County of Sonoma District 3
Monthly Newsletter
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Updates from Supervisor Coursey |
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Greetings Friends,
The last month has been a busy one, with the Board deliberating on issues relevant to the entire community, from increasing COVID case rates to law enforcement oversight to the future site of county offices.
On the law enforcement front, the Board opted to appeal the California Public Employee Relations Board’s challenge to Measure P, the voter-approved initiative aimed at strengthening oversight of the Sheriff’s office. While the ruling doesn’t negate Measure P, it does constrain some elements of the ballot measure. In addition to appealing through the courts, the county will also engage in a “meet and confer” process with sheriff’s employees in an attempt to allay PERB’s concerns. Meanwhile, the work of the Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Oversight will continue.
We also reviewed the County’s progress on COVID-19 relief, and expanded the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Local governments throughout California have seen low rates of participation in the rental relief program, both from tenants and landlords. The governor has broadened the scope of the effort, offering landlords 100% of back rent and tenants a longer window of time in which they are eligible for relief. More information is below.
Last month, the Board of Supervisors voted to move most County administrative offices to downtown Santa Rosa from the 60-year-old campus at the north end of the city. This decision represents meaningful progress in resolving long-standing infrastructure problems of the current site while also supporting smart growth, production of housing and reduction of motor-vehicle emissions.
Unfortunately, not all news reflects progress. As local, state and national headlines inform, the arrival of the highly infectious Delta variant has contributed to an increase of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths. And though Sonoma County’s vaccination rate is higher than the State and National averages, local rates of infection and severe illness among the unvaccinated have steadily increased, reflecting broader trends. In an effort to slow community spread of the virus, local health officials have issued orders requiring masks be worn in all public spaces, and emergency workers must be vaccinated or get tested at least weekly.
While this new order may signal regression, it is important to recognize that the most powerful tool against severe illness and death related to COVID-19 – the vaccine – is now free and widely available in Sonoma County. Health officials urge all community members to get the vaccine if they have not done so already. I urge everyone to do this and I ask you to pass the word to your family, friends and co-workers.
Through our collective efforts, we were able to overcome some of the most devastating periods of this pandemic. Overcoming this current surge requires us all to once again do our part.
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Chris Coursey
707-565-2241
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Local Health Officials Urge Vaccination and Issue Orders Requiring Use of Facial Coverings |
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Vaccination continues to protect against severe COVID-19 illness, but with the COVID-19 Delta variant now infecting a small percentage of vaccinated people as well as many unvaccinated people, Sonoma County joined six other Bay Area counties and the City of Berkeley in issuing Health Orders requiring masks indoors in public places. The Orders require all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings when indoors in public settings, with limited exceptions, effective starting on Tuesday, Aug. 3.
The Health Orders are consistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health, which recommend facial coverings in indoor public settings. Bay Area Health Officers will continue to monitor data to determine when the Orders can be adjusted or lifted.
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Board of Supervisors Vote to
Move County Offices Downtown
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On July 27, the Board of Supervisors voted to relocate most of Sonoma County’s administrative offices to the vacant Sears site in downtown Santa Rosa, citing climate action, transit-oriented development and the safe and efficient delivery of services as primary drivers for this decision.
The decision to move to the Sears site simultaneously prioritizes accessible service and a commitment to reduced use of motor vehicles, which produce about 60% of harmful emissions in Sonoma County. This relocation also exemplifies city-centered growth, which incentivizes production of new market rate and affordable housing in dense, walkable neighborhoods that promote a healthy environment and vibrant live-work communities. Read more.
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Sonoma County Expands
Rental Assistance Program
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With the passage of AB 832, Sonoma County has expanded financial support available to tenants and landlords through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The program, has expanded to provide broader rental assistance, more equitable access, housing stability throughout the county, as well as extending the eviction moratorium in Sonoma County until November 1, 2021. |
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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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Board of Supervisors Vote to
Appeal PERB Decision on Police Oversight Measure P
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On July 13 the Board of Supervisors voted to appeal a ruling by the Public Employment Relations Board concerning a challenge to certain aspects of Measure P, the voter-approved initiative to strengthen oversight of the Sheriff’s Office. Concurrently, the Board voted to move ahead with the meet and confer process concerning two organizations that filed the complaints. Read more.
