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Health & Fitness

San Rafael Snapshot - October 17, 2013

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Shared Services Agreement with Larkspur Fire Department

On Monday evening, the City Council will consider enhancements to our shared service agreement with the City of Larkspur for fire services. The enhanced agreement, subject to approval this month by both City Councils, will allow firefighters from either agency to voluntarily fill temporary vacancies as they occur and work together. For the past four years, San Rafael and Larkspur have enjoyed successful agreements sharing Fire Battalion Chiefs between the two communities and also Fire Chiefs that assist each other’s agencies, so that leadership, supervision, technical oversight, and operational functions of each fire agency occur in a seamless and coordinated fashion. Click here for the staff report.

Measure A Spending Plan

Thanks to the voters of Marin County, San Rafael is slated to receive funds to assist in managing our parks, open space preserves, recreation programs, and vegetation to promote biodiversity and reduce wildfire risk. The Council will be asked to approve a spending plan for the Measure A funds on Monday night. The workplan includes vegetation management, defensible space management, park land, sidewalk repairs, fence and playground replacement, and other park maintenance. Click here for the staff report.

Civic Center Drive Improvements near Future SMART Station

Also at the Monday evening Council meeting, staff from Public Works will discuss the proposed plans for Civic Center Drive SMART Station improvements.  The plans addresses numerous issues, including traffic safety, bus stop locations, separated bike paths, drop-off areas, and accessibility. For more information about the project, click here for the staff report.

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Third and Cijos Streets Parking Lot under Construction

Construction activity began this week to make improvements to the City-owned parking lot on Third and Cijos Streets. Work will include installation of new asphalt surface, storm drain facilities, roadway signage, safety lighting, bicycle racks, landscaping, pay stations, and electric vehicle charging stations. We realize that this construction will impact businesses in the area and we will work with the contractor to expedite this project to try to minimize the inconvenience. Click here for an updated project schedule.  Public parking will be available at other City parking lots in the downtown area during the Third Street and Cijos Street parking lot closure. Click here to view a map of downtown San Rafael parking lot alternatives.

Pension Information Online

We have recently created a “one-stop-shop” online for community members interested in information on San Rafael’s post-employment benefits. The City of San Rafael is committed to financial transparency and has provided this information to make available financial details and answer questions. The webpage includes an overview and frequently asked questions, as well as links to literally hundreds of pages of financial data and information regarding the City’s financial assets and liabilities, pension reform actions, and retiree health reform actions.

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Polystyrene Ban to go into Effect October 31

In September 2012, the City Council passed an ordinance banning retail food vendors in San Rafael from carrying expanded polystyrene foam (sometimes known by the brand name STYROFOAMTM) containers. These food vendors include cafes, restaurants, grocery stores, and hotel eateries, among others. This ordinance was passed on the basis of health and safety concerns for the City. Expanded polystyrene foam contains potential carcinogens, it is a non-recyclable resource, and it is a terrible nuisance in our landfills, storm drains, and streets. This ban will go into effect on October 31. Click here to learn more about the ordinance and how to prepare for compliance.

Climate Action Plan Quarterly Update

Our next Climate Change Action Plan community update meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 24 from 7-9 p.m. in the Tamalpais Room at the San Rafael Corporate Center. These meetings are meant to provide a way for people and agencies involved in implementation items from the Climate Action Plan to update each other on progress, and have community discussions on specific items identified by the group at prior meetings. It is hosted by a Council member on the Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council, and usually includes report-outs by staff, volunteers, and other agency representatives. October’s discussion item centers around meaningful community engagement toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions by San Rafael residents and businesses. Click here to learn more about our sustainability programs and “like” us on Facebook!

San Rafael Fire Begins Outreach for Kindergarten and Fifth Grade

In recognition of Fire Prevention Month this October, the San Rafael Fire Department will be personally visiting each kindergarten and fifth grade classroom in San Rafael. The goal is to teach kindergartners about basic fire safety and prevention with the Hartford’s Junior Fire Marshal Program, and to dig a little deeper with the fifth graders, teaching broader emergency preparedness skills through the Get Ready 5th Grade program. Emergencies can strike quickly and without warning. While these events can be frightening for adults, they can be traumatic for children, particularly if they don’t know what to do. Kindergartners will learn about some of the most common causes of home fires, how to recognize the dangers, and what to do in case there is a fire in their home. Through Get Ready 5th Grade, a spin-off of the Marin County Get Ready Program, students will learn about potential emergencies in the San Rafael area, how to prepare emergency plans, and how to stock emergency food, supply, and first aid kits.

EVENTS

Homebuyer Readiness Workshop

Habitat for Humanity will host a free homebuyer readiness workshop in November. Topic include: Understanding Credit, Debt Management, and Money and Savings. The series runs on 11/5, 11/12, and 11/19 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at Renaissance Center Marin, 1115 Third Street.

Trick or Treat Down Fourth Street

The Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) will host the 29th annual free and safe Trick or Treating experience for kids on Fourth Street. Every year, hundreds of families visit our friendly merchants handing out goodies and sweets to kids in costume! Visit participating merchants down Fourth Street from Lincoln to H Street on Saturday, October 26 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Resilient Neighborhoods

In the last edition of Snapshot I mentioned the Resilient Neighborhoods program – a program that offers practical actions to live more lightly on the earth, reduce your bills, and make your family, neighborhood and community more resilient. This month, there will be another informational meeting on Tuesday, October 22 from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. at 166 Greenwood Avenue in Grestle Park. For more information, call 488-3748 or email askus@resilientneighborhoods.org. 

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