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Southern Marin Scoop - December 2025 |
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Dear Southern Marin Friends and Neighbors,
Happy holidays to you. I hope you are able to spend time with family and friends this holiday season.
As we close out 2025, I am proud to share the tremendous progress we’ve made together in District 3 and across Marin County. This year brought both challenges and opportunities, and our community responded with resilience, creativity, and a deep commitment to improving the quality of life for all residents.
From advancing major housing and infrastructure initiatives to transportation safety and community well-being, 2025 has been a year of meaningful accomplishments. Many of these successes were the result of strong partnerships — with our cities and towns, community organizations, regional agencies, and most importantly, with you.
Thank you for your engagement, your advocacy, and your willingness to collaborate on solutions that reflect our shared values. I look forward to building on this momentum in the year ahead as we continue working toward a safer, more sustainable, and more vibrant Marin.
All my best,
Stephanie
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 In This Edition
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Experience the magic of the season through Jan. 4
Families can add a new tradition to celebrate the holiday season: The Marin Holiday Light Spectacular, a free new event at the Marin County Civic Center and fairgrounds runs through Jan. 4.
From 4-9 PM daily on the fairgrounds, visitors can step into a dazzling world of lights, color, and joy for an unforgettable evening filled with glowing displays, festive music, and heartwarming traditions. Wander through brilliantly lit paths that capture the wonder of winter holidays, explore light sculptures, fields of creativity, and an immersive light tunnel. Event entry is through the Exhibit Hall at 20 Avenue of the Flags in San Rafael.
Guests can also marvel at the holiday lights by driving through the brilliantly lit archways at the historic Marin County Civic Center building, designed by the famed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. During business hours, stop by the Civic Center Library and see lights under the illuminated fourth-floor dome. READ MORE
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Marin County Marks its 175th Anniversary
 Marin County celebrates its 175th anniversary as the Board of Supervisors, Assemblymember Damon Connolly and County Executive Derek Johnson lead a special recognition at the Holiday Light Spectacular on December 15 at the Marin Center Fairgrounds.
Marin County is collectively taking a deep breath to blow out 175 figurative candles as it marks its 175th anniversary.
The resolution written for the occasion includes the respectful honoring of the Coast Miwok people who have lived here for centuries and of the later arrival of the Europeans, Mexican ranchers, and American homesteaders who settled in the area.
Following its official establishment on September 16, 1850, Marin slowly grew into a critical food and lumber source for San Francisco’s bustling population. European immigrants joined the settlers as they created thriving dairy farms, fruit orchards, and hubs for fishing and hunting. Most harvested goods were loaded onto ferries bound for San Francisco and other growing communities on the bay.
READ MORE
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Caltrans, Transportation Partners Agree to Reduce
HOV Lane Hours in Marin, Sonoma Counties in Early 2026
Caltrans and its transportation partners,
the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) and Sonoma County Transportation and Climate Authorities (SCTCA) have agreed to reduce High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) hours in early 2026 for both counties.
Permanent HOV hours will be decided by the end of January 2026 and scheduled to be changed in February 2026. The exact hours will be determined after Caltrans completes its traffic analysis along the US-101 corridor in January.
The new hours will continue to be consistent in Marin and Sonoma and will cover
peak commute hours in both directions in both the morning and
afternoon/evening. READ MORE
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A Message of Gratitude and Welcome
 As we begin a new year of partnership in Southern Marin, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our outgoing mayors—Jane Cooper (Belvedere), Stephen Burke (Mill Valley), Joan Cox (Sausalito), and Holli Thier (Tiburon). Each of you has served your community with dedication, care, and resilience. Your leadership has strengthened our shared region, and I am deeply grateful for your collaboration with the County throughout your tenure.
I am also pleased to warmly welcome our incoming mayors—Sally Wilkinson (Belvedere), Max Perrey (Mill Valley), Steven Woodside (Sausalito), and Jon Welner (Tiburon). I look forward to working together as we continue advancing the priorities that unite our communities: safety, sustainability, housing, transportation, and the well-being of our residents.
Southern Marin thrives when we collaborate, and I am optimistic about the progress we will make in the year ahead.
Thank you again to our outgoing leaders, and congratulations to our new mayors as they step into these important roles.
Board of Supervisors Allocate $1.65 Million to Local Nonprofits
 The Board of Supervisors approved $1.65 million from the Community Grants and Investment Program during its November 4 meeting, and the 94 award winners will soon sign contracts to accept the money.
