County of Sonoma District 3
Monthly Newsletter
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It’s November (almost)! For many, November marks the start of the winter holiday season. Those of us in public service also recognize this month as a time when voters visit the ballot box to certify their priorities. This November marks one year since voters elected to prioritize new strategies to mental health emergency response through the passage of Measure O. In celebration, I am proud to announce that, this week, the Board of Supervisors allocated Measure O funds to support ongoing implementation of crisis response teams in four cities. These teams will respond to mental health related emergency calls by deploying clinical specialists and social workers where law enforcement resources are not necessary. The investment directly addresses community demands articulated in the passage of Measure O and in countless public demonstrations calling for justice throughout 2020.
Speaking of fulfilling promises, I am also thrilled to announce that, on Tuesday, November 2, the Board of Supervisors is expected to approve the transfer of Parcel J (Paulin Meadow) from the General Services Department to Agriculture and Open Space for the permanent conservation and protection of this invaluable urban open space and natural resource. Read on for more information about this exciting news.
Also in this newsletter, you will find information on local climate action, including the County’s electric vehicle donation to the Santa Rosa Junior College technical education program, the development of Sonoma Water’s Climate Adaptation Plan, and the County’s fall workshop series on sustainability for households and businesses. Along with these updates, we’ve included local announcements related to COVID-19 and other important community news.
Thank you, always, for reading and for your continued engagement.
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Chris Coursey
707-565-2241
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On October 26, the Board of Supervisors voted to allocate more than $900,000 of Measure O funds to support the ongoing implementation of crisis response teams in four cities as alternatives to deployment of law enforcement to requests for support for individuals who may be experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
The action supports programs in Rohnert Park/Cotati, Petaluma and Santa Rosa that will respond to emergency calls that involve people in crisis. Instead of law enforcement officers, such calls will be answered by mental health workers, paramedics and social service workers. Participation in these city-run programs affirms the Board’s shared commitment with the community to fundamentally change how public agencies respond to mental health emergencies. The Board’s approval of this supportive funding directly addresses community calls to reform emergency mental health response and abides by the spending guidelines set forth by Measure O, a voter-approved tax measure that will provide about $25 million a year to augment the county’s strained network of mental health programs and to expand into new strategies such as crisis-response units.
The Board of Supervisors intends to expand crisis response team program investments and collaborations to eventually serve all geographic regions with 24/7 mobile crisis services.
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County Transfers Ownership to Ag + Open Space as
Addition to Adjacent Nature Preserve
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This Tuesday, November 2, the Board of Supervisors is expected to approve the transfer of Parcel J (Paulin Meadow), a 10.42-acre property that is part of a collection of publicly-owned parcels adjacent to the County-owned Chanate campus, from the County’s General Services Department to the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (Ag + Open Space).
Situated between the Paulin Creek Preserve and Sonoma Water’s Flood Control property, Paulin Meadow contains a mosaic of habitat types that provide important ecosystem services such as water filtration, storm water and flood management, air quality improvement and carbon sequestration. Together, the three parcels also function as a visual respite, urban nature preserve and recreation space for the neighboring communities.
“It has been a long-time goal of the community and promise by the county to protect this particular property for the benefit of the surrounding neighborhoods, as well as the wildlife that inhabit the meadow,” said Supervisor Chris Coursey, whose district includes Paulin Meadow. “We are happy to find a solution that ensures this well-loved open space area remains protected forever and will become part of the larger nature preserve along Paulin Creek.”
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On October 19, the Board of Supervisors, in its capacity as Sonoma Water Board of Directors, approved its first-ever Climate Adaptation Plan (CAP) that provides a roadmap for the agency as it navigates the impacts of climate change on its infrastructure and operations. Sonoma Water provides drinking water to 600,000 residents, wastewater collection and treatment for 70,000 residents, and flood control to communities in Sonoma and Marin counties.
The CAP identifies threats to Sonoma Water’s infrastructure and operations and develops adaptation strategies to reduce vulnerabilities and risks that will be exacerbated by climate change. Strategies aim to maximize reservoir storage, manage floodwaters for aquifer recharge and protect critical infrastructure from severe flooding and sea-level rise. Following the CAP’s approval, Sonoma Water will prioritize projects; identify and pursue funding; develop partnerships with local, state and federal entities; and establish a monitoring plan and timeline for updating the plan.
