August Update from Supervisor Sackett

AUGUST 2023

BACK TO SCHOOL WILDFIRE PREVENTION INVESTMENTS IN HOUSING AND HEALTH SUPPORTS OVERDOSE PREVENTION LAWYERS IN THE LIBRARY JOIN A BOARD OR COMMISSION HAVE YOU HEARD? WHAT I'M READING

 

Dear Neighbors,

The District 1 team had a great time celebrating four National Night Out events earlier this month. We were with the Contempo Marin Homeowner's Association, the Terra Linda Neighborhood Association, a Lincoln Avenue gathering, and the Santa Venetia Neighborhood Association. Thank you to all of the neighbors and neighborhood organizations who created fun spaces for us to gather (and eat!) together.

I wish you all a smooth summer to fall transition. Back to school time often brings a combination of excitement and nervousness to students and caregivers. Please remember to exercise extra caution by driving slow and watching for students navigating to and from school, and thank a teacher.

If you have questions about local government or want to talk about the issues, please reach out. Stay connected via our District 1 Instagram and Facebook pages. 

 

WILDFIRE PREVENTION

 

This time of year we are grateful for a wet spring, and are hoping for a safe fall. FireSafe Marin and the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority held a 'Wildfire Watch Special' about what happened in Maui and what we are doing in Marin to lower our risks and keep people safe, you can watch the recording here. 

Take steps to prepare yourself and your family for an emergency:

1. Ensure you are signed up for AlertMarin.
2. Check that you are signed up for Nixle.
3. Review or complete your Evacuation Checklist.
4. Visit Emergency.MarinCounty.org.

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The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority is hard at work planning and implementing projects to reduce wildfire risks thanks to voters' approval of Measure C. Learn about the San Rafael - San Anselmo Fuel Reduction Zone Project on a site walk on Tuesday, August 29 from 10am-noon. The end of Ridgewood Drive in San Rafael is the meeting point. Learn more about the August 29 field trip and the project here, and email any questions to srsafrz@panoramaenv.com. 

The San Rafael - San Anselmo Fuel Reduction Zone Project is a joint project of the San Rafael and Central Marin member agencies and includes collaboration among several partners, including San Rafael Fire, Ross Valley Fire, Town of San Anselmo, Marin County Parks, the Tamalpais Cemetery, and others. The proposed project includes environmental compliance, planning, outreach, and the first phase of implementation of a fuel reduction zone between San Rafael and multiple Central Marin communities. Project activities of this multi-year project would be phased and would include thinning of non-native invasive eucalyptus trees and restoration with native species with the purpose of reducing wildfire risk.

Concerned about forest health? One Tam has responded to the urgent need to protect forests and reduce wildfire risk by developing strategies to help forests maintain their natural resilience. The Marin Regional Forest Health Strategy is a strategic plan that provides a thoughtful, science-based, collaborative pathway for caring for forests in the face of threats. 

 

INVESTMENTS IN HOUSING AND HEALTH SUPPORTS

 

Last year, the Board of Supervisors approved an agreement to create a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) to support the Oak Hill Apartments, 250 rental apartments for lower-income workforce housing. The development will provide new homes for public school employees and County employees on an unused parcel of state land near Larkspur Landing in Larkspur. On August 22, the Board of Supervisors voted to allocate $1,000,000 from the Marin County Affordable Housing Trust Fund to the Oak Hill Apartments, around $2,000,000 was previously allocated toward the project in two prior actions. The Marin County Affordable Housing Trust Fund was created to increase the stock of permanently affordable homes in the County, and during the June budget hearings the Board approved a $5 million annual General Fund contribution to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the next five years.

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The County continues to implement a Housing First strategy and Coordinated Entry to serve people experiencing homelessness. On August 22, the Board heard an informational update from staff on services to date and future plans to address the Binford Road encampment. Staff from County Health and Human Services, the Marin Sheriff's Office, the Department of Public Works and the Community Development Agency have been working to expand services and supports through a collaborative effort to connect residents over time to permanent supportive housing, coupled with enhanced enforcement of regulations to reduce the environmental impacts of the encampment. The County recently secured $1.6 million in state grant funding over three years to resolve the Binford Road encampment through enhanced outreach, housing-based case management, and other direct support to homeless individuals. 

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In line with the County's goal is to close an important gap in our mental health and substance use continuum of care, a new local treatment facility is coming soon to San Rafael. A $7.9 million grant from the State of California for this facility was secured by Marin County's Behavioral Health and Recovery Services division of Health and Human Services. The work includes converting a 60-year-old building, formerly used as a fire station, into a 15-bed residential treatment facility. The program will offer short-term housing for 30 to 90 days, provide individual and group counseling, and help clients find jobs and permanent housing. The program will provide a local treatment option for residents and offer a more seamless transition as clients look to find housing, apply for jobs, and receive support from friends and family.

The County of Marin invites you to attend an open house on August 29 from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. at 30 Joseph Ct. in San Rafael for an opportunity to hear more about the project and ask questions. Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2024, and the program is expected to open its doors in 2025. Buckelew Programs, a not-for-profit organization with 50 years of experience operating treatment programs in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties, will operate the facility. If you would like to learn more, we invite to read this Marin IJ article. To stay posted about the project, subscribe to receive project updates.

 

OVERDOSE PREVENTION

 

OD Free Marin is working to reduce fatal and non-fatal overdoses in Marin County. The primary strategies of OD Free Marin are: 1) education and awareness; 2) increasing the availability of Narcan (the drug that can reverse an opioid overdose) and; 3) removing barriers to treatment for substance use disorders. The program coordinates with  schools, healthcare, community organizations, impacted families, and government, using proven strategies to limit overdose risk.

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day. On August 31, ACE Hardware on Merrydale Road in San Rafael will have Narcan available between noon to 1pm, or view this webpage for locations you can pick up Narcan when it is convenient for you. 

LAWYERS IN THE LIBRARY

 

The Marin County Law Library, in partnership with the Marin County Bar Association, offers Lawyers in the Library. The program provides self-represented litigants a free 20-minute one-on-one Zoom meeting with a volunteer attorney from the Marin County Bar Association to receive legal guidance, resources and referrals.

Lawyers in the Library Fall 2023 Dates: 

• September 28, 2023
• October 26, 2023
• November 30, 2023

Volunteer lawyers are familiar with Family Law, Landlord-Tenant Law, General Civil Law, Employment Law, Estate Planning/Probate, Personal Injury Law, and Civil Appeals (does not include small claims or limited civil cases). The service is free of charge. Participants must register in advance and either live in Marin County or have a case pending in the Marin County Courts.

 

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. All current openings can be found here, including newly posted openings on the Behavioral Health Board. 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. 

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

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

That Bird Has My Wings by Jarvis Jay Masters:  A poignant first person account of the juvenile justice system, foster care, and the resiliency of youth.

Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties, along with Leave No Trace have launched a collaborative to help visitors contribute to a Cleaner California Coast. This coordinated effort provides information about pollution prevention practices: 

• Bring Reusables (and refuse single-use plastics)
• Find a Restroom (Know Before You Go)
• Pack It Out
• Hang On To Your Cigarette Butts (and E-Cigarette Pods and Cartridges)

California Coastal Cleanup Day, September 23, is around the corner! Join Marin County Parks and community partners for a cleanup near you: learn more and register here. 

Please stay in touch,