District 3 recipients include Age Friendly Sausalito, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Bridge the Gap College Prep/Sausalito Marin City School District, Call of the Sea, CARE Marin, Griot Theater Company, Hope Housing Community Land Trust, Marin City Community Services District, Marin City Labor Day Festival 2026, Performing Stars of Marin, Marin Villages Kruger Pines Village Pilot, Marin County Cooperation Team, Mount Tam United Methodist Church, Nonprofit Incubator of Southern Marin, Play Marin, Sausalito Center for the Arts, Sausalito Community Boating Center, Sausalito Sister Cities, Soma Aquatics Foundation/Strawberry Recreation District, Spaulding Marine Center, The Marine Mammal Center, and The Redwoods, A Community of Seniors.
The County received 177 applications with requests totaling $6,322,310. All applications were reviewed by County staff in several departments and supervisorial district offices, plus a representative from the Marin Community Foundation.
READ MORE
Breathe Respira Community Grants 2025
Since 2014, Marin County Parks and Open Space Breathe/Respira grants have helped bring underserved, high risk, and vulnerable community members to parks and preserves. These grants fund group visits, community outreach, and programs to help overcome barriers that limit or prevent access to parks and open space. Some of the District 3 Breathe/Respira Grant Awardees include Marin City Health and Wellness Center, Wise Choices for Girls and Age Friendly Sausalito.
Marin Expands Urgent Support for Immigrant Communities
 In response to heightened federal immigration enforcement across the nation, the County of Marin is expanding urgent support services for its immigrant communities. Building on its longstanding commitment to equity and inclusion, the Marin County Board of Supervisors earlier this year unanimously approved a $500,000 investment to protect and support immigrant community members.
Through the Marin County Office of Equity, those funds are now being directed to local partners providing vital legal, financial, and community-based assistance. The Marin County Office of Education[External] and nonprofit Immigration Legal Defense[External] will begin offering free immigration legal services for Marin families and students, including legal screenings, representation, and removal defense. Services will be multilingual and available countywide.
READ MORE
Marin Takes Action to Protect Food Access During Federal Shutdown
 Marin County leaders mobilized an emergency response to address the rapidly evolving situation surrounding the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/CalFresh shutdown and the growing risk of food insecurity across the community.
Approximately 15,500 Marin residents were expected to lose access to critical food benefits beginning November 1, with local food banks and community partners already experiencing surges in demand.
At its November 4 meeting, the Marin County Board of Supervisors approved a recommendation to allocate $800,000 in emergency funding — approximately $200,000 per week — to provide direct food assistance to CalFresh recipients during the federal shutdown.
READ MORE
Supervisors Relocating Regular Meetings to Accommodate Chamber Upgrades
The Board of Supervisors will temporarily hold its public meetings at the Showcase Theater (20 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael) from January 20 through February 2026 while we modernize the audio-visual system in the Board Chamber. The current equipment is outdated and at the end of its useful life, and recent updates to the Ralph M. Brown Act under California Senate Bill 707 require local governments to expand remote meeting participation by July 2026. This project will help Marin meet those state requirements while greatly improving the public’s experience.
Upgrades include new monitors, microphones, improved graphics tools, better camera angles for livestreaming, and more reliable audio and video quality. The project also enhances ADA digital accessibility and allows the County to bring broadcasting and recording in-house, saving costs.
During the temporary relocation, hybrid/Zoom participation will continue as usual. Also, the Showcase Theater offers more seating, convenient parking behind the venue, and nearby access to SMART and Marin Transit.
This temporary location will also be used for meetings of the Marin Housing Authority, the Marin County Open Space District Board of Directors, the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Board of Directors, and the Marin County Planning Commission. Meeting locations may vary, so please check the appropriate agency’s website before attending. To learn more, visit the Temporary Board of Supervisors Meeting Relocation webpage.
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Board of Supervisors Review of 2026 Legislative Platform
 Heading into 2026, the County of Marin is assessing its positions on state, federal, and intergovernmental legislation that is working its way through the review process.
