City Council - Regular Meeting

14:19 – 14:42•KCKate Colin

Ready? All right. Welcome everyone to the regular meeting of the San Rafael City Council. Today is Monday, August 17th, 2026. The city clerk, if you could call the roll. Council Member Bushey. Vice Mayor Kurtz. Present. Council Member Irenz-Gulati. Present. Mayor Kate. Present. We met in closed session prior to this meeting and I'll ask the city attorney to report out.

14:47 – 17:35•KCKate Colin

Thank you. Good evening, everyone, and welcome. Thank you for joining us, whether you're here in person or online. We appreciate your participation and engagement. We apologize that we're running a few minutes late. We did have a ribbon cutting out in front of City Hall. There is a new incredible sculpture there. So next time you're in the city, do check it out. It is one of several art pieces throughout the city. So if you've attended a previous city council meeting, you know that we like to start by appreciating our staff as they work so diligently on behalf of our residents every day. So it

18:42 – 19:19•KCKate Colin

Thank you. We have open time for public expression at both the beginning and end of the meeting. At the beginning, we'll just do it for about 10 minutes for folks both in the room and online. We'll have more time at the end of the meeting. You are welcome but not required, as you just heard, to state your name and what part of San Rafael you're in. And as I've already mentioned, we do welcome a diversity of viewpoints and respectful disagreement and help us maintain a... Welcoming environment for all so I already have received two cards of folks in the room. So now would be your opportunity So

20:44 – 21:25•KCKate Colin

Thank you both for your comments, and because it's during public open time, we can't respond formally, but I will say we're starting an East San Rafael planning effort, which we would absolutely welcome youth participation, so we have your contact information. We'll ensure that you know when that engagement is happening, because it will include Pickleweed, and it will also include other parts of East San Rafael. Thank you, thank you both. Is there anyone else in the chambers that would like to comment during public open time? I don't see anyone in the chambers. Is there anyone online?

21:36 – 21:47•KCKate Colin

Thank you. We will close the open time for public expression. Again, there will be additional time at the end of the meeting. We'll turn to the city manager and council member reports. Interim City Manager Navazio.

24:16•KCKate Colin

Okay, thank you. I'll turn to my colleagues to report out what they've been up to. Vice Mayor Kurtz, go ahead.

Thank you. I had the honor of presenting to Marin Community Clinics, a Proclamation on National Health Center Week Partner Appreciation Day, and we were one of the partners with Marin Community Clinic, so that was nice. I attended the MCCMC, Marin County Council Mayors and Council Members Legislative Meeting. We did the Golf Center Ribbon Cutting, which is located in North San Rafael. And Mayor Kate practiced. It was quite interesting. It was good. Thank you to our San Rafael Police Department for hosting National Night Out. I was able to visit three locations in North San Rafael, Contempo, an

25:35•KCKate Colin

So that's it. Thank you. Council Member Yaran-Skaladi.

25:39 – 28:42•MGMaika Llorens Gulati

Thank you, Mayor. So I have a few updates from back in June because I missed the meeting in July. I was visiting family. So I'll just try to be brief. On June 5th, I attended the Cal City's June Policy Committee meeting, and I'm representing the city on the Environmental Quality Policy Committee update. And so we just went with some updates on the priority environmental legislation. including positions on bills related to building standards, data center energy efficiency, clean energy permitting, and energy governance. The committee also highlighted some of the Cal City's sponsor legislation o

28:46 – 30:23•MBMaribeth Bushey

I have three items to report on. I'm going to do them in reverse chronological order so I can end with the best one. I'll start with the meeting of the board of the Central Marin Sanitation Agency. Two great things happened there. the job descriptions for the employees coming over to CMSA from San Rafael Sanitation District, which is part of our operational consolidation process. So the nuts and bolts are getting turned to make that happen. We also heard in closed session a report on the mediation. I can't share the details, but I personally remain optimistic about the resolution on the curren

Thank you Mayor Kate. My report includes all meetings going back into July, which includes Saturday, July 25th. I attended three events that day, Gerstle Park Cleanup. My duty was picking up all the cigarette butts going around. That was a self-appointed role. Then went over to the Touch a Truck event at San Rafael High School, the biggest Touch a Truck event yet. I was told, because I wasn't there at opening, that there was a line of people ready to run in like it was Black Friday, and so we might need to find a larger venue next year. And then that evening, I did a ride-along with Corporal A

33:59 – 36:26•KCKate Colin

I'll just add a few things. I also participated in National Night Out. And again, thank you to our first responders who also participated and the community leaders that brought their neighborhood together so we could all connect. So that was a really, really well attended event. As you know, I'm your representative on TAM, the Transportation Authority of Marin. TAM staff met with city staff and with DPW and Director Miller to discuss about the One Bay Area Grant Program that is through MTC, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, This is funding opportunities for us to do projects locally.

