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It’s hard to believe we are already wrapping up the first month of 2025.
As we look towards the year ahead, I will continue to focus on people, places, and our planet.
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People: We need to continue to focus on the people we serve, as well as ensure that we have a strong and supported county workforce, so they have the tools they need to provide a high level of service to the community.
Places: We need to ensure that Marin is a great place to live, work, retire, and recreate - not just for a select few, but for all those who call Marin home.
Planet: We need to be good stewards of the planet and ensure the policy decisions we make will benefit our environment now and for generations to come.
This month also brings a change in administration at the federal level. For those in our community who are concerned, worried, and/or have been singled out by rhetoric, I can assure you that despite the change, the values we hold here as a community and as a county have not changed. The support we will continue to show all Marin residents didn't change on election day, it won't change on inauguration day, or in the years ahead.
I also want to take this opportunity to welcome our newest Marin County Supervisor, Brian Colbert, to our Board. Brian brings with him a proven and effective track record of community engagement and collaboration, as well as a wealth of experience as a leader and elected official. It is a special moment in Marin County’s history, as Supervisor Colbert is the first African American elected to the Board of Supervisors since its inception in 1852.
Your input and collaboration are invaluable, and I encourage you to stay in touch and share your thoughts on issues that are important to you. I look forward to another year of working together!
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Looking back, I am proud of what we accomplished together this past year. Let’s recap just a few of the highlights in a top ten countdown.
10: Secured state funding to upgrade networking equipment at all TEN Marin County Free Library branches to improve reliability and speed of internet services and enhance local digital literacy initiatives.
9: The final NINE miles of HOV lanes in the Marin Sonoma Narrows are underway and nearing completion, with a much-anticipated Summer 2025 opening!
8: Twenty-EIGHT individuals residing in the Binford Road homeless encampment moved into housing.
7: With free fares for youth and seniors, they now save SEVEN dollars and fifty cents on a 47-mile round trip ride on the SMART Train from Larkspur to the Sonoma County Airport. Of course, youth and seniors can also ride shorter distances for FREE too.
6: Building on the exciting partnership with the Marin Foster Care Association in 2023 to purchase an apartment complex in Novato for youth aging out of the foster care system, 2024 saw the placement of SIX aging out foster youth into the newly acquired housing.
5: Marin County Public Works developed a FIVE-year pavement resurfacing plan and created an online interactive map to help provide the community with easy access to an overview of the plan.
4: With FOUR amazing events in its inaugural year, we launched Spring into Community - a fun opportunity to highlight the great work our county teams are doing and ways we can participate!
3: Launched Redwood Bikeshare, which will ultimately include a fleet of THREE hundred e-bikes across approximately 60 hubs in Marin and Sonoma counties providing an innovative and environmentally friendly way to connect with transit and get around car free.
2: This year we celebrated TWO Novato centenarians. Call to Action: If you know someone who is turning 100 in 2025, we want to hear from you! Please let me and my team know so we can recognize them this year!
1: The planning for ONE all-inclusive Magical Bridge Playground in Marin County is underway!
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In August of 2023 the county began a coordinated and focused effort to manage the Binford Homeless Encampment. Over the past 18 months we have seen great progress on Binford Road, and I wanted to share a few updates with you.
- Since August 2023, 134 individuals have resided on Binford Road and the current population is 59 - with a policy in place preventing new arrivals.
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39 individuals have been housed since August 2023.
- 28 individuals were housed in 2024, and an additional 17 are on an identified housing pathway.
- 14 vehicles were removed through our pilot vehicle buy-back program.
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Weekly clean-up efforts continue to remove property in the right-of-way that present a risk to the environment and the public.
- Weekly outreach, housing-based case management, and other direct support services continue to connect individuals to services.
With additional state grant funding the county received for this encampment, two additional housing-based case managers will be hired to ensure that almost all residents on Binford Road are connected with case management services, which will in-turn expedite efforts to identify appropriate housing options.
I am encouraged by the work that has been accomplished on Binford Road. We have reduced the population by over half and have assisted many individuals with housing, reunited some with family, others moved on their own after receiving support and getting connected with resources available to them, and some left on their own.
I recognize there is still work to be done. With the support of state grant funding and our continued collaborative efforts, I know we will continue to work towards a shared goal of supporting the unhoused on Binford Road and resolving the encampment.
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A big welcome to our new Marin County Parks Director Chris Chamberlain!
Chris has been an instrumental part of our county family for many years. He served as Marin County Parks’ Assistant Director since 2016 and stepped in to serve as Interim Parks Director after the departure of former Director Max Korten.
Chris has 27 years of progressive experience in Bay Area parks and public lands management, and proven strategic and leadership expertise. Combine that with his vast knowledge of our Marin County Parks and Open Space Preserves, the Marin County community, and passion for his work makes him an invaluable leader of the Parks Department.
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Every January the Novato Chamber of Commerce presents awards at their annual Honors Dinner recognizing a Large Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, and Micro Business of the Year. It was a great event, and I'd like to extend a big congratulations to this years’ winners!
Congratulations are also in order for the Chamber’s new CEO, Christina Mendes. Christina has been with the Chamber for almost 10 years and will continue in her new role working to support local businesses and champion economic development in Novato.
Large Business of the Year: Marin Humane
Marin Humane has called Novato home for over five decades and is dedicated to serving families and their animal companions with compassion and excellence. Last year they distributed over $68,000 worth of pet food and supplies, supported 334 Novato households through the Pet Safety Net Program, facilitated the adoption of 568 animals, and responded to 1,620 calls for assistance! Marin Humane provides the community with educational and enrichment programs, partners with local libraries, schools, hospitals, and nonprofits, and was recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work” by the North Bay Business Journal.
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Small Business of the Year: TOPO Chiropractic
TOPO Chiropractic is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of Novato residents by offering affordable, high-quality chiropractic care and creating a peaceful, welcoming space for patients on Grant Avenue. TOPO Chiropractic is involved in the community through contributions to local Rotary Clubs, the Novato Chamber of Commerce, nonprofits, as well as hosting community wellness classes.
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Micro Business of the Year: Myriam Martinez Coaching and Consulting
Myriam Martinez Coaching and Consulting empowers women to embrace their true selves and achieve personal and professional growth through innovative coaching, workshops, and events. Myriam has positively impacted Marin County women to build confidence, reduce stress, and prioritize mental wellbeing!
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The City of Novato launched a fun initiative to beautify a select number of utility boxes in the downtown area with original artwork. This project is being led by Team Big Rock Ridge from the Novato Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Novato Class of 2025 as their community service project, with support from the Downtown Novato Business Association.
The goal of the program is for artists to reflect different elements of Novato (think nature, local events, and our history!) and turn these into visuals that tell Novato's story.
For more information and how to apply, visit the City of Novato website. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2025, at 5:00pm.
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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! Please use the contact information below to reach out to the District 5 Team. A reply to this email doesn’t come directly to my office, and I’d like to respond to you in a timely manner.
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