MINUTES
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL - MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2025
SPECIAL MEETING AT 4:30 P.M. AND 6:00 P.M.
San Rafael City Hall, Council Chambers
1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
This meeting will be held in-person. This meeting is being streamed to YouTube at www.youtube.com/cityofsanrafael.
How to participate in the meeting:
• You are welcome to come to the meeting and provide public comment in person. Each speaker will have 2-minutes to provide public comment per agenda item. • Submit your comments by email to [email protected] by 4:00 p.m. the day of the meeting.
If you experience technical difficulties during the meeting, please contact [email protected].
SPECIAL MEETING AT 4:30 P.M.
San Rafael City Hall, Third Floor Conference Room
1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
Watch Online:
Watch on Webinar: https://tinyurl.com/ccsm-2025-10-20
Listen by phone: (669) 900-9128
ID: 880-1025-7801#
Present: Vice Mayor Bushey
Councilmember Hill
Councilmember Llorens Gulati
Councilmember Kertz
Mayor Kate
Absent: None
Also Present: City Manager Cristine Alilovich
City Clerk Lindsay Lara
Mayor Kate called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
SPECIAL MEETING
1. Special Meeting:
Mayor Kate invited public comment.
Speaker: Paula Kamena
a. Board, Commission and Committee Interviews
Interview Applicants and Make Appointments to the Police Advisory and Accountability Committee and the Planning Commission (Districts 1 and 4) to the End of October 2029 (CC)
2 The City Council interviewed the following applicants for the Police Advisory and Accountability Committee: Daniel Alm, Douglas Sides, Fatai Tokolahi, Jason Sarris and Kennedy Rodas.
Councilmember Llorens Gulati moved and Councilmember Kertz seconded to reappoint Daniel Alm and Fatai Tokolahi, and to appoint Kennedy Rodas as Youth Member, to the Police Advisory and Accountability Committee to the end of October 2029.
AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
The City Council interviewed the following applicants for the Planning Commission: Jill Rodby and Jack Salvemini.
Vice Mayor Bushey moved and Councilmember Kertz seconded to reappoint Jill Rodby as the District 1 Representative and to appoint Jack Salvemini as the District 4 Representative on the Planning Commission to the end of October 2029.
AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
Mayor Kate adjourned the meeting at 5:44 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING AT 6:00 P.M.
San Rafael City Hall, Council Chambers
1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
Watch Online:
Watch on Webinar: https://tinyurl.com/city-council-2
Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/cityofsanrafael
Listen by phone: (669) 444-9171
ID: 860-6190-5675#
Present: Vice Mayor Bushey
Councilmember Hill
Councilmember Kertz
Councilmember Llorens Gulati
Mayor Kate
Absent: None
Also Present: City Manager Cristine Alilovich
Chief Assistant City Attorney Andrea Visveshwara
City Clerk Lindsay Lara
Mayor Kate called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. and invited City Clerk Lindsay Lara to call the roll.
Chief Assistant City Attorney Andrea Visveshwara announced that no reportable action was taken in Closed Session following the adjournment of the City Council meeting from October 6, 2025.
3 Mayor Kate provided opening remarks, which included gratitude to City Staff, an announcement of the Finance and ERP team named as Team of the Quarter for the 2nd Quarter, gratitude to residents who apply to Boards, Commissions and Committees, the sudden passing of Novato Councilmember Mark Milberg, and a land acknowledgment.
City Clerk Lindsay Lara informed the community that there would be Spanish language interpreting available for agenda item 7.b. She announced the in-person meeting would be recorded and streamed live to YouTube and through Zoom. She noted the two-minute timer for public comment and closed captioning on Zoom.
OPEN SESSION
2. None
CLOSED SESSION
3. Closed Session: - None.
CITY MANAGER AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS:
(including AB 1234 Reports on Meetings and Conferences Attended at City Expense)
4. City Manager and Councilmember Reports:
City Manager Cristine Alilovich provided the following announcements and updates:
• 350 Merrydale Road Interim Shelter Program Joint Press Conference with the County • Homelessness & Housing Subcommittee meeting to be held October 21 at City Hall, 11 a.m.
