City of San Rafael, CA

05/01/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/01/2026 17:37

Snapshot: City Council meeting agenda, traffic safety improvements, wildfire mitigation goats, and more!

Snapshot En Espanol

San Rafael City Council Meeting Highlights

The San Rafael City Council will be meeting on Monday, May 4, at San Rafael City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue.

Meeting Details:

Closed Session: Begins at 5:30 p.m., in the Third Floor Conference Room, for conference with legal counsel on existing litigation.

Regular Meeting: Begins at 6:00 p.m., 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:

  • Approval of minutes Closed Session and Regular City Council Meetings of April 20, 2026

  • Resolution of appreciation to the recipient of the Richard P. O'Brien and Mary Ferrario O'Brien Public Service Award

  • Final adoption of Ordinance 2062 amending the solid waste collection code

  • Resolution adopting a records management program policy, and declaring Laserfiche as a trusted system for management of records and automation of retention requirements

  • Accept a report on Fair Political Practices Commission Form 700, Statement of Economic Interests, 2025 Annual Filings for Designated Employees and Consultants

  • Resolution authorizing an agreement with Intercare Holdings Insurance Services, Inc. for workers compensation third-party claims administration services

  • Resolution authorizing an amended and restated Joint Powers Agreement with Miller Creek School District for joint use of school facilities for community recreation purposes

  • Resolution authorizing an agreement with Parametrix, Inc. to provide Design and Environmental Services for the Lincoln Avenue from Second Street to Paloma Avenue Safety Improvement Project

  • Proclamations in recognition of Small Business Week, National Police Week, Jewish American Heritage Month, Public Service Recognition Week, Celebrate Older Americans Month, San Rafael Fire Foundation, Asian American, Native Hawai'ian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and Wildfire Preparedness Week

  • Receive San Rafael Heritage's Preservation Award for the Carnegie Library

Public Hearings:

  • Introduction of an ordinance adopting the first amendment to the development agreement to remove requirements for park and conference room access and auxiliary parking for the general public at the BioMarin San Rafael Campus, at 770 Lindaro Street/999 Third Street

  • Resolution recommending Community Development Block Grant project funding for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Marin County Board of Supervisors

  • Compliance with Assembly Bill 2561: Report on vacancy rates and actions taken to address vacancies in City departments

Other Agenda Items:

  • Discussion of current challenges and future opportunities for the provision of fire and emergency medical services to the Marinwood Community Services District through a new operational and fiscal framework

View the full agenda and watch the meeting online via Zoom or YouTube. Participate in person or submit public comments ahead of the meeting by emailing [email protected].

New Online Tool to Report Homelessness-Related Concerns

In April, the City of San Rafael launched a SeeClickFix reporting tool to make it easier for residents and businesses to report non-emergency concerns related to encampments and other homelessness-related issues.

Reports submitted through the platform are reviewed and coordinated by City staff to ensure the appropriate teams, including outreach, cleanup coordination, or others respond as needed.

City staff review submissions regularly and coordinate with the appropriate departments and service providers to address reported concerns. This process helps ensure that issues raised by residents and businesses are acknowledged, reviewed, and routed to the appropriate teams for follow-up.

To report a concern or view the new tool, visit SeeClickFix.

New Protected Left Turns Make Crosswalks Safer at Three Intersections

San Rafael completed installation of protected left-turn signals at three intersections in April 2026. This targeted safety upgrade is intended to reduce conflicts between turning vehicles and pedestrians in the crosswalk.

These upgrades were identified through resident feedback submitted via the SeeClickFix reporting system and were implemented without major reconstruction of the existing signals. The City will continue to monitor these interactions. Residents are encouraged to submit their concerns through SeeClickFix to help inform future intersection improvements.

The three intersections now operating with protected left turns are:

  • Civic Center Drive and North San Pedro Road/San Pablo Avenue

  • Point San Pedro Road and Loch Lomond Drive/Lochinvar Road

  • Manuel T. Freitas Parkway and Las Gallinas Avenue

Why it matters: Previously, these intersections allowed permissive left turns, meaning drivers could turn left during a green light while pedestrians were legally crossing. Protected left turns reduce the possibility for a collision by creating a dedicated green arrow for left hand turns, and a separate, uninterrupted time for pedestrians to cross the street.

What to expect: If you drive or walk through any of these intersections, you'll notice new signal heads with left-turn arrows and updated signal timing. Left turns are only permitted on the green arrow, not during the general green phase.

May Mental Health Month in Marin: Free Events for Connection, Healing, and Community

Join Behavioral Health & Recovery Services (BHRS) and community partners this May for 10+ free events across Marin County-from wellness days and storytelling to expert panels and community conversations.

