San Rafael council hears sea level rise update as Canal residents press for immediate preparedness and tenant protections

San Rafael city staff on Monday told the City Council that sea level rise and local land subsidence create a present, not just future, flood risk for parts of the city, and residents from the Canal neighborhood urged immediate emergency preparedness, multilingual outreach and protections to prevent climate‑driven displacement.

In a presentation framing the ongoing feasibility study, city staff member Kate said San Rafael’s low elevations, widespread fill and gradual subsidence have produced neighborhoods where some sites are already lower than the Bay at high tide. "San Rafael is the most vulnerable community in the Bay Area," she said, adding that ground levels in some locations have dropped about two feet since the 1970s and are projected to sink further.

The study team is evaluating three broad adaptation approaches — shoreline or street‑raising barriers, in‑canal barriers, and incremental elevation of land and structures — but staff emphasized those options require years or decades of planning and funding. Instead, the presentation and community testimony focused on near‑term, community‑driven priorities that can increase safety now while larger projects are planned and funded.

Community members and partner organizations described immediate gaps. Rita Masarlegos, a Sea Level Rise steering committee member, urged expanded education and bilingual CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training and asked the city to ensure Canal residents are included in planning and deployment. Angel Miner, CEO of Conservation Corps North Bay and a Canal property owner, said her nonprofit now pays about $25,000 a year for flood insurance and highlighted retrofit costs that can exceed $1 million for a single small building; she urged that community members be engaged in both planning and implementation so neighborhoods and local jobs are preserved.

"What can we do to prepare ourselves — shelter in place or evacuate?" asked Carly, senior policy manager at Canal Alliance, summarizing repeated community questions about evacuation routes, safe assembly sites and how to protect renters. Several speakers called for tenant protections, relocation assistance and "just cause" policies so retrofit or flood events do not leave renters homeless.

Technical advisers recommended practical near‑term steps: multilingual emergency materials and drills tailored to flood scenarios, identification of secure emergency hubs (schools on higher ground were suggested), and explicit plans for tenants and vulnerable residents. Daisy Ramirez Lopez, a Pathways Climate Institute technical advisory member, urged the council to "not wait" and to take immediate action to protect frontline neighborhoods.

Councilmembers thanked the presenters and the public for extensive engagement, asked staff to gather best practices from other jurisdictions and noted the feasibility report is expected in September. Staff also said the study’s results will feed the East Central San Rafael specific plan and regional shoreline adaptation processes required by state law.

The council did not take policy action on structural projects at the meeting; however, it directed staff to note community questions — including emergency hubs, training, CERT in Spanish and the collaborative’s sunset — and to return with follow‑up information when the feasibility study and additional staff resources are available.

The meeting also included routine business: the council approved the consent calendar (items a–h) on a 5–0 roll call vote.

The feasibility study is expected to be completed in September; staff and community partners plan further outreach and technical briefings as funding and design options are developed.