Saturday May 15, 2021

David P. Donery, Town Manager

Addressing Racism in Our Community

On Thursday, May 13th, in a special edition of the Town Manager's Newsletter, the Town shared information regarding an incident that took place this week involving several voicemail messages left on the Town’s main phone line that contained threats that were racially-charged in nature and that targeted our current mayor, Brian Colbert. As noted on that email, Central Marin Police acted swiftly and efficiently to identify and arrest the suspect.

Here is a link to the May 13th special edition email: CLICK HERE

Speaking on the behalf of the Town's elected officials and staff, I want to reiterate that the Town of San Anselmo has zero tolerance for any type of threat made to our residents or to people working in or visiting our town. Threats involving hateful language and intolerance of others are especially disturbing. I am certain that our community will join the Town in condemning this racist incident

Mayor Colbert made the following statement in a recent news article concerning the incident, “Since being in office, I’ve always tried to bring the community together, and it’s moments like this that really reinforce that commitment,” he said. “I don’t think this incident reflects the community. I think it speaks to the actions of one individual.” In addition, the Mayor issued a full statement as part of Thursday's newsletter.

Racial Equity Ad Hoc Committee

This spring the Town seated a new committee charged with ensuring that Town policies, programs, procedures and laws are not racist, are free of implicit biases, and that laws are fair and equitably enforced. The committee will also explore additional opportunities to build awareness, solutions and leadership for racial equity, social justice, systemic racial bias, and diversity for Town staff and the wider community. The committee began meeting this month.

This Racial Equity Ad Hoc Committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month. Agendas including virtual meetings links can be found on the committee's webpage LINK.

Keep Me Wild: Black Bear

With the recent visit from an American Black Bear,
we wanted to share some tips about how to best "bear-proof" your property.

Although we do not live in what's considered "bear country", we also don't fully know or understand how the drought, regional wildfires or climate change might affect the behavior of these wide foraging bears. The following are tips for bear-proofing your home. This list has been amended from the original list, which has many tips for areas that see a lot of bears and other wildlife. The full list is contained on the weblink shown at the bottom of this article.

Do not toss food scraps out into the yard.
Purchase and properly use a bear-proof garbage container.
Wait to put trash out until the morning of collection day.
Do not leave trash, groceries or pet food in your car.
Keep garbage cans clean and deodorize them with bleach or ammonia.
Keep barbecue grills clean and stored in a garage or shed when not in use.
Do not leave any scented products outside, even non-food items such as suntan lotion, insect repellent, soap or candles.
Keep doors and windows closed and locked when unoccupied.
Consider installing motion-detector alarms and/or electric fencing.
Bring pets in at night.
Consider composting bins as opposed to open composting.
Do not feed deer or other wildlife – this will attract bears to your home.
Harvest fruit off trees as soon as it is ripe, and promptly collect fruit that falls.
If a bear breaks into your home, do not attempt to confront the bear. Give the bear an escape route. If the bear cannot make its way out, go to a safe place and call 911.

Remember, prevention is always the first step. It’s up to all of us to help keep bears alive and wild for generations to come.

Special thanks to California Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist and San Anselmo resident John Krause for his assistance, including guiding us to the above information.

For more information including the full list of tips, please visit https://wildlife.ca.gov/Keep-Me-Wild/Bear?fbclid=IwAR1UDPEvfj9SHzyNjVshcs5MvCZ1Ds5GUt79DX33D-HjpdSBwkRmG4-pUfU

Vaccinations of 12- to 15-year-olds Starts in Marin

COVID-19 vaccinations have started in Marin County for youths aged 12 to 15.

One primary site for adolescent vaccinations will be the Larkspur Ferry Terminal, a drive-through vaccine site operated in partnership with Curative and the Golden Gate Bridge District. The site is open Sundays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will open 6,000 appointments for the newly approved 12- to 15-age group on Thursday, May 13.
In addition to the Larkspur location, several one-day vaccine clinics are planned at sites around Marin, including:

Saturday, May 15 – Miller Creek Middle School, Marinwood
Monday, May 17 – San Jose Middle School, Novato
Tuesday, May 18 – Coastal Health Alliance, Point Reyes Station
Wednesday, May 19 – North Marin Community Services, Novato
Friday, May 21 – Hamilton Community Center, Hamilton
Saturday, May 22 – Miller Creek Middle School, Marinwood
Saturday, May 22 – Canal Alliance, San Rafael

Advance appointments are required for all locations listed above, though walk-in clinics are being planned and will be announced soon. In addition, local pharmacies, such as CVS, Walgreens, Safeway, and Golden Gate, have also begin offering appointments for youth age 12 and older. Details and appointments for all vaccine options in Marin can be found at GetVaccinatedMarin.org.

