It’s hard to believe that we are nearing the end of 2023. As the year concludes, and amid a seemingly endless stream of troubling news, it’s important to reflect and honor on our shared progress. In January of this year, my colleagues named me Chair of the Board of Supervisors, and while we’ve certainly faced challenges along the way, I am grateful for your collaboration in the positive strides we’ve made. Together, we advanced projects and policy pertaining to imperative issues. 

To curb homelessness and prevent our most vulnerable residents from becoming unhoused, we dedicated significant investments and policy actions. One of many investments, includes the approval of more than $7 million in grants for community development projects to fund housing, rental assistance, emergency shelter operations, fair housing services, homelessness prevention, case management, and financial stability for low-income residents. Beyond our financial contributions, the Board also promoted the availability of affordable housing through policy such as our state-approved Housing Element Plan and initial approval of a  limit on mobile home space-rent increases.  As two measures of our success, we observed a 22% reduction in homelessness since last year and prevented at least  282 youth and people with mental health illness  from becoming homeless.

I am painfully aware of how much work still remains on these fronts. Housing each unhoused person takes incredible effort by that individual, by county staff, by non-profit community providers and a host of others. For a look at the efforts made on behalf of just one individual, I recommend taking some time to read this story about the “Bubble Lady” that ran Thanksgiving Day in the Press Democrat.

On the mental health front, we dedicated $28 million through the Mental Health Services Act spending plan to expand the availability and accessibility of services that address our community’s broad spectrum of needs. Our efforts supported funding for crisis response units across the county, the expansion of mental health services in schools and the launch of a program that enables foster youth to receive mental health services in their own community.

This year also was a productive one for local climate action and resiliency. Policy work to protect our environment included prohibition of new retail gas stations, updated building codes to reduce climate change impacts, and an updated Local Coastal Plan that safeguards our coastline for future generations. With transportation comprising the majority of our emissions, the Board adopted a Clean Transit Plan and as part of this endeavor,  expanded our electric bus fleet and approved the construction of electric bus charging facility. To increase our resiliency to climate change, we approved the county’s first extreme weather response plan and directed $3.5 million for energy resilience upgrades at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building. 

On social and economic justice, we worked to increase the county’s living wage and expand the categories of workers covered by the Living Wage Ordinance. In our efforts to uplift the most vulnerable community members we supported those most impacted during the 2022-2023 winter storms, launched a Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program and advanced the construction of the long-promised Roseland Village Redevelopment Project, which this month enters its demolition stage and has a projected construction start for 2024. 

This is not nearly an exhaustive list of our accomplishments, and while we have significant work ahead to continue building a sustainable and equitable future, I am proud of what we’ve achieved together. This month, let us celebrate in community. In our newsletter, we have included a list of free and low-cost events and activities for children, adults and seniors. Read on for more on how you can participate and engage in opportunities to spread cheer.

As always, I am grateful for your engagement, appreciate your ongoing support and welcome your thoughts, feedback and comments.

Chris Coursey

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Demolition crews this month will tear down the old Dollar Store and Wind Toys buildings in Roseland, making room for Tierra de Rosas and Casa Roseland, a new mixed-use development that will reshape the southwest Santa Rosa neighborhood.

Tierra de Rosas is a 7.41-acre mixed-use development. It will include 75 units of affordable housing for individuals and families (Casa Roseland), 100 units of market rate rental housing, a civic building for community uses, a commercial parcel envisioned as a mercado food hall, and a one-acre public plaza.

"The significance of this site to the Roseland community cannot be overstated," said Supervisor Coursey. "This progress toward the development of the Tierra de Rosas project, which was born out of a community vision, marks a breakthrough in our collaborative response to the historical disinvestment that Roseland has endured. The project will not only provide much-needed affordable and market-rate housing, it also will revitalize the existing community hub and serve as a catalyst for invigorating economic growth in the area."

Creative Sonoma is pleased to announce that $35,000 in grant awards have been awarded to six public school districts in Sonoma County to support access to more arts education by creating a district-wide Strategic Arts Plans or producing Student Arts Showcases. These grants, from Creative Sonoma’s Arts Education Framework Grants Program, will allow districts to get the help they need to make arts education an essential component of their work to create a better future for their students.

