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With the recent high temperatures followed by a modest 4.4 earthquake on Tuesday, it’s appropriate that the theme of this edition of SoCo Correspondent is emergency preparedness. It’s “go” time, meaning if you don’t have a “go bag” ready, then you should. Continue reading for tips on how to put one together, along with a report on the new Cal Fire base in Sonoma Valley and a new program to give agricultural operators and their employees safe access to farm properties during evacuations. We’ve also got updates on the new COVID-19 vaccine and the drought, along with information on how you can become a Housing Hero.
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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Wildfire season is here, are you ready? | |
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This time two years ago, the Walbridge fire had already burned 55,000 acres and 150 homes in northwestern Sonoma County. Soon, the Glass fire would spark off another three weeks of wildfire and evacuations, eventually burning 67,000 acres and almost 2,000 structures.
As a result of the ongoing drought, our grasses, woodlands and scrub are tinder dry and ready to burn. So the main question is – are you ready?
If you’re not sure or have questions, the county’s website at socoemergency.org/get-ready has lots of useful advice and answers, such as what should you pack in your go bags?
Go bags should contain all of the essential supplies you’ll need to last 72 hours. That means:
- Water.
- Food.
- Blankets and a poncho.
- Medical supplies: a first aid kit, pain relievers and at least three days of required medication and face masks.
- Lights: battery- or crank-powered.
- Radio: AM/FM radio with extra batteries.
- Support supplies: whistle, work gloves, sturdy shoes, change of clothes, face masks, wet wipes, pocket tissue package, 30-gallon plastic bag, three 10-gallon plastic bags.
- Copies of any important documents such as medical consent forms, medical information for minors, identification, insurance cards and deeds.
- Spare eyeglasses.
- Personal hygiene supplies.
- Emergency cash.
- Emergency phone numbers, including an out-of-state contact.
- Comfort items such as a teddy bear or a game.
- Pet supplies including food, water, medications and bedding.
Be sure to replace items such as water, food, medications and batteries on an annual basis.
Each person in your family should have their own go bag that contains essential supplies for 72 hours. Personalize them and keep them where they can be easily reached – at home, in the car, at work or at school. Make sure they are small and portable, so that they can be easily carried in an emergency when time is short.
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Updated COVID-19 booster shots specifically formulated to protect against the highly contagious omicron variant are now available in Sonoma County.
The new boosters, known as bivalent vaccines, are made by Pfizer and Moderna. The Food and Drug Administration has authorized the Pfizer bivalent booster for anyone 12 and older and the Moderna bivalent booster for anyone 18 and older. The bivalent boosters can be given two months after completion of the primary series or the most recent booster dose of a monovalent COVID-19 vaccine. The original monovalent vaccines will still be used for the primary vaccine series and booster doses for children aged 6 months to 11 years old.
People can obtain a booster 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. Supplies may be limited, but Sonoma County expects to receive more doses in the coming weeks.
“The new boosters will provide the best protection against omicron, and I encourage everyone to get one,” said Dr. Sundari Mase, Sonoma County’s health officer. “The booster doses are very effective at preventing severe illness and can help lower hospitalizations and deaths during the fall and winter when the spread of respiratory viruses is at its peak.”
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Last week’s heat wave, which shattered records as temperatures soared to triple digits across Sonoma County, was yet another reminder that our climate is changing. There is no guarantee that rains will come this winter and spare us from a fourth consecutive year of drought. Water we save now is water we can use later. And saving water is surprisingly easy. For example, waiting to do laundry until you have a full load can save 15 to 45 gallons that you would have otherwise used washing half the amount of clothes. Visit SavingWaterPartnership.org for other water-saving tips and resources to help you conserve. Many of these programs are free, and some of them will even pay you money to implement conservation measures.
Stop by one of the upcoming Saving Water Summer Pop-Ups to get free tools and tips to save water. Locations include the Fiesta de Independecia at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts on Sept. 18; the Windsor Certified Farmers Market on Sept. 25; and the Petaluma East Side Farmers’ Market on Sept. 27. Click here to view the full schedule, including upcoming dates in October.
With water levels continuing to decline in the county’s largest reservoir, the Board of Supervisors this week approved another 60-day extension of the 2021 proclamation declaring a drought emergency. The action allows the county to continue seeking state and federal funding and take other steps to respond to the drought.
Get the latest information on the drought and its impacts on Sonoma County at our October town hall, which has been pushed back one week to Oct. 13. The 4 p.m. webinar, which will be moderated by Supervisor Susan Gorin, is the sixth in the county’s series of monthly public forums on the drought. View the live briefing in English on the county’s Facebook page or in Spanish on the county’s YouTube channel and register to attend future town halls.
