HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 15434 (620 Canal Street Acquisition)RESOLUTION NO. 15434
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO:
1.NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A GRANT AGREEMENT, IN A FORM APPROVED BY
THE CITY ATTORNEY, WITH MARIN COUNTY FOR A MINIMUM OF $1,150,000 IN
MEASURE A LAND PRESERVATION AND PARK ACCESS PROGRAM FUNDS
(“MEASURE A FUNDS”); ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING GRANT FUNDS;
2.NEGOTIATE AND ENTER INTO A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT AND
ANCILLIARY DOCUMENTS FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 620 CANAL
STREET, PROVIDED THE CITY’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE PURCHASE PRICE
DOES NOT EXCEED $500,000, PLUS SAID MEASURE A FUNDS RECEIVED; AND
3.TO TAKE ACTIONS NECESSARY OR INCIDENTAL TO CARRYING OUT THE
INTENT OF THIS RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Canal neighborhood is physically isolated from other parts of San Rafael
by the San Rafael Creek (Canal) and the Highway 101 and Interstate 580 freeways; and
WHEREAS, Several City Council adopted city planning documents including the
Downtown Precise plan (2021) and the Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (2018) have
identified the need for a bicycle and pedestrian bridge connection from the Canal neighborhood
to the north side of the Canal;
WHEREAS, Over a third of Canal neighborhood residents live in poverty; and
WHEREAS, Encouraging walking and cycling, improving connectivity and providing
accessible affordable recreational resources to low-income communities further goals adopted by
the San Rafael City Council in the General Plan 2040, Downtown Precise Plan, Bicycle and
Pedestrian Master Plan, Parks and Recreation Master Plan, Canal Neighborhood Community-
Based Transportation Plan and Capital Improvement Plan; and
WHEREAS, The property at 620 Canal Street, Assessor’s Parcel Number 014-162-01, is
ideally situated to serve as one end of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge crossing the San Rafael
Creek (Canal) and offers access to a potential waterfront park; and
WHEREAS, The Trust for Public Land (TPL) has entered into a purchase and sale
agreement for the property at 620 Canal Street; and
WHEREAS, TPL’s purchase and sale agreement relies on a combination of funds from
the City of San Rafael, the County of Marin (”County”) Measure A Land Preservation and Park
Access Grant Program Funds, and Private Philanthropy and is contingent upon sufficient Private
Philanthropy Funds being available for the purchase; and
WHEREAS, on June 2, 2025, the City Council approved the City’s Fiscal Year 2025-26
budget, which includes $500,000 in budget appropriations within the Parkland Dedication Fund
($375,000), and Capital Improvement Fund ($125,000), supporting the City’s funding contribution
toward the purchase of the property; and
WHEREAS, on July 8, 2025, the County Board of Supervisors will consider authorizing an
award of $1,150,000 in Measure A proceeds to fund the Project (defined below), finding that the
Project was consistent with Measure A requirements; and
WHEREAS, the County has found that its program for Measure A funds is exempt from
environmental review pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.28(a)(1)(F) and
California Environmental Quality Act Guideline 15325(f); and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael desires to purchase the property at 620 Canal Street
to redevelop it as a park with the potential for an urban and pedestrian pathway to cross the canal
to provide connectivity within San Rafael (“Project”).
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby finds that the
foregoing recitals are true and correct and authorizes as follows:
1.The City Manager is authorized to negotiate and execute a grant agreement, in a form
approved by the City Attorney or his designee with the County of Marin for a minimum
of one million, one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($1,150,000) Measure A Land
Preservation and Park Access Program Funds (“Measure A Funds”); and authorize
acceptance and appropriation of Measure A grant funds, for purposes as specified;
2.The City Manager is authorized to enter into a Purchase and Sale Agreement and
ancillary documents in a form approved by the City Attorney or his designee to acquire
the property located at 620 Canal Street, provided the City’s contribution to the
purchase price does not exceed $500,000, plus the Measure A Funds received from
the County for the purchase of the property; and
3.The City Manager is authorized to take any action necessary or incidental to carrying
out the intention of this Resolution, including, but not limited to, payment of transaction
costs, which are customary for a buyer to pay or as agreed to in the purchase and sale
agreement.
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 the City
of San Rafael, held on Monday, the 23rd day of June, 2025 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Hill, Kertz & Mayor Kate
NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: Llorens Gulati
____________________
Lindsay Lara, City Clerk