County of Sonoma District 3
Monthly Newsletter
|
|
Coursey's Mid-Year Review |
|
Friends,
It’s pretty hard to believe that nearly six months have passed since I was sworn into my job as Third District Supervisor for Sonoma County. It’s also pretty hard to believe that only six months have passed since I was sworn in as a new supervisor.
Time warps happen when you’re having fun!
I get asked all the time how I “like” my new job or if I’m “having fun with the new gig.” It’s a tough question to answer, because “like” and “fun” seem like the wrong words to use about a job that involves such serious matters as community health, homelessness, law enforcement, land use decisions, budget balancing and countless other issues of consequence. It’s a job that can be maddeningly complicated in its detail and frustratingly slow in its process. It’s a daily dose of decisions that are bound to make at least some people unhappy.
And still, I like the work, and I do my best to find some joy in doing it every day.
Of course, the level of joy tends to vary depending on results. Not every problem is solvable; not every vote lands you on the winning side. On balance, though, I can report that the past six months have left a smile on my face. Here are a few reasons why:
- Starting in mid-December, the past six months have seen almost 600,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered, with 65% of residents 12 and older fully vaxxed and nearly 75% with at least one dose
- Our District 3 staff helped to fill the information gap by supporting/cohosting COVID-19 community information forums in Spanish
- We strongly advocated for pandemic-related rent relief, resulting in extended eviction protections, funding for legal assistance for tenants and emergency rental assistance for both tenants and landlords
- With my board colleagues we created a $2 million fund to address immediate homeless needs such as safe parking and other alternative shelter options
-
This month we passed a $2 billion County Budget, including among many worthy projects $500,000 for removal of a highly flammable eucalyptus grove in the 3rd District and $140,000 to help the Sonoma County Library move and protect the historic county archives from fire hazards.
But there is little time to reflect on past accomplishments. Here’s what’s coming up:
- In addition to numerous other assignments to various boards, commissions and ad hoc committees, I recently was assigned as board liaison for the Healthy & Safe Communities and Organizational Excellence pillars of our brand-new Five-Year Strategic Plan.
- Upcoming Board Items
- 7/13 COVID-19 Emergency Response Update
- 7/13 Allocation of PG&E Settlement Tier 1 Funds for Transportation
- 7/20 Fire Tax Workshop
- 7/20 New County Government Building Selection of Site Location
- 7/20 Vacation Rentals Ordinance
- 7/27 ARPA Funding: Discussions on ARPA funding will take place over the next few months by a community-informed process to determine the best uses for $94 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, the federal program designed to respond to the health- and economic-related impacts of the pandemic. The first step of that will take place at the July 27 Board meeting.
Additionally, in this newsletter you can read about:
- FEMA Grant Awarded to Sonoma County
- Broadband Accessibility Initiative
- Disaster Preparedness Corner: tips, reminders and upcoming workshops
- COVID-19 Update and Other Community News
As always, I want to thank you for your support and engagement in the past six months and in the next stage of this journey. I welcome your thoughts and feedback and invite you to contact me or participate in our public forums and Board meetings moving forward.
Sincerely,
|
|
Chris Coursey
707-565-2241
|
|
Sonoma County Awarded $37 Million FEMA Grant to Mitigate Wildfire Risks |
|
On June 30 President Joe Biden announced that the County of Sonoma will receive a $37 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to cover certain costs related to wildfire risk reduction. The grant is part of an overall $1 billion Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities funding grant and requires a local match of 25 percent, or approximately $13 million, which Sonoma County plans to finance using PG&E settlement funds.
“Today I’m announcing a $37 million grant to Sonoma County, California, in support of fire mitigation efforts that are underway,” President Biden said at the start of the briefing. “Because Sonoma knows all too well the devastation wrought by fire, they are the first to apply for the mitigation funds.”
The grant funding will be used to address vegetation management and fire fuel reduction in Sonoma County, and to prevent losses while increasing the environmental and natural values of our wildland areas.
County officials intend to distribute the grant funding as part of an integrated, innovative cross-agency "systems" methodology designed to work simultaneously at a large wildland scale and at a neighborhood scale.
For more information about Sonoma County’s recent fire mitigation grant from FEMA, please contact Permit Sonoma at (707) 565-1925 or Tennis.Wick@sonoma-county.org
|
|
Supervisors Approve Access Sonoma Broadband Action Plan to Close "Digital Divide" |
|
On June 8, the Board of Supervisors approved the Access Sonoma Broadband Action Plan. This initiative will explore the creation of a publicly governed entity that would deploy, own and manage broadband infrastructure for underserved or unserved regions of Sonoma County, where it is not considered economically viable for most private companies to install high-speed broadband. A publicly governed broadband entity would build, own and maintain broadband infrastructure, while service providers would lease the infrastructure to provide internet services at a reduced rate. The fees paid by service providers to the public entity would be used to maintain the infrastructure.
In order for Sonoma County to qualify for grants, funding and other means to improve broadband access for its communities, the actual level of broadband availability must be identified. Current broadband availability data, which is self-reported by service providers, is often inaccurate and can result in over-claimed service availability. In response, the Sonoma County Economic Development Board launched the Access Sonoma Broadband Speed Test Initiative, which allows community members to test their internet speeds to provide data that will help determine the quality of access countywide. Help increase broadband access by taking the Speed Test here.
|
|
Disaster Preparedness Corner |
|
Emergency Preparedness Webinar – Sources of information and community support
July 10 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Many have said the biggest indicator of how well you survive a disaster is what you knew, when you knew it and how well you knew your neighbors. Learn how to be alerted in a disaster and about local neighbor-to-neighbor groups preparing and supporting each other for emergencies. Let’s get Sonoma Ready!
|
|
|
|
Include your pets in evacuation plans!
