Priorities, Current Projects and Accomplishments

I am proud to serve as District 4 Supervisor and work on some of our community’s most challenging issues. Here on this page, you will find the priorities for my office and a list of accomplishments thus far. Many of these priorities stem from conversations with community residents and letters sent to my office asking for support. Please feel free to contact my office with your concerns. We are here to help.

This page will be updated periodically to provide you with the most up-to-date information.

Open All Panels

• Priorities
  • Our community is vibrant because of our diversity, and I continue to work on policy and programs that foster Marin County as welcoming to all residents regardless of socio-economic status, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender, and physical capabilities.
  • As an environmentalist, it is my duty to protect the environment from the dangerous impacts of climate change. And protect our most valued resources, water, watersheds, beaches, open space, trails and air.
  • As a champion for children, I advocate for the health, safety, and educational success of all youth, including supporting our preschool and day care programs.
  • As an older adult, it is my duty to ensure that all our older adults have the necessary support to remain in their homes, and that our communities can meet the needs of older adults as they age, and move the county toward an age-friendly approach.
  • Our communities are stronger when we have robust emergency preparedness plans, adequate emergency preparedness staffing, and funding. I continue to advocate for ways to equip and prepare our communities with the training and tools they may need during an emergency.
  • I am steadfast in my commitment to create more housing stability and security for all of our residents—from supporting housing first initiative and the purchase of two Homekey property conversions to reduce homelessness in Marin County, to creating more low cost housing options such as Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, Accessory Dwelling units, farm worker housing and other affordable housing projects supported by the county and local not for profit land trusts.
• Current Projects

  Here are some examples of projects I am currently prioritizing:

  • Our Covid-19 ongoing emergency response: extending our safety net programs, eviction moratoriums, supporting local businesses through to the fullest extent possible.
  • Working with county and community equity leaders to expand - education opportunities, housing security, and health for all our most vulnerable communities.
  • Foodware Ordinance – working closely with Supervisor Sear’s office, staff and local jurisdictions to ban the use and sale of single-use plastics countywide.
  • Actively supporting a multi-agency approach to improve Tomales Bay stewardship, through better coordination and collaboration, including work with local nonprofits partners in the education of visitors.
  • Championing a trash reduction campaign “Pack it in, Pack it out” (leave no trace) educational effort throughout Marin and into neighboring region.
  • Expand our Health and Human Services’ Whole Person Care /Housing First Initiative throughout the county and including West Marin to better support our residents and families currently experiencing homelessness.
• Sir Francis Drake Blvd Potential Renaming

  The process and where we are now

  This summer when raising awareness of racial inequality was racing across the county, Marin County citizens started to take a critical look at some of the symbols, monuments and public figures/individuals associated with the institution of slavery here in our own backyard. Much of this focus has been on Sir Francis Drake: including Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, the Drake ‘statue” in Larkspur (which has been removed), and the High School originally named after Sir Francis Drake, and now called the 1327 High School.

  This discussion began to grow with many calling to rename the Boulevard. Supervisor Rice and I led a Listening Session, along with representatives for all jurisdictions along SFD to hear from all our constituents. This was followed by a Learning Session to dig deeper into the road’s history and original naming, begin to understand a bit more about Drake the Man, hear from our indigenous Miwok residents learn about how this issue overlaps with the County's equity efforts. (Visit the Marin County Free Library’s Drake Boulevard History Resource Page to view recorded sessions in English or Spanish and learn more.)

  Since then, Supervisor Rice and I have continued to meet with the ‘Working Group’ (representatives for all jurisdictions along SFD), Town Managers and staff to explore potential impacts/costs to residents and businesses if the name were to change. The Working Group recently agreed to take the question as to whether to move forward with renaming Sir Francis Drake Blvd. to their respective communities by March 31, 2021 (Phase 1). This process will conclude with a public hearing in each jurisdiction (on current County plans we expect that to be no earlier than March 9^th).

  If an agency votes to change the name, it will take up the question of a new name as part of Phase 2. Ideally that process would be consistent along all jurisdictions and completed by the time the road improvements are slated to be completed along SFD (fall 2021).

  Moving Forward/How to Participate

  • 1/25/21 (Monday) at 6pm

  • Rodoni-Rice Town Hall for unincorporated residents/businesses along the SFD corridor, in English with Spanish interpretation or ASL & CDI (with an opportunity for Q&A too).

