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Dear Neighbors,
As we head into Thanksgiving week, I wanted to share a brief update on the work happening across our community and to take a moment to reflect on how much we have to be grateful for.
Over the past few weeks, we have been focused on several issues that directly affect daily life in our unincorporated neighborhoods. Storm season is here, and with it we have seen repeated power outages caused by both weather-related damage and PG&E’s Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings, which instantly shut off power when hazards are detected to reduce wildfire risk. We know how disruptive these outages can be, and we are working closely with PG&E to improve communication and response times. In the meantime, we have shared a set of preparedness resources from ReadyMarin, PG&E, and the Marin Center for Independent Living to help households stay safe, informed, and ready for the next storm.
We also spent time out on the Corte Madera Creek Path with the Marin County Sheriff’s Office, CHP, and Marin County Parks after hearing from a resident concerned about speeding e-bike riders. Our teams used radar binoculars to measure speeds, talked with riders and local youth about safe path etiquette, and Marin County Parks installed new reflective signage reinforcing the 15 mph limit. My colleague Supervisor Dennis Rodoni and I were glad to join the effort, meet with neighbors, and thank all the officers and staff who help keep this corridor safe.
Work continues on improving our infrastructure as well. Landslide repairs are underway on Fairfax Bolinas Road, where construction began earlier this month to install two retaining walls that will improve long-term stability. One-way traffic controls are in place and will remain through winter, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as these safety improvements move forward.
We also continue to invest in the places that make Marin unique. This month, the Board reviewed the next phase of renovations for the Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium, an $18.9 million effort that will modernize core building systems, repair the historic dome, refurbish seating, and prepare the venue for a full reopening in 2027. And earlier this month, Marin County celebrated 175 years of county history, honoring the Coast Miwok people, our agricultural heritage, and the generations who helped shape the Marin we know today.
Finally, we awarded $1.65 million in grants to 94 local nonprofits through the Community Grants and Investment Program, supporting one-time projects in 2026 focused on equity, housing, climate resilience, community vitality, and preparedness.
As we head into the holiday week, I want to thank all of you who have reached out, reported issues, asked questions, or offered ideas. Community works best when we stay connected and engaged, and I am truly grateful to be able to represent and work alongside you.
I wish you and your families a warm, safe, and happy Thanksgiving. There is so much to be thankful for in Marin, and I’m grateful every day for the chance to serve this community.
Cheers,
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 The County’s Holiday Light Spectacular returns to the Marin Center Fairgrounds and Civic Center from November 28 through January 4, offering a free, walk-through winter experience that families will love. From thousands of sparkling lights and illuminated arches to cozy photo spots and warm seasonal treats, the grounds transform into a glowing celebration of community. Kids can enjoy craft stations, and everyone is encouraged to bring a toy or non-perishable item for the holiday donation drives. This year also features special Marin 175 activities, including a “letter to the future” time-capsule project. The lights are on nightly from 4 to 9 pm, and it’s an easy, no-cost way to get into the spirit, connect with neighbors, and experience the Civic Center in a whole new light. Let this one be your low-stress, high-joy outing of the season.
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Partnering to Curb Speeding and Protect Corte Madera Creek Path Users |
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This week I joined the Marin County Sheriff’s Office, Marin County Parks, and CHP Marin for an informational safety event along the Corte Madera Creek Path.We were out there in part because a nearby resident reached out, frustrated by the amount of speeding e-bike riders on the path, and asked us to step up our efforts to curb dangerous behavior.
Our teams talked with local youth about speeding, e-bike safety, and good path etiquette, and Marin County Parks installed new reflective signs to reinforce the 15 mph speed limit. We met a number of local residents, used radar binoculars to measure speeds in real time, and had great conversations with bike riders about best practices that keep everyone safe on this well-used corridor. My colleague Supervisor Dennis Rodoni and I appreciated the chance to connect with the community and thank the staff who make this outreach possible.
A special thank you to CHP Officers Tellez and Stuart, Marin County Sheriff Deputy Garcia, Parks Ranger Dan Sauter, and the entire Parks and Open Space team for their work and partnership. As always, please be respectful of your fellow pedestrians, monitor your speed, and stay safe out there.
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At the November 18 Board of Supervisors meeting, Marin County celebrated its 175th anniversary. It was a moment to look back at the people, places, and events that shaped one of California’s original counties. The ceremonial proclamation outlining the county’s rich history was read aloud during the meeting, with community leaders, County staff, and the Supervisors each taking a portion. Together they highlighted Marin’s deep roots with the Coast Miwok people, the evolution of its early ranching and agricultural communities, the surge of growth shaped by bridges, military installations, and shipyards, and the county’s long-standing commitment to preserving open space and natural beauty.
After its establishment in 1850, Marin became a vital food and lumber source for San Francisco, with dairy farms, orchards, ranches, and fishing operations sending goods across the bay by ferry. As the decades passed, Marin evolved into a mix of thriving rural landscapes and more densely populated suburban corridors. Key milestones such as the Hamilton Army Air Base, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marinship shipyard fueled rapid growth, while the community’s environmental ethic protected the Pacific coast and helped create Point Reyes National Seashore, Muir Woods, the Marin Headlands, and a wide network of parks and open spaces.
