|
Dear Southern Marin Friends and Neighbors,
This month, we honor Black History Month with the Marin County Board of Supervisors’ resolution proclaiming February 2026 as Black History Month, alongside inspiring local stories. We celebrate Marin City’s Nancy Johnson on her induction into the YWCA Marin Women’s Hall of Fame Class of 2026, highlight the Golden Gate Village Construction Trades Program creating career pathways for residents, reflect on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Marin City, and share details about the upcoming Clean Slate event on February 26, when County departments will bring vital services directly into the community.
We also recap the Board of Supervisors’ February budget workshops, where we began shaping the County’s 2026–28 financial plan with a focus on fiscal sustainability, critical services, and community priorities.
In this edition, you’ll find important updates related to the TRUTH Act and immigration resources, including the March 10 TRUTH Act Community Forum, the County’s decision to drop SCAAP funding from the 2026–28 proposed budget, and the February 2026 release of the County’s De-Escalation Response Framework.
Additional County news includes upcoming Planning Commission review dates for the Strawberry development proposal, newly available low-interest loans to assist residents impacted by January’s storms and King Tides, Caltrans’ announcement of reduced Highway 101 HOV lane hours, and the launch of the FixItMarin app to make reporting local issues easier than ever.
Finally, we share moments from the community — from a flood control discussion with Floating Homes residents, to Global Blue Job Shadow Day, to a Southern Marin luncheon with local mayors and town managers focused on collaboration and regional priorities.
Thank you for staying engaged and connected to the work happening across Southern Marin.
All my best,
Stephanie
|
Find below stories about:
Black History Month
Board of Supervisors Budget Workshop
TRUTH Act Forum and Board of Supervisors Meetings
County News
In Community
Contact Us
|
|
 On February 10, 2026, the Marin County Board of Supervisors proclaimed February as Black History Month, affirming "The Power of Presence" — the understanding that visibility, representation, and belonging strengthen both public institutions and the communities they serve .
The resolution honored the legacy and contributions of people of African descent and reaffirmed the County’s commitment to representation, belonging, and continued learning in how it serves residents and supports its workforce .
The ceremony was made especially meaningful by the County of Marin African American Employees Association (COMAEA), whose reflections on the power of presence — as support, courage, truth, and imagination — grounded the moment in lived experience .
Thank you to COMAEA for the powerful reminder that presence is not simply about being seen, but about being supported.
Marin City's Nancy Johnson Inducted into YWCA Marin Women’s Hall of Fame Class of 2026
 Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters (left), YWCA Marin Women's Hall of Fame Inductee Nancy Johnson (center) and San Anselmo Councilmember Chantel Walker (right).
Nancy Johnson (center in photo) is a lifelong Marin County resident and dedicated advocate for equity, social justice, and fair access to housing, health care, education, and employment. Inspired by her Christian faith and shaped by her experiences during segregation in the South, Nancy began her service as a Civil Rights-era voter registration volunteer across multiple states.
Over her career, she worked as a Social Services Eligibility Worker, licensed real estate professional, and Assistant Public Housing Manager with the Marin Housing Authority, where she supported families including those displaced by Hurricane Katrina. A founding member of the Marin City Community Development Corporation and former elected official of the Marin City Community Services District, Nancy has served on numerous boards and commissions championing fair housing, equal employment, and community development.
Now happily retired, Nancy remains a passionate community advocate, grandmother, and great-grandmother who continues to uplift underserved communities with empathy, courage, and compassion.
Golden Gate Village Construction Trades Program Positions Marin City Residents for Career Advancement
 Golden Gate Village recently celebrated the graduation of 21 residents from its first-ever Construction Trades Program, a 12-week initiative designed to break down financial and access barriers, improving entry to careers in the trades for Marin City residents. The program is a collaboration among Marin Housing Authority, Burbank Housing, and Tradeswomen Inc., and is one of just many positive outcomes that stem from the revitalization of Golden Gate Village.
The student cohort officially completed the program on January 30, 2026, with a graduation ceremony held at Bayside MLK in Marin City. More than 150 attendees, including community leaders, graduates’ families, community-based organizations, and construction industry recruiters, gathered to celebrate the graduates’ accomplishments and future career pathways.
During the ceremony, Juanita Douglas, Executive Director of Tradeswomen Inc. and a pioneer of the Construction Trades Program, individually recognized and shared personal highlights of each graduate that reflected their commitment, growth, and achievements over the course of the program. Graduate Defonte Ashby shared his appreciation during the ceremony. “I want to thank Juanita for starting the program,” said Ashby. “I really do appreciate it because you really did open the door for a lot of people.”
The keynote address was delivered by Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters (District 3), who emphasized the importance of creating meaningful workforce opportunities for Marin City residents and the role of community-based programs in supporting long-term economic stability.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Marin City
 Marin City gathered to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jan. 19, 2026. Families, elders, youth leaders, clergy, and community advocates filled the Manzanita Recreation Center with reflection, music, and a shared sense of purpose.
