August 2022 Update from Supervisor Connolly

AUGUST 2022 ISSUE

CIVIL GRAND JURY REPORT ELECTRIFYING MARIN ECONOMIC VITALITY STRATEGIC  PLAN PROJECT HOMEKEY STATUS UPDATE ALERT MARIN - WILDFIRE INFO RICHMOND SAN RAFAEL BRIDGE BIKE PATH POINT SAN PEDRO ROAD PARKING RESTRICTIONS NATIONAL FARMERS MARKET WEEK NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

Dear Friends,

I'm excited to share this District 1 newsletter with you. Over the years we have worked hard to address homelessness, protect our community from wildfire, improve our transportation networks, and protect our environment. Thanks to engaged community members we have made significant progress and we have many more opportunities ahead. 

This was a historic week for the Country. President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law with the goal to reduce carbon emissions by roughly 40 percent (from 2005 levels) by 2030. The Act extends clean energy tax credits, promotes domestic clean energy production, incentivizes electric vehicle adoption, taxes oil and gas companies, promotes conservation, forestry, preservation of public lands, home electrification, and much more. You can get a high-level overview of this legislation on the California State Association of Counties website. 

In Marin, we are moving forward with our own climate initiatives. Through the Climate Action Plan (CAP) Subcommittee, we have been working to establish Green Building Codes and help electrify Marin. Read more below.

 

CIVIL GRAND JURY REPORT: ELECTRIFYING MARIN

 

A new Civil Grand Jury Report titled Electrifying Marin's Buildings: A Countywide Approach highlights the importance of working together to move away from gas appliances and adopting countywide standards.

On Tuesday, August 16, the Board of Supervisors overwhelmingly supported the Grand Jury's findings and recommendations. We must continue to push to adopt green technologies in partnership with local jurisdictions.

Through the Climate Action Plan Subcommittee, we are working on an ordinance specifying energy efficiency measures for renovations and new buildings. The ordinance would allow the County to exceed state minimum standards, establishing what is known as a reach code. The goal is to adopt uniform building codes countywide that are consistent across all jurisdictions. The ordinance is expected to come before the Board of Supervisors in October or November of this year.

If you're ready to make the switch, Electrify Marin can help you go electric. Electrify Marin offers rebates ranging from $250 - $2,000 to help residents transition to electric appliances. A huge thank you to our Sustainability Team for working to address climate change at the local level!

 

ECONOMIC VITALITY STRATEGIC PLAN

 

Supervisor Arnold and I have been working to address the health and economic impacts of COVID through the Marin Economic Recovery Task Force. Last year, we secured a $130,820 federal grant to support a strategic planning process that promotes a healthy green economy with opportunities for everyone.

On August 23 the Board of Supervisors is expected to consider adopting Marin County's first Economic Vitality Strategic Plan. The plan will help address long-standing issues that impact our economic health and well-being including reliable and affordable childcare, meeting aging workforce needs, and incorporating an equity lens in workforce recruitment and retention.

The plan highlights our countywide goals, dovetails into existing strategic efforts, and provides a competitive advantage to the County and community partners in future grant applications. The plan highlights five key flagship initiatives: 1) expanding and integrating Marin’s workforce infrastructure, 2) catalyzing growth of Marin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, 3) accelerating growth of climate solutions and enabling enterprises, 4) increasing pathways to economic mobility for Marin Residents, and 5) Formalize Countywide economic development activities.

Addressing our community’s longstanding issues will require all our community partners to play a role. I look forward to helping make it a reality. I’m excited to see the County’s first Economic Vitality Strategic Plan and I want to thank the many community members, businesses, leaders, and partners who were part of this effort. 

 

PROJECT HOMEKEY STATUS UPDATE

 

After more than a year of community dialogue, our efforts to address homelessness through Project Homekey and other forms of Permanent Supportive Housing are coming to fruition. In August we closed on the real estate transaction for the South Eliseo property. Funding applications are in to support the conversion of the site into 43 permanent supportive housing units. The project has a target of reaching 50% occupancy by Spring of 2023. You can signup to receive updates online.

