Local Government
Local Government
Latest reporting from the Local Government desk.
Local Government
Latest reporting from the Local Government desk.
Local Government
Latest reporting from the Local Government desk.
Local Government
San Rafael reveals Albert Park library survey results Oct. 15
San Rafael will present survey findings for its proposed Albert Park library and community center at a public meeting Oct. 15. The project has a preliminary estimated cost of $105 million.
Local Government
San Rafael declares emergency, sets aside $500K for El Niño floods
The San Rafael City Council declared a local emergency on Oct. 5 and authorized $500,000 from the General Fund Emergency Reserve for storm preparation, citing NOAA projections of a potentially historic El Niño winter that threatens more than 16,000 residents living near the Bay and its tributaries.
Local Government
San Rafael bus riders lose free cash transfers Jan. 1
Local Government
San Rafael senior housing plan shrinks to 8 stories
Local Government
San Rafael reveals Albert Park library survey results Oct. 15
San Rafael will present survey findings for its proposed Albert Park library and community center at a public meeting Oct. 15. The project has a preliminary estimated cost of $105 million.
Local Government
San Rafael’s Rodoni seeks reviews of law enforcement technology
Local Government
San Rafael bus riders lose free cash transfers Jan. 1
Local Government
San Rafael reveals Albert Park library survey results Oct. 15
San Rafael will present survey findings for its proposed Albert Park library and community center at a public meeting Oct. 15. The project has a preliminary estimated cost of $105 million.
Local Government
San Rafael’s Rodoni seeks reviews of law enforcement technology
Local Government
San Rafael bus riders lose free cash transfers Jan. 1
Local Government
San Rafael senior housing plan shrinks to 8 stories
Local Government
Miracle Mile pipeline replacement begins on Fourth Street, Second Street
Marin Water's Phase One construction on the Miracle Mile pipeline replacement is now underway on Fourth Street, Second Street and Marquard Avenue in San Rafael, bringing weekday parking restrictions and at least three planned water shutoffs through late August.
Local Government
Marin County seeks input on Tam Junction's traffic, flooding
Marin County is seeking public input on the Tam Junction Placemaking Study through a webinar on Aug. 5 and a survey open through Aug. 24, addressing congestion, flooding and safety on a Shoreline Highway corridor used daily by San Rafael commuters.
Local Government
Home sellers could pay 5x more under San Rafael tax measure
San Rafael's proposed property transfer tax increase from 0.2% to 1% would generate $6 million annually for roads, parks, and public safety, but real estate agents warn sellers will bear the cost on every home sale.
Local Government
San Rafael OKs three-tier resident traffic calming program.
The San Rafael City Council approved a three-tier traffic-calming policy on July 20 that lets residents petition for speed humps, radar signs, and traffic circles on their streets, but Vice Mayor Rachel Kertz and a pedestrian advocate questioned whether petitions are the right way to make safety decisions.
Local Government
Third San Rafael council cancellation this year, no reason
San Rafael canceled its August 3 City Council meeting with no explanation, leaving residents without a council forum until August 17 and continuing a pattern of summer meeting cancellations across city bodies.
Local Government
San Rafael nominates 5 tracts for Opportunity Zone 2.0
The San Rafael City Council voted July 20 to nominate five Southeast San Rafael census tracts for the federal Opportunity Zone 2.0 program, a move that could attract tax-advantaged private investment but also raises displacement concerns in the Canal district.
Local Government
Point San Pedro Road speed limit drops to 35 mph
The San Rafael City Council unanimously reduced the speed limit on Point San Pedro Road between Marina Boulevard and Porto Bello Drive from 40 mph to 35 mph under Assembly Bill 43, a change long sought by the Point San Pedro Road Coalition as part of the city's Vision Zero safety commitment.
Local Government
San Rafael transit overhaul boosts ridership 20%
The MASCOTS coordinated transit plan has boosted SMART ridership 20% and cross-agency transfers 45% in its first seven weeks, bringing more frequent Route 101 bus service for San Rafael commuters but drawing criticism over cuts to Novato and Sonoma County connections.
Local Government
State Downgrades Seeger Dam, Orders Marin Water Repair Plan
The California Division of Safety of Dams downgraded Seeger Dam at Nicasio Reservoir from "satisfactory" to "fair" and ordered the Marin Municipal Water District to submit a repair plan by December 1, 2026, kicking off a project expected to take eight to 10 years.
Local Government
San Rafael District 3 Council Race Draws Two Candidates
Two San Rafael City Council seats and three school board trustee positions are on the Tuesday, November 3, 2026 ballot, with the candidate filing deadline set for Friday, August 7; Robert Sandoval and Daryoush Davidi have already filed for the District 3 council seat.
Local Government
San Rafael Fire Department veteran retires after 26 years as new battalion chief steps up
Battalion Chief Kyle Hamilton retires from the San Rafael Fire Department after 26 years, while Captain Garrett Northern steps into the battalion chief role, celebrated with a firehouse dinner on Thursday, July 24.
Local Government
San Rafael council votes to lower speed limits on 18 streets outside downtown
The San Rafael City Council voted Monday, July 20, to cut speed limits on 18 street segments outside the downtown core, with new signs going up in fall 2026 and enforcement beginning after a one-month warning period in winter.
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©2026 San Rafael Record
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©2026 San Rafael Record
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