|
Dear Southern Marin Friends and Neighbors,
As fall progresses and we prepare for winter, there is a lot happening across Marin County and here in Southern Marin.
First and foremost, I'd like to invite you to the Marin City Open House at the Southern Marin County Services Annex happening tonight, Nov. 4, from 5-7p.m. This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with County offices such as Health and Human Services, Marin Housing Authority, and many more.
In this edition of the Southern Marin Scoop, we're continuing to share timely information regarding Emergency Preparedness about best practices that you can implement into your household, as well as resources from the County and our local partners.
It is important that we equip ourselves, and our neighbors, with the proper tools and relevant details as our district will be facing rising king tides, winter storms, and a potential heavy El Niño come this month. The Office of Emergency Management will be hosting a county-wide virtual El Niño Town Hall on Thursday, November 19 at 6:00pm.
Moreover, I'd like to highlight that Caltrans will continue to close Highway 101 on and off ramps during high tides and flooding. We are working to get better information about those closures in advance and notify the public when appropriate.
Aside from weather readiness, District 3 continues to hold and promote various community events including the Envision Marin Community Workshop and Play Marin Walk-a-thon. Additionally, as the holidays approach, I'll be sharing some local activities that are open to the public and may be of interest to you.
There is a lot happening, so please read on for these updates, upcoming events, and ways to get involved. As always, thank you for staying connected and engaged with our Southern Marin community.
All my best,
Stephanie
|
Find below stories about:
Marin City Open House, Nov. 4, Northbound US-101, State Route 1 Ramp Affected by High Tides, Virtual El Niño Town Hall, Nov. 19, Envision Marin Workshop, Dec. 1, County and Regional News, District 3 News, Contact Us
|
|
Marin City Community Open House, Nov. 4
 Marin City Community Open House
Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters and County of Marin staff invite you to a community Open House in Marin City! Stop by anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. to meet with the Supervisor and County staff, learn about services offered at the Southern Marin County Service Annex, as well as ongoing and upcoming County projects in Marin City, ask questions, share your input and have a snack!
📅 Wednesday, November 4, 2026
⏰ Drop in anytime from 5–7 p.m.
📍 Southern Marin County Services Annex
630 Drake Avenue, Marin City
We hope you’ll stop by, say hello, and join the conversation about what’s happening in your community!
Caltrans Advisory
High Tides Expected to Continue Affecting Northbound US-101, State Route 1 Connector Ramp
Caltrans has issued a report alerting residents and frequent users of US-101 that maintenance will continue to close the Northbound US-101, Northbound State Route 1 (SR-1) connector ramp in Mill Valley, when needed, as high tides affect the roadway.
The lower half of the Manzanita Park and Ride lot will continue to be closed due to flooding. Shoulder parking on SR-1 could be affected during tide events as well. Maintenance will open the roadway as soon as high tides subside. On Thursday, Oct. 29, the ramp was affected from high tides from about 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The ramp was affected again on Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31. More high tides are expected in November in Marin County.
|
Marin Arts and Crafts Show Nov. 6-8
This upcoming weekend, the Marin Arts & Crafts Show will showcase the handcrafted designs of artists, artisans, and makers whose work reflects meticulous craftsmanship, natural materials, thoughtful design, and enduring beauty.
Explore a diverse collection of fine art, jewelry, ceramics, woodwork, textiles, artisan foods, and handcrafted goods that are both beautiful and functional while meeting the people behind the work.
Tickets are FREE all weekend!
📅 Friday Nov. 6th - Sunday Nov. 8th
⏰ Drop in anytime from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
📍 Marin Center Exhibit Hall
10 Ave of the Flags, San Rafael, CA 94903-5204
Play Marin Walk-A-Thon, Nov. 7
 Play Marin hosts an annual community Walk-A-Thon that brings people together to get active, have fun, and support kids across Marin County through the power of play. Everyone is welcome to participate or volunteer.
📅 Saturday, Nov. 7th
⏰ 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
📍 George "Rocky" Graham Park, Marin City
Envision Marin Launches Community Workshops
 Marin County is inviting people who live, work, learn or do business in Marin to participate in a series of Envision Marin community workshops this November and early December. The workshops are part of the County’s broader community engagement effort to develop Marin’s first comprehensive Countywide Strategic Plan in more than 25 years. Community input gathered this fall will help inform the goals, priorities and strategies developed for the plan.
December 1
⏰ 6-7:30 p.m.
📍 Mill Valley Community Center, Cascade Room
180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley
Register Here
If you can't attend this workshop, you can find more dates and locations by following this link here: Help Shape Marin's Future: Envision Marin Community Workshops Begin November 12
 |
|
Veteran's Day Service, Nov. 11
This Veteran's Day Marin County, in partnership with the United Vets Counsel, will be hosting a ceremonial event featuring traditional tributes to local service members, guest speakers from local veterans' organizations, music and complimentary refreshments.
|
⏰ 9:30 a.m.