36:32•KCKate Colin

And just as a reminder, we are taking phone comments and we want to maintain a welcoming environment by refraining from hateful or discriminatory remarks.

37:10•KCKate Colin

If you could mute, I'd just like to. So we are taking public comment, and it's a new world. So I'm going to turn to the city attorney to find out what speech is acceptable and which is not.

44:02 – 44:37•KCKate Colin

Thank you, City Attorney. We appreciate that, and we appreciate that we are balancing public participation, which we welcome, and hopefully it's done in a respectful and non-discriminatory manner. So I know we did mute the speaker. If the speaker has anything that they would like to share, hopefully with that additional guidance, and this is on the council member reports only, we would be welcome to hear your viewpoints as long as... I'll leave it there. So if you could just have your concluding statement, that would be fine. Give me one moment.

45:13•KCKate Colin

As we said, protected speech. Thank you for your comments. You may close the public comment at this point. Please mute. Thank you.

45:26 – 46:17•KCKate Colin

I think we've had enough moments. Thank you. Okay. With that, we will move on to the consent calendar. We have items 2A through 2L. I would like to discuss consent item I, but we will accept public comment on all items. But I did want to pull consent item I, which is a fleet replacement item. and specifically about a letter we received from Sustainable San Rafael. So we will have staff respond to that. Are there any other items that the council would like to hold? Not seeing any, I will open public comment on the entire consent agenda. So that's items 2A all the way through, including I, throu

47:47 – 48:03•KCKate Colin

Thank you, Jose. And that was in reference to the proclamation that's part of our consent agenda. Thank you. Anyone else like to comment on the consent calendar? not seen any public in the room. Is there any public comment online?

48:09 – 48:22•KCKate Colin

We will close the public comment online. And I would accept a motion on all the items except for aye, and then we'll have staff speak to aye. Second. Moved and seconded. Roll call, please.

48:29 – 48:57•KCKate Colin

Aye. That motion carries 5-0. So the item that was pulled was a fleet replacement. We received an excellent letter from Sam Raffel, Sustainable Sam Raffel, and they had a straightforward question about why not all of the vehicles, specifically the motorcycles, The police administrative vehicles were not within the electric vehicle pool. So I was hoping that she could Clarify that for us and respond to their concerns happily.

50:58 – 51:18•KCKate Colin

Thank you, Chief. That very well explained and understanding the operational constraints. Any questions by the council on this item? Other than just gratitude that you have been thoughtful about it and that the transition does continue, but in a way that enables our officers to do their work, because that is the highest priority. Thank you. So with that, I'd entertain a motion on this specific item, please.

51:19 – 51:31•MGMaika Llorens Gulati

So I'll move to accept the completion and authorize the city clerk to file their notice of completion. Is that? No. No, sorry. I missed it. Adopt a resolution for, yeah. Do I have to read?

51:39•KCKate Colin

Moved and seconded on two, aye. Roll call, please.

51:49 – 52:06•KCKate Colin

Aye. That motion carries 5-0. Thank you. We have two grand jury reports that the council will be reviewing this evening. The first one is a response to grand jury report on MCE, Marin Clean Energy. And we will turn it over to the interim city manager to tee it up.

58:12 – 58:54•KCKate Colin

AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, PRAYA. ANY QUESTIONS THAT THE COUNCIL HAS? OK, we will enable comments, but I don't see any questions. So not seeing any questions, we'll open up the public comment on this item. If you'd like to comment on the grand jury proposed response to MCE, now is your chance. I don't see anyone in the room. Anyone online like to comment on this item? I see no hands raised. OK. Thank you, I will close the public comment line and come back to comments. And maybe I'll first, I know that you want to comment. Why don't we first go with our representative o

58:54 – 1:00:00•MGMaika Llorens Gulati

Yes, thank you. I appreciate the word that went into this response. And I think it really addresses the grand jury's findings and recommendations. This is again, the Marine Grand Jury for 38 different districts or cities and counties. So I think there is value in the MC's governance model of having locally elected officials at the table. and bringing accountability and the perspective of the community that we serve as well. I've been serving in MC for, this is my sixth year, so I won't be looking to renew for the following year, but I think trying to find somebody that has knowledge around ene

I just said I appreciate the work that was put into the whole grand jury report as well as the work that's happening currently at MCE to address a number of open issues and concerns. I think the responses to the findings and the recommendations Work for us and align with work that we're already doing so I appreciate that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor. Yeah, I think the goal and vision and mission of Marine Clean Energy, formerly Marine Clean Energy, now MCE, is noble. I do think that appropriately the Civil Grand Jury has raised questions on governance, and I'm thankful that staff was able to respond and bring their recommendations to the council. Thanks.

