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As Oscar Wilde once wrote, “And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.” And with the sudden change of seasons in Sonoma County has come the opportunity to pull out sweaters and Halloween decorations and make other seasonal changes at home - such as adjusting our outdoor irrigation systems. This edition of the SoCo Correspondent has some great tips on how to get ready for winter, along with important news about recent events commemorating the 2017 fires, the upcoming election and the latest COVID-19 trends. Plus, you’ll find updates on the formal adoption of a new partnership with a local tribe to co-manage Sonoma County largest park and an initiative to create mobile teams trained to serve people experiencing a mental health crisis.
As always, we encourage you to share this newsletter with friends, colleagues and family members so they can sign up for the SoCo Correspondent and receive it directly the first and third week of each month.
¿Está interesado en leer sobre lo que hace el Condado de Sonoma dos veces al mes? Este boletín estará disponible en español. Regístrese aquí para suscribirse a nuestro boletín, el SoCo Correspondent.
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Autumn is one of the most special times of year here in Sonoma County. With temperatures starting to drop, this is an excellent time of year to adjust your outdoor irrigation system. Your plants don’t need as much water in the fall as they do during the summer. In the month of October, most people can safely cut watering by 40 to 50 percent. And next month, as plants go dormant, you can turn off your irrigation system entirely until spring. Use this tool to create an irrigation watering schedule that is customized to your landscape.
Get the latest information on the drought and its impacts on Sonoma County at our Nov. 10 town hall, the last in a series of monthly live-streamed meetings the County has hosted since March The 4 p.m. webinar will be moderated by Supervisor David Rabbitt. Register to attend the briefing on Zoom or view it live in English on the county’s Facebook page and in Spanish on the county’s YouTube channel.
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Remembering 2017 wildfires | |
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Dozens of Sonoma County residents including elected officials, firefighters, emergency workers and neighborhood leaders who played key roles in the rebuilding of Coffey Park, Fountaingrove, and other devastated areas gathered at two separate events on Oct. 8 and 9 in commemoration of the five-year anniversary of the Sonoma Complex fires of October 2017.
The City of Santa Rosa and the County of Sonoma partnered in hosting the first ceremony on Saturday morning at Coffey Neighborhood Park, an event that focused on recognizing the rebuilding efforts and honoring the resiliency of the community. More than 5,300 homes were lost in Sonoma County of which more than 75 percent have been rebuilt or are under construction.
Before an audience of more than 120 people, Supervisor James Gore, Chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, reflected on how many residents had moved from “victims to survivors to thrivers.”
“After it all, we did have a common refrain of ‘Never again,’” he said. “That didn’t mean no more fires, we know that. But it meant never again would we get caught on our heels the way that we were that night.”
“We are stronger. We are committed. We are resilient,” said Supervisor Susan Gorin, who reflected on the challenges of losing her own Oakmont home in the Nuns Fire. “And we thank all of the folks up here for the services they provided and continue to provide to help all of us move through this journey of recovery.”
“It was a devastating feeling that night of Oct. 8 knowing that so many lost everything, so many barely escaped that inferno and so many were suffering, and I don’t know about you, but that trauma still sticks with me today,” said Sen. Mike McGuire. “That said, after the smoke cleared and the fire was finally put out, I am still in awe of what this community has accomplished.”
“We are forever changed by that firestorm,” said Rep. Jared Huffman. “No one ignores or makes light of fires anymore. We have work to do still to make our homes and landscaping more resilient.”
Other speakers at the Coffey Park event included Santa Rosa Mayor Chris Rogers, Assemblymember Jim Wood, HUD Field Office Director for Northern California Eduardo Cabrera, Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci, FEMA Region 9 Administrator Robert J. Fenton, Jr., and Santa Rosa Fire Chief Scott Westrope. Oscar Pardo, a Coffey Park resident who lost his home and has since rebuilt, also addressed the crowd, speaking on behalf of the fire victims.
Wearing the clothes that he was wearing the night he fled the fire along with his family, he offered a quote from Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu: “New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings,” he said.
The following day, some of the same leaders gathered at the rebuilt Paradise Ridge Winery for another celebration, this one co-hosted by Rene Byck, a co-owner of the winery. He said the dusk event, organized by Chair Gore and his staff, was intended to be a thank you to the community “for the support of our business, their resiliency and creating a road map of how communities like ours can prepare for a disaster.”
Gore recognized fire victims and said he was speaking on behalf of “those of us whose lives changed through you, through your struggle, through your stages of grief, through the lessons you taught us, through your heartaches, through your hopes.”
Supervisor Gorin also spoke, asking for a moment of silence in recognition of the 22 people who died in the Tubbs Fire and the three who perished in the Nuns Fire.
To view a recording of the Oct. 8 ceremony in Coffey Park, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8bE8PWoYOw
Sonoma County is more prepared for a disaster than ever before as a result of reforms implemented in the wake of the 2017 wildfires. Many were featured earlier this month in a special edition of the SoCo Correspondent; if you missed it, check it out here.
