Snapshot — Leaf Blower Ordinance, Homelessness Updates, Parks and Recreation Month, and more!!!

Snapshot - de parte del Gerente de la Ciudad de San Rafael

Spotlight Photo

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CAPTION: Sun Valley Park, San Rafael

PHOTO CREDIT: Laura Washburn, Library and Recreation Department

Last Quiz Question

Congrats to Laurence Sykes for being the first to respond correctly to our mystery photo in the last Snapshot Quiz. The photo featured a picturesque, shaded table that is in Freitas Park in the Terra Linda neighborhood of San Rafael. Congratulations Laurence, and thanks for reading Snapshot!

Scroll down for this week's quiz and be the first to answer.

San Rafael City News

City Council to Hold Public Hearing on Special Assessment Districts

On Tuesday, July 5, the San Rafael City Council will hold Public Hearings to hear annual financial and operational updates for two special assessment districts and to set their special assessments for Fiscal Year 2022-23. The Baypoint Lagoons Landscaping and Lighting District (assessment district) is located in East San Rafael and was formed to protect and enhance wildlife habitat and water quality among four lagoons and ponds and a diked salt marsh. The Point San Pedro Road Median Landscaping District funds maintenance, reconstruction, and repair of 29 median islands along Point San Pedro Road from Union Street to Biscayne Drive.

City Council to Hear Alternate Response Team Proposal for Crisis Response

Over the past several years, there has been an increase in many US cities with innovative models that seek to assist people in crisis. Marin County's existing Mobile Crisis Response Team is one level of service in Marin but is charged with covering the entire County. Working in a cross-departmental team, and with input from other Marin jurisdictions, City of San Rafael staff identified a civilian-based model that would be best suited for San Rafael. This proposed model would be run by a local non-profit or community-based organization. An Emergency Medical Technician and a Crisis Counselor would work in tandem for twelve to eighteen hours per day, seven days a week, responding to persons experiencing a mental health crisis as well as issues related to homelessness. The City Council will be discussing this new program recommendation and providing direction to staff at Tuesday night's meeting on July 5, 2022.

Update on Homeless Services Efforts

On Tuesday's regular City Council meeting, City staff will present a mid-year informational report detailing the City's strategies to assist individuals experiencing homelessness. The City works closely with the County of Marin, including the County Department of Health and Human Services, when identifying programs and strategies around homelessness. Staff will present updates on current efforts such as the City's direct actions in contributing to new permanent supportive housing, case management services, the Service Support Area, and more. An overview of current resources will be presented, including an update on developments to best serve those in our community experiencing homelessness.

Proposed Leaf Blower Ordinance

The City of San Rafael is finalizing a proposed leaf blower ordinance that would ban the operation of gas-powered leaf blowers within City limits. On Tuesday's City Council meeting, staff will present a report on a proposed ordinance and request direction from the City Council regarding the ordinance, including aspects such as allowed hours of operation and when the ban would commence. Staff expects to propose a final ordinance later this summer.

Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority Accomplishments

The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) has recently released a comprehensive video outlining its accomplishments following a series of workshops held across Marin County. Be sure to check it out to learn all the critical wildfire abatement strategies available to your local community as we prepare for wildfire season.

The MWPA is a publicly funded, multijurisdictional public agency that develops vegetation management, detection, alert and evacuation, public outreach and education and defensible space and home hardening services to fight wildfires for all communities in Marin County.

Third Street Improvements

From June 27 to July 1, construction crews will conduct the following work on the Third Street Rehabilitation and Improvements Project:

• Install a conduit by drilling at the intersection of Second Street and G Street
  • This will require removing some sections of the sidewalk to excavate boring pits where safe pedestrian walkways will be maintained for pedestrian access
• Sanitary sewer rehabilitation:
  • Install a new sewer pipe, by open trench method, for the next two weeks in the eastbound lanes of Second Street from West Street to Marquard Avenue
• Place rebar for the retaining wall by working in the eastbound curb lane of Second Street between Ida Street and Miramar Avenue
• Pour new concrete curb ramps and sidewalks at the intersections of Second Street & Shaver Street and along Second Street between East Street and Marquard Avenue as part of the ADA improvements at those corners
• Trench and install new water services on Third Street from Lincoln Avenue to Irwin Street