• United Against Hate Week
• What Works Cities Certification
• Public Art Program Launch
• Quarterly Climate Action Forum to be held October 23 at City Hall, 5-7 p.m. • Treat Walk at B Street Community Center to be held October 23, 4-6 p.m. • Movies in the Park to be held October 24 at Terra Linday Park, 7:15 p.m. • Trick-Or-Treat on Fourth Street hosted by the Downtown BID to be held October 25, 1-3 p.m. – Trunk-Or-Treat at Police Department
• Day of the Dead celebration to be held November 1 at Al Boro Community Center, 3-9 p.m.
City Councilmember Reports:
• Vice Mayor Bushey reported on a San Rafael Sanitation District board meeting, a Central Marin Sanitation Agency board meeting, and HOA events for Peacock Gap Homeowners Association and Montecito Area Residents Association. • Councilmember Kertz reported on the Cal Cities Annual Conference, the Fire Department and Police Department Open House, a Fire Foundation community event, the Marin Latino Leaders luncheon, the 350 Merrydale Press Conference, and the Mont Marin San Rafael Park ice cream social.
• Councilmember Hill reported on the Open House at the Public Safety Center and the 350 Merrydale Press Conference.
• Councilmember Llorens Gulai reported on a MCE Clean Energy event, MCE Clean Energy meetings, the Coastal Clean-Up Day, the Library Reopening Ribbon-Cutting, the San Rafael Fire Department Badge Pinning and Awards Ceremony, the Sustainable San Rafael 20th Anniversary party, the Annual BID Meeting Mixer, the San Rafael Chamber’s Inside the Funder’s Mind event, the Cal Cities Annual Conference, the Great Communities Collaborative (20th anniversary celebration), and the Pickleweed 4 Park Enhancement Project Ribbon-Cutting.
• Mayor Kate reported on the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) Clean Fleet Expo, the Pickleweed Park Ribbon-Cutting, the Sip and Bite Café Ribbon-Cutting, and The Cave Ribbon-Cutting, the East San Rafael Working Group, the Public Safety Open House, the Marin Latino Leaders Luncheon, and Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART).
Mayor Kate invited public comment.
Speakers: Brent McClain, Sherna Deamer, Montecillo Area Residents Association, Phil Downs, Sr., Ashley, Kim, Name Withheld, Noel Stenberg, Sue, Walt Pederson, Name Withheld, Carter, Eoin Sheeran and Gregory Andrew
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mayor Kate invited public comment; however, there was none.
Councilmember Llorens Gulati moved and Councilmember Kertz seconded to approve the Consent Calendar.
AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
Mayor Kate presented the Proclamation for National First Responders Day 2025.
5. Consent Calendar Items:
a. Approval of Minutes
Approve Minutes of the Special and Regular City Council Meetings of October 6, 2025 (CC) Approved minutes as submitted
b. Revised City Staff Appointments to Joint Powers Authorities and Committees Approve the Appointment of Representatives to the Marin County Hazardous and Solid Waste Joint Powers Authority (Zero Waste Marin), Marin Emergency Radio Authority (MERA), the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority Operations Committee (MWPA), and the Marin General Services Authority (MGSA) (CM)
Approved appointments
c. California State Preschool Program Continued Funding Application and Renewal of Contract for Fiscal Year 2026-27
Resolution Authorizing the City of San Rafael to Apply for Continued Funding and Renewal of California State Preschool Program Contract with the California Department of Education and Designating Authorized Representatives as Signatories for Related Contract Documents (LR)
Adopted Resolution 15466
d. Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Grant Acceptance Resolution Approving the Acceptance and Appropriation of Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Grant Funds in the Amount of $483,282 to Support the San Rafael Specialized Assistance for Everyone (SAFE) Team, Expand Crisis Response Services, and 5 Develop Enhanced Firearm Relinquishment Procedures, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Grant Agreement and Any Related Documents (PD) Adopted Resolution 15467
e. National First Responders’ Day 2025 Proclamation
Proclamation in Recognition of National First Responders’ Day 2025 (PW) Received and filed
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6. Special Presentations
Mayor Kate invited public comment; however, there was none. a. Presentation of Proclamation in Recognition of United Against Hate Week 2025 and Support for Not in Our Town (CM)
Mayor Kate presented the proclamation.
Mayor Kate called a recess at 6:53 p.m.
Mayor Kate called the meeting back to order at 7:06 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. Public Hearings:
a. Triennial Fire Code Ordinance Amendments
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 4.08 of the San Rafael Municipal Code to Adopt by Reference the California Fire Code 2025 Edition with Local Amendments Based on the International Fire Code 2024 Edition, and the 2025 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, Based on the 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code and Adopting Findings Of Fact Supporting the Amendments to Such Codes: Setting a Public Hearing Date for Adoption; CEQA Determination: Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guideline 15061(b)(3) (FD)
Deputy Fire Chief Bob Sinnott presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Kate invited public comment; however, there was none.
