MINUTES
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL - MONDAY, MAY 4, 2026
REGULAR MEETING AT 6:00 P.M.
San Rafael City Hall, Council Chambers
1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
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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].
Present: Councilmember Hill
Vice Mayor Kertz
Councilmember Llorens Gulati
Mayor Kate
Absent: Councilmember Bushey
Also Present: Interim City Manager Paul Navazio
City Attorney Robert Epstein
City Clerk Lindsay Lara
Mayor Kate called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. and invited City Clerk Lindsay Lara to call the roll.
City Attorney Robert Epstein announced that no reportable action was taken in Closed Session.
Mayor Kate provided opening remarks which included gratitude to City Staff, tonight’s Proclamations on the Agenda, and a land acknowledgment.
City Clerk Lindsay Lara informed the community that the in-person meeting would also 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 TIME FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION – 10 MINUTES
• Ivan Glover addressed the City Council regarding a recent article in the Marin IJ regarding planning procedures.
• Al Vetere addressed the City Council regarding RIPA (Racial and Identity Profiling Act) and a recent experience he had walking around San Rafael.
2 CITY MANAGER AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS:
(including AB 1234 Reports on Meetings and Conferences Attended at City Expense)
1. City Manager and Councilmember Reports:
City Manager and Councilmember Reports:
Interim City Manager Paul Navazio provided the following announcements and updates:
• Police Chief Spiller and members of his Command Team to be in Washington DC next week to participate in a ceremony honoring a fallen San Rafael Township Night Watchman and Constable, Dennis Haley, who was killed in the line of duty in 1884. • May is National Water Safety Month – Free Water Safety Day at the Terra Linda Community Pool to be held Sunday, May 17, 1-4 p.m.
City Councilmember Reports:
• Vice Mayor Kertz reported on a Marin Wildfire Forum where the CWPP (Community Wildfire Prevention Plan) was reviewed and a Quail Hill Homeowners Association meeting. She expressed gratitude to the Library and Recreation Department, the Goldenaires and Age-Friendly San Rafael for their celebration for our 85 (and plus) community members. Also, she attended the Marin Community History Day at Boyd House.
• Councilmember Llorens Gulati reported on Earth Day and the Climate Week Forum and Open House, the Buckelew Rising Recovery Center Open House, a Marin Transit Board meeting, and a Marin Clean Energy Executive Committee meeting. • Councilmember Hill reported on the Buckelew Opening, an Economic Development & Housing Subcommittee meeting, a youth Townhall at the Marin Civic Center Board of Supervisors Chamber, and a Ritter Center Under the Stars event where Vice Mayor Kertz was awarded as the 2026 Community Impact Honoree. • Mayor Kate reported on Earth Day, a Federation of Neighborhoods and Point San Pedro Coalition listening session, Mayor Kate’s walkabouts, a Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) meeting, and the Gun Safety Collaborative.
Mayor Kate invited public comment.
Speaker: Craig Murray
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mayor Kate invited public comment.
Speakers: Sue Burrell, Laura Ackley and Amesha Wood (all of San Rafael Heritage), David Fonkalsrud, Fire Commission, Kyri McClellan, San Rafael Fire Foundation Mayor Kate provided comments regarding the Fire Foundation proclamation.
Vice Mayor Kertz moved and Councilmember Llorens Gulati seconded to approve the Consent Calendar.
AYES: Councilmembers: Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: Bushey
2. Consent Calendar Items:
3 a. Approval of Minutes
Approve Minutes of the Special Closed Session and Regular City Council Meetings of April 20, 2026 (CC)
Approved Minutes as submitted
b. Public Service Award 2026
Resolution of Appreciation to Recipient of the Richard P. O’Brien and Mary Ferrario O’Brien Public Service Award for 2026 (CC)
Adopted Resolution 15541
c. Solid Waste Collection Code Amendments Ordinance
Final Adoption of Ordinance 2062: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 9.19, Entitled “Solid Waste Collection and Disposal and Edible Food Recovery,” Chapter 11.04, Entitled “Encroachments in the Public Right-Of-Way,” and Chapter 12.260, Entitled “International Property Maintenance Code Amendments” of the San Rafael Municipal Code (CC) Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2062
d. Citywide Records Management Program
Resolution Adopting a Records Management Program Policy; and Resolution Declaring Laserfiche as a Trusted System for the Management of Records and the Automation of Retention Requirements (CC)
Adopted Resolutions 15542 & 15543
e. Statement of Economic Interests Annual Filings
Accept a Report on Fair Political Practices Commission Form 700, Statement of Economic Interests, 2025 Annual Filings for Designated Employees and Consultants (CC) Accepted report
f. Workers’ Compensation Claims Management Services
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Intercare Holdings Insurance Services, Inc. for Workers’ Compensation Third-Party Claims Administration Services in an Amount Not to Exceed $1,418,757 and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute All Necessary and Incidental Documents (HR) Adopted Resolution 15544
g. Management of Freitas Park Tennis Courts
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Amended and Restated Joint Powers Agreement with Miller Creek School District for the Joint Use of School Facilities for Community Recreation Purposes (LR)
Adopted Resolution 15545
h. Lincoln Avenue from Second Street to Paloma Avenue Safety Improvements Project Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Parametrix, Inc. to Provide Design and Environmental Services for the Lincoln Avenue from Second Street to Paloma Avenue Safety Improvements Project in the Amount Not to Exceed $792,720 and Authorizing a Supplemental Budget Appropriation in the Amount of $567,720 from the City Gas Tax Fund (206) (PW)
Adopted Resolution 15546
4 i. Proclamations
Proclamations in Recognition of:
i. Small Business Week
ii. National Police Week
iii. Jewish American Heritage Month
iv. Public Service Recognition Week
v. Celebrate Older Americans Month
vi. San Rafael Fire Foundation
vii. Asian American, Native Hawai’ian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month viii. Wildfire Preparedness Week
Received and filed
j. San Rafael Heritage Preservation Award for The Carnegie Library Receive and File San Rafael Heritage’s Preservation Award for The Carnegie Library (LR) Received and Filed
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
3. Special Presentations:
Mayor Kate invited public comment; however, there was none. a. Presentation of Proclamation in Recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in Marin County (CM)
Mayor Kate presented the proclamation to Rick Hess, National Alliance on Mental Illness, who provided comments.
