May Update from Supervisor Sackett

MAY 2023

TRANSIT UPDATES BIKE TO WORK/WHEREVER DAY DISTRICT 1 OFFICE HOURS MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH OD FREE MARIN SHERIFF OVERSIGHT AB 1185  EMBER STOMP ON THE WALL JOIN A BOARD OR COMMISSION HAVE YOU HEARD? WHAT I'M READING

 

Dear Neighbors,

After our March and April showers, May flowers are here! Our hillsides are filled with brushstrokes of purple, yellow, and orange. You may have spotted goats grazing on our hillsides as they get to work and prepare us for wildfire season.

I want to kick-off this edition of the District 1 newsletter with exciting news about Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART). SMART has had record ridership in April, both weekend and a couple of weekday records. We hope to build on that success with a few upcoming promotions:

As of May 5th, hop aboard the SMART Starlighter. The Starlighter is a new Friday and Saturday night service to help you enjoy the evening. Head up to Petaluma or down to Larkspur for a night out. Check out the updated SMART schedule and start planning your next trip. 

In June, July, and August, youth in grades K-12 ride free on SMART, Marin Transit, and many other transit agencies in the Bay Area. Younger children, under age 5, also ride for free but must be accompanied by an adult.

SMART received $34 million in state grants to help complete the Windsor and Healdsburg extensions. The project has $118 million programmed, with an additional $113 million needed to complete the extension. If fully funded, the Windsor extension could be completed in the fiscal year 2025 and Healdsburg in the fiscal year 2026.

 

 

BIKE TO WORK/WHEREVER DAY

 

It's that time of year again! Join me on Thursday, May 18 for Bike to Work/Wherever Day. This is one of my favorite ways of getting to work and I hope you can join. If you are working from home or taking a regular day off, consider biking an errand that day. Stop by an Energizer Station for a snack and a free canvas Bike to Wherever Day bag!

The RideGreen Team will be serving coffee and snacks to hungry bikers in the south arch of the Civic Center from 7:00 – 9:00 am. This is a Zero Waste event with on-site reusables available. Bring your own water bottles/coffee mugs to fill up!

 

DISTRICT 1 OFFICE HOURS

 

Join me on Sunday, June 4, at the Marin County Civic Center Farmers Market between 9:00 am - 11:00 am for Office Hours! Let me know what issues are important to you. The June Budget Hearings are coming up, and this is a great way for us to connect to ensure that we are addressing the issues most important to you.

On May 21st and June 4th, Walk/Bike San Rafael will be providing free valet bicycle parking at the Marin Farmers Market. Just show up with your bike and volunteers will keep it safe while you support our local growers and merchants. What are you waiting for? Grab your bike, and come meet us at the Marin Farmers Market!

If you haven't heard, the Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM) is launching a campaign to build the Center for Food and Agriculture. The goal is to create a place for a zero-waste farmers market and educational space dedicated to healthier food culture. Learn more about AIM's vision on the Campaign to Build the Center for Food and Agriculture.

 

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

 

May is Mental Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and promoting the importance of mental well-being. We each have individual needs when talking about our mental health and well-being. It may mean supporting a loved one, talking openly and honestly with friends and family, addressing substance use challenges, or simply spending more time outdoors. Throughout the month of May, Marin County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) and our community partners are hosting a series of events to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and educate our community about mental health.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline by dialing 988, go to 988LifeLine.org, or text “MARIN” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Marin residents seeking behavioral health services can call the 24-hour, confidential Access Line at 1-888-818-1115. Marin BHRS provides outpatient, residential, crisis services, and hospital care addressing the specialty mental health and substance use service needs of Marin Medi-Cal beneficiaries and uninsured residents. 

 

May 15 - May 23 Events

Tuesday, May 16, from 3:00-4:00 pm: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Talk Saves Lives: LGBTQ+. Hosted with the Marin County Office of Education. Register here. In-Person Mental Health First Aid Training: Wednesday, May 17, from 8:30-5:00 pm: Audience: Adults. Location: Empowerment Clubhouse, Main Room, 441 Drake Ave, Sausalito CA. Register here. Saturday, May 20, from 8:30-5:00 pm: Audience: Adults. Presented in Spanish. Location: Pt. Reyes Conference Room, 20 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael. Register here. Saturday, May 20, from 8:30-5:00 pm: Audience: Youth. Presented in Spanish. Location: Bolinas Fire Station, Community Room, 100 Mesa Rd., Bolinas. Register here. Monday, May 22, from 4:00-5:00 pm: The Power of Story Telling on Mental Health. Hosted by: NAMI-Marin and Opening the World. Register here. Tuesday, May 23, from 10:00-11:30 am: Peer Support: Introduction to the Practice and Model. Location: Empowerment Clubhouse, 441 Drake Avenue, Marin City. Register here. Thursday, May 25, from 4:00-6:00 pm: Enterprise Resource Center Mental Health Recovery Show and Tell. Location: 3270 Kerner Blvd., Room C, San Rafael.

 

OD FREE MARIN

 

What can you do to help?

Sign up for OD Free Marin's newsletter. Join one of the five action teams. Get Narcan and learn how to use it. Seek help if you or someone you know is struggling.

AmeriCorps VISTA Colyn Heimerman pictured at an OD Free Marin tabling event.

RxSafe Marin has a new name. Overdose has become the leading cause of accidental death in Marin. The number of overdose deaths in Marin increased from 42 in 2020 to 62 in 2021, mainly due to fentanyl. OD Free Marin seeks to address the growing trend of overdoses in Marin.

OD Free Marin is made up of five action teams focused on education and outreach, intervention, treatment and recovery, equity, and youth. Go online to learn more about the work to prevent overdoses and how Narcan can be a lifesaving tool in people’s hands.

