The act of voting is the core of our democracy. This edition of SoCo Correspondent provides a timely guide on how to register and vote in the Nov. 5 general election (spoiler alert: it’s not too late to even register). There are also updates on Sonoma County’s growing airport, new resources for thousands of residents with septic systems, a peek at the new sculpture coming to the Joe Rodota Trail, and much more.
If you have a friend or family member who lives in the area – or you know of a former Sonoma County resident who might be interested in receiving these updates – urge them to sign up for the SoCo Correspondent so they can receive it directly, normally on 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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Vote in the Nov. 5 general election | |
Election Day is just 12 days away, but why wait until the last minute? You can drop off your Vote-by-Mail ballot today at one of 22 official ballot drop-boxes throughout Sonoma County. Find a Ballot Drop Box here.
For those who prefer to vote in person, seven Vote Centers will be open daily starting Saturday; an additional 24 Vote Centers will be open daily starting the following Saturday, Nov. 2. All 31 Vote Centers will be open Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find a Vote Center here.
You can also return your ballot in the mail. To count, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day and must be received by the Registrar of Voters Office by Nov. 12.
The standard deadline to register to vote has passed, but eligible voters can still participate by filling out a conditional registration form and casting a provisional ballot. These ballots won’t be counted until your information has been verified.
To be eligible to register to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age or older on Election Day, and not in prison for the conviction of a felony. Visit voterstatus.sos.ca.gov to see if you are currently registered to vote in California. If your name or home address is different from how you are currently registered, you should re-register.
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Passenger traffic increases 4 percent at Sonoma County airport | |
Every day last year, more than 1,750 people flew in or out of Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport. Overall, there were 82,710 commercial and general flights in and out of the airport last year and 641,178 total airline passengers, according to an annual report presented to the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 15.
In response to the airport’s growth, the Board of Supervisors agreed to expand the airport’s eight-person team of operations specialists to 10 members, improving their ability to respond to emergencies and maintain the growing airport.
The annual report summarizes airline activity, noise concerns, community outreach, capital projects, maintenance activities and grant-funded projects.
“The Board of Supervisors takes seriously the transparency of airport operations and its potential impact on citizens living in and around the airfield,” said District 4 Supervisor James Gore, who represents the airport area. “This report makes clear that the airport is on track in providing a safe and friendly environment for air travel, community concerns and resilient infrastructure for protection during disasters.”
Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport provides direct flights to 14 U.S. destinations on Alaska, American and Avelo airlines. Overall, the airport supports approximately 400 local jobs through more than 40 related businesses.
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Webinar on new eviction rules in Sonoma County now available | |
The County hosted the first in a series of town halls on Oct. 17 concerning an ordinance adopted by the Board of Supervisors that expands protections for renters in unincorporated areas of Sonoma County.
District 3 Supervisor Chris Coursey, Deputy County Counsel Elizabeth Coleman and Patrick McDonell, a housing attorney with Legal Aid of Sonoma County, provided an overview of state and County legal protections for renters during the Facebook Live webinar and answered questions from the public. County Communications Manager Paul Gullixson moderated the virtual town hall.
Under the ordinance, landlords must have a “just cause” to evict a tenant. Evictions, in most cases, are prohibited during a declared emergency, like a wildfire or flood. Landlords are prohibited from evicting tenants for nonpayment unless more than one month of rent is overdue; tenants can use this protection up to two times per year. When a landlord asks a tenant to vacate a property, they must provide the tenant with information about their rights in English and Spanish.
“Tenants still have to pay their rent. They have to abide by the rental agreement. But they have some new protections,” Supervisor Coursey said. “The idea of this is to promote neighborhood stability and prevent homelessness while still ensuring landlords a fair and reasonable return on their investment.”
The ordinance, approved Sept. 17 by the Board of Supervisors, provides new rights to renters who live outside the county’s nine cities.
