September Update from Supervisor Sackett

SEPTEMBER 2023

RESTRICTIVE COVENANT PROJECT PRIORITY SITES PROGRAM ASK. LISTEN. CONNECT. CIVIC CENTER CAMPUS UPGRADES PERMIT OMBUDSPERSON MARIN GREEN HOME TOUR JOIN A BOARD OR COMMISSION HAVE YOU HEARD? WHAT I'M LISTENING TO

 

Dear Neighbors,

Fall is in the air, and the mornings are cool. Last weekend, I had a great time working in the dirt at the Stafford Lake Bike Park with my son and other families who ride the bike park. Next Saturday morning, September 23, please consider joining Coastal Clean Up Day. Check Clean Marin for a list of sites and to register. Site options include the Marin Civic Center Lagoon Park, McInnis Park, Hal Brown Park, and many others.

September is Transit Month, with fun events and challenges happening in the Bay Area. Take a look at this calendar for opportunities to explore the Bay Area in a traffic-free, green way by choosing public transit.

Construction of the McInnis Parkway segment of the SMART Multiuse Pathway began on September 1 and we anticipate it will be done by Fall 2024. Work will occur Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. As a part of construction, neighbors can expect dust and noise. Trains will be sounding the horn when approaching areas where construction workers are present per federal regulations. Please visit this webpage for updates. 

This 1-mile pathway is east of the railway from McInnis Parkway just north of the Marin County Civic Center to Smith Ranch Road near McInnis Park. The new pathway will create a 6-mile separated multiuse pathway between Larkspur and north San Rafael, connecting the Larkspur Station, downtown San Rafael, the Civic Center, and all the neighborhoods and parks along the way. Subscribe here to receive the SMART newsletter.

Stay connected between District 1 newsletters via our District 1 Instagram and Facebook pages.

 

RESTRICTIVE COVENANT PROJECT

 

On September 12, 2023, the Board of Supervisors accepted a California State Association of Counties Challenge Award for the County's work on the Restrictive Covenant Project. I want to thank Supervisor Rice and her office for leading this work. The Restrictive Covenant Project is a collaborative effort between the Community Development Agency, the County’s Office of Equity, and the Assessor-Recorder-Clerk's Office. 

In 1968 the Fair Housing Act banned housing discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status. Before the passage of the Fair Housing Act, many subdivisions throughout the nation, state, and County of Marin included discriminatory language. 

In 2021, AB 1466 was adopted into California law requiring county recorders to establish a restrictive covenant program to assist in the redaction of unlawfully restrictive covenants. The Marin County Recorder’s office surveyed 14,000 properties and discovered approximately 10,400 restrictive covenants. The Recorder’s Office maintains the original property documents unchanged and has re-recorded redacted versions.

Our goal is to inform and educate Marin County residents about the history and significance of discriminatory government policies and programs that resulted in segregated communities in Marin and vast economic inequity, including the disparity in the ability to build generational wealth through homeownership opportunities. To learn more, I encourage you to watch this Restrictive Covenant Project video.

 

PRIORITY SITES PROGRAM

 

The Priority Sites Pilot Program is intended to support planning and infrastructure on Housing Element sites nominated by local governments. Priority Sites, if they meet the criteria, become eligible for technical assistance for infrastructure, planning, and housing funding from the federal, state, and regional governments. County staff will hold office hours on Wednesday, September 20 from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

The Board of Supervisors will hear from County Staff on September 26 regarding nominating existing Housing Element sites as Priority Sites. Instructions for how to attend Board of Supervisors meetings and how to access upcoming agendas can be found here. 

Join the virtual office hours on Wednesday, September 20 from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. where you can learn more about the program:
• Visit: www.zoom.us/join
• Enter Meeting ID 850 2857 8686
• Password: 156590

More information is available on this website. If you have any questions or comments, contact staff by email at HousingElement@marincounty.org and please copy me at MSackett@marincounty.org. I want to hear from you.

 

ASK. LISTEN. CONNECT.