Teens 16 to 18 became eligible for vaccination on April 15, and already approximately 82% of Marin youths in that group have received at least one dose of the Pfizer vaccine, the only vaccine that had been authorized for people under 18.

Dr. Matt Willis, Marin’s Public Health Officer, said more than 85% of all residents age 16 and older have been vaccinated in Marin. “As we open to a wider age group, this is a golden opportunity to reach that level community immunity we’ve been aiming for,” he said.

“Protecting our young people is a critical step in putting this pandemic behind us,” said Dr. Karin Shavelson, Chief Medical Officer of MarinHealth and a practicing pediatrician. “This vaccine is safe and effective. I’m excited that my patients will have more freedom in their lives after they’ve been vaccinated.”

Shavelson added that having student bodies and staff of middle schools and high schools protected with vaccine will be a “game-changer” for restoring normalcy in school settings.
Nationally, as new COVID-19 virus variants spread, younger people are making up an increasing fraction of cases and hospitalizations. In California, cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) are on the rise among children who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Preventing infection also protects adolescents from developing the long-term symptoms of COVID-19, or “long COVID,” which can last indefinitely after the infection resolves.

Information the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccination locations in Marin County can be found at GetVaccinatedMarin.org.

Join the San Anselmo Sustainability Commission and learn more about electrifying your ride, whether it's a car or a bike, in this EV101 event! All attendees will receive priority placement for Drive Clean Bay Area's upcoming Preferred Pricing Campaign, which helps individuals replace their gas car with an EV and saves them between $750 and $2500, in addition to government and manufacturer incentives.

https://drivecleanbayarea.org/ross-valley-electrify-your-ride-event/

More OPEN Hours at the Library

Library staff has enjoyed welcoming patrons into the library over the last month. Most shared comments include "I'm so happy to be in here again," "I love being able to browse," and "I've missed the library so much." Well, we've missed all of you, too. We're happy to announce that since our opening so far has been seamless, we will be adding Fridays to our open days. Starting Friday, May 14, your San Anselmo Public Library will be open from 10am-4pm. We will continue to offer curbside service during open days but you are welcome to come in to pick up your holds as well. Please enter through the elevator, wear a mask, and stay six-feet apart from others.
San Anselmo Browsing Library:
Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am-4pm

Curbside Pickup By Appointment:
Mondays, 10am-2pm
Tuesdays, 12-6pm
Wednesdays, 10am-2pm
Thursdays, 12-4pm
Fridays, 11am-3pm

TOWN SEEKING COMMUNITY INPUT ON PARKLET REGULATIONS

The Town of San Anselmo and the Economic Development Committee (EDC) are welcoming feedback from San Anselmo residents, businesses, and business property owners regarding parklet regulations. As a result of Covid-19 and associated restrictions, parklets were allowed temporarily. The Town and EDC are looking for feedback on whether parklets should be allowed long-term and any other related comments or concerns.
There will be two public workshops on this issue. Both meetings will include a brief presentation by Town staff and time for public expression. Additionally, you can also fill out our survey or provide your feedback via email to DL@townofsananselmo.org.

The first meeting was the regularly scheduled EDC meeting, which will took place on May 11, 2021. The second meeting will be held on May 27, 2021. Presentation materials, zoom meeting links, the survey, and other information are available on the Town’s website: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1476/Parklets.

Meeting 2 – May 27, 7:00 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87294378419
passcode: 092324
Or Telephone US: +1 669 900 6833
Webinar ID: 872 9437 8419

Arts Commission’s Youth Scholarship Winner!

The San Anselmo Arts Commission is pleased to announce that Naomi Esparza, a senior at high school 1327, has been awarded our San Anselmo Arts Commission Scholarship for excellence in Visual Arts. Congratulations Naomi!

