District 3 Monthly Newsletter | |
A Message from Chair Coursey | |
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As students return to school and summer comes to a close, high temperatures and smoky skies set an all-too familiar scene in Sonoma County. This week’s warning from the National Weather Service confirms what we already know - remaining alert and prepared in the face of critical fire weather conditions is paramount. While fire disasters persist as a concern in Sonoma County, our experiences have helped inform and improve our readiness and ability prevent wildfires and respond in the case of a fire disaster. Read on to learn more about how you can reduce fire risks to your home and prepare for emergencies.
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Within the context of fire season and initiation of Sonoma County’s grape harvest, the Board of Supervisors on September 19 will discuss the rules for entering evacuation zones to tend to agriculture operations. As you may be aware, the Board took up this matter last year and set limitations on ag entry and activities performed within these areas, an action which set guardrails and safety standards, especially for farmworkers working in these zones. On September 19 the Board will hold a public meeting to re-assess the program and potentially reduce limitations on evacuation zone entry. We invite the community to participate and weigh in on this important issue. The meeting will take place at 4 pm on September 19 in the Board Chambers. The public may attend in person or remotely; meeting materials will be available here about a week in advance of the meeting.
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Beyond disaster preparation, the Board has been working on significant items related to housing and homelessness, climate action, public services and more. We’ve included many updates on our work in this newsletter as well as news, events and announcements from county agencies and the community at large. As always, we appreciate you taking the time to engage with us, and we welcome your questions and feedback.
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What's Happening at the County of Sonoma? | |
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County of Sonoma leaders are offering assistance and condolences to victims of the Maui wildfires as well as providing insights on wildfire recovery, given Sonoma County’s experiences in the aftermath of major fire disasters.
Shortly after the Maui Fire disaster on August 8, Supervisor Coursey extended an offer of support and assistance in a letter to Maui County Mayor, Richard Bissen. Sonoma County’s Permit Sonoma and Department of Emergency management also have offered support to support corresponding Maui agencies advancing the island’s recovery.
“I told Mayor Bissen that we are here to share experiences from our fires and our recovery, and lessons learned about unexpected challenges and complications that Maui will face in the coming weeks, months and years,” Coursey said. “I’ve done the same with elected officials in other areas that experienced fire disasters, including Paradise and Boulder, Colorado. I know some of my colleagues have, as well. Just as officials who had gone through their own disasters called us in 2017. It’s a way to keep paying it forward.”
The Maui fires have claimed the lives of more than 100 people and destroyed more than 2,700 structures.
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The Board of Supervisors this month authorized a $3.5 million project to make the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building more energy efficient and resilient to power outages and climate change.
The upgrades are designed to save money on energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions while creating a reliable source of electricity during blackouts and other emergencies, enabling the building to be used as an evacuation shelter during emergencies and as a public cooling center during extreme heat events.
“The Veterans Memorial Building is the largest public assembly facility of its kind in Sonoma County, used daily by our military veterans and many other community groups,” said Supervisor Coursey,. “It also plays a critical role during disasters, serving as a regional evacuation hub and emergency shelter. Today’s investment will ensure this 75-year-old building continues to serve the public, in good times and bad, well into the future.”
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Sonoma County’s 55-mile coast is one of the crown jewels of California. Last month, the Board of Supervisors adopted a comprehensive plan to protect it for generations to come.
The board’s July 17 vote culminated a decade-long effort by the county to update its Local Coastal Plan. The plan includes measures that safeguard public access, protect water resources, conserve coastal ecosystems, preserve agriculture and adapt to climate change, including rising sea levels.
The project has involved extensive public outreach, research and publication of multiple drafts. It now heads to the California Coastal Commission for review.
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More than three dozen former Sonoma County foster youth received a total of $148,000 in scholarship awards this summer through a partnership between the Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation and the Sonoma County Human Services Department.
The program, which began in 2006, has provided more than $1.4 million in scholarships to 393 former foster youth pursuing a college education or trade certification.