The County will host another webinar on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. that will focus on answering questions from landlords about the new tenant protections. Look for information on how to register for that online meeting in a future SoCo Correspondent.
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Bike lanes coming to Arnold Drive in Sonoma Valley | |
A two-mile stretch of Arnold Drive northwest of Sonoma will get brand new bike lanes next year, the result of an Oct. 8 decision by the Board of Supervisors to approve the $5 million project.
The 5-foot-wide bike lanes, which will be located on both sides of the road, will make it safer and easier for bicyclists and pedestrians to travel north-south through the Sonoma Valley between Country Club Drive and Madrone Road.
“This project is the culmination of years of deliberation, persistence and creative problem-solving,” said District 1 Supervisor Susan Gorin, who represents Sonoma Valley. “It’s a capstone for me, and I’m thrilled to help carry it across the finish line. Finally, Sonoma Valley residents and visitors can enjoy healthy recreation and zero-emission transportation along this busy stretch of Arnold Drive with comfort, safety and confidence.”
The final design and construction contract are expected to come back to the Board of Supervisors for approval in the coming months. The project is expected to get underway in 2025 with funding from local tax Measure M and the Federal Transportation Development Act.
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New study reveals widespread use of septic systems in Sonoma County | |
Properties with known septic systems are shown in dark purple. Properties with suspected septic systems are shown in light purple.
More than 36,000 properties in Sonoma County are served by septic systems, according to a study presented to the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 8 that highlights opportunities and challenges for wastewater treatment in vast areas of the county that are not currently served by a sewer system.
The study examined the locations of septic systems and identified areas where existing or future wastewater management entities could serve rural property owners. It explores the feasibility of forming new wastewater districts or modifying the boundaries of existing districts to serve communities where septic systems are highly concentrated.
“The state is tightening requirements for septic systems to ensure the water in our rivers, creeks, lakes and underground aquifers is clean and safe,” said Supervisor David Rabbitt, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “This study, and its accompanying web hub, provides government and property owners with the data we need to find solutions that work for everyone.”
The study identified 47 community clusters that could potentially benefit from shared septic systems, connecting to adjacent sewer systems, or the creation or modification of a shared wastewater management entity. All are located in areas subject to the more stringent septic standards resulting from existing or foreseeable state requirements that limit discharge of bacteria and pathogens.
An interactive map and resources for property owners with septic systems is available at gis-owts.sonoma county.ca.gov.
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County, Sebastopol team up to place sculpture at entrance to Joe Rodota Trail | |
Bruce Johnson lived and worked in Sonoma County for 50 years, making abstract contemporary sculpture from salvaged pieces of old-growth redwood, often clad or accented with copper. His works can be found in parks, galleries, museums and private collections around the world.
One of his sculptures will soon grace land owned by Sonoma County Regional Parks at the western entrance to Joe Rodota Trail in Sebastopol. The Board of Supervisors this month approved a 25-year agreement with the City of Sebastopol to install and maintain the $25,000 sculpture, which Johnson named “Koan” before his death in early 2023. The 7-foot-tall sculpture will serve as a welcoming landmark for pedestrians and bicyclists using the popular trail, which links Sebastopol and Santa Rosa.
“Bruce Johnson created bold, distinctly West County works of art, emphasizing salvaged old-growth redwood and metal, intertwining nature with industry,” said District 5 Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, who represents the Sebastopol area. “The community suffered a great loss when he passed away last year. I’m grateful to Bruce’s family for sharing ‘Koan’ so that the public will be able to enjoy his art for many years to come. This art installation will become a special part of the trail's entrance, and I want to thank the city for its leadership in making this project a reality.”
Johnson’s design was selected after Sebastopol invited artists to submit proposals for a trailhead sculpture earlier this year. His daughters submitted a letter of interest, noting that Johnson was passionate about placing art in public spaces, for access by all.