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Cal Fire opens new base in Sonoma Valley | |
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Cal Fire opened the doors last week to its new base in the Sonoma Valley, home to its first hand crew in Sonoma County since the Black Mountain Conservation Camp in Cazadero closed in 1992.
The new Hood Mountain Fire Center is located on the county’s Los Guilicos campus on Highway 12 across from Oakmont. The county leased part of the Los Guilicos campus to Cal Fire to make better use of underutilized space and expand fire prevention and response resources. A firefighting team is expected to occupy the camp during fire season, which lasts about nine months a year, and a fuel abatement team will occupy it during the wet season, about three months a year.
“This new fire center strengthens Cal Fire’s ability to respond quickly and aggressively to fires that threaten the Sonoma Valley and its residents,” said Supervisor Susan Gorin, who represents the Sonoma Valley. “I feel safer today knowing that Cal Fire has additional firefighters and equipment based in the Sonoma Valley to help defend the eastern flanks of the county during wildfire season.”
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County seeks feedback on rules for well permits | |
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Permit Sonoma is accepting public comment on a proposal that would set new standards for permits to drill a well in unincorporated areas of the county.
The county is updating its well ordinance in response to evolving California case law that requires local governments to protect the health of rivers and other “public trust resources.” To comply with a 2018 decision by the state Court of Appeal, the county will evaluate and require mitigation of impacts of well permits on public trust resources in “navigable waterways” – such as the Russian and Petaluma rivers and Sonoma Creek – along with the habitat and wildlife they support.
Permit Sonoma published a revised version of the proposed ordinance last week. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold a public hearing on Oct. 4 to review the proposal. The public is encouraged to comment on the ordinance in advance by emailing Permit Sonoma at PermitSonoma-Wells-PublicInput@sonoma-county.org.
An informational webinar is also set for Sept. 22 from 4 - 5 p.m., when experts will present an overview of the proposed updates to the well ordinance and then answer questions from members of the public. Register online for the Zoom webinar. The webinar will feature Spanish interpretation and recordings will be made available on the county’s YouTube channel.
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New program provides access to agricultural areas during emergencies | |
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The Board of Supervisors has approved a new program that will allow agricultural operators to access vineyards, farms, ranches and other areas under evacuation orders to care for their crops, animals and property.
The Sheriff’s Office will administer the new Agricultural Access Verification Card Program. Access cards will allow agricultural operators and full-time employees of commercial farm companies to enter evacuation zones to irrigate their crops, fuel emergency generators and evacuate, shelter, feed, water or administer veterinary care to livestock. Harvesting or sowing crops, food processing, and facility repairs do not qualify for entry.
Obtaining and using an access card is voluntary. Workers cannot be required to be present in an area subject to an evacuation order. The new county program also requires in-person fire and safety training in requested languages and accessible formats and venues.
Since 2019, the county has invited 43 different stakeholder groups to provide feedback on a possible Agricultural Access program and has held 18 stakeholder meetings on access to agriculture and livestock operations during mandatory evacuation, including the safety of operators and workers.
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County, Santa Rosa team up to celebrate Housing Heroes | |
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The County of Sonoma and City of Santa Rosa are launching a new campaign to encourage property owners with homes or rooms available, to participate in housing rental assistance and home-sharing programs.
The “Housing Heroes'' campaign will feature profiles and testimonials of homeowners, property managers and tenants who have participated in rental assistance and home-sharing programs. The campaign will demonstrate various ways housing programs can improve the lives of residents while meeting the needs of property owners. Some homeowners have opted to share their home with a fellow senior citizen or college student, for example, to help pay the mortgage, bring in extra income or to have companionship.
Due to high rents in Sonoma County, many who rely on rental subsidies often struggle to find adequate housing. More than 150 housing vouchers in the county expired between 2021 and this year because tenants could not find housing, and more than 300 individuals who have qualified for housing vouchers are currently looking for places to rent.
“We want to take the myth out of home sharing and the housing rental assistance program and empower property managers and clients to build relationships that will help house people, including those at risk of homelessness,” said Supervisor James Gore, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Everybody deserves a home, and, with the community’s help, we can make that a reality for many.”
“Housing Heroes” extends an invitation to housing advocates, property managers, faith-based groups, and homeowners across the region to help provide more housing options. Local housing authorities plan on holding educational seminars so property managers and homeowners can learn about the rental housing programs available in the community.
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An ongoing feature series highlighting your public servants across a variety of departments at the County of Sonoma. | |
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Name: Clyde Galantine
Title: Engineering Technician III, Department of Transportation and Public Works
Years with County: 20
Personal side: I live in northeast Santa Rosa with Ann, my wife of 24 years, and two overly affectionate basset hounds – Primo and ZinNia. Ann and I generally lose the fight for bed space to the dogs, leading to many groggy/doggy mornings.
