On Monday night, the City Council held a follow up public hearing to review the Ritter Center’s Use Permit. There has been a lot of information circulating about this issue, and the point of this blog is to provide clear and accurate information from the City’s point of view. The most important takeaway from this...
Two Fridays ago I wrote to you about the Chamber of Commerce’s “Cleaning up Myths about Homelessness” event. I left work that evening feeling incredibly excited about the growing, positive momentum to actually end homelessness in our community. While I feel like that energy and excitement is building every day, as I have also said in past...
Today I had one of the most uplifting mornings I’ve had in a long time. After months of planning, the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce hosted a “Cleaning up Myths about Homelessness” event at the County’s Health and Wellness Campus in East San Rafael. Every year the Chamber runs the San Rafael Leadership Institute (of which I...
Delicious! Catering Delicious! Catering’s Story Started in 1975, Delicious! Catering has always been serious about its commitment to sustainability. So serious in fact, that it has worked hard to become the only Green Certified catering business in the County! Before curbside commercial composting was even an option, several of the staff would alternate taking the...
Project Description: These two projects include installation of hot mix asphalt and/or micro-surfacing treatments at various locations throughout the City. This project also includes installation of American's With Disability Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps, curb, gutter, and sidewalk. Curb ramps must be installed prior to resurfacing of streets per federal law. Project Status: This project is in the design phase. Below is a...
Project Description: The City applied for and was granted “One Bay Area Grant” (OBAG) funding for the “Del Presidio Boulevard and Point San Pedro Road Improvements Project.” Del Presidio Boulevard and Point San Pedro Road will receive an asphalt concrete overlay roadway surface treatment. The first phase of this project included the installation of American with...
Project Description: Although the Terra Linda community pool was rebuilt in 2002, the pool house, which contains the restrooms, changing areas, classroom, mechanical room for pool equipment areas and storage, has not been upgraded since the 1960’s. This project included replacement, renovation and upgrades to the pool house. Project Status: The City has awarded the construction contract to...
Project Description: This project includes installation of 9 American’s With Disability Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps, curb, gutter, sidewalk, and drainage improvements at the following intersections: Ida Street and Second Street Sonoma Street and Elaine Way Sonoma Street and Charlotte Drive Hoag Street and Mill Street Fairfax Street and Charlotte Drive Project Status: The construction contract was...
Project Description: This project includes reconstruction of the pump station to ensure that the Stormwater Pump Station operates efficiently and effectively. The existing structure (concrete and supporting steel beams) and equipment (pumps, piping, brackets, electrical, fencing, and railings) will be replaced. The concrete wall will be removed and sidewalk will be widened. Curb, gutter, and...
Project Description: These two projects include installation of hot mix asphalt and/or micro-surfacing treatments at various locations throughout the City. This project also includes installation of American's With Disability Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps, curb, gutter, and sidewalk. Curb ramps must be installed prior to resurfacing of streets per federal law. Project Status: The project was awarded to Ghilotti Construction Company. Construction of...
Project Description: Brookdale Avenue is a one-way loop off of Lincoln Avenue and adjacent to the Irwin Creek to the north. The area next to the roadway has experienced erosion due to the close proximity of Irwin Creek as it meanders downstream. The creek bank erosion has caused instability in the original stacked rock retaining wall...
Project Description: This project consisted of street repairs to remove bumps that have formed on Francisco Blvd East between Medway Road and Vivian Street and on Francisco Blvd West near RAB Motors. In addition to the street repairs, other work items include minor draina ge improvements and removal and replacement of sidewalk, curb, gutter, and striping....
Project Description: This project made necessary repairs and improvements on H Street between 5th Ave and Forbes Ave. Improvements included installation of a new storm drain system, ADA compliant wheelchair ramps, and resurfacing of the roadway. Additionally, the City’s project, in conjunction with the San Rafael Sanitation District, included installation of a new sanitary sewer line. Project Status:...
Project Description: This project consisted of repairs on two multi-use pathways within the City: Shoreline Park Pathway and Bahia Vista School Pathway. The City applied for and received $252,000 under the Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 funding source. The TDA grant is one of the few grants that provides funds for maintenance projects. Project Status: This...