Artist Statement:
As a senior, I felt the stress of applying to colleges and feeling the need to determine my future right then and there. Although college is an important and influential part in one’s life, I have come to recognize that it is ok to not have a clear image of my future right at this moment, and that nothing in life is for certain.
In this vibrant, contrasting oil painting, I aim to convey a feeling of hope and reassurance to those who feel lost and helpless. Life is a night sky, full of uncertainty yet speckled with stars of possibilities. Life is like fishing, where you try different baits in hopes of reeling in those accomplishments that you yearn for.
I want to help others feel reassurance in their uncertainty, for it is something I hope to accomplish as well.

Supervisors to Consider Drought Emergency

The Marin County Board of Supervisors has invited representatives from the county’s two largest water districts to provide a public update about local drought conditions during its May 18 meeting. During the session, the Board also will consider declaring a local emergency and imminent threat of disaster.

Marin Water, the municipal water district serving the majority of water customers in Marin County, will discuss the drought not long after the meeting begins online at 9 a.m. along with an official from the North Marin Water District (NMWD), which serves Novato and some communities in West Marin. Both districts have declared water shortage emergencies and enacted mandatory conservation measures.

The Board of Supervisors meeting starts at 9 a.m., and the drought agenda item is slated to be heard after open time for public expression, a COVID-19 update, and several other matters. Viewers can watch on the County’s website and learn how to participate in the session. In addition, viewers can watch the Community Media Center of Marin’s webcast, and Comcast and AT&T U-Verse subscribers can watch on Channel 27.

Emergency Broadband Benefit

The Federal Communications Commission has launched a temporary program to help families and households struggling to afford Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.

Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application.

You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311

UPCOMING RENTAL ASSISTANCE APPLY-A-THONS

The Marin County Rental Assistance Program has an online application available now. Low-income Marin County residents and landlords can apply to receive 80% of unpaid back rent due between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. This application does not ask for any citizenship information and is open to all eligible Marin County renters. Receiving assistance from this program does not affect public charge.

If you need help with the application, please come to one of these in-person events:

• When: Wednesday May 19, 2021 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM and Sunday May 23, 2021 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Where: Marin County Civic Center Exhibit Hall - 20 Avenue of the Flags San Rafael, CA

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION INCLUDING WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU TO ASSIST IN THE COMPLETION OF YOUR APPLICATION

Remove climbing vines and wood planters near windows and doors

Fire-smart Landscaping: Maintaining Plants Along Home Exit Routes

Here’s a UC Marin Master Gardener fire-smart landscaping tip for May.

May is a good month to observe the health of plantings along the exit routes from your home to your vehicle. Exits may be through doors or windows and along a path to a vehicle parked on a street, a detached garage, or a meeting place with neighbors. Embers can ignite combustible material along your exit route, possibly preventing you from exiting your home or a fire fighter from entering your home.

Identify the escape routes to your vehicle
Remove or move jute door mats, wood planters and other combustible materials from your exits
Assess the health and condition of the plants along each route
Remove dead plant material and plant debris
Remove vines near doors or windows
Replace wood gates, arbors or trellises near exit routes with noncombustible material

For more information on fire-smart landscaping, visit us at http://marinmg.ucanr.edu/BASICS/FIRESMARTLANDSCAPING/

Town Seeking Members to Join Arts Commission

Looking 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.

Art on the Avenue

The San Anselmo Arts Commission is proud to be sponsoring the art exhibit at 538 San Anselmo Avenue. This month features the work of artist Jon Francis and will run through the month of May.

For more information about the Arts Commission please visit. http://sananselmoarts.org.

Town Seeking Representative for Paramedic Board

The 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.

Town Seeking Members to Join the Capital Programs Monitoring Committee

Capital Program Monitoring Committee – The purpose of the committee is to monitor the implementation of the Town’s capital improvement program, funded by the voter-approved Measure D one-half cent sales tax funds, as well as grant funding, Road Maintenance Fund monies, and General Fund monies. The committee’s charge is to issue an annual public report summarizing the progress of capital improvement projects funded by Measure D, as well as capital improvement projects funded by other sources of Town funding. The committee consists of seven members, representing a wide variety of the community, with a range of skills, knowledge and experience in the following areas:

•          Finance (preferably public finance)
•          Engineering and/or construction
•          Public relations and communication
•          Familiarity with various aspects of the San Anselmo Community

Two Councilmembers and two designated Town staff liaisons will serve in an advisory capacity only. The Committee will meet as needed to review projects. There are four seats available.

To apply, click here.

Help Keep the Flower Baskets In Downtown San Anselmo

Donations 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