📸 Snapshot: City Council meeting, wildfire hazard zones, library night at the SF Giants game, and more!

The San Rafael City Council will be meeting this Monday, April 7th at San Rafael City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue.

Meeting Details:

Special Meeting: Begins at 4:30 PM to interview and appoint two new members to the Voter Approved Tax Oversight Committee.

Closed Session: Begins after the special meeting, to discuss real property negotiations.

Regular Meeting: Begins at 6:00 PM 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:

• Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District Advisory Board Appointments

• Announcement of the 2025 Richard P. O’Brien and Mary Ferrario O’BrienPublic Service Award recipient

• Proclamations Supporting Celebrate Diversity Month, National Arab American Heritage Month, National Library Week and Week of the Young Child

• Resolution authorizing the purchase of library books to enhance the collection at the Downtown Carnegie Library

• Resolution authorizing street closures for upcoming special events

• Resolutions to execute or amend professional services agreements with:

  • Liz Darby for diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and housing consulting services

  • LWP Claims Solutions, Inc for workers’ compensation claims administration services

  • Noll and Tam Architects for construction administration services and Unger Construction Co. for construction services for the Downtown Library Modernization Project

  • Loving Campos Associates, Architects, Inc. for architectural and structural engineering design services for the Pickleweed Childcare Replacement Portables Project;

  • The USDOT and Caltrans for the South Merrydale Road – Civic Center Connector Project

Public Hearings:

• Resolution to approve a major environmental and design review and exception to a hillside development at 287 Mountain View Avenue.

• Evaluation of existing camping regulations, informational update regarding the sanctioned camping area, and introduction of an ordinance to prohibit camping in parks.

Get Involved:

View the full agenda and watch the meeting online via Zoom or YouTube. Participate in person or submit public comments ahead of the meeting.

The City of San Rafael’s Community and Economic Development Division is here to help businesses thrive. By fostering collaboration between businesses, the community, and the City, we work to create a vibrant economic environment for businesses, residents, and visitors.

San Rafael GO is a one-stop-shop for current and prospective businesses to get the resources they need to work in San Rafael.

How we can help:

• Site Selection Assistance: Find the right location with connections to brokers and property owners, zoning information, and infrastructure requirements.

• Process Coordination: Our economic development specialists will coordinate communication with City staff to give your project the best chance of success.

• Small Business Assistance: Need help with financing, workforce support, or technical resources? We’ll help connect you to what you need.

Our mission is to increase investments in San Rafael that contribute to the growth of the City’s economy, foster fiscal sustainability, expand job opportunities for all residents, and enhance the community’s quality of life.

Rooted in Marin is a countywide initiative focused on understanding and addressing displacement in Marin. The newly released housing report explores anti-displacement policies, highlights community feedback, and identifies strategies to support housing stability.

Get involved: Community Action Marin and other nonprofit partners are hosting events across the county for community members to learn about displacement and help shape the future of housing in Marin County.

Event details (RSVP for location information):

• Southern Marin: 3/31/25, 6:00 – 7:30 PM

• Northern Marin: 4/7/25, 6:00 – 7:30 PM

• Central Marin: 4/18/25, 6:00 – 7:30 PM (In Spanish with English interpretation)

• English/Spanish interpretation, child care, and light refreshments will be provided.

The Sanctioned Camping Area (SCA) program achieved a significant milestone this month with its first participant transitioning to permanent housing. Another individual has received a housing voucher and is actively searching for an apartment.

Why it matters: These successes show that with the right support, lasting housing solutions are possible. Outreach staff and case managers are working hard to keep the momentum going, making sure other participants have everything they need to apply for housing as soon as they get their vouchers.

Increased support: The first Encampment Resolution Fund-3 (ERF-3) housing-based case manager began this week with a caseload of 17 individuals. As a result, 60% of site participants are now receiving housing case management. Additionally, the County of Marin’s Health and Human Services Division will present a contract for two more case managers and one outreach worker to the Board of Supervisors on April 15.

For any questions regarding the City’s response to homelessness, or the Sanctioned Camping Area, please contact the City’s Community Services Division at endhomelessness@cityofsanrafael.org.

Marin County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) is developing the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) Three-Year Integrated Plan for fiscal years 2026 through 2029. This plan will allocate funding to three key areas:​ housing, full-service partnerships, and behavioral health services.

Community input is essential in guiding these priorities. Share your thoughts by completing the online survey to voice your priorities and suggestions.​ The submission deadline is June 1, 2025. Your opinions will help shape the future of mental health, substance use treatment, and housing services in Marin County.

Join the San Rafael Public Library (SRPL) and other Bay Area libraries in celebrating Library Night with the San Francisco Giants on April 7. This event is open to everyone, and by purchasing a ticket through the designated link, $5 of each ticket sold will benefit SRPL.

Travel stress-free: Take the SMART train to Larkspur and hop on the Giants Ferry to avoid traffic and parking hassles. The ferry will drop passengers off directly at Oracle Park.

This is a wonderful opportunity to support your local library while enjoying a fun evening of baseball. Please help spread the word – and we’ll see you at Oracle Park!

The City of San Rafael is looking for talented people to join our team! Please click the links below for more information about our open positions.

• Child Care Instructor II

• Emergency Management Coordinator I/II/III

• Library Services Supervisor

• Marketing Coordinator (Library and Recreation)

• Wildfire Mitigation Specialist I/II/III

• Waste Management Coordinator (Program Analyst)

• Senior Management Analyst I/II

• Supervising Librarian

Have questions about working for the City? Please reach out to human.resources@cityofsanrafael.org.

Join us for these upcoming events in San Rafael:

• Friday, April 11, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM: 2nd Friday Art Walk. Location: Downtown San Rafael.

• Tuesday, April 22, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Downtown Clean and Green Day. Location: Meet at the San Rafael City Plaza, 1000 4th Street.

• Thursday, April 24, 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM: 2025 Economic Forecast: Growth, Housing, and Mobility. Location: Embassy Suites of San Rafael, 101 McInnis Pkwy.

• April 30 – May 4: DocLands Film Festival. Location: Smith Rafael Film Center, 1118 4th Street.

• Saturday May 9, 6:00pm: May Madness Classic Car Cruise. Location: Terra Linda High School to Downtown San Rafael.

• Saturday May 10, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM: May Madness Classic Car Show and Parade. Location: 4th Street from Lincoln to D Street, Downtown San Rafael.

• Wednesday, May 14, 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM: San Rafael Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 State of the City Business Awards. Location: Northgate on the Turf, 5800 Northgate Drive.

• Every Sunday and Thursday, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Agricultural Institute of Marin Farmers’ Market. Locations: Sundays at 2501 Civic Center Drive, Thursdays at 10 Avenue of the Flags.

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