“The county is so proud of these rising stars who have been through so much yet graduated high school and are now pursuing a college degree or trade credential,” said Supervisor Coursey. “This scholarship fund is one way we can support youth who have been through the foster care system. But it also makes our entire county stronger as these young people put their new knowledge and skills back into our community.”
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Advancing Fair & Affordable Housing | |
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This month the Board of Supervisors approved a temporary moratorium on rent increases in mobile home parks located in unincorporated Sonoma County. The urgency ordinance took effect immediately and will remain in place until the board amends existing regulations or until Feb. 29, 2024, whichever occurs first.
Rent increases for residents on fixed income are one of the primary causes of evictions and homelessness in Sonoma County. Since a significant number of mobile home residents survive on fixed income, high rent hikes could jeopardize their ability to afford housing. This temporary pause on increases will protect mobile home residents from displacement while the board works on long-term policy.
“Affordable housing is critical in Sonoma County, and this is a process that cannot be rushed,” said Supervisor Coursey. “We are placing a pause on rent increases in mobile home parks while we have a discussion about the best way to regulate these rents. In the end, our goal is to protect renters and this critical source of affordable housing for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”
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This month the Board of Supervisors endorsed $1,415,130 in loans to expand the supply of affordable housing in the county by constructing 159 new housing units in Santa Rosa, Windsor and Guerneville.
“This is a pivotal step in increasing the affordable housing stock in Sonoma County,” said Supervisor Coursey. “Each one of these homes will play a critical role in providing stability, peace of mind and comfort to the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Funds will support the building of over 150 housing units, all which will be set aside for extremely low, very low and low-income households except for three units designated for on-site managers.
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This month, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an update to Sonoma County’s Housing Element, a component of the county’s general plan. The new Housing Element outlines program and policy updates to advance fair housing, and to facilitate new housing production.
If certified by the state, the Housing Element will help the county leverage funding opportunities for affordable housing and increase housing choices and affordability in moderate and high opportunity areas, which have been shown to help economic mobility. The document will also enhance protections for residents against displacement.
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Take a critical step to reduce wildfire risks to your home by scheduling your FREE home wildfire risk assessment!
Permit Sonoma home-hardening contractors will identify the highest risks to your home and provide you with a personalized list of recommendations to protec your home against ember ignition and other wildfire exposures.
The assessment is not part of a code-compliance program, and there is no obligation to complete the recommendations.
How to Schedule:
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Go to our Interactive Map
- Enter your address or Assessor Parcel Number (APN).
- Pick your preferred time for a 15-minute phone consultation.
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County contractor Madronus Wildfire Defense will call you to schedule your assess
Visit the program website to learn more!
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What to During a Red Flag Warning | |
A Red Flag Warning means that dry and windy conditions will exist, leading to critical fire weather conditions. When a Red Warning Flag has been issued, residents are advised to not burn outdoors as weather conditions will be conductive for rapid fire response.
Additional preparedness tips include:
For additional emergency preparedness information, visit: https://socoemergency.org/get-ready
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Resources & Community Bulletin | |
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The Sonoma County Human Services Department will close its economic assistance office at 2550 Paulin Drive in Santa Rosa and its telephone service center at (877) 699-6868 on Friday, Sept. 1, while the department completes upgrades to a critical software system over Labor Day weekend.
The Paulin Drive office and call center will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 5 after the department completes its migration to the state’s new California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS).
The Paulin Drive office provides in-person assistance with CalFresh and Medi-Cal benefits. During the closure, clients can still:
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Submit a CalFresh application at GetCalFresh.org.
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Submit a Medi-Cal application at coveredca.com/apply.
- Use the dropbox at the front of the 2550 Paulin Drive building to submit documents.
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The Sonoma County Child Support Services unveiled new resources for families including programs to help parents simplify child support payments, reduce child support debts, and regain driver’s licenses that have been suspended for failure to pay child support.
