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Home My WebLink AboutPW Temporary Street Closure to Support Vaccination Efforts in the Canal Neighborhood____________________________________________________________________________________ FOR CITY CLERK ONLY Council Meeting: August 2, 2021 Disposition: Resolution 14957 Agenda Item No: 5.b Meeting Date: August 2, 2021 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Department: Public Works Department Prepared by: Bill Guerin, Director Department of Public Works City Manager Approval: ______________ TOPIC: TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURE TO SUPPORT VACCINATION EFFORTS IN THE CANAL NEIGHBORHOOD SUBJECT: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SATURDAY STREET CLOSURES TO SUPPORT CANAL ALLIANCE’S EFFORT TO PROVIDE COVID-19 VACCINATIONS RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the Resolution authorizing Saturday closures of Alto Street to support Canal Alliance’s effort to provide Covid-19 vaccinations at the discretion of the City Manager on various Saturdays until the end of 2021. BACKGROUND: Coronavirus (COVID-19) has had a dramatic impact on the residents of San Rafael and especially essential workers and residents that live in the Canal neighborhood. Canal Alliance sought approval to close Alto Street on several Saturdays through mid-July 2021 to conduct free vaccinations. The program vaccinated more than 2,000 people. ANALYSIS: Canal Alliance would like to continue its vaccination program through the end of 2021. The Marin County Department of Public Health would support the vaccination effort by providing a mobile vaccination unit and other logistical support. In order to effectively administer the COVID-19 vaccine, Canal Alliance is requesting approval to close a portion of Alto Street, a one block street next to Canal Alliance’s office, from Larkspur Street to mid-block, on several Saturdays between 6:30 am and 3 pm. The partial street closure will allow people seeking vaccinations to drive or walk up to the medical professionals administering the vaccine. Other businesses on this short street support the vaccination effort and can access their properties from the Belvedere Street end of Alto Street. To maximize flexibility, staff is seeking approval to close Alto Street every Saturday to accommodate Canal Alliance’s schedule through the end of 2021. Staff requests that the City Manager be granted authority to close the street on Saturdays at their discretion. SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2 Temporary road closures require that the City Council adopt a resolution finding that the closing is necessary for the safety and protection of persons using the road during the closing, per Vehicle Code section 21101(e) which states: “(e) Temporarily closing a portion of any street for celebrations, parades, local special events, and other purposes when, in the opinion of local authorities having jurisdiction or a public officer or employee that the local authority designates by resolution, the closing is necessary for the safety and protection of persons who are to use that portion of the street during the temporary closing.” Department of Public Works staff will support the street closure by providing closure signage and traffic control support. The Police Department and Fire Department may provide ancillary support as well. STREET TO BE CLOSED: Alto Street from its intersection with Larkspur Street to mid-block at approximately the entrance to the Johnson and Daly Moving Company warehouse entrance on various Saturdays through the end of 2021. Public walk-up access to businesses will be maintained during event hours. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Canal Alliance is advertising the opportunity to be vaccinated through their public outreach network. Canal Alliance also sought and has received the support of other nearby businesses for this closure. FISCAL IMPACT: The City will provide in-kind services, such as “no parking” signage and traffic control support and advice. OPTIONS: The City Council has the following options to consider on this matter: 1. Adopt resolution. 2. Adopt resolution with modifications. 3. Direct staff to return with more information. 4. Take no action. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt the resolution. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 14957 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SATURDAY STREET CLOSURES TO SUPPORT CANAL ALLIANCE’S EFFORT TO PROVIDE COVID-19 VACCINATIONS WHEREAS, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has had a dramatic impact on the residents of San Rafael and especially essential workers and other people who live in the Canal neighborhood of the City; and WHEREAS, Canal Alliance, with the support of the Marin County Department of Public Health, has the capability to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to nearby residents who wish to receive it: and WHEREAS, Canal Alliance has requested that the City allow the temporary closure of a portion of Alto Street from Larkspur Street to mid-block on various Saturdays through the end of 2021 to support their vaccination effort; and WHEREAS, after reviewing the request, City staff has determined and recommended that, in the interest of the safety and welfare of pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the area, that Alto Street should be temporarily closed to through traffic on various Saturdays from 6:30 am to 3 pm through the end of 2021 for scheduled vaccination efforts; and WHEREAS, for maximum flexibility in scheduling, Staff requests that the City Council delegate authority to the City Manager to approve the specific scheduling of closures as they determine necessary and appropriate; NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: 1. That all of the above findings are true and correct. 2. That, pursuant to the authority of Vehicle Code section 21101(e), for the safety and protection of persons, both pedestrians and vehicle drivers, the City Council hereby authorizes the temporary closure of Alto Street from Larkspur Street to mid-block for the dates and times described above, subject to the approval of specific closure dates by the City Manager. I, LINDSAY LARA, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of said City held on Monday, the 2nd day of August 2021 by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None Lindsay Lara, City Clerk