County of Sonoma District 3
Monthly Newsletter
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In the past year and a half we’ve faced adversities from a full blown global pandemic to devastating natural disasters. Not to be outdone, the month of August came with its own unique set of challenges. Nationally, we witnessed the catastrophic coda to America’s longest war. Statewide, massive fires have burned through some of our most beloved wildlands and threaten many communities and livelihoods. Locally, we have seen an increase in COVID-19 cases following the arrival of the Delta variant, mirroring broader trends in the state and country.
Focusing on the tragedies can lead toward cynicism about ourselves, our country or our planet. But I like to keep an eye out for silver linings. Nationally, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) will provide tens of millions of dollars to assist our communities in recovering from the impacts of the pandemic. To ensure the equitable distribution of our $96 million share of funds, the County is recruiting community members to become part of the ARPA workgroup and advise the Board of Supervisors on the best use of these funds – read on for more on this. Statewide, available funds for rental assistance have been expanded to more effectively aid eligible tenants and landlords. In partnership with community-based organizations, we’ve increased efforts to disburse these funds to those in need. Locally, we also have reached the significant milestone of vaccinating more than 80% of our 12-and-older population, and continue working to reach out to unvaccinated residents.
At the Board of Supervisors, we continue making progress on some of the most pressing issues our community faces. This month, the Board passed the Zero Waste resolution to reduce waste-related emissions and advance toward our climate action goals. With the Library Commission, our office was successful in coalescing Board support to fund the transfer of the Sonoma County archives out of the wildfire danger zone and into a safe location. Also this month the Board supported funding creative and comprehensive solutions to homelessness and mental health. Earlier this year we approved $2 million for the former cause, and this week, we authorized staff to accept proposals for projects such as safe parking and indoor/outdoor shelters to be funded with these dollars. For mental health, the Board reviewed a spending plan for proceeds from Measure O and directed staff to allocate funding toward robust mental health programs and a new psychiatric health facility. As a member of the Measure O Ad Hoc committee, I will continue advocating for sound spending that is effective, incorporates community feedback and is focused on the needs of our most vulnerable residents.
Please keep reading to find more information on these issues as well as other community announcements related to our Cannabis ordinance, disaster preparedness and more. As always, I welcome your comments and concerns and appreciate your continued engagement.
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Chris Coursey
707-565-2241
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Sonoma County seeks residents to serve on a work group that will help allocate $96 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide relief from public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into law on March 11 to help strengthen local economies, support COVID-19 response and address the disproportionate impacts of the pandemic on disadvantaged communities. The County is in the process of creating an ARPA Community Work Group to help determine how Sonoma County will equitably distribute its share of funds.
We invite community members and representatives of community-based organizations to apply to the ARPA workgroup. The Workgroup will be able to provide feedback on how to best make use of ARPA funds to support ongoing response and recovery efforts with an emphasis on aiding disadvantaged communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
Interested residents should review the application process and candidate checklist to apply by Sept. 6.
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On August 25th the Board of Supervisors adopted the Zero Waste Resolution with the goal of achieving zero waste in Sonoma County by 2030. This resolution aligns with the Climate Action and Resiliency pillar of the County’s strategic plan to reduce consumption emissions, conserve energy and decrease methane emissions from landfills. The resolution also creates a framework for jurisdictions to pursue actions that reduce waste, promote the best and highest use of materials, support sustainable consumption and endorse resource conservation.
The Board also reviewed a proposed ordinance to ban the sale and use of non-compostable and non-recyclable single-use polystyrene foam (aka Styrofoam) products in the County. The ban would maximize the operating life of landfills, reduce the economic and environmental costs of waste management for businesses and residents, and help protect public health and safety, the natural environment, waterways and wildlife.
If approved, Sonoma County would join seven cities in the County which have approved similar bans.
The Board expects to hear this item at the September 14th BOS meeting.
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Sonoma County Archives Transferred From Fire-Prone Site to Secure Location |
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We are thrilled to announce that the Sonoma County archives have been completely and safely transferred from their previous fire-prone site to a new secure location!
