HomeMy WebLinkAboutPickleweed Advisory Committee 2025-08-06 Agenda Packet
PICKLEWEED ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
7:00 P.M.
Attend and Participate in Person at Albert J. Boro Community Center, Meeting Room 3
50 Canal Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
-OR –
Watch on Zoom Webinar: https://tinyurl.com/PWAC-8-6-2025
Telephone: (669)900-9128
Meeting ID: 933 3089 5431
CALL TO ORDER
MINUTES
1. Approve regular meeting minutes of June 4, 2025
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
2. Public Comment from the in-person audience regarding items not listed on the agenda.
Speakers are encouraged to limit comments to 2 minutes.
MATTERS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE
If necessary to assure completion of the following items, the Chairperson may establish time limits
for the presentations by individual speakers.
3. Presentations
a. Peoples of the Canal – Rich Storek, The Canal Arts
4. Walking Tour of Pickleweed Park Enhancement Project
COMMITTEE REPORTS AND COMMENTS
5. Other brief reports on any meetings or community events attended by the Committee
members.
STAFF COMMENTS
6. Updates and Events of Interest
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: October 1, 2025 (In Person- Albert J. Boro Community Center)
ADJOURNMENT
Notice
Any records relating to an agenda item, received by a majority or more of the Committee less than 72 hours before the
meeting, shall be available for inspection online and in the Albert J. Boro Community Center placed with other agenda -
related materials on the table in front of the [location prior to the meeting. Sign Language interpreters may be requested
by calling (415) 485-3066 (voice), emailing city.clerk@cityofsanrafael.org or using the California Telecommunications
Relay Service by dialing “711”, at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Copies of documents are available in
accessible formats upon request. To request Spanish language interpretation, please submit an online form at
https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/request-for-interpretation/. To allow individuals with environmental illness or multiple
chemical sensitivity to attend the meeting/hearing, individuals are requested to refrain from wearing scented products.
PICKLEWEED ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
Miercoles, Agosto 6,2025
7:00 P.M.
Reunion Hibrida:
Asista en persona en el Centro Comunitario Albert J. Boro, Salón de reunión 3
50 Canal Street
-OR –
Vea en Zoom: : https://tinyurl.com/PWAC-8-6-2025
Telefono: (669)900-9128
ID de reunion: 933 3089 5431
Llamar a Orden
MINUTOS
1. . Aprobar los minutos de la reunión ordinara del 4 de Junio, 2025.
REUNIÓN ABIERTA AL PÚBLICO
2. Comentarios públicos de la audiencia en persona sobre temas que no figuran en la agenda.
Los comentarios no pueden durar más de 2 minutos
ASUNTOS ANTE EL COMITÉ
Si es necesario para asegurar la finalización de los siguientes puntos, el presidente puede
establecer límites de tiempo para las presentaciones de los oradores individuales.
3. Presentaciones
a. Peoples of the Canal – Rich Storek – The Canal Arts
4. Recorrido a pie por el proyecto de mejora del parque Pickleweed
INFORMES Y COMENTARIOS DEL COMITÉ
5. Otros informes breves sobre las reuniones o eventos comunitarios a los que asistan los
miembros del Comité.
COMENTARIOS DEL PERSONAL
6. Actualizaciones y eventos de interés.
PRÓXIMA REUNIÓN ORDINARIA: Octubre 1,2025 (En Persona- Centro Comunitario Albert J
Boro)
APLAZAMIENTO
Noticia
Cualquier registro relacionado con un tema de la agenda, recibido por una mayoría o más del Comité menos de 72 horas
antes de la reunión, estará disponible para su inspección en línea y en el Centro Comunitario Albert J. Boro colocado con
otros materiales relacionados con la agenda sobre la mesa. frente al [lugar antes de la reunión. Se pueden solicitar
intérpretes de lenguaje de señas llamando al (415) 485-3066 (voz), enviando un correo electrónico a
city.clerk@cityofsanrafael.orgo utilizando el Servicio de retransmisión de telecomunicaciones de California marcando
"711", al menos 72 horas antes de la reunión. Las copias de los documentos están disponibles en formatos accesibles a
pedido. Para solicitar interpretación en español, envíe un formulario en línea https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/request-for-
interpretation/ Para permitir que las personas con enfermedades ambientales o sensibilidad química múltiple asistan a la
reunión/audiencia, se solicita a las personas que se abstengan de usar productos perfumados.
