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If the long-range weather forecasts are right, we are now enjoying our longest period without rain since we went eight days between storms in late January and early February. In this issue of the SoCo Correspondent, you’ll learn how the winter storms have been a blessing but their impacts have also been a burden for some. Our reservoirs are filled to the brim, but we also take a moment to honor the heroic work by county road crews, who worked day and night in daunting conditions to keep Sonoma County thoroughfares open and safe.
You will also find important updates on the county’s efforts to clear homeless encampments on Joe Rodota Trail, put unsheltered people on a path to better housing and health, and raise the county’s Living Wage. Plus, you will discover free resources to help make your homes more efficient, get free or discounted broadband service, and connect with critical services available to older adults and people with disabilities.
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 each month.
¿Está interesado en leer sobre lo que hace el Condado de Sonoma cada mes? Regístrese aquí para suscribirse a nuestro boletín, el SoCo Correspondent.
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Drought might be coming to an end,
but ‘never enough water to waste’
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For the first time since 2019, Sonoma County’s reservoirs are not just full – they’re at above capacity. Lake Sonoma was at 110 percent of its water supply capacity on April 4, while Lake Mendocino was at 113 percent. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began high-flow releases from both reservoirs last month for the first time in nearly four years, creating space to hold additional water before the arrival of another atmospheric river that pounded the Bay Area on March 20.
A series of storms has now poured more than 35 inches of rain on Santa Rosa since Christmas – think about that for a moment: nearly 3 feet of rain in just over three months! Even more has fallen in the hills that drain water into the Russian River watershed, which supplies drinking water for more than 600,000 people in the North Bay.
Two weeks ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom rolled back some of the water restrictions imposed by the state during the drought, and the State Water Board announced it will not be readopting the Russian River emergency regulations. On April 18, the Board of Supervisors will consider whether to end the drought emergency it declared in April 2021.
“But make no mistake: there is never enough water to waste,” said Supervisor David Rabbitt, who serves on the water advisory committee to Sonoma Water, the county’s water agency. “While winter storms have filled up our reservoirs, it will take much longer to recharge our underground aquifers, which were depleted during the driest three-year period in the county’s history. Please continue to use water wisely. The water we save now is water we can use this summer – and in the future when the next drought arrives.”
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‘Safe and successful’ new shelter site operating
on county admin grounds
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The County of Sonoma opened an emergency shelter site on March 21 in a parking lot at the County Government Center campus in northeast Santa Rosa, creating a new source of temporary housing for unsheltered individuals, including those camped along Joe Rodota Trail and other public places.
All people camping along Joe Rodota Trail have either accepted offers to move to the emergency shelter site or relocated to other places. Sonoma County Regional Parks closed the trail from Wright Road to Roberts Avenue on March 24 to begin an extensive cleanup. The trail will remain closed until safe public access can be restored.
“Creating this emergency shelter site allows us to get people off the streets and connect them with services that will put them on track to transition into permanent housing,” said District 4 Supervisor James Gore, who represents the area surrounding the emergency shelter site. “We know neighbors are concerned, but we also know this approach works. We will make this site safe and successful for its residents and our neighbors alike.”
Site managers will enforce rules that are designed to protect the safety and security of shelter residents and the surrounding neighborhood. Security personnel are on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week to patrol the grounds as well as the surrounding area. Individuals seeking to live at the emergency shelter site will be screened in advance. Individuals with convictions for violent and/or sexual offenses will not be admitted.
Members of the Board of Supervisors invite neighbors of the county campus to join an online listening session. Register for the Zoom online.
To contact the county with general questions or provide feedback about the site, please email TemporaryShelters@sonoma-county.org. Contact information for site management, security and county staff are available at the FAQ for the Emergency Shelter site.
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Faces of the County: Meet Sheba Thone | |
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An ongoing series highlighting public servants across
a variety of departments at the County of Sonoma.
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Name: Sheba Thone
Title: Child Protective Services social worker with the Family, Youth & Children’s Division of the county Human Services Department
Years with County: 4 (nearly)
Personal side: I live in the JC area of Santa Rosa with my husband Josh and our dog Ginny. California is the sixth state I have lived in and the fourth I’ve shared with my husband. I have also had an opportunity to live in two different neighborhoods in Sonoma County. I feel grateful I get to move around a lot and explore communities all across the United States.