The Mill Street 2.0 shelter, newly named Jonathan’s Place, will hold its grand opening on August 25. This milestone adds over 40 shelter beds and 32 permanent supportive housing units to Marin.

It's worth noting that with Jonathan’s Place opening, work can begin to convert 3301 Kerner, another Homekey site, into 44 units of permanent supportive housing. 3301 Kerner has been operating as our community shelter while Jonathan's Place was under construction. Construction is expected to begin in early Fall with the site opening in the Winter of 2023-24.

Thanks to cities and towns, community members, non-profit partners, and significant investments at the state and federal levels we are making meaningful progress to address homelessness in Marin. I look forward to continuing this work in partnership with our community.

 

SIGN UP FOR ALERTS - WILDFIRE RESOURCES

 

Firescape your yard, harden your home and get your go bags ready. Fire Season is here! Check out these FireSafe Marin resources to make sure you’re ready for a wildfire. Don’t miss the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority grant opportunities to help you get ready! Enjoy the rest of your summer knowing you’re prepared.

A big part of staying safe is staying connected to emergency alert systems. Check out this video on how our emergency communications systems work, where to sign up, and how to stay in the know when it’s time to go!

 

RICHMOND SAN RAFAEL BRIDGE BIKE PATH

 

Last week I had the opportunity to speak out about the Richmond San Rafael Bridge. I’m interested in adding a third vehicular lane during peak am commute hours while retaining the bike lane during all other hours.

As it stands, the bike lane is not being utilized in any appreciable way to commute, while morning congestion is causing serious harm to the teachers, construction workers, and other people commuting to work in the North Bay. And many do not have the option to ride their bike to work.

Through the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, we are exploring a series of projects to provide relief. The Richmond-San Rafael Forward program is looking at open road tolling and a westbound HOV lane starting at the Regatta Avenue interchange along with a program called Richmond San Rafael Rides to support local organizations working with community members to encourage alternatives to single occupancy vehicles.

Adding a third lane during peak am commute hours while retaining the bike lane at other times is a good place to start while we continue to explore other, longer-term solutions. You can learn more about this issue in this KPIX 5 news clip.

 

POINT SAN PEDRO ROAD - PARKING RESTRICTION

 

On August 23, the Marin County Board of Supervisors plans to consider a no-parking restriction along Bayside Park on Point San Pedro Road.

The proposal is part of an ongoing community conversation to address a 1971 Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) permit requirement for a bike lane.

A parking survey of the area indicated minimal use of on-street parking along the park and the adjacent residential area. Prohibiting parking along Bayside Park is not expected to negatively impact park access or the residences south of the park. The proposal would create a new bike lane along Bayside Park and connect it to the existing bike lane to the north.

 

NATIONAL FARMERS MARKET WEEK

 

It was an honor to sponsor this resolution in recognition of National Farmers Market Week. Our Farmer's Market is a whole lot more than a hub for fresh food, great people, and music. It's where many small growers get their start, where shop local meets community, and where community partners work together to educate, inspire and connect communities to sustainable practices.

A huge thanks to the Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM) for hosting the largest Farmer’s Market in the State and one of the best! Stop by a Farmers Market, every Thursday and Sunday from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm near the Marin County Civic Center. 

 

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

 

On August 2, I had the opportunity to meet with community members, law enforcement, and first responders throughout District 1 as part of an annual tradition known as National Night Out. I was glad to see people getting to know each other, talking, and engaging in conversations about community safety and disaster preparedness while having fun and enjoying great food.

I want to thank the amazing community members and organizations who help organize these events together with the Sheriff’s Office, San Rafael Police, Fire, and our many community partners. As we continue to grapple with issues like wildfire and community response to emergencies, getting to know your neighbors and talking to first responders is a key part of keeping our community safe. This is truly a can’t miss annual event.

Let's keep talking,