____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting:
Disposition:
Special Meeting
Agenda Item No: 1
Meeting Date: April 21, 2025
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Department: City Clerk
Prepared by: Lindsay Lara, City Clerk City Manager Approval: ___________ TOPIC: PICKLEWEED ADVISORY COMMITTEE INTERVIEWS
SUBJECT: INTERVIEW APPLICANTS AND MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO FILL THREE FOUR-YEAR TERMS THROUGH THE END OF APRIL 2029 ON
THE PICKLEWEED ADVISORY COMMITTEE, DUE TO THE
EXPIRATION OF TERMS OF LOUISE YOST, KATE SPRAGUE, AND
ROSA VASQUEZ
RECOMMENDATION:
Interview the following applicants and make appointments to fill four four-year terms through the end of April 2029 on the Pickleweed Advisory Committee due to the expiration of terms of Louise Yost, Kate Sprague, and Rosa Vasquez, and a vacant Youth Member position.
Name
Ellen Arbit
Kate Sprague
Laura Miller
Narciso De Leon
Rosa Vasquez
BACKGROUND:
The terms of Louise Yost, Kate Sprague, and Rosa Vasquez are set to expire at the end of April 2025. The three vacant positions must be Canal neighborhood residents, and the applications received are all Canal neighborhood residents. Louise Yost is not eligible to reapply because she has served two full terms on the Committee and is rotating off, and both Kate and Rosa have reapplied.
The City Clerk’s office received seven applications; but two withdrew from the application process.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
The Pickleweed Advisory Committee provides valuable input in representing and advocating for the Canal area resident’s needs and wishes for programs and services; and is a primary public networking resource between the Canal residents, representatives from governmental and non-profit agencies, and others. The Pickleweed Advisory Committee works in conjunction with the City of San Rafael. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every other month at 6:00 p.m. at the Al Boro Community Center.
ANALYSIS:
The City Clerk’s office recruited for the Pickleweed Advisory Committee vacancies and received seven (7) applications; however, two applicants withdrew. Staff recommends the City Council interview the five (5) eligible applicants and make appointments to fill the three/four terms.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
The call for applications for the Pickleweed Advisory Committee was advertised through mass email notification, the City website, social media platforms, Marin IJ, and physically posted at City facilities.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Five (5) Applications
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Ellen Arbit
Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado CA
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94901
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 3/Eastern / Distrito 3/Este
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
10 years
Q4
Business Information
Company Retired
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
City Council Agenda
#106
COMPLETE
Collector: Web Link 1 (Web Link)
Started: Thursday, February 20, 2025 10:55:12 PM
Last Modified: Thursday, February 20, 2025 11:04:43 PM
Time Spent: 00:09:30
IP Address: 172.59.160.156
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Pickleweed Advisory Committee
Q18
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? Volunteer with Extrafood.org
Volunteer with Marin Villages
Q19
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
None
Q20
Education:
BA
Q21
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? Resident of local area and aware of needs
I am a senior and aware of needs
I want to serve
Q22
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
None
Q23
Upload your resume.
Q24
Ethnicity / Raza/etnia:
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
3 / 3
Q25
To which gender do you most identify?¿Con qué género se identifica más?
Q26
How old are you?¿Cuántos años tienes?
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Kate Sprague
Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado CA
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94901
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 1/Southern / Distrito 1/Sur
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
14 years
Q4
Business Information
Respondent skipped this question
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
Other (please specify):
I am currently on the committee.
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Pickleweed Advisory Committee
#115
COMPLETE
Collector: Web Link 1 (Web Link)
Started: Wednesday, April 09, 2025 2:09:12 PM
Last Modified: Wednesday, April 09, 2025 2:17:29 PM
Time Spent: 00:08:17
IP Address: 64.38.187.133
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q18
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? I have served on the Pickleweed Advisory Committee. I am on the board of our children’s non-profit swim team. I am on the board of the PTA/Foundation at our children’s public school. I work in public education. We are active in our church in San Rafael. I try to attend city meetings related to our neighborhood and city council meetings when possible. I am on the board of our HOA.