Education and/or certifications: I earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri and a master’s degree in social work from Washington University in St. Louis. I’m also a Licensed Master Social Worker.
What do you do? I investigate allegations of child abuse and neglect throughout Sonoma County. Often when I share my profession with others — which I do with no qualms as I am proud of what I do — I receive responses that highlight how difficult the job must obviously be. I will not downplay the challenges of being a Child Welfare Social Worker. Still, I like to believe that in addition to completing the difficult task of determining if and how to collaborate with families to secure or maintain child safety, I get to meet fascinating people and partner with them to assist them in moving toward their desired quality of life. I acknowledge that can be an arduous process sometimes, but it is one that is consistently worth it in the end.
What gives you fulfillment? I find fulfillment in so many things professionally and personally. With regard to work, it is very fulfilling to successfully balance my duty to prioritize child safety with my commitment to respecting how families function. I strive to ensure all my contacts in an investigation regard family dynamics and disrupt as little as possible as I assess for safety. I believe that approach frees me to effectively serve both children and their families.
Passions outside of work? I hope that anyone who has a chance to talk to me about my pastimes recognizes even after the briefest of encounters that I love my God, I love my family and friends, and I love line dancing. I spend basically all my time outside of work engaging around those loves. I value being involved in my spiritual community and serving in relevant ways. I appreciate getting to travel with Josh and discover how other people do life. (We have not had a chance to travel with Ginny yet, but her time is coming!) I enjoy talking on the phone with my besties, my mom, and my in-laws. I like being intentional about meeting up with friends near and far to maintain our bonds. And I *especially* delight in forgetting about all the cares that can weigh me down and groovin’ to a song that I can unabashedly belt out while trying to remember the 64-count, 4-wall line dance that a choreographer wrote to the music. It is even more fun with friends. If you ever want to try it, one of my favorite (easier) dances of all time is “The Way I Am.” It’s set to the song of the same name by Ingrid Michaelson. The steps were choreographed by Amy Glass. Here’s a link to the step sheet! Or, feel free to ask me about it!
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Public Infrastructure steps up to clear,
fix roads damaged by storms
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As a series of atmospheric rivers swept through Sonoma County this winter, crews from the Department of Public Infrastructure worked around the clock in treacherous conditions to clear roads blocked by flooding, downed trees, fallen power lines, washouts, multiple landslides and even snow.
The department’s Road Maintenance Division received more than 2,100 requests from the public for service over the last three months, the most for that three-month period since the 2019 flood. County crews and contractors cleared more than 1,000 trees, removed thousands of cubic yards of slide debris, and spent countless hours working seven days a week sanding for icy conditions and, at times, plowing snow.
“This was an exceptionally difficult winter, and our road crews stepped up to meet the challenge over and over again,” said Rob Houweling, manager of the Road Maintenance Division. “The safety of our community is our top priority. We understand the inconvenience of road closures and traffic delays. That’s why we appreciate the public’s cooperation, understanding and respect for our crews out there every day.”
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One of the most serious impacts came in January when storm waters lodged a tree inside a 12-foot-wide culvert and washed out a 50-foot section of Salmon Creek Road near Pepperwood Gulch, stranding residents behind the breach. Public Infrastructure crews quickly constructed a 90-foot Bailey bridge – a portable, prefabricated truss bridge designed for rapid construction. Thanks to its investment in resilient infrastructure, the department restored residents’ access to and from their homes in short order.
Crews cleared storm-related landslides across the county, including Geysers Road, Moscow Road, Cherry Creek Road, Pine Flat Road, St. Helena Road, Rockpile Road, Porter Creek Road, Skaggs Springs Road, Annapolis Road and Pine Mountain Road, to name a few. The Board of Supervisors recently authorized funding for permanent repairs to Moscow Road, which has suffered repeated damage during storms since 2019 (see item below).
In addition to critical repairs, Public Infrastructure also provided free self-fill sandbags for flood mitigation in Forestville, Monte Rio, Guerneville, Occidental and Santa Rosa, in partnership with the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management and local fire departments.
