September 2024 Newsletter | |
A Message from Supervisor Coursey | |
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I hope you enjoyed a restful Labor Day holiday this month with loved ones while reflecting on the labor movement’s impact and the contributions made by the American workforce. As we approach October, and officially enter Fall, I reflect on the work we’ve done this month. The Board of Supervisors reviewed the Agricultural Crop Report highlighting annual changes in our region’s agriculture landscape. We also adopted the Master Plan for Aging, which tells us that Sonoma County is aging at a faster pace than neighboring counties and is becoming culturally and linguistically more diverse. This blueprint will help to address our aging population’s needs over the next 10 years.
Also this month, the Board adopted an Artificial Intelligence policy outlining ethical guidelines for AI’s application in county government. This will help us ensure transparency, accountability, and responsible use of AI.
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The Board also resumed discussions around county services available for the immigrant community. While this is one of many deliberations, I look forward to a more defined scope analysis of those services, which is set to return early next year. My goal is to move the discussion away from the general and theoretical and toward targeted solutions that address the needs of specific groups of vulnerable residents in our community, including low-wage workers, farmworkers and undocumented workers.
In this month’s newsletter, we have prepared important county news, community announcements, workshops for you to participate in, upcoming events and more. As always, your feedback and questions are valuable in making this newsletter engaging. I appreciate your continued support and readership.
Sincerely,
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The 2023 Crop Report presented to the Board of Supervisors this month revealed an 18.8 percent increase in total value of agricultural production over the 2022 value.
Among many other details, the report highlights Climate-Smart Agriculture in Sonoma and Marin counties and the partnerships between growers, conservation organizations and government agencies to combat climate change and enhance food security.
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This month, the Board of Supervisors approved a comprehensive 10-year plan to improve the health and well-being of the county’s increasing population of older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers.
The plan outlines 23 key strategies in 6 areas of focus: housing, transportation, health, equity, caregiving and economic security.
Over the next three months, the Sonoma County Department of Human Services will host a series of public meetings across the county to provide an overview of the plan and work with communities to implement its strategies.
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The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors tentatively approved a set of tenant protection measures this month that, when approved on second reading, will provide new rights to renters in the unincorporated areas of the county.
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Since 2007 Ceres has provided healthy, tailored meals to Sonoma County residents who are living with serious illness or are temporarily displaced during disasters. The demand for Ceres’ services grew rapidly and exponentially during the pandemic and continues to rise. Between 2019 and today, Ceres has gone from delivering 79,000 meals annually to 220,000 meals each year.
Last week, I had the honor to speak at their groundbreaking event for their future facilities space nestled in a centralized location, while also recollecting my own experience with the program years ago, when my late wife and I were clients.
Once complete, the regional facilities will feature high-efficiency equipment, an increase in refrigeration capacity, and a solar array with battery microgrid to ensure continuity of service during power outages and disasters, all in a beautiful new building now under construction in Southwest Santa Rosa.
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Launched in November 2023, SchoolsRule Sonoma County collects donations on behalf of students in each of Sonoma County’s 40 public school districts, ensuring donor contributions reach students in all corners of our diverse and dynamic region.
Housed within the Sonoma County Office of Education, SchoolsRule Sonoma County works collaboratively with Sonoma County’s public school foundations to raise funds on behalf of all TK-12 public school students countywide. The program helps ensure that innovative educational opportunities are available to every student in Sonoma County, regardless of ZIP code.
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As their guest in their first distribution of donations event held at Amarosa Academy last week, I was inspired by the great work this funding model offers and had a chance to speak to families of local Sonoma County schools as well as SCOE’s Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie Carter. | |
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Join SMART for an in-person Community Workshop to help shape SMART's Strategic Plan. Share your thoughts and ideas on SMART’s priorities and objectives for the next five years. Review the draft goals and strategies and help craft a plan that reflects the needs of riders and the North Bay community.
Wednesday, September 25
4:30pm - 6:30pm, drop-in anytime during this time block
Petaluma Arts Center, 230 Lakeville Street, Petaluma
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The Sonoma County Transportation Authority updates the Comprehensive Transportation Plan every five years to ensure that the plan is relevant, useful, and represents the community’s needs for transportation. The new plan, called Moving Forward 2050, will look at transportation and projects over the next 30 years.
Take the survey to help inform transportation priorities.
