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Cooler temperatures, bustling pumpkin patches and the changing foliage signify the arrival of autumn in Sonoma County. As we observe the shift in seasons, this month we also commemorate the fifth anniversary of the 2017 fires with recognition of the deep losses we endured and salutation to the widespread community solidarity that continues to guide our resilience. To honor this, our Communications Department dedicated the latest issue of the SoCo Correspondent to the 5-year anniversary of the 2017 natural disasters, documenting the lived experiences, lessons learned and progress made. You can access the full issue here.

This month at the county, we focus our work on advancing community resilience in the face of a changing climate and in response to evolving challenges resulting from a fluctuating economy and global context. In an effort to keep you informed on our work, this newsletter includes updates on changes to local encampment laws, plans for Sonoma Developmental Center redevelopment, and the latest on groundwater regulation. We also have gathered relevant community news on local public transit, climate action, mental health crisis response and other key issues.

We hope this information is useful and we welcome your questions, comments and opinions on our content as well as suggestions on what you’d like to see in future newsletters.

As always, we are grateful for your readership and continued engagement. 

Sincerely,

On September 27 the Board of Supervisors reviewed the complete Homeless Point-in-Time Count report for 2022. While the report showed a 5% increase in unhoused residents as compared with the 2020 count, the findings reflect a significant decline in numbers for the county over the past decade. The total is still too high, and I will continue to work to create additional shelter options for unhoused residents, on renter-protection programs to prevent additional homelessness, for expanded mental health services to address that huge hole in our health-care system and on other initiatives that must be considered in order to address the myriad causes of homelessness not just in our community, but in our society.

In addressing homelessness, the county has launched a series of initiatives including the establishment of five homeless housing sites in 2020 under the state’s Homekey program, and six additional projects slated to launch in late 2022 and into 2023. The county also funded new safe parking and interim housing sites in Santa Rosa, Sebastopol and Petaluma, in partnership with these cities.

The Board also amended an ordinance limiting camping in public spaces. The amendments ensure Sonoma County’s pre-existing camping ordinance aligns with recent legal decisions while providing the county with options to address issues related to homeless encampments. Ordinance amendments will take effect 30 days from the date of adoption.

This month the Board of Supervisors approved a moratorium restricting new well permits until April 4, 2023, in Sonoma County. The moratorium period will allow staff to develop options for the Board’s consideration in updating the county’s well ordinance. The Board also directed staff to establish a Technical Advisory Committee to make recommendations on implementing Public Trust Review requirements pertaining to groundwater as a public resource. 

Permit Sonoma has released the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and Specific Plan that will guide the redevelopment of the Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC). In response to public feedback, the Specific Plan enhances protection of the more than 700 acres of open space and ensures that affordable housing is built before or at the same time as any market-rate housing.

If enacted, the SDC redevelopment would be a transformative effort that charts the future of the Sonoma Valley. 

On September 26 the Board of Supervisors authorized nearly $2.5 million in grant money to fund behavioral health mobile crisis teams in the cities of Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park and Cotati. The programs enable cities to send behavioral health and emergency medical service teams to emergency calls that do not require a law enforcement response.

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services invites residents to respond to a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Sonoma County Mental Health Patients’ Rights Advocate to advance the Department’s mission to promote, protect, and ensure access to services that support the health, recovery, and well-being of all in Sonoma County.

The duties of advocates will include, but not be limited to:

• Receive and investigate complaints from or concerning recipients of mental health services residing in licensed health or community care facilities
• Monitor mental health facilities, services and programs for compliance
• Provide training and education about mental health law and patients' rights to mental health providers
• Ensure that recipients of mental health services in all licensed health and community care facilities are notified of their rights

Responses are due November 1, 2022.

SMART is excited to announce a new Field Trip Program for local students and educators. For groups who participate in this program, students ride free, and adults pay regular fare.

SMART staff can offer support to the teachers with trip planning and train logistics.

Trips must be pre-arranged with SMART staff to ensure capacity and establish a point of contact for issues. To arrange a field trip with SMART, please email Matt Stevens at mstevens@sonomamarintrain.org. 

SMART implemented a new train schedule beginning Oct. 3, a change that resulted from many months of extensive outreach through listening sessions, online surveys and customer input. Expanded services offer more flexibility for midday commuters, more flexibility for leisure trip planning and better connections with the Golden Gate Transit’s Larkspur Ferry. 

The Board of Supervisors this month authorized agreements with Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University to continue the “Fare-Free” transit program for Sonoma County college students through fiscal year 2023-24.



The action is just one of many ways the Board is working to reduce emission produced by fossil fuels in our county while also supporting students and their families. 

The County of Sonoma and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria signed a long-term agreement to co-manage Tolay Lake Regional Park. This partnership is believed to be the first of its kind in California between a local government and a federally recognized tribe. The 20-year agreement to co-manage the 3,400-acre park seeks to recognize the Tribe’s ancestral territory honor and the land’s significant cultural history. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working to educate the public on the impact of large, high-severity fires on wildlife and how the agency is collaborating to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire throughout the state. Efforts also seek to raise awareness of what a healthy forest looks like.

This initiative includes a set of helpful resources that illustrate the elements of a healthy forest and the difference between the impacts of a high-severity and low-impact fire on forest habitat.

Sonoma County voter information guides and official ballots for the upcoming General Election have been mailed and official ballot drop boxes are NOW open through 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 8. 

The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 8 election is Monday Oct. 24.

To be eligible to register, one must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on or before Election Day, and not in prison for the conviction of a felony. Those who miss the deadline can conditionally register and vote in person at the Registrar of Voters Office or at any vote center through Election Day.

Now accepting applications for the Pathway to Income Equity, Sonoma County’s guaranteed basic income pilot program! The program will award 305 randomly selected qualifying Sonoma County residents $500 a month for two years.

To apply, visit www.pathwaysonoma.org/apply through midnight Oct. 31. Program eligibility is based on income, residency and impact from COVID-19. Apply today!

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services is hosting a conference Friday, Oct. 21, to celebrate the community health workers and promotoras in Sonoma County for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conference will include:

• Training in three workshops
• Mind/body medicine
• COVID-19 tools and updates
• Community Health Worker Core Consensus (C3) Project
• A resource and career fair
• Healing and self-care activities hosted by local organizations for community building

Space is limited. 

DignityMoves, the City of Rohnert Park and Homefirst Services invite the community to the Ribbon Cutting of Labath Landing at 3 p.m. Oct. 23 at 6050 Labath Avenue, Rohnert Park.

Labath Landing provides 60 units of temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness, and supportive services to help them move on to their own permanent homes. It received major funding through the state’s Project Homekey program.



The grand opening of the new housing site will consist of a brief program, refreshments, and opportunities to view the site and converse with staff.

Code Breakers: 2022 All-Electric series for Single-Family, Multifamily, Nonresidential - Learn about all the upcoming energy code changes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25.

Join Sonoma County Energy and Sustainability to learn about the significant changes to the state’s Energy Code including requirements and exemptions to go all-electric. Information on the Energy Code requirements for HVAC systems will also be included.

Continental breakfast and lunch will be served.