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Board of Supervisors authorizes repairs
to Moscow Road
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Moscow Road, a critical transportation corridor for more than 250 residents in west Sonoma County, will get badly needed repairs after the Board of Supervisors instructed the Department of Public Infrastructure last month to expedite work.
The road near Monte Rio has suffered repeated damage during a series of storms since 2019, but repairs were stalled while the county pursued funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. On March 14, the Board of Supervisors approved a revolving line of credit that will allow Public Infrastructure to start work while the county continues to seek federal and state reimbursement.
“I’m glad to say that we aren’t waiting. We’re taking action to restore safe access along Moscow Road for residents and emergency first responders,” said Lynda Hopkins, District 5 Supervisor. “Large-scale repair projects like this usually take multiple years of engineering, permitting and construction. FEMA-funded disaster projects take four years. I’m grateful we were able to work with Sonoma County Public Infrastructure to move this forward in record time, and to come up with a creative local funding solution. And I’m thankful to impacted community members for their patience, advocacy, and perseverance.”
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State selects development team to implement Sonoma Developmental Center Specific Plan | |
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The State of California announced on Monday that it has chosen a development team led by The Grupe Company and Rogal & Partners to purchase and redevelop the Sonoma Developmental Center.
The development will be guided by the Specific Plan for the Sonoma Developmental Center that was approved by the Board of Supervisors in December 2022. The plan permanently protects hundreds of acres of open space, builds hundreds of units of affordable and workforce housing, provides living wage jobs and creates a walkable community with neighborhood-serving businesses.
“We’re deeply grateful for the state’s work on this and for naming a developer for this vital site in the heart of Sonoma Valley,” said Supervisor Susan Gorin, whose district includes the Sonoma Developmental Center property. “We look forward to helping ensure the developer provides numerous opportunities to outreach and hear from the community to develop a project that reflects the qualities of Sonoma Valley while addressing the needs within the guidelines of the SDC specific plan.”
For more information about the Sonoma Developmental Center and the specific plan, visit sdcspecificplan.com.
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Sonoma County increases Living Wage to $17.65 an hour | |
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The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in March to raise the county’s Living Wage an additional 2.26 percent to $17.65 an hour, effective July 1. The action, combined with a 2.74 percent increase approved by the Board in December, will increase the Living Wage by a total of 5 percent this year.
The Living Wage ordinance sets minimum pay for individuals employed directly by the county government and workers in private companies and nonprofits that contract with the County of Sonoma. Most already earn more than the county’s Living Wage and the state’s minimum wage, which rose to $15.50 an hour on Jan. 1.
“Low-wage workers are hurt most by inflation, which erodes their ability to purchase food, shelter, clothing, transportation and other basics,” said Supervisor Chris Coursey, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “That’s why the Board promised in December to reexamine our Living Wage this spring and consider a second increase. By requiring the county and its contractors to boost wages for their lowest-paid workers, we are setting an example for other employers to match.”
The increase will apply to all new county contracts on July 1 and expand to cover existing contracts on Sept. 30.
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Climate-friendly workshop series returns
with more energy, resiliency tips
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The Climate Action and Resiliency Division within the County Administrator’s Office is set to launch another series of homeowner workshops for people interested in learning more about the benefits of making their homes more energy efficient and resilient.
The online workshops cover a range of topics including evaluating energy use, wildfire safety improvements and funding projects, among others. The series will also include an in-person induction cooking expo on May 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Premiere Bath and Kitchen in Santa Rosa. Chef Rachelle Boucher will be conducting hands-on, kid-friendly cooking demonstrations. The interactive cooking experience will cover the myths and truths of induction cooking, the benefits of electric kitchens, and rebates, resources and more.
To register for workshops or the induction expo, please click on the links. For online webinars, all registered attendees will receive copies of the presentation and slides.
Online workshops are held on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
For more information or to RSVP directly, call (707) 565-6470 or email energy@sonoma-county.org.
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Find room to move and room to grow with a county job | |
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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, April 12.
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 April 12 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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New resource hub for older adults,
people with disabilities
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The Sonoma County Human Services Department and local nonprofits have launched a resource hub that quickly connects older adults and people with disabilities to an array of critical services.
The Aging & Disability Resource Hub simplifies access to health, transportation and nutrition services offered by federal, state and local government agencies and their nonprofit partners.
