The Coalition’s Fall Community meeting was a huge success, with roughly 100 people attending. Presentations were given by several community leaders and officials on the topics of the San Rafael Rock Quarry’s permit extension plans, the San Rafael General Plan 2040 progress and the County-wide disaster preparation activities. There was a lively Q and A with each speaker and tips were shared on how people were able to manage during the recent power outages.
Extensive notes of the meeting were taken by Henry Warren and are included below for those who were not able to attend or attendees who wish to refresh their memories and/or find some relevant links. Our thanks go to Henry for this effort as well as to Sandy Mahoney of The Madison Company for providing some wonderful and extensive refreshments.
Notes from Point San Pedro Road Coalition Community Meeting
November 2, 2019
Welcome by Bonnie Marmor, Coalition Co-President
Announcement that Coalition would like to build up their database of local residents. Please submit your contact info including (minimum of name and email address) via the Coalition website’s Signup Page. Bonnie introduced the Coalition Board members and Coalition Committee chairpersons.
Marin County Supervisor Damon Connolly
- Supervisor and staff are available at Civic Center
- Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) were major inconvenience and impact; regarding the PSPS:
- thankful that there were “no casualties” from the incident
- complimented local resources (Fire Department, etc.) that assisted at the Kincade Fire
- noted problems with cellular phone service; said that County will be working with State and Federal agencies to address the need to maintain better cell phone service during power outages
- noted that County helped house and support 700 evacuees from the fire area; complimented local agencies and personnel who participated: the Marin Medical Reserve Corps, Marin Humane Society (housing 90 displaced pets), Marin County Free Library, Marin County Parks
- complimented and thanked local residents who opened their own homes to evacuees, even when the local residents were without power themselves
- stated that County will make efforts “To hold PG&E accountable”
- noted that local firefighters know that having local significant wildland fire event(s) is “not a question of if but when”
- discussed the development and status of Wildland Fire Safety Plan for Marin County:
- 17 of 19 local agencies have adopted and endorsed the proposal; Tiburon and Belvedere have decided their locals are situated differently than others and will maintain their own cities.
- Plan will be on the ballot in 2020
- Plan would establish a new Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority that will sunset in 10 years.
- addressed the San Rafael Rock Quarry,
- noted the Quarry’s pending application to extend operations from 2024 to 2044; the application is under review. Encouraged residents to report concerns/complaints about day-to-day operations to the County and Road Coalition (truck traffic, noise, dust, etc.)
- noted many other current issues, including traffic, development, SMART train, and relocation of the San Rafael Transit Center
Questions from the audience for Supervisor Connolly:
- How much money from the projected $19.1M/year revenue be used for vegetation management (including eucalyptus trees) in China Camp?
- Will the County pursue further requirements for sustainable power to cell phone towers?
- Resident described history going back 5 to 8 years of meetings with Fire Department about miles-long China Camp ridge; was disappointed by China Camp State Park Ranger being unable to take responsibility or identify resources to address vegetation management issues / hazards; Supervisor Connolly said “My follow-up will be to look into the China Camp open space concerns”
- Resident mentioned the utility and comprehensiveness of Santa Rosa AM radio broadcasts; Supervisor Connolly noted that City/County depended a lot on KCBS – 740AM for timely information and reports
- Resident suggested that City and County redouble efforts to insure individual household and neighborhood preparedness; resident noted how much more severe and lengthy the utility outage and impact would have been following a major earthquake with no warning let alone 48 hours’ notice that also affected water supply, natural gas supply, transportation routes, and structural integrity of buildings
- Resident noted difficulty accessing pharmacy services during the PSPS
Bonnie Marmor Addressed Several Quarry Issues
- spoke about number of truck trips and truck issues on Point San Pedro Road that had been raised by a resident; for about the past decade, the number of truck trips has been only about one third of the maximum allowed under the permit.
- spoke about how many adverse impacts from Quarry operations have been mitigated by conditions that the Coalition advocated for and were incorporated into the 2010 Operating Permit
. - Resident noted that the Permit requirement for metered truck traffic on 2-minute intervals applies only for a 2-hour peak period in the morning and for a 1-hour peak period around noon and pm peaks as determined by the Public Works Director; exiting truck traffic is not restricted to minimum intervals at other times of day.
Coalition Attorney John Edgcomb
- reviewed long-term involvement with Coalition
- discussed importance of having a thorough and adequate environmental review for the proposed 20-year extension
- noted that production is projected to rise in future years as communities around the Bay Area prepare for climate change and sea level rise
- noted that movement of material by barges would have less of an impact on the Roadway and the community than movement of material by over-the-road trucks
- reviewed some historical details regarding Quarry operations
- transition from Basalt Company to Dutra Corporation
- former one-page use permit
- efforts to close Quarry
- lawsuit plus Grand Jury Report regarding Quarry oversight
- Coalition concerns leading to the 172-condition 2010 Operating Permit, environmental review, and the amended reclamation plan
- discussed the marsh restoration plan that was submitted in 2012, County oversight, and progress / enforcement of the plan
- discussed where rock washing and overburden were placed in the Northeast quadrant of Quarry in years past
- noted 6-year delay in commencing Reclamation, but process is has been underway for the past two summers. Reclamation going forward must be linked to the amount of rock quarried.
