HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Development & Housing Subcommittee 2026-02-17 Agenda PacketCity of San Rafael
Economic Development & Housing Subcommittee
February 17, 2026 from 10:00 – 11:30am
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/88182379186
Webinar ID: 881 823 79 186
One Tap Mobile: +16694449171,,88182379186#
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes 5 minutes
a. Approve the minutes of the December 10, 2025 Economic Development Subcommittee
Meeting
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.
4. Economic Development Partner Updates 10 minutes
a. San Rafael Chamber of Commerce
b. Marin Small Business Development Center
5. Reports / Action Items
a. Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP) – Annual Update 20 minutes
Staff will provide an update on the progress of projects and programs associated with the
EDSP and show alignment with other City priorities and goals.
b. Opportunity Zone Designation Process 15 minutes
Staff will provide information on California’s process and timeline for nominating eligible
census tracts as federal Opportunity Zones, the role of local communities, and the potential
impacts of a change in designations on existing City policies.
c. Below Market Rate Housing Program Update 25 minutes
Marin Housing Authority will provide an update on the City’s Below Market Rate (BMR)
Rental and Ownership Housing Programs.
d. Launch of Open Gov Permitting Platform 5 minutes
Staff will provide an update and brief demo on the launch of a new online permitting
platform for planning, building, code enforcement and fire prevention.
e. Gateway Beautification Project 5 minutes
Staff will provide a project update on the Irwin and Second Street Gateway project.
6. Future Agenda Items 5 minutes
7. Adjournment
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.
MINUTES
City of San Rafael
Economic Development Subcommittee
December 10, 2025 at 9:00am-10:30am
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/89712698437
Webinar ID: 897 1269 8437
One Tap Mobile: +16694449171,,89712698437#
1. Call to Order
Meeting called to order by Subcommittee Chair Mayor Kate Colin at 9:00 AM
Committee Members Present: Mayor Kate Colin, Vice Mayor Maribeth Bushey
Staff Present: City Manager Cristine Alilovich, Assistant City Manager Angela Robinson
Piñon, Director of Community & Economic Development Micah Hinkle (Staff Liaison),
Director of Finance Paul Navazio, Director of Public Works April Miller, Assistant Director of
Community & 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 September 25, 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 the
September 25, 2025 Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting.
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.
None.
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 that
the Chamber is working with Dominican University and the City Clerk on an ongoing
initiative to increase diversity on City boards and commissions. She also noted that the
Chamber is continuing research on the economic impact of Latino-owned businesses
throughout Marin County to better understand trends and key issues.
b. San Rafael Chamber of Commerce
Karen Strolia, President of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, expressed gratitude
for the accomplishments in 2025, highlighting the Chamber’s economic forecast, a
countywide job fair, and the hosting of over 100 networking opportunities for the local
business community. She noted that the Chamber is looking forward to developing a
strategic plan in 2026.
Stephanie Plant, Chair of the East San Rafael Working Group, provided an update on the
Working Group and announced the Mayor’s annual visit at an upcoming special
meeting. She also thanked City staff for attending the group’s most recent meeting and
for their presentation on the Mobile Vending Program.
c. Marin Small Business Development Center
Miriam Karell, Director of the Marin Small Business Development Center, provided an
update on programs, highlighting the Artist Program and the partnership with the City
and the Downtown San Rafael Arts District. She reported that the Center hosted its first
artist mini-incubator, expanded Spanish-language programming this year, and is
looking ahead to developing programming next year that continues to meet community
needs.
The Committee Members expressed appreciation for their work and asked clarifying
questions.
5. Reports / Action Items
a. Development Pipeline Update 15 minutes
The Subcommittee will receive an update from staff on major development projects.
Greg Minor, Assistant Director of Community & Economic Development, highlighted
major changes in development activity since the last Subcommittee meeting and
provided an overview of the City’s Major Planning Projects website. Micah Hinkle,
Director of Community & Economic Development, provided additional comments
regarding department coordination on projects, the public engagement process, and
recent process changes related to state housing law.
Public Comment provided by: Stephanie Plant.
b. Strategies to Strengthen the Tax Base 40 minutes
A representative from HdL Companies will present an overview of San Rafael’s sales tax
base as a means to assess strengths and weaknesses of the City’s current sales tax
base and identify potential opportunities for focused business attraction and retention.
This information will provide a baseline for future work to develop targeted strategies to
attract new sales tax generating businesses and consider economic and demographic
trends, addressing Goal F.3.2 of the City’s adopted Three Year Strategic Plan FY 2025-
2028. This Staff will seek Subcommittee input to guide next steps.
Stacey Laumann, Economic Development Program Manager, introduced the item and
Ken Nordhoff, a representative from HdL Companies, who presented an overview of San
Rafael’s sales tax revenue. His presentation included an assessment of the City’s
revenue strengths and weaknesses and identified potential opportunities for focused
business retention.
Committee Members asked questions, and Ken Nordhoff, Paul Navazio, Director of
Finance, Micah Hinkle, Director of Community & Economic Development, and Cristine
Alilovich, City Manager, provided clarification and comments.
Public Comment provided by: Cecilia Zamora and Daryoush Davidi.
c. Gateway Beautification Project (Irwin Street/Second Street) 10 minutes
The Subcommittee will receive an update from staff on the project schedule and types
of improvements being considered.
April Miller, Director of Public Works, provided an overview of the Gateway
Beautification Project at Irwin Street and Second Street. She highlighted landscaping
enhancements, including new drought-resistant, low-maintenance plantings with
mulch, irrigation improvements, and enhanced lighting for flags and monument
signage. She also noted a future project to upgrade the monument signage.
Committee Members asked questions, and Cristine Alilovich, City Manager, and April
Miller provided responses.
Public Comment provided by: Roger Smith.
6. Future Agenda Items
2026 dates for the regular meeting(s) of the Economic Development Subcommittee will
be published in the coming weeks.
7. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:28 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.
Approved this 17th day of February 2026
_____________________________
Greg Minor, Staff Liaison