b. Presentation of Resolution of Appreciation to Public Service Award Recipient (CC) Mayor Kate presented the proclamation to Karla Valdez, the 2026 Recipient of the Public Service Award, who provided comments.
Mayor Kate called a recess at 6:49pm, and called the meeting back to order at 7:00 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. Public Hearings:
a. 770 Lindaro Street / 999 3rd Street (BioMarin San Rafael Campus) Introduction of an Ordinance Adopting the First Amendment to the Development Agreement (DA26-001) Between the City and California Corporate Center Acquisition, LLC (Ordinance No. 1982) to Remove Requirements for Park and Conference Room Access and Auxiliary Parking for General Public (APN 013-021-34, 35, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 & 55): CEQA Determination: Exempt Pursuant to 15061(b)(3) (CED) Director of Community and Economic Development Micah Hinkle introduced Consultant Planner Sean Kennings who presented the Staff Report.
Staff responded to questions from the City Council.
Mayor Kate invited public comment.
Speaker: Richard Falk
5 Councilmembers provided comments.
Vice Mayor Kertz moved and Councilmember Llorens Gulati seconded to introduce the Ordinance, waive further reading, and refer to it by title only.
AYES: Councilmembers: Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: Bushey
Introduced the Ordinance, waived further reading, and referred to it by title only The City Clerk read the title of the ordinance:
An Ordinance Adopting the First Amendment to the Development Agreement (DA26- 001) Between the City and California Corporate Center Acquisition, LLC (Ordinance No. 1982) to Remove Requirements for Park and Conference Room Access and Auxiliary Parking for General Public (APN 013-021-34, 35, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 & 55) b. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Resolution Recommending Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Project Funding for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 to the Marin County Board of Supervisors (CED) Councilmember Llorens Gulati recused herself from the Agenda Item due to a conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act, with her employment with Marin Center for Independent Living and left the Council Chambers at 7:19 p.m.
Housing Manager Alexis Captanian presented the Staff Report.
Staff (including Chris Miranda, Marin County Housing and Grants Division), responded to questions from the City Council.
Mayor Kate invited public comment; however, there were none.
Councilmembers provided comments.
Vice Mayor Kertz moved and Councilmember Hill seconded to adopt the Resolution recommending Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Project Funding for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 to the Marin County Board of Supervisors.
AYES: Councilmembers: Hill, Kertz & Mayor Kate
NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: Bushey & Llorens Gulati
Adopted Resolution 15547
Councilmember Llorens Gulati returned to the Council Chambers at 7:34 p.m. c. Reporting on Vacant Positions
Compliance with Assembly Bill 2561 (2023-2024): Reporting on Vacancy Rates and Actions Taken to Address Vacancies in City Departments (HR) Human Resources Director Marissa Sanchez presented the Staff Report. 6 Mayor Kate invited public comment; however, there were none.
Councilmembers provided comments.
Vice Mayor Kertz moved and Councilmember Llorens Gulati seconded to receive the Staff Report providing an update on the City of San Rafael’s vacancy rates in compliance with Assembly Bill (AB) 2561.
AYES: Councilmembers: Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: Bushey
Received report
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS
5. Other Agenda Items:
a. Marinwood Community Services District and San Rafael Fire Departments Discuss Current Challenges and Future Opportunities for the Provision of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Through Amendments to the Current Shared Services Agreement, Transitioning to Future Contract for Services and Long-Term Comprehensive Regional Service Delivery Model; Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Negotiate Future Opportunities to Discuss (CM/FD) Interim City Manager Paul Navazio and Fire Chief Abraham Roman commented on the Item and introduced Battalion Chief Kyle Hamilton, Battalion Chief Jason Hatfield and Senior Management Analyst Thomas Wong who presented the Staff Report.
Staff (including Eric Dreikosen, Marinwood Community Services District) responded to questions from the City Council.
Mayor Kate invited public comment.
Speakers: David Fonkalsrud, Fire Commission, Name Withheld Councilmembers provided comments.
Vice Mayor Kertz moved and Councilmember Hill seconded to provide feedback and policy direction regarding a proposed operational and fiscal framework; and direct staff to continue negotiations with Marinwood CSD and return, as a first step, with a finalized Amended Service Agreement for Council consideration, and continued collaboration on the long-term goal of transitioning to a regional service delivery model.
AYES: Councilmembers: Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: Bushey
Provided feedback and policy direction regarding a proposed operational and fiscal framework and directed staff to continue negotiations with Marinwood CSD and return, as a first step, with a finalized Amended Service Agreement for Council consideration, and continued collaboration on the long-term goal of transitioning to a regional service delivery model 7 OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION CONTINUED
• Richard Falk addressed the City Council regarding density bonus plan high-rise projects.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Kate adjourned the meeting at 8:57 p.m. in memory of Marin County Superior Court Judge Faye D’Opal.
__________________________
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk
APPROVED THIS _____DAY OF____________, 2026
_____________________________________
KATE COLIN, Mayor