October Update from Supervisor Sackett
County of Marin, California sent this bulletin at 10/24/2025 06:17 PM PDT
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| OCTOBER 2025 |
Dear Neighbors,
October has been full of meaningful moments across our community. Whether it’s working together on a pathway to build a floodwall, creating safer routes for our students to get to school, or discussing housing, it's a privilege to collaborate with so many people dedicated to finding solutions that help our communities stay safe, connected, and thriving.
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As we look ahead to November, make a plan to vote in the November 4, 2025, Statewide Special Election. You can find information about Marin vote centers and ballot drop box locations here. State Proposition 50 was placed on the ballot by the Legislature and Governor. If passed, Proposition 50 would institute a temporary process for drawing California’s congressional districts for 2026 to 2030 elections, with authority returning to the Citizens Redistricting Commission following the 2030 Census. I encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote.
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Visit the first and third floor galleries of the Civic Center to experience Multicultural Marin, curated by Karina Ramirez-Cortez in collaboration with the Multicultural Center of Marin. Multicultural Marin features the work of more than 20 local artists whose creativity and stories beautifully reflect the cultural richness of our community.
Each piece celebrates heritage, identity, and belonging, showing that our diversity is what makes Marin shine. I hope you’ll stop by to experience the exhibit. The heart balloon dogs and bunnies by Kelli Bernadette are my favorite.
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On Wednesday, October 15, the City of San Rafael and the County of Marin held a joint press conference announcing two projects at 350 Merrydale Road. The first project is a short-term interim shelter site with 65 cabins serving up to 70 unique residents over the duration of the program, followed by a commitment from the City to permit the site for a minimum of 80 affordable homes in the long-term.
The short-term interim shelter program will last approximately three to four years and will end no later than June 2029. The goal is to provide safe, stable shelter with on-site support services for those currently residing at the Mahon Creek Path sanctioned camping area and living in nearby encampments. By offering a dignified place to live and access to support, the site will help residents stabilize and successfully transition into permanent housing. The site will include 24/7 security, perimeter fencing, and residents will be required to adhere to a code of conduct and a good neighbor policy. Case management and housing navigation will be provided by Marin nonprofit partners, including St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin, Ritter Center, Catholic Charities, and others.
The long-term project involves the City permitting an affordable housing development with a minimum of 80 units of deed-restricted affordable housing.
For more information about the project and to sign up for updates, please visit the City's webpage. Contact the City of San Rafael’s Community Services Division by emailing endhomelessness@cityofsanrafael.org or by calling (415) 256-5565.
Important Dates:
October 28, 2025 — Virtual Community Meeting
Join the City of San Rafael and the County of Marin for an online discussion about the 350 Merrydale Road Interim Shelter Project. Learn more about the proposal, ask questions, and share your feedback.
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Location: Zoom Webinar
November 6, 2025 — In-Person Community Meeting
Meet with project representatives in person to discuss the 350 Merrydale Road Interim Shelter Project and provide your input.
Time and Location details coming soon. Check City's webpage for details.
November 17, 2025 — San Rafael City Council Meeting
The City Council is expected to consider a purchase agreement for the property and accept County funding to advance the project. City Council meetings are held in the City Hall Chambers, 1400 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901, and details on how to participate can be found here.
November 18, 2025 — Marin County Board of Supervisors Meeting
The Board of Supervisors will consider approval to release funds to support the project. The Board of Supervisors meetings are held in room 330 at the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Dr. San Rafael, CA 94903 and may be attended virtually over Zoom. Details on how to participate can be found here.
| PROPOSITION 1 UPDATE |
In March 2024, California voters approved Proposition 1, transforming the state’s public behavioral health system. The initiative transitions the Mental Health Services Act to the Behavioral Health Services Act, bringing major shifts to funding, planning, and accountability. 30% of the previous Mental Health Services Act funding will now support housing and homelessness infrastructure. The State will take over administration of prevention and workforce initiatives that were previously locally held, and expand the state's behavioral health system to formally include substance use disorders as a primary qualifying condition for treatment. Proposition 1 also includes a $6.4 billion bond to build treatment facilities and permanent supportive housing across California.
On September 30, the Marin County Board of Supervisors received a presentation on the draft three-year plan for the Behavioral Health Services Act, with final Board consideration currently scheduled for December 9 and implementation set to begin in July 2026.
Marin County Health and Human Services has completed an extensive community planning process and budget analysis. Current projections indicate a $12 million budget gap due to the funding shift and new requirements. Health and Human Services has already mitigated part of this gap, and Health and Human Services is developing strategies to close the remaining gap through alternative funding, reduced contracts, and staffing adjustments.
| STREET SMARTS |
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Did you know that 80% of crashes are related to driver distraction? Don’t let your phone distract you. Before you drive, turn it off or enable “Do Not Disturb While Driving” (iPhone) or “Driving Focus” (Android) to silence calls and notifications. If you must use your phone, use hands-free equipment only.