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The Nov. 8 general election is only 19 days away. Ballots have already been mailed out and may be dropped off at any of the county’s 21 official ballot boxes or returned by mail. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received at the Registrar of Voters’ Office by Nov. 15.
For people who prefer to vote in person, the county will once again open seven vote centers on Oct. 29. An additional 24 vote centers will be open daily from Nov. 5 through Election Day. For vote center locations and times, visit the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters homepage and click on the list of Official Ballot Drop Boxes and Vote Centers.
You must be registered to vote by Oct. 24; otherwise you will need to vote in person via the Conditional Voter Registration process. Register or update your current registration online at RegisterToVote.ca.gov.
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Reported COVID-19 cases have dropped to their lowest level in Sonoma County seven months. The county is currently detecting only 6.6 new cases per 100,000 residents each day, although the rate of new cases in unvaccinated people is twice as high. The numbers show the COVID-19 vaccine continues to protect people from serious illness and is reducing both virus-related hospitalizations and deaths.
Meanwhile, Sonoma County and Verily Wastewater Scan are tracking the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in wastewater samples from the Laguna Treatment Plant in Santa Rosa and the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility in Petaluma. These scans also have indicated a rapid decline in the presence of the virus in Sonoma County over the past six weeks although the data show an uptick in Omicron cases has occurred since Oct. 6. View the data and graphs that are available for public viewing on the WastewaterSCAN dashboard.
Overall, the evidence continues to show the COVID-19 vaccine protects from serious illness and is reducing both virus-related hospitalizations and deaths.
To protect yourself and people you love over the holidays, get vaccinated or boosted now. It takes two to three weeks for the vaccine to provide maximum levels of protection. Schedule your shot today if you are planning to gather with loved ones at Thanksgiving.
Updated COVID-19 booster shots specifically formulated to protect against the highly contagious omicron variant are now available in Sonoma County. Appointments can be found by going to myturn.ca.gov/clinic. The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention recommends that everyone ages 5 years and up receive a bivalent booster if it has been at least two months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose. The original monovalent vaccines will still be used for the primary vaccine series and booster doses for the 6 month to 11-year age groups.
If you are eligible for the booster, you can get the shot from primary health care providers, health centers and pharmacies, as well as Sonoma County’s vaccine clinic at the Roseland Community Center and the LHI clinic at the Rohnert Park Community Center.
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County launches 24/7 vacation rental complaint hotline | |
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Permit Sonoma has created a new hotline to help the public report complaints about vacation rentals. The hotline – available 24 hours a day, seven days a week – will support the county’s efforts to ensure vacation rentals comply with regulations on noise and other nuisances.
If the designated property manager does not resolve the issue within one hour or 30 minutes during quiet time (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.), members of the public may submit a complaint by calling the vacation rental hotline at (707) 875-6619.
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Learn how to navigate the county’s hiring process | |
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Registrations are now being accepted for the next Start Here! class, which provides an overview of the County of Sonoma’s job application, examination and selection processes. The two-hour virtual class will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
The free class is intended for the public – whether you are looking for a new position now or planning for a future employment opportunity. Participants will learn how to submit a thorough application, best practices for the interview and examination, and much more.
Click here to register for the Nov. 9 class. To be notified of future classes, contact us at careers@sonoma-county.org and we will add you to our mailing list.
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County funds free public transit for college students
and key local routes
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The Board of Supervisors has allocated up to $57,000 for a program that will allow college students to ride Sonoma County Transit for free through June 2024. The Board also has approved $43,000 in annual funding for continued fare-free service on transit Routes 28 and 32, which serve the communities of Guerneville, Monte Rio, Occidental and Sonoma.
Additional fare-free routes include Route 66, the Windsor Shuttle; Route 67, the Healdsburg Shuttle; Route 24, the Sebastopol Shuttle; Route 68, the Cloverdale Shuttle; and Cotati/Rohnert Park routes (10, 12, 14), which are funded through next June with federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Sonoma County Transit has also been collaborating with Santa Rosa CityBus and Petaluma Transit to develop a coordinated fare-free pilot program for all riders under the age of 18. It has submitted a funding request for that project through the Sonoma County Climate Resilience Fund.
“For many Sonoma County families, access to public transit is essential to their employment, to their education and to their overall well-being,” said James Gore, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Today, we reinstated multi-year support for fare-free transit service at financial amounts that reflect projected ridership and allow for an increase to pre-pandemic levels.”
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County wins grant to explore creation
of Climate Adaptation Center
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The California State Coastal Conservancy has approved a grant of up to $250,000 to the County of Sonoma for exploring the creation of a Climate Adaptation Center at the Sonoma Developmental Center development.