  • Here is the zoom link; details also below:

  www.zoom.us/Join or call (669) 900-6833,
  Meeting ID: 994 2269 4295, Attendee ID: #, Password: 212141.
  English with Spanish interpretation or ASL & CDI

  • Outreach to West Marin Villages along SFD Blvd.:

  • San Geronimo Planning Group 2/8/21 @ 7:30pm (Zoom link)
  • Point Reyes Station Village Association 2/11/21 @ 6:30pm (Zoom link & details will be posted on webpage)
    (Zoom link & details to be posted on webpage)
  • Olema Valley Association & Inverness Park Village Association 2/16/21 @ 6pm(Zoom link)
  • Inverness Association 2/24/21 @ 7pm (Zoom link available by contacting the Association)

  • Board of Supervisors Hearing

  • March 9 (tentative) to discuss and vote for/against moving forward with name change. (Agenda will be posted on the BOS meeting webpage 5 days prior to the hearing.)

  For more information view the Sir Francis Drake Renaming FAQ, and visit this webpage for ongoing updates, or just reach out to me and my staff with your comments or questions.

• District Accomplishments

  Below is a list of some of my accomplishments from my first term as Supervisor for District 4. These accomplishments were only possible because of the partnerships developed with my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors, strong working relationships with our Department Heads, and your feedback throughout my community office hours.

  Countywide/General

  • As the representative of two Census-designated hard-to-count communities, my office had a direct role in developing the strategic outreach plan for the 2020 US Census and assisted with implementation to help match and exceed previous participation levels. View more information.
  • Increased community participating and input by holding hundreds of hours of office hours throughout District 4 (virtually in 2020).

  Equity

  • Equity Officer-established a county equity committee to make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
  • Worked with Supervisor Rice and Marin County Library and Equity Officers to host a Listening and Learning session to examine issues around the possible renaming Sir Francis Drake Bld.; worked with local elected official to pave a coordinated path forward for further community discussions and decisions.

  Communications

  • Worked with local community members, led the Coalition to bring highspeed fiberoptic internet to Nicasio, see news release here.
  • Championed the Canal Neighborhood WiFi project, a partnership with the County of Marin and the City of San Rafael, Marin County Library and worked closely with San Rafael City Schools and other partners, see news release.

  Health and Human Services

  • Supported the successful countywide ban on flavored tobacco products and electronic device cigarettes.View the press release.
  • At the direction of the Board of Supervisors, our Health and Human Services Department has implemented Laura’s Law Pilot Program (AB 1421) which has been active since September 2018. More information about this program.
  • Over 200 residents experiencing homelessness have found homes through our new Housing First Initiative and Whole Person Care program. As of now, it has a 95% plus success rate. More information about this program.
  • We enhanced the mental health staffing to our county jail system in a partnership between Health and Human Services and the County Sheriff’s Office. More information about this program.

  Environmental Stewardship/Parks

  • Co-sponsored with Supervisor Sears an ordinance requiring local voter approval before any development of onshore facilities that would support offshore oil and gas exploration to create further protect Marin’s coastline; See press release.
  • Supported non-profit ownership of the new open space in San Geronimo to be developed into a park and potential fire station.
  • Guided the acquisition of Bowman Canyon in Novato for open space.
  • Worked alongside Supervisor Sears and the West Marin Environmental Action Committee to recognize International Migratory Bird Day and reinforce our commitment to the protection of nesting and migratory birds. More information.
  • Continued to support preparation for sea-level rise, C-Smart, and BayWAVE work through our Community Development Agency and Department of Public Works, which will benefit the Environmental Hazards sections in the Local Coastal Program (LCP). More information about our sea level rise work.

