Fairfax Update
News From Around Town...
September 20,2021
Marin County Covid Update
Special Town Council Meetings This Week 

September 22nd at 6:30pm
The Town Council will be Conducting a joint study session with the Planning Commission to discuss Housing Element progress with a focus on how to involve and include the community in the site selection process to leverage opportunities and meet community desires. They will also look at how to incorporate equity research into required meaningful actions ,evacuation and safety concerns (fire/flood) and the “Missing Middle” housing approach. They will provide an introduction to the Balancing Act Tool and an update on public outreach and engagement efforts. 

An upcoming Community Workshop (date TBD) will be the next major opportunity to provide feedback on the Housing Element and will include tutorials on how to participate in the Balancing Act tool online.
 
If want to learn more about the Housing Element Update, and/or want to provide more feedback, we encourage all those who live and work in Fairfax to visit the website fairfaxspeaks.com .


September 22nd at 9:30pm
The Town Council will have a Special Meeting to adopt two resolutions relating to Public Works. The Council will consider appointing and approving a contract for Interim Public Works Director, Jonathon Goldman. They will also will consider adopting a resolution to authorize the Town Manager to negotiate and execute up to five separate contracts for public work capital repairs, each in an amount not-to-exceed $60,000, without any supplemental appropriations (i.e., within adopted budgets) for projects deemed urgent by the Interim Public Works Director.

Call for Applications!

The newly established Fairfax Community Emergency Preparedness Committee is being formed to support and help coordinate collaborative town-wide efforts to prepare residents to respond to emergencies of all kinds. Check out the Committee’s webpage for details. The Town is seeking members to represent various stakeholders, including the community at large, CERTs, Firewise communities, and NRGs. Fairfax residents are encouraged to apply.
Climate Action Committee Update

The Climate Action Committee has developed a proposed plan to use American Rescue Plan funding from the Federal Government to help Fairfax residents in town to save one of the most precious resources - water. The proposal includes 2 major elements. First, it will empower a team of “Water Warrior” volunteers to help the community implement water-saving strategies in their businesses and homes. Having someone who knows the tricks of the trade can help each household and business figure out how they can save as much water as possible. 

The second part of the proposal is to add additional funding to the funding already available from Marin Water District ONLY for the people of Fairfax. Today, MWD provides grants and rebates for investing in things that save water in homes and businesses. Mostly, these grants and rebates do not cover 100% of the cost of these measures. This proposal will offer significant help to residents ability to pay and support adoption.

The Climate Action Committee welcomes your input on this. Should the funding from the Federal Government be used in this way?

Please join the regularly scheduled Climate Action Committee Meeting tomorrow, September 21st at 7pm. They will describe the elements of the plan, answer questions about it, and hear comments on it. 

Join us!
Photo Credit: Rod Milstead
Election News

Voter’s Choice Act
The process of implementing the California Voter’s Choice Act in Marin County in 2022 is underway, and the Elections Department is seeking public comment on its Election Administration Plan (EAP). The press release includes everything you need to know to access the EAP, provide feedback, or read up on other relevant information. A virtual meeting on the topic will be held Thursday, September 30, at 5:30 pm.
 
Notice of Manual Tally of Ballots 
The public manual tally of ballots counted during the September 14, 2021 CA Gubernatorial Recall Election will be conducted by Marin County’s Elections Official starting with the random selection of ballots at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 27, 2021, in Suite 121, Marin Civic Center. For details, please see the Notice. 
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Climate Action Committee Meeting
September 21 - 7pm

Fairfax and San Anselmo Open Space Committees Special Combined Meeting
September 21 - 7:30pm

Town Council Special Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission
September 22 - 6:30pm

Town Council Special Meeting
September 22 - 9:30pm

Volunteer Board Meeting
September 27 - 6:30pm

Tree Committee Meeting
September 27 - 7pm

Open Space Committee Meeting
September 28 - 7pm

To view the agendas visit our Public Meetings page.
Please note: we are proceeding with all events as planned but they may
need to be cancelled due to County or State Health orders.

Fairfax Farmers Market in Bolinas Park
Wednesdays 4-8pm

Shop local every week!


9am – 2pm
535 Jacoby St., San Rafael

MSS Customer Appreciation Day is this weekend! Free Compost giveaway, up to 64 gallons available to MSS customers, first come, first served. Please bring your own containers! 

Recycling facility tours at 11am & 12pm. 
Green cart composting classes at 11am and 1pm; attendees receive a free kitchen compost pail.
Mads Tolling, multi grammy-winning, internationally acclaimed violinist, performs in Fairfax!
Saturday, September 25th
3pm
Redwood Grove in Peri Park

Mads is a multi-Grammy award winning violinist who has toured the world doing sold out performances, had his compositions performed by professional orchestras, and played in concert with other major artists. His versatility is phenomenal, delving into everything from gypsy jazz,  rock n’ roll, tango, to fiddle music. 

