Saturday, November 21, 2020 David P. Donery, Town Manager
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The Town of San Anselmo is accepting applications to join its newly formed Racial Equity Ad Hoc Committee.
On November 10th, the Town Council formed the Racial Equity Ad Hoc Committee and charged it with the tasks of examining issues of racial equity, social justice, systemic racial bias, and diversity in Town and making recommendations to the Town Council on how to best advance equity in all Town departments and operationalize equitable polices, programs and procedures within Town government. The purpose of the committee is to ensure that Town policies, programs, procedures and laws are not racist, are free of implicit biases, and that laws are fair and equitably enforced. The committee will also explore additional opportunities to build awareness, solutions and leadership around racial equity, social justice, and diversity for Town staff and the wider community.
With the goal of building an inclusive, vibrant and equitable community the committee will:- Conduct an audit of the Town’s policies, programs, procedures and laws to be sure that they are fair, equitable and free of biases of any kind.
- Explore options and implement anti-bias, racial equity and other appropriate training for staff.
- Explore additional opportunities to improve Town government policies, practices and programs to address racial equity, social justice, systemic racial bias, and diversity issues.
The committee will be comprised of up to seven (7) volunteer community members. Membership qualifications include being at least 16 years of age and residing or working in, or owning a business or property in San Anselmo. All applications shall be submitted online. Applications will be accepted until 5 pm December 31, 2020
To view the Council Resolution establishing the committee, CLICK HERE
To apply, CLICK HERE
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Weekend Street Closures End Program Closes for 2020 Due to the colder weather and the time change, the downtown street closure program has ended for 2020.
This program, which began in mid-June, took place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings on San Anselmo Avenue. The Town Council will consider a similar program for 2021 in the spring.
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Reimagine Creek Park Project Pedestrian Bridge and Plaza Design Work ContinuesAt the November 9th Reimagine Creek Park Community Advisory Committee meeting, the committee reviewed the updated design concepts for the Creekside Commons project, which is being planned in conjunction with the Marin County Flood Control District's project at 632-634 San Anselmo Avenue. The designs under review were related to a potential pedestrian bridge crossing and a plaza on the San Anselmo Avenue side of the project These components are intended to enhance the County Flood Control District's San Anselmo Flood Risk Reduction (SAFRR) project work at that location.
The Creekside Commons portion of the project will be paid for through private fundraising.
The SAFRR project includes the removal of the abutments located in the creek at 632-634 San Anselmo Avenue. The first phase of this project has been completed, which included the removal of the buildings at that location, and the creation of a temporary downtown park. The second phase, which is scheduled for the summer of 2021, will involve removing the existing concrete deck where the temporary park is located along with the concrete that is currently below the temporary park.
The Creekside Commons designs represent a partnership between the Town of San Anselmo and the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District with the goal of creating a unique public space in addition to much needed flood control. More information about the SAFFR project can be found at this link: https://www.marinwatersheds.org/resources/projects/san-anselmo-flood-risk-reduction-safrr-project.
The Creekside Commons bridge and plaza design decisions will be considered by the San Anselmo Town Council at their meeting on November 24, 2020.
The agenda for this meeting is here: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/779/Town-Council-Meeting-Packets
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Holiday Parking The Town of San Anselmo is providing FREE four-hour parking to holiday shoppers. The free four-hour holiday shopping period begins on Thursday, November 26 and will continue through January 1, 2021. During this period, the parking meters will not be operating. There will be enforcement for parking over the four hour limit. And, as always, the disabled, red zone and other safety related parking violations will be enforced.
In addition, this year the Town will be forgiving overnight parking in residential neighborhoods from Thursday, November 26 and will continue through January 1, 2021.
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28th SHOP SAN ANSELMO ON SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY! Seasons Greetings from all of San Anselmo's locally owned and operated small (but mighty!) businesses.
Show your small town spirit by shopping local this year. Stroll, Shop, Pick-up some food to-go. See you on the 28th!
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Also...Shop Local EverydayThe Town would like to encourage community members to make a special effort this year to support our local restaurants, shops and service providers during this holiday season. This year has been incredibly difficult for our local merchants, making it critical that we all do our part.
When you eat, shop or use a local service, you are investing in our local economy.
Thank you for supporting our local businesses, and from all of us at the Town of San Anselmo, we wish you and your family a happy and safe holiday season!