📍 Marin Center Exhibit Hall
10 Ave of the Flags San Rafael, CA 94903-5204
Heat Pump Water Heater Webinar
for Marin Residents, Nov. 18
Most people don’t think about their water heater until it stops working. Future Bay Area Air District appliance regulations may require that when your gas water heater breaks, you will have to replace it with a heat pump water heater starting in 2028.
The County of Marin Climate and Sustainability Office is hosting a resident focused webinar, over Zoom, that will cover everything you need to know about heat pump water heaters, including how they work, what to know before installing one, questions to ask a contractor, and current incentive programs. There will be a Q&A section to get your specific project questions answered.
📅 Wednesday, Nov. 18th
⏰ 6 - 7 p.m.
Nature Journaling Walk on Ring Mountain, Nov. 21
Join our Park Rangers for a guided walk at Ring Mountain Preserver and discover the landscape through nature journaling (weather permitting). Slow down, observe seasonal plants, wildlife, and scenic vistas, and learn simple techniques for recording your observations through writing and sketching. No artistic experience required. The hike will cover approximately 2 miles on uneven terrain with moderate elevation gain. Distance may vary based on conditions and group pace. Appropriate for teens and adults.
To learn and sign up more visit County of Marin Calendar | Marin County
|
|
|
Virtual El Niño Town Hall Nov. 19
 El Niño can bring heavier rain and stronger storms to Marin. Know your risk, sign up for alerts and prepare your household before storms arrive. We encourage you to join this event, especially if you missed the in-person District 3 El Niño town hall in October.
Join local emergency preparedness leaders to learn:
- What El Niño can mean for Marin
- How the County and its partners are preparing
- How to understand your home's potential risks
- What you can do now to prepare your household and property
- What to do before, during and after a major storm
While we cannot predict exactly when heavy rain and strong winds will arrive, we can anticipate some of the upcoming High Tides. The National Weather Service forecasts the following high-tide periods:
November 24–26: Highest tides expected between 10–11:40 a.m.
December 22–25: Highest tides expected between 9–11:30 a.m.
Weather Together: Prepare Today. Protect Tomorrow.
Learn more at El Niño & Winter Storm Preparedness | ReadyMarin
El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern involving warmer-than-average ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific. It can influence weather around the world and has historically been associated with wetter conditions in parts of California. A strong El Niño can increase the potential for significant rainfall, but it cannot tell us exactly when or where individual storms will occur.
Marin could experience heavy rain and strong winds, high tides and coastal flooding, creeks and drainage systems filling quickly, downed trees and landslides, power outages, road flooding and travel disruptions, and back-to-back storm systems.
Download AlertMarin
 AlertMarin is the primary notification system used by agencies across the County. We use AlertMarin to send alerts during emergencies like flooding, wildfires, or evacuations, when action is needed at a specific address or location. An AlertMarin notification will give you timely, clear, and accurate information. AlertMarin notifications can be a phone call, text message, or email. You can sign up for alerts from multiple areas, even if you don't live in that immediate area. Emergency officials recommend signing up for alerts near you and your family's homes, school districts, and work locations.
Officials recommend that you save the AlertMarin number in your phone and set it to ring even when "Do Not Disturb" is on.
iPhone
-
Save AlertMarin, 877-627-1411, as a contact. Tap "Done."
-
Open the contact and tap "Edit." Tap "Ringtone."
-
Turn on "Emergency Bypass." Tap "Done."
Android
-
Save AlertMarin, 877-627-1411, as a contact. Tap the star icon to make it a favorite.
- Open "Settings" and search for "Do Not Disturb."
-
Select "Calls and Messages," then "Add Contacts." Add AlertMarin.
Tip: Add your home landline to your AlertMarin account. That gives us a second way to reach you.
To learn more about AlertMarin, visit Sign up for AlertMarin | Office of Emergency Management
Download FixIt Marin
FixItMarin is Marin County’s official app for reporting non-emergency issues in unincorporated areas. If something in your neighborhood isn’t right— a pothole, a fallen branch, or illegal dumping—let the County know anytime, from your phone, tablet or computer.
As we prepare for incoming flooding, FixIt Marin has a designated section to report blocked roadways, creeks, and storm drains. To learn more on how to download and use FixIt Marin please visit the website.
|
|
County & Regional News
Supervisors to Consider Temporary Moratorium on New Detention Facilities
The Board of Supervisors is set to consider a proposed urgency ordinance on Nov. 10 at the recommendation of the County's Community Development Agency (CDA). The CDA is suggesting a 45-day moratorium on new or expanded detention and correctional facilities in unincorporated Marin in order to give the agency more time to evaluate whether existing land-use rules adequately protects surrounding communities from health and safety impacts before such projects move forward here. As federal plans to create detention centers in Gilroy and Dublin progress, a notable discrepancy has been highlighted in Marin County's planning regulations. The Countywide Plan, Development Code, and Local Coastal Program don’t properly address the construction of detention facilities or the conversion of existing buildings for that purpose. The ordinance, if approved, would prohibit the siting, construction, conversion, expansion, or operation of new or expanded detention and correctional facilities in unincorporated Marin, whether publicly or privately operated, so long as the County has land-use authority. As always, all are welcome to attend the Board of Supervisors meeting on Nov. 10 both in person and over Zoom. You can read more about the upcoming ordinance by following the link below.