When creating an emergency and evacuation plan for your family, don’t forget your feathery or furry friends. Preparing yourself and your pets to leave in an emergency will help reduce the stress and anxiety of leaving your home in a hurry.
Some ideas of what to include in your pet go-bag include:
- Food, water and treats
- Favorite toy
- Extra collar and leash
- Vaccination records
- Medication
- Doggie bags or litter pan
- Bedding
|
|
|
|
Plan for Evacuation Contingencies:
Acting quickly during a wildfire emergency is critical! Practicing several different escape routes from your home will ensure that when the time comes you and your family will be #EvacuationReady. Click here for more preparedness tips.
|
|
Sign Up for Emergency Alerts:
In time of disaster, timely and accurate information can save lives.
split infinitive
The County of Sonoma strongly recommends subscribing to the following alert and warning systems:
- SoCoAlert – You may select to receive alerts through landline calls, cell phone text messages or pre-recorded verbal messages and email.
- Nixle – Receive email and text messages from local fire and law enforcement agencies that include public safety messages and 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.
|
|
As of June 15th the state of California and the County of Sonoma aligned mask wearing guidelines with the Centers of Disease Control.
This means masks are not required for fully vaccinated individuals, except in the following settings where masks are required for everyone:
- Public transit
- Hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare and other youth settings.
- Homeless shelters, emergency shelters and cooling centers
For unvaccinated individuals, masks are required in indoor public settings.
The following individuals are exempt from wearing masks at all times:
- Persons younger than 2 years old
- Persons with a medical or mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a mask.
- Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
- Persons for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to the person related to their work
|
|
As of June 30 Sonoma County's adjusted rate of new daily cases per 100,000 population is around 4.9. Our unadjusted case rate is at 5.0.
On June 15, California reopened the economy and retired the Blueprint tier structure, implemented in August 2020 to reduce COVID-19 in the state. This means that all industry and business sectors listed in the current Blueprint Activities and Business Tiers Chart returned to usual operations with no capacity limits or physical distancing requirements, with limited exceptions for “mega” events.
While this is an exciting step for Sonoma County, local health officials remain concerned about the number of new cases, especially in unvaccinated adults ages 18 to 34. The end of the pandemic is in sight, but there is still much work to do. This final stretch will be challenging as we do everything possible to encourage our remaining unvaccinated residents to be safe and get a shot.
|
|
As of June 30, nearly 600,000 vaccine doses have been administered to Sonoma County residents. This means roughly 65% of our 12 and older population is now fully vaccinated, while around 74% have received at least one dose.
Lyft, Uber offering discounted rides to vaccine appointments through July 4th
- Uber is offering discounts of up to $25 for rides to and from vaccine appointments, daily between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- Lyft is offering up to $15 off of round-trips to vaccine appointments. Each of these round trips must be three weeks apart.
Homebound vaccinations outreach
The County is working with Fox Home Health, which has established a mobile vaccine clinic, to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to those who are homebound for medical reasons. For more information call (707) 565-4667 or email stompcovid@foxandassociates.org
Vaccine Clinics & Schools
Sonoma County Office of Education, in partnership with Curative, the County of Sonoma and local school districts, is organizing vaccination clinics for youth and their families age 12+ this summer, to be held at school sites throughout the county. There are many chances to be vaccinated in the coming week. Learn more, find a spot, and register at scoe.org/vaccines.
|
|
Other Community News and Events |
|
Help Shape the Future of Sonoma County
Every 10 years, local governments use new data from the Census to redraw their district lines for political representatives to reflect how local populations have changed. This year, the public process of redistricting in Sonoma County will result in Districts that will determine representation in County Government for the next 10 years.
The Board of Supervisors has appointed an Advisory Redistricting Commission (ARC) that will hold public hearings to discuss how redistricting works and to involve the community in defining how maps should look like.
The County of Sonoma is also asking for your help to plan, draw, and redivide new County districts. As a community member you have a say in how the new election districts will be drawn. You can share any specific thoughts, attend public hearings and even draw your own maps through an interactive mapping tool.
|
|
Tracking Business Health Post COVID
The Economic Development Board invite business owners in Sonoma County of all ethnic and racial backgrounds to participate in the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative (SLEI) survey.
The SLEI survey collects data from business owners of all backgrounds in order to draw comparisons and highlight unique experiences and impacts of BIPOC-owned businesses. The intention of the survey is to help inform decision makers and continue to move equity forward in Sonoma County. To take the survey, click here.
|
|
|
|
Summer Swimming Program by Sonoma County Parks
The Vamos a Nadar/Let's Go Swimming program provides summer swim lessons to children and water-safety training for parents in Spanish and English. Families receive vouchers for two weeks of reduced-price swim lessons at local pools and learn the importance of water awareness and how swimming can be part of an active lifestyle.
Vamos a Nadar/Let's Go Swimming has taught water safety to more than 2,000 young people since 2004. For more information, call (707) 565-8034. Or click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
