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Dear Friends and Neighbors in Southern Marin,
Happy holidays! I hope the warmth of gatherings of the holiday season lifts your spirits. We have much to be grateful for, and as I reflect on these past few months, it reminds me of how much we have accomplished together and the opportunities that are ahead in the new year.
This year, Marin City celebrated its 80th anniversary with historical exhibits at the Bartolini Gallery at Civic Center, performances, books, community events and tours for Marin’s school children. In addition, thanks to Senator McGuire, $3 million in state funding was secured for the Marin City Community Services District towards the renovation and expansion of the community center. District 3 welcomes two members appointed to the Board of the Marin City Community Services District: Angela Haynes and Kevin Douglas. We look forward to working with the Board this coming year.
Thanks also to Senator McGuire, $10 million in state funding was secured to address flooding issues in Marin City and Tam Valley. Coordinated efforts by the County and CalTrans are underway now for projects that will reduce flooding at the Donohue interchange, with future work planned for next year in Tam Valley at Manzanita and Shoreline Highway. In the interim, the County has expanded emergency preparedness operations, communications, and partnerships with the communities to be ready for winter storms and local flooding. I am grateful to Sen. McGuire for his leadership and partnership on these initiatives and appreciate District Director Summer Cassell for her continued, outstanding work with Southern Marin.
Our Congressman Jared Huffman and his District Director Jenny Callaway were also active in Marin City. We are truly grateful for their generous work over the past six months to evaluate and address the city’s underground infrastructure for water, drainage, and sanitary sewer system. Our Congressman, in collaboration with Marin Water and other agencies, is seeking grant funding for capital improvements. Most recently, the House released the Omnibus Appropriations Bill including $650,000 earmarked for Golden Gate Village lighting and energy efficiency upgrades, planned for 2023. In addition, a path forward for the renovation of Golden Gate Village was approved this fall, which will provide for a full and comprehensive renovation of historic Golden Gate Village. A new community center was recently opened on the property for resident services and events, as well as offices for the Residents’ Council.
Upon mentioning Marin Water, I would like to thank outgoing Division 4 Board Member Cynthia Koehler for her nearly two decades of committed service to Southern Marin and congratulate and welcome incoming Marin Water Board Member Jed Smith. We know he will be a great partner as we plan out water future in Marin.
To cap off the year, we celebrated the grand opening of the Marin City-Sausalito Tunnel Art Project: All Our Children United brightening a dark underpass into a vibrant and safer pathway between our two southernmost Marin communities. Huge appreciation to Sausalito Beautiful, the Sausalito Foundation, Felicia Gaston, and artist Raylene Gorum for making this happen!
In Sausalito, congratulations to Mayor Melissa Blaustein and Vice Mayor Ian Sobieski, elected this month to lead the city. Congratulations also to returning Councilmember Joan Cox who will bring her expertise and bridgebuilding ethic to the Council. Thank you to outgoing Councilmember Susan Cleveland-Knowles for her two-terms and deep commitment to serving Sausalito. Mayor Blaustein and I served as judges for this month’s Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade, a thoroughly enjoyable and spirited local event! Again, with leadership from Senator McGuire, the City and the County worked to address homelessness by securing $500,000 from the state, matched by the County of Marin with an additional $500,000 to support housing and services in the city. In Richardson Bay, another $3 million was secured for the Richardson’s Bay Regional Agency to house and serve those living on boats anchored in the bay.
In Tiburon, we commemorated the historic contribution of Portuguese dairy farmers in southern Marin with the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, at the groundbreaking of the Tiburon Portuguese Dairy Mural Wall Project along the Old Rail Trail. The project was funded in part by the County of Marin's Community Service Fund grant program. What a memorable day that was! Congratulations to new Mayor Jack Ryan and Vice Mayor Noah Griffin, who were elected by their peers this month to serve this coming year. Congratulations also to returning Councilmembers Alice Fredricks and Jon Welner, re-elected this fall to another term on the Town Council. Last weekend my son David and I joined the Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Councilmember Holli Their for the lighting of the Chanukah menorah at Fountain Plaza. The wonderful holiday gathering was hosted by Congregation Kol Shofar and Cantor Naomi Weiss.