“There is significant evidence indicating that an arts-rich education improves student outcomes,” said Supervisor Coursey. “These grants offer access to both funding and professional services to help school districts be intentional about incorporating arts into their student’s curriculum and overall school experience.”

We warmly extend congratulations and gratitude to a Sonoma couple who have demonstrated their commitment to caring for children in the foster care system. Recently honored by the nonprofit RaiseAChild, Mimi and Petie Torri have fostered more than 58 children ranging in age from newborns to teens and including children with special needs and prenatal exposures to drugs and alcohol.

“The kids didn’t ask for this, so if we can help in any way then we have to try,” Petie Torri said.

Due to Sonoma County’s shortage of foster parents, every day, the county’s Department of Human Services cares for 50 to 75 local children and teens who await a foster or adoptive placement.

When birth parents cannot safely care for their children, foster parents provide loving care that supports children, and helps their families grow and change. Observing their foster and birth parents working together on their behalf can be transformative for a child’s life and can create lifelong relationships between the foster and birth families that expand a child’s sense of community and family.  

Foster parents can be single adults, straight and gay couples, Spanish-speaking families, children’s relatives, family friends and other approved caregivers.

Permit Sonoma will host two Comprehensive Cannabis Program Update meetings on December 13 to update the public on key program elements and the mapping of residential enclaves in an effort to improve compatibility between cannabis land uses and the neighborhoods they are located within or near. The first meeting will be in person at the Board of Supervisors Chambers from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The second meeting will be conducted via Zoom from 7 to 8 p.m.

The content will be the same for both meetings and will include a presentation of the mapping parameters, GIS maps and key program elements. The meetings are informational only.

Spanish interpretation will be available at both the in-person meeting and the Zoom meeting. Register for the Zoom webinar here.

Sonoma County has the potential for large-scale removal of carbon from the atmosphere to support its net-zero emissions goal by 2030 according to a recent report.

According to the report presented to the Board of Supervisors in November, the biggest opportunity to sequester carbon in Sonoma County is through natural and working lands.

“Natural and working lands, including our iconic redwood forests, oak woodlands, vineyards and pasturelands, can be a powerful engine for mitigating climate change and increasing resilience to climate impacts,” said Supervisor Coursey “Conserving these ‘carbon sinks,’ where plants and soils take in more carbon than they release, can help move the county closer to achieving the objective of carbon neutrality.”

The report establishes an inventory of existing and potential carbon stocks. In the coming months, the county will expand public engagement to explore and prioritize strategies for action to be incorporated into the Climate Resilience Master Action Plan.

Access the full Carbon Inventory and Sequestration Potential Study here.

The Sonoma County Transportation Authority is creating the Sonoma County Active Transportation Plan (ATP). The plan will focus on increasing access to active transportation modes by planning for infrastructure projects and supportive programs. The planning team needs your input to identify needs, barriers, and opportunities to ensure a successful ATP.

You can provide feedback by adding pins to an interactive map and completing the survey.

The City of Santa Rosa Fire Department officially declared the end of the 2023 wildfire season in Santa Rosa on Nov. 14, which suspends the City’s Weed Abatement Ordinance requirements. It will also allow pile-burning permits to be issued in the coming weeks. The weed abatement requirements and burn permit issuance are based on local conditions. While conditions around the region and state vary, Santa Rosa received several beneficial rounds of rain over the last month, and several more days are forecasted this week. 

Protect your home and family from wildfires by signing up for a free wildfire risk assessment from SoCo Adapts. The pilot program, launched by Permit Sonoma, is available to property owners in select areas of the Sonoma Valley, west Sonoma County and north Sonoma County at high risk of wildfires.

Participants in the program will receive a report outlining steps they can take to reduce wildfire risk. They are eligible for up to $10,000 in rebates to help implement the recommended safety measures, including tree maintenance, brush removal, improving vents and more.

The free wildfire risk assessments are available to the first 1,000 eligible residents who sign up for the program. View a map of the parcels eligible for the free assessments.

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors authorized another $2 million in November for projects that protect residents from wildfires by creating fuel breaks, expanding defensible space around homes, and removing vegetation along evacuation routes and in fire-prone landscapes. 