The proposed center would focus on developing resilient products, processes, and services to benefit all Californians in their daily lives, including research into innovation in water reuse, microgrid energy production, low-carbon mobility, vegetation management, fire safety technology, regenerative agriculture, vermiculture technology, equitable farm starts and their contribution to climate adaptation.
“While this is only one of several possible options for projects at the Sonoma Developmental Center, the idea of a Climate Center is something I have been advocating for quite some time, and what better place than here,” said Supervisor Susan Gorin, whose district includes the SDC campus. “A facility like this could both create good, living wage jobs, and set the Sonoma Valley and the county on better footing to adapt to the future.”
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County helps four cities create mobile crisis teams | |
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The county is partnering with four cities to create mobile teams to help people experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
The $2.49 million grant will help the cities of Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park and Cotati establish mobile crisis service programs similar to one used by the county for the past decade. Such programs send behavioral health and emergency medical service teams to emergency calls that do not require a law enforcement response.
“On many calls where an individual is experiencing a behavioral health emergency, law enforcement is not equipped to respond, and when they do, their presence can often escalate the situation,” said Tina Rivera, director of the Department of Health Services. “We have found that a dedicated team of behavioral health first responders is vital in these situations, and we are proud to help our municipal partners establish these services.”
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County to create language access,
community engagement plans
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The Board of Supervisors has launched a milestone effort to make county government and its services more accessible to all members of our community, regardless of what language they speak or how they communicate.
The Board has allocated $710,000 to develop Language Access and Community Engagement plans to be led by the county’s Office of Equity in partnership with two consulting firms, will create policy recommendations for all county departments.
The Language Access plan is needed to effectively communicate with and deliver services to residents who are monolingual, speak an Indigenous language, have impediments to their vision or hearing, and other linguistically diverse individuals who live or work in Sonoma County.
The Community Engagement plan will provide guidance for county departments to engage with members of our diverse community in a culturally responsive manner, breaking down barriers with residents who have traditionally experienced marginalization from government.
The work supports objectives under the Racial Equity and Social Justice pillar of the county’s Strategic Plan.
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County, Tribe sign landmark agreement
to manage Tolay Lake Regional Park
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The County of Sonoma and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria have entered into a long-term agreement to co-manage Tolay Lake Regional Park. The partnership is believed to be the first of its kind in California between a local government and a federally recognized tribe.
The 3,400-acre park southeast of Petaluma is within the Tribe’s ancestral territory and holds significant cultural history. The county and the Tribe will work together to protect and preserve cultural resources at the park while collaborating on park operations and administration, land use activities, interpretive and educational programming, and access to park resources for cultural practices.
“There’s no doubt that management of this park – the county’s largest – should be carried out in partnership with those people who have such a spiritual and cultural connection to the land,” said Supervisor David Rabbitt, whose district includes Tolay.
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Probation employee recognized in Bay Area award | |
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Melita Combs, a juvenile correctional counselor with the county Probation Department, has been honored as the Outstanding Line Staff of the Year in the Bay Area region by the California Association of Probation Institution Administrators.
Combs has played an instrumental role in creating new programs to prepare Juvenile Hall for the impending closure of the state system that houses and treats youths who have committed the most serious crimes. Combs helped develop a program for youths serving extended periods, including individualized case planning, rehabilitation and community reentry. She also serves as the department’s primary liaison with Santa Rosa Junior College’s “Second Chance” program, assisting with grants and financial aid applications, textbooks and college IDs.
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Dental program serves 1,000th child
at Valley of the Moon Children’s Center
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It’s a milestone that is worthy of a smile: More than 1,000 children in Sonoma County have now received free dental care through a partnership between Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation and the county Human Services Department, which operates Valley of the Moon Children’s Center.
The program serves children who are placed in emergency foster care to protect them from abuse or neglect by a parent. During their stay at the children’s center, they receive medical, mental health and dental assessments. Some have never seen a dentist before.
“Our partnership with the Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation has made a tangible difference in the lives of hundreds of children,” said District 1 Supervisor Susan Gorin, who represents the Sonoma Valley. “Dental care is an important component of overall health. Through this program, children not only receive critical treatment from a local dentist, but also learn dental hygiene skills that will likely stay with them for rest of their lives.”
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Get involved with local government
Government is only as good as the people who step forward to serve. There are many opportunities available now to support the community by serving on local boards, commissions and committees.
Current vacancies include:
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Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County: To partner with low income families and individuals to help them achieve economic and social stability. Learn more: https://www.capsonoma.org/
Check out the list of current vacancies and discover how you can help shape the future of Sonoma County.
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Adopt the pet of the month | |
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My name is Casper. I am a neutered male domestic shorthair cat who’s about 5 years old and weighs 18 pounds. I’ve lived indoors my whole life, but my owners could no longer care for me and I’ve been at the shelter for the last month. I’m a little shy, but enjoy being stroked and would blossom in a quieter household.
Casper is one of dozens of cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals at Sonoma County Animal Services in need of adoption.
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