The Department of Public Works recently restocked sandbags at Fire Station 55 (955 Point San Pedro Road) and Fire Station 56 (670 Del Ganado Road) to help residents protect their homes from flooding. The do-it-yourself sandbags are free and will be available throughout the rainy season. For more information on storm preparation, visit our website.
At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, the Fire Department will present a draft Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan, which outlines 37 wildfire prevention goals, including updating the City’s vegetation management standards, expanding existing wildfire prevention programs, and implementing new programs and projects. The draft Plan was created in response to feedback from the community, as...
The City Council is seeking applications for a vacancy on the Design Review Board. The Design Review Board provides advice on new development projects and most exterior changes to existing buildings. After Tuesday’s City Council meeting, applications will be available online or at the City Clerk’s office. Visit our website to learn more and apply.
In case you missed it, a huge winter storm swept through San Rafael and the surrounding Bay Area, with a 48-hour rainfall total of 4.71 inches! And if you’ve checked the weather lately, it looks like we’ll have rain through Sunday. To stay on top of things, last week our Streets Maintenance crews inspected the...
As part of the City’s General Plan 2040 update, we’re partnering with four technical consultants to assist us with getting the General Plan done: Placeworks, Inc.; Opticos Design, Inc.; BAE Urban Economics, Inc.; and Fehr & Peers Associates, Inc. With such a large project, the General Plan 2040 update will require support with things like...
During the month of October 2018, Alten Construction finished with the slab on grade at the basement level and all of the offsite utilities (water, sewer, storm drain and gas). The contractor then proceeded with the installation of the shoring for the first floor (podium deck). All of the contractor’s forces have been focusing on...
In case you haven't looked outside today, it's raining. It's going to keep raining. And it's about to get windy, too. The National Weather Service in San Francisco has issued a Flash Flood Watch and a Wind Advisory for the Bay Area. The Flash Flood Watch will be in effect from Wednesday, January 16 at 3...
Synopsis Periods of light rain and locally gusty southeast winds will continue today through Tuesday as multiple systems pass through the region. A stronger and more organized cold front will arrive Wednesday afternoon and evening with heavy rain and strong winds. Showers linger on Thursday with a drying trend Friday and Saturday before another chance...
On December 17, 2018, the City of San Rafael, City Council adopted Urgency Ordinance 1967 establishing regulations for small wireless facilities and Policy Resolution 14621 establishing policies, procedures and standards for installation of small wireless facilities within the City...
The Homeless Point-in-Time Count (PIT) is one of the most important opportunities we have to determine whether or not we’re making progress to end homelessness. The PIT only happens once every two years. The next one is coming up on Monday, January 28th. No experience is required. We need your help! VOLUNTEER What Is the...
In between the rains our Parks Maintenance crews have been renovating the City’s sporting fields. Pickleweed Park has been aerated, fertilized, over seeded, and top-dressed. The main reason for aerating is to alleviate soil compaction but the perforations also allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. This helps the roots grow deeply...
The City’s contractor McNabb construction has started the electrical work and is well on their way to completion. Ghilotti Bros. Inc. and Miksis Services Inc. will pipe burst the existing sewer lateral from the original restroom next week. McNabb construction is going to set the restroom on the 23rd.
The City’s contractor Valentine Corporation has winterized the slope and maintained the plastic tarps and other erosion control measures throughout the couple of rain storms. The contractor is going to start rebuilding the slope above the first concrete retaining wall next week in anticipation of drilling the piles for the last and largest concrete retaining...
The playground equipment has arrived. The City’s contractor M3 Integrated Services is working on drilling the foundations for the playground equipment and grading for the play surfacing. The park should be dedicated and open for play in April 2019.
The SMART Larkspur Extension construction work on the Francisco Blvd. West realignment and Phase-1 of the Multi-Use Path (from Rice Street to Andersen Drive) continues to move forward. The Contractor continues focus on the new Rice Drive and Francisco Blvd West intersection and rail crossing. They’ve ground-out paving over the portion of Rice Drive being...