The Board of Supervisors also approved changes to the 3-year-old vegetation management grant program that will allow the county to prioritize projects that align with the objectives of local and state fire agencies and county departments.

In all, the first three rounds of grants have reduced fire danger on 3,045 acres by reducing fuel loads using prescribed burns, grazing, hand crews and equipment to manage vegetation. The grants have created defensible space around 630 homes, constructed 82 miles of shaded fuel breaks and reduced vegetation along 64 miles of roads that serve as critical evacuation routes. The program has approved five additional projects that will reduce fire risks on 45,621 acres. 

SMART Toys for Tots

On Saturday, Dec. 2, SMART will host the annual HOLIDAY EXPRESS Toy Drive. Each adult passenger who brings a new, unwrapped toy to donate, will ride FREE. Kids accompanied by an adult ride FREE that day.

The entire community is invited to bring a toy and enjoy the festive cheer aboard SMART’s Holiday Express! Passengers will be able to donate toys on board ANY of the trains operating on Dec. 2.

Create holiday memories by snapping a picture with the Guy in Red. Santa is a big train buff, and rumor has it that he will on board train trips 5 & 6 on Saturday, Dec. 2. 

• Trip 5 departs from the SoCo Airport Station southbound at 9:32 AM
• Trip 6 departs from the Larkspur Station northbound at 11:30 AM

Santa's holiday helpers will be on all the trains celebrating the season and accepting new, unwrapped toys to give to families and children in need. Donated toys will go to the Toys-for-Tots campaign.

FREE PARKING is available at the following stations: Sonoma County Airport, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Petaluma Downtown, Novato San Marin, Novato Downtown, Novato Hamilton, and Larkspur.

See you on board the trains for the Holiday Express Toy Drive!

Pack the Patrol Car – Toy Drive & Resource Fair

Let the holiday giving begin at the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Pack the Patrol Car toy collection event on Dec. 8, 2-5 p.m. at 2796 Ventura Ave in Santa Rosa. Please bring a new unwrapped toy for donation, and get your questions answered about mental health services, law and fire services, code enforcement and more!

Toys will be distributed on a later date by the Salvation Army, R-Hoops, and local community groups and before Christmas. Great gift ideas include gift cards to eateries, coffee shops, bookstores, movie theaters and clothing stores; sports equipment; art supplies; small electronics; Legos, board games and puzzles; and makeup, fingernail polish and other grooming supplies.

Looking for a fun, creative activity that also benefits others? Send artwork and letters of encouragement to seniors with the Sonoma County Library's Send Our Seniors Mail program! Send Our Seniors Mail offers kindness and support for elders in our community and is an easy way to spread cheer throughout the holiday season. 

Interested?

1. Visit the Send Our Seniors Mail page for a list of participating senior living facilities.
2. Create cards, artwork, and letters for seniors who might need a little extra happiness during the holidays.
3. Pop your goods in the mail!

Addresses of senior facilities will be added to the Send Our Seniors Mail webpage as they become available. If you know of a potential Send Our Seniors Mail facility, please email the library at sendourseniorsmail@sonomalibrary.org

Join the Sonoma County Library for events and activities throughout the month of December, from tamale-making workshops to tai chi classes. All events are free and you don't need a library card to attend; registration is required for select events. See some of their December events below!

Tamales-Making Workshops Chef Salomé Arenas will guide you in making traditional Oaxacan tamales. Recommended for ages eight and up!

Seeds and Reads: Mushrooms in the Wild Explore common wild mushrooms found in Sonoma County and create a mushroom ornament to take home. For grades K-6. Registration encouraged.

Festive Cookie Decorating for Teens Decorate your own winter-themed cookie with icing and sprinkles! All materials provided. For grades 7-12. Space is limited; register online or at your local library.

Crafting with Creativebug Learn to finger knit or fold your own gift boxes with Creativebug! This event welcomes adults and seniors.

Tai Chi with David Chung Learn the ancient Asian exercise form to promote balance, relaxation, motion, health, harmony, stability, and inner power. Attendees of all ages are welcome!

