Umbrella Group Notes

Topic 1: Craig Murray from the Coalition of North San Rafael Neighborhoods presented information on year round pool availability and suggested that San Rafael should look into having a community pool that is open year round. Debbie Younkin attended to present information about the use of the City’s pool. Topic 2: Nader Mansourian and Kevin […]

PG&E Clean-up Plan: PG&E representatives reported on the Manufacturing Gas Plant Remediation Project located at 3rd and Lindaro. PG&E is in the process of permitting and contractor selection. The project is expected to begin later this year and last ten to twelve months. The intent of the project is to remove and dispose of impacted

Street Sweeping Schedule: Nader Mansourian, Public Works Director, explained that two full-time street sweeping positions were eliminated in 2008 due to budget cuts.  As a result, only major streets are regularly swept.  Residents with special requests for residential streets with an immediate need should call the Public Works Dispatch line at 485-3375 or the Administration

Emergency Services Update: Emergency Services is under the Fire Department. The Emergency Management Head has moved to Colorado, so the City is looking at the position for possible shared services.  Another CERT class is anticipated in April.  The Get Ready Program is being presented to all public school fifth graders in San Rafael as well

Carol Thompson of the Business Improvement District presented the 2014 Goals for the self-funded assessment district.  They are focused on Safety, Streetscape, Transportation, Promotion and Events, Economic Development.  Their work is based on the Main Street Four-Point Approach:  Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Restructuring.  They want to bring residents of San Rafael to the Downtown

1. DRAFT ZONING Paul Jensen, Community Development Director and Kraig Tamborini, Senior Planner presented a summary of Draft Zoning and Related Code Amendments that are to be presented to the Mayor and Council.  Included were Climate Change Action Plan (implementation measures); Hillside Overlay that allows backing out of steep driveways in certain circumstances; Wetlands amendments

1. Whistlestop Development Andrea Osgood, Sr. Project Manager, Eden Housing and Matt Guthrie, Forster & Guthrie Architectects, gave a presentation on the status of plans for the development of the current location of Whistlestop in conjunction with the development plans for SMART. The intent is to rebuild the facility to continue to provide existing services

1. City Ordinance for Hazardous Tree Removal (Coalition of North SR Item) Ray Lorber from the Coalition of North San Rafael presented a situation involving a hazardous tree on private property. Chief Bishop and the Mayor made it clear that this is a situation between private parties not something the City would be involved in.

SMART Update by Barbara Heller There will be improvements at all rail crossings in San Rafael. Most if not all SR crossings will be eligible for Quiet Zones (physical barriers coming down rather than train sounding whistle). SMART will work on planning in 2013 and 14. Once designs are complete, the City will hold neighborhood

Chief Grey talked about Emergency Prep. The fire department is now in charge of it and they are interviewing for someone to head it up and hope to have the position filled in a month or month and a half. He talked about registering cell phones for the emergency call system. They are working on