June Update from Supervisor Sackett

JUNE 2023

MARIN COUNTY FAIR JUNE BUDGET HEARINGS OLDER ADULT SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS NEW WILDFIRE HELICOPTER STATE/FEDERAL FUNDING FOR GOLDEN GATE VILLAGE SHERIFF OVERSIGHT AB 1185 FREE MARIN COUNTY PARKS ACCESS JOIN A BOARD OR COMMISSION HAVE YOU HEARD? WHAT I'M READING

 

Dear Neighbors,

It is officially summer! The school year has ended, the sun is shining, and it’s time to enjoy everything that Marin County has to offer. I should mention Marin's beach water is 'excellent'!

The Marin County Fair starts today through July 4. Today, June 30, Kids and Seniors (children 12 and under and adults 65+)are admitted free! The Marin County Fair has been celebrated as the healthiest and greenest County Fair on Earth since 2008 and proudly features:

• a solar-powered carousel
• a solar-powered stage
• a 92% waste diversion rate

This year the fair’s theme is ‘Electrifying’ and includes a wide range of fun activities like the juried fine arts and photography exhibit, headline concerts, carnival rides, sheepdog trials, the petting zoo, fireworks every night, and much more.

The fair will feature an Electrification Experience located near the entrance of the Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, where the community can get hands-on experience with some exciting clean energy solutions. Electric vehicles (EVs), electric bikes, and electric motorcycles will be on display, showing the broad range of e-mobility options that are on the market today. You can also see how home appliances, such as induction cooktops, can be plugged into EV batteries, providing a valuable resiliency solution during an outage. And if your mobile phone needs some juice after spending hours at the fair, come charge it up using a retired EV battery and learn about the ways old EV batteries can be repurposed. 

What are you waiting for? Get your fair tickets today and explore green transit options to and from the Fair! All fair tickets must be purchased online. 

Marin Transit has partnered with the Cultural Services Department to provide free rides on all fixed-routes during all five days of the fair. In addition to its regular schedule, SMART will provide late-night service after the fireworks. Trains will depart Civic Center Station Southbound at 10:05 p.m. and Northbound at 10:15 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. Consider jumping on the train or a Marin Transit bus to avoid the hassle of traffic and enjoy the fair car-free. Visit SMART’s website to view the full schedule and other details. June, July, and August, youth in grades K-12 (and children 4 and under) ride free on SMART and Marin Transit. Marin County Bicycle Coalition will offer free bike valet service from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. The bike lot will be near the main gate in front of the Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium.

 

JUNE BUDGET HEARINGS

 

On Thursday, June 22, the Marin County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the County’s $784 million budget for fiscal year 2023-24. The budget prioritizes building a racially equitable community, investing in County infrastructure, preserving and increasing affordable housing choices and addressing homelessness, addressing County workforce recruitment and retention, reducing carbon emissions and adapting to climate change, and enhancing disaster preparedness. We have maintained a strong fiscal outlook and the County's AAA bond rating - reflecting a stable local economy, sound fiscal management, and a proactive approach to reducing unfunded retiree liabilities. 

Affordable housing is a top priority, and the County has committed to adding a $5 million annual General Fund contribution to the Affordable Housing Trust for the next five years ($25 million total). As we tackle affordable housing, we must ensure that our transportation systems are multi-modal. The approved budget includes $355,000 for a Senior Planner for enhanced active transportation planning, which will enable further coordination and planning alongside our transportation partners and agencies working together for grants, resource sharing and efficiency, and complete multimodal systems. This year's budget also includes funding for an Economic Vitality Coordinator.

Historic levels of one-time funding over the past few years provide a unique opportunity to make significant investments to address the deferred maintenance of County facilities. The budget includes approximately $50 million in one-time funding investments in both our facilities and our top community priorities, which include $30 million to address deferred maintenance and improvements at the Civic Center and Marin Center Campus, $2.5 million to address homeless encampments in partnership with cities and towns, and $2 million for enhanced road improvements, among others. These one-time expenditures are funded through $24.4 million in current-year savings, in addition to previously established reserves, special revenue funds, and federal COVID-relief funding. 

