SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Regular Meeting
Monday, August 17, 2026 at 6:00 P.M.
San Rafael Council Chambers & Virtual
1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
Virtual Participation:
Webinar: https://tinyurl.com/city-council-1
Phone: (669) 444-9171
ID: 860-6190-5675#
Present: Councilmember Bushey
Councilmember Hill
Vice Mayor Kertz
Councilmember Llorens Gulati
Mayor Kate
Absent: None
Also Present: Interim City Manager Paul Navazio
City Attorney Robert Epstein
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.
Mayor Kate provided opening remarks which included gratitude to City Staff, commented on how to participate in tonight’s meeting and decorum, and a land acknowledgment.
City Attorney Robert Epstein announced there was no reportable action taken in Closed Session.
City Clerk Lindsay Lara informed the community that the meeting would be recorded and streamed live to YouTube and Zoom, and members of the public would provide public comment either inperson, by telephone or online, and she explained the process for community participation.
OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION
• Monce Gramajo, Alcohol Justice Youth Organization, addressed the City Council regarding better lighting and clear signage at Pickleweed Park. • Oliver Reyes, Alcohol Justice Youth Organization, addressed the City Council regarding a youth platform to work with the City.
CITY MANAGER AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS:
(including AB 1234 Reports on Meetings and Conferences Attended at City Expense)
1. City Manager and Councilmember Reports:
Interim City Manager Paul Navazio provided the following announcements and updates:
• Point San Pedro Road and Terra Linda paving projects have begun • Community Engagement Update regarding the East San Rafael Specific Plan and the City-wide Parking Permit Program
• Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee Meeting to be held Tuesday, August 18, at 10 a.m.
• Police Advisory and Accountability Committee Meeting to be held Wednesday, August 19, at 6 p.m.
• Homelessness Subcommittee Meeting to be held Thursday, August 20, at 10 a.m. • 350 Merrydale Affordable Housing Development Project Subcommittee Meeting to be 2 held Thursday, August 20, at 5 p.m.
City Councilmember Reports:
• Vice Mayor Kertz reported on Marin Community Clinics celebrating Partner Appreciation Day during National Health Center Week, a Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers (MCCMC) Legislative meeting, the Golf Center Ribbon Cutting, National Night Out, and a Cedars site tour.
• Councilmember Llorens Gulati reported on the Cal Cities’ June Policy Committee meeting, the 6th Annual Bret Harte Park event, a Sea Level Rise Subcommittee meeting, the 1st Annual Raíces Del Canal Green Festival, the Crunch Fitness Ribbon Cutting, and Sea Level Rise meeting, which involved kayaking. • Councilmember Bushey reported on a Central Marin Sanitation Agency Board meeting, National Night Out, and the Annual Achievement Ceremony for Centerpoint, Inc.
• Councilmember Hill reported on a Gerstle Park Cleanup, the Touch-a-Truck event at San Rafael High School, a Police Department Ride-Along, National Night Out, the Crunch Fitness Ribbon Cutting, a Marinwood Fire Station 58 visit, and a Youth In Arts meeting to receive the California Arts Council.
• Mayor Kate reported on National Night Out, a Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) meeting, a TAM Commission meeting, the Golf Center Ribbon Cutting, the Crunch Fitness Ribbon Cutting, and a Drake Terrace meeting.
Mayor Kate invited public comment.
Speaker: Gord Arbison
City Attorney Robert Epstein provided comments on the First Amendment and permissible public comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mayor Kate held item 2.i from the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Kate invited public comment.
Speaker:
Councilmember Bushey moved and Councilmember Llorens Gulati seconded to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar.
AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
2. Consent Calendar Items:
a. Approval of Minutes
Approve Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of July 20, 2026 (CC) Approved Minutes as submitted
b. Change in Speed Limit on Eighteen San Rafael Roadway Segments Ordinance Adoption
3 Final Adoption of Ordinance 2069: An Ordinance Regarding Speed Limit Changes on 18 San Rafael Roadway Segments Outside of Downtown Pursuant to Sections 22357 and 22358 of the California Vehicle Code (CC)
Final Adoption of Ordinance 2069
c. Designation of Voting Delegate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo
Designation of Councilmember Llorens Gulati as the City of San Rafael’s Voting Delegate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference General Assembly in Anaheim from September 23-25, 2026 (CM)
Approved Voting Delegate
d. Temporary Street Closure for the SGRAIL Marin Triathlon & Trail Half Marathon Resolution Authorizing a Temporary Street Closure on Portions of Point San Pedro Road in San Rafael for the SGRAIL Marin Triathlon & Trail Half Marathon (CED)
Adopted Resolution 15602
e. City Quarterly Investment Report
Acceptance of City of San Rafael Quarterly Investment Report for the Quarter Ending June 30, 2026 (Fin)
Accepted Report
f. Ambulance Service Cost Recovery Agreement
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement Allowing the San Rafael Fire Department to Participate in a Medical Intergovernmental Transfer (IGT) Program with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Kaiser for the Service Period of January 1, 2025, Through December 31, 2025 (FD)
Adopted Resolution 15603
g. Art License Agreement for Five Utility Box Murals
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into Art License Agreements with the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce to Paint Five Art Murals on Downtown Utility Boxes (LR)
Adopted Resolution 15604
h. Office of Traffic Safety Grant Acceptance
Resolution Approving the Acceptance and Appropriation of State of California Office of Traffic Safety Grant Funds in the Amount of $108,500 for the “Selective Traffic Enforcement Program” (“STEP”) Grant from October 1, 2026, Through September 30, 2027, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Grant Agreement and Any Other Documents Related to the Grand (PD) Adopted Resolution 15605
i. Fleet Replacement Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase Nine (9) Vehicles in an Amount Not to Exceed $590,000, Reassign Two (2) Underutilized Vehicles and Decommission Four (4) Vehicles from the City Fleet and Approving an Additional Appropriation of $60,000 from the Vehicle Replacement Fund (PW) Police Chief David Spiller presented the Staff Report
