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Southern Marin Scoop - September 2025 |
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Dear Southern Marin Friends and Neighbors,
September is Preparedness Month, and here in Southern Marin we know the importance of being ready for whatever comes our way. This month’s Southern Marin Scoop is filled with resources and stories to help us strengthen our resilience—from fire safety and earthquake retrofits to signing up for emergency alerts. I encourage you to take a few minutes to review the preparedness features and share them with friends and neighbors. Together, we can keep our community safe and connected.
In this edition, you’ll also find highlights from my recent visits with community groups—from inspiring conversations with youth leaders to celebrating civic engagement with seniors—and updates on important County initiatives, events, and opportunities to get involved. Whether it’s advancing local housing solutions, supporting small businesses, or investing in safe streets, our work continues to reflect the priorities and values of Southern Marin residents.
I hope you enjoy this month’s stories and find them both informative and useful. As always, I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve you and welcome your feedback and ideas.
All my best,
Stephanie
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 In This Edition
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Marin County Board of Supervisors Adopts National Preparedness Month Proclamation
 At its Sept. 30 meeting, the Marin County Board of Supervisors approved a proclamation declaring September 2025 as National Preparedness Month. The Board also received a presentation from Office of Emergency Management Director Steven Torrence, highlighting the County’s commitment to community readiness and resilience.
County Urges Community to Prepare for Disasters
 Staff from the County of Marin Office of Emergency Management and Marin County Fire joined the Marin City Neighborhood Response Group led by Marin City's Felecia Gaston for a preparedness class.
A full slate of educational events have been offered this September, as part of National Preparedness Month, to help prepare the community for natural disasters and strengthen resilience before, during and after major emergencies.
Countywide efforts led by the Office of Emergency Management's Ready Marin program, have focused on meeting the community where they are. This ensures everyone living and working in Marin, especially the most at-risk communities, can access resources and participate in emergency preparedness trainings. Designed for busy schedules, these short sessions cover the essentials: creating a family plan, building a go-bag, and staying informed during emergencies. Classes also include hands-only CPR training and instruction on fire extinguisher use.
Can’t make it to an in-person event? You can start preparing today from home. Don't wait for a disaster to strike; make plans to protect yourself and your loved ones. Here are some easy steps to get started:
- Sign up to receive emergency alerts at Emergency.MarinCounty.gov.
- Make a plan with friends and family about communication before, during and after a disaster.
- Gather emergency kits (go-bags and stay boxes) with enough supplies to last several days for everyone in the household.
READ MORE
 Southern Marin Firewise Communities
Do you live in a Firewise Community? The Firewise USA Program encourages local solutions for safety by involving homeowners in taking individual responsibility for preparing their homes from the risk of wildfire. The program provides resources to help homeowners learn how to adapt to living with wildfire while encouraging and empowering neighbors to work together to take action now to reduce their wildfire risk and prevent losses. Find out more about the benefits of the program. Access this map to find out.
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Below are the Southern Marin Firewise Communities:
Alta Molino
Blithedale Highlands HOA
De Silva Island HOA
Edgewood Cypress
Flying Y Ranch
Homestead Valley
Kent/Palm Neighborhood
Lower Edgewood
Marina Vista
Marinview Community Association
Marsh Drive Homeowner's Association
Mill Valley Meadows HOA
Scott Highland Neighborhood
Scott Valley HOA
Shelter Ridge HOA
Tam Valley
Terraces
Find more detailed information for each Marin Firewise Site here.
Earthquake Brace and Bolt
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The California Residential Mitigation Program is offering $3,000 Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) retrofit grants to help qualifying California homeowners complete a seismic retrofit to secure your home to its foundation. READ MORE |
 Be prepared, stay informed. Sign up for Alert Marin today and get emergency alerts straight to your phone. Visit Emergency.MarinCounty.gov or AlertMarin.org to sign up.
Ember Stomp Kicks Off Preparedness Month
 Supervisors Stephanie Moulton-Peters and Mary Sackett at Ember Stomp 2025, supporting community wildfire preparedness and resilience. The Ember Stomp event kicked off September as National Preparedness Month in Marin with record attendance.
Marin City Emergency Preparedness
 Marin County Fire Chief Jason Weber, Office of Emergency Management Director Steven Torrence, Deputy Fire Chief Chris Martinelli, Marin Emergency Command Center Director Mike Marcucci, Marin County Sherrif's Office Lieutenant Sean McKrell, Marin City Neighborhood Response Group's Greer Westerink and Felecia Gaston, and Supervisor Moulton-Peters' District 3 Aide Doreen Gounard discuss Marin City Disaster Preparedness at the Marin County Office of Emergency Management.
