A Message From Supervisor Coursey | |
|
This weekend we commemorate the struggle for liberation and freedom of Black Americans by observing Juneteenth, a holiday that signifies the day in 1865 when the news of the end of slavery reached enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas. The Board of Supervisors honors this history and is proud to support the 52nd MLK/ Juneteenth Community Festival. We invite the community to join the celebration this Saturday, June 18th. Click here for details. Learn more about Juneteenth by accessing literary and online resources for all ages, available here.
In June we also celebrate Pride Month, which commemorates the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, one of a series of events that advanced the LGBTQI+ liberation movement. At our local Pride Parade this month in downtown Santa Rosa, our community gathered to promote the self-affirmation, dignity and increased visibility of LGBTQI+ people. You can continue celebrating Pride and learning more by accessing books, discussion forums and other resources here.
| |
|
While not as festive, but nevertheless lively, the Board of Supervisors this month approved a $2.1 billion budget for fiscal year 2022-2023. As part of our efforts to promote resiliency, we allocated funding to increase the housing stock, respond to the climate change emergency, support residents experiencing homelessness and improve community response during natural disasters. You can learn more about the budget process here.
In our June newsletter, we have prepared important county news, climate action updates, community announcements, upcoming events and more. As always, thank you for reading and for your continued engagement. Please feel free to contact us with feedback on this newsletter or any other local issue by replying directly to this email or giving us a call at 707-565-2241.
Sincerely,
| |
Chris Coursey
707-565-2241
| |
|
Do you have a passion for service? Do you seek opportunities give back to your community while implementing and building upon your skills?
Apply for the open public service opportunities listed below!
Openings:
-
Agricultural Preservation and Open Space Advisory Committee: Protects the diverse, natural and scenic lands of Sonoma County. Reviews and advises on real property transactions and provides input on operations.
-
Planning Commission: Holds public hearings and makes recommendations to the Board concerning the County’s General Plan and zone regulations, as well as decisions on development proposals.
-
Regional Climate Protection Agency: Put your skills and passion to work on the Climate Action Advisory Board.
You can access details, fill out an application and review countywide vacancies here. You also can contact Supervisor Coursey’s office with your questions by email at district3@sonoma-county.org or by phone at 707-565-2241
| |
|
The Board of Supervisors will hold a public workshop beginning at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, July 19 to explore the possible development of an evacuation zone agricultural and livestock access program.
Following serial wildfire disasters, significant needs and concerns have arisen regarding agriculture and livestock operations during mandatory evacuation, including the safety of operators and workers.
On February 1, the Board established an Ad Hoc Committee to support a collaborative policy development process and to ensure that state law AB 1103, which was passed in 2021 and authorizes counties to establish an evacuation zone access program, is implemented in a way that supports the needs of local workers and operators.
The July 19 Board workshop will form part of the process in exploring evacuation access options in Sonoma County.
Information on attending in person or via Zoom, and instructions on providing public comments are available by clicking on the July 19 meeting agenda in the Board meeting calendar.
The meeting agenda and materials will be available on July 11, 8 days prior to the meeting.
| |
|
The Board of Supervisors allocated $39 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to support communities whose health or finances have suffered disproportionately during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The county received 78 eligible community investment proposals requesting $172 million in funding. Six review committees scored the proposals, elevating 39 projects to the next stage. A funding recommendation committee then conducted a qualitative review and selected 27 finalists, which were approved by the Board of Supervisors.
The county will award contracts to recipients in July and track their results using equity-centered accountability metrics.
| |
|
Sonoma County’s Climate Action and Resiliency Division and the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District released the Sonoma County Climate Resilient Lands Strategy, a document designed to guide climate-related efforts throughout the county, with a focus on natural and working lands.
Constituents are invited to provide feedback over the 30-day public comment period. County staff will host an informational webinar on June 27 to further engage the public and receive comments and questions about the strategy.
| | |
|
|
Sonoma County’s Climate Action and Resiliency Division and the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District released the Sonoma County Climate Resilient Lands Strategy, a document designed to guide climate-related efforts throughout the county, with a focus on natural and working lands.
Constituents are invited to provide feedback over the 30-day public comment period. County staff will host an informational webinar on June 27 to further engage the public and receive comments and questions about the strategy.
| |
|
The Sonoma County Youth Ecology Corps is accepting applications for an exciting summer employment program, where 18 to 24-year-olds learn new skills, acquire work experience and earn money while working on local environmental and conservation projects.
Learn more by texting (707) 758-4129 or visiting www.scyec.org.
| |
|
The Sonoma County Housing Authority is accepting housing voucher applications now through July 1 for the locations listed below. Applicants will be required to provide information regarding income and any preferences for which they may qualify.
Applications are open for the following locations:
- Fisher Senior 1 and Fisher 2 Apartments, Petaluma
- 575 and 579 Vallejo Street Senior Apartments, Petaluma
- Petaluma River Apartments, Petaluma
- Mill District Apartments, Healdsburg
Learn more and apply here or obtain a paper application by calling (707) 565-7501.
Applications are due Friday, July 1, 2022.
| |
On June 26 SMART will offer game-day door-to-door service in its new pilot program. Visit more information and details on the routes and schedules, click here . | |
|
Permit Sonoma is applications for the Curbside Chipper Program, which helps residents in unincorporated areas create defensible space around their homes and neighboring roads.
The service, which operates from May through November (dependent on weather), is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents can receive up to two hours of complimentary chipping, enough time to process a pile of vegetation that is approximately 50 feet long, 3 feet tall and 8 feet wide.
| |
|
The application window for the California Nonprofit Performing Arts Grant Program is opening soon!
The program aims to encourage workforce development and will provide grants to eligible nonprofit performing arts organizations, to fund their payroll, benefits, recruitment, training, and other expenses.
| |
|
Eligible microbusinesses are invited to apply for a $2,500 grant!
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all remaining funds exhausted.
| |
|
Small businesses with a meaningful connection to their community and core values that encompasses grit and kindness are encouraged to apply for the Love, Tito’s Small Business Grant Program. 10 small businesses will be selected to receive a $25,000 grant.
Application Deadline June 30, 2022
| | | | | |
