July 23, 2021 Update from Supervisor Connolly

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JULY 2021 ISSUE

COVID Resources

Drought, Defensible Space Evaluation, and
Fire Insurance

Seeking Partnerships in Addressing Homelessness

Marin County Budget

Economic Vitality Strategic Plan

Marin County Job Fair

Regional and Local Transportation Updates

#RideWithDamon 2021

District 1 Survey

Dear Friends,

Marin has joined Sonoma, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties, along with the City of Berkeley, in recommending masking indoors due to an increased number of COVID cases and circulation of the Delta variant.

As of July 20, Marin County is averaging 15 new cases per day, with a 5.1 per 100,000 overall daily case rate. For unvaccinated individuals, the case rate is 12.2 per 100,000. For vaccinated individuals, the case rate is 2.5 cases per 100,000.

An overwhelming number of new COVID cases are among those who are unvaccinated. Unvaccinated individuals experience more severe symptoms and outcomes. Marin is also noting breakthrough cases for vaccinated individuals. 177 suspected post-vaccination cases have been identified resulting in 3 hospitalizations, and no deaths. 

The current recommendation is to wear masks indoors in settings like grocery or retail stores, theaters, and family entertainment centers, even if you are fully vaccinated.

Marin is fortunate to have 92.7% of residents age 12 and over who have received at least one dose of vaccination and 85.5% who have received a full series of vaccines. 

We all need to stay vigilant, informed, and continue to abide by public health advisories. 

 COVID RESOURCES

 

Vaccine

VACCINE FINDER

Vaccine data

VACCINE DATA

Vaccine Facts

VACCINE INFORMATION

 

 DROUGHT, DEFENSIBLE SPACE EVALUATIONS, AND FIRE INSURANCE

Marin County has been added to the list of counties under a regional drought state of emergency. 50 of 58 counties fall under California's state of emergencyIn Marin, the goal is to reach a 40 percent reduction in water use. We are currently at 25 percent and seeing incremental increases in conservation - keep it up! Rebates are available to help purchase water-saving devices

The Marin Municipal Water District has enacted an assigned one-day limit for irrigation. Please see the table below for allowable days for each jurisdiction. Drip irrigation is limited to two unassigned days per week, and hand-watering is exempt. There is enforcement with fines as large as $250 per violation. Community members can go online to make a report at marinwater.org/forms/water-waste-report

  Weekday   Jurisdiction
  Monday   Ross, Tiburon, Belvedere, San Geronimo, Forest Knolls, Lagunitas
  Tuesday   San Rafael, unincorporated Marin County
  Wednesday   San Quentin, Sausalito, Corte Madera, San Anselmo
  Thursday   Mill Valley
  Friday   Woodacre, Larkspur, Fairfax, Greenbrae, Kentfield
  Saturday and Sunday    None

The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority dedicates 20% of its budget or approximately $4 million to partner with local fire agencies and provides Defensible Space Evaluations. The goal is to educate, form a plan, and help reduce the risk associated with wildfires. The San Rafael Fire Department has completed roughly 5,000 residential inspections this calendar year. 

Marin County Fire Department (MCFD) is also reaching out. MCFD is notifying neighborhoods via Nextdoor. You can also learn about upcoming inspections through Firewise sites or FireSafe Marin.  Homeowners and larger property owners like schools, apartments, and assisted care facilities are able to receive a detailed report. Enrollment is not necessary as local fire departments are actively reaching out to residents.

Inspectors evaluate a property in approximately 10-15 minutes. If nobody is home, inspectors evaluate publicly visible areas of the property, usually from the street, driveway, or front entry, taking care to respect privacy and curtilage. At the end of an evaluation, the inspectors leave a unique six-digit code that residents use to access their report online at dspace.marinwildfire.org. Reports are available for viewing about 36 hours after evaluation. To learn more about the program and common issues to address, visit the FireSafe Marin Home Evaluations website.

If you're interested in learning more about fire insurance, join FireSafe Marin and leaders in insurance coverage, Amy Bach, Joel Laucher, and Janet Ruiz, on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at 6:00 pm for a special webinar on Fire Insurance Coverage

Fire Insurance Webinar
Drought Resources Wildfire Resources
 SEEKING PARTNERSHIPS IN ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS

Project Homekey is a state program providing funds to local jurisdictions to purchase property for housing homeless residents. The County is actively seeking a range of eligible properties that include, but are not limited to, hotel and motel properties, certain commercial properties, mobile home/RV parks, and other properties that could be used for interim or permanent housing. You can review or submit an application at marinhhs.org/rfp.

Marin has received 115 federal housing vouchers to help address chronic homelessness, and we are looking for more landlords to sign on as part of our Landlord Partnership Program. The program provides a range of benefits including security deposit, loss mitigation, vacancy loss, building and planning permit fee support, rapid response, and more. You can learn more about the Landlord Partnership Program at marinhousing.org/landlord-partnership-program.

We believe with these efforts we can make meaningful change. This is a unique opportunity and position to be in where we are able to buy a property and have funds to house 115 additional people through new vouchers.

If you are interested in addressing homelessness and would like to learn more and help ongoing efforts, I invite you to attend Ritter Center's first annual sleepout event, Under the Stars on July 31. I will be speaking along with Congressman Jared Huffman and others to help support efforts to end homelessness in Marin. I hope to see you there.

Under the Stars

 

 MARIN COUNTY BUDGET

The Board of Supervisors acted early in the pandemic to address budget shortfalls and develop a plan to bring forward a balanced budget. In June we adopted a balanced $683 million budget for the fiscal year 2021-22, with significant one-time federal funding allowing us to invest in the future of our community. The budget reflects our community's top priorities of improving disaster preparedness, building a racially equitable community, reducing carbon emissions and adapting to climate change, preserving and increasing affordable housing, and investing in infrastructure.

