Quiet Zone for Smart Train in San Rafael

Dear Friends,

Thanks to those of you who were able to get to Walter Place last Saturday for a discussion of QUIET ZONE implementation for that particular crossing--as Ken was able to show you, there are different SSMs that could be introduced there to make that crossing perfectly safe as part of the QUIET ZONE.

As we stated there, because of the very short distances between Civic Center station, Walter Place crossing and N. San Pedro Road crossing--all trains will have to sound their horns continuously for the entire distance--that's the train horn regulation--every hour, four times an hour.  Unless we get our city officials to vote for a  QUIET ZONE.

Thanks to the suggestions given last Saturday,  we are working on a petition and fact sheet that can be circulated to educate and get more people involved.  It should be done by the end of this week.  People agreed at that meeting that a "hard copy" of a petition would be better for circulation.

In the meantime, you can take a look at the San Diego QUIET ZONE website.  They have successfully installed a QUIET ZONE.  The link:  http://www.quietzonesd.info/

As promised, attached is the document on QUIET ZONE implementation for our area.

Please take a look at it and please keep talking to friends!  We need all the support we can get.  Anyone can join this list.  Just contact us.  We only have ONE MONTH before the first public meeting.  Community involvement is critical.

warm regards,   

Janet and Ken

Attachment: http://smna-online.com/files/QuietZones.pdf

Terra Linda Poolhouse Remodel Project

This project will renovate the Poolhouse.  We were not able to upgrade the locker, restroom and shower facilities when we re-built the pool, so the current facilities are aged and deteriorating. The project calls for us to renovate the restrooms, create a Family Restroom, replace the showers, dressing areas, storage areas classroom, and upgrade all the utilities.  The new project will be on the current building site.  We are not expanding beyond the original site footprint.

We reviewed the project by the Park and Recreation Commission in April of this year.  The attached notice was sent to the addresses within 500 ft. of the Pool.  We had one resident come to the Community Center to see the conceptual plans.  Three folks attended the Commission meeting.  Two represented the Orcas Swim Club with focus on the project impact on the pool schedule.  One resident inquired about the application of solar power for the building.

We plan to begin the work as soon as the pool closes for the current aquatics season in October.  It is a tight but do-able goal to have the work completed before the season begins in the Spring of 2015. 

I’ve attached the preliminary plans.  While development continues, only minor adjustments are expected before we go out to bid in August.  The City Council will take public comment on the project at the meeting they consider authorizing the project going to bid (probably July 21) and again when they are ready to award the bid (tentatively September 2).

If anyone in the community has questions, I am happy to speak with them and/or review the plans.

Carlene McCart, Director

San Rafael Community Services

Beautify a Terra Linda Neighborhood on Saturday, June 28th!

Help clean up the easements behind Terra Linda Community Center on June 28th, 9am-noon!
 
Please see the website for more information:

http://www.sanrafaelvolunteers.org/beautification-days.aspx

Community Rights Papers - a blog about local government

http://celdf.org/community-rights-papers-1

White-Rodgers Recalls Home Heating and Cooling Thermostats Due to Fire Hazard

More than one million thermostats sold in the United States and Canada since 2006 are being recalled because the batteries can leak and cause a fire. Product: The thermostats are made by White-Rodgers, but some have different brand names printed on the front, including ComfortSentry, DICO, Emerson, Frigidaire, Maytag, Nutone, Partners Choice, Rheem, Ruud, Unico, Water Furnace, Westinghouse and Zonefirst. Hazard: The alkaline batteries used in the thermostat can leak onto the circuit board posing a fire hazard. Remedy: Consumers should check thermostats for battery icon on the left side of the blue lighted screen, if the battery icon is not shown, contact White-Rodgers to receive a free repair or a replacement thermostat. Consumer Contact: White-Rodgers toll-free at (888) 624-1901 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or click here.

The Point San Pedro Road Coalition Candidates’ Night - May 13

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

6:30 Meet and Greet

Candidates' Forum 7 to 9 pm

St. Luke Church

10 Bayview Dr., San Rafael

Featuring Candidates for:

• Marin County Board of Supervisors, District 1
• California State Assembly, District 10
• California State Senate, District 2

Candidates will present opening statements 

followed by questions from the audience

Join Us!

Coffee and snacks courtesy of 

Sandy Mahoney, Madison Co. Realtors

City Survey

Dear Community Member,

Please take 3 minutes to respond to this important community survey for the City of San Rafael. During the month of May we are conducting a community survey to better understand how we can engage with our residents and promote the type of community-city dialogue we all want. The survey is available in English and Spanish. This survey is a vital first step towards better communication, we appreciate your help.

Please help us spread the word to your neighbors and other members of the community.

§  The English survey can be found online here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GC39CKR 

§  The Spanish survey can be found online here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GJJ3VRL

Hard copies are available in the City Manager's Office at City Hall as well as the Downtown and Pickleweed Libraries. Deadline is May 31.

Also, if you are interested in receiving my bimonthly newsletter Snapshot, click here to sign up.

Kind regards,

Nancy Mackle, City Manager

Mail Theft Solution

By now, everyone should have a locking mailbox. We got ours 10 years ago when people were regularly snagging bank and credit card statements from mailboxes in our neighborhood. They do it with such impunity they take the info off and put the statement back — the more to lull you into a false sense of security.

There are models approved by the Post Office so the mail can be put in without a key, but a key is required to remove anything. You can buy a locking insert for your existing mailbox, or a purpose-built one of varying price and quality. New ones come in post-mounted models, wall mount, etc. Top-of-the-line “architectural” or “designer” models are about $100 - $125, but you can get something workable for $20 and up. Amazon has a good assortment, and there’s www.mailboxes.com for the high end. 

http://www.mailboxes.com/departments/residential-mailboxes/locking-mailboxes/

http://www.seattleluxe.com/mailboxes-locking/?gclid=COSXuMG96L0CFYqIfgod0hYAIw#page/0

LH

If you would prefer a local, employee-owned hardware store:

Jackson's Hardware (415) 454-3740

Barbed Goat Grass Removal - Saturday, May 10. 9am to 1pm

Saturday, May 10. 9am to 1pm 

Save Springs Hill in Terra Linda!

Join Marin County Parks for a community meeting and volunteer day.

Natural Resources staff will discuss our Barbed Goat Grass Removal Project on the Terra Linda/Sleepy Hollow Preserve,share the results of our management efforts, and explain future plans to address this agricultural pest. Following the meeting, we’ll roll up our sleeves to pull goat grass.

Naturalist David Herlocker will provide environmental education throughout the day. Pulling goat grass is easy work but the site is located on a hillside and the terrain is uneven. Suitable for volunteers 7 years and older. Dress in layers that you can get dirty: long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and a hat.Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Please bring gloves (if you have them).

Questions: Contact Volunteer Coordinator Greg Reza at (415) 473-3778 or GReza@marincounty.org.

Meet at the end of Wintergreen Terrace in San Rafael. DIRECTIONS: from Hwy 101 in San Rafael, take exit 455 for Freitas Parkway west.

Turn right onto Las Gallinas Ave, left onto Las Colindas Rd, and right onto Wintergreen Terrace (dead end).

San Mateo Highlands Eichler Home Tour - May 3rd and 4th, 2014

The San Mateo Highlands Eichler Home Tour is coming.  We hope our sister Eichler community of Terra Linda can join us for a really fun event.

Reservations available online at eichlerhometour.org