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PICKLEWEED ADVISORY COMMITTEE
June 4, 2025 – 7:00 p.m.
DRAFT MINUTES
Watch on Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/PWAC-6-4-2025
Telephone: (669) 900-9128
Meeting ID: 933 3089 5431
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Mason called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Mason
Member Arbit
Member Campos
Member Nguyen
Member Ruiz
Member Sprague (Arrived 7:30pm)
Member Tanchez (Arrived 7:05pm)
Member Vasquez
Park & Recreation Commissioner Pasternak
Absent: None
Also Present: Becky Ordin, Senior Administrative Assistant
William Coronado, Troop 2000
AGENDA AMENDMENTS
None.
MINUTES
1. Approve regular meeting minutes of April 2, 2025
Member Ruiz moved and Member Tanchez seconded, to approve the meetings
minutes of April 2, 2025.
AYES: Members: Arbit, Campos, Nguyen, Ruiz, Tanchez, Vasquez
NOES: Members: None
ABSENT: Members: Sprague
ABSTAINED: Members: None
Minutes approved as submitted.
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MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
2. Public Comment from the audience regarding items not listed on the agenda
William Coronado addressed the Board to share that they are seeking Eagle Scout
projects where the kids can give back to their community.
MATTERS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE
If necessary, to assure completion of the following items, the Chairperson may establish time
limits for the presentations by individual speakers.
3. Presentations:
A. Schoolyear Co-Sponsorship Application Committee Recommendations
a. Vivalon: Zumba by Vivalon
Chair Mason gave a brief overview of the Co-Sponsorship application recommendation.
Member Tachez moved and Member Vasquez seconded, to approve the Zumba by
Vivalon Schoolyear Co-Sponsorship Application.
AYES: Members: Arbit, Campos, Nguyen, Ruiz, Tanchez, Vasquez
NOES: Members: None
ABSENT: Members: Sprague
ABSTAINED: Members:
Motion approved as submitted.
b. DrawBridge: Weekly Expressive Art Groups
Chair Mason gave a brief overview of the Co-Sponsorship application recommendation.
Member Ruiz moved and Member Arbit seconded, to approve the DrawBridge Weekly
Expressive Art Groups Schoolyear Co-Sponsorship Application.
AYES: Members: Arbit, Campos, Nguyen, Ruiz, Tanchez, Vasquez
NOES: Members: None
ABSENT: Members: Sprague
ABSTAINED: Members:
Motion approved as submitted.
c. Troop 2000: Scouts BSA
Chair Mason gave a brief overview of the Co-Sponsorship application recommendation.
Member Arbit moved and Member Vasquez seconded, to approve the Troop 2000 Scouts
BSA Schoolyear Co-Sponsorship Application.
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AYES: Members: Arbit, Campos, Nguyen, Tanchez, Vasquez
NOES: Members: None
ABSENT: Members: Sprague
ABSTAINED: Members: Ruiz
Motion approved as submitted.
d. Torogoz con Voz Music Academy
Chair Mason gave a brief overview of the Co-Sponsorship application recommendation.
Member Ruiz moved and Member Campos seconded, to approve the Torogoz con Voz
Music Academy Schoolyear Co-Sponsorship Application.
AYES: Members: Arbit, Campos, Nguyen, Tanchez, Vasquez
NOES: Members: None
ABSENT: Members: Sprague
ABSTAINED: Members:
Motion approved as submitted.
e. The Canal Arts: The Canal Arts Family Art Saturdays and Mural Art Workshop
Chair Mason gave a brief overview of the Co-Sponsorship application recommendation.
Member Nguyen moved and Member Ruiz seconded, to approve The Canal Arts
Schoolyear Co-Sponsorship Application.
AYES: Members: Arbit, Campos, Nguyen, Ruiz, Tanchez, Vasquez
NOES: Members: None
ABSENT: Members: Sprague
ABSTAINED: Members:
Motion approved as submitted.
f. Marin YMCA: YMCA 2025/2026 Afterschool Program
Chair Mason gave a brief overview of the Co-Sponsorship application recommendation.
Member Arbit moved and Member Tanchez seconded, to approve the Marin YMCA
2025/2026 Afterschool Program Schoolyear Co-Sponsorship Application.
