County of Sonoma District 3 News & Updates |
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A Message from Supervisor Coursey |
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After only six months of the vaccine rollout, our County has reached new milestones. Over 60% of eligible residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and we are now at the orange tier of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. This means virus spread has slowed and more businesses and facilities can open at higher capacities. Meanwhile, local government continues to fortify our strategies of response to the pandemic. In the past month, we’ve worked with health partners and community organizations to increase access to the vaccine and directed local, state and federal funds to support our collective recovery from the health and economic burdens of the pandemic. We’ve made significant progress, and the work continues.
In addition to our focus on COVID-19 response and recovery, your local County government has already begun preparing for possible wildfires in the upcoming months. Low rainfall in our State and County this year indicates not only an official state of drought; it also creates the conditions for increased risk of wildfires in the summer and fall months. The Board of Supervisors and County departments have started preparing by enhancing and expanding fire detection software, funding vegetation management programs, improving alert systems and rolling out preparedness programs for residents. Previous disasters have taught us that preparation is key to reducing catastrophic loss. While we cannot control whether our County will experience a fire-related disaster, a combination of preparation strategies can help us respond faster, protect our homes and most importantly, save lives.
In addition to pandemic response and disaster preparedness, the Board of Supervisors is undertaking its major responsibilities to guide local policy and balance the County budget. The budget process began this week, will continue through May and conclude with final deliberations in June. Like local policy, the County budget is formed in collaboration with County departments and informed by public input. It is our job as elected officials to ensure that both the County budget and local policy reflect our community’s values and priorities. Therefore, I invite you to get involved by participating in the live budget hearings and upcoming policy workshops and addressing the Board with your thoughts and opinions through public comment.
Thank you for your continued engagement and your care to stay involved and informed. We hope this newsletter is informative and we welcome your feedback on what you’d like to see in the future. Onward!
Chris
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Pandemic Eviction Protections Continue and
Newly Available Rental Assistance Now Open
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Recognizing that housing security is essential in adhering to COVID-19 health guidelines such as social distancing, isolation, and quarantine, the Board of Supervisors has taken several actions to keep residents housed. In addition to bolstering eviction protection, the Board moved to accept and administer $32.2 million in state and federal funds to support households impacted by COVID-19 through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). The Board also directed the Community Development Commission to contract with Legal Aid of Sonoma County to provide counsel services at no cost to tenants.
The ERAP will provide financial assistance to eligible households and individuals who are at risk of experiencing housing insecurity as a result of hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Assistance can be used to pay unpaid rent or utilities including power, water, gas, and Internet services. ERAP additionally provides options for landlords to participate and receive financial assistance. This program is open to all County residents, regardless of immigration status. Applications for ERAP opened on April 19th and can be accessed online. Trusted community organizations have partnered with the County to answer questions and assist applicants with the process. To see program details, apply or find a list of organizations, click here.
Legal assistance also will be available for tenants in the program. Legal Aid of Sonoma County will be providing services on behalf of the County, and more information can be found on their webpage for tenant resources.
In addition to these programs, the Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted two urgency ordinances in February to strengthen protections on evictions and sick leave during the pandemic. These efforts form a part of a larger effort by the Board of Supervisors to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, support those most impacted by the pandemic and promote the health and economic well-being of the entire County.
Helpful Links:
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Public Workshop on Tree Protection Ordinance
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Sonoma County is home to a diverse array of trees including over 50 native species distributed through the county’s urban and rural lands. From the redwood on the official county seal, to the oaks growing around the Board’s own chambers, trees are a defining feature of our local landscape. In addition to their visual qualities, trees provide a multitude environmental and community benefits from sequestering carbon and retaining soil, to preserving heritage and holding spiritual value. Regrettably, continued drought, wildfire, climate change, and development pressures pose significant challenges for trees in our County and as stewards of local natural resources it is imperative that we ensure their adequate protection and preservation.
In its pursuit of this important mission, the Board of Supervisors meeting on May 18th will include a workshop to engage the public and to study how tree protection has and should work in our County. This preliminary workshop will include a discussion of current zoning code regulations and General Plan policies, and seek direction on potential approaches to achieve the County’s natural resource goals regarding tree protections.
Together, State mandates and the County’s general plan establish standards to conserve woodlands and protect native vegetation and wildlife as goals and responsibilities of County government. But supporting these natural ecosystems is not only a part of fulfilling regulatory obligations, it is also an opportunity to support the County’s residents by preserving and enhancing many of the invaluable functions and community benefits that natural ecosystems can provide. We hope that you can join us to hear Permit of Sonoma’s reports on existing policy and to provide input on how a future tree protection ordinance can help us achieve our collective goals.