90-Minute Disaster Preparedness Class at Tam Valley Community Center for National Preparedness Month
 As part of National Preparedness Month, free, hands-on 90-minute workshops have been offered to help residents build confidence and practical skills for responding to emergencies. These classes were designed to empower individuals, families, and neighborhoods across Marin County to take charge of their safety and preparedness before disaster strikes. Thank you to the Office of Emergency Management's Elaine Wilkinson and Southern Marin Fire District's Leah Curtis and Battalion Chief Jon Butler for preparing our Southern Marin residents.
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Board of Supervisors Adopts Resolution Proclaiming
September 15 to October 15 as Latin American Heritage Month
 At the start of its September 30 meeting, the Marin County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution proclaiming September 15 to October 15 as Latin American Heritage Month. The resolution was presented in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and was accompanied by performances by Torogoz Con Voz Music Academy. County staff and community Latino leaders joined the event, highlighting the unity, diversity, and vitality of Marin’s Latin American community. The Board of Supervisors also adopted a resolution proclaiming September as Brazilian National Heritage Month.
Seniors for Peace at The Redwoods Mill Valley
 Supervisor Moulton-Peters spoke with Seniors for Peace at The Redwoods in Mill Valley on Sept. 15, addressing questions on key issues at the local, state, and national levels.
Slow and Say Hello
 On Saturday, I spent the morning at the Slow and Say Hello event on the Mill Valley-Sausalito Multi-Use Path (MUP) with Marin County Parks and Open Space and (from left) Marin County Bicycle Coalition's Krista Hoff, Marin Conservation League's Nona Dennis and Larry Minikes, Marin Horse Council's Amory Willis, and Chief Park Ranger Kevin O'Donoghue (not pictured).
We’re all here to enjoy the beauty, adventure and wilderness of Marin’s public lands. Whether you’re on foot, hooves or wheels, slow and say “hello” when you pass fellow travelers. We all deserve safe trails. Be a partner. Spread the word! Here is more information about the Slow and Say Hello initiative, a partnership among organizations for bikes and horses including the Horse Hill Open Space Preserve.
Afterwards I spent time looking at the MUP roundabout, the beautiful kiosk in the middle of the roundabout with the great wayfinding and environmental information, as well as the improvements and additions in signage and pavement markings that have been made over time since the roundabout went in. It's really great to see this and how well that area functions now with all that has been done.
Tam Valley Safe Routes to School and Creekside Friday
 Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters joined the community at Creekside Friday at the Cabin in Tam Valley and also participated in September’s Walk and Roll to School Day at Tam Valley Elementary School, celebrating connection, sustainability, and community spirit.
Mobile Check In with County of Marin Probation Department
 Supervisor Moulton-Peters at the Southern Marin Mobile Check In with the County of Marin Probation Department.
Sausalito Ferry Landside Improvement Ribbon Cutting
 Supervisor Moulton-Peters' District 3 Aide Doreen Gounard at the Sausalito Ferry Landside Improvement Ribbon Cutting, Sept. 5.
Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center Conservancy
 Supervisor Moulton-Peters also serves on the Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center Conservancy which advises the Board of Supervisors regarding the maintenance of the Civic Center complex. The Conservancy also works to preserve and enhance the architectural integrity and beauty of Civic Center.
Youth Commission Swearing In
Youth Commission Swearing-In Ceremony with Supervisor Mary Sackett
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Workshop for Food Related Businesses, Oct. 10
 Environmental Health Services Community Workshop
Friday, October 10
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael
The Environmental Health Services (EHS) division of the Marin County Community Development Agency (CDA) wants to help food-related businesses thrive.
EHS regulates all retail food sales in Marin, and we want to hear from businesses and consumers, so we can review our food permitting process to make it easier for businesses to keep customers safe and healthy.
This is your opportunity to help shape the process to ensure that the changes we make positively impact businesses and consumers. READ MORE
County of Marin Department of Public Works Fair, October 4
 County of Marin Public Works Fair
Saturday, Oct. 4
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Marin County Civic Center Fairgrounds
Kids love hands-on learning experiences, and on October 4, 2025, the Marin County Department of Public Works (DPW) will host a family-friendly Public Works Fair at the Marin County Fairgrounds. Families can climb aboard big trucks and explore heavy equipment up close.