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Three electric vehicles were donated to Santa Rosa Junior College this month from the County of Sonoma to support SRJC’s respected Automotive Technology Program, a career technical education program that prepares students for future employment with dealerships, smog stations, repair facilities and other businesses.
Through this donation, the County of Sonoma is helping the county’s diverse workforce obtain reliable and high-paying jobs well into the future. The county’s contribution supports a robust education experience to help draw interest into the growing electric vehicle service and repair industry, and helps address systemic EV-labor shortages. The donation also promotes the County’s strategic climate action and resiliency goals.
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Rain and Drought:
Last weekend’s storm brought us much-needed rain but not enough to bust the drought! Our region needs 25 inches or more of rainfall this winter to catch up. We still need our community to save water for drier months ahead.
If you haven’t already, please turn off your outdoor irrigation – that alone will help save our water supplies and save water.
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The County of Sonoma’s Energy and Sustainability Division is pleased to announce the latest workshops in an on-going series for those interested in learning more about the benefits of making improvements that will help make your home or business more resilient.
The workshops cover a range of topics including evaluating energy use, making a project plan, funding your projects, solar photovoltaics and battery storage, water conservation, wildfire safety and converting to electric at home
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Do you need housing and renter support during COVID-19?
If so, the County of Sonoma Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) helps eligible households who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides payment assistance for renters or landlords who need help with rent and utilities. Applications can be completed online or sent in via mail.
- Any community member can apply for assistance regardless of immigration status.
- Funds can be used to pay rent as well as past-due utility bills and home service bills.
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On October 21, Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase amended a health order to allow certain stable groups of people, such as those in gyms, classes and offices, the option of lifting the mandate on wearing masks indoors if they verify that all members of the group are fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
The move adds an additional exception to the order requiring face coverings in all indoor public settings, which Dr. Mase issued Aug. 3 to help control the surging Delta variant. The exception is voluntary, so employers, hosts and organizers may continue to enforce universal indoor masking, regardless of vaccination status.
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COVID Vaccines for Children 5-11 Years of Age with Dr. Brian Prystowsky
Dr. Brian Prystowsky, Pediatrician at Sutter Health, talks about the pediatric vaccine against COVID-19 for children 5-11. He explains how the pediatric vaccine works, its dosage and side effects.
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Let the Youth Lead the Way!
In these two videos below, Youth promotores from Latino Service Providers, share with us their reasons for getting vaccinated, their plans to do things they couldn't during the shelter in place and a message for those young fellows still not vaccinated. Please help us combat vaccine hesitancy by sharing these testimonials with your friends and family by email, text or social media!
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- People 65 or older.
- People from the ages of 50 to 64 with underlying medical conditions or at increased risk of COVID-19 because of social inequities. They include people from certain racial and ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities and others who are more likely to get sick and die from COVID-19 because of social factors, like poverty and access to healthcare, that influence health and quality of life.
- People 18 and older who live in long-term care facilities.
Two groups of people MAY receive a booster dose, if they want one, six months after they received their second shot of the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine:
- People from the ages of 18 to 49 with underlying medical conditions or at increased risk of COVID-19 because of social inequities.
- People 18 and older who are at increased risk of COVID-19 because of their job or institutional setting.
Everyone 18 and older who received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine should get a booster dose at least two months after their first shot.
To see if you are eligible for a booster, contact your healthcare provider or go to myturn.ca.gov.
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Disaster Preparedness Corner |
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Are You Prepared for an Earthquake?
Don’t wait for the ground to shake: prepare for earthquakes before they happen. Watch the video or visit the link below to learn how to prepare your household.
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Sign Up for Alert Systems
Your actions and emergency preparedness will help you and your family stay safe and be ready for the next disaster. As a reminder, the County of Sonoma strongly recommends subscribing to the following alert and warning systems:
- SoCoAlert – Upon signing up for SoCoAlert, select to receive alerts through landline calls, cell phone text messages or pre-recorded verbal messages and email. The system also works with telephone devices for the deaf.
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Nixle – Receive email and text messages from local fire and law enforcement agencies that include public safety messages as well as emergency information. Text your zip code to 888777 to opt-in or sign up online to receive email, text or voice messages with alerts and advisories.
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