15 MPH School Zones
On September 30, the Board of Supervisors accepted $591,00 in Measure AA grant funding from the Transportation Authority of Marin toward safe pathways projects. This includes the creation of new 15 mph school zone around five District 1 schools in unincorporated San Rafael: Lucas Valley Elementary, Marin Waldorf School, Mary E. Silveira Elementary, Miller Creek Middle, and Venetia Valley K-8. These grant-funded projects align with the County's General Plan safe streets policies to improve safety for all road users.
| TRANSIT TOURS |
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Marin Transit offers travel training for individuals or small groups. These “transit tours” consist of a Marin Transit representative who provides a tour of the public bus by planning a trip for the group on an actual transit route. These trips usually take about three hours and are tailored to the area to which the group requesting a “tour” will be traveling. There is no cost for this service. To request travel training, visit https://marintransit.org/travel-training or email outreach@marintransit.org. |
| SEASONAL HIGH TIDES |
Seasonal king tides are expected in the coming months and may cause flooding in low-lying areas of Marin County. These extremely high tides can flood roadways even without rain, and impacts increase significantly when storms coincide with elevated tides. Residents and visitors are encouraged to stay alert for king tides, plan extra travel time, and avoid driving through flooded roadways.
In advance of storms, residents can help reduce flood risk on their own property by clearing leaves from gutters, drains, and driveways, and properly disposing of debris in compost bins. Those living in flood-prone areas should keep sandbags on hand (available at most hardware stores) and know how to use them before storms. In addition, everyone should review emergency readiness tips at ReadyMarin.gov, which includes checklists and preparedness resources.
Predicted king tide dates in Marin, according to the San Francisco tide gauge: November 5-7, December 4-6, and January 1-3. Stay informed by checking 511.org for traffic and transit updates and signing up for AlertMarin. During storm events, residents should call 911 for emergencies, and Public Works at 415-473-6530 for non-emergencies.
| CARMELITA HOUSE |
Marin County Health and Human Services, in partnership with Catholic Charities CYO of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, has been awarded $2.7 million through the State of California’s Homekey+ Program to create nine units of permanent supportive housing for individuals at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The project is part of Marin’s broader effort to integrate behavioral health care with housing solutions and builds upon the existing Carmelita House program in San Rafael.
The project will rehabilitate a two-story building at Carmelita House into a shared housing setting. Rehabilitation of the property is expected to begin in the coming months, with units anticipated to be available in 2026. In addition to housing, residents will have access to wraparound behavioral health services and case management support funded by Marin County. This integration helps residents maintain long-term stability by ensuring that treatment, recovery services, and supportive care are accessible where they live.
| PG&E REPORT IT APP |
PG&E encourages customers with non-emergency reports to use the PG&E Report It app to note a location, summarize the concern, and upload photos. For emergency or hazardous situations that pose immediate danger, please dial 911. You may also call 800-743-5000 (option 2) to report downed power lines, items in the power lines, damaged electrical equipment, or to report a gas leak or if you smell gas.
Customers may search reported issues here. With the PG&E Report app, you can:
• Learn more about the types of issues you should report
• Send photos to PG&E's security team
• Find submissions made by others
• Receive notifications when your submission is under review
• See PG&E's findings
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| Resolution Recognizing "Banned Books Week" | College of Marin IVC Farm Scholarship Awardee Celebration with Trustee Paul da Silva |
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| Meeting with creekside neighbors on the timber-reinforced berm in Santa Venetia | Meeting with creekside neighbors on the timber-reinforced berm in Santa Venetia |
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| Meeting with Flood Zone 7 residents to discuss replacement of timber-reinforced berm | Friends of the Libraries Week |
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| Northbridge Community Meeting | Northbridge Community Meeting |
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| Marin Sonoma Narrows Ribbon Cutting - decades in the making. . . | Public Works Fair - with County employees, and Jenga! |
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| Gather for the Planet Agricultural Institute of Marin Event |
Resolution Recognizing Hunter's Syndrome Awareness Week |
| HAVE YOU HEARD? |
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Halloween and Día de los Muertos are just around the corner! Here are some upcoming events:
Trick or Treat on Fourth Street
Downtown and West End Village
Saturday, October 25, 1 PM - 3 PM
Annual Día de los Muertos Event
Al Boro Community Center - San Rafael
Saturday, November 1, 3 PM - 9 PM
Santa Venetia Halloween Block Party
Santa Venetia - San Rafael
Friday, October 31, 6 PM - 8 PM
Santa Venetia Día de los Muertos Event
Santa Venetia - San Rafael
Sunday, November 2, 3 PM -6 PM
Please stay in touch,
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| Mary Sackett Supervisor, District 1 (415) 473-7331 Email Mary |
Crystal Martinez Board Aide (415) 473-7342 Email Crystal |
Julia Reinhard Board Aide (415) 473-7354 Email Julia |
| RESOURCES |
My office is here to assist and help make navigating government services easier for you. This section includes some of the most frequently requested resources. If you can’t find what you’re looking for or have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
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Not all events are sponsored by the County of Marin. County of Marin sponsored events are required to be accessible. If you are an individual with a disability and require an accommodation to participate in a County sponsored event, please call (415) 473-7354 (voice), Julia.Reinhard@MarinCounty.gov (email), (415) 473-3232 (TTY), or dial 711 for CRS or email Disability Access at least six work days in advance. Documents in alternative formats are available upon request. | |||
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