The County's balanced budget includes a total spending increase of 9% over the previous fiscal year across all funds and a 6% increase to the General Fund. An additional $3.2 million in new ongoing funding is earmarked for high-priority needs, including increasing the County's Living Wage to $18 an hour, implementing a Sheriff’s Office oversight board per AB 1185 and increasing the Capital Improvement Program budget by $1 million annually (from $7 million to $8 million). Learn more on the County's budget overview webpage.

 

OLDER ADULT SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS

 

One of my top priorities is ensuring that we are meeting the needs of our older adults. We know that we need to do more for our aging community and that there are many ways for us to meet the need for affordable housing, caregivers, adult day care, nutritious food, human connection, and better-coordinated services. The Marin County Commission on Aging is a federally mandated advisory council to the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA), with a mission of promoting the dignity, independence and quality of life of older persons through advocacy, information, programs and services. The Marin County Board of Supervisors is the Board of Directors for the AAA. The Commission reports to and advises the Board of Supervisors on policy issues, legislation, and programs that support older adults and adults with disabilities throughout Marin County.

The Commission on Aging is a key partner that is well-positioned to convene residents and serve as a guiding body for our efforts. We anticipate the needs of older adults to grow over the coming years, and we need to make investments today to meet those needs.

Among other ongoing efforts, I want to share some of the work happening to improve services to older adults:

• In the FY 2023-24 budget, the County approved an Eligibility Worker III to help In-Home Supportive Services recipients with mental or physical impediments maintain caregiver support.
  
  
• The budget also included an Aging and Adult services position to implement new initiatives.
  
  
• Health and Human Services and the Marin Community Foundation plan to co-convene with stakeholders to discuss opportunities for adult daycare centers in Marin.
  
  
• We are increasing the opportunities for cross-departmental and intra-departmental collaboration to better understand the availability of services and ongoing initiatives.
  
  
• Last year, MediCal expanded eligibility to older adults regardless of residency status. Eligibility workers are continuing to reach out to older adults to encourage them to apply for benefits.
  
  
• Marin has joined with two other Bay Area counties to support state legislation to bring more case management dollars into Marin for older adults who do not qualify for MediCal but who still have trouble with the high cost of living and a fixed income.
  
  
• To uplift the needs of older adults, Health and Human Services (HHS) will be adding the Division Director of Aging and Adult Services to the HHS Executive Team meetings.
  
  
• The County will provide staff training on ageism and ableism.

I will continue to work on opportunities to uplift the voices of our older adults. Attending the Commission on Aging meetings is a great way to engage if you are interested in joining these conversations.

 

NEW WILDFIRE HELICOPTER

 

The Marin County Fire Department will have its own helicopter to fight wildfires this year. It is rare for me to meet with community members without hearing concerns about the threat of wildfires. Thanks to an agreement with PG&E, the Marin County Fire Department will have access to its UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

On Friday, June 16, my office had the opportunity to join Marin County Fire Battalion Chief Graham Groneman during their annual Wildland Academy training at St. Vincent’s School. During the training, a firefighter equipped with a drip torch would start a fire at the base of the hill. A bulldozer pushed a mound of dirt to create a fire break and restrict the path of the fire. Firefighters maneuvered around the fire, creating a secondary fire break as they flanked the fire to encircle the flames and stop forward movement. Once the firefighters were out of the way, the UH-60 Black Hawk easily extinguished the fire. The helicopter presents a win-win-win, as a fast and effective resource in the event of a wildfire, particularly in hard-to-reach areas of the county, it helps to keep firefighters out of harm’s way and gives the County and local fire agencies more options on how to respond during fire season.

