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Dear Neighbors,
I have been listening to residents who have raised concerns about federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions unfolding across our country. I know that folks are feeling unsettled, anxious, and afraid. These are challenging and uncertain times, and it is important that we ground ourselves in facts, in the law, and in our shared community values. I am deeply concerned about the aggressive federal immigration tactics we have seen nationally, and I believe we must continue to stand up for the dignity and rights of our immigrant neighbors. I also believe it is irresponsible to create policies if they exceed local legal authority.
Supporting our immigrant communities and supporting our local law enforcement agencies are not mutually exclusive, and I remain committed to both. Marin County’s local law enforcement agencies are not immigration enforcement agencies. California is a sanctuary state under the California Values Act (Senate Bill 54), which strictly limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Our Sheriff’s Office and local police departments are focused on public safety for everyone in our community, regardless of immigration status. These policies are designed to ensure that undocumented victims and witnesses of crime feel safe calling 911 and seeking help. That trust is essential to community safety.
The County will host its annual Transparent Review of Unjust Transfers and Holds (TRUTH) Act forum on March 10 at 5 PM at the Marin Center’s Showcase Theater (20 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael), the temporary home of Board of Supervisors meetings. The TRUTH Act relates to how and when ICE may access individuals who are in local custody. State law requires that if any such access has been provided, the local governing body must hold a public forum to present information and receive community input. At the March 10 meeting, the Sheriff’s Office will share data covering the period from January 1 through December 31, 2025, regarding instances in which information was shared with ICE. This annual forum is an important opportunity for residents to hear the facts, ask questions, and engage directly with the Sheriff's Office and County leadership.
Our Board has taken action to support our immigrant communities in Marin. In 2025, we adopted a resolution allocating $500,000 in County funds to support immigrant families through legal assistance, family reunification, rental support, and the Marin Rapid Response Network. I want to thank the volunteers who have stepped up to serve as legal observers with the Marin Rapid Response Network. The County has also joined litigation efforts to protect our autonomy and local funding, and to protect healthcare access.
You may have heard of, or raised questions and concerns, about the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP), a longstanding federal reimbursement program related to jail costs. SCAAP is a retrospective reimbursement program for jail costs and is not real-time immigration enforcement or coordination. After hearing community and Board of Supervisors' concerns, the County Executive has proposed pausing participation in SCAAP in the upcoming 2026–28 budget and instead using one-time County funds to support jail operations.
In our February 23–25 Budget Workshops, we will review the County’s budget and priorities for the next two years. Federal funding shifts and economic uncertainty require us to walk a tightrope as we work to protect essential services, safeguard data, support residents, and operate within the confines of federal and state law. I remain committed to listening, leading with facts rather than fear, and ensuring that Marin County continues to be a place where all residents feel safe accessing services and participating in our community.
On the morning of January 28, Marin launched its biennial Point-in-Time Count, a community-wide effort to understand the scope and nature of homelessness across the county. The Point-in-Time Count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is conducted every other year by communities nationwide. During the count, teams are deployed throughout Marin to observe and document individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. This data is critical for understanding where our unhoused neighbors are, how many folks are unhoused, and to access federal and state funding to continue to address homelessness.
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More than 100 volunteers representing 31 different non-profits, county departments, and jurisdictions came together to cover all 62 census tracts across Marin County. My office covered the San Rafael Meadows, a portion of Terra Linda, and Santa Venetia neighborhoods. The Point-in-Time Count is one part of a larger data collection effort. We are now moving into the in-depth qualitative survey and shelter inventory components of the count. Data analysis will continue over the coming months, and we anticipate sharing results later this spring.
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WINTER STORM FINANCIAL RELIEF
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Marin has met State and Federal thresholds for Individual Assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) following the impacts of king tides and flooding in early January. This disaster declaration makes low-interest disaster loans available to eligible homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits affected by the January storm.
The SBA, in partnership with local jurisdictions, has opened Disaster Loan Outreach Centers for in-person assistance. Deadlines to apply are April 6 for physical damage; November 3 for economic injury.
Center Locations:
San Rafael: 1600 Los Gamos Dr, Ste 300, San Rafael
Feb 23: 2 PM - 7 PM & Feb 24-27: 10:30 AM - 7 PM
Stinson Beach: 32 Belvedere Ave, Stinson Beach
March 2: 2 PM - 7 PM & March 3-6: 10:30 AM - 7 PM
Apply Now: Lending.SBA.gov | (800)659-2955 | disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
'WHAT ABOUT AGE?' EXHIBIT
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'What About Age?,' on view at the Marin County Civic Center’s 1st and 3rd floor galleries until May 6, examines ageism. This exhibit aims to challenge stereotypes around aging and promote intergenerational conversations. In partnership with Youth in Arts, the exhibit features artworks by local youth and older adult artists. These emerging and established artists worked side by side to create, while reflecting the core message of the exhibit: art is ageless.
 
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CLOSURE SCHEDULED: CIVIC CENTER DR /
MANUEL T. FREITAS PKWY INTERSECTION
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The Civic Center Drive / Manuel T. Freitas Parkway intersection will be fully closed from February 26 through approximately June 2026. This is due to a Caltrans project to construct a roundabout at the U.S. 101/Manuel T. Freitas Parkway interchange.
What to expect:
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No vehicle access through the intersection, find the full detours list here
- Traffic can still exit from the north off-ramp at Freitas Pkwy, but can only turn left onto Freitas Pkwy
- Redwood Hwy accessible via Smith Ranch Rd; northbound on-ramp to remain open
- Civic Center Drive accessible via Merrydale Rd
- Longer travel times, especially during peak hours
- There will be a walkway open for pedestrians throughout this phase of construction
- The closure is expected to begin on February 26 and expected to end in June 2026
For more information about the project, view the Caltrans traffic advisory. If you have questions, reach out to Caltrans’ representative, Matt O’Donnell, at matt.odonnell@dot.ca.gov.
