Gregory Andrew
December 15, 2025
Ms. Lindsay Lara, City Clerk, and City of San Rafael
City of San Rafael
1400 Fifth Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
Via email: [email protected]
Re: Public Comment for the San Rafael City Council meeting of December 15, 2025 on Item 1 – City Manager and Councilmember Reports
Dear Ms. Lara and City of San Rafael,
I am submitting this public comment and request that it be entered into the public record for the above referenced City Council meeting and agenda item. I am submitting this in anticipation of City Manager Alilovich discussing the 12/9/2025 meeting sponsored by the City on the 350 Merrydale Road project.
Comments on the Draft Participant Code of Conduct (12/9/25):
Attached, please find edits and comments I have prepared on the Draft Code of Conduct. Overall, the Code of Conduct needs to be strengthened with more ridged parameters of what will constitute unacceptable participant behavior, a strict ZERO TOLERANCE policy for unacceptable behavior, and more firm consequences. The Draft allows for a 4-strike approach before consideration of a participant’s removal from the program but this needs to be a 3-strike approach – no one allowed more than three strikes. The Draft is vague and far too lenient about unacceptable behavior and consequences.
Comments on the Draft Good Neighbor Policy (12/9/25):
While the Draft Good Neighbor Policy is a start, I believe the Policy in its current form needs to be completely redone so that it actually does something to help ensure safety and benefit the neighborhood/community. There really are no actions to ensure the stated "Purpose and Intent of the Policy" (in the opening paragraph). The Draft policy will be absolutely meaningless for any of the shelter participants because it has nothing for them to do and it says nothing about how they will be expected to behave and interact outside of 350 Merrydale, in the neighborhood. The Draft policy really only states three actual actions to be taken by the City and County: Goal #10 - convene regular meetings with the community; Safety Practice #4 - Regular site walks and neighborhood walks to maintain cleanliness and identify issues; and Safety Practice #9 - Prompt response to concerns raised by neighbors. The City and County need to identify more specific actions to ensure the program operates safely, respectfully, and in a way that positively integrates with the neighborhood.
I am optimistic that revisions and improvements to the Code of Conduct and Good Neighbor Policy will continue in collaboration with the community. Thank you.
Gregory Andrew
GMA:gma; encl.
cc: Mayor Kate Colin [email protected]
Councilmember/Vice Mayor Maribeth Bushey [email protected] Councilmember Eli Hill [email protected]
Councilmember Rachel Kertz [email protected] Councilmember Maika Llorens Gulati [email protected] DRAFT Participant Code of Conduct
Interim Shelter Program at 350 Merrydale Road
Purpose
The 350 Merrydale Road Interim Shelter provides interim housing, onsite services, and supportive programming in a structured and managed environment. This Participant Code of Conduct establishes clear expectations to maintain safety, dignity, and respect within the shelter site and surrounding neighborhood.
Compliance with this Code of Conduct is a condition of participation in the Interim Shelter Program. Participants are also required to follow the Good Neighbor Policy, which sets expectations for how residents, staff, and the program interact with the surrounding neighborhood. Violations of the Good Neighbor Policy will be treated as violations of this Code of Conduct.
Policy
1. Core Expectations
All participants are expected to:
• Treat fellow residents, staff, service providers, neighbors, and members of the public with respect and dignity.
• Follow directions from program staff related to safety, operations, and site management.
• Conduct themselves in a manner that does not disrupt the safety, stability, or functioning of the shelter community.
2. Zero Tolerance: Safety, Violence & Weapons
The following are strictly prohibited and will may result in immediate removal from the program:
• Violence, attempted violence, or threats of violence toward any person • Harassment, intimidation, or aggressive behavior that creates a safety risk • Possession, use, or display of weapons of any kind
• Criminal activity occurring on or near the Interim Shelter site Law enforcement will be contacted when appropriate.
3. Assigned Units & Residency Rules
• Each participant is assigned a specific interim shelter unit.
Comments/Edits - Gregory Andrew 12/15/2025
Zero Tolerance must
mean ZERO
TOLERANCE!
• Units may not be shared, transferred, or occupied by anyone not approved to participate in the program.
• Participants may not maintain tents or encampments in San Rafael while enrolled in the Interim Shelter Program.
• Personal belongings must be stored inside the assigned unit or designated storage areas only.
• Items stored outside these permitted areas may be removed seven days after the first notice.
4. Entry, Exit & Site Access
• Participants must follow site check-in and check-out procedures. • No public drop-in access is permitted.
• Visitors are allowed only with prior staff approval, within designed hours, and must follow all program rules. Specify who is authorized staff & how approvals will happen • Loitering outside the property, along the SMART pathway, or in neighboring residential areas is not permitted.
• There will be bag checks whenever entering the site.