 

STATE/FEDERAL FUNDING FOR GOLDEN GATE VILLAGE

 

Thanks to support from our State legislators, Senator McGuire and Assemblymember Connolly, the 2023 State Budget includes a $1 million earmark for major upgrades to the Golden Gate Village playground in Marin City. Thanks to Congressman Jared Huffman, the $1.7 trillion spending package signed by President Biden in December 2022 included $650,000 for Golden Gate Village upgrades. The County provided $650,000 in matching funds for a total of $1.3 million. The funds will help replace more than 500 exterior light fixtures in parking lots, structures, and pathways – most of them over 60 years old –with new, energy-efficient LED systems.

 

SHERIFF OVERSIGHT AB 1185

 

On June 13, the Board of Supervisors heard an informational report on the recommendations from the Office of Equity on the Community Outreach Working Group recommendations for the implementation of AB 1185 in Marin County.

We want to ensure that we do our part to promote trust, accountability, and transparency. Having an open dialogue on where our law enforcement agencies are doing well and where we must do better is key to establishing trust.

The FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget includes ongoing funding recommendations of $460,000 annually to add an Inspector General, outreach and administrative staff as well as other operational expenses.

We anticipate the Board to hear the proposed language for an ordinance to establish oversight of the Sheriff’s office within 90 days. During this time the County will work to co-develop the draft ordinance and create opportunities for public comment before having the proposed ordinance return to the Board.

I want to acknowledge and thank everyone who has been part of this conversation, in particular the Sheriff’s Office and Deputy Sheriff’s Association for coming to the table and meeting with community members. To bring this proposal forward successfully, everyone had to show up, have hard conversations, and express a willingness to work together to find a solution. I am truly grateful for the partnerships we have in Marin.

 

FREE MARIN COUNTY PARKS ACCESS

 

Starting July 1, going to Marin County Parks and using the Park’s boat launches will be free. McNears Beach, Paradise Beach, Stafford Lake, Black Point Boat Launch, and Miller Boat Launch all will have free entry. On June 13, the Board of Supervisors approved the elimination of the $5.00 entry fees per passenger vehicle to Marin County Parks.  

Allowing free park access is expected to result in an estimated $397,855 loss in annual income with some costs being recovered through reservable group sites and the elimination of other expenses. Any loss in review will be covered by Measure A, a countywide quarter-cent sales tax approved by voters to the extent laws allow.

This action aligns with other Measure A programs dedicated to increasing access to parks for people in underserved communities, including the Breathe/Respira community grant program and free reservable sites for eligible organizations.

Enjoy various activities in our Marin County Parks, including picnicking, large outdoor gathering spaces, fishing, kite flying, kayaking, paddleboard, canoeing, disc golf, an off-road bike park, and hiking trails.

 

JOIN A BOARD OR COMMISSION

 

Our boards and commissions rely on civic-minded residents to help guide and shape our policies. If you have been thinking about getting engaged, check out these openings. If you are thinking about getting involved and aren't sure, I invite you to reach out to my office. My aides would be happy to connect you with opportunities to get involved in the community. 

Youth Commission

Made up of youth, ages 12-23, the Youth Commission acts as the political voice for young people by engaging with the Marin County Board of Supervisors and other policy makers. Youth leaders identify issues they are passionate about and create and implement social justice campaigns to create change. The application deadline is July 2nd.

APPLY HERE

 

Marin County Assessment Appeals Board

The Marin County Assessment and Appeals Board is accepting applications. The Board hears appeals from taxpayers on property assessments. This Board is governed by the rules and regulations of the Board of Equalization and Property Tax Laws of the State of California.

APPLY HERE

The Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Commission oversees the implementation of the Marin County Integrated Pest Management policy and plan, and advises and makes recommendations to the IPM Coordinator and Board of Supervisors. This Commission meets on the fourth Friday of January, April, July and October.

APPLY HERE

County Service Area (CSA) 6 - Gallinas Creek

County Service Area (CSA) 6 was created to raise funds for periodic dredging of the Gallinas Creek, allow for recreational boating, and include a smaller channel around Santa Margarita Island. The creek was dredged in 1966, 1973, 1981, and 1992-1994. The CSA is currently working on a geomorphic dredge of the creek. Please note you must reside within the CSA to serve on the board. If you're interested in getting involved, please contact Roger Leventhal, Senior Engineer with the Marin County Department of Public Works Flood Control team, at RLeventhal@marincounty.org.