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Recent Rise in COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations and Deaths
County officials urge residents to get vaccinated if they have not done so. Vaccination remains the most powerful protection against COVID-19 serious illness and death. Since June 1, 100% of COVID patients in the ICU have been unvaccinated. All but two of the COVID-19 deaths that have occurred since the beginning of the year — when the vaccine rollout began — have been among unvaccinated residents. Those two deaths were vaccinated residents who were older than 90.
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Testing: The demand for pop-up COVID-19 testing over the past two weeks has doubled in Sonoma County. County Health Services is partnering with three trusted testing providers, LHI, Curative, and Molecular Matrix, to provide expanded testing services for residents. You can continue to call the Sonoma County Testing and Vaccine hotline at 707-565-4667 (4701 in Spanish versions) for help navigating your options. Testing information is also available at SoCoEmergency.org
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Molecular Matrix: Make an appointment at the Molecular Matrix website. Next-day results are available and have no out-of-pocket cost.
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LHI: Appointments highly recommended. Visit https://lhi.care/covidtesting or call 866-284-8788 to make an appointment
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Curative: Appointments are recommended and slots appear 3 to 4 days before each event. Visit curative.com or call 888-702-9042 to make an appointment.
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Vaccines: As of August 4, over 620,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Sonoma County. About 8% of residents 12 and older have received one dose and about 71% have received two doses.
Vaccines continue to provide the strongest protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19 including the Delta variant.
The County’s vaccine clinics page is continually updated. It has changed to a pop-up calendar format to make it easier to see what clinics are operating each day and where they are located.
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Disaster Preparedness Corner |
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Tips to prevent equipment fires:
- Lawnmowers are designed to mow lawns, NOT weeds or dry grass.
- Be cautious of rocks, metal blades striking rocks create sparks and start fires.
- Ensure your chainsaw has a spark arrester and is working properly.
- Be sure to mow your lawn BEFORE 10 a.m., have a fire extinguisher and/or hose nearby, and NEVER mow if it’s windy or excessively dry!
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Home Hardening:
Vegetation management and creating defensible space on your property are essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. Take the time to create a buffer between buildings on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surround it. Learn more.
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Practice Vehicle Safety
Motorists are responsible for many of the wildfires sparked along roadways.
Tips to prevent roadway fires:
- When towing, use safety pins and hitch ball to secure chains & prevent sparks from dragging
- Maintain proper tire pressure as driving on exposed wheel rims will throw sparks.
- Carry fire extinguisher and learn how to use it. Don’t drive onto dry grass or brush, hot exhaust pipes and mufflers can start fires!
- Maintain brakes! Worn out brakes may cause metal to metal contact, which can spark.
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Other Community News and Events |
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Help Shape the Future of Sonoma County
Every ten years, local governments assess census data to reshape representation districts in order to reflect population changes. The redistricting process in Sonoma County is underway and as a community member, you have a say in how the new election districts will be drawn.
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Make a Difference in Your Community –
Serve on the Parks & Rec Commission!
District 3 has an upcoming vacancy on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission!
Sonoma County Parks includes more than 50 parks across the county. Parks offer wild landscapes miles of trails, sports fields, playgrounds, and campgrounds which are core to the health and wellness of our county. Regional Parks works to steward these cultural and natural resources while protecting land and providing public access to the outdoors.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission plays an important role in this mission as an advisory body to the Regional Parks Director on the maintenance, development, and operation of recreation areas.
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Promote Fairness and Transparency -
Serve on the Board Of Assessments Appeals!
The Board of Assessments Appeals provides an important benefit to the community, promoting fairness, transparency, and in the property taxing system of our County. Apply to be on the Board!
In California, property taxes are determined by the County Assessor based on property value. When an agreement between a property owner and the County Assessor cannot be reached, the taxpayer has a right to file an appeal with the Assessment Appeals Board. The Board, as an independent entity, helps to resolve disputes between the County Assessor and Taxpayers. Board decisions are legally binding and enforceable and promote transparency in the taxing system.
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