City of San Rafael, CA

02/16/2026 | Press release | Archived content

📸 Snapshot – City Council meeting agenda, public art, housing developments, road closures, and more!

San Rafael City Council Meeting Highlights

The San Rafael City Council will be meeting on Tuesday, February 17 at San Rafael City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue.

Meeting Details:

Closed Session: Begins at 5:00 p.m., in the Third Floor Conference Room, for conference with legal counsel, and public employee discipline/dismissal/release

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:

  • Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Swinerton Management and Consulting for project management services, and amend an agreement with LCA Architects for design services, for the 350 Merrydale Road Interim Shelter project

  • Resolution approving the Final Subdivision Map for the 709 C Street Development for Condominium Purposes

  • Accepting the notice of completion of the Peacock Gap Park Playground Improvement Project

  • Resolution accepting a proposal from Class Leasing, LLC for the procurement of portable buildings for the Pickleweed Childcare Replacement Portables Project

  • Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend the agreement with Keyser Marston Associates, Inc., for work related to the Park Impact Fee Nexus Study, and authorize a new agreement for Development Impact Fee Nexus Studies

Other Agenda Items:

  • Resolution calling for a special municipal election on June 2, 2026 to submit a measure to renew the Special Library Services Parcel Tax

  • Consideration of amendments to the municipal code for a bail schedule repeal and parking regulation clarification

  • Resolutions denying the appeals of the Planning Commission's approval for mixed-use developments at 700 Irwin Street and 1030 Third Street

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

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New Public Coming to San Rafael

On February 2, the San Rafael City Council approved the installation of five new public art pieces as part of the Downtown San Rafael Arts District's 2025-2026 Public Art Program. The initiative, funded by a California Arts Council grant, will bring three murals and two sculptures to downtown San Rafael.

Selected from over 120 entries, the approved artworks include murals by Bryan Valenzuela, Wyatt Hersey, and Paz de la Calzada, alongside sculptures by Martin Taylor and Oleg Lobykin. The juried selection criteria emphasized originality, technical proficiency, and alignment with the city's cultural and economic development goals. Together, these works aim to create a unified collection that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of the San Rafael community. Installation will begin this spring and continue through summer.

Thank you to the community members who provided input and feedback throughout the selection process! 

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Fire Engine Joins San Rafael Fleet

The San Rafael Fire Department officially put a new fire engine into service this week. The department held a traditional "push-in ceremony" where firefighters, city leaders, and community members physically pushed the engine into the station bay - a symbolic nod to early 1900s firefighters who manually pushed horse-drawn engines after calls.

Fire Chief Abraham Roman shared the importance of this ceremony: "When firefighters, families, city leaders, and community members place their hands on this rig, it sends a clear message: this engine belongs to all of us."

The engine is now in active rotation, ready to respond to emergencies across the city. 

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City Council Explores Housing Solutions

On February 2nd, the City Council held a study session to discuss housing developments in San Rafael and how the City can encourage the types of housing our community needs.

The discussion covered:

  • How state law influences what the City can and can't control in housing projects

  • Types of housing the City would prefer to see developed

  • Potential policy changes to consider

Coming up: A second study session in April will cover affordable housing requirements specifically. Visit the Council meeting page for updates.

Get informed: Watch the study session on the City website. 

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‍Apply for All City Permits Online Beginning February 23

The City of San Rafael will be transitioning to a new, more user-friendly online permitting system on February 23, 2026. The platform, called OpenGov replaces eTRAKiT for new permit applications and makes it easier to apply for permits, upload plans, pay fees, schedule inspections, and track application status online.

OpenGov will be used for Building, Planning, Code Enforcement, Fire Prevention, and Public Works permits - creating one centralized portal for most City permitting services.

What to know:

  • Applications submitted in eTRAKiT before February 23 will continue there until complete

  • Starting February 23, all inspections - including for existing permits - will be scheduled in OpenGov

  • All new Building, Planning, Code Enforcement, and Fire Prevention applications must be submitted through OpenGov starting February 23

Get started by visiting cityofsanrafaelca.portal.opengov.com. Existing OpenGov users can use their current login; new users will need to create an account.

Tutorials and support resources are available on the City website. For help, contact Community & Economic Development at (415) 485-3367 or [email protected]. 

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⚠️Civic Center Road Closure Begins on February 23

The Civic Center Drive / Manuel T. Freitas Parkway intersection will be fully closed from February 23 through approximately June 2026. This is due to a Caltrans project to construct a new roundabout at the U.S. 101/Manuel T. Freitas Parkway interchange.

What to expect:

  • No vehicle access through the intersection

  • Longer travel times, especially during peak hours

  • There will be a walkway open for pedestrian throughout this phase of construction

The closure is expected to begin on February 23, 2026 and expected to end in June 2026.

For more information about the project, visit the Caltrans website. View a full list of detour routes here. If you have questions or want to learn more, reach out to Caltrans's representative, Matt O'Donnell, at [email protected]. 

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Boost Your Business in San Rafael

Photo credit: Jordan Wise

San Rafael's Economic Development team is proud to help local businesses and entrepreneurs thrive. Support is available to navigate the processes of site selection and permitting, growing your business, and getting connected to opportunities.

Access to capital is often a driver of business success. Below are a few opportunities to access financial resources. 

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Exciting Upcoming Events

Join us for these upcoming events in San Rafael:

Documentary Screening - Black Feminist: February 18, 6:00-7:00 p.m., Downtown San Rafael Public Library

  • Celebrate Black History Month by exploring the intersectionality of racial and gender oppression facing Black women in America. Written, directed, and produced by Zanah Thirus.

Kalimba Performance - Carl Winters and the African Roots of Jazz: February 28, 2:00-3:00 p.m., Downtown San Rafael Public Library

  • Join the Kalimba King for a special Black History Month performance. Carl Winters will play the thumb piano and explore the African roots of American jazz, plus offer guidance on making your own kalimba.

Indie Lens Pop-Up Screening - The Inquisitor: February 28, 6:30-8:15 p.m., Downtown San Rafael Public Library

  • Close out Black History Month with this documentary about groundbreaking Texas congresswoman Barbara Jordan, whose sharp intellect transformed U.S. politics-from Nixon's impeachment to civil rights battles.

Seeds of Hope Luncheon: March 2, 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m., San Rafael Community Center (618 B Street)

  • This quarterly event brings together over 20 service providers offering resources to the community. Free and open to all.

3rd Annual Lunar New Year Scavenger Hunt: February 1-28, throughout Downtown San Rafael

  • Usher in the Year of the Horse with the 'Horse Hunt and Word Scramble Challenge!' Collect all the letters hidden within the windows of downtown businesses and unscramble them to reveal a special Lunar New Year-themed word or phrase. Submit your completed word scramble entry for a chance to win $50 gift cards!

Fe-BREW-ary in Downtown San Rafael: February 1-28, throughout Downtown San Rafael

  • FeBREWary is Downtown San Rafael's official month-long celebration of local craft beer. Breweries, tap rooms, and pubs are in full swing, so head to your favorite Downtown San Rafael destination and expand your brew I.Q. with a new style of beer from a local craft brewer, or cozy up with a tall mug of an old favorite in a bit of San Rafael you've yet to explore. From Lincoln Ave to the West End, FeBREWary in Downtown San Rafael is the perfect opportunity to hoist a pint with neighborhood pals in the best places.

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 February 16, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on February 23, 2026 at 19:49 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]