Updated Fed Flyer November - December 2020 fedsrn.org
President’s Column
Happy Almost Winter! It is the beginning of the rainy season, and we remain hopeful for a healthy rainfall. Have you enjoyed the first signs of moss on the trees of our open spaces and our parks’ stone walls? True, we will have a different holiday season due to the pandemic. Family, friends and neighborhoods will find ways to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanouka and Kwanzaa with inventive socially distancing and mask wearing. Looks like more “staycations” this holiday season.
For inspiration, look around at the creative ways families are keeping children engaged during these trying times. Help your neighbors if you can, or reach out to one another to ask for help. We'll do our best to remain safe.
Welcome Newly Elected City Officials The campaign season has thankfully ended, and we welcome our new Mayor Kate Colin, Council members Maika Gulati and Rachel Kertz, MMWD District II Director Monty Schmitt, new San Rafael School Board member Gina Daley, and a tip of the hat to City Attorney Rob Epstein and Clerk Lindsay Lara. We also thank Mayor Phillips and Council members John Gamblin and Andrew McCullough for their service. I appreciate all candidates who threw their hats in the ring. You are all great citizens offering to serve the public. After the holidays, the Fed will surely welcome our newly elected representatives to a general meeting.
Join us! Renew your membership! In the spirit of community, please take a minute to pay your 2021 individual dues, a simple $10 ask. If your San Rafael neighborhood is not among the wonderful Fed member groups below, that means it’s time for your HOA/neighborhood association to join us, for an easy $25 neighborhood membership. As a Fed member, you may vote, apply for member grants, and suggest agenda items. If your neighborhood does not yet have an organization (ahem Downtown...) It may be time to organize your area into an association. If so, let us help you. We are stronger together!
With best wishes this winter, I look forward to a bright and hopeful new year.
Federation Grant Application Deadline Extended - December 1
Privileges of membership allow members to be eligible for a Federation grant if a proposed neighborhood association project is deemed worthy by the Steering Committee. This is a competitive process, and we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity, but act fast!
A neighborhood association or an HOA current with their Federation dues may apply once yearly for this grant. The Federation may provide up to four $500 grants per year. To be eligible, this application must be completed and submitted by December 1. Grants will be issued at the Annual Meeting. This project should be completed within the calendar year the grant is approved.
Criteria: Project to benefit neighborhood Project enjoys wide-range support within the neighborhood; is endorsed by the association. Demonstrated need and capacity to deliver project Provide detailed budget for project Upon completion, project to be presented at Federation Annual Meeting. Click here to apply
Upcoming Meetings that may be of Interest 1. CANCELED BY MAYOR: Regular monthly meeting: City/Neighborhoods 2. Rescheduled Fed Steering Committee meeting, Wed Nov 18 7-8:30: We’ll look at the Neighborhood Element of the DRAFT 2040 GP. Click here for Zoom link. 3. IMPORTANTGolden Gate Community Meeting about SR Transit Center Location, 5:30 PM, Thursday, Nov 19th - Click here to register for the meeting and to take an important survey about which transit plan you prefer. There are spaces for comments on the survey. 4. San Rafael Planning Commission Meeting 11/17 to discuss proposed amendments to the San Rafael Municipal Code, including the downgrading of the Exception approval for Hillside development from the City Council to the Planning Commission. Click here for agenda and access. 5. Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) Public Hearing on November 12th. Click here for details. Bay Area local governments and residents are invited by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) to comment on the Proposed Methodology and Subregional Share of 6th Cycle of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process. Under this process, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) identifies the total number of homes for which each region in California must plan in order to meet the housing needs of people at all income levels over an eight-year period. Public Comment Period open until November 27th. Click here for more details.
Fed Neighborhoods 2020 *BretHarte Community Association*Culloden-Quarry-Twin Oaks Homeowners Association*Dominican Black Canyon Neighborhood Association*Gerstle Park Neighborhood Association*Glenwood Homeowners Association*Lincoln San Rafael Hill Neighborhood Association*Loch Lomond Homeowners Association*Mont Marin/San Rafael Park Neighborhood Association*Montecito Area Residents Association*Peacock Gap Homeowners Association*Spinnaker Point Homeowners Association*Terra Linda Neighborhood Association* *West End Neighborhood Association*
Meet Your Steering Committee Members
President Amy Likover (Gerstle Park), Vice President Richard Bernstein (California Park),
Treasurer Kevin Hagerty (Glenwood), Secretary Mary Anne Hoover (Terra Linda),
Jim Draper (Bret Harte), Ron Freshman (Bret Harte), Teri Hughes (Spinnaker Point), Outgoing Rachel Kertz (Mont Marin/San Rafael Park), Daniel Alm (West End,) and incoming John Rojas of North San Rafael.
Thanks for your volunteer work in support of San Rafael neighborhoods.
MISSION
The purpose of the Federation of San Rafael Neighborhoods is to facilitate communication and interaction among the neighborhoods, as represented by their associations, groups, and individuals, and to promote effective and regular communication with local government entities and agencies.
