Environment and Health
City Committees: City Climate Action Committee (click here for webpage), and Zero Waste Committee (click here for webpage). Both Committees consist of a group of citizen members, plus two City Counclmembers and two City Staff members. In the case of the Climate Action Committee, there is also a Planning Commission Liaison. Click on the links above to see a listing of the current Committee members. The public is invited to the meetings of these Committees, and public comment is part of their regular agendas.
- The Climate Action Committee meets every second and fourth Wednesday 3:30-5:00pm. Click on the webpage link above for meeting details. On the Agenda for Feb 24th: Mobility Action Plan Workshop, Working Group Assignments, and Climate Action Plan Update Discussion. Achievements of Note: Approval of the Climate Safe California intiative endorsed by the Regional Climate Protection Agency and by The Climate Center.
- The Zero Waste Committee meets monthly on the the first Monday of the month from 3:30-5:00pm. Click on the webpage link above for meeting details. On the Agenda for Mar 1: SB 1383 (organic waste and food recovery laws effective Jan 2022), priorities for next 6 months, and the proposed CRV Kiosk at the Community Church. Achievements of Note: Disposable Food Service Ware and Polystyrene Foam Ban Ordinance.
Regional Appointment: Zero Waste Sonoma (formerly Sonoma Waste Management Board) (click here for the website). Zero Waste Sonoma is the local government entity for all things related to Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), organics municipal composting, education, and planning for recycling and solid waste disposal. This group is working on a variety of projects aimed at helping jurisdictions meet zero waste goals, including preparations for compliance with SB 1383, installation of CRV Kiosks for recycling of cans and bottles throughout Sonoma County, and the problems created by chemically treated wood waste. The work done by this Board is practical and has true impacts on environmental goals we hold near and dear to our hearts here in Sebastopol.
- ZWS meets on the third Thursday of each month at 9am. The public is invited to attend. Meeting details are available on the website - click here.
Regional Appointment: Marin Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District (click here for website). This is a surprisingly fascinating Board. It does really useful work to reduce disease carried by mosquitos and similar creatures (yes, we're talking fleas, ticks, rats - fun, right?!). The team is efficient, experienced, and engages in substantial inspection and treatment activities in the two counties it serves.
- The Marin Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7pm. The public is invited to attend. Meeting details are available on the website - click here.
Emergency Preparation
Citizen Groups: I have been participating for years on the Leadership Council of Map Your Neighborhood, and am also a member of Sebastopol Neighborhood Communications Unit. MYN is lead by Skip Jirrels, Sebastopol's Public Safety Outreach Coordinator. SNCU is lead by Stan Green. Both are incredible organizations that engage the community at a grass roots level to prepare for emergencies. I continue to participate with these groups, although now I wear two hats: volunteer and elected.
City Subcommittee: I am on the City's Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee. This Subcommittee consists of two City Councilmember, plus Staff members, including of course the Fire Chief Bill Braga. Our goal is to make sure the Fire Department has the support and direction it needs to provide emergency services to the people of the City of Sebastopol.
Collaboration & Community Engagement
Service Organizations Council: With the assistance of Craig Litwin of CoMission, I'm working with a group of service clubs town. We are exploring the possible benefits of the various service clubs working collaboratively to identify community needs, prioritize them, and then address those needs in a coordinated way. This is exciting work that really calls to me!
Parklets: I continue to work with various downtown businesses to beautify parklets, in an effort to draw more customers to the downtown area. This is an effort that involves many different groups working together, including the Sebastopol Kiwanis Club, Joe Maloney and the West County Construction Corps, Paul Fritz of the Core Project, and the business owners themselves.
Library Advisory Board and LANTERN: These are both groups that support our fabulous local library. I am the alternative City Council appointee to these groups, and continue to embrace the opportunity to work with them. Attending their meetings (even via zoom) is absolutely inspiring.
