Land Systems Management is the City of San Rafael’s 2019 goat contractor. The goats are currently up on Robert Dollar Hill working (eating) their way towards the Falkirk Center. Afterwards, the goats will be covering other City open space from Terra Linda to Peacock Gap.
Interested in serving on a board or commission? Serving on a board or commission is a rewarding way to be involved in, and of service to, your community. We are recruiting applicants for two boards - Citizens Advisory Committee and the ADA Access Advisory Committee. Citizens Advisory Committee on Economic Development and Affordable Housing The Citizens...
**We are currently not accepting applications to paint utility boxes but will re-evaluate as budgeting and policy changes. Please check back here for any future updates.** Each year, the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce hosts a nine-month Leadership Institute, a leadership development program for professionals seeking to make a difference in their community, expand their network, and understand...
The San Rafael City Schools (SRSC) Board of Education recently appointed Jim Hogeboom as their Superintendent, effective July 1. Currently, Mr. Hogeboom is the Superintendent of the Novato Unified School District (NUSD), where he led the district of approximately 7,600 students for the past four years. He began his teaching career as a high school...
San Rafael City Schools (SRCS) is switching to by-trustee area elections (also known as district elections). Currently, Board members are elected in "at-large" elections, where each member is elected by voters throughout the District’s territory, including both the elementary and high school regions. Beginning in 2020, the SRCS Board of Education will be elected based...
Great news! The Marin Audubon Society was selected by the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority to receive a grant of up to $968,916 for the Tiscornia Marsh restoration and sea level rise adaptation project. The Tiscornia Marsh site covers 20 acres of tidal marsh and bay lands located north of East Canal Street. The marsh has experienced considerable erosion...
Our new Department of Digital Service and Open Government is preparing a Strategic Framework to define their vision, purpose, values, and areas of focus. The Strategic Framework will guide the new department in achieving its purpose: to make City services easy to use, and work for everyone. Please take our feedback survey (English / español) and let us know if you...
In response to the growing risk of wildfire across California, PG&E is enhancing their vegetation and safety work. Their focus will be on addressing vegetation that poses a higher potential for wildfire risk in high fire-threat areas as designated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). You may see PG&E vegetation management inspectors and contractors...
We’re in budget season! That means that over the next couple of City Council meetings, you’ll see budget-related items on the meeting agendas. For Monday’s meeting, the City Council will receive two-part report from City staff: the preliminary Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and the Measure A - Open Space Work Plan. The CIP, which is...
On April 25, 2019, the Marin County Civil Grand Jury issued a report entitled Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach relating to their evaluation of the impacts of wildfire to life and property in Marin County, including in San Rafael. In their report, the Grand Jury reviewed the conditions that make Marin County vulnerable to wildfire,...
Work continues in the Gerstle Park neighborhood as the City and Van Midde and Son Concrete passed the 3,000 square foot milestone in the neighborhood. That's enough new sidewalk in the neighborhood to stretch two football fields long. Over 400 feet of curb and gutter have also been replaced. Work has slowed a little in...
Marin County, CA -- The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the North Bay Mountains and other parts of the Bay Area above 1000 feet, which is in effect from 9 PM this evening (Friday) to 5 PM Sunday. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected...
**We are currently not accepting applications to paint utility boxes but will re-evaluate as budgeting and policy changes. Please check back here for any future updates.** The San Rafael Chamber of Commerce Leadership Institute Class project wrapped up this week, with the completion of six painted utility boxes downtown. The project was developed to enhance...
The spinning climbing structure at Freitas Park was due for another resurfacing. The Poured-in-Place (PIP) surface previously used was wearing out faster than expected. The Parks Department was able to find a better product with a lifetime warranty! The new tile was installed last week, and the Parks crew put the spinning structure back together...
The City’s contractor, Valentine Corporation, has installed the rebar in the final retaining wall and is almost done securing the forms. They are anticipating pouring concrete early next week. While the concrete is curing, they will work on the new drainage ditch on the other side of the road. Once the new concrete wall has...