For more information on these and many other resources at the library, visit: https://sonomalibrary.org/

Handmade Holiday Crafts Fair

The City of Santa Rosa invites residents to the Homemade Holiday Crafts Fair on Dec. 2-3, 10am-4pm. Celebrate the season with gifts for yourself or loved ones in this festive shopping experience featuring over 90 local artists. Shop for quality, hand-crafted holiday décor, home goods, jewelry, bath and body products, gourmet delights and more all sold by the artists! 



Plus Enjoy:



• Live entertainment!
• A ride on Rosie the Trolley for free to and from the Crafts Fair to the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens Holiday Open House!

Santa Rosa Parks and Rec keep your youngsters active and engaged these holidays with school-break camps full of healthy activities and fun! See links below for more information on each activity.

• Arctic Engineering with LEGO Materials
• Archery & Sword Adventure Camp (Dec. 27-29 OR Jan. 2-5)
• Fencing Adventure Camp (Dec. 27-29 OR Jan. 2-5)
• Basketball Camps (Winter Break)
• Hand Sewing Camp (Dec. 26-29 OR Jan. 2-5)
• Wa-Tam Winter Camp (limited spots)

Plus, check out these activities for kids and teens starting soon:

• Ballet & Tap, Pre-Ballet or Tutus for Twos Ballet
• Movers and Groovers
• Aikido, Judo, & Karate
• Soccer
• Kindergym

Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks also for Adults & Seniors!

Winter Celebration at Andy’s Unity Park

Sonoma County Regional Parks and LandPaths invite you to a Winter Celebration at Andy’s Unity Park on Saturday DEcember 16, from 10am – 2pm. There will be fun games, activities for kids, and tamales! We cannot wait to see you there! For more information, contact Alexis Puerto-Holmes at communityengagementprograms@sonoma-county.org. No registration required.

We recommend participants dress in layers and bring a hat and sunscreen. Most programs will happen rain or shine, but may be canceled during heavy rains, heavy smoke, or extreme temperatures. Accommodations will be made for visitors with disabilities upon advance request.

Meeting Place: Meet under the shade structure. 

Meet Sonoma County’s new public health officer: Dr. Tanya Phares, an experienced physician and health care executive from Reno, Nevada.

Phares, who started on Nov. 14, serves as the county’s chief medical officer and top health policy official, with the authority to declare public health emergencies and issue and enforce orders to protect the community’s health.

Phares, who was appointed to her new role by the Board of Supervisors on Nov. 7, succeeds Dr. Karen Smith, who served as interim health officer since August.

Previously, Phares served as a faculty member at the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Reno and a consultant to health care organizations. Over the last two decades, she has worked as an executive and physician at St. Mary’s Health Network, SilverSummit Healthplan, Renown Health and other health care organizations.

As levels of circulating respiratory viruses increase and people spend more time indoors for the holiday season, it’s important to know all the ways to stay healthy this winter. 

All Bay Area Health Officers recommend the following actions:  

Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19, Flu and RSV.  

Staying up to date on vaccination is the best way to protect against severe COVID-19, influenza (flu) and RSV disease. These viruses pose the greatest risk to infants, older adults, and persons with certain health conditions. Getting recommended vaccines when pregnant protects pregnant people as well as their babies. 

People without insurance or whose insurance does not cover the cost of vaccines can get the updated COVID-19 vaccine for free through the Bridge Access Program. Visit vaccines.gov to find a location. 

Stay Home if You Are Sick.  

Test Yourself if You Feel Sick.  

• Make sure to stock up on home test kits. This fall, every household can get up to eight free COVID tests from the U.S. government.

Get Treatment.  

• If you test positive for COVID-19, treatment is available to most adults and some teens with even mild symptoms. 
• Talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options or visit covid19.ca.gov/treatment.  
• If you test positive for flu, treatment is available for those at high risk for severe illness. 

Wear a Mask in Indoor Public Places and Improve Ventilation.  

• For added protection, consider masking in indoor public settings, especially if you are at higher risk for severe disease (over 65 years of age and/or persons with certain health conditions). Wearing a well-fitting high-quality mask, such as a KF94, KN95 or N95, can prevent infection with COVID-19, flu, RSV, and other respiratory viruses all at once.  
• Wearing a mask can reduce your risk of getting sick and missing out on work, school, and holiday events.  

Health Officers from the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Solano, Sonoma, and the city of Berkeley encourage the public to take these easy steps to protect themselves and others this holiday season.