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A Big “THANK YOU” to San Rafael Voters
Thanks to San Rafael voters, Measure E passed by over 65% and will result in strengthening our General Fund resources. This local sales tax is a critical piece of how our City provides services to the community, so thank you for the continued support at the ballot box. The increase in the tax can help us address critical needs such as seismic upgrades to our public safety buildings. The tax goes into effect in April, and prior to that we will be working to put budgets, plans and a citizen oversight committee in place.
Find out what's happening in San Rafaelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Join us for a fond Farewell to Barbara Heller
On Monday, November 18 at 7 pm, the City Council will present Councilmember Barbara Heller with a special resolution for her twenty years serving the San Rafael City Council. Please join us for this occasion as we celebrate two decades of her service and thank her for her incredible and steadfast dedication, and wish her well on her future endeavors.
Find out what's happening in San Rafaelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Councilmembers to be Sworn into Office December 2nd
San Rafael voters elected Kate Colin and Maribeth Bushey Lang to serve on the City Council. Congratulations to both! The new Councilmembers will be sworn into office on December 2 at 6 pm. Please join us in welcoming them to the Council.
Downtown Parking Meters
Always have a bunch of coins in your pocket or purse? Me neither. You will be pleased to know that the City Council will be hearing a staff recommendation at their Monday meeting to change all the downtown parking meters to allow for credit card usage. These new meters will also allow for several new technologies such as being able to use your phone to find a space or add funds to your parking meter. The improvements will be funded through an increase in meter rates, the first since 2007. Funds raised with increased rates will also go towards resurfacing parking lots and other improvements to make parking easier Downtown. An added benefit of the credit card meters is that we expect the number of citations to decrease on the order of 10-20%, making Downtown an even better place to visit and shop!
Newspaper Racks
On Monday night, the 18th, the City Council will consider amendments to our regulations to better address newspaper racks. These changes include a more tailored permit process, in addition to an annual fee, so the City can clean and maintain the newspaper racks. In addition to this, you will soon begin to see new racks being installed throughout the Downtown which will be a great improvement to the aesthetics of the area.
Downtown Holiday Validation Parking Program
The City of San Rafael will once again contribute to holiday cheer by providing 3-hours of free parking in City-owned lots and garages! Downtown merchants can give their customers 3-hour parking validations for the Downtown garages at “A” and at “C” Street, and in all other City-owned parking lots, the first 3 hours are free. Metered street parking will still require you to pay. The program will run from Thanksgiving Day through December 31.
The goals of the program are to increase Downtown shopping during the holiday season, enhance relations between merchants and shoppers, and maintain turnover of on-street parking. The Holiday Validation Program has been a huge success since its introduction in 2006. The Parking Services Division of the City of San Rafael is looking forward contributing to another successful and bright holiday season!
Design Review Board Vacancy
The City Council is seeking applications for a vacancy on the Design Review Board. The Design Review Board is an advisory board with responsibility to provide advice on new development projects and most exterior changes to existing buildings. The scope of the Board’s authority is to review and make recommendations on design matters such as architecture, mass, bulk, site planning, site improvements, color, materials, and landscaping. After Monday, applications will be available online or at the City Clerk’s office.
Shop San Rafael
When you shop locally within San Rafael your purchase supports local public services and infrastructure and you help keep local businesses thriving. You support your community and your neighborhoods all while reducing your carbon footprint. Who knows, maybe the best bargain can be right here in your own backyard. Check out this Downtown Shopping Guide to see what’s open!
EVENTS
Pre-Holiday Book Sale
A pre-holiday book sale will be held in the meeting room of the San Rafael Public Library, Saturday, November 16 from 10:30 am – 3:30 pm at the Downtown Library. The selection will include fiction, classics, history, art, biographies, poetry, gardening, cooking, reference and gift books. All books are privately donated and proceeds benefit the library. A preview sale for members of Friends of the Library will be held from 3 – 4:30 pm Friday in the library meeting room. Memberships may be purchased at the door beginning at $10 a year for seniors. For more information, contact the Friends at 453-1443.
Chamber Adopt a Highway Clean-Up
The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a highway clean-up day on Saturday, November 23. Meet at the Chamber parking lot at 817 Mission Avenue at 10:30 am. Wear comfy shoes bring a hat, gloves and water. Click here for more information. Thanks for helping keep San Rafael beautiful!
Parade of Lights Winter Wonderland