5. Cleanliness & Property Care
Participants are responsible for:
• Keeping their assigned unit clean, orderly, and sanitary • Respecting shared spaces and common areas
• Properly disposing of trash and personal waste
• Damage to property or repeated failure to maintain basic cleanliness may result in corrective action.
6. Quiet Hours
Quiet hours are in effect between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
During quiet hours:
• Noise must be kept to a minimum.
• Music, phone use, and conversations must not disturb others
7. Fire Safety & Prohibited Items
For safety reasons, the following are not permitted:
• Open flames, candles, etc.
• Smoking outside designated areas
• Gasoline, propane, butane, torches, or flammable chemicals Where will smoking area(s) be
located?
• Unauthorized heaters, generators, or cooking equipment
8. Smoking, Alcohol & Substances
• Smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas. • Alcohol and illegal substances are is strictly prohibited in common areas. • Drug distribution, any illegal substances, alcohol use that creates safety risks, or any related criminal activity is strictly prohibited.
• All individuals will be subject to bag checks whenever entering the site.
9. Pets & Service Animals
• Approved pets must remain under the owner’s control at all times. • Pets must be leashed outside the unit, and waste must be cleaned immediately. • Aggressive animals will not be permitted to remain onsite. • Service animals are allowed consistent with applicable law.
10. Health & Wellness Requirements
Participants may be required to:
• Participate in health or wellness screenings
• Follow public health guidance during outbreaks or emergencies Refusal to comply may affect continued participation.
12. Relationship to the Good Neighbor Policy
Participants must also comply with the Good Neighbor Policy, which governs behavior in the surrounding neighborhood. A copy of this policy will be provided with this Code of Conduct.
Failure to comply with the Good Neighbor Policy will be treated as a violation of this Code of Conduct and will may result in corrective action, up to and including removal from the Interim Shelter Program.
There will be Zero Tolerance for failure to fully comply with the Good Neighbor Policy and participants will be subject to immediate removal from the Program Enforcement of this Policy and Progressive Response to Violations Violations of this Code of Conduct will be addressed based on the nature, severity, and frequency of the behavior.
Where will designated smoking
area(s) be located?
Minor Infractions-- Examples include: noise disturbances, disrespectful communication, not keeping pets leashed, or other low-level behaviors that do not pose a significant safety risk.
Step-by-Step Response Comment: THIS MUST BE A 3-STRIKE POLICY, NOT 4-STRIKES • Step 1: Verbal Warning
o Staff documents the incident internally.
o Staff explains the concern, needed change, and expectations moving forward.
o Participant is given an opportunity to share their perspective and ask questions.
• Step 2: Written Warning
o Staff issues a written notice summarizing the repeated behavior or ongoing concern.
o Participant signs acknowledgment (not agreement) that they received the warning.
o Staff may implement light corrective actions such as an increased check-in schedule, program plan, or temporary limits on certain privileges. • Step 3: Final Warning or Loss of Privileges
o Participant is informed that continued violations may result in dismissal. o Staff works with the participant to create a clear plan for compliance. • Step 3: 4: Removal from the Program
o If violations continue despite progressive steps, staff initiate dismissal. o Participant receives written notice of removal and, when feasible, a brief transition period or warm handoff to outreach/service partners. o Staff documents the full progression of warnings and rationale for removal.
Major Infractions-- Examples include: violence or threats of violence, possession or use of weapons, serious criminal activity, destruction of property, harassment, or any behavior that creates an immediate safety risk, and any activity that warrants or necessitates response from any law enforcement entity or Fire Department.
Step-by-Step Response
• Step 1: Immediate Safety Intervention
o Staff ensures the safety of participants and employees. o Security or law enforcement may be contacted if necessary. o Participant may be temporarily separated from the community or placed on immediate suspension.
• Step 2: Incident Documentation
o Staff completes an incident report detailing what occurred, who was involved, and any witnesses.
o Relevant evidence (statements, video, photos if permitted) is collected. • Step 3: Emergency Review by Management
o Shelter leadership (including City Staff) evaluates the severity of the incident. o Decision is made whether the participant will be removed, suspended pending investigation, or allowed to return with conditions. • Step 4: Immediate Removal (if warranted)
o For actions involving safety threats, weapons, severe violence, or serious criminal behavior, the participant is dismissed from the program without prior warnings.
o Staff provides information about alternative service connections when safe and appropriate.
• Step 5: Re-Entry Consideration (optional and case-by-case) o For certain major infractions that do not involve ongoing safety threats, participants may request a future review for re-entry.
o Leadership evaluates readiness based on behavior change, service engagement, and risk.
Acknowledgment
By signing below, I acknowledge that:
I have received and reviewed this Resident Code of Conduct The expectations have been explained to me
I understand that compliance is required to remain in the Interim Shelter Program Participant Name (Printed): _____________________________ Signature: __________________________ Date: __________