|
Welcome to the May edition of the Sonoma County Correspondent! In this month’s issue, we offer the latest news on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sonoma County, a report about $4.3 million in new investments to reduce the threat of wildfires, changes that have been made to how we will vote in the June 7 primary election, an update on a major expansion at the county airport and much more.
As always, we encourage you to share with friends, colleagues and family members so they can sign up for the SoCo Correspondent and receive it directly the first week of each month.
¿Está interesado en leer sobre lo que hace el Condado de Sonoma cada mes? Este boletín estará disponible en español. Regístrese aquí para suscribirse a nuestro boletín, el SoCo Correspondent.
| |
|
COVID-19 cases are rising again in Sonoma County, reaching levels last seen in late February. Cases have jumped 49 percent over the last two weeks, reaching 18.4 new cases per day per 100,000 residents. Hospitalizations have also ticked up, but most people – particularly people who have been vaccinated and boosted – are avoiding severe illness. This latest surge is due primarily to the BA.2 subvariant, which is considered roughly 40 percent more transmissible than the original omicron variant, BA.1. Vaccination remains the best way to reduce the risk of illness and death from COVID-19. The county opened a mobile vaccination clinic this week in the parking lot of the Rohnert Park Community Center, replacing a shuttered clinic inside the community center that administered roughly 20,000 doses over the last 15 months before it permanently closed at the end of April.
The mobile clinic, operated by OptumServe, will provide vaccinations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Appointments can be made at myturn.ca.gov and walk-ins are accepted. The county’s vaccine clinic at the Roseland Community Center will continue to operate through June.
Meanwhile, the county is continuing to host and support targeted outreach efforts for underserved communities, including a May 1 vaccination clinic for farm workers led by CURA and other community-based organizations. In all, 180 people were vaccinated that day.
Eligible residents aged 5 and older who have not yet had a COVID-19 first, second or booster dose may get them for free from health care providers, pharmacies and health clinics.
On a final note, Saturday is the deadline for students in grades 6-12 to enter the Vax Vid video contest. Up to $6,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to student videos that spotlight the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines. More information is available here.
| |
County invests $4.3 million for wildfire prevention | |
|
Sonoma County has designated an additional $4.3 million to protect residents from wildfires by clearing vegetation in dried-out forests, a practice designed to create fuel breaks and calming zones that slow the spread of flames.
The Board of Supervisors, acting as directors of the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, allocated $3.8 million in April to treat 2,000 acres of land in the latest round of vegetation management grants. A portion of the money will be used to create a new technical advisory program to assist applicants with smaller vegetation management projects.
Separately, Sonoma County Regional Parks accepted $500,000 in state funding to pass through to the Sonoma Valley Wildlands Collaborative for the development of fuel reduction projects, fuel breaks, defensible space and fuel break maintenance in Sonoma Valley.
The investments follow $3.6 million in vegetation management grants approved in 2021 by the Board of Supervisors. The money was awarded to the county during its settlement with PG&E over the 2017 wildfires. Approximately $14 million remains from the $25 million set aside for vegetation management in 2020 by the Board of Supervisors.
“The county continues to make huge strides in our work to lower the risk of wildfire,” said Supervisor James Gore, chair of the Board of Supervisors and the Ag + Open Space District. “We have a long way to go, but programs like these are instrumental in achieving our vegetation management goals.”
| |
Ballots set to be mailed May 9 | |
New milestone in expansion of Sonoma County airport | |
|
A $40 million project to expand Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport reached a milestone last month with the installation of the final steel beam, bearing the signatures of local officials, in the new terminal building.
The building, expected to open by the end of the year, will more than double the existing space to improve passengers' experience. Highlights include a renovated ticketing lobby, improved double lane security lanes, four additional boarding gates, new concessionaires, a new baggage claim area equipped with two baggage carousels, and improvements to public viewing and car rental areas. The terminal will feature artwork by the airport’s namesake, “Peanuts” cartoonist Charles M. Schulz.
