Sunday, April 25, 2021David P. Donery, Town Manager
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In Memory of Bob Beedle
Retired Ross Valley Fire Chief, Robert Charles Beedle, passed away on April 8, 2021. Bob was the last Chief of the San Anselmo Fire Department and the first Chief of the Ross Valley Fire Department. Bob was a respected leader in our community and the San Anselmo Town Council adjourned their April 13th meeting in his memory.
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Marin Remains in Orange Tier after Uptick in CasesThe State of California has confirmed that Marin County will remain in Tier 3 or “orange” status in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy a while longer.
In general, for a county to advance to a less restrictive tier during the COVID-19 pandemic, it must (1) have been in the current tier for a minimum of three weeks; and (2) meet criteria for the next less restrictive tier for the prior two consecutive weeks.
While Marin had achieved the first seven days of the required two weeks of qualifying data to move into the less-restrictive yellow tier, it narrowly missed the mark due to an uptick in COVID-19 cases.
“This is what the Blueprint was designed to do, to ensure a county moves forward only when we see a reliable trend of decreased transmission,” said Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County Public Health Officer. “When a small uptick in cases is enough to keep us where we are, it’s a sign we’re not ready.”
The data in question includes cases for the week ending April 10, when there was an increase in testing related to spring break travel. While the increase in cases was not a large spike, it was enough to prevent Marin from graduating to the yellow Tier 4. As a result, the 14-day qualification period starts over, meaning the earliest Marin could move into yellow status is May 4.
As of April 20, 76% of Marin County residents aged 16 or older had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, placing Marin among the most highly vaccinated counties. However, Willis warned it’s too early to assume Marin has achieved community immunity.
“If people see relatively high community vaccination rates as a reason to let down their guard, they’re mistaken,” Willis said. “Children under 16 still remain unvaccinated and it takes about six weeks for newly vaccinated people to develop immunity. The fact is, we remain vulnerable to COVID-19 transmission and if we want to move forward, we have to be vigilant together.”
Public Health recommends wearing of face coverings, physical distancing, and frequent hand washing when in public, and to considering testing prior to, and quarantining after, travel outside of the Bay Area. Free, same-day COVID-19 testing is available across the county, and anyone who comes into frequent contact with members of the public should consider getting tested at least once a month. See Public Health’s testing webpage for a list of locations. In addition, health officials are encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations as part of the pandemic-ending toolkit. Vaccinations are widely available throughout Marin, including some walk-up options. Make an appointment online at GetVaccinatedMarin.org.
In August 2020, the state introduced its Blueprint for a Safer Economy, a four-tier framework by which counties are measured for loosening and tightening restrictions on social activities and business operations. Sectors of business can progressively open more operations with moves up the list toward the final stage, yellow Tier 4. The California Department of Public Health assigns each county to a tier on a weekly basis based on two county-level factors: the total number of new cases, and the percent of new cases among those tested.
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MUNICIPAL SERVICES, PENSION OVERRIDE AND LIBRARY PARCEL TAXES REBATE PROGRAM
San Anselmo property owners who have a financial hardship, you may qualify for the rebate of a portion or all of San Anselmo’s Municipal Services (also called “General Purpose”), Pension Override and Library Parcel Taxes.
Property owners who satisfy any of the following criteria may be eligible: Any household that is eligible for Public Assistance and/or Food Stamps from the Health and Human Services Department of the County of Marin. - Any household whose total income (Line 7b on IRS Form 1040) is equivalent to or less than “very low income” for the number of persons in the household, as shown on the most current Federal Housing and Urban Development Income Limits for Marin County.
- Any household in which the principal wage earner or wage earners have been unemployed for at least 90 days prior to the application date.
The rebate program defines low income as below $60,900 for a one-person household, $69,600 for a two-person household, $78,300 for a three-person household, and $87,000 for a four-person household. Rental property is not eligible to be considered for the rebate program.
The Town of San Anselmo’s Tax Equity Board reviews the applications, which must be filed by May 15, 2021. For more information and application forms, please contact Helen Yu-Scott at 415-258-4678.
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Financial Assistance for Residential RentersBelow is information from the County of Marin's Community Development Department Outlining Provisions of Senate Bill 91 On February 1, 2021, the State of California passed SB 91, a statewide law that does two things: - Extends the eviction moratorium until June 30, 2021
- Establishes that tenants can apply to receive 80% of their back rent from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021. If a landlord accepts 80% of their tenants’ back rent, they must forgive the remaining 20%. If a landlord does not accept, the maximum assistance allowable is 25% of back rent during this time period. Depending on funding availability, it may be possible for applicants to also receive 25% of rent due for April, May and June 2021.
Local Community Organizations and ResourcesThis program is a partnership between the County of Marin and local community-based organizations, including Adopt A Family, Canal Alliance, Community Action Marin, North Marin Community Services, Ritter Center, St. Vincent de Paul Society, West Marin Community Services and Women Helping All People. Questions?Please email RentalAssistance@MarinCounty.org, or call (415) 473-2223. Requests for disability accommodations may be made by phoning (415) 473-2223 (Voice), CA Relay 711 or by e-mail at RentalAssistance@MarinCounty.org. Please do not call the line more than once, as it slows down the process. Staff will be available to assist applicants who do not have access to a computer or smart phone, or need additional assistance.
