City of San Rafael, CA

07/17/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/17/2026 16:48

Snapshot: City Council meeting agenda, new ways to participate in Council meetings, election information, and more!

San Rafael City Council Meeting Highlights

The San Rafael City Council will be meeting on Monday, July 20, at San Rafael City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue.

Meeting Details: Regular Meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

Consent Calendar Highlights

The City Council will consider:

  • Certifying results of the June 2 special election on Measure K.

  • Final adoption of park fee, transportation fee, and parking ordinances.

  • Funding site preparation for the 350 Merrydale interim shelter.

  • Accepting grants for the Climate Justice manager position and the Bayfront Levee project.

  • Purchasing a new fireboat, backed by a federal grant.

  • Approving street closures for Porchfest, the West End Block Party, and other summer events.

  • Awarding a contract for the 2025 street paving and striping program.

Public Hearings

  • Consideration of a measure on the November ballot to raise the real property transfer tax, with new oversight.

  • Introduction of an ordinance adjusting speed limits on 18 roadway segments outside downtown.

Other Agenda Items

  • Adoption of a citywide Traffic Calming Program policy.

  • Nomination of five local census tracts for the federal Opportunity Zone 2.0 program.

City Manager and Councilmember Reports

  • Reports from the City Manager and Councilmembers, including updates on meetings and conferences attended.

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].

‍Can't Make It to City Hall? Now You Can Join City Council Meetings From Anywhere!

Starting July 20, 2026, you can share your thoughts at a City Council meeting from home. The City Council is moving to a hybrid format, so alongside the in-person meeting at City Hall, you can now join by Zoom or by phone.

What's changing: Councilmembers still meet in person in the Council Chambers. What's new is that you can make live public comments virtually.

What to know:

  • Comment live by Zoom or phone.

  • Remote speakers get the same time at the mic as everyone else.

  • Each agenda lists the Zoom link, call-in number, and how to speak.

  • Prefer to write in? You can still email your comments to [email protected] before the meeting.

The change comes from California Senate Bill 707 (2025), a new state law requiring cities to offer two-way remote participation. The intention of the law is to reduce barriers for the community to be heard by their local leaders, and make City Council meetings more accessible to all.

To join the first hybrid meeting on July 20, check the agenda for the Zoom link and call-in details.

Downtown's Public Art Program Nears Completion

Four of five new public artworks are now on display across downtown, part of a program launched last summer to celebrate San Rafael's cultural identity. Funded by a California Arts Council grant, the $260,000 project brought murals, mosaics, and sculptures to some of downtown's most visible spots.

Check out the new pieces:

  • C Street Garage mural on Third Street

  • City Plaza fountain mural and tile artwork

  • Second Street retaining wall mural at Ida Street

  • B Street Community Center statue

The fifth piece, a statue at City Hall, arrives August 29. More than 1,000 residents weighed in through a public survey to help shape the works, selected by a committee of local artists and City staff.

The downtown arts community also completed a rebrand this summer, taking on a new name and look as San Rafael Arts. Building the arts district has been a multi-year collaboration between the City and several non-profit arts partners who have tirelessly volunteered their time to steer the growth of our district.

Thank you to Art Works Downtown, California Film Institute, Community Media Center of Marin, the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District, Marin Society of Artists, Marin Shakespeare Company, Multicultural Center of Marin, and Youth In Arts, for the collaboration and support of the arts!

Important San Rafael Election Information

San Rafael's General Municipal Election will be held Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Offices on the ballot:

  • District 2 and District 3 City Councilmember seats

  • Three Board of Education Trustee seats

Interested in running? Check out the City's helpful guide on our website. Nomination Papers can be picked up and filed at the City Clerk's Office from Monday, July 13, through Friday, August 7, 2026, during business hours, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Complete the Candidate Application online first, then call 415-485-3066 to schedule an appointment.

City Hall Closed to Walk-Ins on Fridays This Summer

Starting June 5 and running through Aug. 28, 2026, San Rafael City Hall will be closed to the general public on Fridays. Residents who need in-person services on a Friday can contact the City to schedule an appointment.

All other City services remain open and maintain normal Friday hours, including San Rafael Community Centers, Libraries and Albert J. Boro Community Center Parking Services. Public safety and emergency response services will continue to operate 24/7.

City Hall Summer Hours:

  • Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

  • Fridays: By appointment only

Stay in the Loop on all Things San Rafael

Want city news, event reminders, and project updates without hunting for them? The City posts regularly and sends a roundup straight to your inbox.

Join the San Rafael Team!

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

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

Exciting Upcoming Events

Join us for these upcoming events in San Rafael:

Summer Fun in the Park: July 17, 2026, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Terra Linda Park, 670 Del Ganado Road

  • Kick off the weekend with free live music from Crossroads, a band playing classic rock favorites, plus family activities. Bring a picnic, a blanket, or your camping chairs. Free and open to the public.

Seconds Matter: Learn to Save a Life: July 18, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Marinwood Community Center, 775 Miller Creek Road

  • Learn CPR, AED use, bleeding control, and Narcan training in a free, hands-on class taught by San Rafael Fire Department EMTs. When an emergency strikes, the first few minutes matter most. Registration required through Eventbrite. [CONFIRM: venue address]

Dive-In Movie Night: Aug. 7, 2026, 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., Terra Linda Community Pool, 670 Del Ganado Road

  • Swim, snack on popcorn and snow cones, and watch "The Sandlot" (1993) under the stars. This event is for youth ages 12 to 15. Tickets are $15 online and $20 at the door. Advance registration encouraged.

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 July 17, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 17, 2026 at 22:48 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]