AYES: Members: Arbit, Campos, Nguyen, Ruiz, Tanchez, Vasquez
NOES: Members: None
ABSENT: Members: Sprague
ABSTAINED: Members:
Motion approved as submitted.
g. Tamalpais Adult School: English as a Second Language Classes
Chair Mason gave a brief overview of the Co-Sponsorship application recommendation.
Member Tachez moved and Member Vasquez seconded, to approve the Tamalpais Adult
School English as a Second Language Schoolyear Co-Sponsorship Application.
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AYES: Members: Arbit, Campos, Nguyen, Ruiz, Tanchez, Vasquez
NOES: Members: None
ABSENT: Members: Sprague
ABSTAINED: Members:
Motion approved as submitted.
h. Raices Del Canal/Marin Link: Raices Del Canal
Chair Mason gave a brief overview of the Co-Sponsorship application recommendation.
Member Ruiz moved and Member Tanchez seconded, to approve the Raices Del Canal
Schoolyear Co-Sponsorship Application.
AYES: Members: Arbit, Campos, Nguyen, Ruiz, Tanchez, Vasquez
NOES: Members: None
ABSENT: Members: Sprague
ABSTAINED: Members:
Motion approved as submitted.
COMMITTEE REPORTS AND COMMENTS
4. Other brief reports on any meetings, conferences, and/or seminars attended by the
Board members.
Member Ruiz is back with Voices del Canal. Saturday from 11-2 she will be
volunteering with the local vendor market.
Commissioner Pasternak attended the Library Foundation dinner at the San Rafael
Yacht Club, which was to thank the Park & Recreation Commission and staff for getting
the motion passed for the new library/community center project.
Commissioner Sprague commented on the parking issue. She has also been reading
up on the food vendors and how it will impact the community.
Commissioner Vasquez shared the Marin County Fair is coming up next month.
STAFF COMMENTS
5. Updates and Events of Interest:
Chair Mason provided the following updates:
Pickleweed Park Enhancement Project field completion update is July 22nd. The
sheds and restrooms are expected to be completed in August/Fall. The ribbon cutting
has been moved to Thursday, July 31st at 3:00pm.
Summer programs coming up are Bump it Up San Rafael Volleyball Camp, Canal
Karate, Canal Mini Soccer League, Dance, Music Theater, Arts & Fitness Summer
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Camp, Junior Giants, Youth Pickleball Lessons, Evening Fitness Class, San Rafael
Basketball Academy, Voice Over Class.
Recent community events that staff participated in were the Heads Up Carnival on
April 26th and Canal Alliance’s Community Fair on May 3rd
SF/Marin Food Bank final day was yesterday. The weekly distribution began in the
Park during the pandemic in 2020.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Mason adjourned the meeting at 8:01 p.m.
BECKY ORDIN, Senior Administrative Assistant
APPROVED THIS DAY OF , 2025
Catherine Quffa, Library & Recreation Director
Page 1 of 4
PICKLEWEED ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AGENDA REPORT
August 6, 2025
Item #3.a.
TITLE: THE CANAL ARTS - PEOPLES OF THE CANAL PROJECT
BACKGROUND
The City has received a proposal from The Canal Arts to install a public art project titled the ‘Peoples of
the Canal’ project at the Jean & John Starkweather Path and within Pickleweed Park.
The Canal Arts is a local collaborative of artists with a goal of creating and teaching about public art in
Marin and San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood. They work with artists in Marin and the Canal community,
visually celebrating its cultures and building connections to other Marin communities. They believe art
nourishes a thriving community and its environment and is vital to a good life.
This project proposes a long-term (greater than one-year) public art installation along the City owned
and maintained portions of the Jean and John Starkweather Path, as well as within Pickleweed Park
and in front of the Boro Community Center.
As an art installation, the project to adhere to the City of San Rafael’s Public Art Review Guidelines and
undergo review by the Public Art Review Board. Those guidelines require artists or groups to submit a
proposal for review and approval by City Staff, the Public Art Review Board, and City Council.
Additionally, since a portion of the project is proposed at Pickleweed Park and in front of the Boro
Community Center, we require review by the Pickleweed Advisory Committee.
We are requesting the Pickleweed Advisory Committee to receive The Canal Arts presentation, review
their proposal, and share comments, feedback, and recommendations for the artists considering the
City’s public art guidelines.