4 Councilmember Llorens Gulati moved and Councilmember Kertz seconded to adopt the resolution in item 2.i.
AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
Adopted Resolution 15607
j. Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Installation
Accept Completion of the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Installation, Part of City Project No. G44EVFLEET, and Authorize the City Clerk to File the Notice of Completion (PW)
Accepted completion and authorized the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion k. Francisco Boulevard East Mid-Block Crossing Enhancement Project Resolution Authorizing an Amendment to the Contract with Mike Brown Electric Co. to Increase Not-To-Exceed Contract Amount by $3,918, for a Total Not-ToExceed Contract Amount of $519,918; and Accepting Completion of the Francisco Boulevard East Mid-Block Crossing Enhancement Project, City Project No. C441145110, and Authorize the City Clerk to File the Notice of Completion (PW)
Adopted Resolution 15606
l. National Health Center Week Proclamation
Proclamation Recognizing National Health Center Week August 2-8, 2026 (CM) Received and filed
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS
3. Other Agenda Items:
a. Response to the Grand Jury Report on MCE (Marin Clean Energy) Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute the City of San Rafael’s Response to the Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report Titled “MCE, Marin Clean Energy: A Series of Missteps Highlight Need for Governance Changes” (CM)
Interim City Manager Paul Navazio introduced the item and introduced Senior Management Analyst Preya Nixon who presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Kate invited public comment; however, there were none.
Councilmembers provided comments.
Councilmember Llorens Gulati moved and Vice Mayor Kertz seconded to adopt a Resolution approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute the City of San Rafael’s Response to the Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report titled “MCE, Marin Clean Energy:
A Series of Missteps Highlight Need for Governance Changes.” AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
5 Adopted Resolution 15608
b. Response to the Grand Jury Report on Special Districts Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute the City of San Rafael’s Response to the Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report Titled “Better Service at Lower Cost – Optimizing Essential Services for the Future of Marin” (CM)
Interim City Manager Paul Navazio presented the Staff Report.
Staff 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 approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute the City of San Rafael’s Response to the Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report Titled “Better Service at Lower Cost – Optimizing Essential Services for the Future of Marin.” AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
Adopted Resolution 15609
c. City Manager Employment Agreement – Paul Navazio
Resolution Appointing Paul Navazio as City Manager, Effective August 17, 2026, for an Indefinite Term as Required by Charter Section 8, and Approving and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute the City Manager Employment Agreement (CA) City Attorney Robert Epstein presented the Staff Report.
He corrected two points on the Staff Report that were inconsistent with the Agreement. 1) There is a place in the Staff Report that speaks to a comprehensive review for the City Manager being under Section 9.G. of the Agreement, with amendments to be acted on, if there are any amendments to the Agreement, by June 30, 2028. That’s an incorrect reference in the Staff Report. What is correct is in the final Agreement, the provision is in Section 7.D. and the deadline for the Council to act on any amendments would be March 1, 2028, not June 30, 2028. But, the meet and confer date to talk about whether to make amendments is correctly stated both in the Staff Report and in the Agreement as January 31, 2028.
2) There is a mis-citation of Government Code 54953(c)(3), which due to a legislature change is now 54953(d)(3). It is correct in the Agreement. It is not correct in the Staff Report.
Mayor Kate invited public comment.
Speaker: Name Withheld
6 City Attorney Robert Epstein provided comments on the First Amendment and permissible public comments
Councilmembers provided comments.
Interim City Manager Paul Navazio provided comments.
Vice Mayor Kertz moved and Councilmember Bushey seconded to adopt a Resolution appointing Paul Navazio as City Manager, effective August 17, 2026, for an indefinite term as required by Charter Section 8, and approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute the City Manager Employment Agreement.
AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
Adopted Resolution 15610
OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION - CONTINUED
• No continued Open Time needed.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Kate adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
______________________
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk
APPROVED THIS __DAY OF____________, 2026
__________________________________
KATE COLIN, Mayor