President’s Column

Springtime is almost here, Neighbors!


San Rafael-style snowballs, Spirea

As I write, the world focuses with great concern on the war in Ukraine, while the dangerous Covid pandemic is gradually waning.  Though our lives are local, on a global level we are inextricably linked to a world of neighbors.  Let us value this!  Today's youth simply put, want peace on earth and a clean earth with a future.  These words come from the Fed's first "Student Member," Elijah Blake, a freshman at San Rafael High School.  Like Elijah and friends who are planning an Earth Day clean-up, consider what your neighborhood can do together this Earth Day, April 22nd.   

Want to improve your neighborhood?  Apply for Fed neighborhood grant here, with this year's mantra, "No grant too small!"  Your grant idea will be endorsed by your neighborhood association, and this year the grant is "need based."

We had a really nice Annual Meeting, virtual once again this year.  Speakers included County Supervisor Damon Connolly, new City Emergency Program Manager, Raed Al-Zahir, and new Director of Homeless Services, Marc Sabin. Click here to view video.

On a monthly basis, I represent the Federation at Housing Element Workgroup meetings, examining how to fulfill the City's obligations to provide state mandated housing.  In an unofficial role, I work with 5 Marin leaders dedicated to a sustainable City street tree policy within an urban forestry plan, as described in the City's 2040 General Plan.  Please connect with me if you would like to discuss these topics.

Interested in being part of a vibrant and supportive San Rafael?  Please join the Fed.  Are you a neighborhood person?  Please consider stepping up to our membership committee, to work on graphics and events or to follow planning issues. Already active, and would enjoy being part of our leadership?  Please express your interest to serve on the Fed Steering Committee, currently a powerhouse of nine, we welcome new committed members to a 3-year term.  Please contact us if you are interested in fulfilling these interesting and important roles.

Our next BIG event is a Candidates Forum with statements and a Q & A by candidates for Marin County Supervisor, District 1 and California Assembly District 12.  SAVE THE DATE, April 14th! 
  
All the best for a happy and healthy spring, for peace on earth and for a clean earth with a future.

Amy Likover
Federation President
415-450-1520
alikover@aol.com or federationofsanrafael@gmail.com

Federation of San Rafael Neighborhood 2022 Goals 

1. Raise awareness of topics, issues & opportunities impacting the San Rafael community
   
   2. Be a resource and provide guidance to residents, neighborhoods and neighborhood groups to navigate City issues
   
   3. Expand inclusivity
   
   4. Advance resilience and sustainability 
   
   5. Keep the website relevant: calendar & neighborhoods

City Launches "Community Conversations"
After a year of discussion, meetings and a survey about community engagement, the City of San Rafael has launched an engagement initiative kicking off with a community-wide meeting on March 17 chaired by Mayor Colin.  This will be followed by district-wide meetings with Council representatives.  April 27 - District 3 meets, and April 28th District 2 meets. 
This takes the place of the monthly meeting the Federation and other neighborhood groups used to have with the City when we brought your concerns directly to staff and elected officials. 
Click here for meeting details

Proposed Changes from the Fire Department - March 17 Meeting 

The Fire Prevention Division of the San Rafael Fire Department will be presenting their plan to propose changes to City Ordinance Numbers 9.04.030, 9.04.090, 19.10.060, and 1505.1.5, specifically:

1) Prohibit smoking in open-space and require designated areas within multi-family properties (with more than 10 units) that are within 1,000 feet of undeveloped land, and

2) Phase out wood shake roofs by 2027.

The meeting will take place via Zoom on March 17^th at 5:30pm.  Please submit questions regarding either ordinance via email to mary.skramstad@cityofsanrafael.org prior to Sunday, March 15^th by 5:00pm.  We will do our best to answer all questions but will choose questions specific to the topics listed above.

 Interested in following the Third St. Improvement Project?
Info Link

Become a Firewise Community

Have you been thinking about helping your neighborhood become a Firewise Community? Do you want to learn more about what you and neighbors can do to prevent a wildfire? Please join us for this free and important workshop.
 https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/event/becoming-firewise-may-2/