This week the Sidewalk Repair Program enters its third week of construction. The City, Van Midde and Son Concrete, Urban Forestry Associates, Jorge's Tree Service and the property owners have all been getting in the swing of the new program, working in tandem to remove sidewalk, curb and gutter, evaluate and remove tree roots, and...
Sunday’s storm preparation commenced around 6:00 AM with Kenny Gatlin and Tylor Nord, two of our Streets Maintenance crew members inspecting the City’s 12 pump stations. As the rains and storm related dispatch calls increased, our two-man crew turned to three when John Shindelus joined Gatlin and Nord to remedy an obstructed v-ditch and flooding...
On January 10 and 11, the City’s tree contractor, Treemasters, will be closing the northbound lane on Las Gallinas Avenue between Northgate Drive and Merrydale Road to perform safety tree maintenance work. Work will be performed between 7 AM and 3 PM. The southbound lane will remain open during this time for southbound travelers. Detour...
Can your business reduce waste AND save money? Sure it can! Arizmendi Bakery slashed its landfill waste by nearly 60% after implementing a new program offered by Marin Sanitary Service. We feature Arizmendi in our latest Waste Wise Business Spotlight, along with tips to make recycling easier and need-to-know information about a new state law. Read...
Contractors working for SMART will begin construction on Monday night, January 7, 2019, within the existing transit center. Work in the area will include the removal and the replacement of the existing rail system through the Center. SMART construction activity within the Transit Center will impact bus service only. For more information and trip-planning assistance,...
WIND ADVISORY The National Weather Service in San Francisco has issued a Wind Advisory, which is in effect from 4 AM to 4 PM Saturday, January 5. Southerly winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph in the highest peaks and ridges. Winds will increase...
Construction at the following address is anticipated to begin January 14, weather dependent: 1312 Second Street Construction on average is anticipated to take up to 5 days, starting with demolition of the existing sidewalk, removal of minor tree roots, followed by placement of the forms for new concrete, and completed with the pouring the new...
Construction work to install the railroad crossing at Rice Drive will require the road's closure from Francisco Blvd. W. to the west side of the tracks from January 2–31, 2019. Businesses on Rice Drive will remain open during construction.
Construction at the following four addresses is anticipated to begin January 7, weather dependent: 204 Forbes Ave 315 Forbes Ave 329 Forbes Ave 135 Eye Steet 375 FOrbes Ave 20 Elizabeth Way 1972 5th Ave Construction on average is anticipated to take up to 5 days, starting with demolition of the existing sidewalk, removal of...
The City Council approved a revised direction to improve the intersection of Third and Hetherton. The revised direction includes the crosswalk removal on the south leg of the intersection and the addition of a crosswalk on the east leg. This design will eliminate the pedestrian vehicular conflict between the heavy left turn movement and pedestrians...
On Monday December 17, 2018, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP), which shows all of the proposed funding for projects throughout the region and state. The FTIP showed that the full construction funding for Southern Heights Bridge was approved for FY 18/19. The documents note $4,185,000 for construction. Public...
With the help of Parisi Transportation Consulting, Public Works was successful in applying for, and receiving grant funding from the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) for 3rd Street from Lindaro Street to Grand Avenue. The $1,575,000 will fund high-visibility crosswalks with accessible curb ramps, advanced stop bars, pedestrian countdown signals at five intersections and...
In early December, the contractor completed installation of the bridge abutments on each side of the San Rafael Canal. With abutment work complete, the contractor is focused on replacing the bridge barrier located on the west side of the vehicle bridge. While on the surface this barrier may appear simple to install, the barrier requires...
The City’s contractor Valentine Corporation poured the first concrete wall and is in the process of stripping the forms and backfilling behind the wall. The contractor will rebuild the slope up to Irwin Street and start working on the last retaining wall during the holidays. After the 4th retaining wall is finished the contractor will...
On December 17, 2018 the City Council authorized a contract with a local engineering design firm to develop a design to add a double right turn lane onto east bound 2nd Street from the North Bound 101 off-ramp to central San Rafael. The design is being fast tracked with the intent to include this work...
