Sonoma County: What to expect from your government
Last month we talked about my vision as Chair for 2021, with the goals of addressing:
- Homelessness and affordable housing,
- Climate change and disaster preparedness against its effects – longer fire season, more flooding, coastal sea-level rise, and
- Infrastructure issues, including upgrades to roads and rural septic systems, and
- Increasing responsive, transparent, effective governance.
The work to build a solid foundation under this vision continues. At the Jan. 26 Board of Supervisors meeting we got our first glimpse of the 2021 Board Calendar of Items of Significant Interest. Following are some of these that are of particular importance to building that foundation and to West County.
January
Vital Lands Initiative
The Vital Lands Initiative is a comprehensive plan that will guide Ag + Open Space work for the next 10 years. Building on our nearly 30 years of successful land conservation work, the initiative will outline strategies for protecting our vital open space lands. The voters of Sonoma County envisioned a future where scenic open spaces sustain a thriving farm and ranch economy, clean drinking water, viable ecosystems for fish and wildlife, and healthy communities where people can access and enjoy the outdoors. Increasingly, the community understands the important role that working and natural lands play in sequestering carbon and avoiding greenhouse gas emissions while making Sonoma County resilient to extreme events, such as fires, floods, and drought, and the growing impacts of climate change.
Draft of the County Strategic plan
The County of Sonoma is in the process of developing a Five-Year Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan will provide the context to inform policies and projects that are funded for the next five years. The plan will guide how we align short and long-term objectives so our actions reflect a clear sense of purpose as we move into the future with sustainable progress.
Since late 2019, County leaders and Board members have been engaged in developing the base framework for the Plan, including five Strategic Pillars. Those five Pillars are: Healthy and Safe Communities, Organizational Excellence, Climate Action and Resiliency, Racial Equity and Social Justice, and Resilient Infrastructure.
February
Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Oversight (IOLERO)
Measure P update. Measure P was passed in 2020 to increase law enforcement transparency and accountability and to build the public trust in County government and the Sheriff’s Office. The measure provided increased financing for the office as well as expanded oversight authority. IOLERO shall be reporting on steps to implement Measure P.
COVID emergency response
This is on the calendar every month through the year in one form or another discussing emergency response, vaccinations, economic support and recovery, related to where we stand in each month.
March
Camping RV ordinance addressing county-wide policy regarding homeless and RV Update to Anti-Camping Ordinance and new Homeless and RV Encampment Policy
Amends existing Anti-Camping Ordinance to bring it into compliance with Martin v. Boise decision; introduces countywide policy for addressing Homeless and RV Encampments. Martin v Boise is the 2018 judicial decision ruling that enforcement of ordinances that prohibit sleeping or camping on public property against homeless individuals is unconstitutional when those individuals do not have a meaningful alternative, such as shelter space or a legal place to camp.
Feasibility study consent for Graton/Occidental sanitation extension.
This proposed solution of extending the Graton sewer system into Occidental solves challenges for each town and is expected to provide a collaborative win-win solution for both towns.
April
Measure B TOT tax, affecting some portions of West County, benefiting emergency services and education is on the ballot for constituents in March. If Measure B passes, expenditure plans will be on the agenda for the Board of Supervisors in April.
EDB Broadband Action Plan Reliable broadband throughout West County is a critical driver for education, equity, and economic resilience. The Economic Development Board will be reporting on their action plan.
Sonoma County Tourism report
This annual report is particularly important as we enter the 2021 tourism season after several years beset by disasters.
Emergency Management Alert and Warning Services
Comprehensive overview and discussion of the County’s public notification, alert and warning systems. Also on the agenda, the Office of Equity report on the implementation of SB 160 to ensure integration of cultural competency considerations in the County’s emergency preparedness and planning programs.
