February 12, 2021 Update from Supervisor Connolly

In This Issue COVID Vaccine Update Rental Assistance, SB 91 Eviction Protections, and Rent Freeze MSEL Shark Tank Black History Month Ponti Ridge Trail Award Great Redwood Trail District 1 Survey

Dear Friends,

Marin County is currently operating in the Purple or Widespread Tier. Our adjusted daily case rate per 100,000 residents is the limiting factor preventing the county from moving from the Purple Tier to the Red Tier. A county must meet the criteria for the next less restrictive tier for two consecutive weeks in order to progress to the next tier. The State's framework for allowable activities has changed; to learn more about allowable activities and business modifications please see the State’s Blueprint for Safer Economy.

Our top priority is ensuring that people receive vaccines. As soon as Marin receives vaccine doses they are going into people's arms. To date, 50,670 doses have been administered and 14.8% of Marin residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Because of limits in supply we are using age to prioritize since our older adults are the most vulnerable. We are focused now on people age 75 and above. On February 15, we plan to start vaccinating adults 65 and older.

The updated vaccine distribution framework is available online. Over 40,000 residents have completed the vaccine interest form. Sign up to be notified when you become eligible for a COVID vaccine.

Marin has reached the 1 millionth student day of in-class instruction since the start of the pandemic. There have been 11 suspected in school transmissions. We have seen that through strategic actions and safety measures students are able to safely participate in in-classroom instruction. 

The State has established that, as of January 14, schools are eligible for reopening in-person instruction under the School Re-Opening Framework, when a county is below the purple tier for at least 5 consecutive days. Our focus and priority remain on helping our schools get students back into site-based classroom instruction – full-time, five days per week – in a manner that supports the health and well-being of students, teachers, staff, and our community.  

COVID RESOURCES

Vaccine Interest Form	Blueprint for Safer Economy	Vaccine Options
Vaccine Data	Marin County Progress	Vaccine Framework

 

RENTAL ASSISTANCE, SB 91 EVICTION PROTECTION, AND RENT FREEZE

COVID has had a profound impact on the housing circumstances of many in our community. In Marin, approximately 10,700 households are at imminent risk of displacement and/or eviction. An estimated 8,270 children are living in those households. According to a study published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia in October 2020, the estimated average rent debt accumulated in California during COVID-19 is $6,953 per household. Marin has served over 1,500 households and we continue to partner and identify ways to keep families housed. Marin has over $13 million allocated towards rental assistance. You can read more about the ongoing efforts to keep families housed in this staff report.

The Governor signed SB 91 on January 29, 2021. The bill extends the protections under AB 3088 that expired in January 2021. SB 91 outlines responsibilities for tenants and landlords. Tenants seeking protections should submit a signed declaration of financial hardship to their landlord and pay at least 25% of the total rent owed between September 2020 and June 2021 by June 30, 2021. Generally, SB 91 takes precedence over local and federal protections, including the most recent Eviction Moratorium passed by the Board of Supervisors on January 12. Landlords are required to notify tenants about SB 91 and the availability of rental assistance. Under SB 91, federal funds are available to support landlords and tenants for up to 80% of back rent accumulated between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021. The remaining 20% must be forgiven.

On Tuesday, February 9, 2021, the Marin County Board of Supervisors approved an urgency ordinance that temporarily prevents rent increases for tenants residing in certain census tracts in unincorporated Marin most affected by COVID. The cities of San Rafael and Novato passed similar ordinances within their jurisdictions. The County's ordinance applies to Marin City (census tract 1290) and a large portion of West Marin (census tract 1330). 

MARIN SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP SHARK TANK

I had the opportunity to judge the Marin School of Environmental Leadership (MSEL) 11th-grade Sustainable Enterprise presentations. MSEL juniors develop and execute a sustainable business plan as their capstone project. Then they pitch their innovative idea to a panel of mock investors (much like the TV show “Shark Tank”). We helped select which business plans will go on to the next phase. Anna Foehr's "Bee Clean Soaps" and Izzy Shepler’s recycled wooden pallet planter box, called Chikyu, were chosen to continue to pursue their businesses. Our young entrepreneurs at MSEL give me hope for our future!

 

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Photo from USPS

Black history is American history and a source of inspiration. Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis Sr. was the first African American General for the US Army. Born in Washington DC in 1880, Gen. Davis Sr. served in the Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, World War I, and World War II in a segregated military.

As a member of the 10th Cavalry, he was a Buffalo Soldier. In 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt promoted Davis to Brigadier General. Valued for his leadership, Davis served as a special adviser on race relations in World War II. Brigadier General Davis Sr. served for 50 years.

His son, Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr. went on to serve in the military where he holds the distinguished title of the first African American General in the US Air Force. General Davis Jr. went on to lead the famed Tuskegee Airmen. In November 2020, the Board of Supervisors commended Kerry Peirson, for his lifetime commitment to equity and justice. Kerry's father served as one of the brave Tuskegee Airmen. 

I appreciate the opportunity to work with the County of Marin African American Employees Association. In partnership with the Marin County Free Library, they will be offering a series of presentations throughout Black History Month.  

PONTI RIDGE AWARD-WINNING MULTIUSE TRAIL

The new Ponti Ridge Trail is open to visitors! This project successfully converted an unsustainable and steep fire road to a multi-use trail. The Marin County Open Space District began work on Ponti Ridge in the summer of 2019 and continued through COVID in 2020. This month, the Ponti Trail received a Merit award for Development from the California Trails and Greenways 2021 Award Committee. I was pleased to support the nomination. Marin County Parks staff did an amazing job developing the project, and the community now has a wonderful trail facility. 

 

THE GREAT REDWOOD TRAIL

As a board member of the North Coast Rail Authority, I have been working with Senator Mike McGuire on the Great Redwood Trail. Next Thursday, February 18 at 6 pm, Senator McGuire will be hosting a virtual town hall to share what this project is all about. Learn more about this world-class 300-mile trail.

 

DISTRICT 1 SURVEY

I invite you to share your thoughts on the issues most important to you. We heard from you in our last survey that you care about our COVID response, affordable housing, homelessness, and race equity. I remain committed to addressing these issues and more. Let us know how you prefer to hear about District 1 news and updates and what you think about our County's homelessness efforts.  Please take a moment to complete the new survey.

Let's keep talking,

 
Marin County Board of Supervisors, District 1
3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 329, San Rafael, CA 94903
Direct Tel: (415) 473-7331

District Aide: Mary Sackett
Direct Tel: (415) 473-7354 
Email: msackett@marincounty.org

District Aide: Gustavo Goncalves
Direct Tel: (415) 473-7342 
Email: ggoncalves@marincounty.org

Newsletter: https://www.marincounty.org/depts/bs/district-1/newsletters
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SupConnolly
Twitter: https://twitter.com/damon_connolly