Annually, the Board approves a legislative platform for the coming calendar year that summarizes Board priorities and aligns the County’s stance on various issues. Having a Board-approved platform allows County staff to act quickly on time-sensitive matters that arise throughout the year and make sure that its residents’ voices are conveyed to actions that could impact Marin County. As stated in the 2025-26 County Budget, the Supervisors’ highest priorities are:
- Increasing affordable housing and addressing homelessness
- Building a racially equitable community
- Reducing carbon emissions and adapting to climate change
- Enhancing disaster and emergency preparedness
- Investing in county infrastructure
- Improving community & economic vitality
MORE
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Marin City Holds First-Ever Communitywide Evacuation Drill
 Marin City residents took an important step toward strengthening community safety during the first Marin City Evacuation Exercise, a collaborative effort led by the Marin County Fire Department and the Marin City Neighborhood Response Group and their leaders Sarah Canson, Felecia Gaston and Greer Westerink. With wildfires and other disasters posing an ongoing threat across the region, the drill offered community members a valuable opportunity to practice evacuation procedures before a real emergency occurs.
Residents who registered with AlertMarin using their Marin City address received a notification at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2025, signaling the start of the exercise. Participants were instructed to evacuate safely—using one vehicle per household—and travel at a comfortable pace to the designated Temporary Evacuation Point at the Marin City Gateway Shopping Center on Donahue Street.
This “slow-motion” drill allowed residents to become familiar with the steps they would take during an actual evacuation while identifying any gaps in their emergency plan or supplies. County of Marin agencies were onsite to offer preparedness information, resources, and support. As a thank-you for participating, evacuees were entered into a drawing for a shopping spree at Grocery Outlet.
Emergency officials emphasized that preparedness is a shared responsibility. Practicing now can make a critical difference when minutes matter. Residents who have not yet signed up for AlertMarin are encouraged to do so and to explore additional preparedness tools at ReadyMarin.org.
Tam Valley's Pam Keon Honored as Mill Valley Volunteer All-Star
 On December 8th, the City Council and many community members offered their thanks and celebrated the contributions of Pam Keon, an exemplary leader of the Mill Valley community.
The Mill Valley City Council recently celebrated and honored Pam Keon as a Volunteer All-Star, recognizing her extraordinary commitment to service and her lasting impact on the community. The proclamation highlighted her wide-ranging contributions - from preserving local history and strengthening emergency preparedness to supporting community arts and uplifting residents through compassionate service. The Council expressed deep appreciation for Pam’s remarkable leadership, generosity, and unwavering dedication, acknowledging her as an essential and inspiring force in Mill Valley’s civic life. MORE
Marin Ave Safety Enhancements Community Meeting
 Tam Valley residents gather with County of Marin Public Works staff and Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters to review preliminary traffic-calming concepts and discuss safety improvements along the Marin Ave corridor.
Marin County Fire Department and Sheriff's Office Toy Drive
 Marin County Fire and the Sheriff’s Office teamed up with Performing Stars of Marin to collect toys for children in Marin City and the Sausalito/Marin City School District—spreading joy and community spirit this holiday season.
Hawk Hill Reopening
Hawk Hill is Back with Big Views and Raptor-Spotting Fun
 Celebrating the completion of 15 years of work at Hawk Hill in December 2025. Helping cut the ribbon were, from left to right, Sausalito Vice Mayor Melissa Blaustein, Golden Gate National Recreation Area Superintendent David Smith, California State Coastal Conservancy Executive Officer Amy Hutzel, and Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy President & CEO Christine Lehnertz.
Photo by: Brittany Hosea-Small / For the Parks Conservancy
After 15 years of restoration work by the Parks Conservancy and NPS, this Marin Headlands gem now offers better access, fresh amenities, and thriving habitats. Check out the new trails and overlooks, jaw-dropping views ABOVE the Golden Gate Bridge, and raptors cruising the Pacific Flyway, monitored by Golden Gate Raptor Observatory staff and volunteers. Hawk Hill is back open!
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy at Book Exchange
 Students from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy visited the Book Exchange of Marin in San Rafael, where after a short class session each student selected books to take home and build their own personal library. Learn more about the Book Exchange of Marin
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King Tides Return January 1-3, 2026
Seasonal king tides are expected, Jan. 1-3, 2026 and may cause flooding in low-lying areas of Marin County. These extremely high tides can flood roadways even without rain, but impacts increase significantly when storms coincide with elevated tides.
Based on tide predictions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), tide levels that could be high enough to cause roadway flooding in coastal and bayside areas of Marin are expected in November, December, and January. Storms during these periods may create tidal surges that raise water levels higher than predicted.
