There are many issues of importance to the residents of District 1 and a variety of viewpoints on each of these issues.
Whether it's the San Rafael Rock Quarry on Point San Pedro Rd., the Marinwood Village at the Northernmost part of the district, watershed and flood zone concerns for those living in Santa Venetia or the development of an emergency operations facility at the Civic Center, the residents are actively engaged in the discussions.
There are also many different Volunteer Opportunities or opportunities to become involved in a number of our Boards and Commissions that might be of interest to you.
Whitepapers
Susan Adams, Gina Brewer and Diana Conti
National Women's Political Caucus Luncheon
Press Release: Association of Bay Area Governments Elects New Officers: President Mark Green and Vice President Susan L. Adams Take the Lead, December 31, 2009 (PDF Format)
Marin Clean Energy Update
You can view the reports that were submitted and view the video of the workshop.
You can also view the power point presentation put together by Dan Stepanicich. Power Point Presentation by Marin Clean Energy at BOS Workshop.
Grafitti Clean-Up
Graffiti has become a common form of entertainment for the thrill-seeking vandal as
many have witnessed on the newly constructed sound walls along highway 101. San
Rafael spent over a $1M on graffiti in the last decade only to find it has tripled in the
same time. Cities around the country are spending millions of dollars to fight graffiti at a
time when budget cuts are threatening education and social service and healthcare programs. Cameron Case, a Marinwood Community leader, is a one-man army for graffiti removal in the Marinwood Community. He is always happy to have other neighbors work with him as he keeps the neighborhood free of graffiti.
The San Rafael Community Task Force is a volunteer non profit organization, chartered
to work with local agencies to combat graffiti using a four-pronged approach: Eradication,
education, enforcement and prevention. This approach is new to the City of San
Rafael and the County of Marin (the last decade has been a focus on abatement only).
The task force’s major goal is to use a lower-cost approach to graffiti by utilizing volunteers
and donated supplies to abate graffiti. In working with local agencies, this frees up
valuable resources for other priority issues. For example, SRCTF abates all graffiti on the
Coleman overpass, a Caltrans asset, while Caltrans donates the paint and supplies. This
works to abate the graffiti within 24hrs, a key metric in combating graffiti, and frees up
Caltrans resources for more pressing issues related safety. At the same time, this work
brings together residents and public agencies to fight a problem that blights our neighborhoods and infringes on our sense of safety in our home town.
How can win against a silent crime that takes place in the shadows of the early dawn?
Join a neighborhood watch group; report all graffiti to the appropriate agency with a goal of zero tolerance; and most of all, protect the way of life that makes San Rafael a special
place to live. To find out more, contact Michael Birkhead at mike@srtaskforce.org and visit www.SRTaskforce.org
McNear’s Beach Fishing Pier has REOPENED!
The pier was badly damaged Jan. 4, 2008, by a 270-foot barge that broke free during a big storm. The Dutra Dredging Co. barge, operated by Manson-Dutra, a joint venture working on the Hamilton Field marsh restoration project, was moored not far from the 500-foot pier.
The barge, propelled by high winds, damaged the pier during an initial collision, but officials said far more damage was done after the barge was being towed away and it slammed into the pier again, hitting the structure several times. A 60-foot section of the walkway was pushed three feet from its moorings, and the pier's wharf end platform was left tilted to the bay.
Several damage studies led to talks by insurance companies that dragged on for months before a settlement was reached recently in which repairs will be made at no cost to taxpayers, including the tab for Noble Engineering of Novato, a consultant hired to oversee the project . . . . Contractors want to finish the job by the end of the summer 2009, but McGowan said it could take longer, with anglers welcomed back in late fall. Because the project involves work in the bay, permits from various agencies including the Bay Conservation and Development Commission are required before contractors can move in.
Noble also consulted for the county during an examination of the damage last year, and recommended that either the entire pier be replaced - a move it called "the most desirable solution" - or that sections be replaced including the facility's wharf end. Insurers agreed to replace several sections of the concrete pier, including the wharf end. The job required demolition, then anchoring 22 new pilings in bedrock beneath bay mud in a marine operation that Noble Consultants last year estimated could cost $1.3 million, including $10,500 a day for labor, a derrick barge and other equipment.
Regular vehicle parking at McNear's is $8.00 / day in the summer.
Swimming pool fee is $4.00 per person per day
NOTE: The pool is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 am to 5 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 11:am to 6:pm during the summer season. The pool is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The pool is closed between Labor Day weekend until Memorial day weekend.
McNear's Beach County Park
201 Cantera Way
San Rafael, CA 94901
Safe Passages Along Lucas Valley Road
The neighbors (including community leaders, Ray Lorber and Carolyn Lenert) are coming together to build a safe pathway for pedestrians and bicyclists along Lucas Valley Road from Las Gallinas to Los Gamos.
Terra Linda/Sleepy Hollow Preserve Goatgrass Management Project
The Open Space District has completed the sixth season of the Terra Linda/Sleepy Hollow Goatgrass Removal Project. Their goal is to remove barbed goatgrass to preserve native biological diversity and promote wildlife habitat. Their strategy is to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to weed management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. An IPM program uses current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of plants and their interaction with the environment to manage weeds by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.
Barbed goatgrass (Aegilops triuncialis) is an invasive, non-native grass that is spreading throughout California's grasslands. The Terra Linda/Sleepy Hollow Divide Open Space Preserve has one of the only three known populations in Marin, and it is the District's highest priority to eradicate and prevent the spread of this plant. In 2006 the District established study plots to compare management options and measure our success. Thus far, we have reduced the density of goatgrass by 50-85 per cent, and are still adapting our strategies as we continue to learn how weather, soils and slope play significant roles.
