., the City Council will hear a progress report on the General Plan 2040 update. Staff will brief the City Council on the status of the project and get input on key policy issues. Topics include transportation policy, including a proposed addition of a “vehicle miles traveled” methodology...

Downtown Business Improvement District Assessment

Posted on November 27, 2019

On Monday December 2, 2019 at 7 p.m., the City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the annual assessment of the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID). The BID works with merchants to promote Downtown as well as advocacy around issues such as beautification, events, parking, safety, and cleanliness. Assessments range from $25 to $425...

Reusable Takeout Containers in Marin? YES!

Posted on November 27, 2019

Join us for our launch of the GO BOX reusable takeout container program at Whole Foods Market in San Rafael on December 7th Our community is launching an exciting sustainable initiative! The City of San Rafael has partnered with GO Box to offer a reusable container program at the local Whole Foods Market, and it...

Closed for Thanksgiving – Thurs. & Fri. Nov. 28-29

Posted on November 27, 2019

The City’s administrative offices in City Hall, the San Rafael Public Library, and the City’s community centers will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 28-29, for the Thanksgiving holiday. 24-hour operations will remain in effect for the Police and Fire Departments.

K9 Blue – Welcome!

Posted on November 22, 2019

On November 18, 2019 SRPD officially welcomed our newest member, K9 Blue. Blue is partnered with Mental Health Liaison Lynn Murphy. His official title is: Comfort Dog. Blue is a two-and-a-half-year-old Yellow Lab/Golden Retriever mix. He began his life at Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) and served his client for a year as a...

SMART Train – New Quiet Zone Coming!

Posted on November 22, 2019

On Sunday, November 17th, SMART began pre-revenue service by running empty trains between downtown San Rafael and Larkspur. It is anticipated that the pre-revenue service will last for several weeks until SMART receives authorization to begin carrying passengers to Larkspur. SMART is running their regular weekday/weekend schedule allowing them to perform their final tests. City...

Traffic Signal Battery Back-Up System

Posted on November 22, 2019

The emergency power shut downs by PG&E generated high traffic volumes in San Rafael. The California Vehicle Code states that signalized intersections should be treated as all-way stops when the traffic signals go dark. However, many motorists did not abide by these traffic rules and regulations. The Public Works’ Parks and Streets Divisions worked quickly...

Chief Gray & Fire Station 57

Posted on November 22, 2019

On November 19th, City staff and members of the San Rafael community celebrated Chief Gray’s career and the grand opening of Fire Station 57. Chief Gray devoted 12 years of his life to the San Rafael Fire Department. Among those in attendance were guests from fire departments across the State, retired firefighters, the Police Department,...

A Day at Homeward Bound

Posted on November 22, 2019

In the early days of the City's homelessness blog, we posted a series of interviews with local stakeholders to help the public meet the various people involved with this important issue. Those interviews included: the City of San Rafael's Mental Health Outreach Liaison Lynn Murphy, the Ritter Center's Director of Case Management Colin McDonnell, and...