December 10, 2021 Update from Supervisor Connolly

NOVEMBER 2021 ISSUE COVID Resources RHNA and Housing Element Redistricting Infrastructure Bill Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health Marin County Fair 2022 Drawdown Name Selection Survey Turkey Trot 2021 District 1 Survey

Dear Friends,

The vaccines are working. With 86.5% of Marin's total population fully vaccinated, fewer cases are leading to hospitalization or death. The Delta variant is still the most prevalent form of COVID in Marin. 

News of the Omicron variant is raising questions about public health policies and practices. Fortunately, we are noticing that as case rates increase, death rates are continuing to decline.

Preliminary data suggests symptoms are milder and that vaccines have some degree of efficacy.

Public Health is realigning policy to monitor the number of hospitalizations as opposed to case rates. Marin County Public Health's criteria for reinstating the local mask mandate is 5 persons or more hospitalized for COVID per 100,000 residents, or 13 people. As of December 8, Marin has 5 people hospitalized for COVID.

We have come a long way! Marin County Public Health recommends that you continue to wear a mask in indoor public settings and get tested if you suspect you are getting sick, and stay home if you are sick. Celebrate the holiday season safely and get your booster. 

INFRASTRUCTURE BILL

The $1.2 trillion federal Infrastructure Bill passed and can be thought of in two major components. The first is a reauthorization of a five-year surface transportation act known as the FAST Act. The second is a $550 billion new investment in infrastructure over five years. In addition to more traditional infrastructure projects like roads and bridges, the Infrastructure Bill includes investments into emerging clean energy transportation projects, water, broadband, and resiliency. The funding creates opportunities for local governments to address longstanding issues. Some notable funding allocations include:  

Electric Vehicle Chargers	$7.5 billion
Electric Buses	$7.5 billion
Reconnecting Communities	$1 billion
Water	$55 billion
Broadband	$65 billion
Environmental Remediation	$21 billion
Western Water Infrastructure	$8.3 billion
Resilience	$46 billion

I'm pleased to share that Marin County was presented with the 2021 California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Challenge Award for Enhanced Behavioral Health in the Justice System, including the many efforts to reduce the jail population and increase treatment and service capacity. 

Together we have launched a new Mental Health Diversion Court and Veterans Court. This year Marin County became a Stepping Up Initiative Innovator County. We continue to partner to ensure we are decreasing disparities, increasing access to treatment and services, and finding creative solutions to some of the most challenging problems our communities are faced with today.

Through the Data-Driven Recovery Collaborative, we are analyzing data to craft better policy, create better programs and find opportunities to appropriately reduce the jail population and provide treatment. I look forward to continuing this work, with your help, through the Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health Subcommittee and as Vice-President of CSAC's Administration of Justice Policy Committee. 

 

 

 

DRAWDOWN: MARIN NAME SELECTION SURVEY

Drawdown: Marin is a community-driven campaign that I helped launch several years ago to bring people, agencies, and organizations together to effectively implement climate and equity solutions so we can dramatically reduce GHG emissions, restore ecosystems, and create a more resilient Marin County. Drawdown is becoming a new nonprofit organization and will have a new name. Please take a minute to complete the Drawdown: Marin Name Selection Survey, it will remain open through December 17, 2021.

 

LIBRARY SURVEY

Our Libraries serve as a one-of-a-kind community space with children's activities, educational resources, meeting spaces, and much more. The Marin County Free Library (MCFL) is asking patrons which library services are most important to visitors and what improvements should be considered. The survey closes in mid-January 2022.

If you haven't had the chance to meet our Director, Lana Adlawan, MCFL is planning 'Meet the Director' events and library branch community chats between January and June. Stay tuned through the MCFL website, Facebook page, and Twitter. 

 

TURKEY TROT 2021

This thanksgiving I was incredibly thankful to my family, friends, and community. I kickstarted Thanksgiving day with Bank of Marin’s annual Turkey Trot 5K in support of School Fuel – The Novato Foundation for Public Education. The run was followed by a hike with friends around Pacheco Pond. This Sunday, December 12, I will be running the annual Sausalito Jingle Bell 5K in support of the Dipsea Kidz program. I invite you to join or be part of the crowd.