September Update from Supervisor Sackett

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SEPTEMBER 2025

TEMPORARY CLOSURES ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SUICIDE PREVENTION EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COASTAL CLEANUP DAY VACCINE ADVISORY AIM PERMANENT FARMERS MARKET IN COMMUNITY HAVE YOU HEARD? WHAT I'M READING RESOURCES

 

Dear Neighbors,

September has been incredibly busy. The Canal Park project received Measure A funds. The SMART Board approved the design contract for extension to Healdsburg, and reported record-high ridership and passenger miles in July. The Great Redwood Trail Agency (GRTA) Board adopted significant contracts to support cultural monitoring, fishery restoration, and toxic cleanup. GRTA has removed 209 tons of waste materials through a CalRecycle grant. The Board established new policies for tribal commitments and environmental restoration. These are just a glimpse of the highlights this week, we have real momentum in Marin. 

The biggest moment of the week was learning Senator McGuire secured $7.5M in state funding to advance the Oak Hill Workforce Housing project. The Oak Hill Workforce Housing project reflects the power of true partnership between our schools, local government, and the State of California. While projects of this scale are always complex, it is through collaboration and shared commitment to make this transformative vision a reality. The Oak Hill Workforce Housing project is a 135-unit, 100% affordable planned development on a former state parcel near the Larkspur Ferry Terminal and Marin Country Mart shopping area. The planned development includes affordable housing for educators, school support staff, and public employees. We are deeply grateful to Senator McGuire for his steadfast leadership on the Oak Hill Workforce Housing project. 

 

TEMPORARY CLOSURES

 

Temporary Closure of Southbound US-101 On-ramp from Eastbound Manuel T. Freitas Parkway 

Caltrans is scheduled to close the Southbound US-101 on-ramp from Eastbound Manuel T. Freitas Parkway for a 55-hour closure to tear up the existing roadway, reconstruct the roadway, and then re-pave. The closure is scheduled from Friday, September 19, from 10 PM until Monday, September 22, at 4 AM

Detour from westbound Manuel T. Freitas Parkway to Southbound US-101:

• take a U-turn at Northgate Drive
• travel eastbound on Manuel T. Freitas Parkway
• Take the Southbound US-101 on-ramp from Manuel T Freitas 

Stay up to date on the roundabout project from this Caltrans webpage and this City of San Rafael webpage. 

Temporary Closure of Petanque Court & Dog Park at Civic Center

As you may have noticed, temporary closure signs have been posted at the Civic Center Dog Park and Petanque Court. We are excited to share that the long-awaited improvements are underway!

County Parks has contracted work to build a new ADA-accessible pathway from the Jury Parking Lot to the Petanque Court and Dog Park. The project will include drainage improvements to eliminate the flooding issues that have impacted the Dog Park in past seasons. The Dog Park closure began on September 15, and the goal is to complete the project before the rainy season.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

 

Whether you're picking up takeout or dining at your favorite local spot, one thing matters to everyone: the food should be safe to eat. That’s where Marin County’s Environmental Health Services works to help make sure the food you enjoy doesn’t make you sick. On August 19, the Board of Supervisors received a presentation from Environmental Health Services staff on their current processes and plans for updating policies and heard feedback.

A community workshop is scheduled for Friday, October 10, between 9 AM to 4 PM at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street in San Rafael, where residents and food facility operators can share ideas about how to make the food permitting process smoother, more collaborative, and better understood by everyone involved. Stop by on October 10 to learn about food business permitting, help improve plan review processes, take a behind-the-scenes tour of a food truck, and more. You can also submit feedback online.

 

SUICIDE PREVENTION

 

Talking openly about suicide reduces fear, builds hope, and connects people to help. This year’s campaign, “Ask. Listen. Connect.,” offers tools to support loved ones. Marin Health and Human Services is also recognizing a significant milestone, five years of suicide prevention work that follows a strategic plan to save lives and bring hope in our community. On September 16, the Board received a presentation from Health and Human Services and Marin County Office of Education staff on their ongoing work, and we heard supportive public comment from many, including a courageous mom who lost her son to suicide and is involved in Marin's suicide prevention work. 

Five Ways to Celebrate Five Years of Suicide Prevention:

1. Attend an event, all are welcome.

2. Spread the word about 988. Share the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and order free swag from the 988 Toolkit Store.

3. Promote the September Events webpage. Share it with your friends or on community boards.

4. Host a training: bring suicide prevention skills to your workplace, school, or community group. Email Kara.Connors@MarinCounty.gov for details. 

5. Join the Marin County Suicide Prevention Collaborative. Attend an upcoming meeting and be part of the movement. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, going to 988LifeLine.org, or texting “MARIN” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

 

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

 

 

Emberstomp kicked off September as National Preparedness Month in Marin. The event had record attendance, and some booths even ran out of swag! Living in a place as beautiful and hazard-prone as Marin means we all have a role to play in keeping our communities safe. Together, we can reduce our risk and help protect the people and places we love. Don’t wait to figure out what to do in the moment. Make a plan now so you and your loved ones know exactly how to respond when disaster strikes. Start building your emergency plan today with help from ReadyMarin.org. 

 

On September 16, the Board adopted the environmental report and authorized the 40-year lease agreement for the Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM) to create a permanent farmers market at the Marin County Civic Center. The project directly supports the Board of Supervisors’ broader vision to enhance the Civic Center as a welcoming and inclusive destination for community events and an asset to Marin’s economic vitality. AIM’s proactive influence on lessening the impact of the climate crisis and promoting opportunities for under-resourced communities matches up well with the County’s objectives related to health, food security, sustainability, and the economy.

With the Board’s approval, the new AIM-funded center will be built on a 3.7-acre triangular parcel known as the Christmas Tree Lot. It is adjacent to northbound Highway 101 and Civic Center Drive, just across the street from the Marin Center’s Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium and a few steps from the SMART station. For 42 years, AIM has held a Thursday farmers market at the Civic Center.

AIM’s first step will be to build a 250-space parking lot under the County Department of Public Works’ review and approval. The County will manage the parking lot except during AIM’s farmers markets and AIM special events. The County’s Department of Cultural Services will carry out the lease agreement and work with AIM to coordinate parking lot use and ensure AIM events do not conflict with other activities on the Marin Center campus.

Once opened, AIM’s Center for Food and Agriculture will combine an open-air farmers market with permanent amenities (including ADA-accessible restrooms, shade and rain protection, bicycle parking, and other environmental enhancements) on Thursdays and Sundays, with the eventual addition of a Tuesday market. Alongside the permanent farmers market will be a Food Innovation Hub, offering facilities for food and farm business resource programs, food and gardening education programs for learners of all ages and abilities, and climate-smart landscapes.

 

IN COMMUNITY

 

HAVE YOU HEARD?