County Declines DOJ Demand to Set Aside Ballots
On Oct. 23, 2026, agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) delivered a letter from the Department of Justice requesting cooperation in identifying 48 suspected noncitizens on the Marin County voter roll and demanded that ballots submitted by those voters be set aside until their citizenship status could be determined. The County determined that complying with the DOJ's demands would likely violate laws designed to protect individual privacy and the right to vote, and preliminary review also found the list to be "at best materially unreliable."
Marin Supervisors Adopt Policy Addressing Federal Immigration Enforcement
On Oct. 20, 2026, the Board of Supervisors unanimously passed an immigration policy limiting the scope of access to county owned property for certain federal immigration activities. The policy also protects confidential information and strengthens transparency and oversight through regular reporting of immigration enforcement activity involving County property, departments and employees.
Among its provisions, the new policy:
- Prohibits federal immigration agencies from using County-owned or controlled property as staging areas, processing locations or bases of operations for immigration enforcement operations, except where required by law.
- Requires federal immigration officials seeking access to nonpublic County facilities to present a judicial warrant or other legally sufficient authority.
- Reinforces existing restrictions on sharing confidential County-held information for federal immigration enforcement, consistent with state and federal law.
- Requires County employees to report immigration enforcement activity on County property to the County Executive within 24 hours of learning of it.
- Requires the Sheriff's Office and Probation Department to report monthly to County Counsel regarding interactions with federal immigration officials.
The Board has indicated that it will continue evaluating the policy’s effectiveness and opportunities for further action. The newly adopted policy provides consistent direction across County departments while giving County leadership and the Board greater visibility into interactions with federal immigration authorities and opportunities to consider additional action as circumstances and the law continues to evolve.
|
|
Marin Master Gardener 40th Anniversary Celebration
 The UC Marin Master Gardeners celebrated the program’s 40th anniversary on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at the Mill Valley Recreation Center. The event championed the program staff and volunteers, who have dedicated much time and effort into building a wonderfully supportive community here in Marin. I was honored to present a proclamation celebrating this monumental anniversary and enjoy the event alongside my colleague Supervisor Mary Sackett.
Southern Marin Fire District Swears In Fire Chief Heather Marques
This past month, the Southern Marin Fire District welcomed their newly appointed Fire Chief, Heather Marques. In a ceremony on Oct. 15, the new chief was sworn in at Station 1 in front of friends and family, colleagues and elected professionals. Chief Marques is the sixth chief for the district, and notably the first woman to hold the position. I am excited for our District to welcome such an experienced and bright professional into the position.
|
Southern Marin Fire: A Legacy of Service Luncheon
 On the heels of Chief Marques's swearing in ceremony, the Southern Marin Fire District hosted a special luncheon bringing together retired and current personnel, community leaders, and regional fire service partners to recognize the people, traditions, and contributions that have shaped the fire service throughout Southern Marin. I was grateful to attend the event, which provided an opportunity to welcome the new Fire Chief and connect with local safety professionals.
El Niño Town Hall - Mill Valley Community Center
 As the County continues to prepare for the upcoming rainy season, emergency preparedness leaders have held free and accessible town halls to educate local residents on how to prepare themselves ahead of El Niño and other inclement weather cycles. The Southern Marin Town Hall was held on Oct. 21 at the Mill Valley Community Center and featured Director of Emergency Management Steven Torrence, Chief Resilience Officer Nick Brubaker, and Assistant Director of Public Works Nick Bartlett. I am very thankful to everyone who made this event possible and to the residents who took the time out of their day to join us. It was great to see friends and neighbors alike attend this event to learn how to care for themselves and their property, and how to care for one another. As District 3 continues to prepare for winter, I am proud of the work that the County is doing to support our community.
Southern Marin County Services Annex Open
Accessing County services is now easier for Southern Marin residents at the Southern Marin County Services Annex, located at 630 Drake Avenue in Marin City. The Annex brings a variety of essential programs closer to home, including health and human services, employment and training assistance, behavioral health resources, WIC, and programs for older adults.
The Annex is also now home to regular drop-in hours for the Marin County Public Defender’s Clean Slate Program, which provides free legal and DMV assistance. Services include help with expungements, sealing arrest records, early termination of probation, immigration relief, DMV documents, and more. Clean Slate drop-in services are available on the first Thursday and third Tuesday of each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Southern Marin County Services Annex:
415-473-5130 | HHSSouthMarinAnnex@marincounty.gov
Clean Slate Program:
415-747-9089 | Defender-Outreach@marincounty.gov
The Board of Supervisors meets on scheduled Tuesdays, at 9 a.m. unless otherwise stated in the posted agenda. Meetings are open to the public, and public participation is encouraged. Meetings are held in room 330 at the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, and assistive listening is available in Board Chambers.
If you'd like to join the Board of Supervisors meeting, you can do so via zoom or by attending in person. Below is the link to view the meeting agenda, location, and zoom link.
|
|
|
|
|
|