City Councilmembers provided comments.
Councilmember Kertz moved and Councilmember Hill seconded to introduce the Ordinance, waive further reading and refer to it by title only and set a Public Hearing for November 3, 2025.
AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
The City Clerk read the title of the Ordinance
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 4.08 of the San Rafael Municipal Code to Adopt by Reference the California Fire Code 2025 Edition with Local Amendments Based on the International Fire Code 2024 Edition, and the 2025 International Wildland-Urban Interface 6 Code, Based on the 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code and Adopting Findings of Fact Supporting the Amendments to Such Codes. b. Establishment of Mobile Food Vending Program and Revised Ordinance Introduction of (1) An Ordinance Amending Title 10 (Businesses, Professions, Occupations, Industries and Trade) of the Municipal Code of the City of San Rafael, to Adopt Chapter
10.50, Mobile Vending Permit Program; (2) A Resolution to Add Mobile Vending Program Fees to the City’s Master Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2025-2026; and (3) A Resolution Authorizing the City of Manager to Enter into an Interlocal Enforcement Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Marin; CEQA Determination: Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (B)(3) (CED)
Assistant City Manager Angela Robinson Piñon provided comments and introduced Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development Director Greg Minor who presented the Staff Report, and invited Sarah Jones, County of Marin Community Development Agency Director, to provide some comments.
Staff responded to questions from the City Council.
Mayor Kate opened public comment.
Speakers: Diana Benitez, Canal Alliance, Franccesca Santana, Felix Perez, Voces del Canal, Osiris, Angelica, Cris Parra, Aurelia Vargas, Nuestro Canal, Nuestro Futuro/Voces del Canal, Daniel Duarte, Marta Garcia, Efrain Ida, Cruz Vargas, Voces del Canal, Mario Santay, Javier, Nuestro Canal, Nuestro Futuro, Florida Malrodas, Voces del Canal/Nuestro Canal, Nuestro Futuro, Marina Palma, Sharon Velasco and Jose, Nuestro Canal, Nuestro Futuro.
Staff responded to questions raised during public comment.
City Councilmembers provided comments.
Councilmember Llorens Gulati moved and Councilmember Kertz seconded to introduce the Ordinance, waive further reading and refer to it by title only.
AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
The City Clerk read the title of the Ordinance
An Ordinance Amending Title 10 (Businesses, Professions, Occupations, Industries and Trade) of the Municipal Code of the City of San Rafael, to Adopt Chapter 10.50, Mobile Vending Permit Program.
Councilmember Llorens Gulati moved and Councilmember Kertz seconded to adopt a Resolution to Add Mobile Vending Program Fees to the City’s Master Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
7 Adopted Resolution 15468
Vice Mayor Bushey moved and Councilmember Hill seconded to adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City of Manager to Enter into an Interlocal Enforcement Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Marin.
AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
Adopted Resolution 15469
Mayor Kate called a recess at 9:36 p.m.
Mayor Kate called the meeting back to order at 9:44 p.m.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS
8. Other Agenda Items:
a. City Council Three-Year Strategic Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and Work Plan for FY 2025- 26 Resolution Adopting the City Council’s Revised Three-Year Strategic Plan for FY 2025- 2028 and Work Plan for Fiscal Years 2025-26 (CM)
City Manager Cristine Alilovich, Assistant City Manager John Stefanski and Digital Service and Open Government Director Sean Mooney presented the Staff Report.
Staff responded to questions from the City Council.
Mayor Kate invited public comment.
Speakers: Sherna Deamer, Montecillo Area Residents Association and Diana Benitez, Canal Alliance
Staff responded to questions raised during public comment.
City Councilmembers provided comments.
Vice Mayor Bushey moved and Councilmember Kertz seconded to adopt a Resolution Adopting the City Council’s Revised Three-Year Strategic Plan for FY 2025-2028 and Work Plan for Fiscal Years 2025-26.
AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
Adopted Resolution 15470
OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION
• None
8 ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Kate adjourned the meeting at 10:48 p.m. in honor of Mark Milberg, Novato Councilmember who recently passed away.
__________________________
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk
APPROVED THIS _____DAY OF____________, 2025
_____________________________________
KATE COLIN, Mayor