“The Charles M. Schulz Airport is a gateway to our beautiful communities, and people from around the world travel here for our world-class food and wine,” said Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St.Helena. “I look forward to ensuring that the airport has the resources it needs to serve our community and welcome the world to Northern California.”
For more information about Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport, visit sonomacountyairport.org or call (707) 565-7243.
| |
May is Foster Care Awareness Month | |
|
Every day, 50 to 75 local children and teens are in temporary housing awaiting placement in a foster or adoptive home in Sonoma County. The Department of Human Services is seeking foster parents and adoptive families willing to open their homes to local children.
The county’s foster care program provides safe and healthy environments for children who must be removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. Foster parents can be single or married adults, straight or gay, Spanish-speaking families, children’s relatives, family friends and other approved caregivers. Foster homes can be temporary shelters, fostering with possibility of adoption, or renting a room and being a mentor to an older foster youth going to school or working.
Visit sonomafostercare.org to sign up for a free informational Zoom event and learn how you can help.
| |
County begins General Plan update | |
|
Sonoma County is beginning what is expected to be an eight-year overhaul of its General Plan, a critical document that will shape development, conservation and land-use policies in unincorporated areas for a generation.
The effort will include a robust public engagement campaign to ensure the General Plan update reflects the diverse perspectives of residents and charts a sustainable, healthy and equitable vision for the county’s future, said Supervisor James Gore, chair of the county Board of Supervisors. He urged residents to visit PermitSonoma.org to sign up for email updates and to take a brief survey on how they would like to engage with the county.
“The general plan is the most important land use document serving the county,” said Tennis Wick, director of Permit Sonoma. “It distills community values into action on future land use for a generation. Our general plan effort will include extensive community engagement, research and planning.”
The General Plan is the foundation for all zoning and land-use decisions in unincorporated areas of the county. It was created in 1978 and updated in 1989 and 2008 to reflect the changing needs and aspirations of the county’s residents. All three General Plans have sought to strike a balance between development and conservation, focusing growth in areas with water, sewer, transportation, employment and educational infrastructure to serve the needs of a population that has grown from fewer than 200,000 residents in 1970 to nearly 500,000 today.
| |
Hoofed herbivores to the rescue! | |
|
Keep your eyes open and you may see some four-hoofed firefighters (aka sheep and goats) in your favorite park this month.
That's because Sonoma County Regional Parks, and partners like Sonoma Water, use seasonal grazing as a powerful tool for managing vegetation on public lands. Done carefully and strategically, grazing helps reduce the risk of wildfire while also maintaining and improving natural habitat. Grazing increases biodiversity by reducing the buildup of dead vegetative material that smothers out native plant species, and can effectively control many of our wildland weeds. Sheep and goats even eat poison oak!
Healthier grasslands are also more permeable, leading to better groundwater recharge – important for dealing with both flooding and drought. In addition, the regrowth of plants following a graze sequesters more carbon, helping to curb climate change and its effects.
Regional Parks uses grazing management at seven of our parks: Balletto Field (adjacent to the Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail), Cloverdale River Park, Foothill Regional Park, Gualala Point Regional Park, Helen Putnam Regional Park, Maxwell Farms Regional Park and Tolay Lake Regional Park.
While sheep and goats are cute and charismatic, please remember they are working animals, and, like wildlife, treat them with respect and give them as much distance as possible. Park rules require dogs be leashed at all times – ever so important when we have working animals present.
Regional Parks' grazing and vegetation management program is supported by the Parks for All Measure M sales tax.
| |
Help us make government more accessible | |
|
There is one week left to submit proposals to join the Sonoma County Office of Equity as a consultant to support two community engagement and language access initiatives.
The Community Engagement Consultant will support the creation of a Community Engagement Plan to achieve equitable participation and access to county government services and resources for underserved communities of color and other communities that have traditionally experienced marginalization from government processes and services.
