The San Rafael City Council will vote Monday, Aug. 17, on art license agreements that would bring five painted murals to downtown utility boxes, part of a packed agenda that also formalizes Paul Navazio's appointment as permanent city manager.

The mural resolution, a consent calendar item on the city's posted agenda, would authorize the city manager to sign license agreements with the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce for the five downtown boxes. Specific locations, artists and designs have not been publicly released. The item will pass in a single vote unless a council member pulls it for separate discussion.

The Chamber program is distinct from the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District's own "Heart of Marin" Utility Box Art Program, which is moving into its installation phase from Saturday, Aug. 15, through Sept. 15, after artists were selected through a call for proposals that closed in May, according to the BID's website.

Under a separate agenda item, the council will vote to appoint Navazio as city manager for an indefinite term under the city charter, effective Aug. 17. Navazio has served in the role on an interim basis since the council formally named him interim city manager April 6. Before that, city records show he held the title of finance director and acting city manager dating to at least January 2026.

Since taking the reins, Navazio has steered the city through adoption of a $208.2 million budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 and placement of a real property transfer tax measure on the Nov. 3 ballot. At the June 15 budget adoption, he told the council, "We are currently doing work on either a general purpose tax measure or a public safety tax measure," as reported by the Marin Independent Journal.

His salary under the permanent agreement has not been disclosed in the agenda posting.

Speed limits, traffic grant also on agenda

The council will also take final adoption of Ordinance 2069, lowering speed limits on 18 roadway segments outside downtown. Enabled by state Assembly Bill 43, the ordinance was introduced July 20 and covers portions of Andersen Drive, Fourth Street, Third Street, Point San Pedro Road, Lincoln Avenue and others. Reductions range up to 5 mph: Point San Pedro Road drops from 40 to 35 mph, Andersen Drive and Fourth Street segments from 35 to 30 mph, and several streets from 25 to 20 mph, according to Marin IJ reporting.

A separate consent item would accept a $108,500 state Office of Traffic Safety grant funding a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at San Rafael Council Chambers, 1400 Fifth Avenue, with virtual access via webinar and phone. Public comment is limited to two minutes per speaker.