HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD Special Event Street Closures in Downtown San Rafael____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: September 6, 2022
Disposition: Resolution 15123
Agenda Item No: 4.i
Meeting Date: September 6, 2022
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Police Department
Prepared by: Lisa Holton, Lieutenant City Manager Approval: ____________
TOPIC: SPECIAL EVENT STREET CLOSURES IN DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CLOSURES OF FOURTH STREET BETWEEN F
STREET AND G STREET ON OCTOBER 6TH, 7TH AND 14TH TO SUPPORT THE
LIMITED EXTENSTION OF OUTDOOR EVENTS INCLUDING THE SAN RAFAEL
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT BLOCK PARTY
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the Resolution authorizing closures of Fourth Street between F Street and
G Street on October 6th, 7th and 14th to support the limited extension of outdoor events including the San
Rafael Thursday and Friday Night Block Party.
BACKGROUND:
The San Rafael Municipal Code requires City Council approval of all special events which necessitate
the temporary closure of City streets and temporary parking restrictions. Historically, the City has brought
all proposed street closures to City Council in compliance with this code.
However, in spring 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic and the unprecedented economic hardship it brought
upon San Rafael’s business community called for a temporary expansion of this approval authority to the
City Manager in order to support the local economy more quickly with expanded options for COVID-safe
outdoor dining and commerce. On June 1, 2020, the City Council approved several temporary COVID-
relief measures, including the Dining Under the Lights (DUTL) program and the implementation of a
separate temporary outdoor dining and retail program.
The Council action taken on June 1, 2020, authorized evening street closures twice per week at times
and locations determined by the City Manager. Importantly, the Council action also granted the City
Manager the ability to modify the existing municipal code requirements, which included full cost recovery
associated with any street closures. Therefore, the Council action granted the City Manager the authority
to temporarily reduce and/or waive the fees associated with street closures to make it easier, faster, and
less expensive for local restaurants and retail businesses to use the City’s streets and sidewalks for their
business operations.
The West End neighborhood and the San Rafael Business Improvement District have organized highly
successful community events on Thursday and Friday evenings. The events were held in conjunction
with DUTL (now called San Rafael Thursdays featuring dining under the lights, live music, makers
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
marketplace, and kids activities) through the end of September. The organizers of the event have
requested an extension into October, necessitating the closure of Fourth Street between F and G Streets
for the safety of the community. Staff is recommending extending the closure to the following dates:
October 6th, 7th, and 14th.
ANALYSIS:
Temporary road closures require that the City Council adopt a resolution finding that the closing is
necessary for the safety and protection of persons using the road during the closing, per Vehicle Code
section 21101(e) which states:
“(e) Temporarily closing a portion of any street for celebrations, parades, local special events, and other
purposes when, in the opinion of local authorities having jurisdiction or a public officer or employee that
the local authority designates by resolution, the closing is necessary for the safety and protection of
persons who are to use that portion of the street during the temporary closing.”
Department of Public Works staff will support the street closure by providing closure signage and traffic
control support. The Police Department and Fire Department may provide ancillary support as well.
Street to be closed:
Fourth Street between F Street and G Street on October 6th, 7th, and 14th.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH: The City has partnered closely with the BID and Chamber of Commerce
with all proposed and implemented street closures for DUTL/San Rafael Thursdays, the Friday Night
Block Party and the City’s Outdoor Dining and Retail program. Both the BID and the Chamber have
surveyed and spoken to dozens of businesses to make sure the current programs are continuing to meet
their needs and assist in ensuring the economic vitality of their operations. Chief among concerns was
keeping diners and shoppers coming to patronize businesses in downtown San Rafael, since many
downtown areas saw a sharp decrease in traffic during the pandemic
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City will provide in-kind services, such as “no parking” signage and traffic control support and advice.
Any cost associated with this support will be minimal.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options to consider on this matter:
1. Adopt resolution.
2. Adopt resolution with modifications.
3. Direct staff to return with more information.
4. Take no action.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt the resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution authorizing the temporary closure of Fourth Street between F and G Streets.
RESOLUTION NO. 15123
RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING CLOSURES OF
FOURTH STREET BETWEEN F STREET AND G STREET ON OCTOBER 6TH, 7TH
AND 14TH TO SUPPORT THE LIMITED EXTENSION OF OUTDOOR EVENTS
INCLUDING THE SAN RAFAEL THURSDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT BLOCK PARTY
WHEREAS, the San Rafael City Council has determined that it is in the best interests of the
public health and safety to implement a modified Traffic Plan and Road Closure for all
special events in San Rafael and nearby neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, after reviewing plans for the events and the traffic patterns, City staff has
determined and recommended that, in the interest of the safety and welfare of pedestrian
and auto traffic in the downtown area, Fourth Street between F street and G Street should
be temporarily closed to through traffic for the date and locations as specified in the Staff
Report; and
WHEREAS, the specific time periods for the temporary closures described in the Staff
Report shall be as determined by the City’s Event Coordinator in consultation with the
Police Department, and the Events Coordinator shall give timely notice to the public of
those time periods by signage and/or other appropriate means;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL HEREBY
RESOLVES:
1. That all the above findings are true and correct; and
2. That pursuant to the authority of Vehicle Code section 21101(e), for the safety and
protection of persons, both pedestrians and vehicle drivers, the City Council
hereby authorizes the temporary closure of the listed streets for the locations and
dates shown in the staff report.
I, Lindsay Lara, City 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 held on the 6th day of September 2022 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