HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 15366 (Memorial Bench for Judge Richard H. Breiner)RESOLUTION NO. 15366
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH SHM
LOCH LOMOND LLC AND INSTALLATION OF MAINTENANCE OF MEMORIAL
BENCH AND PLAQUE HONORING THE LATE HONORABLE RICHARD M. BREINER,
JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT
WHEREAS, the late Richard M. ("Dick") Breiner, who died on February 26, 2022, was a
beloved member of the San Rafael community; and
WHEREAS, Dick was a lawyer for 17 years and a judge on the Superior Court for 20
years; and
WHEREAS, he was a mensch who was loved, cherished, and respected beyond
measure; and
WHEREAS, in 1960, Dick married Dorothy (“Dottie”) Landau who, in 1981, became the
first woman elected to the San Rafael City Council; and
WHEREAS, in 1964, Dick answered a nationwide call from CORE (Congress of Racial
Equality) and SNCC (Students Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) for lawyers from
around the country to go to Mississippi and take depositions of African American
residents of the state who were not allowed to register to vote, resulting in losses for the
newly formed Freedom Democratic party. He bravely went to Mississippi, enduring
threats on his life while there. The depositions were bound and delivered to the House
of Representatives, and it is believed that those depositions helped facilitate the
passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1965; and
WHEREAS, in 1965, Dick began a private law practice in San Rafael. He served as
Deputy Public Defender for the County of Marin from 1965 to 1970, Deputy City
Attorney for the Town of Tiburon from 1965 to 1977, City Attorney for the City of
Belvedere from 1976 to 1977, and Special Counsel for the Cities of San Rafael,
Sausalito, Mill Valley, and Ross. He was also President of the Marin County Bar
Association in 1977. Dick was appointed to the Marin County Superior Court in 1977 by
Governor Jerry Brown. He served as the Presiding Judge of the Marin County Superior
Court from 1980-1981, 1985, 1987-1988, and 1993. He also served as Associate Judge
Pro Tem on the California Court of Appeal in 1983, as Associate Justice Pro Tem for
the California Supreme Court in 1985 and Presiding Judge for the Marin County
Superior Court Appellate Court in 1982 and 1984. He was re-elected to the Superior
Court without opposition in 1978, 1984, and 1990; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to permanently honor Dick's contributions to the
community and his memory by installation of a permanent memorial bench and plaque
at the end of the breakwater path at Loch Lomond marina;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of San Rafael
does as follows:
AUTHORIZES the City Manager or her designee to execute a license agreement
with SHM Loch Lomond LLC in the form attached hereto; and
DIRECTS that a permanent memorial bench and plaque be installed in Judge
Breiner's memory.
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 Tuesday the 21st day of January 2025, 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