Education and/or certifications: Bachelor’s degree in geology with minor in chemistry from California State University, Chico; culinary arts degree with high honors from California Culinary Academy, San Francisco; licensed as California Professional Geologist and California Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program Qualified Stormwater Designer and Practitioner.
What do you do? For the past seven years, I have been in the Traffic Division working to educate the driving public through a traffic calming campaign in response to public concerns about aggressive driving. I perform all aspects of traffic engineering from speed limit establishment and recertification, to correct sign placement and road striping, to managing the Adopt-A-Road and radar feedback trailer programs. Before that, I worked for 13 years in the Refuse Division at all of the closed and active Sonoma County landfills. My duties ranged from landfill environmental assessment and maintenance to erosion control.
What gives you fulfillment? Taking an emotionally-charged traffic issue and breaking it down to where all parties are happy. During the pandemic, the public has been spending more time walking along county roads and trails, and they want drivers to slow down and drive safely and calmly. We use traffic calming measures and devices that the public can appreciate and observe working.
Passions outside of work? Cooking and winemaking. Basically, they are chemistry that you eat and drink. My mornings, evenings and weekends are consumed with the operation and management of a small winery in which I am a partner. This has been a real challenge, especially during the recent COVID-related business slowdown and the loss of all of our entire grape crop from the 2020 fires. My partner and I and our wives have persevered and slowly grown the winery to about 400 cases per year.
On working at the county: I have had the privilege to work with a great group of individuals at both the Refuse and Traffic Divisions. When you enjoy coming to work, the time flies by rapidly and productively.
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County honors Sonoma Valley High grad named Poet Laureate of the United States | |
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The Board of Supervisors congratulates Ada Limón, who grew up in Sonoma and was recently named the nation’s 24th poet laureate, joining a line of distinguished poets that includes Robert Penn Warren, Billy Collins and Natasha Trethewey.
The 1993 Sonoma Valley High School grad is known for accessible, engaging poems that “ground us in where we are and who we share our world with. They speak of intimate truths, of the beauty and heartbreak that is living, in ways that help us move forward,” the Board noted in a resolution it adopted to honor the poet.
Limón was appointed to her position by the Librarian of Congress. She now lives in Lexington, Kentucky, where she teaches remotely in the masters of fine arts program at Queen University of Charlotte and hosts the critically acclaimed poetry podcast, The Slowdown. She is the author of six books of poetry, including “The Carrying,” which won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Poetry. Her new book of poetry, “The Hurting Kind,” is out now from Milkweed Editions.
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New fall workshop series for resilient homes | |
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The County of Sonoma, Climate Action and Resiliency Division this week announced the latest homeowner workshops in an on-going series for those interested in learning more about the benefits of making improvements that will help make their home more resilient.
The free workshops cover a range of topics including evaluating energy use, making a project plan, funding the projects, solar photovoltaics and battery storage, electrification, wildfire safety, indoor air quality and understanding heat pumps for heating and cooling.
Presentations will also include information about the county’s property-based financing program and other resources such as no-cost consultations, rebates and incentives to get projects done.
To register, click on the links to the workshops below that you would like to attend. All registered attendees will receive copies of the presentation and slides upon conclusion of the workshop.
Workshops are held on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
For more information or to RSVP directly, call (707) 565-6470 or email GSenergy@sonoma-county.org
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Ag + Open Space restores healthy stream in greenbelt | |
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We have inspiring news from Oken, one of the greenbelt properties owned and managed by the county Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. This vital open space buffer between Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park is home to an intermittent stream and has long been part of local agricultural heritage. While cows that graze the land help to reduce fire hazards on the 76-acre property, the stream had been damaged over time by cattle during the wet season. Over the last few years, Ag + Open Space has been working to restore the stream and create habitat for native plants and animals. The projects have helped bring a healthy equilibrium back to the property while enabling continued agricultural use by the Crane family.
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Fall Economic Perspective
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Time is running out to register for the Economic Development Board’s annual Fall Economic Perspective on Sept. 30, where you can learn how the Sonoma County economy is impacted by state, national and international trends.
Claudia Sahm, an economist who created a widely-used recession indicator and advised the Federal Reserve, White House and Congress on monetary and fiscal policy, will be the keynote speaker at the conference, titled “Navigating an Uncertain Economy.”
The breakfast conference, which runs from 7:30-9 a.m., will be held at the Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa. Tickets are $70 and advance registration is required.
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Get involved with local government
Government is only as good as the people who step forward to serve others. There are many ways you can become involved in local government 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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