This FREE event celebrates the 65th annual National Public Works Week. Presentations will highlight civil engineering projects and how they shape our community, while demonstrations will feature DPW equipment and the work crews do every day.
READ MORE
Marin County Free Library 10-Branch Refresh 2025-2026
 The refresh project for all ten branches of the Marin County Free Library will revamp our interior spaces for library patrons and staff, with improvements ranging from new furniture, paint, and accessible technology. This project is a direct outcome of the voter-approved 2022 Measure B funding for library services, operations, and facility improvements.
READ MORE
Marin City Library closed for refresh early January 2026 through mid-February 2026
Upgrades:
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Updated Service Desk: A sleek new desk to provide a professional, efficient workspace for staff, while offering a warm welcome to patrons.
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Reorganized Shelving: New shelving throughout the library to create more inviting, accessible browsing spaces.
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Modern Furniture: New tables, chairs, and workstations to provide comfortable, stylish spots for studying, reading, and relaxing, for all age groups.
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Fresh Paint: A new coat of paint to create a more vibrant, welcoming space.
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Expanded Teen Area: A space for teens to call their own, with access to technology and comfortable seating.
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Gallery Wall: A new gallery wall in the teen and adult areas to showcase local artwork and inspire creativity.
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New Carpet: Fresh new carpet to enhance the look and feel.
View Marin City Design Plan
Senator Secures $7.5M in State Funds for Oak Hill Workforce Housing Project
Championed by state Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, the final state budget bill included $7.5 million to support the Oak Hill Workforce Housing Project, a 135-unit, 100% affordable planned development on a former state parcel between near the Larkspur Ferry Terminal and Marin Country Mart shopping area. The planned development includes affordable housing for educators, school support staff, public employees and families with incomes 50% to 120% of Area Median Income. Eden Housing is also partnering to develop an additional 115 units for extremely low- and low-income households on the property. In total, 250 new affordable units would be built.
McGuire made the announcement via a news release[External] September 17, shortly after Governor Gavin Newsom signed the budget follow-up “trailer bill” that included support for the Oak Hill project. READ MORE
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County of Marin Joins National Lawsuit to Protect Federal Grants from Unlawful Conditions
The County of Marin has joined a coalition of cities and counties from across the nation in a lawsuit against the Federal Administration to prevent the enforcement of unlawful conditions on critical federal grants.
The lawsuit challenges recent Executive Orders that attempt to attach sweeping new policy requirements to grants administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The grants finance affordable housing, social services, public safety, reliable transit, and essential airport and highway infrastructure — programs that sustain local economies and directly improve quality of life for residents. READ MORE
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County Advances Plans for Permanent Farmers Market
The nonprofit Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM), known best by the Marin County community as the host of many farmers markets and promoters of sustainable food choices, is progressing with its long-held plan to construct a new headquarters and permanent market[External] on leased property at the Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael. READ MORE
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Thank you for considering a role on one of Marin County’s boards and commissions! Your time, talents, and commitment to public service are invaluable to our community. By volunteering, you contribute to a more inclusive, responsive, and effective county government.
Serving on a board or commission offers a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful civic work, make a difference, and gain insight into the complexities of local government. Your input and perspective are key to fostering a healthy democracy and ensuring that Marin County remains vibrant, equitable, and forward-thinking. We hope you’ll consider joining us in this rewarding endeavor! Together, we can build a stronger community.
In District 3, we are currently seeking applicants for the Commission on Aging, CSA #29 Paradise Cay, Library Commission, the Strawberry Design Review Board, Marin Women's Commission, among others.
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Library Commission Opening in District 3
Library Commission: Apply by 10/31/2025 05:00 PM
The Commission serves as an advisory body to the Board, Library Director, and community, promotes public support for library services, and may act as the Oversight Committee for temporary tax measures.
MORE INFO APPLY HERE
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Let’s Make our Streets Safer for Everyone!
From now through the November 15, you will see bright and colorful banners and lawn signs popping up all over Marin asking people to keep their “Eyes Up” and be alert. These signs will be asking drivers to slow down, watch when turning and look for pedestrians in the crosswalk; bicyclists to yield to pedestrians and to follow the rules of the road; And those walking to pay attention when crossing the street.
These messages will also show up in your social media feeds, and you can find them at www.streetsmartsmarin.org. Please share with your friends, family and co-workers!
To get a free lawn sign for your yard, contact your local municipality. There is a tab on the www.streetsmartsmarin.org website that has this information.
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.
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