Remarks by Kate Colin
212 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 1 of 9
Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the regular meeting of the San Rafael City Council. Today is Monday, October 19th, 2026. I'll request the city clerk to call the roll.
Present. All five of us are here this evening. So good evening and welcome. Thank you for joining us tonight, whether you're here in person or watching online. We like to begin every meeting by recognizing our incredible city staff and thanking them. for the care, dedication and professionalism that they bring to San Rafael every day. As we prepare for the possibility of El Nino conditions in the winter storm season, much of their work is already underway and preparedness is something we all share. I encourage everyone to take steps now to protect your homes for winter weather and most…
Thank you. We'll start with open time for public expression. I do have some cards, so I'll go ahead and read those names. And as our city clerk reminded us, you're welcome, but not required to say your name and what part of San Rafael that you live in. So first is Karina Ochoa and then Beatriz Chan Chan.
Thank you. Beatrice Chan and then Avra Surratt.
Thank you. Thank you, Cecilia Gramajo, and then Julian Alas.
or go in any order. I just wanted to make sure I had the cards.
Thank you. Thank you. And Marentha, yeah, thank you. Marentha Silva.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Any other public comment in the room? I went through the cards, but any other public comment on anything not on tonight's agenda? Come on down. And you're invited but not required to say your name and what part of San Rafael you live in. And maybe pull the microphone up. There you go. Go ahead.
Thank you. So we will have public comment when that agenda item is open as well. So you can also speak then. Okay. So is anything not on tonight's agenda? I don't see anyone else in the room. Is there anyone online that has some comments?
And just to clarify, our subcommittee meetings are actually open public meetings that are both recorded and you can participate in person. So I just wanted to clarify that the speaker inferred that they were behind closed doors. That's not accurate. Anyone else before we go to their next agenda item?
Any other public comment? I see no other hands raised. Thank you. I'll close the public comment and this will be on an upcoming agenda in November. Is that correct?
Okay. So if you don't already subscribe to the snapshot, please do that. You'll know which meeting it will be on. Okay. We will move along to the city manager and council member reports. City Manager Navazio.
Thank you Thank You city manager. I'll turn to the council for their reports of vice mayor Kurtz
Thank you. Had a busy week, a couple weeks. We have been undergoing, the city has been working with an organization called change.org. You might have seen their online surveys. And it is a new, they're looking at a new aspect of their business where they, in addition to doing surveys, is how do they bring in community engagement and bringing together all voices, not just a certain group that knows how to access City Hall or how to give input. So there was 110 person Zoom. I didn't stay for the whole thing. I did the welcome. And then they went into small breakout rooms. And the question that…
Thank you. I will close the public comment and move on to the consent agenda. Are there any items that the Council would like to hold?
Any other items? Okay. Should we go ahead and have a motion on the other items besides or outside of 2G? 2E through? Actually, yeah. Let me take public comment first. I'll take public comment on all the items. How about we do that? So if you'd like to comment on the consent agenda, all items 2A to 2G now is your opportunity. I don't see anyone in the chambers. Anyone online like to comment on the consent calendar? I do see one hand raised. And if you could identify which item that you're commenting on, on the consent agenda, please.
Thank you. I'll close with public comment. And I will request a motion on the items 2A through 2F.
Second. Moved and seconded. Roll call, please.
Aye. That motion carries 5-0. Council Member Bushey, you had requested that we pull the item, the fire department apparatus replacement fiscal year 26 to 27. Thank you for any additional comments or questions.
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Aye. Mayor Kate? Aye. That motion carries 5-0. We have a special presentation. It is on National First Responders Day. I will read the proclamation shortly, but first I will invite public comment on this item. If you would like to provide comment in the chambers, now is your opportunity. I don't see anyone in the chambers. Anyone online?
Thank you. We will have a photo, but first let me read the proclamation. Whereas first responders, including police officers, firefighters, paramedics, public works professionals, communications dispatchers, and other emergency personnel stand on the front line of our communities, selflessly serving and protecting the residents of the city of San Rafael in times of crisis. And whereas our first responders respond swiftly and courageously to emergencies, often putting their own lives at risk to ensure the safety and wellbeing of others. Whereas it is in the public interest for our community…
We'll move along to our public hearing. This evening, we have the San Rafael citywide bicycle and pedestrian plan 2026 update. So we will invite staff to make a presentation.
Thank you. And thank you for that overview. The plan is 75 pages. I think the appendixes are another 200. With a little word, you're going to go through each page. So thank you for not doing that. Um, but I know I have questions, but first let me turn to the council vice mayor questions on this.
Ann Marie Buerkle Thank you. Council Member Bushee.