The set list includes Ellington’s “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” Hendrix’s “Hey Joe,” Piazzolla’s “Libertango” Django Reinhardt’s “Minor Swing” and the Beatles’ “Blackbird.”  

Come join us, 3 p.m., at the stage in the Redwood Grove by Peri Park on Park Street. Tips for the musician encouraged. Sponsored by Fairfax Park and Rec with Fairfax Artists in Residence.
Social distancing, masks, and reservations encouraged. RSVP at pascalberandesign@yahoo.com.
Community Mural Painting on Merwin Continues
Sunday September 26th and October 3rd
10am
Merwin Ave. Near Ace Hardware

Please come on down, and bring your friends. We will start at 10am each day. Great thanks to all the cleaning and painting volunteers who have donated over 100 hours of on this project so far.
Fairfax Recreation
After School Skate Club
Instructor: Steven Teijeiro
Grades K-6 (limit of 8 kids)
Tuesday/Thursday Club – September 14 – November 4
3:30 – 5:30pm

Fairfax Recreation is excited to start an afterschool Skate Club this school year. We have 2 cohort offerings over 8 weeks. Club members will be instructed in the basic fundamentals of skateboarding.

We have a few spots left - Sign Up Today!
Parent & Me Skateboarding Support starts soon!



Other Town and County News
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator

Ross Valley Fire Department is seeking a full time Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. The application period opened September 16th and will remain open until October 10th at 5pm.

The Town is Offering Vegetation Management Grants

The Town of Fairfax is offering grants to help local residents who might otherwise not be able to afford to do this important work. In an effort to support as much participation as possible, we have revised the grant process slightly:

  • $1,000 grants for senior or low-income applicants. (Please visit www.marinhousing.org to review the low income guidelines for Marin County. )
  • Town can reimburse the applicant directly
  • Or submit an invoice and the Town will pay the invoice directly within 5 business days.

  • $500 grants for any Fairfax residents, regardless of age or income.
  • Town can reimburse the applicant directly
  • Or submit an invoice and the Town will pay the invoice directly within 5 business days.

Chipper Day door-to-door Service for Fairfax Households

The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) is servicing each home in Fairfax twice between May 17th-September 27th. You need to pre-register for the pick-up service on one of the two days available to your neighborhood.

For instructions on how to prepare your materials for pick up visit:
Want to Get Involved? Join a Board or Commission!

Do you want to make a real difference in 2021? Consider joining a board or commission for the Town of Fairfax. There are openings on the Climate Action Committee, Marin County Commission on Aging, Parks and Recreation Commission, Racial Equity and Social Justice Committee and Volunteer Board.

You can pick up your FREE Evacuation Tags at the Fairfax Police Department

The Fairfax Police Department in partnership with the Ross Valley Fire Department is giving away evacuation tags to residents living in the Town of Fairfax, Marin County, California. Evacuation tags are a new tool to help us more quickly ensure that neighborhoods are evacuated during a disaster. Residents affix the tag in a location that is highly visible when they evacuate (mailbox, front door, garage, end of your driveway).

Read more about how Evacuation Tags work here.
Resources
Drought Water Restrictions are in Effect for All of Marin County


Upcoming Vaccination Opportunities 

Sept 21 2021 | 9:30am - 2:30pm
Coastal Health Alliance
3 6th St, Pt Reyes Station

Sept 23 2021 | 4:30 - 7pm 
Dining Under the Lights - A Street & 4th Street, San Rafael

Sept 25 2021 | 10 - 4pm 
Canal Alliance - 91 Larkspur Street, San Rafael

COVID-19 Assistance Programs

If you are experiencing financial difficulties due to COVID-19, please contact the programs below.

Marin County Emergency Rental Assistance Program 
For the application and information about the program and how to apply visit the County of Marin's website.

Fairfax Rental Assistance Program
The Town Council has established a Residential Rental Assistance Program to assist extremely low-income Fairfax renters whose household incomes were adversely affected by COVID-19. The program is administered by St.Vincent de Paul and Ritter Center. If you are in need of assistance or have questions, please call 415-454-3303 X11 to leave a message. Calls will be returned in the order they are received.
PG&E Programs to Help Those Impacted by the Pandemic
 
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Town of Fairfax sitio web se puede traducir al español

El sitio web se puede traducir al español usando el ícono del globo que se encuentra en la barra verde de cada página.

Our website can now be translated into Spanish (and other languages) using the globe icon found on the green bar at the top of each page.