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Supes to Ponder Drake Blvd. Speed Limit Change, Body Art Ordinance, Fire Fee

The following provides a list of selected highlights from the Board of Supervisors' agenda.

Previews (upcoming items) and Reviews (a wrap-up) of the last Board meeting posted every Thursday on Patch.

Previews

Upcoming Items for the Board meeting on Aug. 21.

  1. Board to Recognize State Actions Regarding California Dream Act
  2. Report on New Statewide Fire Fee
  3. Contract with Homeward Bound to be Considered
  4. Responses to Grand Jury Reports to be Considered
  5. County Projects to be Budgeted
  6. New Ordinance Related to Body Art and Piercing Establishments to be Considered
  7. Change to Sir Francis Drake Blvd Speed Limit to be Considered
  8. Time extension for Watershed Program Engineer to be Considered
  9. Appointment to be Made for Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy

Reviews

Wrap up of the last Board meeting on Aug. 14.

  1. Update on County Innovation Programs Provided
  2. Appointments Made for Law Library & Workforce Investment Board
  3. Employee of the Month Honored

Previews

1. Board to Recognize State Actions Regarding California Dream Act

At the request of Supervisor Kinsey, the Board will adopt a resolution supporting the recent state actions relating to the California Dream Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors). This package of state laws allows children who were brought into the U.S. under the age of 16 without proper immigration documentation who have attended school on a regular basis and otherwise met in-state tuition and GPA requirements to apply for student financial aid benefits.

Need more info? See the Resolution on the California Dream Act

Contact: Clerk of the Board staff at BOS@marincounty.org

2. Report on New Statewide Fire Fee

The Board will hear an update from the County’s Fire Department regarding a new state mandate charging homeowners in rural areas throughout the state up to $150 a year for state fire prevention services, regardless of whether or not they are already served by a local fire protection district. Since the fee was imposed at the state level, the County has no ability to reverse, correct, or adjust the fee for Marin County residents.

Need more info? See the Full Report on the fire fee or the state website www.firepreventionfee.org

Contact: Jason Weber, Interim Fire Chief at jweber@marincounty.org

3. Contract with Homeward Bound to be Considered

The Board will consider authorizing a new $925,000 contract with Homeward Bound of Marin in order to provide shelter for persons experiencing homelessness throughout Marin County. The programs provided by this organization provide a key component of the County’s safety net services.

Need more info? See the Full Report on the Homeward Bound contract

Contact: Lisa Sepahi, Policy Analyst at lsepahi@marincounty.org

4. Responses to Grand Jury Reports to be Considered

The Marin County Civil Grand Jury recently published three reports entitled:

  • “Pre-Schoolers Learn to Share – Can Local Governments?" which included a number of findings and recommendations related to the potential for increased sharing of services by various public agencies and special districts throughout the County;
  • Restorative Justice: Its Time Has Come In Marin County”, which provided findings and recommendations related to restorative justice programs provided by the County of Marin; and
  • “The Marin Youth Alcohol Crisis: One City’s Response”, which provided findings and recommendations related to addressing the problem of alcohol abuse by Marin County’ youth population.

Per the requirements of state law, the Board will be adopting formal responses to each of these reports.

Need more info? 

See the Draft Response to the Report on Shared Services
Contact:  Eric Engelbart, County Administrator’s Office at eengelbart@marincounty.org

See the Draft Response to the Report on Restorative Justice
Contact: Janell Hampton, County Administrator’s Office at jhampton@marincounty.org

See the Draft Response to the Report on Youth Alcohol Abuse
Contact:  Jacalyn Mah, County Administrator’s Office at jmah@marincounty.org

5. County Projects to be Budgeted

In order to ensure that previously authorized projects can continue to be completed in the current fiscal year that began on July 1, 2012, the Board will consider rolling over approximately $6.3 million in appropriations from the prior fiscal year.

Need more info? See the Full Report on current year appropriations

Contact: Mina Teymourtash, Department of Finance at mteymourtash@marincounty.org

6. New Ordinance Related to Body Art and Piercing Establishments to be Considered

In order to address the public health risks posed by tattoo, piercing, and permanent cosmetics, the Board will consider a first reading of an ordinance that would allow County Environmental Health Services staff to regulate establishments providing these services. A hearing on the merits of the proposal is tentatively scheduled on Sept. 18, 2012.