 

SHERIFF OVERSIGHT AB 1185

 

On June 13, the Board of Supervisors is expected to hear an informational report on the recommendations from the Office of Equity on the Community Outreach Working Group recommendations for the implementation of AB 1185 in Marin County. In light of national, regional, and local events, we want to ensure that we do our part to promote trust, accountability, and transparency. It is important to ensure our communities are safe. Having an open dialogue on where our law enforcement agencies are doing well and where we must do better is key to establishing trust. If AB 1185 offers an opportunity for us to improve, it is a worthwhile endeavor.

 

EMBER STOMP | MAY 20, 2023

 

Don't miss the second annual, Ember Stomp event on Saturday, May 20. This wildfire prevention event is bigger and better this year with a bigger space, new music, entertainment, exhibits, vendors, and a live burn demonstration. Check out their fire smart landscaping expo, juried art show, and wildfire exhibits. If you are looking for opportunities to learn more, visit Fire Safe Marin.

Listos California is working to help everyone get ready and stay safe from wildfires, earthquakes, and floods. Go online and find out what you can do to prepare, respond, and recover. Don't miss the resource hub with materials in over 20 languages.

 

ON THE WALL

 

Marin is home to amazing local artists. Maybe you’re one of them or you enjoy their work. The Marin County Free Library is creating a new community art lending collection. Local artists can display their art in homes throughout the County.

Juried works will be purchased for $250 each by the Marin County Free Library and borrowed by community members using their library cards. To be eligible, artists must be 18 or older and live or have studio space in Marin County.

Don’t miss out and apply now. Submissions are due by June 30, 2023.

 

JOIN A BOARD OR COMMISSION

 

Our boards and commissions rely on civic-minded residents to help guide and shape our policies. If you have been thinking about getting engaged, check out these openings. If you are thinking about getting involved and aren't sure, I invite you to reach out to my office. My aides would be happy to connect you with opportunities to get involved in the community or with subject matter experts who can tell you more about these boards and commissions. 

Marin County Assessment Appeals Board

The Marin County Assessment and Appeals Board is accepting applications. The Board hears appeals from taxpayers on property assessments. This Board is governed by the rules and regulations of the Board of Equalization and Property Tax Laws of the State of California.

APPLY HERE

The Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Commission oversees implementation of the Marin County Integrated Pest Management policy and plan, and advises and makes recommendations to the IPM Coordinator and Board of Supervisors. This Commission meets on the fourth Friday of January, April, July and October.

APPLY HERE

Marin County Service Area #6 - Gallinas Creek:

County Service Area (CSA) 6 was created to raise funds for periodic dredging of the Gallinas Creek, allow for recreational boating, and include a smaller channel around Santa Margarita Island. The creek was dredged in 1966, 1973, 1981, and 1992-1994. The CSA is currently working on a geomorphic dredge of the creek. Please note you must reside within the CSA to serve on the board. If you're interested in getting involved, please contact Roger Leventhal, Senior Engineer with the Marin County Department of Public Works Flood Control team, at RLeventhal@marincounty.org.

APPLY HERE

 

Flood Zone #6 (Rafael Meadows)

Flood Zone 6 was created in the 1960’s to address frequent flooding in the low-lying neighborhood just west of Highway 101 across from the County Civic Center. The Zone occupies a very small part of the Gallinas Creek Watershed. It is also the County's smallest flood control zone. It covers only 0.16 square mile entirely within the City of San Rafael. The neighborhood was unincorporated when the Zone was established, but was annexed by City of San Rafael. The City now owns and maintains the Zone’s drainage easements. There are 440 parcels in the Zone. In the early 2000s, construction of a new subdivision rerouted stormwater infrastructure around the community. This eliminated a significant cause of flooding in the zone. Please note you must reside within the Flood Zone to serve on the board. 

APPLY HERE

Disaster and Citizen Corp Council

The Disaster Council reviews and evaluates disaster preparedness progress in the public and private sectors; promotes disaster preparedness through communication and education; harness the power of every resident through education and outreach, training and volunteer service to make their families, homes and communities safer from natural and/or man-made disasters or emergencies; and, report biannually to the Board of Supervisors.

APPLY HERE

 

 

HAVE YOU HEARD?

 

WHAT I'M READING

Fatty Fatty Boom Boom: A memoir of food, fat, and family by Rabia Chaudry. I read this book during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and learned about one Pakistani family's immigrant experience. The descriptions of the food are amazing. You can practically smell the Aunties' cooking coming off the pages.

The Marin County Law Library, in partnership with the Marin County Bar Association, offers Lawyers in the Library. The program provides self-represented litigants a free 20-minute one-on-one Zoom meeting with a volunteer attorney from the Marin County Bar Association to receive legal guidance, information, direction, and assistance in locating appropriate resources, and referrals to other agencies when appropriate. 

Volunteer lawyers are familiar with Family Law, Landlord-Tenant Law, General Civil Law, Employment Law, Estate Planning/Probate, Personal Injury Law, and Civil Appeals (does not include small claims or limited civil cases). The service is free of charge. Participants must register in advance and either live in Marin County or have a case pending in the Marin County Courts.

 

Supervisor Mary Sackett (left) and Law Library Director Stephen Richards (right).

Lawyers in the Library 2023 Dates: 

• May 25, 2023
• June 22, 2023
• July 27, 2023
• August 24, 2023
• September 28, 2023
• October 26, 2023
• November 30, 2023
  
  

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If you are interested in local government, want to talk about the issues, or touch base on some of the work you or your organization are doing, I encourage you to reach out.  

Please stay in touch,