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Emergency Broadband Benefit
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April is Earthquake Awareness Month
Earthquake Warning CaliforniaEarthquake Warning California is the country’s first publicly available, statewide warning system that could give California residents crucial seconds to take cover before you feel shaking. Managed by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Earthquake Warning California uses ground motion sensors from across the state to detect earthquakes before humans can feel them and can notify Californians to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” in advance of an earthquake. To receive earthquake warnings, individuals and family members can download the MyShake App and ensure phone settings are adjusted to receive emergency alerts, including: - MyShake App: Free smartphone app that provides iPhone and Android users with audio and visual warnings [magnitude 4.5 or higher and Modified Mercalli Intensity IV (weak) shaking]. Available at in the Apple App and Google Play stores;
- Android Earthquake Alerts: Android phones with updated operating systems are automatically subscribed to Android Earthquake Alerts, which uses the same technology as the MyShake App; and
- Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs): No-cost text messages for emergency situations [magnitude 5.0 or higher and Modified Mercalli Intensity III (light) shaking].
If you live in or travel to areas that could be impacted by an earthquake, preparation is vital, as these events can strike suddenly, at any time, with little warning. Visit My Hazards to see if you live or work in an area prone to earthquakes.
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 Visit the Serenity Garden at Falkirk in San Rafael for fire-smart landscaping ideas that will protect our wildlife corridors. Here a juniper was removed and repurposed as sculpture.
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The Fire-Smart Sanctuary Here’s a fire-smart tip from UC Marin Master Gardeners - create a fire-smart sanctuary. By using sustainable and earth friendly garden practices, your garden can be a place for pollinators and insects to travel through, making it a wildlife corridor.
The UC Marin Master Gardeners have plant lists to help homeowners select attractive, easy care, water wise, and pollinator friendly plants. California natives are a good choice that include important host and nectar plants. Remove invasive plants. Unfortunately excessive clearing or “scorched earth” gardening provides a vulnerable entry point for the plants we do not want. When problems arrive use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for the least toxic and most natural methods of pest management. Avoid pesticides that can harm birds and other wildlife. Nurture the soil to protect the life in it. Add compost and organic materials rather than synthetic fertilizers. Make your garden sustainable, healthy and fire-smart. For plant lists visit http://marinmg.ucanr.edu/PLANTS/. For more information visit http://marinmg.ucanr.edu/Fire-smart_Landscaping/
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Calling all volunteers!Memorial Skate Park Repair ProjectIt's time to roll up our sleeves as a community and rehabilitate Skate Park at Memorial Park!!
A plan has been developed to get the work done from April 2nd-April 30th, Monday through Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm. Volunteers with carpentry and power tool experience are welcome and encouraged to join the effort. The more hands the better to get the work done before the end of April.
HOW TO SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEERPlease click the link below to review the available volunteer slots below and click on the button to sign up. Please consider signing up for multiple work days. Work days are scheduled from 8:00am to 5:00pm but please sign up even if you cannot stay the entire shift.
SIGN UP HERE!!
**IMPORTANT** This activity will include necessary protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please wear your mask. Your participation is important and greatly appreciated. Thank you! Please contact Will Hutchinson at 415-517-8155 or will@prooflab.com with any questions.
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Masks prevent people from getting and spreading COVID-19. Every Californian must wear a mask or face covering in all public and workplace settings where there is a high risk of exposure. This is more important than ever with new, more easily transmitted variants of COVID-19 on the rise.For the current rules around the requirements for facial coverings, please visit: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/guidance-for-face-coverings.aspx
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Economic Development Committee Seeking New Members Deadline for applications is April 30th The Economic Development Committee works with the Town’s business community to identify actions that can be taken to ensure that the business community is vibrant, successful and meets the needs of the residents and visitors of San Anselmo.
The Committee ensures that the Town’s business community and the residential community has a forum for giving the Town input on steps needed to attract and retain a variety of small businesses and develops and implements an Economic Development Action Plan.
The Committee has seven members and meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 8:45 a.m. in the Town Council Chambers. There are three seats available. To apply, click here.
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Town Seeking Members to Join Arts CommissionLooking to get involved and give back to the community? The Arts Commission is seeking three energetic individuals to join a team determined to drive art and culture in the Ross Valley.
The Committee has seven members and meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm via Zoom. To apply, click here.
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Town Seeking Representative for Paramedic BoardThe Ross Valley Paramedic Authority Board of Directors oversees the operations of the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority, which provides public paramedic service to San Anselmo, and other areas of the Ross Valley. San Anselmo has one seat on the Board for a term of four years. To apply, click here.
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Night of the Poets Wednesday, April 28 7pm on Zoom
Summoning word wizards and masters of meter! All ages are welcome to participate and attend the San Anselmo Library’s first (and maybe only) virtual Night of the Poets. Come one come all to read or listen. Celebrate poetry during a pandemic with your library and community.
Contact sleyland@townofsananselmo.org to read an original or favorite poem or to attend the event.
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Help Keep the Flower Baskets In Downtown San AnselmoDonations are being accepted to help fund this annual community effort
The San Anselmo Beautification Committee has launched its 2021 fundraising campaign to raise funds for the annual hanging flower basket program in the downtown.
There are two ways you can contribute:
1. Donate by visiting the program's GO FUND ME PAGE, or
2. Mail a check to:
San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce PO Box 2844, San Anselmo, CA 94979 (please mark check for “baskets”)
For more information about the project, contact Nancy Altman at nnaltman@me.com
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