On May 28th, Community Playgrounds Inc. began work on the installation of our new playground structures at Pickleweed Park. We see the excitement of the community with several residents stopping by the site to ask questions, reading the posted multi-language banners, and some even bringing their children to watch the construction. The structures themselves should...
The City’s contractor is working towards the completion of the Grand Ave pedestrian bridge project. Remaining work includes removing the mid-block crosswalk in front of Toyota, as well as, installing a bridge deck treatment on the vehicle bridge. Expected completion of the project is June 11th. We anticipate opening the pedestrian bridge to the public...
Your drive across the railroad tracks downtown should be a little less maddening, after the Traffic Engineering division made some changes to the traffic signal timing in the vicinity of the train tracks downtown. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has very strict rules about traffic signal timing around active railroad tracks, and for good...
One of the busiest arterials in Marin was closed last weekend to allow the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) to construct a double track section across 2nd Street. The roadway was closed on Friday night at 8:00 pm and reopened on Sunday afternoon at 5:00 PM. The closure involved multiple stakeholders from Golden Gate...
The San Rafael Sanitation District just opened bids on June 4, 2019 for the Forbes Avenue Sewer Improvements Project, which includes El Cerrito Avenue and 21-141 Fairhills Drive (Easement). The project consists of replacing 2,945 lineal feet of sanitary sewer pipeline, in which 2,650 lineal feet will be pipe-bursted and 295 lineal feet will be...
Library Department, Mall Pop Up, was recognized as the Team of the 1st QTR 2019! "The Mall Popup Library has increased the reach of the City in providing services to the community as part of an innovative collaboration with the Northgate Mall and with the Marin County Free Library. This project encapsulates the principles of...
3rd Street Closure Friday, June 7 at 8:00 p.m. to Monday, June 10 at 4:00 a.m Beginning on Friday, June 7 at 8 p.m. and ending on Monday, June 10 at 4 a.m., Third Street will be closed between Tamalpais Avenue to Hetherton Street. To travel westbound, use the following alternate routes: To travel westbound from...
Good news is definitely worth sharing, right? Well, here’s one for you: as part of their “One Day, One Place” series that takes readers through an alluring tour of any given city , SFGate‘s Lisa Amand featured our very own city of San Rafael. The article highlights a handful of our businesses, eateries, music venues,...
Earlier this year, City staff presented two informational reports (on February 4 and May 6, 2019 to be exact) to the City Council regarding Mandatory Mediation and Just Cause evictions. Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party facilitates the negotiation of a mutually acceptable resolution to a dispute between a landlord and...
Earlier this month, the San Rafael and Marinwood Fire Departments held a promotion and recognition ceremony: a celebration of family, service, and accomplishment. #1 Badges were awarded to Battalion Chief Matt Windrem, Fire Captain Andy Rogerson, and Firefighter/Paramedic Graham Winkelman, and Fire Engineer Jason Schmitt. Numbered badges were awarded following the successful completion of probation...
The City is required to comply with Senate Bill (SB) 743, which is a major change to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines that will go into effect in mid-2020. SB 743 requires that all local jurisdictions in California phase-out the use of the level of service (LOS) methodology for assessing traffic impacts in...
Looking for an extra job to pick up a few hours, or just looking for a way to give back to the community? Apply to be a lifeguard at the Terra Linda or Hamilton Pool! We provide the training (and a free season pass to the pool!). We especially need lifeguards who can work early...
From May 20 to June 7, the San Rafael Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers and passengers who are not buckled up, including drivers who do not secure children in child safety seats. The enforcement effort is part of the national Click It or Ticket campaign focused on increasing seat...
Third Street is a critical component of San Rafael’s transportation network serving tens of thousands each day as they travel to work, school, recreation, and retail destinations. Marin County’s busiest transit node, the San Rafael Transit Center, brings nearly 9,000 people daily to and through Third Street as they use Golden Gate Transit and Marin...
PG&E recently announced that they will be implementing a coordinated Public Safety Power Shutoff program that will turn off electricity when extreme fire danger conditions pose a threat a portion of the electric system that serves a particular community. This program includes all electric lines that pass through high fire-threat areas – both distribution and...
