Happy New Year, Look Who's Getting it Done, Community Updates, Meetings and Events!

Happy New Year! 

 

I think we are all approaching 2022 with a sense of trepidation and a little bit of hope. The past few years have been hard on all of us. We’ve been isolated, many have lost loved ones, and we’ve missed gathering as a community. Our businesses, schools, healthcare professionals and essential workers have all been through so much.  

 

I am proud of Marin and our collective efforts. We have the highest vaccination rate in the state, our schools planned for a safe return to school this week, and our local businesses have adapted and been creative throughout these challenging times. 

 

There is work to be done and many challenging policy issues to tackle. First and foremost, let’s all be kind to one another and have patience with each other. If we start there, I know our community can get through anything together. 

 

As I enter my last year in office, I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve all of you. I look forward to continuing my work for District 5 this year and welcome your input, questions, or concerns.  

 

2021 Look Who’s Getting It Done Awardees – Tanya Albert and Leslie Weber 

 

In 2007, I started the annual Look Who's Getting It Done award to acknowledge a person or organization in District 5 who “got it done” for our community. It is with great pleasure that my final award goes to my Aides, Tanya Albert and Leslie Weber.  

 

If you have contacted my office, you have likely had the pleasure of working with one or both of my Aides. Tanya has worked for me for 15 years (since I was first elected as your County Supervisor), and we were incredibly fortunate to have Leslie join our team over nine years ago.  

 

Their collaborative nature and strong work ethic make them a great team and one that serves the district well. Juggling multiple tasks at one time, they always manage to keep all the balls in the air.  

 

They are the direct point of contact for constituent phone and email inquiries, always responding in a timely manner with compassion and professionalism; they provide invaluable assistance in researching and analyzing policy matters; and effectively work to help engage and inform the public through community meetings, newsletters, social media posts and email updates. The number of people they have helped is countless.  

 

With the Pandemic, we’re all aware the past couple years have proven to be challenging. Tanya and Leslie enthusiastically stepped up to the plate accepting additional work as Disaster Service Workers. They joined the COVID-19 email inbox team and responded to hundreds of inquiries from residents and businesses - working to answer questions to help ease anxiety and provide clarity of COVID-19 guidelines, as well as testing and vaccine inquiries.   

 

One of the greatest joys as a manager is to hear praise from others about your employees. I am fortunate to have had that joy over and over throughout the years, hearing many accolades from both residents and colleagues. I have said many times since elected as your supervisor that I have the privilege of representing the best district in the best county - and I should add to that: with the best team! 

 

Thank you, Tanya and Leslie, for all you have done and will continue to do for the County and the residents of District 5. Through flawless teamwork and a strong dedication to our community, you “get it done” each and every day! 

 

COMMUNITY UPDATES, MEETINGS AND EVENTS:

  

Housing and Safety Elements 2023-2031 

 

The County is in the process of updating the Housing and Safety Elements of the Countywide Plan. State law requires housing elements to be updated on a regular cycle – and this planning cycle will address needs and issues for the years 2023-2031. 

 

As the County prepares the Housing and Safety Elements updates, it must also review and identify any potential environmental consequences that could result from the implementation of these plans. The introductory notice of preparation (NOP) is the initial step toward the drafting of the environmental impact report (EIR), and the notice was publicly released on December 8, 2021. The NOP’s comment period closes on Monday, January 24, 2022. To review the NOP and to submit comments, visit the Environmental Planning Division webpage. 

 

On January 11 at 6pm, the County will host an online public scoping session to provide a brief overview of the work on the Safety and Housing Elements and to hear from residents about topics of concern and ideas about potential impacts that could come out of the two elements. To participate via Zoom, webinar ID 820 2383 3240. To participate via phone, dial 1-669-900-6833.  

 

Subscribe to the Housing and Safety Elements email list to receive updates. 

 

Resilient Neighborhoods: Be Part of the Climate Solution 

 

Experience the online Resilient Neighborhoods Climate Action Workshop series with people who also care about a healthy planet. Have fun calculating your carbon footprint and taking steps to reduce it. Make your household resilient to droughts, wildfires, and power outages. In just five meetings you and your team will achieve measurable results through impactful actions that can save money too. Choose from the sessions starting on Jan. 13 or Jan. 18. Click here to sign-up for this popular *free* Marin workshop. 

 

Marin County Free Library (MCFL) Community Survey 

 

Our libraries are such a special space for the community. The MCFL is eager to hear from patrons about which library services are most important to visitors and what improvements should be considered. To gather the feedback, MCFL has launched a wide-reaching community engagement program and is asking residents to share thoughts via an online survey through mid-January 2022. The survey is available in English and Spanish and will only take about 3 minutes to complete. 

 

In addition to the survey, meet our new Library Director, Lana Adlawan, at an upcoming library branch community chat between January and June. These opportunities will be promoted on the MCFL website, its Facebook page, and its Twitter account. 

 

Community Blood Drive 

 

Thompson Builders is hosting their first annual community blood drive on Wednesday, February 9th from 10am – 2pm at their headquarters: 5400 Hanna Ranch Road, Novato. The United States is facing a blood supply shortage, with the current supply of blood the lowest it’s been in nearly a decade. You donation will make a difference: A single blood donation can help save more than one life! As a token of appreciation, all participants will be treated to a lunchtime BBQ, hosted by Thompson Builders.

 

To sign up: visit Vitalant, select “Blood Drive Code” and reference the code THOMPSON to reserve your spot. 

 

COVID-19 Resources  

 

With the emergence of the Omicron variant, we are seeing a surge of cases in our community. You can help slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep our community safe.

• Get Vaccinated / Get Boosted: If you haven't been vaccinated or received your booster and you're eligible, please visit Find a Vaccine to schedule one today.    

• Get Tested: Testing remains a very important tool. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, get tested as soon as possible, even if you are fully vaccinated. It is also important to get tested if you have had a known exposure to someone who has COVID-19 or have taken part in activities that put you at higher risk for COVID-19, such as travel or attending large gatherings. There are many locations available in Marin to schedule a test. If you take an at home COVID-19 test, please use the Self-Test Reporting form to report the results to the Marin County Public Health Department.  

• Wear Face Coverings: All people in Marin County, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask in all indoor public settings, in accordance with the state-wide mandate. Earlier this week, the State extended the state-wide mask mandate through February 15, 2022.

 

Please do not reply to this message, as it will go to a general mailbox that is not routinely monitored. Contact the District 5 Team at the email addresses below with any questions, comments, or concerns: 

 

Supervisor Judy Arnold: JArnold@marincounty.org 

District 5 Aides: 

Tanya Albert: TAlbert@marincounty.org 

Leslie Weber: LWeber@marincounty.org 

 

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CAMARIN/bulletins/3042d95