The Sonoma County archives are a record of local historical materials that include thousands of government documents with some dating back to the formation of Sonoma County in the mid-1800s. These priceless records were previously stored at a facility on our Los Guilicos campus in eastern Santa Rosa, which is in direct path of wildfires and has faced imminent wildfire danger twice in recent years.
Earlier this year, our office advocated for $140,000 in County funds to help safeguard the archives by moving them to a location with significantly reduced risk of wildfire. The funds facilitated transfer of the records to a safe site for a period of two years while a permanent location is secured. In partnership with the Library Commission, the physical relocation began on August 18 and has now been achieved, giving way to the organizing and reconfiguring of the archives for accessibility in the near future.
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Permit Sonoma Launches Cannabis Visioning Survey
Permit Sonoma, Sonoma County’s land use and resource management department, is encouraging County residents to take part in a new Cannabis Visioning Survey concerning the county’s new cannabis ordinance. The survey addresses key topics under consideration for the ordinance update and will close on Sept. 6.
Results of the survey will be presented during the Sept. 28 Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Workshop.
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Applications for Housing Vouchers Now Open!
The Sonoma County Housing Authority is accepting applications from now through Sept. 17, 2021, for housing vouchers tied to three-bedroom units in 6 different apartment complexes.
Applications are due Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, by 5 p.m. if submitted in person at the Housing Authority’s offices, or by 11:59 p.m. if submitted online. The Housing Authority will conduct a random lottery to determine applicants’ placement on each waitlist. Vouchers are subject to eligibility and a separate application is required for each apartment complex waitlist.
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On behalf of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), we invite you to participate in the 2021 Voices of Sonoma County Women survey!
CSW is conducting this study to gain a deeper understanding of the status of girls, women, transgender, non-binary, gender fluid and gender nonconforming persons in our communities and to assess the social and economic impact of the COVID- 19 pandemic.
This survey is anonymous, and responses will remain confidential. The results will be compiled and shared with county elected officials, community organizations, and State and National Women’s Commissions.
You can contribute to the Commission’s goal of capturing a wide range of life experiences and voices by sharing his Survey with your friends and family members!
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Sonoma County Expands
Emergency Rental Assistance
Help for Sonoma County renters and landlords has been expanded through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
Expansions (subject to eligibility) include:
- Rental assistance increased from 80% to 100% of unpaid, past-due and future rent payments
- Assistance is now also available for moving costs, arrears at previous rentals, hotel stays during transitions and security deposits for those needing new housing
- The one-application-per-household rule has been removed, thereby allowing roommates and multi-family housing units to submit applications.
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Vaccinations continue to provide the most powerful tool against infection, severe illness and death from COVID-19 complications. Click here to get vaccinated!
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County resumes weekly COVID-19 community briefings
In response to the rise in cases of COVID-19, the County of Sonoma has returned to holding weekly community briefings.
- The briefings in English will be streamed live on Facebook Wednesdays at 4 p.m. and repeated in Spanish at 4 p.m. every Thursday.
- The briefings with county health officials will periodically include other agencies, including the County Office of Education.
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The briefings will be recorded and be available for viewing on the county’s YouTube channel in English and Spanish for those who can’t watch them live.
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Emergency Personnel and County Employees to show proof of Vaccination or practice Weekly Testing
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The Food and Drug Administration on August 23rd granted full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine for people 16 and older, making it the first vaccine to move beyond emergency use status in the United States. Officials hope that full federal approval will ease concerns around vaccines, dispel some of the vaccine misinformation online and induce more hesitant people to get vaccinated.
- The vaccine will continue to be authorized for emergency use for children ages 12 to 15 while Pfizer collects the data required for full approval.
- Although Pfizer is now free to market the drug under the name Comirnaty, the company said only the federal government will distribute doses in the United States.
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Disaster Preparedness Corner |
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Creating Defensible Space:
Fire season is here -- remember to maintain defensible space around your home.
Defensible space is essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. It’s the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs or any wildland area that surround it. Learn more.
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Sonoma County Chipper Program
Create defensible space around your home!
Get up to 2 free hours of vegetation chipping through the County of Sonoma Chipper Program. Sign up here!
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