 

Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) is proud to unveil the "Ask. Listen. Connect." campaign, a powerful initiative launched during Suicide Prevention and Recovery month. The campaign's core objective is to encourage every individual to engage in candid, direct discussions about suicide, extend a listening ear to those in pain, and connect them to essential resources. For more details about the events listed below and the BHRS Suicide Prevention program, visit Prevention.MarinBHRS.org/Suicide-Prevention.

Marin residents facing mental health or substance use challenges can call the 24-hour, confidential Access Line at 1-888-818-1115. Marin BHRS provides outpatient, residential, crisis services, and hospital care addressing the specialty mental health and substance use service needs of Marin Medi-Cal beneficiaries and uninsured residents. 

September 20 - September 26 Events

September 20 from 9 a.m. - Noon: A Forum on Children’s Mental Health and Well-Being at Embassy Suites, San Rafael. Register/RSVP: Michelle@First5Marin.org September 20 from 6 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.: A Community Conversation on 988 (Virtual) September 21 from 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.: Growing Older in Marin: The Connection Between Ageism and Well-Being (Virtual) September 26 from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.: Resilient Even Now: Finding Hope and Liberation After Exploitation at Dominican University, San Rafael.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline by dialing 988, go to 988LifeLine.org, or text “MARIN” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. 

 

CIVIC CENTER CAMPUS UPGRADES

 

The Civic Center Campus is looking good! The pathway around the lagoon has a new seal. Construction for the Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (VMA) parking lot will start this month and is expected to be completed by May 2024. Access to the parking lot will be closed during construction. In tandem, the VMA is undergoing a seismic retrofit that will improve the resiliency of the 52-year-old facility. And there is more to come to spruce up our beloved Civic Center Campus. 

 

PERMIT OMBUDSPERSON

 

The County now has a permit ombudsperson, a major customer service improvement. The permit ombudsperson is dedicated to assist with building permits from the Community Development Agency. The ombudsperson will improve internal processes, address concerns, ensure compliance with regulations, and provide guidance to those seeking permits.

 

MARIN GREEN HOME TOUR

 

The annual virtual Marin County Green Home Tour is on Thursday, October 26, at 6 p.m. The tour is an opportunity to see what neighbors are doing to alleviate stress on the planet while cutting utility costs.

Registration is open, the tour will showcase six local homes that include aspects of clean energy, water conservation, and added climate resiliency. The tour will feature major remodels, gradual retrofits, and low-cost “do-it-yourself” solutions for both homeowners and landlords/renters. Experts will participate on the tour to share resources, rebates, and incentives to support home improvements.

 

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 more engaged, serving on a board or commission is an excellent opportunity to contribute to County policy.

All current openings can be found here. 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.

 

HAVE YOU HEARD?

 

WHAT I'M LISTENING TO

Dan Buettner: Blue Zones Secrets, Actionable Lessons, and Transforming Communities By Changing Local Environments and Social Networks I am listening to an interview by San Rafael residents Dr. Kelly Starrett and Juliet Starett with National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner. They are talking about "superagers" living in "Blue Zones." Blue Zone Projects are described as well-being initiatives that focus on changes to the local environment, public policy and social networks to improve community health and well being. Buettner's book, The Blue Zones: Secrets for Living Longer, is on my reading list. The podcast states that simple nutrition, natural movement, downtime, and strong social circles play into the increased lifespan for people in "Blue Zones," without a conscious pursuit of health and longevity. I'm intrigued!

"Meals on Wheels", a home-delivered meal program, is looking for volunteers. This program provides food to vulnerable, homebound older adults in our community.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Client Assessment Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to conduct regular assessments of program clients. This crucial role helps ensure that eligible older adults can continue to receive support. Commit to a minimum one-year term and contribute at least four hours a week. Training and background checks will be provided.

• Office Aide Volunteers: Help assemble welcome packets and provide office assistance. Your support will streamline program operations. Hours are flexible and will be determined by mutual agreement. Orientation will be provided.

Join a virtual informational presentation to learn more:
• Register for Monday, September 18, 9–10 a.m.
• Register for Tuesday, September 19, 1-2 p.m.

For more information or to get involved, contact the program office at 415-473-3766.

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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 let me know your thoughts on the Priority Sites Program before September 26th, I want to hear from you. 

Please stay in touch,