Need more info? See the Full Report on body arts

Contact: Becky Ng, Community Development Deputy Director at rng@marincounty.org

7. Change to Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Speed Limit to be Considered

Should the Board authorize a change to the speed limit along portions of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard? Based upon state law, the County must periodically conduct engineering and traffic safety tests to determine prevailing speeds on its roads. Based upon data provided by County engineers, staff is recommending that the speed limit be maintained on several stretches of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, and increased from 30 to 35 mph between Mountain View Ave. and the Madrone Picnic Area. A full hearing on the merits of the proposal is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 11.

Need more info? See the Full Report on the proposed speed limit

Contact: Bob Goralka, Senior Civil Engineer at rgoralka@marincounty.org

8. Time extension for Watershed Program Engineer to be Considered

In 2008, the Board authorized implementation of a watershed program as one of its top priorities. Following resolution of legal challenges to the program in 2010, an associate engineer was hired in order to manage the program. Staff is recommending that this position be extended for an additional year in order to continue watershed project implementation.

Need more info? See the Full Report on the watershed program staffing

Contact:Tracy Clay, Principal Civil Engineer at tclay@marincounty.org

9. Appointment to be Made for Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy

Need more info?

Contact: Clerk of the Board staff at BOS@marincounty.org

*

Reviews

10. Update on County Innovation Programs Provided

Last year, the County launched several pilot programs designed to promote and reward innovative ideas with the goal of enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of County government services, lowering ongoing costs, and creating staffing efficiencies. The Board heard an update on the second round of the Innovation Grants Program, which awarded $73,157 in one-time funds for three separate projects that are estimated to achieve $100,000 in annual on-going savings. Projects included an electronic ticketing system for Marin Center events, a new records management and training system for the Fire Department, and electronic poll books for the Elections Department.

Need more info? See the Full Report on the Innovations Programs

Contact: Mike Aycock, County Administrator’s Office at maycock@marincounty.org

11. Appointments Made for Law Library & Workforce Investment Board

Need more info?

Contact: Clerk of the Board staff at BOS@marincounty.org

12. Employee of the Month Honored

In the afternoon, the Board honored Victoria Gould with the Employee of the Month award. Victoria has worked in the District Attorney’s Office for the past 17 years. Whether heading up the records department, subpoenaing witnesses, or running files to court, Victoria has consistently proven her ability to resolve problems calmly, quickly, and competently.

Need more info?