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Vegetation Management Grants Now Open and
County Departments Prepare for Fire Season
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On April 23rd, The County of Sonoma opened solicitation for its vegetation management grant program, providing eligible applicants with access to $2-4 million for local fire prevention for the 2021 wildfire season. Grant dollars are part of a $25 million portion of PG&E settlement funds allocated to fund vegetation management, with the $2-4 million designated for near-term projects.
The goal of the grant program is to enable applicants to conduct high-priority, near-term vegetation management activities in high-risk areas and near key ecosystems. Those eligible to apply for the grants include nonprofit organizations, local fire districts, community groups, licensed foresters, and schools among others. Learn more about the program and how to apply.
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As this grant program empowers residents and groups to be actively involved in fire prevention, the County of Sonoma also is undertaking intentional efforts to prepare for the wildfire season. Responding to critical needs throughout the region, several County departments are using local and federal funding to do essential fire preparedness work. Permit Sonoma, for example, is assessing more than 5,000 properties, educating residents on how to prepare their homes, and helping develop mitigation plans that incorporate stakeholder input, community engagement and science-based risk assessment.
The Department of Emergency Management (DEM) continues to expand and improve alert and warning systems as well as community preparedness. In the coming months, DEM will host virtual workshops and other activities with a focus on building a Go-Bag, making an emergency plan and guiding residents on staying informed during emergencies. DEM will also conduct fire drills in high-risk zones and test alerting systems to better understand their capabilities. The ALERTWildfire camera-monitoring system also has been enhanced and expanded to improve the system’s geographical coverage and its ability to detect fires.
The County of Sonoma Department of Transportation and Public Works (TPW) has bolstered its efforts to reduce the loss of life and property from natural disasters and to increase resilience to wildfires, earthquakes, floods and other hazards. TPW recently partnered with the Sonoma County Water Agency to reduce flood risks, install backup power generators and implement a fire-fuel management and public education program. TPW also has expanded its vegetation management programs along public roads. These multi-faceted efforts advance the County’s goal of fire-fuel removal along public roads, safe ingress and egress of emergency vehicles, and increased community awareness of fuel reduction best practices.
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While a looming drought poses the concern that the wildfire season will start earlier this year, we hope the lessons of past disasters and the work we’ve been doing since will help us better respond to the challenges ahead. However, we all must do our part to ensure we are prepared for the next disaster. Visit our links below to learn more about emergency preparedness and how you can get involved in helping keep your community safe.
Helpful Links:
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As of April 7th, Sonoma County moved to the orange tier on the State Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Advancing from the red tier to the orange tier allows several sectors to expand operations. Restaurants operations are permitted to increase indoor services from 25% to 50% capacity and gyms can increase from 10% to 20%. Other expansions include places of worship and movie theatres, which can now operate indoors with a 50% capacity, and retail establishments, which can operate at full capacity. In time for the closing of the academic year, graduation and commencement ceremonies can be held outdoors at 33% capacity with assigned seating and other modifications.
After just three weeks in the red tier, Sonoma County welcomes the move into the orange tier. The orange tier indicates that the COVID-19 spread remains moderate in Sonoma County. Our daily rate of new cases per 100,000 is under 4 and under current guidelines, advancing to the yellow tier, indicating minimal spread, requires this number to be below 2. We are on track to fully reopen by June 15th, if our infection rates and hospitalization rates continue on a downward trend. For this reason and to protect the most vulnerable to COVID-19, it remains crucial to practice mitigation measures such as getting vaccinated, practicing social distancing, wearing masks, washing hands and getting tested regularly.
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On April 19th, our office held our second Foro Informativo, an all-Spanish online community forum intended to bring potentially life-saving information to communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. This month’s forum focused on informing the public about recently available tenant resources and addressing concerns around the COVID-19 vaccines. Together with County staff from the Department of Health and the communications team, we had the opportunity to share the virtual stage with an amazing team of panelists. These included Dr. Jenny Fish, co-founder of Health Professionals for Equality And Community Empowerment, Berenice Camacho, organizer with Sonoma County Tenant’s Union, Rosa Ramirez, leader with Movimiento Cultural de la Union Indigena and District 3’s own Jazmin Gudino. Our program included practical information to access resources, an open conversation on the science of the vaccine and a sharing of personal experience with inoculation. This forum was broadcast on Zoom, Facebook Live and KBBF 89.1.
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As of April 20th, more than 400,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to eligible Sonoma County residents, a milestone that also means 60 percent of eligible residents have received at least one dose and two in five are now fully vaccinated. This progress has been a result of coordinated efforts between County staff, community-based organizations, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and other community partners.