IMPACTS:

• The stairway from Second Street to Jessup Street (south of Ida Street) will be closed
• The posted speed limit is 25 mph for the lane shift on Second Street
  • Motorists should be aware of changed conditions and drive with caution
• Traffic controls (temporary signs, message boards, traffic cones, delineators and detour signs) will be put in place to direct motorists through the work area
• Curb parking spaces will be marked "No Parking"
• There will be intermittent lane closures on Third Street and detours on A Street, B Street, C Street, D Street, and E Street
  • For businesses in this section of Second Street, the City's contractor, Ghilotti Bros. Inc., will help facilitate deliveries by providing traffic controls and flagging

The hours of work will be 6 am - 6 pm and lane closures 6 am - 3 pm on Third Street and Second Street westbound, and 9 am - 6 pm on Second Street eastbound.

Visit the Third Street Improvements Project website to learn more about this critical effort, and sign up here to receive weekly email updates.

COVID-19 Updates

According to the Marin County Department of Public Health, as of June 24, Marin County had 729 "Active Cases" (cases confirmed in the previous 10 days) bringing the total confirmed cumulative cases to 36,868 since March 2020. These numbers continue to highlight the remaining threat of COVID-19 in our communities, and the need for all community members to remain diligent in their efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Please follow the links below regarding the appropriate steps to follow if:

• You've tested Positive
• You've been exposed to someone with COVID-19

COVID-19 booster shots and vaccination appointments continue to be offered at all Marin vaccine clinics. If you need transportation assistance to get vaccinated, please visit the following links about Lyft's Vaccine Access Program and GoGoGrandparent. As always, if you are experiencing any COVID-19 like symptoms, please get tested as soon as possible, even if you are fully vaccinated.

TALES OF THE CITY - San Rafael Furry Vegetation Crews Take a Bite Out of Risky Wildfire Terrain

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As summer has quickly approached, San Rafael's furry vegetation crews have been working day and night to reduce the risk of wildfire. There are currently three herds of contracted goats working to graze strategic areas of flashy fuels throughout the City's open space.

Tall dead grasses carry fire easily and allow for rapid spread. By keeping these fuels low to the ground, fire intensity is greatly diminished. The goats have cleared six parcels of open space and will have two more to go after they finish their current assignments. Overall, the goats will graze approximately 150 acres over 11 sites throughout San Rafael and Marinwood. Please do see them while they are still here! When you pay them a visit, please keep your pets on leash and be mindful not to touch or cross the temporary fencing.

AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING on June 21, 2022

As of the April 18, 2022 City Council meeting, the City Council has returned to in-person meetings combined with a virtual real-time public comment on agenda items.

At the June 21, 2022 regular City Council meeting, the Council:

• Approved Consent Calendar items
• Adopted an Urgency Eviction Moratorium Ordinance
• Adopted a Resolution to Approve the 2022 Canal Community Based Transportation Plan
• Accepted a Report and Approved Staff Recommendations on Streetary Program Guidelines
• Adopted Resolution Approving the Citywide Budget and Capital Improvement Program for FY 2022-23

City Council meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month. City Council meetings that fall on a holiday are rescheduled for the following Tuesday.

Events

Marin County Fair

June 30^th through July 4^th | 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

10 Ave. Of the Flags, San Rafael, CA 94903

It is finally here! Enjoy concerts, shopping, carnival rides, and mouthwatering food at the 2022 Marin County Fair to be held at the Marin County Fairgrounds.

Celebrated as the Healthiest and Greenest County Fair on Earth since 2008, the Marin County Fair proudly features a solar powered carousel, solar powered stage, and a 92% waste diversion rate. The Fair offers fresh and healthy food choices, alcohol-free sponsorships, and a smoke-free environment for the enjoyment of all.

All Fair Tickets include general admission to the headline concerts (seating is first come, first served). The Fair is a one-price gate - 28 fun carnival rides, exciting exhibits, a spectacular fireworks display, first-rate concerts and exciting attractions are free with your gate admission.

BUY TICKETS AND FIND MORE FAIR INFORMATION HERE

Quiz

Whereare these steps located?

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Public link

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