Snapshot for October 30, 2026: City Council meeting agenda, prepare for El Niño storm season, call for sculpture artists, and new SanRafael.gov site launch

Snapshot en Espanol

San Rafael City Council meeting highlights

The San Rafael City Council will meet on Monday, November 2, 2026, at San Rafael City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue.

Meeting details:

• 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:

The City Council will consider:

• Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Dixon Resources Unlimited for the development of a Residential Parking Permit Program in an amount of $79,675 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $229,675

• Grant Funding Agreement with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, accepting and appropriating a Priority Conservation Area Grant in the amount of $800,000 for the Canal Boatyard Park (620 Canal Street)

• Amendment to the Service Level Agreement with Unico Engineering, Inc. for additional construction management services associated with the Pickleweed Library Renovation Project in the amount of $17,815, increasing the total amount to $229,313.69

• Agreement with Miovision Technologies Incorporated for the purchase of five traffic detection and monitoring cameras, associated software licensing, and an artificial intelligence traffic engineering operations feature in the amount not to exceed $134,758.25

Special presentations:

• Proclamation recognizing Native American Heritage Month

• Presentation of 2026 American Public Works Association Project of the Year Award for Historical Restoration/Preservation for the Downtown Library Renovation

Other agenda items:

• Progressive Design-Build Contract with XL Construction Corporation for Phase 1 of the New Library and Community Center at Albert Park Project, in the amount of $6,178,706, with authorization for the City Manager to amend the contract amount for a total amount not-to-exceed $6,500,000, and authorizing a budget appropriation in the amount of $5,398,738 from the Measure P Fund

• Project Labor Agreement for the New Library and Community Center at Albert Park Project

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

Prepare for winter storm season and El Niño

As we prepare for potential El Niño and flood conditions, take steps now to protect your household from heavy rain, flooding, and high tides.

Ways to prepare:

• Sign up for AlertMarin: Receive emergency alerts about hazards in your area.

• Prepare an emergency kit: Stock water, food, medications, flashlights, and batteries.

• Protect your property: Get sandbags to help redirect water away from flood-prone areas.

• Know your flood risk: Check County hazard maps and monitor weather forecasts.

• Stay safe: Follow City and County emergency updates and never walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters.

Free sandbag locations in San Rafael:

• Terra Linda Community Center, 670 Del Ganado Road

• Menzies Parking Lot (next to Falkirk Cultural Center), 1428 Mission Avenue

• Peacock Gap Park Parking Lot, 699 Biscayne Drive

• Albert J. Boro Community Center (East Parking Lot), 50 Canal Street

More information and resources:

• City winter storm and El Niño preparedness guide

• Marin County El Niño resources, hazard maps, and town halls

• Marin County emergency alerts and information

• National Weather Service forecasts and alerts

• Ready.gov flood preparedness and safety tips

Learn more about how to stay prepared ahead of winter storms and El Niño.

Welcome to San Rafael.gov

Our City's redesigned site is now live at sanrafael.gov! The new site makes it easier to find City services, access information, and navigate on any device, with improved accessibility and security.

What's new:

• Easier navigation: Find common services through the "How Do I…" section.

• City projects and updates: Explore the new Projects and Issues hub.

• Improved accessibility and translation: Better support for screen readers, assistive technology, and multiple languages.

• Library information: Find San Rafael Public Library events and news on the City website.

New City email addresses: Staff email addresses are changing to @sanrafael.gov. Police Department email addresses are changing to @sanrafaelpolice.gov. Messages sent to previous addresses will continue to forward to staff, but we encourage you to update your contacts.

The City will keep testing and improving the site based on community feedback.

‍Call for existing sculptures

The City of San Rafael and San Rafael Arts invite California, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington artists to apply for a one-year sculpture exhibition at San Rafael City Hall.

An existing medium- or large-scale sculpture will be displayed at City Hall's front entrance from August 2027 to August 2028.

Exhibition details:

• Location: San Rafael City Hall front entrance

• Artist stipend: $5,000-$7,000, including transportation, installation, insurance, maintenance, and removal

• Application deadline: November 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT (Early applications encouraged)

This opportunity is part of downtown San Rafael's California Cultural District designation, supported by a California Arts Council grant.

View application guidelines and apply.

Project managed by Local Edition Creative. Questions? Contact [email protected].

Election Day is Nov. 3

Election Day is coming up soon! Make a plan to vote by Nov. 3. You can still register and vote in person through Election Day.

Find your nearest vote center and ballot drop-box.

On the ballot in San Rafael:

• City Council, District 2: Eli Hill is running unopposed.

• City Council, District 3: Robert Sandoval and Daryoush Davidi are on the ballot.

• Measure W: The San Rafael Essential Services Protection Measure asks voters whether the City should raise its real property transfer tax from 0.2 percent to 1 percent. The tax is paid only when a property sells. The City estimates the change would bring in about $7.5 million a year for local services. Those include fire protection, paramedics, 911 emergency response, street and road repair, and responses to homelessness, litter, and illegal dumping.

Important deadlines:

• Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 10.

• Ballot drop boxes close at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Join the San Rafael team!

The City of San Rafael is looking for talented people to join our team! Please click the links below for more information about our open positions.

• Finance Director

• Accountant I/II

• Seasonal Maintenance Worker

Have questions about working for the City? Please reach out to [email protected].

Learn more about all available career opportunities with the City.

Exciting upcoming events

Join us for these upcoming events in San Rafael:

Dark Skies Educational Panel: Nov. 5, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers, 1400 Fifth Avenue, and online

• Join Mayor Kate and a panel of local experts for a community conversation on dark skies issues, opportunities, and considerations. Participate in person or watch online.

Goldenaires Holiday Crafts Market: Nov. 7, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street

• Shop handmade crafts and homemade goodies from the Goldenaires, the City's senior community group. Santa stops by 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Free admission.

Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration: Nov. 7, 2026, 3:00-9:00 p.m., Albert J. Boro Community Center, 50 Canal Street

• Celebrate and remember loved ones at one of San Rafael's longest-running traditions, now in its 38th year. Look for the giant kites (barriletes) community members built at free Friday workshops this fall.

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