The program wove together spoken word, gospel, and remembrances of Dr. King’s call to justice — not as a distant history lesson, but as a living responsibility. Local leaders spoke about equity in housing, education, and health, grounding King’s message in the present-day work of the community. Young people lifted their voices in song and poetry, reminding everyone that the dream continues through the next generation.
MLK Day in Marin City in 2026 was more than a commemoration. It was a reaffirmation — that justice requires participation, that community is built through presence, and that Dr. King’s dream lives on in the everyday courage of those who continue to serve.
County Departments Bring Services to Marin City with Clean Slate Program on February 26
|
|
Clean Slate Program
The County of Marin’s successful Clean Slate Program, a road show that brings an array of services directly to residents in their own neighborhoods, is headed to Marin City on Thursday, February 26, 4-6:30 p.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church.
The original idea behind the Clean Slate events – orchestrated with Black History Month in mind – was to give individuals previously involved in the justice system a way to seal or expunge their criminal records.
|
|
|
As part of the County of Marin’s 2026-28 budget development process, staff presented the Board of Supervisors and the public with a draft workplan and three-year fiscal forecast.
During the County’s annual budget workshops, held February 23-25 at the Marin Center’s Showcase Theater, staff also provided updates on emerging local policy issues, key elements of the proposed budget and fiscal forecast, and additional proposals under consideration for the coming budget cycle. The updates included:
- An overview of a balanced fiscal forecast based on current assumptions and limited operating margin due to federal and state funding pressures;
- Reports of significant progress made on the County’s retiree benefit liabilities, and positioning to re-purpose funding from pension obligation bond costs to support public safety facilities and road improvements in the years to come;
- Indications that the County will need to address significant challenges to social safety net programming due to changes in how healthcare and other benefits are provided from the federal government.
Staff provided an overview of workplans that seek to address the Board’s top priorities, including:
- Increasing affordable housing and addressing homelessness
- Building a racially equitable community
- Reducing emissions and building climate-resilient communities
- Enhancing disaster and emergency preparedness
- Investing in Marin County’s infrastructure
- Improving community and economic vitality
In the coming weeks, County budget staff will review and consider the Board’s input, work with department staff, and refine the workplan and fiscal forecast before returning to the Board in April with an updated version of the workplan. Then, after workplan approval, staff will finalize the proposed budget for publication on the County website by mid-May. The annual budget hearings are scheduled for June 8-10, when the Board will review and consider approval of the 2026-28 budget and financial plan.
|
|
TRUTH Act Community Forum, March 10
The Marin County Board of Supervisors will hold a TRUTH Act Community Forum on March 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the Marin Center’s Showcase Theater . The forum is required under California’s TRUTH Act (AB 2792), which mandates that local governing bodies hold a public meeting if their local law enforcement agency provided U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with access to individuals for civil immigration enforcement purposes during the prior calendar year .
The purpose of the forum is to review 2024 reportable data regarding any provision of “ICE access” to individuals housed in the Marin County Jail . While the TRUTH Act requires that the community forum be convened, it does not require the Board to take action .
The meeting will be publicly accessible in person and broadcast live, and community members may also submit written comments in advance to the Clerk of the Board .
County Drops SCAAP from 2026-28 Proposed Budget
The County of Marin’s proposed budget for the 2026-28 fiscal years does not include funding from the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP), and the County Executive will instead recommend using one-time funds to support jail operations while temporarily pausing participation in the program.
County Executive Derek Johnson confirmed his decision to the Board of Supervisors at its February 10 meeting.
SCAAP is a longstanding federal reimbursement program that helps offset some costs for housing individuals who were already in local custody due to criminal charges. Participation in the program is administrative and retrospective in nature and does not involve immigration enforcement or coordination with federal immigration authorities. While the County’s past participation has been lawful and compliant with California Senate Bill 54, the California Values Act, the program is not widely understood and has prompted questions from residents and advocates.
|
County of Marin De-Escalation Response Framework
The County of Marin De-Escalation Response Framework (February 2026) establishes a coordinated, countywide approach to responding to immigration-related enforcement activities and their potential impacts on individuals, families, and communities. Developed by the Office of Equity and the Office of Emergency Management, the framework centers civil and human rights, transparency, equity, and trauma-informed care.
The document outlines a three-stage structure: Ongoing Readiness, De-Escalation Response, and Recovery and Learning. It defines how the County prepares in advance, scales response actions based on impact, protects safe spaces, supports affected residents, and strengthens long-term community recovery. The framework emphasizes cross-jurisdictional coordination, multilingual communication, partnership with trusted community organizations, and continuous improvement to reduce harm, prevent escalation, and promote community well-being.
|
Related Information
Immigrant Rights & Resources
Marin Expands Urgent Support for Immigrant Communities with $500,000 Investment
Bay Area Supervisors Reaffirm Support for Immigrant Communities
Supervisors Affirm Commitment to Democracy and Community with Resolution
|
|
 Strawberry Development in Line for
Planning Commission Review
A proposed development on Marin County’s Strawberry peninsula is moving toward a review by the Marin County Planning Commission.