Congratulations to Belvedere’s Mayor Jim Lynch and Vice Mayor Peter Mark, elected this month, and to returning Councilmember Sally Wilkinson and new Councilmember Jane Cooper, and of course to their continuing colleague Councilmember Nancy Kemnitzer who serves as Vice Chair of the City-County sea level rise collaboration known as BayWave. I’ve greatly enjoyed working with outgoing Councilmember James Campbell and appreciate his commitment to serving the community. I am honored to serve with Mayor Lynch on the Board of Richardson Bay Regional Authority; Jim stepped in for Councilmember Steve Block, whose inspired participation on RBRA and local housing and homelessness issues was tremendous. I truly value all the partnerships with Belvedere very much.
In Strawberry, in September my District Aides and I had the pleasure of meeting young families and friends at the Strawberry Recreation District’s Community Night, which showed the vibrancy and enthusiasm in this community. Congratulations to new Recreation District Board member, Dr. Sohrab Saghezchi, whose family are active users of the District’s programs and facilities. I continue to keep in touch with Strawberry residents and community leaders on the Seminary development project, whose draft EIR we expect to be released in the first quarter of the new year. My District Aides and I look forward to continuing to serve the Strawberry community in the new year.
In Tam Valley, thanks to outgoing Assemblyman Marc Levine, Southern Marin Fire District received a $1 million grant for a long-wanted vegetation management project along Shoreline Hwy. This past month, I participated in the Tam Valley’s Sea Level Rise Task Force’s well attended Rising Tides Community Forum, featuring experts in the field of sea level rise; I want to thank the task force and organizers Doug Wallace and Ted Barone for their cooperative energy. The thirst for innovation throughout this community is palpable as we work to prepare our coastal communities for a future of living with water. This work extends the community's work in emergency and flood preparedness. Thanks also to Tam Valley’s Neighborhood Resource Group and Tam Valley Community Services District for actively promoting preparedness for wildfire, earthquakes, and winter storms. Last week I was honored to officiate at the swearing in ceremony for returning TCSD Board members Jeff Brown and Jeff Jacobs. Finally, congratulations to Tam Valley’s Andrea Montalbano, recently appointed to the County Planning Commission after her tenure on the Tam Valley Design Review Board.
In Mill Valley earlier this year we welcomed new Mill Valley council members Stephen Burke and Max Perrey and said goodbye to veteran councilmember and my council colleague Sashi McEntee. Last month, I was delighted to join the Mill Valley community for the 50th Anniversary of The Redwoods. In collaboration with the County of Marin’s Health and Human Services Department, we created vaccine opportunities for the resident of The Redwoods. Kudos to the Mill Valley Chamber for expanding their existing services and support to the Tam Valley business district. The support is very much appreciated. Finally, I continue the work I did as mayor of Mill Valley on multi-modal transportation options as the Transportation Authority of Marin’s Board of Commissioners Chair.
I am also proud of the work the County has done around Equity and in establishing an independent community oversight structure for the Sheriff’s Office, with the goal of cultivating trust, transparency, and accountability. You can learn more the AB 1185 Sheriff’s Oversight Committee and take a survey below. I have been a staunch supporter of these efforts since it first came across the dais.
We are fortunate in Southern Marin to have so many residents who step up and volunteer their time and talent to serve their communities. It is an honor and a pleasure to work with them. There is so much to be proud of, and I hope you join me in my enthusiasm for what we have done and in knowing there is still work to be done.
On behalf of my District Aides Doreen Gounard and Jennifer Imbimbo, whose community spirit and hard work make the District 3 office hum, we wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year. We look forward to serving you in 2023!
All my best,
Stephanie
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