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Faces of the County: Meet Olivia Guevara | |
This is part of an ongoing series of profiles highlighting public servants across a variety of departments within the County of Sonoma. | |
Name: Olivia Guevara
Title: Assistant engineer with the Integrated Waste Division at Sonoma Public Infrastructure
Years with County: 4
Personal side: I was born and raised in Rohnert Park. I currently live in Ukiah with my husband, our dog Waylon, our cat Merlin and a few chickens.
Education and/or certifications: I have a bachelor’s degree in geological engineering from Montana Tech and a certificate to fly drones for County projects.
What do you do? I help maintain the infrastructure we use to safely store waste at seven former County landfills that are now closed. This includes things like storage tanks to collect leachate, a term for the water that has run through trash, and gas extraction wells to capture methane gas produced by the decomposing trash. We also maintain wells that allow us to routinely sample groundwater and ensure that leachate is not migrating off-site. One day I might fly a drone to collect topographic data, which helps us monitor how the landfill is settling; another day I might facilitate a design contract for a sump pump system or coordinate with consultants to make repairs at a flare, a device that is used to burn off the methane gas at a landfill.
We are currently constructing two 200,000 gallon tanks to store leachate until it can be hauled to a treatment plant. These tanks will decrease the risk of overflow and spills during heavy rains. I am also working on a project that will create a mitigation bank on County-owned land near Petaluma. This will make it easier for the County to carry out public projects by offsetting any environmental impacts with mitigation credits that we earn by preserving and restoring natural habitat. I managed the installation of water monitoring logs at the property and will provide engineering support in the design and construction of ponds.
What is one of the biggest misconceptions about Integrated Waste? Many people think we just handle waste. In reality, we manage the infrastructure that ensures the waste that is already in place at our closed landfills have no harmful effects on the environment. We also have other responsibilities, like managing four small water systems owned by the County near Jenner, Freestone, Salmon Creek and Fitch Mountain. We help our community bounce back from emergencies by maintaining pre-positioned contracts for debris cleanup. We are currently working with regional partners to bring back a composting facility to Sonoma County, which is really exciting.
What gives you fulfillment? I enjoy the diversity in my workload and the benefits our work brings to the community, like bringing a compost facility back to Sonoma County and providing clean drinking water to small communities.
Passions outside of work? I like to go hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing and camping. Each year I head to Colorado for an elk hunt with family. I enjoy the car ride, seeing the landscape change through each state, just as much as I enjoy the hike to the spot where you hope to see an elk. Afternoon naps on the side of a mountain after said hike are also very rewarding.
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Dr. Karen Smith, former director of the California Department of Public Health and state health officer, is returning to Sonoma County. She will serve as interim health officer while the County conducts a nationwide search to replace Dr. Tanya Phares, who announced last month that she was returning to clinical practice.
Dr. Smith served as the County’s interim health officer in 2023 for four months. In 2015, Gov. Jerry Brown named her state health officer and director of the California Department of Public Health, a position she held through July 2019. She previously served as Napa County's health officer and deputy director of Napa County Health and Human Services Agency.
Health officers are granted authority from the state to declare public health emergencies, issue health orders and impose penalties for noncompliance.
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Wetland habitat restored at Shiloh Ranch Regional Park | |
People aren’t the only creatures that flock to Shiloh Ranch Regional Park. A pond in the southeast Windsor park sustains herons, egrets, otters, racoons, deer, song birds, lizards, mountain lions and other wildlife.
Over the summer, crews replaced a spillway at the pond and restored the channel that feeds Mark West Creek. The project created an improved refuge for wildlife and a more attractive destination for visitors. Repairs to eroding gullies will increase groundwater storage, allowing more water to infiltrate into the surrounding landscape and rehydrate parklands. Douglas fir trees were removed, which will promote the growth of more fire-resilient oaks.
Next, Regional Parks plans to reroute some trails at the 850-acre park and add native plants. The changes will provide lasting benefit to wildlife, routing people away from some areas of the pond where animals will no longer be disturbed. Funding is provided by California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Parks for All – Measure M sales tax and the Sonoma County Parks Foundation.
