City of San Rafael, CA

05/29/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/29/2026 16:51

Snapshot: City Council meeting agenda, pool hours, Albert Park Library and Community Center survey, public art, and more!

Snapshot En Espanol

San Rafael City Council Meeting Highlights

The San Rafael City Council will be meeting on Monday, June 1, 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:

  • Approval of minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of May 18, 2026

  • Resolution calling and giving notice of by-district elections for Districts 2 and 3, and San Rafael Board of Education Trustee Area elections for Areas 2, 4, and 5, to be held November 3, 2026

  • Proclamations recognizing Juneteenth, Pride Month, and National Gun Violence Awareness Day

  • Resolution adopting a list of projects for FY 2026-27 funded by Senate Bill 1 (SB 1): The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017

  • Resolution approving a project-specific maintenance agreement with Caltrans for the Redwood Highway Trash Capture Device Project

  • Resolutions to order improvements and set a public hearing for the annual assessment of the Baypoint Lagoons Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District and Point San Pedro Road Median Assessment District for fiscal year 2026-27

Public Hearings:

  • Introduction of an ordinance to amend the Zoning Code to add clarifying language and simplify existing zoning regulations

  • Resolution amending the General Plan's Safety and Resilience Element to continue meeting the goals of Assembly Bill (AB) 2140

Other Agenda Items:

  • Presentation on the Sea Level Rise Feasibility Study

  • Resolution authorizing hybrid City Council meetings effective July 1, 2026, and adopting policies to implement Senate Bill (SB) 707, including a technology disruption policy, multilingual agendas and participation policy, and disruptive behavior in public meetings policy

  • Report on City Council Three-Year Strategic Plan implementation and performance metrics

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].

Preliminary Budget Presented to City Council for Fiscal Year 2026-27

San Rafael's proposed budget for the coming fiscal year was presented to the City Council at the May 18 meeting - a $209.6 million spending plan that funds day-to-day City services, staffing, and major infrastructure investments across the community.

Why it matters: The budget is both a financial plan and the legal authority for City departments to spend public resources.

  • It's how programs get funded, roads get repaired, and community needs get met.

  • This year's proposed budget is aligned with the City Council's updated goals and objectives and existing fiscal policies.

The numbers at a glance:

  • $209.6 million in total proposed spending, which covering daily City operations, capital projects, and transfers between funds

  • $113.7 million from the General Fund, which pays for most core City services. The budget closes a projected $1.0 million shortfall through a combination of budget adjustments and one-time fund balance use.

  • $19.4 million for capital projects - roads, facilities, and infrastructure improvements across the City

  • 419.55 City employees (full-time equivalent), up slightly from last year due to expanded staffing in the Childcare Program

  • The City's rainy-day reserve stays intact at $17.4 million - 15% of the General Fund, as required by City policy

What's next: The final budget is scheduled for City Council consideration and adoption on June 15, 2026. Learn more by reading the staff report presented at the May 18 City Council meeting.

Help Shape the New Albert Park Library and Community Center

San Rafael is planning a new Library & Community Center at Albert Park - and we want to hear from you!

Why it matters: Approved by voters in 2024, this exciting project will create a welcoming space for learning, recreation, creativity, and community connection for generations to come.

As planning gets underway, the City is asking community members to help shape the future of the facility.

  • What programs, spaces, and features are most important to you?

  • What would make this a place you and your family would love to visit?

The City has created a short 5-7-minute survey to gather your initial ideas and priorities. Whether you live, work, learn, or spend time in San Rafael, your feedback matters!

Together, we can create a community space that reflects the needs, values, and vision of San Rafael today and into the future.

English survey: bit.ly/AlbertParkLCCSurvey

Encuesta en español: bit.ly/AlbertParkLCCSurveySPA

New Public Art Installation is Underway at City Plaza Fountain

A new mural and ceramic tile installation has arrived at the City Plaza Fountain in Downtown San Rafael - and it's worth a stop.

"Where the Fountain Dreams," by San Francisco-based artist Paz de la Calzada, is a meditation on flow: the way water joins, sustains, and transforms.

  • De la Calzada works in organic lines and meditative forms, drawing on themes of renewal, memory, and the relationship between people and place.

  • The result is something that invites you to slow down for a moment in the heart of downtown.

What's next: The mural is nearly complete. Ceramic tile installation on the front pillars of the fountain is expected to be finished during the week of June 10.

"Where the Fountain Dreams" is the second of five new public artworks coming to Downtown San Rafael this spring and summer as part of the City's 2025-2026 Public Art Program, supported by a $250,000 grant from the California Arts Council. The first installation - a metal sculpture titled "Touch the Sky" by artist Martin Taylor - was unveiled May 6 at the San Rafael Community Center.