1:00:51 – 1:01:34•MBMaribeth Bushey

My comments are those of a former civil grand jury member, and they go to the quality of the presentation in this response and the second response, the next one that we get to. And I'm very impressed that with the the writing and the explanation of very succinctly explaining the city's role and the city's position and bringing it all together in a clear response in both of these. And as a former grand jury, I know that making that connection is the important part of why they put out those reports. So congratulations on two jobs, well done.

1:01:35 – 1:02:09•KCKate Colin

Thank you, and I'll just conclude. Thank you for that presentation. I will note that it's an unusual board in that there are 34 members, so thank you to Council Member Yoram Skouladi for being there in a large group. So I'm glad Grand Jury also looked at it, and just for members of the public, we have both our appointee and we also have an alternate. That is something that we'll continue to do in the years to come, so we're always at least two folks that will cover San Rafael when the meetings occur. Thank you to staff for doing that. I would entertain an, go ahead, Council Member Micah.

1:02:09 – 1:02:32•MGMaika Llorens Gulati

Thank you, Mayor. So I'll move to adopt the resolution approving the unauthorizing the mayor to execute the City of San Rafael's response to the Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report titled MC, Marin Clean Energy, it's actually MC Clean Energy, but a series of missteps highlight need for governance changes. Second.

1:02:41 – 1:02:53•KCKate Colin

Aye. That motion carries 5-0. Thank you. The next one is another grand jury report. This is on special districts. Oh, and I see Preah is leaving. So we'll have the city manager, interim city manager. Go ahead.

1:06:43•KCKate Colin

Thank you. Any questions on this item? Yeah, Council Member Hill.

Just the question it seemed on face value my question is that on face value that all the recommendations had did not Obviously pertain to the city of San Rafael when a civil grand jury asks questions For us to respond to there so obviously not for us to respond to are they inviting? Municipalities to take the bait and get involved or was it just a misdirection Or something else

1:07:31 – 1:07:44•KCKate Colin

Thank you. Not seeing any other questions, I'll open up the public comment on this item. If you would like to comment in the chambers, now is your opportunity. I don't see anyone coming forward. Anyone online that would like to comment on this item?

1:07:51•KCKate Colin

Thank you. I'll close the public comment and bring it back to the council for additional comments. Vice mayor, additional comments.

I support so much of what has been said in this report. I think it's a conversation that we've had a number of different times. And I think one of the messages that comes out loud and clear in the report is that it takes a lot of work. to actually do the consolidation work. And I appreciate the work that Sandra Fell's already doing in a number of these different situations in terms of our response. It's our response, it makes the most sense right now. And because it wasn't really in our purview to deal with.

1:08:32•KCKate Colin

Thank you. Council Member Hill, comments.

Thank you, Mayor Kate. Building on the Vice Mayor's comments, the report called out the opportunity ahead for consolidation, that there is benefit to it. And as the Vice Mayor indicated, there are many parts of it that can be fraught to just weigh in and they call out further that oftentimes consolidations are done under duress in a moment when it's particularly challenging. So I appreciated the questions and hopefully we can find our way towards better governance in our community with smaller districts.

1:09:12 – 1:09:38•MGMaika Llorens Gulati

Thank you. Council Member Yurain Scalati, comments? Yes, I concur with everything that has been said. I completely agree with the report and I think it's very important to look at the different organizations that they exist and see how we can, whenever possible, bring them together, including school boards that maybe were not included in here. I must say that. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member Bushy, comments?

1:09:40 – 1:09:55•MBMaribeth Bushey

My comments are just that we're living the dream here in San Rafael, bringing consolidation to the forefront and doing the hard work that it takes. So I think the response nicely summarizes all of our policies and our strategic plan.

1:09:56 – 1:10:45•KCKate Colin

Thank you, and I'll just add, I appreciate the grand jury looking at this. This is something, again, outside of the purview of the City of San Rafael, as it were, but the San Rafael Sanitation District, we did point to previous grand jury reports as we started on working on consolidation, which there is a formal process that will be starting the discussion, but in the interim, we are working on an operating agreement. To the Vice Mayor's point, it takes time. We've been at it for two and a half years, For lots of reasons, the mechanisms and the systems are hard to change, but appreciate the gr

I'll raise a motion. 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.