By the 1960s, the Richmond San Rafael Bridge, the Marin County Civic Center, and major transportation improvements shaped the modern Marin we know today. The anniversary resolution also recognized the families and communities who laid the foundation for Marin’s cultural richness, along with the generations of creative talent who have called the county home.
For those who want to explore Marin’s past, local library branches and online archives offer a wealth of resources. The Anne T. Kent California Room at the Civic Center Library remains the top destination for original documents and local history materials.
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At the November 18 meeting, the Board of Supervisors reviewed a third-party Organizational Excellence Report on the Department of Public Works. The assessment, completed by KPMG in partnership with DPW and the Office of the County Executive, examined the department’s structure, staffing, technology systems, and customer service practices. The goal is to strengthen coordination across divisions, modernize internal systems, and better support the staff who maintain Marin’s roads, facilities, and infrastructure.
The report outlines 18 high-level recommendations and more than 100 actionable items focused on service delivery, workforce support, and performance management. County Executive Derek Johnson emphasized that Marin’s significant infrastructure needs require a highly functional and well-supported Public Works department, and that the assessment provides a clear roadmap for improvement.
With this review completed, County Executive staff will work with DPW leadership to prioritize recommendations and begin developing a long-term strategic plan. The next Organizational Excellence Report will focus on the Marin Housing Authority, continuing the County’s commitment to transparency and continuous improvement.
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Beginning November 10, 2025, the Marin County Department of Public Works began construction of two retaining walls on Fairfax Bolinas Road to repair damage from recent landslides and protect the roadway from future failures. The work sites are located near milepost 2.12 and 2.19, just west of Fresa Avenue and east of Meadow Club Road, and construction is expected to continue through January 2026.
Construction has been taking place Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 5 PM, with occasional Saturday work from 9 AM to 5 PM as needed to stay on schedule during wet weather. No work occurred on Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or New Years Day.
Traffic impacts:
The westbound lane of Fairfax Bolinas Road has been closed for the duration of the project between milepost 2.10 and 2.21. One-lane, two-way traffic has been maintained at all times with temporary traffic signals. Drivers should continue to expect a maximum delay of up to five minutes, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Full daytime road closures are not anticipated. If one becomes necessary for specific construction tasks, residents will receive at least seven days notice.
For the safety of motorists, bicyclists, and construction crews, please continue to use caution in the area and allow extra travel time.
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Beginning in December, nonprofit agencies and community-based organizations across Marin County will receive new funding through the County’s Community Grants and Investment Program. At its November 4 meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved a total of $1.65 million for 94 organizations, which will now move forward with contracts to accept their awards.
This year’s allocation was higher than last year and included a one-time $500,000 boost from the Board in response to challenges many nonprofits are facing due to changes in federal policies. Grant amounts range from $1,500 to $50,000 and will support one-time projects in 2026 that advance key Board priorities such as affordable housing, equity, disaster preparedness, climate resilience, community vitality, and infrastructure.
The County received 177 applications requesting more than $6.3 million. Proposals were reviewed by staff from multiple County departments, district offices, and a representative from the Marin Community Foundation.
The CGIP program launched in summer 2025, unifying two earlier grant programs and creating a more accessible and transparent path to funding community projects. The application window closed on September 2. Eligible applicants included 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations as well as tax-exempt community groups with a fiscal sponsor.
The next CGIP application period, for projects in the 2027 calendar year, is expected to open in July 2026. More information is available on the County of Marin’s nonprofit funding opportunities webpage.
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I attended LA CoMotion this week, a national gathering of transportation innovators, planners, and public agencies who are rethinking how people move through cities. It was a chance to see what forward-looking communities are doing to improve safety, reduce congestion, and expand mobility options in ways that actually work for residents. From next-generation bike infrastructure to dynamic curb management, traffic-calming tools, and emerging technologies that help cities make data-driven decisions, the conversations were focused on practical solutions that can scale.
I spent time meeting with transportation leaders, testing out new tools, and looking closely at ideas that could translate to Marin as we rethink our key corridors, improve safety for riders and pedestrians, and expand mobility choices for our communities. It was energizing, useful, and exactly the kind of future-focused thinking we need as we plan Marin’s next chapter.
A book was recently launched about user experience in mobility and I have included it as my shared book for this month. If you have an interest in transportation innovation, I recommend you check it out.
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Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium is moving into its next major renovation phase as the County works toward reopening the landmark venue in early 2027. At the November 4 meeting, the Board of Supervisors reviewed a proposal to award construction contracts for critical building system upgrades, roof repairs, seating refurbishment, and landscape improvements. The recommended work represents an $18.9 million investment in the long-term health, safety, and functionality of the 2,000-seat theater.
Key objectives for 2026 include replacing aging sewer and drain lines, addressing water intrusion, upgrading heating and ventilation systems, improving electrical and fire safety systems, and adding a new theater audio system. The project follows the seismic retrofit completed in April 2024 and builds on a comprehensive assessment that identified priority repairs needed to keep the venue operational for decades to come.
