____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: _______________________
Disposition: ___________________________
Agenda Item No: 2.c
Meeting Date: March 16, 2026
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Community and Economic Development
Prepared by: Sullina D. Smith,
Senior Management Analyst
Alex Holm,
Police Lieutenant
City Manager Approval: ______________
TOPIC: TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURES FOR SPECIAL EVENTS
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURES IN SAN RAFAEL FOR THE SPECIAL EVENTS OF MAY MADNESS AND FARMERS’ MARKET IN
DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing temporary street closures in San Rafael for the special events of May Madness and Farmers’ Market in downtown San Rafael.
BACKGROUND:
Under California Vehicle Code Section 21101(e), a local authority may, by resolution, temporarily close portions of public streets for celebrations, parades, or local special events when such closures are necessary to protect the safety of participants and the public.
The City of San Rafael has received several special event permit applications. These events require temporary street closures and parking restrictions to safely accommodate setup, event operations, pedestrian circulation, and breakdown.
The applicants have submitted materials related to the proposed events, and staff is working with them to ensure all requirements are satisfied before final authorization. If Council approves the temporary street closures, City staff will finalize the application and authorize the special event permit.
ANALYSIS:
The proposed special event temporary street closures are as follows:
Event Name: May Madness
Event Date(s): Saturday, May 9, 2026
Event Time: 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Street Closure Time: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
Closure Location(s): Fourth Street from D Street to Lincoln Avenue Cijos Street from Commercial Place to Fourth Street
Lootens Place from Commercial Place to Fifth Avenue
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
Julia Street from B Street to A Street
A Street from Third Street to Fifth Avenue*
B Street from Third Street to Fifth Avenue*
C Street from Third Street to Fifth Avenue*
*Partial block closures allow access to mid-block for local traffic and access to parking garages
Temporary Parade Closure (Approximately 1 Hour)
H Street from Fourth Street to Fifth Avenue
G Street from Fourth Street to Fifth Avenue
Fifth Street from H Street to Fifth Street
Fourth Street from H Street to Lincoln Avenue
Event Name: Downtown San Rafael Summer Farmers Market
Event Date(s): Friday, May 15, 2026
Friday, June 12, 2026
Friday, July 10, 2026
Friday, August 14, 2026
Friday, September 11, 2026
Event Time: 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Street Closure Time: 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Closure Location(s): Fourth Street from A Street to Lootens Place City departments, including Police, Fire, Public Works, and Parking Services, have reviewed the proposed temporary street closures and determined they are appropriate and necessary. Traffic control, barricades, and emergency access will be coordinated to ensure public safety.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
The public will be notified of the temporary street closures through several outreach channels, including this staff report, event posters distributed by the organizers, and advance on-site signage posted before the events.
FISCAL IMPACT:
These events require City services that generate costs related to public safety, traffic control, street closures, and parking operations. Fees associated with support from the Police Department, Department of Public Works, and Parking Services will be assessed and reimbursed by event applicants. If an applicant requests a fee reduction or waiver, staff will evaluate the fiscal impact on each department, taking into account historical practice and the City’s past support of community events.
Staff is also developing a formal application and review process for future fee reductions and waivers to ensure greater consistency, transparency, and fiscal accountability.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options to consider in this matter:
1. Adopt the resolution as presented.
2. Adopt the resolution with modifications.
3. Direct staff to return with more information.
4. Take no action.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing temporary street closures in San Rafael for the special events of May Madness and Farmers’ Market in downtown San Rafael.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURES IN SAN RAFAEL FOR THE SPECIAL EVENTS OF MAY MADNESS AND FARMERS’ MARKET IN DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL
WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code section 21101(e) authorizes a local authority to temporarily close streets for celebrations, parades, or local special events when such closures are necessary for the safety and protection of participants and the public; and WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael has received Special Event Permit applications for the following events: May Madness and Downtown San Rafael Summer Farmers’ Market; and WHEREAS, these events require temporary street closures and parking restrictions to safely accommodate event setup, operations, pedestrian circulation, traffic control, and breakdown activities; and
WHEREAS, City departments, including Police, Fire, Public Works, and Parking Services, have reviewed the proposed temporary street closures and determined they are appropriate and necessary to ensure public safety and emergency access; and WHEREAS, the temporary street closures are described in detail in the Staff Report accompanying this Resolution, and the City will provide public notice of the closures through advance signage and other appropriate outreach methods.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby authorizes as follows:
1. That all the above findings are true and correct; and
2. That pursuant to the authority granted under California Vehicle Code Section 21101(e), and in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare, the City Council hereby authorizes the temporary closure of the listed streets for the locations and dates described in the Staff Report accompanying this Resolution.
I, LINDSAY LARA, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San Rafael, held on Monday, the 16th day of March 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers:
NOES: Councilmembers:
ABSENT: Councilmembers:
________________
Lindsay Lara, City Clerk