San Rafael Snapshot - February 27, 2014

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Measure E Update

This April, the voter approved Measure E sales tax goes into effect.  The City Council has directed that ¼ cent of this tax be set aside each year and be dedicated to improving or replacing our deteriorating public safety facilities, several of which don’t even meet seismic safety standards and have other serious deficiencies.  This year will be a busy year of evaluation and planning, to prioritize the best use of these funds.  The City Council will also appoint a tax oversight committee, per the requirements of Measure E.  Once again, we thank the voters of San Rafael for their support of this Measure.

School Board Presentation

At Monday night’s 7 p.m. City Council meeting, the Council will hear a special presentation from Superintendent Michael Watenpaugh of San Rafael City Schools about the Local Control Funding Formula and the Local Control and Accountability Plan. Click here for more information about the topic.

Information Technology Road Map

Also on Monday night, the City Council will hear an update regarding the City’s Information Technology (IT) Division’s road map for our technological future. The Great Recession period had a significant negative impact on the City’s IT resources and abilities.  The effects of this period can still be felt today in many ways, which affects our delivery of services to the community. This road map will set the stage for the next 12-18 months regarding technology upgrades that will help us be more efficient and productive. This is the foundational document for a comprehensive Strategic Plan for IT.  Click here to read the staff report on the subject.

Countywide Crime Analyst

The City Council will also consider a resolution to support the engagement of a regional crime analyst. Law enforcement agencies in Marin County are challenged with fighting crime in a time of shrinking resources. This countywide position will be housed in the San Rafael Police Department and shared by all Marin jurisdictions to analyze trends, build crime pattern predictions and execute regional response strategies to focus on those locations and times when crimes are most likely to occur. These services will be funded by Marin County Probation and the Marin County Chiefs.  Click here for more information.

Downtown Banner Competition

See your artwork displayed on Downtown street banners! The Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District, in partnership with the City of San Rafael, invites all Marin County based artists to submit artwork inspired by the idea of “Creative San Rafael’. The intent of the competition is to celebrate the local creative community and highlight the importance of the arts in our society. The winners of the 2014 Downtown banner competition will have their artwork printed on banners and installed on Downtown light poles along Fourth Street. The competition is open to all ages and there are cash prizes for the winners. The deadline for submission is March 30. For more information and guidelines on how to submit your artwork, see the “2014 Street Banner Project” link on the website www.downtownsanrafael.org.

Water Conservation Tips

Here are five easy ways to help you start saving water today:

1. Replace older toilets with a WaterSense-labeled high-efficiency toilet. Older toilets can use up to four times more water per flush and MMWD provides rebates up to $100 when you upgrade to a qualifying model.
2. Regularly check for and repair water leaks. Even small leaks can waste hundreds to thousands of gallons of water a month. Many water leaks are do-it-yourself repairs for $5-20 in parts.
3. Take shorter showers. Each minute you shorten your shower time saves up to 2.5 gallons of water.
4. Turn off your irrigation system for the winter and water plants as needed.
5. Adjust your mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn provides shade to the roots and helps retain soil moisture.

Restaurants – Do your part to help save our water resources. Triangular table top ‘tents’ are available for pickup at the Chamber of Commerce or at MMWD. These attractive items are placed on restaurant tables and state that water is served only upon request as part of efforts to help conserve water.

In addition, the County of Marin is hosting a series of free Graywater Workshops starting March 15. The first educational session will be focused on irrigation systems for homeowners. The workshop is at 9:30 a.m. in the Tamalpais Room at the San Rafael Corporate Center. Call 473-6907 for more information.

For more information about the drought as well as other ways you can help conserve water, visit www.marinwater.org.

EVENTS

Meet the Mayor

The community is invited to “Meet the Mayor” at Albert J. Boro Community Center on Thursday, March 13 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Mayor Phillips will be on hand to answer questions. We invite students (high school and college) to submit their questions to city.manager@cityofsanrafael.org by March 7 and one will be selected to win lunch with the Mayor. Click here for more information about the event.

CERT - Get Ready

There are two upcoming CERT classes scheduled for March 1st and March 8th at College of Marin from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and another coming to San Rafael Fire Station 52 beginning on April 10. For more information about either of these classes, please visit www.readymarin.org.

Shrek, the Musical

Shrek the Musical, based on the Oscar winning DreamWorks film that started it all, brings the hilarious story of everyone’s favorite ogre to dazzling new life on the stage.  In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre—not a handsome prince—shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a bad guy with a SHORT temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero.  Luckily, there’s one on hand...and his name is Shrek. The play will run weekends from March 8 – 23. Click here for more information.

Art Talk: Modern Nature: Georgia O'Keeffe and Lake George

Docent Maureen O'Brien will give an illustrated lecture about the extraordinary body of work created by Georgia O'Keeffe of and at Lake George, New York.  Lake George served as a rural retreat for the artist, providing the basic material for her art, which in turn evoked the spirit of place that was essential to O’Keeffe’s modern approach to the natural world. First Wednesday Art Talks are sponsored by the Friends of the San Rafael Public Library. The lecture is Wednesday, March 5 in the Council Chambers at San Rafael City Hall beginning promptly at 1:00 p.m. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Seating is limited and admission is free.