September 2022 Update from Supervisor Connolly

SEPTEMBER 2022 ISSUE

MARIN SUES MONSANTO HOUSING ELEMENT: FORM BASED CODE WORKFORCE HOUSING: OAK HILL SHAPE COMMUNITY: JOIN A BOARD/COMMISSION HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH LABOR DAY 2022

Dear Friends,

The past month has been filled with important issues and significant events. The County of Marin and nine local jurisdictions filed suit against Monsanto. We came together to celebrate Labor Day, and I joined community members in a call to demand justice after a video of two San Rafael Police officers' conduct became public. We will continue to work with the City and the community to rebuild trust.

The Bay Area hit all-time record-breaking temperatures - with San Rafael reaching 111°F. There is no clearer reminder that we need to do more to fight climate change and address extreme heat events by building a clean renewable energy future, and ensuring that frontline communities are treated equitably.

On Tuesday, September 13, I requested that we take the time at the beginning of each summer to review the plans for responding to extreme heat events. We need to prepare for the growing impacts of climate change and protect our vulnerable communities.

 

MARIN SUES MONSANTO

 

Marin and nine local jurisdictions jointly filed a lawsuit against Monsanto for contaminating communities with PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl). PCBs were banned from production in the late 1970s and are known to cause a wide range of cancers. Monsanto knew of the harm of PCBs and produced them nonetheless. The entire Bay is classified as “impaired” by PCBs under the federal Clean Water Act. PCB contamination has been so severe in the Bay that the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has advised some people not to eat certain types of fish caught in the bay and everyone is advised not to eat the skin and fatty tissue of any fish caught in the Bay.

The negative effects of PCBs on natural resources and human health cannot be ignored. Marin will spend many millions in the coming decades to remove PCBs from our waterways. Cleaning our waterways is the right thing to do and Monsanto must play a role in that clean-up. Read more in this news release or Marin IJ article. 

 

HOUSING ELEMENT: FORM BASED CODE

 

On September 27, the Marin County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors will hold a workshop to hear proposed Development Code amendments. The proposed changes would codify the requirements of Senate Bill 9 and Senate Bill 35, create a new Form Based residential zoning district, create new ministerial permits for certain types of housing development, and incorporate by reference the Marin County Form-Based Code to establish objective design criteria for multifamily housing projects. This is an important part of the conversation on how future developments in Marin address community needs and interests, including concerns raised over mandates and local control by recent housing legislation. Read more on the Marin County Housing Element page and check out past and upcoming Housing Element Workshops to ensure your voice is part of the process.  

 

WORKFORCE HOUSING: OAK HILL

 

In partnership with the Marin County Office of Education, the County of Marin is working to create workforce housing on approximately 8.5 acres of state-owned property near San Quentin. The lot would allow for two developments and a total of 250 affordable housing units.

On Tuesday, September 13, the Board of Supervisors heard an informational presentation on an agreement to pursue low-to-moderate income employee rental housing. The project is looking at 115 affordable housing units and roughly 135 affordable workforce housing units for local public school employees and eligible County employees. Approximately 75% or 101 units of the 135 units will be dedicated to local public school employees and 25% or 34 units will be dedicated to eligible County employees. 

There are approximately 300 vacant positions in our school system countywide. A recent survey showed housing costs as a top reason for these recruitment and retention challenges. Many teachers simply can't afford Marin's high cost of living. Some spend roughly half of their income on rent. I’m excited about this project. This project is a step towards addressing our local workforce needs and the affordable housing crisis. More information is available in this Marin IJ article. 

SHAPE COMMUNITY: JOIN A BOARD/COMMISSION!

 

If the newsletter has piqued your interest and you want to get involved, here is your opportunity! Residents serving on a County Service Area (CSA), Flood Zone (FZ), or Priority Setting Committee (PSC) have an opportunity to help shape their community. If you have considered making your neighborhood parks better, enjoy talking to neighbors about local issues, and are ready to take that work to the next level, consider applying to serve your community on a board or commission. District 1 has several openings, and you will have an important voice on issues like flood control, dredging, housing, neighborhood park improvements, and more. Fill out an application today! If you have questions before applying reach out to my office, and we are happy to discuss them with you. 