Stop by City Plaza Fountain and experience it in person!

Summer Is On at the Terra Linda Pool

The Terra Linda Community Pool is open and ready for summer - with swim lessons, camps, special events, and a season pass that covers it all from May 21 through September 7.

Here's what's on offer this summer:

  • Swim lessons for all ages and skill levels, from 6-month-olds to adults, in group or private sessions

  • Camp TL (Splash Camp) for ages 6-10: weekly themed sessions with games, crafts, and supervised pool time, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

  • Junior Lifeguard Camp for ages 10-12: water rescue skills, endurance training, and first aid basics

  • Aquatic Aide Program for grades 6-9: work alongside swim instructors and earn a free season pass

  • Snow Cone Fridays every Friday in July: free snow cones for all swimmers, 1:00-3:00 p.m. (while supplies last)

  • Dive-In Movie on Friday, July 10 at 8:00 p.m.

  • Lifeguard Training and CPR/First Aid certification courses offered throughout the season

Season passes, punch cards, and daily admission are all available. Passes can be purchased online, at the pool, or at the Terra Linda Community Center.

️ San Rafael is Updating Parking Regulations

San Rafael is tidying up its parking rules by proposing amendments to Municipal Code to remove outdated language, improve clarity, and ensure the code is easier to understand and administer.

What's changing: The amendments will modernize San Rafael's parking regulations to reflect current technology, including mobile payment platforms and multi-space pay stations. They will also align on-street and off-street parking regulations to promote transparency, consistency, and efficient enforcement throughout the City. Finally, outdated provisions are being removed, conflicting sections reconciled, and dense legal language rewritten in plain English, so the rules are easier for residents to understand and for staff to enforce.

What to expect: The proposed ordinance is anticipated to come before the City Council at the June 15 meeting. A draft will be published in advance, and the public is welcome to review it and submit comments before or during the hearing.

To learn more about the project, visit the City website.

Pride Flag Raising at City Hall

Join the City Council and City staff to kick off LGBTQ+ Pride Month with a pride flag raising at City Hall. Mayor Kate Colin will offer brief remarks. All are welcome to celebrate San Rafael's vibrant LGBTQ+ community. Free and open to the public.

The details:

  • When: June 1, 2026, 5:40 p.m. (promptly)

  • Where: San Rafael City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue

✅ Election Day Is June 2 - Make Your Voice Heard

The June 2 election is days away, and every vote counts. If you haven't voted yet, there is still time.

  • Vote Centers are open now and through Election Day for in-person voting.

  • Election Day is Tuesday, June 2. All Vote Center locations are open from 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

  • Missed the mail ballot deadline? Pick up a ballot at any Vote Center in Marin.

  • Not yet registered? You can still register and vote on Election Day at any Vote Center.

Take part in your democracy and vote in the June election! For more information and to find your vote center, visit MarinVotes.org.

Exciting Upcoming Events

Join us for these upcoming events in San Rafael:

Seeds of Hope Service Fair and Luncheon: June 8, 2026, 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Albert J. Boro Community Center, 50 Canal Street

  • Held quarterly, this event brings together more than 20 service providers to offer support services, resources, and a free catered lunch for community members experiencing homelessness. Services include legal aid, medical care, employment assistance, housing support, and more. Free and open to all.

San Rafael Summer Market and 2nd Friday Art Walk: June 12, 2026, 5:00-9:00 p.m., Downtown San Rafael, Fourth Street

  • The Summer Market returns with food, handcrafted goods, live music, and a Pond Farm beer garden - plus art activities and games for kids. June's market falls on the 2nd Friday Art Walk, so make a full evening of it exploring galleries and creative spaces throughout downtown. Free to attend.

Raíces Del Canal Green Festival: June 13, 2026, 1:00-4:00 p.m., Albert J. Boro Community Center, 50 Canal Street

  • The first annual Raíces Del Canal Green Festival brings the community together to explore environmental sustainability through hands-on activities and take-home resources. Hosted by Raíces Del Canal, the event features free food, games, prizes, and activities for all ages. Free and open to the public.

Read With Pride: June 14, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Marin County Civic Center Farmer's Market, 3501 Civic Center Drive

  • Celebrate Pride Month with a family-friendly morning at the Farmer's Market featuring the Bookmobile, the Learning Bus, storytime, kid Zumba, face painting, a scavenger hunt, crafts, music by DJ Destro, and community partners. Free and open to all.

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 May 29, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 29, 2026 at 22:51 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]