FixItMarin is a new way to report non-emergency issues to the County, including:
- Potholes
- Illegal dumping, such as furniture, mattresses, tires, or trash
- Streetlight outages or damaged streetlights
- Fallen branches or trees blocking roads or sidewalks
- Missing, damaged, or faded street signs
- Safety or maintenance issues in parks and open spaces
- Unpermitted construction projects
How FixItMarin Works
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Open FixItMarin on your phone or computer
- Create an account if you are new to FixItMarin
- Choose the type of issue you want to report
- Add details, photos, and the location
- Submit your request
- Track updates in real time as the County works on it
Important Safety Reminder and App Parameters
FixItMarin is for non-emergency issues only. If there is immediate danger to life or property, residents should call 911. FixItMarin currently serves unincorporated areas of Marin County. Residents within town or city limits should continue to report specific issues directly to their town or city government.
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RAISING HEALTHY FAMILIES EDUCATION SERIES
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Join the Community Institute for Psychotherapy in partnership with the Marin County Office of Education and Raising Healthy Families for a free community education series designed for parents, families, and caregivers. This series offers practical guidance on supporting teens through today’s most pressing challenges. All sessions are from 6 PM to 8 PM. Questions? Email jle@marinschools.org.
Monday, March 2 (Hybrid): Parenting Teens in a Time of Risk: Understanding Development, Spotting Red Flags, & Responding to Substance Use. This is an in-person event with the option to join remotely via Zoom. The event will be held at the Marin County Office of Education, located at 1111 Las Gallinas Avenue, San Rafael. Registration is required.
Thursday, March 12 (Zoom only): Starting the Conversation: Suicide, Stigma, and Support. Registration is required.
Monday, March 16 (Hybrid): Call of the Wild: Helping Teens to Resist Extremist Political Ideologies. This is an in-person event with the option to join remotely via Zoom. The event will be held at the Marin County Office of Education, located at 1111 Las Gallinas Avenue, San Rafael. Registration is required.
Monday, March 30 (Hybrid): Emotional Suffering in Children & Teens: What Parents Should Know and When to Act. This is an in-person event with the option to join remotely via Zoom. The event will be held at the Marin County Office of Education, located at 1111 Las Gallinas Avenue, San Rafael. Registration is required.
Marin Fish and Wildlife Commission
Nonprofits that support nature and wildlife education have until March 2 to apply for grants to support environmentally friendly project proposals through the . Nonprofits may apply for grants worth up to $5,000 for educational and habitat restoration projects in Marin. .
A scholarship for up to $3,500 designated for a student recipient aiming for a career in fish and wildlife conservation, habitat preservation, or natural resource management. The scholarship, intended to be annual, is in honor of the late Ed Schulze, a longtime Novato resident and former Chair of the Marin County Fish and Wildlife Commission.
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Marin Cultural Association
Grants up to $5,000 will be available for emerging and established artists ages 18 and older who live or work in Marin, as well as studio collectives in the county. Grants up to $10,000 will be available for 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored organizations operating with an arts-based mission and presenting arts programs in Marin. Submissions will be accepted through February 27 with grant awards will be announced June 1. Application links and full details are available at .
The organizations listed below are seeking both short-term and long-term volunteers.
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Bread and Roses
- Performer: Bring the gift of music, dance, clowning, magic and much more to audiences at facilities in eight Bay Area counties
- Host: Facilitate and emcee Bread & Roses shows
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California Senior Legislature for Marin
- Must be 55 or older
- Applications due March 31 via email to mandy.reyes@marincounty.gov
- Call the Marin County Area Agency on Aging at 415-473-2136 to learn more
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Marin County Civil Grand Jury
- Volunteers investigate the performance of local government and make recommendations
- Applications are open thru April 22nd to serve from July 1 to June 30.
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Marin County Youth Commission
- Must be between 12-23 years old and live or go to school in Marin
- Applications are open now thru May 22 to serve during Fall '26 thru Spring '27 school year.
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Marin Volunteer Tutor and Mentor Initiative
- Tutor and mentor opportunities with 11 nonprofit partners
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Transportation Authority of Marin Community Oversight Committee
- 12-seat Community Oversight Committee that reviews the revenues and expenditures of Marin’s voter-approved, transportation funding
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Currently have vacancies for:
- Southern Marin planning area (Member)
- Western Marin planning area (Alternate)
- bicycle and pedestrian groups (Alternate)
- school districts (Alternate)
- major Marin employers (Alternate)
- taxpayer interests (Member and Alternate)
- Applications should be sent to jdoucette@tam.ca.gov
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'What About Age?' Exhibit opening with San Rafael Vice Mayor Rachel Kertz and Morgan Schauffler from Youth in Arts
Meeting with Marinwood neighbors
Civic Center SMART underpass for the Point-in-Time Count
Three Little Words team coffee break
Meeting with the Santa Venetia Neighborhood Association
Lunar New Year celebration at Terra Linda High School
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Golden Gate Village Construction Trades Program graduation
Supervisor Sackett speaks to Girl Scouts who visited the Civic Center for their government badge
Black History Month resolution celebration
Site visit to Santa Venetia timber reinforced berm with the State Coastal Conservancy, the section pictured is being reinforced by sandbags
 College of Marin Student Success Center opening - the open library was my favorite
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