1:11:10 – 1:11:26•KCKate Colin

Aye. That motion carries 5-0. Thank you. Thank you to staff for preparing those reports. The last item on our agenda this evening is the City Manager Employment Agreement, Paul Navazio. Is there a staff report on this? Okay, I just realized. City Attorney, turn it to you.

1:15:57 – 1:16:22•KCKate Colin

Thank you, city attorney. Thank you for those clarifications in the staff report. We will have time for comments, but we'll start with questions as we always do. Any questions? I don't see any questions from the council. I will open up public comment on this item. Anyone in the chambers like to comment on this item? I don't see anyone approaching the dais, so is there anyone online that would like to comment specifically on this item? I do see one hand raised.

1:16:51•KCKate Colin

And I do appreciate that there are different voices being mimicked by the caller, so maybe you could review where we are.

1:18:25 – 1:18:49•KCKate Colin

Thank you for that clarification. I'll ask the speaker, you're not required, but we would like to know if you're welcome to say your name and what part of San Rafael you live in would be appropriate. You're welcome to do that. And we hope that while you might find this entertaining that you have helpful comments to the council would be appreciated. Timer start, please.

1:19:20 – 1:20:00•KCKate Colin

Welcome to our free country where you are able to say whatever you want. So we will, in the spirit of democracy and upholding the things we hold dear, we recognize that we have to listen to comments that are frankly, I will say, unproductive, not helpful, and do not represent the values and the inclusivity of our community. So with no more public comment. and I'm very sorry that was a public comment we had. We will now have comments from the council that will actually really represent the solemnity and the seriousness and the delight of this agenda item. Vice Mayor.

Thank you and fully support this recommendation and the move to formalize the position and to make Paul Navazio our formal city manager. Mr. Navazio, you have been a breath of fresh air in the work that we've been doing. Can definitely see how your experience and support has already put us on a trajectory of achieving so much of what we have laid out. I also appreciate your direct honesty when we're going off the rails. So it's very helpful. And I think in the world we're in today, your background, your finance background as well is incredibly invaluable to the work that we are doing. And so r

1:21:07 – 1:21:46•MBMaribeth Bushey

I'm delighted to support this matter on our agenda. It has been a pleasure to watch Paul become our astute finance manager and then evolve into our city manager in a way that really focuses on our strategic objectives in a way that fully encompasses all of the humanity that is involved in those goals. So I am confident in the future with Paul at the helm. I can't wait to approve the contract.

Thank you, Mayor. I'm looking forward to voting for this resolution for Paul Navazio to become our permanent city manager. Paul, you've been unswerving in bringing every bit of your skill and experience to our city, and I look forward to that continuing. Thank you.

1:22:07•KCKate Colin

Thank you. Council Member Yarenz Gulati.

1:22:09 – 1:22:45•MGMaika Llorens Gulati

Thank you, Mayor. I'm also very excited to support this appointment. I think you started as an acting city manager at a very complicated time of the year for us. And the fact that you have your background in finance, And we're able to do our budgets and everything that the city does and also work with the staff members and knowing the respect that they have for you. I'm really excited to appoint you as our new city manager and also knowing that we have a lot of work to do. So I'm very excited. Thank you.

1:22:46 – 1:23:50•KCKate Colin

Thank you. I am delighted that this is our agenda this evening. I already see that you have the support of everyone on the dais, so we'll make it formal momentarily. And I'll just echo everything that was said. Your ability to navigate the past couple months during the budget season with a lot of other things coming at it. was not a surprise in that you've had years of experience in public service. You have been in a city manager's role before. You have been in other roles in other cities. And that wisdom is something we are all going to benefit from here in San Rafael. You've already heard fr

1:24:13•KCKate Colin

You are welcome. Vice Mayor, would you like to make the motion?

I would, thank you. I'd like to raise the motion to adopt the resolution appointing Paul Navazio as city manager effective August 17th, 2026 for an indefinite term as required by charter section eight and approving and authorizing the mayor to execute the city manager employment agreement.

1:24:47 – 1:25:05•KCKate Colin

Aye. That motion carries 5-0. We had public comment at the beginning of the meeting, and it was not fully utilized, so we will not have the public comment now this evening because we've already covered it at the beginning. So not seeing anything else on our agenda, this meeting is adjourned. Good night.