San Rafael projects earmarked for federal funds

Councilmember Rachel Kertz served as a member of the priority setting committee that selected the recommendations. Kertz said selections were made through a “time-consuming” and “very deliberate process.”

“It was incredibly hard,” Kertz said. “All of the grants were ranked based on the priorities and first there was a process of agreeing on what those priorities were.”

Kertz said she was looking at projects that had already been started and needed additional funding to complete.

“In some cases it was sort of make-or-break funding,” Kertz said. As an example, the YMCA needed the funding to expand its affordable child care program. “So it was very critical.”

Marin Holocaust survivor: ‘All of us can make a difference’

“What’s really important now is the education,” said San Rafael Councilmember Rachel Kertz, who spoke at Wednesday’s event.

“To have the stories from survivors is very unique, but we also recognize that we don’t have that many survivors these days,” Kertz said.

San Rafael approves paramedic tax increase

Councilmember Rachel Kertz said she’s happy that these projects are coming online, but if the call volume is expected to continue on an upward trend, she’s concerned the city will need more funding.

“(I) absolutely appreciate the fact that we need to do this, but I think we need to — sooner than later — think about, ‘what do we need to do going forward,'” Kertz said.
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“The question around recruitment and retaining, I think are directly correlated to the fact that it’s getting more expensive and we need to continue do more,” Kertz said.

San Rafael bans camping at Albert Park, but judge blocks action

Councilmember Rachel Kertz said officials have to continue leading with dignity and compassion.

“We have lives on the line who are in our community,” Kertz said. She said officials need to continue efforts toward supportive housing and work with other agencies and organizations to get it done.

“We need to partner with everyone and figure out how to support the community,” Kertz said.

San Rafael tries streamlining housing approvals

“I think we need to do everything possible to streamline every process, and this one specifically,” Vice Mayor Rachel Kertz said.

Kertz said the city has heard from applicants that it takes too long to jump through approvals for projects that are described as “small and simple.”

“Hopefully, that will speed up the process,” Kertz said.

San Rafael approves art for social justice installation

August 21, 2021: "Councilmember Rachel Kertz said the process from conception to proposed artwork happened exceptionally quickly. “I think we broke new ground,” she said."

San Rafael council adopts long-range planning policies

August 4, 2021: "Councilmember Rachel Kertz asked if, given the ongoing impacts of climate change and timing to implement change, “Are we looking at doing things differently or are we going to address that differently?”" (Hanson)

San Rafael eases affordable housing rule to boost construction

February 22, 2021: Kertz cast the dissenting vote on lowering requirements for affordable housing from 20% to 10%. "she fears lowering the requirement will result in fewer new homes for low-income residents. “I really want to be proven wrong,” Kertz said."" (Pera)

San Rafael eases affordable housing rule to boost construction