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County honored for efforts to improve lives of children, avert conflict between parents | |
Child support payments can be a contentious issue when families split up. But in Sonoma County, something rare happens. Most local child support cases end with a mutual agreement between parents that averts a nasty court battle.
The state recently honored the Sonoma County Department of Child Support Services for facilitating such agreements, known as stipulated orders, in 55 percent of the cases it handles. Overall, Sonoma County had the third-highest rate of stipulated orders in California last year, nearly double the statewide average of 23 percent in 2023.
“These agreements are good for parents and good for their children,” said Janeene de Martinez, director of the Sonoma County Department of Child Support Services. “We work with parents to reduce conflict and find creative solutions that ensure children receive the financial support they are entitled to.”
These collaborative agreements encourage parents to find common ground and strike a balance between their differing visions of their child’s wants and needs. The process allows both parents to avoid the time and stress of appearing in court or interacting directly with the other parent. It helps foster cooperation between parents over the lifetime of a case, which can remain open until a child turns 18.
Child Support Services acts as a neutral third-party that can help establish paternity, locate absent parents and enforce court orders for child support. Last year, it collected and distributed $29.5 million to support 13,500 local children.
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County works to accelerate production of geothermal power | |
Sonoma County leaders are celebrating a change in state law that removes a major barrier hindering development of geothermal energy projects.
AB 1359, a bill signed last month by Gov. Gavin Newsom, allows county planning agencies like Sonoma County’s Permit Sonoma department to take a lead role in evaluating the environmental impacts of exploratory geothermal wells. Previously, such environmental reviews were funneled to a state agency, resulting in a large backlog of projects and multi-year delays.
“We worked our tails off to get this practical, pragmatic change in state law,” said Supervisor James Gore, who represents The Geysers area, a section of northeast Sonoma County that is home to the largest complex of geothermal plants in the world. “We are taking bold steps toward a renewable energy future.”
Sonoma Clean Power, a public power supplier, has recruited three geothermal energy companies interested in testing the use of next-generation technologies, shown above, to expand production at The Geysers and a surrounding area known as the Sonoma-Mendocino GeoZone.
“These three projects have the potential to create up to 600 megawatts of clean, renewable electricity, nearly doubling the production of geothermal energy at The Geysers,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, who chairs the Sonoma Clean Power board of directors. “This could be a win-win for the environment and our economy.”
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Regional conservation plan focus of Oct. 30 workshop in Santa Rosa | |
Accommodating economic growth and development while protecting endangered species and natural habitat requires foresight and good planning. It is the reason the Board of Supervisors directed Permit Sonoma to create a regional conservation plan that would improve protections for endangered species while streamlining the permit process.
The plan, known as Conservation Sonoma, will be the focus of a public workshop at 6 p.m. on Oct. 30 at the Permit Sonoma hearing room, 2550 Ventura Blvd. in Santa Rosa.
Conservation Sonoma will develop standards for environmental protection and mitigation that willing landowners can use to obtain development and business permits. It will give the County and other participating local governments control of the endangered species permitting process through long-term permits issued by state and federal wildlife agencies. As a result, landowners will gain more certainty about project timelines and costs. At the same time, the plan will benefit the environment by establishing measures that protect endangered species and compensate for impacts caused by development.
“Conservation Sonoma will result in a large, interconnected reserve system that is protected in perpetuity, composed of populations of the covered species, their habitats, and the county’s diversity of natural resources,” said Supervisor David Rabbitt, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Ultimately, creation and management of the reserve system will be funded through fees to mitigate the impact on the environment as well as grants.”
Participate in the creation of Conservation Sonoma by attending the Oct. 30 workshop and signing up for email updates on the plan.