For more information about Sonoma County Child Support Services, visit sonomacounty.ca.gov/child-support-services or call (866) 901-3212.
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Officials at Sonoma County Human Services Department ask for the public’s patience when applying for CalFresh and Medi-Cal benefits. Numerous challenges including staffing shortages, the transition to a new state-mandated software system, and a recent surge in electronic benefits theft are causing delays in processing benefits.
People applying for food or medical benefits are experiencing unusually long wait times when seeking in-person or over the phone. Residents are strongly encouraged to apply online at MyBenefitsCalWin.org if they have access to a computer and the internet.
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Residents and small businesses in Sonoma County impacted by the winter storms from December 27, 2022 to January 31, 2023, are potentially eligible for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Disaster Loans.
Deadlines to Apply –
- Physical Damage: October 10, 2023
- Economic Injury: May 9, 2024
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at https://hubs.la/Q01_mHq20.
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For local assistance, contact the Sonoma County Economic Development Board at edb@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-7170. | |
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The Sonoma County animal shelter is at full capacity and urgently needs your help.
Fostering an animal is a very special way to make a difference for shelter animals and to try out having a dog in your home. Foster supplies are provided. If interested, please email scasfosters@sonoma-county.org today!
Adoption hours are Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 4:30 p.m. at Sonoma County Animal Services, 1247 Century Ct. in Santa Rosa.
Donate, foster or adopt today!
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Dig into Spanish-language entertainment with Sonoma County Library’s new platform The Shelf. The Shelf is a streams Spanish-language movies and TV series with premium content from Latin America and Spain. The Kids Zone includes podcasts, eAudiobooks, games and acclaimed animated shows.
Whether you want to watch movies and TV shows in your native language or are looking to brush up on your Spanish skills, The Shelf has something for all ages!
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Sonoma County Issues Health Advisory for
Tough Mudder Race Participants
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The County of Sonoma Department of Health Services has issued a Health Advisory concerning multiple reports of participants in a Tough Mudder race at Sonoma Raceway on Aug. 19 and 20 having developed rash with fever, muscle pain, or nausea/vomiting occurring about 24 hours after the event. The Health Advisory is as follows:
“The Tough Mudder race involved extensive skin exposure to mud. Most affected persons have pustular rash, fever, myalgias, and headache. These symptoms could be indicative of a minor illness called Swimmers’ Itch, but they can also indicate a Staph infection or other more serious bacterial infection such as Aeromonas. If you participated in the race and have a rash with fever or other symptoms, please see your medical provider or, if you do not have a medical provider, your local emergency department. You may wish to take this Advisory with you. Incubation period is 12 to 48 hours.”
Relevant links concerning Aeromonas:
If you need additional information, please call Sonoma County Public Health at: (707) 565-4567.
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The Sonoma County Department of Health Services this month launched a new community health dashboard to increase public awareness of local health trends and improve the community’s ability to respond to changing health needs.
A dashboard is an online tool that summarizes and presents health care and demographic data in ways that makes it easy to visualize and understand. The Community Health Dashboard includes information in English and Spanish and interactive, user-friendly data displays.
The dashboard will initially focus on five categories of health indicators:
- Prevention and resiliency
- Health care access and utilization
- Physical well-being
- Emotional well-being
- Longevity
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Sunday, September 10th, 2023, 1pm - 7pm
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
50 Mark West Springs Rd, Santa Rosa, Ca. 95403
Free Admission!
Celebrate Latino Heritage Month with a taste of Latin America in Sonoma County! Enjoy authentic food, music, games, and activities for the entire family. Organized by LBC’s Latino Advisory Council, this free, family-friendly, campus- wide festival celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and Mexico’s Independence. Exhibitions to include a low rider car show, cultural exhibitions by students, and El Grito with the Mexican Consulate of San Francisco. In partnership with Los Cien, LBC also will present the annual Community Leadership Awards.
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Bayer Farm's Annual Harvest Festival | | | | |