As renovations continue, the County will invite residents to share stories, photos, and memories of the VMA and follow progress leading up to the planned reopening in 2027.
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Storms, falling trees, and PG&E’s wildfire-safety settings continue to cause power outages across unincorporated Marin, so now is the time to make sure your household is ready. Outages can happen during severe weather, and EPSS shutoffs can occur even on clear days if equipment senses something that could spark a fire. The County encourages residents to use the tools and resources available through ReadyMarin, PG&E, and our community partners to stay safe and resilient.
What you can do now:
Additional County resources:
ReadyMarin’s power outage guide with step-by-step planning, generator safety, and emergency kit checklists:
https://readymarin.marincounty.gov/plan-prepare/prepare-specific-hazards/power-outages
Sign up for AlertMarin for emergency notifications:
https://www.alertmarin.org/
Marin Center for Independent Living’s Powered and Prepared program for residents with disabilities who rely on electrical equipment:
https://www.marincil.org/powered-prepared/
We will continue working closely with PG&E and our emergency partners to improve communication and reliability. A little preparation now will make a big difference when the next storm rolls through.
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If you live in an area hit hard by EPSS outages, you may qualify for PG&E’s Residential Storage Initiative, a program that offers free home backup batteries (worth $10,000+) to a limited number of eligible customers. These systems can keep essential circuits running through an average 3 to 5-hour outage which is a serious boost for households that rely on power for health, safety, or daily functioning.
You may be eligible if you:
- Have experienced five or more EPSS outages since January 1, 2023
- Are served by an EPSS-impacted circuit
- Are enrolled in CARE, FERA, Medical Baseline, or the Self-Identified Vulnerable Program
If you’re not sure whether you’re enrolled in one of these programs, here are the links to learn more:
How to Apply
PG&E and their partner, Richard Heath & Associates (RHA), manage the application and installation process. Some customers will receive a letter directly from PG&E inviting them to apply. If you do, call the number on the letter or use the link in the program description to get started.
For everyone else who meets the eligibility criteria, you can apply online through the Residential Storage Initiative webpage.
Why This Matters
We know these outages take a toll. As climate-driven weather patterns evolve, EPSS will continue to trigger more frequent shutoffs in high-risk areas. Backup storage isn’t a silver bullet, but it gives residents a real tool for resilience while larger solutions continue to advance.
If you think you might qualify, take a moment to check, and please share this with neighbors who may benefit.
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Please see the following openings on Board and Commissions in D2.
Download and Use FixIt Marin in Sleepy Hollow!
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Brian excited for the Central Marin Community Heath Fair |
Out with colleague Supervisor Mary Sackett and County Exec Derek Johnson |
Brian & Dr. John Maa supporting Sandy Hook Promise at their inaugural Promise Champions West Coast Benefit |
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Brian was a guest speaker at Branson High School “Big Skills"/Sociology of Housing Class |
Brian at the Fairfax San Anselmo Children’s Center |
Brian with Fire Safe Marin at the Central Marin CRT Health Fair |
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A special morning at the Marin Farmers Market (with Andy Naja-Reese and daughter Leila Colbert) celebrating the 40-year agreement securing the site for the permanent home of the Marin Farmers Market and the Center for Food and Agriculture. |
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Have you ever wanted to work at the County of Marin? Here is the list of the most recent positions available!
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The Executive Director of Marin CASA leads the organization’s strategy, operations, and financial health. They guide staff and the Board, oversee fundraising and partnerships, direct communications, and ensure strong program and board development. This role requires steady, clear communication and a supportive leadership style grounded in the realities of serving children who have experienced trauma. |
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The National Park Service (NPS) is looking for its next generation of law enforcement rangers—those trusted to protect the country's most precious resources.
We're proud that our law enforcement rangers come from all walks of life and cultures. Whether you're a veteran, bilingual, or just looking for a meaningful career, there's a path to employment for you.
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The Senior Program Coordinator, assigned to the Homelessness and Coordinated Care Division within the Health and Human Services Department (HHS), plays a critical leadership role in planning, coordinating, and evaluating complex programs that serve individuals, Transitional Age Youth (TAY), and families experiencing homelessness. Operating with minimal supervision, this position manages multiple program areas and collaborates closely with County departments, community-based organizations, and partner agencies to strengthen service delivery, expand resources, and respond effectively to the diverse and evolving needs of the community. |
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Saturday, December 6 • 5:00pm - San Anselmo Holiday Tree Lighting
Tree Lighting ceremony in Imagination Park • Selfies with Santa • Trackless train on the Avenue starting at 4:00pm • Complimentary Refreshments
Saturday, December 13 - Breakfast with Santa
San Anselmo Fire Station - 777 San Anselmo Avenue
Two seating times: 8:00am & 10:00am
Tickets are now on sale at sananselmorecreation.org
Saturday, December 20 - Children’s Chanukah Chocolate & Cheese Get Together
Sunday, Dec 7th - The Lark Creek Shops Annual Winter Wonderland!
Save the date & please join us on from 3pm – 7pm
234-286 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur
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