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Work During the Holiday Season No work will be allowed in the public right of way during Thanksgiving weekend from November 26th--November 29th, and from December 24th--January 1st, unless there is an emergency.
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Worsening statistics prompt regression from Orange Tier 3 to Red Tier 2 Marin County is one of 40 California counties tightening restrictions per State of California mandates in response to a surge of COVID-19 cases across the state and region.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced November 16 that Marin was moved from orange to red, to use common virus status terminology. The step back comes just three days after the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) notified local businesses and agencies about preemptive restrictions to stem the virus’ spread locally. But Monday, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) officially moved Marin from orange-colored Tier 3 (“moderate risk”) to the more restrictive red Tier 2 (“substantial risk”) on its Blueprint for a Safer Economy
Twenty-eight counties on Monday were moved into the purple Tier 1, the most restrictive status on the Blueprint scale, because of widespread virus spread. Marin is now one of 11 counties out of 58 in red Tier 2 status; 41 are in purple Tier 1.
“This is concerning because surges are happening just as the weather is getting cooler, and before the real holiday season even starts,” said Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County Public Health Officer. “We can anticipate more travel, more gatherings, more flu. If we don’t get in front of this now, I’m concerned about our hospital capacity to manage cases come December.”
What moving back to Tier 2 means for Town businesses:
- Retail establishments and indoor malls are allowed at 50% capacity
- Office workspaces are allowed for essential workers; nonessential workers should work remote only
- Restaurants are allowed outdoor service only
- Bars and breweries are not allowed
- Personal care services are allowed indoors
- Museums are allowed at 25% capacity
- Places of worship are allowed at 25% capacity or 100 people (whichever is fewer)
- Libraries are allowed at 50% capacity
- Gyms and fitness centers are allowed at 10% capacity
A full list of changes to business sector guidelines will be updated to the Marin Recovers website. All open businesses must complete a COVID-19 Site-Specific Protection Plan.
The change to Tier 2 does not affect Marin’s school reopening process. Local schools started re-opening on September 8 while the county was in the purple tier, and now 70% of Marin schools are open to some form of classroom-based learning. So far, there have been no cases of COVID-19 infection that occurred within school settings.
“It’s important to note that most counties across the state that did not reopen schools are seeing even faster rises in cases, and in people of all ages,” said Dr. Lisa Santora, Marin’s Deputy Public Health Officer. “We’ve done a lot of work together to make sure that schools can reopen safely, and it’s paying off.”
Follow the latest COVID-19 surveillance figures in Marin County on the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services website. Register online to receive a daily COVID-19 update from Marin HHS.
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Celebrate the Holidays Safely Public health officers have made their recommendations?for how we can stay safe during the holidays by limiting travel and large gatherings to be with family and friends which means the holidays will be different this year. If you decide to host a gathering—keep it small, keep it outdoors, and keep it safe. Pods gathering can accomplish this by:
- Maintaining at least 6 feet of physical distance from people not in your household at all times, whether you’re sitting or standing. More distance is safer.
- Wearing face coverings at all times, including when talking to others. You can remove face covering briefly to eat, drink, or take medication as long as you stay at least 6 feet away from everyone outside your own household. More distance is safer.
- Remaining outside as much as possible. If you go inside, open windows and doors to increase ventilation.
- Washing hands with soap and water often. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Serving shared food safely. If it is not possible to use single-serve disposable containers, food, and beverages must be served by a person who washes or sanitizes their hands frequently and wears a face covering. If you are dropping off home-prepared food or drink gifts, be sure to wear a mask and disinfect or wash your hands thoroughly.
Continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and consider these recommendations as you make plans for the upcoming holiday season.
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COVID-19 Testing Options Testing plays a major role in fighting COVID-19 — for your health, the health of our communities, and to help safely reopen businesses, schools, and more. More COVID-19 testing options are available through medical providers, self-referral sites, and at-home testing options. It’s free and you don’t need to have insurance!