Contact: Geoffrey Iida, Deputy District Attorney at giida@marincounty.org

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Ventress Dugan May 22, 2013 at 02:54 pm
Tina, I have left a few comments on blogs and they been eliminated. I have also emailedRead More Jim....don't think I will get response. So sorry the trolls have taken over. I am blocking Patch from my email.
Tina McMillan May 21, 2013 at 10:33 am
The email for the new editor is jimw@patch.com (Jim Welte). I have asked him who we can email withRead More complaints and requests. If more people write in perhaps they will listen.
Molly Brown May 20, 2013 at 07:08 am
I agree. I'm not liking the new format. It's harder to navigate. I'm bummed b/c it used to be myRead More go to site for Novato news.
The Tubes
Shelley Klaner May 21, 2013 at 03:01 pm
Moylans has always been there for us. They rock! They also provided the brew for my biz openingRead More party and they are an important part of Novato.
NovatoAVID May 19, 2013 at 08:40 am
Thankful for Moylan's Brewing, and their commitment to the community. Support locally owned businessRead More first in Novato.
Karen Dionne May 21, 2013 at 08:56 am
Where's the daily/weekly weather report? It used to be at the top of the front page? I really likedRead More reviewing it with just a glance.
Peter May 20, 2013 at 10:16 am
This new site is great . I wonder if the Posters who wanted to run the old Patch site with allRead More the phony garbage/ postings are sneaking a peak to see a new / better patch . They all complained and said they will quit if not changed back. Guess what folks We have always told you if you want change you need to get out of your computers face and take action . We did just that and look at our reward, A new site for regular people who have common sense .. Thank You Patch
Hopkin May 19, 2013 at 06:20 pm
What is going on here
Craig Belfor May 18, 2013 at 05:51 pm
Making us start over is the plan to wear us down. Free press is paid for by advertisers, andRead More pressure is put out to stifle stories. That's what the tobacco industry did to 60 Minutes, and the Isreli government did to the Goldberg Report. The United Nations couldn't put out the story of mass genocide of the Palestinian people, and we'll be kicked off the blog soon because we don't advertise.
Tina McMillan May 18, 2013 at 04:36 pm
Craig I thought I was being overly suspicious but the new site eliminated months of research andRead More commentary and has replaced it with irrelevant banter and Ads. It won't even let you edit thoughts into smaller blocks or comment directly to another post. It is the ultimate dumbing down of Patch. If you have been following the Plan Bay Area debate here is a link to the response from the Supervisor's: http://www.marincounty.org/Main/~/media/Files/MarinGov/Board%20Actions/20130514CDAPlanBayArea-LTR.pdf There is also a presentation by the Marin Economic Forum on Plan Bay Area: Is it good for the region? Is it good for Marin? Calendar: Novato Community Alliance Title: Marin Economic Forum on Plan Bay Area Date: 30.05.2013 18:30 - 20:30 Location: Board of Supervisors' chambers at the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael " A forum sponsored by the Marin Economic Forum on the Plan Bay Area will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 30th in the Board of Supervisors' chambers at the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael. Panelists will be Plan Bay Area proponents Marin Supervisor Steve Kinsey; Napa County Supervisor Mark Luce, president of ABAG; and critics Randal O'Toole of the Cato Institute, author of "Gridlock"; and Thomas Rubin, an Oakland-based transportation consultant and former chief financial officer of the Southern California Rapid Transit District. Moderator will be Marin Superior Court Judge Verna Adams. Admission is free."
Craig Belfor May 18, 2013 at 02:54 pm
We got sold down the river by the developers. Under the guise of a new improved format, they justRead More erased our history. Now we have to start defending our town all over again, while they are already in gear. Some of the opponants of AH can't get on anymore. Brent would not have allowed this to happen. Maybe that's why he left so suddenly, and unexpectedly.
Tina McMillan May 17, 2013 at 11:41 am
Peter I am not sure which group you are referring to. I belong to Novato Community Alliance andRead More Novato Homeowners Association. Both are grassroots groups working with local government to ask much needed questions regarding Plan Bay Area. Your comments are reminiscent of a previous poster named Bud Lite who was engaged in heated exchanges. Since his name continued to evolve it was only his message that made him recognizable. No one can give you the world but NCA and NHA are both resources that can provide information and discussion of important local issues.
Peter May 17, 2013 at 11:28 am
Hello, It took our groups letters to get the change as we do not want to read someones garbageRead More that takes twenty posts to say one thing . I have never had a heated exchange with you but I can tell you I was sick of reading your garbage like a lot of other people were. You and your group promised the world, told it the only way you wanted the outcome to be and got caught by the real people of Novato
Tina McMillan May 17, 2013 at 08:45 am
Peter aka Bud Lite Welcome back. Its good to know some things never change, like folks that trollRead More for a heated exchange.
Novato Camper May 22, 2013 at 05:17 am
Craig, One wonders if you were hired to do the talking for the two advertisers above who youRead More say bailed ? . Have you ever used the words maybe, contract or expired ?
Craig Belfor May 21, 2013 at 08:51 pm
Can't find a Ghiringellis ad or Famous Holt ad. The advertisers are bailing faster than Julia at aRead More carport party.
Eleanor Sluis May 21, 2013 at 01:04 pm
Find comments by pressing the little red circle at the upper right of an article. You must sign inRead More to comment. Later you can delete in your email all the comments forwarded to you. Do keep emailing to Jim Welte to change the format to the previous one as easier to access and with ads to one side not Grapenuts ads covering the news. Working within the system and changing it will help those new to blogging. Thanks for cooperating.
Craig Belfor May 19, 2013 at 01:49 pm
Gee, big surprise! we don't get to hear about this important news, but Julia gets front page everyRead More time.
Tracey Ruiz May 15, 2013 at 10:55 am
We had a story yesterday on Novato Patch with very lively discussion. Unfortunately it didn'tRead More migrate over with the new format. I'm hoping it will pop up soon.