PEOPLES OF THE CANAL PROJECT
The Canal Arts have proposed installing a public art project at the Jean & John Starkweather Path
titled the ‘Peoples of the Canal’. According to The Canal Arts website, the project will be:
“an interactive timeline, a history of the people and their relation to the land and water, in the
voices of its occupants, through archeology, written and spoken evidence, and creative
imagination. This is a collaboration of survivors, historians, scientists, artists, writers and the
living community of the Canal.”
This project envisions twenty interactive exhibits placed along a two-mile stretch of the pathway
between the Starkweather Park point of origin near the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, and the Albert J.
Boro Community Center at Pickleweed Park (Exhibit A).
Page 2 of 4
Exhibit A: Proposed location of the Peoples of the Canal sign posts
PUBLIC ART REVIEW PROCESS
The Canal Arts is developing conceptual plans for the installation, which have not yet been reviewed
by City staff. As the first step in the City’s Public Art Review Process, we are asking the Pickleweed
Advisory Committee to review this project considering several criteria within our Public Art Guidelines,
specifically focusing on the impact to Pickleweed Park and the Boro Community Center:
Project Readiness: Projects should demonstrate readiness through completeness of design,
qualifications of artists, secured funding, successful community engagement, identification of an
appropriate site, and a realistic proposed schedule.
Community Engagement: Proposed projects that have completed their own public engagement
process will be prioritized. For long-term projects like this, a minimum of one (1) public meeting and
three (3) letters of support are recommended. Successful public meetings might involve the local
homeowner’s association (HOA), neighborhood associations, or business owners.
Design: Works of art will be designed in consideration of the relevance and appropriateness of the
work to the context of the site and in alignment with public safety and decency.
▪ The artwork will not portray themes that may be interpreted as derogatory as to race,
religion, sexual orientation, natural origin, or physical or mental disability. The artwork will
not contain content, signage, names, logos, or subject matter that could be construed as
Page 3 of 4
advertising or as religious or sexual in nature nor will it promote a political candidate or
include political text. Any content considered obscene or indecent by community standards
will be denied.
▪ The design of the artworks will take into consideration issues associated with public spaces
such as security, theft, vandalism, etc.
▪ The design of the artworks will consider the specific needs and use patterns of the public
space in which they will be located. For example, in parks, works of art will not block critical
view corridors or impede public usage of key open space.
Diversity: Artists and the City's public art collection should reflect the diversity of San Rafael’s
community.
Additional Review
Following the Pickleweed Advisory Committee’s review, this project will be required to be reviewed by
City staff, the Public Art Review Board, and City Council. Since this project includes physical
improvements, it will be reviewed by City Staff to ensure compliance with our standard Department of
Public Works requirements for public works projects, including environmental, accessibility, and safety
requirements.
The City has not yet received a completed project proposal from The Canal Arts. Before presenting this
project at the Public Art Review Board, the City must receive a completed proposal no later than eight
(8) weeks prior to the Public Art Review Board meeting at which they will be reviewed. The next
regularly scheduled meeting is October 15, 2025.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Because the project is proposed within the shoreline band, the project is subject to review and
approval by the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) and is required to obtain a
BCDC administrative permit. The Canal Arts has submitted a permit application to BCDC, which is
pending review and approval.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
Proposed projects that have completed their own public engagement process will be prioritized.
For long-term projects (installation planned for more than one (1) year):
▪ A minimum of one (1) public meeting and three (3) letters of support are
recommended. Successful public meetings might involve the local homeowner’s
association (HOA), neighborhood associations, or business owners. The Public Art
Review Board must be informed of these meetings ahead of time and allowed the
opportunity to attend.
For short-term projects that are viewable within the public right-of-way:
▪ A minimum of two (2) letters of support is recommended.
In both instances, it is recommended that one of the letters of support be from the local HOA or
neighborhood association(s), if applicable. Short-term projects inside a public facility are not required to
conduct community engagement, outside of that undertaken through the Public Art Review Board
process.
Page 4 of 4
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with receiving this report.
The proposed art installation is fully funded by The Canal Arts. The Canal Arts has received a State
Coastal Conservancy Grant for $200,000 supporting this project, as well as contributions from other
agencies. It’s the City’s understanding that The Canal Arts may require additional project funding to
complete this project.
Prior to approval from the Public Art Review Board, projects are required to demonstrate they have full
funding identified. Project implementation will be contingent upon The Canal Arts receipt of full funding
for the project. At present, the City does not have project funding available for public art.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Pickleweed Advisory Committee receive the report and comment.
Submitted by:
Craig Veramay
Assistant Library and Recreation Director