Together we’ve made strides to increase the capacity to vaccinate and to expand access to communities most impacted by COVID-19. There are now multiple clinics that offer walk-up vaccines with no appointment required, a mobile vaccine clinic for homebound individuals and planned events to host community-centered pop-up vaccination clinics. Still, much work lies ahead of us to fully address pandemic-exacerbated inequities and to respond to persistent vaccine hesitancy. Focusing on meeting these challenges will help us move closer to herd immunity and a safer Sonoma County for all.
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As of April 15th, all who live in Sonoma County over the age of 16 are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments can be made by visiting myturn.ca.gov or by calling the COVID-19 Hotline at (707) 565-4667. Staff is available to assist in English and Spanish. For more information on COVID-19, vaccine safety and clinics visit: www.SoCoEmergency.org.
There is also a County Stand-by list for vaccines. Eligible residents are invited to sign up on a County standby list to be notified when vaccine appointments are imminently available in Sonoma County. Some clinics have open appointments in the next few days. The county will review all sign-ups and will give priority to those residents who are at higher risk of contracting COVID based on key indicators and those who are more likely to experience the most severe outcomes of the virus. All appointments are dependent on vaccine availability at clinics in Sonoma County. Click here to access the stand-by form.
Vaccines are available at Roseland Library in Santa Rosa for those living in the 95407 zip code. Community members can receive free vaccines from Tuesday through Friday between 9 am and 6 pm, and Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm at the Roseland Library located at 779 Sebastopol Rd. Walk-ins are welcome.
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District 3 Appointments to Boards and Commissions |
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Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights |
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Isabel Lopez is a mother, advocate, Executive Director, neighbor, daughter, and first generation woman of color born in Morelos, Mexico. Isabel is the founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Raizes Collective whose mission is to empower and mobilize community through the arts, culture and environmental education. The collective came together to offer artists and teachers of color the resources of space, programming, events, shows and activities to affect social and political change through art and community building.
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Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights |
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Amber Lucas, pronouns she/her, is a Sonoma County resident of over 13 years. She is a local content creator, freelance writer, and Influencer working with both regional and national brands. She is an advocate for Black Lives Matter, the LGBTQIA+ communities, women’s equity, and seeks to be a facilitator of positive within her community.
In the late Spring of 2020, she joined local protests advocating for Black Lives Matter, racial equality and justice. She has since led marches, organized family-friendly educational community events, and spoken on multiple discussion panels through the Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County. Through dedication and hard work, she has become an influential voice for change.
Amber’s love of knowledge, combined with her empathy and passion to lift up marginalized peoples, has made her a strong advocate for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and WOC voices and representation within her community, especially within the wine and hospitality industries.
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Economic Development Week |
Supervisor Chris Coursey invites you to join us on May 3rd at 3:00 pm for our Virtual Corridor Walk at this year’s Sonoma County Economic Development Week!
From May 3-7th celebrate and learn about the positive contributions of economic development and its important role in our community through a series of free Virtual Workshops and Virtual Corridor Walks with the Board of Supervisors.
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Vegetation Management Grant
Applicant Workshop
Thursday, April 29, 5:00 p.m.
The County will host a workshop to provide an overview of the application process and respond to applicants’ questions. Participation is voluntary, and the workshop will be conducted in English with live Spanish translation.
Webinar ID: 981 9868 1040
Passcode: 544139
Telephone: +1 669 900 9128
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Tree Ordinance Workshop
May 18, 2021
Under the direction of the Board of Supervisors, Permit Sonoma will evaluate and update tree regulations to implement natural resource policies of the General Plan. This preliminary workshop will include a discussion of current zoning code regulations and General Plan policies, and seek direction on potential approaches to achieve the County’s natural resource goals regarding tree protections.
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Indigenous Peoples Gathering
May 1st 12 pm - Sundown
Sonoma County Fairgrounds
This free event invites you to gather in community with our much respected and esteemed danzantes, keepers of medicine and tradition.
Educational materials regarding the COVID vaccine, as well as information regarding community support will also be available. We invite you to come have your questions answered by doctors and healthcare professionals who will be present.
Walk-in Covid Vaccine clinic with no appointment necessary (200 available) or register to receive a COVID vaccine on a date that works for you!
Free art giveaways will be available on a first come first serve basis.
We look forward to seeing you!
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Health Fair 2021 Continued
Raizes Collective invites you to:
Receive your 2nd Dose - Health Fair 2021 Continued
If you received your first dose of MODERNA on 4/3 at the Cesar Chavez Day Health Fair, this day for you!
Second Dose Available for 4/3 participants
Access to Health Professionals
Saturday, 5/1 10am-2pm
Martin Luther King JR Park
1671 Hendley St. 95404
Vaccination administered and provided by: Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
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