Bay Area

Community Input Key to Marin City Stormwater Plan: Engagement is crucial element in identifying flood risk reduction solutions

This spring, the Marin City community is invited to share its own ideas and first-hand experiences with flood control specialists tasked with reducing flood risk and related inconveniences for the area. During storm season and high tides, the unincorporated neighborhood near Richardson Bay is regularly impacted by flooding tied to challenging drainage issues. During storm season and high tides, Marin City is regularly impacted by flooding tied to challenging drainage issues. A new stormwater plan will incorporate community feedback, and public meetings begin soon.

Published

2 years ago

March 27, 2023

Oakland Post

During storm season and high tides, Marin City is regularly impacted by flooding tied to challenging drainage issues. A new stormwater plan will incorporate community feedback, and public meetings begin soon. (Google Earth photo)

San Rafael, CA – This spring, the Marin City community is invited to share its own ideas and first-hand experiences with flood control specialists tasked with reducing flood risk and related inconveniences for the area. During storm season and high tides, the unincorporated neighborhood near Richardson Bay is regularly impacted by flooding tied to challenging drainage issues.

The Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District is looking to maximize resident attendance and participation at community meetings as it begins work on its Marin City Stormwater Plan. The first of three community meetings is scheduled for June 1 at a location that has yet to be determined. Meeting information will be made available soon on the Marin Flood District website’s project page.

Meanwhile, a local task force will assure that community interests and concerns are taken into account during the 18-month development of the stormwater plan. The task force was created in collaboration with the Marin City community and includes representatives from the Gateway Shopping Center (which manages the Marin City pond adjacent to southbound Highway 101), the Marin City Community Development Corporation, the Marin City Community Services District, the Sausalito Marin City School District, Caltrans, Coast Miwok Tribal Council of Marin, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Floating Homes Association, the National Park Service Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Marin Water, and Marin County Parks. Residents representing upper and lower watershed property owners, local students, and young people have been invited to the task force as well.

There will be a total of five task force meetings and three community meetings over the 18-month process. The first task force meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 3. Outcomes of the task force meetings and community meetings will be posted on the District website’s project page.

“Public safety and awareness are top priorities, so community engagement is key to the success of the stormwater plan,” said Berenice Davidson, Assistant Director of Marin County Department of Public Works and the District. “The task force is going to ensure that community interests and concerns are being heard and that potential design options are in alignment with that community input. The heightened focus on community engagement is what makes this plan distinct from past studies. By community, we mean property owners, residents, nonprofits and public agencies; collaboration is crucial.”

The geography of the watershed creates complex challenges for developing flood risk reduction measures. During storms, rainfall channels its way from the surrounding Marin Headlands into Marin City and out to Richardson Bay. The densely populated area was built upon wetlands and stormwater runoff can overwhelm the neighborhood’s aging drainage system and lead to localized flooding, particularly when storms and high tides coincide. The flooding can slow or prevent first-responders from assisting people in need and limit residents from accessing essential goods and services.

The Marin City Stormwater Plan will build upon findings from several prior studies, addressing the locations where water flow is hampered, and recommend improvements that reduce flood risk, improve drainage, and maintain public access. Plan completion is targeted for summer 2024.

Once complete, the stormwater plan will provide detailed recommendations for potential projects that could then be implemented by local or state agencies. The plan would also be used as a basis for grant funding applications and associated environmental review requirements.

The estimated $785,000 cost of the plan is funded by the District’s Flood Control Zone 3 (Richardson Bay) budget. The District plans to coordinate with Caltrans as it develops its sea level rise project for State Route 1 and U.S. Highway 101 between the Manzanita Park & Ride lot (owned by Caltrans) and Marin City.

For updates on the Marin City Stormwater Plan, please check the project webpage regularly for new information.