Predicted king tide dates in Marin, according to the San Francisco tide gauge (chart below):
- January 1, 2026 - peak tide @ 8:41 a.m. (7.0 feet)
- January 2, 2026 - peak tide @ 9:34 a.m. (7.2 feet)
- January 3, 2026 - peak tide @ 10:26 a.m. (7.1 feet)
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Stay Informed
Lower Half of Manzanita Park and Ride Lot in Mill Valley
to Continue Closure Due to Projected High Tides, Storms
Caltrans maintenance will continue to close the lower half of the Manzanita Park and Ride lot, along with the shoulder parking on State Route 1 (Shoreline Highway), in the city of Mill Valley through December 2025 and into winter 2026 until further notice due to forecasted high-tide flood warnings and projected winter storms.
The projected high tides are expected during the daytime hours. The lower half of the park and ride lot will be closed 24 hours per day during this period to prevent overnight parking in the lot, and to ensure the safety of motorists that frequent this park and ride lot. Caltrans has activated Changeable Message Signs (CMS) in the park and ride lot to notify the public. High tides alone can flood the lot at certain times of the year. Caltrans closes parts of this lot when rains and/or tides are likely to produce problems.
For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans QuickMap: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
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Major State Funding Advances SR-131 Improvements in Tiburon
Caltrans has secured significant new funding to advance safety and mobility upgrades along SR-131 (Tiburon Boulevard), with more than $21 million in state transportation investments approved in late 2025.
In December, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated $3.16 million for a retaining wall and slope-stabilization project near Trestle Glen Boulevard, addressing longstanding concerns about roadway stability. Earlier in October, the CTC awarded an additional $18.5 million for a comprehensive pavement and “complete streets” project stretching from U.S.-101 to Main Street. This larger effort will improve pavement and drainage, upgrade ADA curb ramps, modernize guardrails, and add new Class II and Class IV bikeways to enhance safety for all travelers.
These investments are part of a broader statewide infrastructure package and reflect ongoing collaboration between Caltrans, the Town of Tiburon and the County of Marin on project elements, including protected bike lanes and minimizing impacts to local bus stops. Some phases of construction are expected to begin in early 2026.
Together, these projects support both immediate roadway needs and long-term mobility improvements for the Tiburon community. PROJECT OVERVIEW
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Development at Former Seminary Site in Strawberry in Final Stages of Environmental Review
The final environmental review for a proposed development on Marin County’s unincorporated Strawberry peninsula is now available for public viewing and open for feedback from December 12 through January 26, 2026.
The renovation of the former Golden Gate Theological Seminary would be the county’s largest private development project in many years. The 127-acre property off Seminary Drive is owned by North Coast Land Holdings LLC, which purchased the land after the seminary relocated to Southern California in 2015.
The proposed project includes construction of a new residential care facility with up to 100 independent and 50 assisted living and memory care apartments for older adults and 337 single- and multi-family residential units that would replace a majority of the existing residential housing. Seventy of the proposed residential units would be reserved as below-market-rate housing. Comments to the Environmental Planning Division can be emailed before the end of the review period deadline. READ MORE
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Affordable Housing in Marin City
Drake Avenue Apartments Construction Update
Construction continues at 825 Drake Avenue in Marin City on the new affordable housing project. The development, now planned as a 42-unit apartment building, is moving forward with revised plans after community input and permitting review earlier in 2025.
Recent construction activity has included site work and modular building installation preparations this fall, with updated construction notices indicating progress on the foundation pour and modular assembly in 2026. The County will continue to share updates as work progresses. READ MORE
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150 Shoreline (Tam Valley) Affordable Housing Project
Pacific West Communities, Inc. (TPC) proposes to construct a new, affordable, multi-family apartment building on a vacant lot located at 150 Shoreline Highway, in the Manzanita area of unincorporated Mill Valley. The Project would include the construction of a five-story residential building with 31 units restricted to lower-income households, a manager's unit that would not be income-restricted, a manager’s office, residential amenities, and eight on-site parking spaces. READ MORE
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Nijjar Living Trust Housing Compliance Review Project
in Strawberry
The applicant proposes to construct a residential care facility for the elderly on a vacant lot along Thomas Drive and N. Knoll Road in Strawberry, an unincorporated area of Marin County. The project would be located on 3.70 acres of the 6.6-acre site. The facility would be one structure consisting of five stories over a subterranean parking garage, with a maximum height of 63 feet 6 inches above grade. The building would contain approximately 150,655 square feet of floor area, 71 apartments with kitchens, 35 assisted living/memory care suites, a central kitchen facility, common areas and parking garage.
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