Snapshot for October 16, 2026: City Council meeting agenda, updated Bike and Pedestrian Plan, next steps for 350 Merrydale affordable homes, Second and Fourth Street redesign[...]

San Rafael City Council meeting highlights

The San Rafael City Council will meet on Monday, October 19, 2026, at San Rafael City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue.

Meeting details:

• 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:

The City Council will consider:

• Minutes from the Oct. 5 special and regular meetings

• Updated Public Art Review Board bylaws, replacing the Park and Recreation Commission seat with an at-large seat, and appointment of Alexa Apallas through October 2030

• Agreement with Everytable for food delivery services for the interim shelter at 350 Merrydale Road, up to $106,000 through June 30, 2027

• Temporary street closures for the WildCare Opening Weekend Celebration and Winter Wonderland

• Agreement with PlaceWorks to prepare the Northgate Specific Plan, up to $797,000, paid for with a regional One Bay Area Grant

• Acceptance of a $65,233 state grant for San Rafael Police Department boating safety and enforcement equipment

• Purchase of a replacement wildland fire engine, up to $716,000

Special presentations:

• Proclamation recognizing National First Responders' Day

Public hearings:

• Adoption of the Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan 2026 Update

Other agenda items:

• Construction contract with Ghilotti Bros., Inc. for the Second Street and Fourth Street Intersection Improvements Project, up to $2,875,000 with contingency, plus a $573,908 construction management agreement with Consor North America

• Renewed request to formally dissolve the Successor Agency to the former San Rafael Redevelopment Agency

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].

Updated Bike and Pedestrian Plan goes to Council Oct. 19

The City Council will consider adopting the updated Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan on Oct. 19. The plan was last updated in 2018. This version maps out how San Rafael will improve walking, biking, and rolling over the next five to 10 years.

What to know: Community feedback from spring 2025 shaped the plan's walking and biking networks. It also lists the top 20 projects the City may focus on first, including new paths, sidewalks, bike lanes, and safer crossings.

Learn more about the plan update.

Next steps for affordable homes at 350 Merrydale Road

The San Rafael City Council voted on October 5th to begin exclusive negotiations with Eden Housing for the development of permanent affordable homes at 350 Merrydale Road and 3833 Redwood Highway.

Why it matters: This initial step gives the City and Eden up to 12 months to work out the terms of a development. It does not approve a specific housing project, and any final development and disposition agreement would go to the Planning Commission and then the City Council for approval.

What's next: Over the next six months, Eden will study feasibility and lead community meetings on the building's design. Under the City's agreement with the County, the site must hold at least 80 affordable homes, entitled by June 30, 2028.

Learn more about planning for the permanent homes.

Redesign of Second and Fourth Street intersection moves ahead

On Oct. 19, the City Council will consider a $2.3 million construction contract with Ghilotti Bros., Inc. to rebuild the intersection of Second Street and Fourth Street. Nearly 20,000 vehicles pass through it each day, and its five skewed approaches can confuse drivers, bike riders, and people on foot.

What to expect:

• Five signal approaches become three, with shorter crosswalks

• New traffic signals, lighting, paving, and a transit stop

• Accessibility upgrades for people walking and using mobility aids

• A finished protected bike lane from Shaver Street to West End Avenue

Project funding: A $3 million federal grant pays for most of the work, with about $398,000 from the City's gas tax fund.

Learn more about the intersection improvements project.

Election Day is Nov. 3

Election Day is coming up soon! Make a plan to vote by Nov. 3. Oct. 19 is the last day to register and get a ballot by mail. After that, you can still register and vote in person through Election Day.

On the ballot in San Rafael:

• City Council, District 2: Eli Hill is running unopposed.

• City Council, District 3: Robert Sandoval and Daryoush Davidi are on the ballot.

• Measure W: The San Rafael Essential Services Protection Measure asks voters whether the City should raise its real property transfer tax from 0.2 percent to 1 percent. The tax is paid only when a property sells. The City estimates the change would bring in about $7.5 million a year for local services. Those include fire protection, paramedics, 911 emergency response, street and road repair, and responses to homelessness, litter, and illegal dumping.

Important deadlines:

• Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 10.

• Ballot drop boxes close at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Learn more about the upcoming election.

Apply to be featured at Local Authors Night

The San Rafael Public Library is seeking local authors for an upcoming Local Authors Night on Friday, November 13, at 6:00 p.m. at the Downtown Library. Selected authors will share their published work with the community during a series of mini-author chats, followed by a Marketplace Mixer where authors and community members can mingle and enjoy light refreshments.

Authors with books for a range of audiences are invited to apply through the linked application form. Applications are open from Friday, September 25, through Friday, October 16, at 5:00 p.m. Selected authors will be notified on Saturday, October 24.

Learn more about local authors night.

Join the San Rafael Team!

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

• Accountant I/II

• Administrative Assistant I/II

• Child Care Instructor I/II

• Emergency Management Coordinator I/II/III

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:

Hops and Vines Stroll: Oct. 17, 2:00-6:00 p.m., Fourth Street, Downtown San Rafael

• Sample beer, wine, spirits, and cider at about 23 downtown businesses, with a cable car shuttle along Fourth Street. Ages 21 and over. Tickets are $35 in advance or $45 the day of, at the booth in City Plaza, 1000 Fourth Street.

Trick-or-Treat on Fourth Street: Oct. 24, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Fourth Street, Downtown San Rafael

• Kids and families can trick-or-treat at downtown shops displaying a "Participating Business" sign. San Rafael Police Department officers will hand out candy in the Plaza, and a pet costume contest starts at 1:30 p.m. The Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District hosts, rain or shine.

3rd Annual Treat Walk: Oct. 29, 4:00-6:00 p.m., San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street

• Wear your costume to the Lonatese Garden for treats, pumpkin decorating, face painting, and games with San Rafael Library and Recreation and other City departments. Free and open to the public.

Dark Skies Educational Panel: Nov. 5, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers, 1400 Fifth Avenue, and online

• Join Mayor Kate and a panel of local experts for a community conversation on dark skies issues, opportunities, and considerations. Participate in person or watch online.

Climate Action Forum: Oct. 29, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., City Hall Third Floor Conference Room

• Join Sustainable San Rafael, City Councilmember Maika Llorens Gulati, and the City Sustainability Team to learn about major sustainability and climate initiatives, meet other climate action leaders and organizations, and provide insights and input. This quarter we'll dive into sea level rise and the threat of flooding from El Niño and King Tides.

Goldenaires Holiday Crafts Market: Nov. 7, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street

• Shop handmade crafts and homemade goodies from the Goldenaires, the City's senior community group. Santa stops by 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Free admission.

Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration: Nov. 7, 2026, 3:00-9:00 p.m., Albert J. Boro Community Center, 50 Canal Street

• Celebrate and remember loved ones at one of San Rafael's longest-running traditions, now in its 38th year. Look for the giant kites (barriletes) community members built at free Friday workshops this fall.

Plus, there's always something happening at the library! Check out the San Rafael Library event calendar!