San Rafael Park & Rec elects Pasternak as chair, Emerson as vice chair; committee reps named

The San Rafael Park & Recreation Commission voted on leadership and committee assignments at its Nov. 20 meeting.

Commissioner Pasternak was nominated and elected chair; staff said the appointment will take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Commissioner Christian Emerson was nominated and elected vice chair. Both elections were approved by roll call with unanimous recorded support from commissioners present.

The commission also made several representative appointments to stakeholder and advisory committees. Commissioner Cabrales was nominated and confirmed as the Park & Rec representative to the Albert Park Library and Community Center stakeholder group, with an alternate named; commissioners approved appointments to the Pickleweed Advisory Committee and the Public Art Review Board and discussed term lengths and the role of alternates.

Additionally, the commission approved the 2026 meeting calendar (third Thursday of each month, with August and December typically dark) by roll call.

Votes at a glance:

- Approval of Oct. 16 minutes — motion approved (unanimous among present commissioners).
- Receive Marin Master Gardeners report — motion approved (unanimous among present commissioners).
- Receive Park & Recreation Master Plan annual update — motion approved (unanimous among present commissioners).
- Appoint Commissioner Pasternak as chair (effective 01/01/2026) — motion approved (unanimous among present commissioners).
- Appoint Commissioner Christian Emerson as vice chair — motion approved (unanimous among present commissioners).
- Appoint Commissioner Cabrales as Albert Park Library stakeholder rep (alternate assigned) — motion approved.
- Appoint Pickleweed Advisory Committee representative and Public Art Review Board representative — motions approved.
- Approve 2026 meeting calendar (third Thursday; August and December dark) — motion approved.

The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.