APPLY HERE

 

County Service Area (CSA) 18

County Service Area (CSA) 18 was created to provide local park and recreation facilities and services in Santa Venetia. The Advisory Board provides recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on issues impacting neighborhood parks like Adrian-Rosal, Castro Park, Pueblo Park, and Candy's Park. Please note you must reside within the CSA to serve on the board. If you are interested and want to learn more about CSA 18, please get in touch with Jim Chayka, Superintendent of Marin County Parks, at JChayka@marincounty.org.

APPLY HERE

 

Flood Zone #6 (Rafael Meadows)

Flood Zone 6 was created in the 1960’s to address frequent flooding in the low-lying neighborhood just west of Highway 101 across from the County Civic Center. The Zone occupies a very small part of the Gallinas Creek Watershed. It is also the County's smallest flood control zone. It covers only 0.16 square mile entirely within the City of San Rafael. The neighborhood was unincorporated when the Zone was established, but was annexed by City of San Rafael. The City now owns and maintains the Zone’s drainage easements. There are 440 parcels in the Zone. In the early 2000s, construction of a new subdivision rerouted stormwater infrastructure around the community. This eliminated a significant cause of flooding in the zone. Please note you must reside within the Flood Zone to serve on the board. 

APPLY HERE

Disaster and Citizen Corp Council

The Disaster Council reviews and evaluates disaster preparedness progress in the public and private sectors; promotes disaster preparedness through communication and education; harness the power of every resident through education and outreach, training and volunteer service to make their families, homes and communities safer from natural and/or man-made disasters or emergencies; and, report biannually to the Board of Supervisors.

APPLY HERE

 

Fair Advisory Board

The Fair Advisory Board provides a forum for community voices on fair issues to promote fair engagement and attendance throughout the County of Marin and to advise the Cultural Services Department in developing a fair that features the unique environmental, artistic, and agricultural legacy of Marin County and that represents and includes Marin County's many communities.

APPLY HERE

 

 

HAVE YOU HEARD?

 

WHAT I'M READING

The Story of Arthur Truluv: A tale of loss, living alone, and building community in unexpected ways. Along this journey, we uncover the powerful way that people can bring meaning and friendship into our lives.

In Marin County, many children in the foster care system are being placed in homes far from their schools and family connections because there are not enough local families to take care of them. With an average of 80 children in the child welfare system and just 35 resource families in Marin, the need for safe and healthy homes has never been greater.

Foster families, known as resource families, provide love, parental care, guidance, and stability to children until they can be returned to their parents or move to a permanent home through adoption or guardianship. Marin County Children and Family Services Division is urgently looking for local families to provide care for children ranging in age from newborns to 17 years old who have been separated from their families through no fault of their own. Because of the specific needs of young people across different age groups, the County is seeking a diverse array of people willing to open their homes, especially for older children and teenagers.

The first step to foster a child is to attend an online resource/foster parent orientation. Orientations are held monthly with a social worker and an experienced resource parent.

Marin County Resource Family Orientations

What: Join a social worker and a resource parent to discuss the application, training, support available, and to answer questions.

Who: All adults living in Marin County

When: Orientations are held monthly. The next two are on July 6 and August 9, from 7-8:30 p.m.

Where: Online, Register at www.FosterOurFutureMarin.org

Why? Incredible opportunity to give back to the community and truly change a child’s life.

While not everyone is able to foster a child, anyone can help Marin County children in foster care. Visit www.FosterOurFutureMarin.org to learn about volunteering, donations, and more ways to support the foster care community in Marin.

 

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The District 1 team is working to bring you information about local government and events happening throughout the community. Stay connected via our District 1 Instagram and Facebook pages. If you are interested in local government, want to talk about the issues, or touch base on some of the work you or your organization are doing, I encourage you to reach out.  

Please stay in touch,