Project Description: This project addressed gaps and barriers in pedestrian facilities such that community members and students have better access to local schools, employment, services, and other activities that are considered essential to daily life. Improvements included installation of concrete sidewalks between Woodland Avenue and Andersen Drive; installation of radar speed feedback signs; and installation of...
Project Description: This project included installation of five American’s With Disability Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps, drainage improvements, curb, gutter, sidewalk, and the replacement of an existing retaining wall between Grove Street and Lodge Lane on San Rafael Avenue. Project Status: This project is complete. Construction began June 1, 2015 and was completed June 26, 2015. Project Contact: Jeff Stutsman,...
The switchgear at City Hall (1400 Fifth Avenue) is over 50 years old and is past its usable life. In addition, the existing transformer and service to City Hall are not complaint with current PG&E standards and will need to be upgraded as part of this project. The City plans to install solar panels at...
Victor Jones Park, a 6-acre park located in the Glenwood neighborhood concluded construction in June 2018 and now features a new play structure area and various improvements that allow more community access in the park with fencing and playground areas that benefit children and families. Thank you to the members of the @CityofSanRafael City Council,...
The City has received grant funding through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), as administered through Caltrans, to make improvements to the intersection of Third Street and Hetherton Street. Both streets are major arterials and serve as critical corridors with connections to the US 101 southbound on- and off-ramps, Downtown San Rafael, West Marin communities,...
If the City of San Rafael has a secret weapon in our mission to end homelessness, it’s Lynn Murphy. I recently had the chance to spend a morning in downtown San Rafael with Lynn, and she was kind enough to answer a few of my questions. What is your position with the City of San...
After two weeks of hearing from me, I thought it would be a good time to “pass the mic” to someone else. Moving forward, this newsletter will feature a regular cycle of stories covering a wide variety of topics related to homelessness. As I mentioned in my first message to you, my plan is to...
Purpose of the 3/21/16 City Council Meeting – On March 21st, 2016, the City Council reviewed the Ritter Center’s 6-month performance report. This was the fifth such report created by City staff working with in conjunction with Ritter Center staff (you can read the report and watch the meeting here). The performance report covers the Ritter...
Vinh Pham, Senior Network Analyst, was recognized as the Employee of the 1st Quarter of 2016. Vinh is an invaluable member of the ITO team and manages the day-to day operation of the City's enterprise computer network, including all communication links, server computers, database systems, as well as security for an environment that supports over 400 telephone and...
by Andrew Hening, Director of Homeless Planning & Outreach It is perhaps fitting that my first official message to you as the Director of Homeless Planning & Outreach comes on the heels of a 200-person strong City Council meeting this past Monday that witnessed the full gamut of public opinion and general mounting frustration about...
The City continues to work with the businesses around Albert Park area as there were a high rate of calls to the police department and concerns by local residents. Recently Mayor Phillips and City staff met with Safeway and 7-Eleven to discuss solutions. In addition, the City has made some changes around the B Street...
Finding successful solutions for the chronically homeless is complex and challenging but local officials recently visited a promising program, HOT or “Homeless Outreach Team.” Vice Mayor Colin and Chief Bishop were part of a small contingent organized by St. Vincent’s to visit San Mateo and learn if it would be possible to implement a similar...
Dominican’s community online forum, NextDoor, recently had discussion threads regarding the impact of homelessness on their neighborhood. At the invitation of the HOA, Mayor Phillips, Vice Mayor Colin as well as Corporal Reese and Officer LaPlante met with neighbors at Dominican University on Sunday, February 21st. They shared information about City and County initiatives as...
by Downtown Streets Team Downtown Streets Team is proud to announce its expanded contract with the City of San Rafael to clean Davidson Middle School, the Mahone Creek Trail, Albert Park and the surrounding neighborhoods! The new program comes after months of collaboration with concerned community members, school staff, and city officials and is our...
David Haydon's dedication and passion for the San Rafael community is authentic and tireless. He founded II Davide Restaurant, 20 years ago, and built a successful business through challenging economic times. In addition to running one of the top restaurants in San Rafael and indeed Marin County, he strives to give back to the San Rafael...
Guest post written by Carol Thompson, Executive Director of the Business Improvement District Observe always that everything is the result of change, and get used to thinking that there is nothing nature loves so well as to change existing forms and make new ones of them. Marcus Aurelius, emperor of Rome (121-180 AD) Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes. ...