In my statement at the Budget Hearings I shared that I would like to see the County:

  • Support County-City partnerships to expand Mobile Crisis Units and solutions to homelessness including permanent supportive housing and case management resources. 

  • Engage in a robust economic recovery effort, focusing on equity and opportunity which will also include city partners.

  • Set aside approximately $1 million of one-time funds to purchase right-of-way easements necessary for the Gallinas Levee Upgrade project to address sea-level rise.

  • Identify a path forward for an independent Civilian Oversight Board of the Marin County Sheriff.

  • Continue the dialogue on the Regional Housing Needs Allocation appeal and strategy.

  • Promote green energy resiliency practices and projects – such as backup battery storage and green capital improvements.

  • Address the historic drought as a priority. I would like to see the County role-model water conservation practices.
 ECONOMIC VITALITY STRATEGIC PLAN

We are continuing our work with local community partners and the business community toward economic recovery and revitalization from the pandemic. The County and Marin Economic Forum have received a $130,820 federal grant through the Economic Development Administration to assist in developing a strategic planning process.

I would like to thank and acknowledge the people who have agreed to serve on the Steering Committee that will oversee this work. They include a range of elected officials, public and private sector leaders: Supervisors Judy Arnold and Damon Connolly, County Administrator Matthew Hymel, San Rafael Mayor Kate Colin, Larkspur City Manager Dan Schwarz, San Rafael City Manager Jim Schutz, Novato Chamber of Commerce CEO Coy Smith, Sausalito Chamber of Commerce CEO Juli Viera, Bank of Marin CEO Russ Colombo, Marin Small Business Development Center Director Miriam Hope-Karell, College of Marin President David Wain Coon, Workforce Alliance of the North Bay Director Bruce Wilson, Community Action Marin CEO Chandra Alexandre, Marin Community Foundation VP Jonathan Logan, Youth Leadership Institute Program Manager Wendy Pacheco, and Multicultural Center of Marin Director Douglas Mundo with the possibility of adding 1-2 members. 

Planning efforts are set to begin at the end of July. A proposed Economic Vitality Strategic Plan is expected to come before the Board of Supervisors for approval in early 2022. As we embark on this process, I encourage you to stay tuned for opportunities to engage.

 

 MARIN COUNTY VIRTUAL JOB FAIR

On August 3, from 8:30 am - 6:00 pm, the Workforce Alliance of the North Bay, in partnership with The Marin Council of Chambers and College of Marin, will host a Marin County Job Fair. Employees and employers are encouraged to participate. Participants are able to learn and review company bio and job vacancies, talk with recruiters, apply for positions, and access resources. The event is free of charge and you can register below. 

Job Fair

 

 REGIONAL AND LOCAL TRANSPORTATION UPDATES

Traffic is creeping up on our roadways. Several strategies to improve traffic conditions and emissions are underway. A group of ‘Forward’ Programs namely, the Richmond-San Rafael, Napa Valley, Bay Bridge, and Dumbarton Forward programs will work to address traffic and emissions in key commuter corridors. That means looking at ideas like open road bridge tolling, extensions of HOV lanes, transit lanes such as bus on shoulder or bus queue jump lanes, increased express bus service, adaptive signal timing, carpool and vanpool programs, commuter parking, and biking and walking options including e-bikes.

Locally, I'm excited to share that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (on which I serve) has allocated $83 million to various projects within its Safe and Seamless Mobility Quick Strike program. Three projects have been funded in Marin County, including:

  • Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) - $1.86 million for a 0.85-mile pathway project between San Rafael McInnis Parkway to Smith Ranch Road.
  • Marin Transit – $1.2 million for Bus Stop Improvements.
  • Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) –$141,000 for planning and programming.

 

Smith Ranch - McInnis Pathway Project

 

 #RIDEWITHDAMON 2021

I recently wrapped up 10 weeks of #RideWith Damon, my annual personal challenge to go car-free while traveling by bike, transit, and the occasional carpool. This year my goal was to log at least 1,000 miles while avoiding single-occupancy vehicle trips. After six years of doing this challenge, I can say that it is still a great opportunity to learn about our transit systems and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure while taking a bit off the waistline in the process.

I reached the goal with a total of 1,143 miles. 596 miles by bike, 205 miles by bus, 189 miles carpooling, and 153 miles by train. According to the RideAmigos app, that translated into burning over 29,000 calories and saving about 750 pounds of CO2.

I had firsthand experience as schedules, number of riders, and routes changed. I’m glad to see ridership returning on our bus routes and cycling remains popular as we emerge from the pandemic.

Bike path improvements throughout the county have made it safer and easier for residents to get around, whether at the Civic Center or along Francisco Blvd and Anderson to 2nd in San Rafael.

I want to thank the community members, organizations, and partners who have joined me on a ride or shared in thought to talk about how we can improve transit. Don't miss this video about my #RideWithDamon experiences.

#RideWithDamon - Video

 

DISTRICT 1 SURVEY

Drought and wildfires are at the top of my mind and of many community members. I want to ensure that community members who want access to information and resources have access. Please take 2-minutes to complete this survey, let us know if you feel informed and ready to address drought and wildfire.

Survey Button

Let's keep talking,

 dc
Marin County Board of Supervisors, District 1
3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 329, San Rafael, CA 94903
Direct Tel: (415) 473-7331
Email: dconnolly@marincounty.org

District Aide: Susannah Clark (June 1 - September 1)
Direct Tel: (415) 473-7354 
Email: sclark@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