English Survey: https://scta-rcpa.typeform.com/to/FZ7lyv9M
Spanish Survey: https://scta-rcpa.typeform.com/to/yq2Nd7u6
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Public Service Annoucement | |
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The Sonoma County Department of Health Services invites you to respond to a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Measure O: Behavioral Health and Homelessness Community Solutions.
This NOFA outlines the information necessary to understand the competitive selection process and the required documentation necessary for the submission of proposals. All interested proposers must meet the requirements specified in the NOFA. Proposers must have qualified staff on hand for this project and be ready to begin work on the date this project is initiated. Approximately $5,600,000 in funding is now available.
For questions regarding this specific funding opportunity or to receive updates about this funding opportunity, email DHS-Procurement@sonoma-county.org. In the subject, please list: Measure O: Behavioral Health and Homelessness Community Solutions NOFA - Questions.
Non-Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference, October 7, 10am
This optional meeting will be held virtually through Zoom to answer questions regarding the NOFA specifications and process.
To participate, use the following information:
https://sonomacounty.zoom.us/j/97265142793?pwd=dN6a6k5yY8UjBaIcHi1IjNcbSmnge7.1
Meeting ID: 972 6514 2793
Passcode: 907346
It is the responsibility of all interested parties to check the Measure O Website for any changes, updates, or addenda, by reviewing the linked NOFA and all supplemental documents.
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Join the County of Sonoma’s Adult and Aging Division as they unveil the Sonoma County Master Plan for Aging Adults in our community.
Tuesday, October 1, 9am - 12pm
The Backdrop Event Center, 1455 Corporate Center Parkway, Santa Rosa
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The County of Sonoma will host a virtual public meeting to provide an overview of recent updates to its plan to bring all County-owned properties into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The meeting will include a presentation on the County’s efforts to evaluate the accessibility of sidewalks, curb ramps, bus stops, parking spaces and other County-owned sites. Members of the Sonoma County Public Infrastructure and Human Resources departments will outline proposed solutions and gather community feedback on how the County should prioritize nearly 5,000 sites for remediation.
Advance registration is required. Spanish translation, American Sign Language interpretation and real-time captioning will be provided.
Thursday, October 3, 6pm
Virtual meeting via zoom
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Join Council on Aging for a two-part lunch-and learn-event for older adults. Learn about emergency preparedness, evacuation, pet safety in emergencies and more. RSVP required. Lunches will be at the Finley Senior Center, 2060 West College Ave, Santa Rosa.
Part 1
Thursday October 3, 11am - 1pm
Part 2
Thursday October 17, 11am - 1pm
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The Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport is holding public workshops in Sebastopol and Santa Rosa to update the public on a study examining air traffic patterns, noise and operating procedures at the airport.
Wednesday October 2, 6pm - 8pm
Analy High School gymnasium, 6950 Analy Ave, Sebastopol
Thursday October 3, 6pm - 8pm
Vintners Resort, 4350 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa
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Santa Rosa residents, do you have good-condition furniture, clothes or small appliances that you have been meaning to get rid of? Are you interested in looking for some free homSanta Rosa residents, do you have good-condition furniture, clothes or small appliances that you have been meaning to get rid of? Are you interested in looking for some free home items? Or do you want to learn some furniture-repair tips?
Come to the Santa Rosa Reuse Bazaar on September 28, at Finley Community Park
Drop-off times are 9am - 12:00 pm
Free Shopping times are 10am - 2pm
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Join Landpaths for their 14th annual Harvest Festival at Bayer Farm. Enjoy a day of live music, art, gardening workshops and more. Free and family-friendly event.
Saturday September 28
10am - 2pm
1550 West Avenue, Santa Rosa
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Goodwill -Redwood Empire’s job readiness workshop for youth begins October 15. In its 7th cohort, Goodwill’s Good4Youth program offers a 5-week workshop series on Zoom followed by an opportunity to participate in a 3-month paid internship at Goodwill. The internship enables youth to put what they learned in the workshops into action, while also gaining great experience to add to a resume.
Virtual information sessions for youth and parents will be held:
Thursday September 26, 7pm
Friday October 8, 7pm
Email programs@gire.org for more information or to receive the link to the zoom meeting.
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Enjoy live entertainment, a delicious spread of soul food and vibrant vendor markets.
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Cruisin’
A Lowrider Car and Art Show
The Museum of Sonoma County presents CRUISIN’ in the Museum’s contemporary art gallery.
The exhibition will include custom lowrider cars, fashion, photographs, artworks and more as a representation and celebration of lowrider culture and lifestyle.
Through November 24
425 Seventh Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
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