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Spring has sprung and our community is out and about enjoying the beautiful weather. Check out this month's topics to the right and a few updates from just the past week below:
SMART Ridership
Last week SMART saw its highest ridership numbers since the pandemic, and last weekend SMART experienced the second highest ridership weekend ever!
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Pinkston Slough
Earlier this month, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names officially changed the name of Black John Slough in Novato to Pinkston Slough. This effort was initiated several years ago by former Marin County Open Space Park Ranger Mike Warner.
The slough is named after John Pinkston, a prominent and well-known figure of African-Caribbean descent in Marin County during the mid- 1800s. This renaming effort more appropriately maintains Pinkston’s memory, and honors his contributions to Marin County, while removing the derogatory and offensive language. I was happy to support this effort and led a similar effort when I was on the Novato City Council to rename a road that held a similar name, Black John Road, to Pinkston Road. Thank you, Mike Warner, for your leadership on this endeavor.
Novato Inspirational Student Achievement (NISA) Award
I was thrilled to participate in the 2023 Novato Inspirational Student Achievement (NISA) Award ceremony. The NISA Award is a collaboration between the Novato Unified School District (NUSD) and the Novato Chamber of Commerce to recognize students who have demonstrated the six C’s of NUSD’s Graduate Profile: Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, Conscientious Learner, Cultural Competence and Character throughout their school years.
A big congratulations to this year’s winners: Julianna Poncia, Zuri Khiev Lee, Armando Leyva Mendez, Angel Bernardino Castaneda, Sebastian Velazquez Cortes, Sienna Page Fordley, Liana Beauchamp, Cadence Wells, Zoe Williams, Jake LaTray, Paolo Giampaoli, Janette Hernandez, Emma Kelly, Marvin Rosas Beltran, Abel Tevalán Mejía, Ilyana Almada, Joey Munn, Larry Calle La Bou, Jayden McMahan, Jakob Peterson, Beberly Lopez Castillo, Marin Havassy, Alan Sandoval Mendoza, Hamilton Haley Cardenas, Naomi Menjivar, Scarlett Fraser, Ace Spry, Kevin Cupa, Jessica Tran, Astrid Samayoa Blanco, America Diaz-Jimenez, and Samuel Alfaro Deras.
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Last month the Board of Supervisors held three days of public workshop sessions to prepare for adoption of the County’s FY 2023-24 Budget in June.
Equity was a major focus of the County’s budget workshops. Providing services to community members who need them the most remains at the forefront of the County’s priorities.
Marin continues to be one of the most racially disparate counties in California. We know that disparities of Marin’s collective health, wealth, and quality of life are the greatest when measured by race. Approaching the budget process with an equity lens is a proactive step we can take to continue to address some of these disparities. Every budget proposal will include an evaluation of whether a change benefits or burdens communities of color.
A few examples of using the equity lens in our budget planning for the coming budget cycle:
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The Marin County Free Library (MCFL) plans to increase early literacy programs at branches that serve higher concentrations of patrons from lower-income households, newer immigrants, and people of color. MCFL also plans to design a new mobile outreach vehicle to enhance programming in rural West Marin.
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Marin County Parks is reducing barriers for visitation at its facilities and taking steps toward eliminating entry fees for its parks.
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Public Works will prioritize benefits to underserved communities when developing its annual road paving and safety improvement plans, considering neighborhood-scale demographics such as per capita rates of disabled residents, older adults, and families with young children.
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Community Development will address barriers to home ownership, business ownership, permitting, and inspections.
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The County’s new website, to be launched gradually in the coming months, will be more equitable, accessible, and customer oriented.
An exciting addition to this budget cycle, the County has launched a process known as participatory budgeting where community members decide how to spend part of the County’s budget. There is $2.5 million allotted to support racial equity initiatives in our underserved communities. To submit a proposal and/or get involved in this process, visit the County’s Participatory Budget website.
The County projects a balanced budget for the next fiscal year, reflecting moderate economic growth given the economic projections at the national and state level. No cuts to public services are expected in the 2023-24 Budget.
The County’s budget overview webpage allows residents to view interactive charts and graphs and learn more about the budget process. The June Budget Hearings are tentatively scheduled for June 20, 21, and 22.
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At our Board of Supervisor’s meeting this week we paid tribute to Community Development Director Tom Lai on his well-deserved retirement, following a successful and dedicated career at the County of Marin.
Tom immigrated to the U.S. with his family at the age of 10. He earned both a bachelor's degree and a master’s degree in city planning from the University of California, Berkeley.
He began his career at the County of Marin 31 years ago working through several different positions: Planner, Senior Planner, Principal Planner, Deputy Director, Assistant Director, and finally Director of Community Development.
During his time at the County Tom exemplified a commitment to public service, always putting the interests of the public first, especially those who have typically been underserved and underrepresented. He proved to be an outstanding planner who balanced technical skills with a very human and personal touch.
Tom made significant contributions to Marin County’s leadership initiatives and efforts in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
It was evident in the accolades Tom received at our Board of Supervisor’s meeting that he truly enriched the lives and skills of all those fortunate enough to know and work with him.
It is with much gratitude that we send him off with heartfelt wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement.
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Please join me in giving a big welcome to our newest Planning Commissioner representing District 5, Claudia Muralles.
Claudia is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Sciences, Geography, and Management with a minor in geology from Sonoma State University - with a goal to continue her education with a Ph.D. in Environmental Management and Policy.
Claudia has a passion for public service and serving underrepresented communities. She has experience coordinating sustainability programs and mentoring students with enrollment/financial aid questions at Santa Rosa Junior College, working as a family advocate with Marin Head Start, and currently represents 125 moms of color in Marin County as a MOMentor for the Marin Community Foundation's Momentum Guaranteed Income Pilot Program.
Claudia is fluent in both Spanish and English and brings her bi-cultural experience to the County having been born and raised in Guatemala and moving to the U.S. as a teenager.
Claudia strives to be a role model for women in the community, and of particular importance, serve as a role model for her four daughters. There is no doubt in my mind that Claudia has achieved this goal.
The County is incredibly fortunate to have Claudia join the Commission. She will make an excellent addition.
And I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to extend a big thank you to our retiring D5 Commissioner, Peter Theran, who dedicated 16 years of service on the Planning Commission, working tirelessly for the County of Marin.
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As your Supervisor, I welcome and encourage you to connect, share your concerns, and your ideas. We want to hear from you!
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