Questions from the audience for Attorney John Edgcomb:
- If extension is granted, will scope of reclamation plan be expanded? Regarding “end game” for Quarry operations, what if Quarry were sold or went bankrupt? “Who is then responsible? Attorney responded that the bond posted by the Quarry is supposed to cover those costs.
- When extending mining for 20 years, can the condition, maintenance, and repair of Point San Pedro Road and Third Street area be addressed as a condition? Attorney responded “Yes’ and that a Board member has already suggested addressing that topic
- Attorney summarized results of a 6-year litigation that concluded in 2019
- when permit was negotiated in 2010 it included a Court-injunction (prohibition) of asphalt recycling, since that would represent “expanded use”
- Coalition had to oppose a unanimous Board of Supervisors decision
- Coalition then had to appeal a Court decision
- Coalition eventually prevailed and had attorneys’ fees awarded by Appeals Court
- Quarry appealed that decision to the State Supreme Court who declined to hear the case
- Coalition prevailed in its opposition to the “expanded use” of beginning asphalt recycling; noted that an alternate existing asphalt recycling site remains in use — in the middle of the Chevron Richmond Refinery
Barry Miller, General Manager for San Rafael’s General Plan 2040
- presented a description and overview of San Rafael General Plan 2040 (PowerPoint presentation)
- discussed history/succession of City’s General Plan over several iterations
- noted that the Plan includes some unincorporated areas (e.g., Country Club, Marinwood, and Santa Venetia)
- Plan is intended to guide land use and development needs and to address quality of life issues
- project has been underway for almost two years and is 2/3 of the way through
- project has a 24-person Steering Committee and has held multiple community meetings
- many City agencies are involved in the Plan development process
- key issues: climate change, housing crisis, balancing growth and community character, social equity, new State transportation requirements, future of retail and effects on land use, emerging technology, future of industrial areas
- General Plan 2040 is building on historical general plans and attempting to address things that are changing
- State requires that municipalities address 8 specific factors; San Rafael will also address and have chapters for another ten optional topics
Here are some key General Plan 2040 webpages:
Citizens can sign up at that site for Agenda Notifications of Steering Committee meetings and activities. Next Steering Committee meeting is November 13, 2019.
Residents are encouraged to participate and Share Your Ideas.
San Rafael Emergency Manager Quinn Gardner and City Manager Jim Schutz
Quinn Gardner
- described 3 steps to personal preparedness:
- Sign up for emergency alerts; text to: 888-777 or go to Nixle.com. Also sign up for alerts from AlertMarin.org
- Have a plan; know what you need to live with our power for 3-7 days, have a go-bag and plan ready for evacuation, plan where to go and where to meet
- Have necessary supplies; water, food, medicines, clothing, lights, phone, batteries, etc. – and make sure that they are accessible
- defend your home from fire with defensible space; clear low-lying fire fuel away from structures; think like firefighters: look for what will burn easily and get remove or mitigate the hazard
- evacuate from wildfires to safety; on the Peninsula that includes the Quarry, the Golf Course, Andy’s Market parking lot, the marina
- be aware of your neighbors, who might need some help and who might need a check-in
- San Rafael Wildfire Safety Plan is in the works and online (along with much more detailed info) at SROES.org
Jim Schutz
- advocated for the pending ballot measure to establish new Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (Joint Powers Authority)
- noted that Fire Response “versus” Fire Prevention is how it often works, but that the City prefers to develop and implement a coordinated response to work on prevention.
- described proposed assessment to fund the JPA and to provide additional fire prevention including fuel reduction:
- 10 cents per square foot on all buildings, approximately $150-$200 annually per property, with a 10-year “sunset provision”
- described projected allocations of revenue:
- 60% fuel reduction
- 20% home hardening / defensible space (for those who cannot do it themselves)
- 20% local specific needs
- noted that first reading by County Supervisors will occur November 5, and that there will be a second reading on November 19 in order to present the proposal to voters on the March 2020 ballot
Some relevant documents available on the City website:
- Agenda for November 5, 2019 Board of Supervisors meeting
- San Rafael Staff report to Board of Supervisors
- Draft Ordinance
- Presentation (14 slides)
John Lenser of the Pt. San Pedro Road Coalition’s Disaster Prep Committee asked for volunteers to participate in sub-committees/focus groups:
- Medical Services: will address issues such as commitment of medical professionals, Cert Training, temporary medical aid centers, and staging of medical supplies;
- Evacuation & Communication: will address issues such as disaster notification issues, mapping of neighborhoods, identification of retreat areas, staging of supplies, special need individuals, animal care, etc.
- Utilities: resources available including P G & E, water, sewage, phone service, and internet
- Community Resources: city services, business (grocery & pharmacy), quarry, brickyard, schools, golf and marina, churches, parks
To volunteer, contact the Disaster Prep Committee using the Contact the Disaster Prep Committee form on the Coalition’s website.
A question was asked about the status of development at The Strand, but time did not permit discussion. The Loch Lomond Committee reports that, while nothing is certain, there is some reason to hope that 2020 will be a turn-around year and progress will again begin on completing this development project in our midst. The Committee is doing its best to encourage the developer action and meets monthly with the San Rafael Community Development Department and Department of Public Works. Information that comes out of these meetings is posted monthly on the Coalition website.