“We want to make it easier for people to find the support they need to live as independently as possible at home,” said Supervisor Chris Coursey, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “A key objective in the Board’s five-year Strategic Plan is to create a ‘No Wrong Door’ approach, where clients can easily access services across multiple agencies regardless of where they enter the system. This new hub is one of many steps the county is taking to help make that a reality.”
To access the hub, call (707) 565-INFO (4636) or go to www.socoadrh.org and click on the chat icon to start a conversation with a social worker. Assistance is available for older adults, people with disabilities, their family members, caregivers, social workers and direct service providers who need help identifying and accessing support services.
The Aging & Disability Resource Hub is a collaboration of the county Human Services Department and the Disability Services & Legal Center, a Santa Rosa-based nonprofit.
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Read the first issue of the Climate Action
& Resiliency quarterly newsletter!
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Subsidies available for free
and discounted internet service
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Low-income households can qualify for free and discounted broadband internet service through a federal program promoted by the county Economic Development Board.
Under the Affordable Connectivity Program, eligible households can receive up to $30 per month toward internet service, while households on qualifying Tribal lands can receive up to $75 per month. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
An estimated 71,600 Sonoma County households qualify for free or discounted high-speed internet service through the Affordable Connectivity Program. Only 8,894 Sonoma County households, or just 12 percent of eligible households, are enrolled in the program.
To expand local enrollment, the county Economic Development Board has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the Federal Communications Commission to promote the program. Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County, a Santa Rosa nonprofit that helps low-income families and individuals achieve economic and social stability, also received a $200,000 grant from the FCC.
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Join us Saturday at the Health Resource Fair
in southwest Santa Rosa
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The county, in partnership with local health care providers and community groups, is hosting a Health Resource Fair on Saturday, April 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mitote Food Park, 635 Sebastopol Road.
The event is free. Visitors can receive blood pressure and random glucose screening, acupuncture, and help signing up for Medi-Cal, MediCare and CalFresh. Free COVID-19 at-home tests will be available from the county Department of Health Services, along with useful information on women's health, nutrition, diabetes, poison control, tobacco use and disaster preparedness.
“We encourage the public to participate in this educational and interactive experience where people can access valuable health care resources and have some fun in the process,” said Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase.
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Hundreds attend Job & Resource Fair for homeless | |
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More than 300 people attended the county’s first-ever job and resource fair for people who are unsheltered or at risk of becoming homeless last month.
The March 22 event at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building drew more than 40 local employers and service providers, who helped participants with resumes, job interviews, housing, food, transportation and more. Organizers distributed more than $7,000 in free gift cards and provided a free lunch.
“I finally feel like I did something good for myself today and it makes me so happy. I have a resume!” one participant shared with organizers.
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Learn to prevent and manage falls | |
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Harmful falls are the #1 reason older adults and seniors end up at the emergency room. But don’t restrict your activities because of worries about falling on uneven ground or stairs. Instead, learn how to protect yourself and stay safely on your feet.
The Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging is offering “A Matter of Balance,” a free 8-week workshop that provides older people with proven strategies to reduce the risk of falls. The award-winning program will teach participants how to increase strength, balance and flexibility through simple and safe chair exercises appropriate for people of all abilities.
The workshop, which begins April 20, will be held Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Sonoma County Family YMCA, 1111 College Ave. in Santa Rosa. To register, contact Kelly Dixon at (707) 565-5936 or mob@schsd.org.
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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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Assessment Appeals Board: To make determinations about property values for Sonoma County property owners. Learn more online.
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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/.
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Independent Citizens’ Pension Committee: To ensure a more fair, equitable, and sustainable County pension system. Learn more online.
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Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Advisory Board: To promote the physical, social, and emotional health of childbearing women, children and adolescents in Sonoma County. Learn more online.
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Sonoma County Local Task Force on Integrated Waste Management: To develop goals, policies, and procedures around waste management, waste reduction and recycling issues. Learn more online.
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 Oishi. I’m a neutered male domestic shorthair cat who weighs about 11 pounds and is a little over 2 years old. I’ve been at the shelter since January, but I love people (on my own terms) and the great outdoors. My caretakers recommend I go to an experienced cat home with lots of room.
Oishi is one of dozens of cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals at Sonoma County Animal Services in need of adoption.
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