Not sure if you should get a test? Health officials recommend getting a COVID test if meet any of the following requirements:
- You are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19
- You were notified by Marin Public Health as being high risk or a “close contact” to a person confirmed to have COVID-19
- You work in a high-risk setting, such as a hospital or medical clinic, long-term care facility, homeless shelter or prison
You work in an occupation where you experience frequent contact with the public on a daily basis
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Robson Aftercare Now Enrolling!!With schools re-opening to students we know aftercare may be a necessity. Robson is up and running with spaces still available for both cohorts!! Cohort A – Tuesday & Wednesday Cohort B – Thursday & Friday 12:00pm-6:00pm ($288 per 3 week session)
REGISTER HERE
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Carpentry for Kids is now enrolling for November, January, and February sessions! Carpentry for Kids is an educational enrichment program for K-6 designed to teach practical woodworking skills with an emphasis on the safe use of hand tools. Mon/Tues or Wed/Thurs sessions $205 per 3 week session REGISTER HERE
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Looking to keep busy over Thanksgiving break and have some fun with a few friends? Click the link at the bottom to register for San Anselmo Recreation’s Thanksgiving Break Camp!!
Limited spaces available so do not wait!! 11/23-11/25 (9:00am-4:00pm) Ages 5-11 ($165.00) REGISTER HERE
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1/2 PRICE HOLIDAY SALE WEDNESDAY, November 25 SATURDAY, November 28 10:00 - 4:00
JOIN TOWN BOOKS FOR SOME GREAT BARGAINS as we enter the holiday season. Browse our 1,000+ gently-used books in a wide range of categories, CDs, DVDs, Audiobooks, and some rare and special books, too - most bargain-priced from $.50 to $2.50. Give yourself an early holiday treat, tell a teacher, or get a gift certificate for a friend or loved one. Rest assured, we are COVID compliant so you can browse with safety. We ask that you wear a mask and practice distancing at all times.
Proceeds from TOWN BOOKS go to the San Anselmo Public Library.
TOWN BOOKS • 411 San Anselmo Avenue • San Anselmo, CA • townbooks.org
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ART ON THE AVENUEArt on the Avenue is excited to exhibit the works of local artists Kathleen Lipinski and Christin Coy for the Month of November.
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Deadline is November 30 for Assessment AppealsProperty owners who disagree with the assessed value listed on their 2020 regular property tax bill have until 5 p.m. Monday, November 30, to file an appeal with the Marin County Assessment Appeals Board.
The form and instructions to appeal an assessment are available on the Board’s webpage. Hard-copy forms may be picked up in the Board of Supervisors' office at the Marin County Civic Center, Suite 329, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael.
Residents must fill out an Assessment Appeal Application for each assessor's parcel or property identification number. There is a $50 non-refundable processing fee for each application.
The Assessment Appeals Board is governed by the rules and regulations of the Board of Equalization and property tax laws of the State of California. For additional information about the Board, check the website or contact the assessment appeals clerk at AAB@marincounty.org or (415) 473-7345.
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Reporting Shelter-in-Place ViolationsTo expedite the process for resolving business violations of the Shelter-in-Place (SIP) Public Health Orders, each jurisdiction has set-up a way to report these violations, instead of being triaged by the County. This will allow cities and towns to respond faster to the complaints.
To report a business violation in San Anselmo, please email SIPviolations@townofsananselmo.org and include the following information: - Business name
- Address
- As much detail as possible regarding the perceived health order violation
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Organic Waste Program for 2020Residents of incorporated San Anselmo can opt to receive a second or third green waste cart as part of their basic bundled service package with Marin Sanitary Service (MSS). Customers who want the third green waste cart must make the request by December 31, 2020 to be able to have the third cart as part of their basic bundled service. After that date, customers will be entitled to two green waste carts as part of the bundled service, and will be able to rent additional carts (up to 4).
In summary, customers who have secured up to three (3) total green waste carts before December 31, 2020, will keep this secured level of service at no additional cost until the customer terminates service with the Marin Sanitary Service. This change is part of the new program for the collection of organic waste (food and yard waste). Beginning in 2020, Marin Sanitary will no longer collect organic waste from customer-owned cans. You will be receiving more information from MSS and the Town throughout 2020 on this program change.
It is important to note that these changes are for customers in the incorporated town of San Anselmo. This does not apply to customers who may have a San Anselmo address but reside in unincorporated Marin County, such as residents of Sleepy Hollow. For additional information, click here.
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Town Hall Office HoursTown Hall is open for in-person services. Permits, Planning and Business Licenses are available from 8:30 am - 12 pm Mondays and Wednesdays. Social distancing and masks will be required while in the building.
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