Below is a list of boards and commissions with vacant seats: 

Flood Zone (FZ) 7: 

Zone 7 was created in 1962 to address creek and tidal flooding within the low-lying unincorporated community of Santa Venetia. It is overseen by a 5-member Advisory Board. The flood zone program includes regular servicing of 14 pumps at 5 pump stations, maintenance of 5 portable pumps, maintenance of 1.9 miles of flood protection levees, maintenance of tide gates and trash racks, and an annual vegetation maintenance program along 0.85 miles of Gallinas Creek. The Flood Zone is currently working on the Santa Venetia Levee Upgrade Project. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact floodinquiry@marincounty.org.

County Service Area (CSA) 6: 

CSA 6 was created to raise funds for periodic dredging of the Gallinas Creek and allow for recreational boating and includes 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 and is actively looking for community members to play a role in guiding the process. 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. 

County Service Area (CSA) 18: 

CSA 18 was created to provide local park and recreation facilities and services in Santa Venetia. The Advisory Board provides recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on issues impacting neighborhood parks like Adrian-Rosal, Castro Park, Pueblo Park, and Candy's Park. If you are interested and want to learn more about CSA 18, please contact  Jim Chayka, Superintendent of Marin County Parks, at jchayka@marincounty.org. 

Marin Women's Commission:

The Marin County Women's commission was created in 1974 to ensure equal economic, social, political, and educational opportunities for women throughout the County. The Women's Commission studies problems and advises residents and the Board of Supervisors. There is currently one opening. If you are interested in learning more, please contact our office at ggoncalves@marincounty.org.

Priority Setting Committee (PSC): 

Every year, the County receives state and federal funding to invest in our community. Through the Priority Setting Committee (PSC) community members have an opportunity to provide input on key issues like affordable housing, public services, childcare, vulnerable populations, and community facilities. There are four openings on the PSC for community members representing the interests of racial and ethnic minorities and/or people with disabilities. Upon selection, committee member terms will go through Fall 2024. Applications are open thru October 7. You can learn more about the committee by contacting FederalGrants@marincounty.org. 

 

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

 

September 15 - October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month and also celebrates the independence days of El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile. The theme for this year's celebration is Unity. On September 22, the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution proclaiming National Hispanic Heritage Month in Marin County. 

On Sunday, September 18, I joined our El Salvadoran community to celebrate El Salvador’s Independence and its rich cultural traditions. September 15, 2022, marked the 201^st Independence Day of El Salvador. The event was held at the Fair Grounds and featured great music, food, and people from all over the Bay Area. For those wondering, the rain wasn't going to stop us! I appreciated having an opportunity to recognize the role of Salvadoran Americans, nationals, and immigrants for what they mean to our community.

 

LABOR DAY 2022

Labor Day became a recognized national holiday under President Cleveland after the Pullman Strike in 1894 brought the economy to a standstill. The strike sought to address low wages, poor living conditions, and 16-hour workdays for railroad workers. Throughout the years, labor movements have fought and won key battles over workplace safety, fair compensation, and working conditions. I want to share with you my remarks from this year's Labor Day events. 

"This Labor Day I want to take a moment to thank working families. This has been a big year for Labor; across the state and the country, we have seen what it means to put people before profits.

30 Starbucks locations have filed petitions with the National Labor Relations Board to initiate the voting process to form a union. Nine became part of the Starbucks Workers United Union.

The legislature has sent a package of new bills to the Governor’s desk to protect working families. After a month-long march and hundreds of miles of activism and advocacy, AB 2183 is ready for Governor Newsom to sign. This landmark bill would grant farmworkers the right to unionize and fight for better wages and better working conditions.

AB 257, the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act, or FAST Recovery Act, is a signature away from becoming law. AB 257 would establish the Fast Food Council, tasked with working to establish a set minimum standard on wages, working hours, and working conditions for fast food workers across California. I couldn’t be happier to see fast food workers gain the opportunity to fight for a better life for themselves and their families.

[AB 257 was signed into law on 9/5/2022]

I’m proud to have joined the National Union of Healthcare Workers at the picket line just 3 weeks ago to fight for mental health parity with physical healthcare services. Mental health care is healthcare and we must ensure that mental health services are accessible and sufficiently staffed.

We must ensure equal pay for equal work for women. And we must pass Proposition 1 to protect abortion rights and reproductive health throughout our state.

Our unions have fought for working families throughout the state and right here at home. Unions ensure that our electricians, firefighters, teachers, nurses, and community members are kept front and center when organizations are making decisions and ultimately that people come before profits. We must protect the right to organize!

I am profoundly thankful to working families. This work can’t happen without you. Together we are building a stronger North Bay."

Let's keep talking,