Q19
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
Pickleweed Advisory Committee
Glenwood School Foundation
Swimarin Board
Q20
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics/University of Puget Sound Master’s degree in Education/Northwestern University
Master’s degree in Education Administration/San Francisco State University Q21
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? I enjoy learning about things going on to serve the hyper-local community in our neighborhood, and I appreciate the opportunity to be involved in the city’s support of our neighborhood.
Q22
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
NA
Q23
Upload your resume.
Respondent skipped this question
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
3 / 3
Q24
Ethnicity / Raza/etnia:
Q25
To which gender do you most identify?¿Con qué género se identifica más?
Q26
How old are you?¿Cuántos años tienes?
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Laura Miller
Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado CA
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94901
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 3/Eastern / Distrito 3/Este,
Francisco Blvd. E.
Other (please specify)Otros (especifique):
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
15 years
Q4
Business Information
Company Independent Contact
Address
City/Town San Rafael
ZIP/Postal Code 94901
#107
COMPLETE
Collector: Web Link 1 (Web Link)
Started: Monday, March 03, 2025 11:14:08 PM
Last Modified: Monday, March 03, 2025 11:26:51 PM
Time Spent: 00:12:42
IP Address: 172.56.46.187
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
Other (please specify):
Community garden
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Park and Recreation Commission,
Pickleweed Advisory Committee,
Planning Commission,
Public Art Review Board,
Police Advisory & Accountability Committee
Q18
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? No
Q19
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
COMMUNITY GARDEN REPRESENTATIVE
Q20
Education:
Agricultural studies
Q21
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? I personally only want to rule the community garden and make it larger with community service workers effort.
Q22
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
I would suggest a bathroom facility in the garden for the residents who pay for the community garden.
Q23
Upload your resume.
Respondent skipped this question
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
3 / 3
Q24
Ethnicity / Raza/etnia:
Q25
To which gender do you most identify?¿Con qué género se identifica más?
Q26
How old are you?¿Cuántos años tienes?
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Narciso De Leon Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado Ca
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94901
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 3/Eastern / Distrito 3/Este,
Canal neighborhood
Other (please specify)Otros (especifique):
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
30 yrs
Q4
Business Information
Company N/A
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
City Council Agenda
#105
COMPLETE
Collector: Web Link 1 (Web Link)
Started: Thursday, January 30, 2025 7:31:17 PM
Last Modified: Thursday, January 30, 2025 7:43:58 PM
Time Spent: 00:12:40
IP Address: 172.56.46.40
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Pickleweed Advisory Committee
Q18
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? Helping to donate food at marin residents with a nonprofit organization Q19
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
Extrafood.org
Q20
Education:
High school
Q21
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? Is my responsibility to help community be better and secure.
Q22
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
City approval of selling to much alcohol in our area of living.
Police and city dept abuse of their responsibilities against hispanics Q23
Upload your resume.
Respondent skipped this question
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
3 / 3
Q24
Ethnicity / Raza/etnia:
.
Q25
To which gender do you most identify?¿Con qué género se identifica más?
Q26
How old are you?¿Cuántos años tienes?
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Rosa Vasquez
Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado CA
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94901
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 1/Southern / Distrito 1/Sur
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
21 Q4
Business Information
Respondent skipped this question
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
City Council Agenda
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Pickleweed Advisory Committee
#110
COMPLETE
Collector: Web Link 1 (Web Link)
Started: Thursday, March 13, 2025 6:29:32 PM
Last Modified: Sunday, March 16, 2025 4:24:03 PM
Time Spent: Over a day
IP Address: 72.159.81.44
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q18
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? Picklewees Advisory Committee
Q19
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
Pickleweed Advisory Committee and as a volunteer “Voces del Canal” Q20
Education:
One year Associated Degree didn’t finish
Q21
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? I’m interested cause I want to make a difference for my community.
Q22
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
An area that I have a conflict with the city are the women who come to the area of Canal to sell themselves, which we call “Las cariñosas.
Q23
Upload your resume.
Respondent skipped this question
Q24
Ethnicity / Raza/etnia:
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
3 / 3
Q25
To which gender do you most identify?¿Con qué género se identifica más?
Q26
How old are you?¿Cuántos años tienes?