Preview materials for the planned renovation of the former Golden Gate Theological Seminary site are now available online, and the project, along with the final environmental impact report (EIR) will be the addressed at the next two Planning Commission meetings. A project overview, similar to a public workshop, is scheduled for March 2 to provide background and context to a development that’s been years in the making. On March 30, the Planning Commission will consider making a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors regarding certification of the final EIR and approval of the project.
Low-Interest Loans Now Available
to Help Cover January Storm Losses
The County of Marin’s emergency proclamation, following the severe storm surges in early January, has made federal assistance available in the form of low interest disaster loans.
As of Friday, February 13, loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses, private nonprofits, and residents to offset physical and economic losses from the storm, flooding, and king tides that inundated parts of Marin from December 31, 2025 through January 5, 2026.
The SBA, in collaboration with local agencies, has scheduled the opening of three Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC) to provide in-person support and application assistance to community members.
|
Caltrans Announces Reduced HOV Lane Hours
on Highway 101
 |
|
Changes are officially coming for operational hours of high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on Highway 101 in Marin and Sonoma counties.
The hours are reducing from 5 a.m.-10 a.m. and 3 p.m.-7 p.m., to 6 a.m.-9 a.m. and 3 p.m.-6:30 p.m. They will take effect in late February when updates are made to HOV hours signage and will be consistent in both counties. The change is expected to bring much-needed relief to commuters.
|
 You Find it. We Fix it. Marin County Introduces
FixItMarin App
FixItMarin, the County of Marin’s official issue reporting service, is now available making it easier for residents to report non-emergency issues and request County services online or from their mobile device.
FixItMarin allows residents to quickly report common issues such as potholes, illegal dumping, streetlight outages, fallen branches or trees, and missing or damaged street signs on public property in unincorporated areas of Marin County. Requests can be submitted anytime through the FixItMarin website or mobile app, with the ability to add photos, share locations, and track updates as the County works to resolve the issue.
Wincing over Energy Bills?
County’s Sustainability Team hosting sessions to help increase household efficiency and cut costs
 |
|
When home energy bills start approaching the size of a monthly rent or mortgage payment, it’s time to get serious about household efficiency. Conveniently, two free public webinars are coming up in March and April that will help Marin County residents take a chunk out of those utility bills. |
|
|
In Community
Flood Control Discussion with Floating Homes Residents
A capacity crowd jammed the meeting room of the Bay Model on February 7 for a community gathering to discuss the effects of flooding due to high tides and storms. The event was hosted by Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters and her aide Doreen Gounard, a long-term resident of Galilee Harbor. The focus of the meeting was for residents and businesses from Gate 6 Road to Commodore Marina, as well as Marin City, to share concerns and solutions for future king tide events.
Supervisor Moulton-Peters (SMP) introduced Marin County Fire Chief Jason Weber, who spoke about the County’s response to the super moon and storms of early January, which produced the highest water levels so far this century.
 Marin County Leaders Join Global "Call to Action" for the Future Blue Economy Workforce
Global Blue Job Shadow Day
Ross Valley Sanitation District (RVSD) was featured as a leader at the Global Blue Job Shadow Day. This high-impact global event connected Blue Economy leaders in the U.S. and Portugal and issued a strategic "Call to Action" to invest in the Blue Economy workforce.
“Programs like the Blue Job Shadow Day show what’s possible when education, workforce, and public service align,” said Marin County Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters. “By building accessible pathways into the Blue Economy, we are delivering economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, and equity all at once. I am proud to see Marin leading by example in creating a future that sustains both our waters and our workforce."
|
|
Southern Marin Mayors and Managers Lunch
Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters hosted the Mayors and Town/City Managers from Belvedere (Mayor Sally Wilkinson), Mill Valley (Councilmember Urban Carmel), Sausalito (Mayor Steven Woodside and City Manager Greg Zapata), and Tiburon (Mayor Jon Welner and Town Manager Greg Chanis) for a working lunch focused on collaboration and key issues impacting Southern Marin communities.
 FIRE Foundry French Broom Removal Event
Date: Saturday, March 14th
Time: 9:00AM – 12:00PM
Location: Marin City
Join the Marin County FIRE Foundry crew at an upcoming volunteer day! This event will focus on managing the invasive species French broom in the Marin City Fuel Reduction Zone. Work will help ensure the fuel reduction zone, constructed in 2023, remains clear and effective in reducing fire risk for the Marin City community.
In addition to broom pulling, community partners will be sharing wildfire readiness education, background on the vegetation management projects in Marin City, and resources to create more resilient communities.
Details:
- Registration is required: https://forms.office.com/g/PUaX7Lg1tt
- Registration will close at 3pm on 3/12 – space is limited.
- Carpool if possible. The address will be shared via email before the event.
- Bring gloves (we’ll have extras if needed) and a water bottle.
- Coffee and light breakfast will be provided.
- Some moderate hiking and physical work required.
- Recommended for ages 14+ (under 14 must bring an adult).
- Rain or shine—dress for variable weather.
|
|
|
|
|