For additional information, contact Elise Holland, Planning and Resources Chief, Department of Parks and Open Space at 415.507.2820
Update on Marin Triathlon—October 30-31, 2010
This year's event starts at McNears Beach with activities for the family and non-competitors throughout the weekend. The Marin County Parks Department staff is working closely with the organizers of the Marin Triathlon to make sure that the event runs smoothly and keeps any inconvenience to the
public to a minimum.
The event begins at 8 a.m. with a swim, then a bike ride, and continues with a run along Pt. San Pedro Road,
at China Camp State Park. The course starts and finishes at McNear’s Beach Park. Funds raised through
this event will help Marin County Parks weather tough financial times while providing a wonderful
opportunity to make healthy choices. If you have any questions or
concerns please contact Chief Park Ranger Rob Ruiz directly at 507-4045.
If you are interested in volunteering
for the event, go to their website: www.marintriathlon.com, click on the Volunteer page, choose
your choice of available opportunities, and if you are a resident of Santa Venetia, mention the SVNA.
Tour of Watershed
Supervisor Adams took Marc
Holmes of the Bay Institute, and Judy Kelly, Director
of the San Francisco Estuary Project, on a tour of the
Gallinas Creek and Miller Creek watersheds. They are
managing the development of a regional plan for federal
funding of San Pablo Bay Watershed restoration
and improvements, and Susan wanted them to see
firsthand the areas in her district that are in need of
funding from that appropriation. She toured them
along the levee system from McPhail’s School in
Santa Venetia, to the pump stations, to the top of the
hill at McInnis Park where they could see the two watersheds,
ending at Miller Creek. Susan continues to
work with local, regional, state and federal officials to
find funding for the district for watershed restoration
and flood control infrastructure improvements.
International Day for Climate Change Action—December 4, 2010
The Global Day of Action on climate 2009 was a huge success demonstrating the rapid mushrooming of a massive global movement in reponse to the unparalleled threat we face from the catastrophic destabilisation of global climate and the seeming inability of the world's leaders to do anything effective about it.
If you have an interest in helping to prevent segments of Marin County from slowly becoming part of the San
Francisco Bay, make your way to the International Day of Climate Action rally (details on activities to follow).
Sustainable San Rafael and other organizations will be making a global call to action urging Congress and the
United Nations to take decisive action to reduce atmospheric concentrations of CO2 to 350 ppm, the upper
limit for a 2 degree temperature rise.
The rally will graphically illustrate that this area will
be under water if sea level rises only one meter. Much higher levels are predicted if
nothing is done.
Even though climate change is an extremely important matter that has seriously implications
for future life on earth, this rally will present the issue using a lighter side.
Those who plan to attend are asked to wear their most fun beach garb, hats, sunglasses,
shorts, bathing suits and accessories.
For information about International Day of Climate Action, go to 350.org. For local
information, please check back.
San Rafael to Terra Linda Bike Lane Improvements
The County is in the process of completing the construction of
bi-directional bike lanes from the San Rafael city limits (just
south of Red Rock Way) to Ranch Road. These new bike lanes
connect to the existing bike lanes which begin at Ranch Road,
closing a gap in this well travelled bike route. The project cost is
$530,000. Construction timing and road closures have been
rather complex because of Caltrans work in the vicinity.
Paving and restriping this stretch of road is being funded under
the federal government’s Economic Stimulus Package. The
work scheduled costs
about $150,000 and requires closing the road again
for about one week using bi-directional traffic controls.
This segment of our non-motorized project will provide a critical
connector between the northern and central parts of San
Rafael and will provide a safe and healthy transportation option
for our residents.
Neighborhood Shuttles!
Click on image for schedules and a larger map of Routes 233 and 259
Are you a resident of Marinwood or Terra Linda? Hop aboard the Marin Transit 259 Shuttle.
It’s up to you to show it is a valuable and worthwhile asset in your neighborhood. If we don’t use it, we lose it!
The Route 233 Shuttle services Santa Venetia, San Rafael Transit Center and Civic Center. Please consider taking a ride and see what it can do for you.
Boards & Commissions
Be part of the public process by serving on one of a variety of boards and commissions.
You can review the duties and purpose of the various commissions and committees, see the meeting schedules and, if it suits your fancy actually submit an application for consideration by the Board of Supervisors without leaving the confines of your home computer area. Simply log on to http://www.co.marin.ca.us. Once you travel through cyberspace and land on the County's web site just click on Board of Supervisors and then click on Boards and Commissions.
You may also call the Board of Supervisors Clerk, Patrice Stancato, @ 499-7332 and ask for an application through the mail. Patrice can also inform you of the duties, meeting times, etc. of your commission/committee of choice.
Civic Center Volunteers
Are you recently retired and desire a diversion from all that free time? Are you interested in meeting new and exciting people while learning new skills? Have you ever thought about becoming a Civic Center Volunteer?
The Civic Center Volunteers (CCV) was founded in 1979, and is an internationally recognized innovative volunteer program. Under the leadership of Joan Brown, volunteers provided in-kind services for the county to the tune of almost 10 million dollars!
To join the ranks, call Joan Brown, volunteer coordinator at 499-7167. For more detailed information regarding the volunteer program you may also go to www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/HR/ccvol/index.cfm. Do yourself and Marin County a favor; volunteer. You will be glad you did.
