San Rafael Snapshot - February 13, 2014

Due to the President’s Day Holiday on Monday, February 17, the next City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, February 18 at 7 p.m. Also, please note that the City Council’s consideration of the San Rafael Airport Recreation Facility’s operating hours and safety measure has been continued to the March 17 City Council meeting.

On Tuesday evening, the City Council will present the Citizen of the Year Award. In honor of former Planning Commissioner Richard O’Brien, an annual “Citizen of the Year” award has been established to recognize an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the City of San Rafael by making it a better place to live and work. I can’t spill the beans and reveal this year’s winner, but last year the award went to Albert J. Boro, former Mayor of San Rafael.

Also on Tuesday night, the City Council will hold a public hearing and consider an ordinance that prohibits the use of single-use carryout plastic bags in grocery stores. An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been conducted and the City Council will vote on whether to certify the EIR and the findings as well as the proposed ordinance. The ordinance is being brought forward at the City Council’s request and the support of the community, including the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce. It bans plastic bags and mandates a charge of 10 cents per bag for recyclable paper bags, and will apply to grocers, food marts, and retailers with groceries or pharmacies that sell food products. The City Council’s intent is to bring it back in a year to apply to all retailers in San Rafael. Click here for the staff report and learn more here.  

At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council will hear an update on the Homeless Action Plan. Since early 2012 the City has been actively working to reduce the number of homeless in San Rafael. The Council adopted a Homeless Action Plan, and a series of steps have been taken by the City to address the impact on Downtown. This includes the hiring of a mental health professional accountable to the Police Department, the addition of a third Downtown foot beat officer, hiring an additional open space ranger staffing and entering into a contract with the Downtown Streets Team. Click here for the staff report with additional information on the plan and priority actions for 2014.

San Rafael Yacht Club has leased City property at 200 Yacht Club Drive for 50 years. On Tuesday night, the City Council will hold a public hearing for a new 8-year lease of the site, buildings, docks, parking and associated amenities for the purpose of boating activities. The Yacht Club is responsible for all maintenance, repair, and improvements. The new lease updates the terms of the mutually beneficial relationship between the Yacht Club and the City, with benefits to the community including the availability of the Yacht Club facilities for visiting boaters, numerous community and charitable meetings and events, and public access to a new dock on weekends at no charge. Click here for the staff report.

The Community Media Center of Marin (CMCM), through the Marin Telecommunications Agency (MTA), has requested financial assistance for the next three years from all MTA member cities/towns/county to assist them during the next three years. The total request is for up to $660,000 based on each member’s percent of total franchise fees. The City’s percent share is approximately 26%, resulting in an estimated maximum contribution of $172,443 over three years. The City Council will consider this request at its meeting on Tuesday night. Any contribution would reduce the City’s related franchise fee revenues.   The final decision will take place at a March MTA meeting when all MTA members will weigh in on the request. Click here for the staff report.

The City Council is seeking applications for a vacancy on the Fire Commission. The Fire Commission is an advisory board with responsibility to review and make recommendations regarding long-range capital needs, the annual operating budget, building codes and other fire related ordinances, and other issues relating to the general operations and functions of the Fire Department. Applications are available online or at the City Clerk’s office.

The City of San Rafael provides sandbags and sand for the residents at the City’s fire stations. Directions to the fire stations can be found online here. Residents are generally responsible for filling their own sandbags. Residents may also use soil from around their homes in place of sand.Click here for more tips on winter weather preparedness.

• Fire Station #1, 1039 C Street  ‐ bags only 
• Fire Station #2, 210 3th Street ‐ sand & bags 
• Fire Station #3, 30 Joseph Court ‐ bags only
• Fire Station #4, 46 Castro Avenue ‐ bags only 
• Fire Station #5, 955 Point San Pedro Road ‐ sand & bags   
• Fire Station #6,  650 Del Ganado Road ‐ bags only 
• Fire Station #7,  3530 Civic Center Drive ‐ bags only 

EVENTS

Do you work Downtown? Looking for a carpool partner so you can hop in the HOV lane? Renaissance Marin is hosting a “Rideshare Mixer” on Wednesday, February 26. The event includes free lunch and raffle prizes, to help people find and create carpools and vanpools into Downtown San Rafael. Come by anytime between 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. to 1115 Third Street.RSVP required. 

With a combination of riddles, hints and directions, participants in the Downtown San Rafael "Sweetheart Scavenger Hunt" will explore Downtown shops, fulfill mini-challenges and discover historic details about sites around town on Saturday, February 15. The complete route is about 2 miles, so wear your walking shoes! Click here to sign up.

Please join the City of San Rafael for the 30th annual State of the City ~ A Taste of San Rafael. Mayor Phillips will present his "State of the City" address, and we will hold an awards ceremony to celebrate Citizen of the Year, Employee of the Year, Green Business of the Year, and the Small and Large Businesses of the Year. The Taste of San Rafael will include samples of culinary creations by Chamber member restaurants and caterers. Cocktails are served, along with dinner and program. This year’s dinner will be on Thursday, March 6 from 5:30 – 9 p.m. at Peacock Gap Clubhouse. Click here for more information or to register. RSVPs are due February 27.