Events include the annual Youth Wellness Festival and Art and Film Showcase, a bilingual trivia night, improvised storytelling of joy and resilience, and more.

Together, we can reduce stigma, uplift lived experiences, and support healing across our community. All of the events are free and open to all, with select offerings available in Spanish.

Apply to Serve on the San Rafael Planning Commission

A seat on the San Rafael Planning Commission is open for a District 3 (Eastern San Rafael) resident. Planning Commissioners review and make decisions on development and land use projects - a meaningful role in shaping how San Rafael grows and evolves.

If you live in District 3 and want to help guide the future of your community, applications are open now through the City's boards and commissions portal.

Goat Grazing Season Is Under Way in San Rafael

Over 600 goats are on the job now that this year's annual goat grazing program has officially begun! The project kicked off this spring off Idylberry Road in Lucas Valley, where the herd is busy reducing wildfire risk by clearing the dry grass and plant material - known as fine fuels - that can ignite and spread fire quickly.

The goats are contained within low-voltage electric fencing to keep them on task and out of harm's way. Residents who spot the herd are asked to keep children and pets away from the goats and fencing.

Follow the San Rafael Fire Department on social media to track where the goats are grazing throughout the season and visit the Open Space Projects webpage for the full picture of the City's vegetation management work.

Join the May in Motion Challenge

Spring is the perfect time to leave the car at home, and the May in Motion Challenge gives you extra incentive to do it. Running May 1-31, the countywide Marin Commutes initiative invites residents to log active and sustainable trips, such as walking, biking, taking transit, and earn rewards along the way.

The details:

  • Log eight trips to earn a free day of Redwood Bikeshare ride time

  • Be entered to win the grand prize: a six-month Redwood Bikeshare membership

  • Compete for $50 prize drawings throughout the month

  • Earn 2x rewards for logged walk and bike trips during Bike to Work Week, May 11-15

Bike to Work/Wherever Day falls on May 14 - a county-wide celebration of commuting by bike to work, school, or wherever the day takes you. Sign up to ride and find energizer stations and resources across Marin.

Join Marin's Wildfire Preparedness Forum

Hosted by Marin Wildfire, you are invited to join wildfire safety leaders, local fire agencies, and community partners for a countywide public forum on wildfire risk, preparedness, and action.

Be among the first to learn about Marin's new Community Wildfire Protection Plan, hear insights from a discussion panel of wildfire experts, take part in a live Q&A, and connect with local resources on evacuation planning, defensible space, fire-smart landscaping, vegetation management, Chipper Days, and more.

The details:

  • When: Saturday, May 2 from 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

  • Where: Embassy Suites, 101 McInnis Parkway, San Rafael

Preparedness starts with knowledge, and grows through community action.

Exciting Upcoming Events

Join us for these upcoming events in San Rafael:

CAFILM: DocLands Film Festival: Apr. 30-May 3, 2026, Smith Rafael Film Center

  • DocLands brings the best in documentary filmmaking to Marin for four days of screenings, conversations, and storytelling.

Greg Borrelli's May Madness Car Show: May 9, 2026, 12:00-6:00 p.m., Downtown San Rafael

  • The longest-running street rod show and parade in Northern California returns for its 36th year. Hundreds of classic cars and hot rods - spanning the 1920s to the early '70s - roll through downtown San Rafael, with trophies, food, and Pond Farm beers. Free to attend and rain or shine.

Falkirk Art Galleries Opening Night Celebration: May 8, 2026, 5:00-7:30 p.m., Falkirk Cultural Center, 1408 Mission Avenue

  • Mingle with the artists, explore inspiring new works, and soak in the creative energy of one of San Rafael's most beautiful historic spaces. Free and open to the public.

Bike to Work/Wherever Day: May 14, 2026, Everywhere!

  • Pledge to bike to at least one destination on May 14 - work, school, or wherever the day takes you. Energizer stations are set up across Marin, and participants are eligible to win prizes. Sign up in advance to make it official.

Water Safety Day: May 17, 2026, 1:00-4:00 p.m., Terra Linda Community Pool

  • An afternoon of fun, learning, and lifesaving skills for the whole family - free and open to all. San Rafael Police and Fire will be on hand. Don't forget your swimsuit and towel.

Mobile Art in the Garden: May 21, 2026, 10:00-11:30 a.m., San Rafael Community Center

  • The Cedars Mobile Art Division joins the City's Recreation Division for a creative morning in the Lonatese Garden. Open to all, with a focus on fostering independence and self-expression through art.

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

City of San Rafael, CA published this content on May 01, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 01, 2026 at 23:37 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]