June 16, 2022 Update from Supervisor Connolly

MAY 2022 ISSUE

COUNTY BUDGET UPDATE GREEN BUILDING CODE 988 PHONE LINE LANDLORD PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM MICROBUSINESS LOANS FARE-FREE MARIN TRANSIT  BIKE TO WORK DAY

Dear Friends,

In this District 1 newsletter, I'm happy to share information about the ongoing work to meet our community's mental health, affordable housing, environmental, infrastructure, and economic needs. 

We have been working on making significant investments in our community through the County Budget which outlines a $716M expenditure plan. At the same time, the Board of Supervisors has been engaged in addressing the housing needs in Marin through the Housing and Safety Elements. I will continue to work with community members to make sure that our Board's decisions reflect our community's values. 

If you have driven past the Civic Center recently, you may have seen the Pride flag in front of the Civic Center. In support of the LGBTQ community, the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution proclaiming June Pride month. The resolution expresses our support for the LGBTQIA+ community - the hard-won battles and the work that remains to ensure dignity and respect. To everyone helping people feel seen, heard, valued, supported, and loved - thank you!

 

MARIN COUNTY BUDGET HEARINGS

 

The Marin County Board of Supervisors will be holding its annual Budget Hearings beginning on Monday, June 20 through Wednesday, June 22. We have a strong County Budget and with it, an opportunity to address some of our community's most pressing needs, including homelessness, sea-level rise, and emergency preparedness. Learn more about the County Budget online. 

We have significant one-time funding to allocate - while keeping a watchful eye on the ongoing economic impacts related to the war in Ukraine, supply chain issues, inflation, and other factors contributing to volatility. 

During the budget hearings, the Board of Supervisors will review the $716M budget and recommendations to allocate $31.1 million in one-time investments and establish reserves for issues like affordable housing, capital improvements, and technology upgrades.

The County received a significant amount of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and will be deciding on how to expend the second tranche of funds, totaling $25.1 million, during this budget hearing. Below are the recommended expenditures to put these dollars to work for our community. I look forward to the conversation during the Budget Hearing. Please reach out and share your thoughts on how we can improve the County and address our top priorities. 

Year 1 ARPA Expenditures (Approved)
$6.7M	Homekey and Homelessness Services
$5.0M	Racial Equity
$2.0M	Public Health and Mental Health Services
$4.0M	Infrastructure – Fire Facilities
$5.0M	Climate Change
$1.0M	Child Care
$0.8M	Economic Impacts
$0.5M	Non Profit Partnerships
$0.1M	Covid Response Year 1 (Approved Plan 2021)

 

Year 2 ARPA Expenditures (Recommended)
$7.0M	Homelessness/Permanent Supportive Housing
$5.0M	Contribution to Golden Gate Village revitalization
$4.0M	Southern Marin Service Hub
$3.0M	Climate Change and Sea Level Rise
$1.5M	City/County Partnerships on Homelessness
$1.0M	Healthcare Infrastructure Contribution
$1.0M	West Marin Economic Impacts
$1.0M	Broadband
$0.5M	Non-Profit Partnerships
$1.1M	Covid Response

 

GREEN BUILDING CODES

 

As we continue to partner to find strategic solutions to address the climate crisis, rethinking how we build is vital. On June 22, from 6:00 - 7:30 pm the County of Marin, City of San Rafael, Town of San Anselmo, and MCE clean energy will host a free virtual community meeting to share information, discuss, and help shape Marin’s Proposed 2022 Green Building Model Code and Ordinance. Please register for Marin's 2022 Green Building and Electrification Policy. 

 

988 PHONE LINE

 

Starting July 16, 2022, the County of Marin will have a new three-digit phone number to connect community members to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The three-digit number connects residents to compassionate, accessible care and support available for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress—whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. Whether you are calling for yourself or a loved one, 988 offers an easy-to-remember, accessible number to connect the community with care. Please see the Marin County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services website for more information about services and community resources. 

 

LANDLORD PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

 

Nearly 1,000 Landlords are Stepping Up In MARIN

Over the years I have remained a strong advocate for the Landlord Partnership Program. The program seeks to build solid working relationships with Marin County landlords to help those in search of a home and have a Housing Choice Voucher or Section 8.

The program started after my office received calls from constituents holding vouchers – including seniors, working families, and veterans - who could not find rental units in Marin. I'm happy to share that the program has close to 1,000 partnering landlords. 

I’m thrilled to see so many landlords in Marin step up. If you or someone you know would like to be a partnering landlord, please contact the Marin Housing Authority. A huge thank you to landlords helping people be at home in Marin.

 

MICROBUSINESS LOANS OPEN

 

The Marin Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) has launched a Microbusiness Grant program offering COVID-19 Relief with $262,500 in funding available for 105 microbusinesses at $2,500 each. The first-round application process is open NOW through June 30, 2022!  

This Saturday, June 18 from 1:00 - 5:00 pm, the Marin SBDC will be at Canal Alliance for drop-in application support in English and Spanish, drop by and learn more about the program! Applications take about 15-20 minutes to complete. If you're not sure if you qualify, please call 415-482-1819 or email: team@marinsbdc.org. 

A few types of businesses that may be eligible include, artists & musicians, childcare providers, construction workers, food vendors, hairstylists, handypersons, house cleaners, gardeners & landscapers, and nail technicians. 

 

FARE-FREE MARIN TRANSIT

 

The Marin County Fair is back, LIVE! Don't miss the great artist performing during the week. If you're thinking about how to beat the traffic, we have good news!

Marin Transit is offering free rides on their fixed-route bus rides countywide that will not cost a cent during the fair, which starts Thursday, June 30, and runs through the Fourth of July. There will be more buses and extended hours during the five-day Marin County Fair. Please note that the Paratransit, Catch-A-Ride, and Muir Woods Shuttle services will be exempt from the free fares. 

Marin County Bicycle Coalition will offer free bike valet service from11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, June 30, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 1-4. The bike lot will be near the main gate near the front of the Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium.

 

BIKE TO WORK DAY 2022

 

Bike to Work Day has been a cherished tradition over the years. This year we bused to the Golden Gate Bridge and biked back to the Civic Center to put our transit system and bike and pedestrian infrastructure to the test - while enjoying a beautiful Marin County morning.

Thank you to Golden Gate Transit and our local transit operators and public works departments who have made significant improvements over the years. Work along the multi-use path over the Corte Madera creek is almost done and I can't wait to see more improvements!

I'm happy to have been joined by my Aides, Mary Sackett and Gustavo Goncalves, San Anselmo Councilmember, Brian Colbert, Marin County Public Health Officer, Matt Willis, Supervisors Katie Rice, and Stephanie Moulton-Peters, and the City of San Rafael's Sustainability Program Manager, Cory Bytof. Thank you for coming along for the ride.