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Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall to get new heating, cooling system | |
The Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall just got even cooler. Last week, the Board of Supervisors approved $388,000 in upgrades to the community hub. The Department of Public Infrastructure will replace the building’s gas-fired heating system with an energy-efficient electric heat pump that both heats and cools the lobby and lounge.
“This is an important investment in our military families and community, and community groups of all stripes that use Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall,” said District 1 Supervisor Susan Gorin, who represents the Sonoma area. “Public assembly facilities play a critical role during disasters as evacuation hubs and emergency shelters, and this system upgrade is another step toward more resilient infrastructure in Sonoma Valley.”
The facility, constructed in 1951, is one of seven veterans memorial buildings in Sonoma County. It serves as a hub for community events, arts programs, veterans organization meetings, and as an emergency shelter, cooling center and charging center during extreme weather.
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New path expands access to Tom Schopflin Fields | |
Tom Schopflin Fields, a popular hub for youth sports in the Mark West-Larkfield area north of Santa Rosa, is now even easier to access. Sonoma County Regional Parks has completed construction on a half-mile paved pathway around the perimeter of the 21-acre park.
The $224,000 project created a safe, accessible route for walking, running, biking and other outdoor activities while linking to existing paths in surrounding neighborhoods. The path also provides space for sports teams to warm up before using the park’s baseball field and two all-weather soccer fields.
The park is named in memory of Tom Schopflin, the longtime Sonoma County administrator who died in 2000 and was a strong supporter of youth sports. The pathway project was funded by Parks For All – Measure M and Mark West area park mitigation fees.
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Clean out your medicine cabinet and drop off unneeded prescription drugs on Oct. 26 | |
We may not realize it, but many of us have something dangerous in our homes: prescription drugs that we no longer need. Too often these drugs – whether they are old, unwanted or expired – can become a gateway to addiction for someone.
There’s an easy, safe and anonymous way to dispose of them. Seven Sonoma County law enforcement agencies have teamed up with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to collect unneeded medications on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Drop-offs will be accepted at police stations in Cotati, Cloverdale, Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol and Windsor. Click here to find the nearest collection site.
Can’t make it? There will be other opportunities to dispose of unneeded medications at pharmacies, hospitals, police departments and mail-back programs. For year-round medication disposal options, visit MedTakeBackCalifornia.org. To dispose of unwanted needles, visit SharpsTakeBackCalifornia.org. Information about both programs is also available by calling (844) 4-TAKE-BACK.
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Add the SoCo Chat weekly podcast to your playlist | |
County Communications Manager Paul Gullixson, left, speaks with Madeleine Keegan O’Connell, chief executive officer of YWCA Sonoma County, on a recent episode of SoCo Chat.
Roughly one in three women, one in four men and nearly half of LGBTQ people will be assaulted or stalked by an intimate partner during their lifetimes. To learn more about local efforts to address domestic violence and support survivors, SoCo Chat recently sat down with Madeleine Keegan O’Connell, chief executive officer of YWCA Sonoma County.
Have you subscribed to SoCo Chat? Our weekly podcast is the best way to ensure you don’t miss out on in-depth – and sometimes humorous – conversations about our county. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and YouTube, and check out our growing library of episodes in both English and Spanish (Descubre nuestra creciente selección de episodios en inglés y español). Recent guests and topics of discussion have included:
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Find room to grow with a County job | |
The County currently has more than 60 job openings posted on its website. How can you improve your chances of landing one?
Sign up 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 Nov. 21.
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.
Contact us at careers@sonoma-county.org to register for the Nov. 21 class or sign up for our mailing list to be notified of future classes.
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Support your community by getting involved | |
Get involved with local government
Make a difference in Sonoma County! Local government thrives when passionate individuals like you step up to serve. There are countless opportunities for you to get involved and play a crucial role in shaping the future of our beloved Sonoma County. Check out the current vacancies:
Your involvement can make a significant impact. Take the first step and explore how you can contribute to a brighter future for Sonoma County.
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Volunteer and employment opportunities | |
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