January Update from Supervisor Sackett

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JANUARY 2025

LET'S STOP BEING SURPRISED, LET'S BE PREPARED COMMISSION OPENINGS SMART PATHWAY OPEN IN NORTH SAN RAFAEL REUSABLE FOODWARE AT THURSDAY FARMERS MARKET EYES UP, MARIN HAVE YOU HEARD? WHAT I'M READING RESOURCES

 

Dear Neighbors,

I want to express my gratitude for the trust you place in me to serve as your representative on the Marin County Board of Supervisors. For 2025, I will serve as Board President. This role brings added responsibility, and I am eager to embrace its challenges and opportunities.

During my term as president of the Board of Supervisors, I am focused on the County delivering services efficiently and effectively. The year ahead is uncertain, with unknown changes in federal policy and a constrained state budget along with unprecedented climate disasters. We must be strategic, not reactive, as we respond to rapid, monumental changes that can be intertwined with misinformation and fear. While we work to advance our Board’s highest priorities, we will continue a fiscally prudent approach toward the County budget that we steward. We have a collaborative Board of Supervisors that is grounded in finding solutions for the good of our constituents, the County overall, and the health of our planet. 

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2025 Board and Subcommittee Assignments

My Subcommittees:

• AB 1185 (an ordinance creating civilian oversight of the Sheriff's Office)
• Budget
• Climate Action
• Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health
• Farmers Market
• Homelessness and Supportive Housing
• Juvenile Justice
• Legislative Advocacy

My 2025 assignments representing Marin on local, regional and statewide boards are:

LOCAL	REGIONAL	STATEWIDE
Marin Transit	SMART	California State Association of Counties; Vice Chair of Administration of Justice Committee
Transportation Authority of Marin	Marin Clean Energy (MCE)
MarinCAN	North Bay Watershed Association
	Great Redwood Trail Agency - Chair

 

LET'S STOP BEING SURPRISED, LET'S BE PREPARED

 

Mark Brown, Executive Officer of the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority, shares an urgent reminder:

Wildfires Are Not a Surprise: 2003, 2007, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021—these fires are not anomalies. California no longer has a “fire season.” Wildfire risk exists year-round, even in January.

🔥 Defensible Space and Home Hardening Save Lives

Some argue these measures wouldn’t help in extreme conditions, but the evidence says otherwise. The Getty Villa is a prime example—defensible space made a critical difference.

It’s not just about protecting homes; it keeps evacuation routes clear and saves lives. Urban areas aren’t immune—Coffey Park, Lahaina, and LA prove that fire can devastate densely populated communities. A small investment in mitigation today can prevent catastrophic loss tomorrow.

💡 Community-Wide Action Matters

Fire resilience isn’t just an individual effort—it requires large-scale solutions like shaded fuel breaks to slow wildfires before they reach homes. The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority is leading in this work thanks to voters' passage of Measure C.

🚨 Evacuation Lessons We Must Learn

If you have mobility challenges or live in a high-risk area, leave early.
Act on warnings—don’t wait for an evacuation order.
Stay in your car—evacuation routes are often survivable. Abandoned vehicles can block roads and put others in danger.

🎥 Watch:

It will happen here again: Reflecting on the LA fires and what it means for Bay Area fire prevention hosted by the Bill Lane Center for the American West at Stanford.

As we analyze the recent fires in LA, Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority and FIRESafe Marin will continue to strengthen their work. Let’s stop being surprised and start being prepared.

 

COMMISSION OPENINGS

 

Sheriff's Office Civilian Oversight Commission - New

In 2024, the Board passed an ordinance that will create civilian oversight of the Sheriff’s Office. The Civilian Oversight Commission was established through collaboration with County staff, the Sheriff’s Office, and a community working group, aims to foster transparency and accountability. Community members 18 and older are encouraged to apply. Applications are due by February 16, 2025.

APPLY HERE

 

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CSA #18 (Santa Venetia)

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 want to learn more about CSA 18, please get in touch with Kat Knecht at Kat.Knecht@MarinCounty.gov or (415) 473-3639.

APPLY HERE

 

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SMART Citizens Oversight Committee

Marin residents are invited to apply for appointment to the nine-member Citizens Oversight Committee established by the SMART Board of Directors. Applications are due by February 3, 2025, and may be submitted by email to Leticia Rosas at COC@sonomamarintrain.org.

APPLY HERE

 

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All are encouraged to check out the full list of openings on County Boards and Commissions. Community engagement makes Marin County an incredible place to call home.

REUSABLE FOODWARE AT THURSDAY FARMERS MARKET

 

Farmers Market shoppers have an opportunity to reduce waste at the Thursday Farmers Market! Zero Waste Marin, the Agricultural Institute of Marin, and Sparkl Reusables are funding a pilot to bring reusable foodware through March. This pilot aligns with the Marin County Reusable Foodware Ordinance to reduce single-use foodware waste. The program will reduce waste by replacing single-use items, such as paper coffee cups, with reusable alternatives.

For the first month, the reusable foodware is offered at no cost. This initial phase will provide guidance toward the transition to a potential deposit-based system. 

Participating food and beverage businesses in the pilot include:
• Kinoko Japanese
• La Esperanza Pupuseria
• Myriad Coffee Roasters
• Mr. Dim Sum
• Porchetta Toscana/Pibil
• Rozmary Kitchen
• Wanna’s Kitchen
• Zolo Coffee

To learn more, stop by the Sparkl booth at the market or check the Zero Waste Marin website.

 

EYES UP, MARIN

 

 

At this time of year when the sun is low in the sky in the mornings and it gets dark early, it’s especially important to watch out for people walking and rolling. Watch for pedestrians everywhere, at all times. Slow down and use caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions. Be prepared to stop when turning, entering a crosswalk, driveway or intersection.

Children can be unpredictable. Go slowly and be on the lookout along school routes and intersections near schools. Let’s protect our most vulnerable road users. Remember: Eyes Up! The Eyes Up, Marin campaign is part of the Street Smarts Program and Safe Routes to Schools, locally funded programs of the Transportation Authority of Marin.

Youth e-bike safety is an ongoing public health concern and area of focus. You can stay up to date on the work by checking the Special Committee on Youth E-bike Safety webpage.