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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Development Subcommittee 2025-09-25 MinutesCity of San Rafael Economic Development Subcommittee September 25, 2025 | 10:00 – 11:30 AM In-Person Meeting: San Rafael City Hall Community Development Large Conference Room 1400 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor San Rafael, CA 94901 To view meeting (non-participation): https://cityofsanrafael-org.zoom.us/j/86810860972 Meeting ID: 868 1086 0972 One Tap Mobile: +16694449171,,86810860972# US AGENDA 1. Call to Order Meeting called to order by Subcommittee Chair Mayor Kate Colin at 10:00 AM Committee Members Present: Mayor Kate Colin, Vice Mayor Maribeth Bushey Staff Present: Assistant City Manager Angela Robinson Piñon, Director of Community and Economic Development Micah Hinkle (Staff Liaison), Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development Greg Minor, Economic Development Program Manager Stacey Laumann, Senior Management Analyst Sullina Smith, Economic Development Intern Michael Scott 2. Approval of Minutes 5 minutes a. Approve the minutes of the June 11, 2025 Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting Subcommittee Action: Upon motion by Committee Member Bushey and seconded by Chair Colin, the Subcommittee voted 2-0 to approve the meeting minutes of June 11, 2025. 3. Open Time for Public Expression a. The public is welcome to address the subcommittee at this time on matters not on the agenda that are within its jurisdiction. Public comments under this category may be limited to two minutes per speaker per item at the discretion of the Chair with the consent of the Subcommittee and should be respectful to the community. Public Comment provided by: Miriam Karell. 4. Economic Development Partner Updates 15 minutes a. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Cecilia Zamora, President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Marin, thanked the City for issuing the National Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation. She reported on ongoing collaboration with the San Rafael City Clerk’s Office on Committee, Commission, and Board (CCB) recruitment and retention efforts, including raising public awareness about CCB service. She also announced that the Chamber is hosting the upcoming Landfill Harmonic concert and Fall Mixer, with registration still open. b. San Rafael Chamber of Commerce In lieu of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce Director’s update, Chair of the East San Rafael Working Group, Stephanie Plant, reported that the Chamber is hosting the Showcase event today at the B Street Recreation Center. She also noted that the East San Rafael Working Group will host Marin County Supervisor Dennis Rodoni in October. Director of the San Rafael Business Improvement District (BID), Sarah Tipple, provided event updates, noting the upcoming Hops and Vine Stroll and the Annual Mixer. She shared that the BID would present its draft annual report and budget at the mixer and highlighted the 21 programs the organization manages and continues to enhance, including marketing and promotions, beautification and graffiti removal, business engagement mixers, community and arts events/programming, fundraising initiatives, and holiday promotions. 5. Reports / Action Items a. Mobile Vending Program Update 30 minutes The Subcommittee will receive an update from staff on options to implement new mobile vending policies. Staff recommends that the Committee provide input into a proposed ordinance and also hear about a proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the City of San Rafael and the County of Marin related to the impoundment of food handling equipment. Assistant City Manager Angela Robinson Piñon and Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development Greg Minor presented an update on the Mobile Vending Program. Their presentation covered the program’s background, current challenges, enforcement and engagement efforts, and the constraints imposed by Senate Bill 946 (SB 946). Staff also shared a preliminary map of food vending activity in the Canal neighborhood, which will be expanded citywide to illustrate the full scope of the issue. Staff outlined a recommended three-pronged strategy to support a healthy, accessible, and vibrant community by enhancing enforcement, supporting local entrepreneurs, and providing pathways to legalization. The Subcommittee provided input on several topics, including defining residential areas, using monthly data to understand and inform seasonal strategies, ensuring compliance with SB 946, maximizing the effectiveness of the ordinance, exploring enforcement options, and the fiscal impacts of the program. Subcommittee members thanked staff for their work and for their continued coordination with County partners. Public Comment provided by: Cecilia Zamora, Stephanie Plant, Miriam Karell, Robert Lean, and Michael Bradford. b. Development Pipeline Interactive (GIS) Map 10 minutes The Subcommittee will receive an update from staff on the newly launched Development Projects web page that provides detailed information on active development projects submitted to the Planning Department. Director of Community and Economic Development Micah Hinkle provided an overview of the Interactive GIS Development Pipeline Map, which highlights project locations, offers detailed information on current project statuses, and supports greater transparency in the development process. Public Comment provided by: Cecilia Zamora, Sarah Tipple, and Roger Smith. c. Special Event Permit & Process Update 5 minutes The Subcommittee will receive an update from staff on the transition of the Special Event Permit program and related software. Senior Management Analyst Sullina Smith provided an update on the Special Event Permit (SEP) program, highlighting the successful transition of the program into the City’s new OpenGov software platform. She also reported on the launch of the new Year-End Call for SEP Applications and noted that staff will be conducting a Community Sponsorship Survey to inform the development of a future Community Sponsorship Policy for City Council consideration at an upcoming meeting. d. Public Art Program Update 15 minutes The Subcommittee will receive an update from staff on artist selection progress for the Public Art Program and the upcoming schedule for public comment. A dedicated project webpage is now available. Public Art Program - San Rafael. Economic Development Program Manager Stacey Laumann provided an update on the program, noting that it now has its own main landing page on the City’s website. She reviewed the program timeline and reported that a jury panel, along with consultant Local Edition, evaluated more than 120 applications for five locations. The public comment period will run from October 20 to November 3, after which the Public Art Review Board will make a recommendation to the City Council. Local Edition owners Terry and Sage Lauring also provided an update and responded to questions from the Subcommittee. Subcommittee members thanked staff for their work on this item. Public Comment provided by: Cecilia Zamora, Sarah Tipple, and Miriam Karell. 6. Future Agenda Items The next regular meeting of the Economic Development Subcommittee is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 9:00am-10:30am. 7. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 11:10 AM. Any records relating to an agenda item, received by a majority or more of the Subcommittee less than 72-hours before the meeting, shall be available for inspection in the City Manager’s Office, 1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901. online prior to the meeting. Sign Language interpreters may be requested by calling (415) 485-3066 (voice), emailing Lindsay.lara@cityofsanrafael.org, 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/. Public transportation is available through Golden Gate Transit, Line 22 or 23. Paratransit is available by calling Vivalon at (415) 454-0964. To allow individuals with environmental illness or multiple chemical sensitivity to attend the meeting/hearing, individuals are requested to refrain from wearing scented products.