From:
Sent: Monday, April 6, 2026 1:59 PM
To: Distrib- City Clerk <[email protected]>; Lindsay Lara <[email protected]> Subject: For The Public Record - City Council Meeting Agenda Item 3c FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD - CITY COUNCIL MEETING Agenda Item 3c
April 6, 2026
To The Mayor and Councilmembers regarding the April 6, City Council meeting Item 3c—the appointment of an Interim City Manager.
On April 1st, the San Francisco Standard reported that “San Rafael’s City Manager is out, and a controversial homeless shelter may have pushed her out.” That raises considerable concerns—not just about one individual—but about the decisions and direction coming from you, Mayor Kate, and this Council.
These concerns aren’t just media speculation. They are apparently based on a consultant’s report from the City’s own performance review, where senior staff described the 350 Merrydale project as a “symbol of chaos.” Yet the public is being asked to accept that the City Manager alone is responsible. That strains credibility. The City Manager implements policy, but you set the policy, with oversight, and I would add, with many closed session discussions on 350 Merrydale leading up to the purchase of the property.
Instead of shared accountability, this looks like a convenient and wellcompensated scapegoat. The former City Manager reportedly received a $471,832 resignation package and has already moved on to a position with the City of Sonoma.
So my questions to you are straightforward. Where does full accountability belong and where is the transparency?
Meanwhile, our affected communities have received silence. At the December 15 closed session meeting, I requested verbally and in writing, that you Mayor Kate and any interested Councilmembers meet with us to discuss the future of 350 Merrydale. That request has still to be acknowledged and responded to.
So once again we are left asking: Where is the leadership? Where is the accountability? Where is the transparency?
Before appointing an Interim City Manager, you need to shine some sunlight on the decisions that brought us here. Without that, this looks like a half-million-dollar cover-up and at a time when the City is already facing serious financial constraints.
Thank you.
Ken Dickinson
San Rafael Meadows