  Housing Support

  • Worked with community stakeholders to developed successful Measure W which created an additional West Marin 4% Transient Occupancy Tax which equally supports affordable housing and our local fire departments and emergency services to help offset visitor impacts in West Marin.
  • In response to community concerns over the increasing rental rates, unincorporated Marin County established the Rental Housing Dispute Resolution (Mandatory Mediation) for any rent increases of 5% or more. More information about this program.
  • Supported the Just Cause for Evictions Ordinance, as it is one way to give our landlords and renters codified protections.
  • Collaborated with the Mayor of the City of San Rafael to support the code enforcement inspections of multi-family residential units in East San Rafael. As a result, we were able to delay a 40% rental increase for low-income residents of an apartment complex and secure unit upgrades to enhance their living conditions.
  • Along with the Board of Supervisors, continues to support an invigorated landlord partnership program to encourage landlords to accept Section 8. Read the county news release.
  • Actively supported our Community Development Agency’s purchase of the former US Coast Guard property in Pt. Reyes Station. This site is dedicated for new affordable housing opportunities. More information.
  • As an incentive to create more housing availability in Marin, we are continuing to simplify the building/permitting process for our Accessory Dwelling Unit and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit permit process, as well as working to wave some associated fees. Read the county news release.
  • Supported short term rental regulations for good neighbor notifications requirements, and enhanced enforcement of TOT collection for all unincorporated Marin.

  Agriculture

  • Held successful 2017 Marin Agricultural Roundtable and a special 2018 Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Roundtable with over 150 attendees where Ag-related issues were discussed and fostered our working relationship with Sonoma County to collaborate on solutions to the most pressing issues related to Ag.
  • Supported the National Park Service General Management Plan gaining up to 20-year leases for ranchers in the Pt. Reyes National Seashore and leading to specific ranch plans for each ranch, with improved environment stewardship.

  Planning and Permitting

  • Continued to work on simplifying the building permit process by enabling 75% of our permits to being accessible online or over the counter.
  • Helped to develop two self-certification processes for drywall inspections and curb-less showers. Access the online self-certification website.
  • Actively supported the Inverness Ridge Planning Group to analyze housing data and established a house size limit in their community plan.
  • Working with officials and business leaders in the City of San Rafael to obtain federal funding for dredging the canal benefitting emergency response and businesses in the SR Canal

  Safety

  • Supported the successful Marin County fire parcel tax which created the Marin County Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) for coordinated vegetation management and to better prepare our communities for the next emergency.
  • Served on the Fire and Emergency Preparedness subcommittee to examine the changes in policies due to the 2017 North Bay fires. We recommended over 60 action items to improve our vegetation management, resident safety, and notification methods, including alerts for non-English speaking residents. The Committee has now ended, and the action items have been absorbed by two different emergency preparedness groups.
  • Appropriated the funding for a new Tomales Fire Station to replace the undersized outdated structure from 1971.
  • Supported more funding for emergency response, notification and fire preparedness programs. This includes, robust vegetation management programs with the Federal, State, County Parks, Marin Municipal Water District, and all landowners.
  • Supported a deal between the North Marin Water District and Marin Municipal Water District for trucked water and drought supplies for Nicasio residents.

  Older Adults

  • Designated 2018 as Year of The Older Adult, a year-long event filled with community forums on Older Adult related topics. The goal is to engage our older adult community with resources and tools to dispel any misconceptions about living as an older adult. Most recently, the Marin Senior Fair drew more than 1000 community participants. More information.
  • As a result of our ‘2018 Year of the Older Adult’, Marin County is now a World Health Organization designated “Age Friendly” community. This allows our county to tap into the network of age friendly communities around the world to better support our aging population. Read the press release on our Age Forward plan action here

  Youth/Education

  • Supported Marin Promise Partnership’s with West Marin as they work to close the educational achievement gap.
  • Supporting West Marin Community Services to expand programs with youth and young adults.

  Transportation/Parking

  • Continued to support the opening of the third lane on the San Rafael-Richmond bridge to alleviate the traffic congestion that impacts the San Quentin Village and East San Rafael portion of District 4.
  • Worked with County Counsel, Department of Public Works, and the Department of Finance to redraft our Private Road Division Policy (see PRD info here). This allows for a ten-year loan for private road division repair projects. Homeowners can borrow money from the county and then tax themselves to pay the loan back.
  • Continue to work closely with our Department of Public Works on many traffic and safety improvements in our Villages to offset increased visitation pressures. Recent improvements to Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in the Point Reyes National Seashore and Tomales Dillon Beach Road.
  • Continued to collaborate with Department of Public Works, Sheriff’s Department and the California Coastal Commission to address some of the parking issues in Bolinas, including on non-county-maintained roads, as well as overnight parking concerns on Lucky Drive in Larkspur, and on C Street in Point Reyes Station. My office supported the Bolinas Community Public Utilities District’s decision to place an advisory ballot measure on downtown parking restrictions on the November 2018 ballot. More information.