The Language Justice and Access Consultant will evaluate the county’s existing language justice and access provision, assess county departmental needs, and seek recommendations from local communities to develop a plan to ensure county communications and services are responsive to the many diverse residents of Sonoma County, with particular regard to the languages they speak and cultures they represent.
Both plans will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
Proposals are due by 2 p.m. on May 12. Visit the county’s supplier portal or email equity@sonoma-county.org for more information.
| |
|
Name: Corbin Johnson
Title: Park Project Specialist, Sonoma County Regional Parks
Years with County: 14
Education and/or certifications: Bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in city and regional planning with an emphasis on environmental planning; California qualified pesticide applicator; California drinking water treatment operator; wildland firefighter type 2.
Personal side: Lives in Rincon Valley with his wife and two young sons.
What do you do? I work on a variety of items, including deferred maintenance project management/administration (e.g. roof replacements, pavement, electrical upgrades, sewer pump replacement, etc.), manage the department’s fleet program, oversee the drinking water treatment program and the pay stations and visitor counter programs. I’m proud of my involvement with Parks’ Climate Conscious Committee, and I’m excited to work on electric vehicle implementation, vehicle charging infrastructure, solar projects and other decarbonization strategies.
What brings you a sense of fulfillment? The variety of the job and the service we provide are very fulfilling to me. Each day and each project is truly different. I appreciate the complex and dynamic workplace that is Parks. A busy day is a good day!
What’s your favorite regional park? Hood Mountain. I love the ruggedness of the mountain, the variety of terrain and vegetation, the rocks, the wildlife … and even the steepness. I like Hood so much I proposed to my wife there.
| |
Learn how to get a job at the county | |
|
Are you looking for a new job? Thinking about career options for the future? Learn how you can take the next step in your professional life and join the County of Sonoma family!
Start Here! is a virtual class that provides an overview of the county’s job application, examination and selection processes. The two-hour session provides information on how to submit a thorough application, best practices for the interview and examination, and much more. Send an email to careers@sonoma-county.org and we will invite you to future class opportunities. Let us help guide you through the county’s selection process.
| |
|
Get help for your business | |
|
Did you know the county has a team dedicated to helping your business succeed?
The Sonoma County Economic Development Board provides free and customized services to help start and move businesses to the next level. EDB’s Business Assistance Team brings together a wide range of knowledge and resources that have helped thousands of Sonoma County businesses thrive.
EDB assists businesses with:
- Navigating the startup process
- Accessing workforce development tools and funding for on-the-job training
- Troubleshooting a wide variety of businesses challenges
- Connecting businesses with key contacts, financing and training opportunities
- Researching market trends and accessing economic insight reports
- Expanding and relocating operations
- Collaborating on issues affecting our regional economy
As National Economic Development Week approaches on May 9-13, entrepreneurs and businesses are encouraged to take advantage of EDB’s free services and programs that are available year-round. Learn about EDB’s programs and initiatives at SonomaEDB.org.
| |
Get involved with local government
Government is only as good as the people who step forward to serve others. There are many ways you can become involved in local government by serving on local boards, commissions and committees. Check out the list of current vacancies and discover how you can help shape the future of Sonoma County.
| |
Adopt the pet of the month | |
|
My name is Blitzen. I’m a spayed female pit bull terrier about 3 years old. I’ve been at the shelter almost seven months. I am a happy dog by nature who loves playing with toys and cuddling close for affection. My caretakers say I would make a great office companion or hiking friend. I like other well-mannered dogs (in fact, I help my caretakers evaluate dogs brought into the shelter). Because of my size – I weigh about 67 pounds – my caretakers feel a home with children 12 or older might be best for me.
Blitzen is one of dozens of dogs, rabbits and other animals at Sonoma County Animal Services in need of adoption.
| |
|
Volunteer and employment opportunities | |
(stories may require subscriptions)
COVID-19
Other topics
| |
Follow us online or contact us via email | | | | |