Oakland Post

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Post News Group to Host Second Town Hall on Racism, Hate Crimes

The mission of CRD is to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations (businesses) and from hate violence and human trafficking in accordance with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Unruh Civil Rights Act, Disabled Persons Act, and Ralph Civil Rights Act. The employment anti-discrimination provisions of the FEHA apply to public and private employers, labor organizations and employment agencies. “Housing providers” includes public and private owners, real estate agents and brokers, banks, mortgage companies, and financial institutions.

Published

3 days ago

December 10, 2024

Oakland Post

By Oakland Post Staff

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 5-6:30 p.m. PT, Post News Group Global Features Journalist Carla Thomas will host a second Virtual Town Hall on Racism.

Guests will include community builders Trevor Parham of Oakstop and Shawn Granberry of Hip Hop TV.

“There’s been an uptick of blatant racist acts going on in the community and it’s important for communities to have a forum, an outlet, and to be educated on the California Vs. Hate initiative that has resources available for victims and witnesses,” said Thomas. People like Trevor Parham and Shawn Granberry have found a multitude of ways to strengthen, heal, and protect the community through their entrepreneurial networks, special events, and mentoring.”

While community leaders step up, the state has added extra support with the CA vs. Hate, initiative, a non-emergency hate incident and hate crime reporting system to support individuals and communities targeted for hate.

“We are committed to making California a safer and inclusive place for all,” said James Williams, Jr. of the California Civil Rights Department.

In partnership with organizations across the state, the network is designed to support and protect diverse and underserved communities.

“Through CA vs. Hate, we support individuals and communities targeted for hate, identify options for next steps after an act of hate, and connect people with culturally competent resources and care coordination services,” said Williams.

“It’s important to report these incidents in order for us to use the data to enhance prevention and response services,” said Williams.

Funded by the California State Legislature, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) received funding and authorization from the State Legislature to establish the non-emergency, CA vs. Hate Resource Line and Network to support individuals and communities targeted for hate.

CRD began in 1959 with the creation of the Fair Employment Practices Commission to implement California’s first state-wide protections against discrimination in the workplace. In 1980, the 1959 Fair Employment Practices Act, and the 1963 Rumford Fair Housing Act were combined and rebranded FEHA. The Fair Employment Practices Commission became a department-level agency named the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) to enforce that law.

In July 2022, DFEH’s name changed to CRD to more accurately reflect the Department’s powers and duties, which include enforcement of laws prohibiting hate violence, human trafficking, discrimination in business establishments, and discrimination in government-funded programs and activities, among others.

For more information visit the PostNewsGroup.com and CAvsHATE.ORG.

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Activism

Delta Sigma Theta Alumnae Chapters Host World AIDS Day Event

With members from Berkeley Bay Area, Oakland East Bay (OEB) and Hayward Tri-City chapters present, the event opened with Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid sharing data and legislation that has passed to address the safety, health, and well-being of Black women in the state of California. Attendees were able to learn directly from expert guest speakers, including Shimere Harrington from ViiV Healthcare, Barbara Green-Ajufo, an epidemiologist from UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), and Dot Theodore, director of the HIV Care Program Division of Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for Alameda County.

Published

3 days ago

December 10, 2024

Oakland Post

Petrina A. Perteet, Takija Gardner and Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid at the World AIDS Day event on Dec. 1. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

By Don-Neva E. Johnson and Petrina Alexander Perteet
Special to The Post

The International Awareness and Involvement (IA&I) committees of East Bay chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Inc. proudly hosted a successful World AIDS Day event on Dec.1, bringing together community members, healthcare professionals, and advocates to raise awareness and support the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Attendees were able to learn directly from expert guest speakers, including Shimere Harrington from ViiV Healthcare, Barbara Green-Ajufo, an epidemiologist from UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), and Dot Theodore, director of the HIV Care Program Division of Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for Alameda County.

The speakers provided valuable insights into the current state of HIV/AIDS, advancements in treatment, and the importance of prevention and support.

L-R Petrina A. Perteet, Dr. Natalie Wilson, Don-Neva Johnson, Tracy Diop, Sonji Walker and Takija Gardner were part of the World AIDS Day event. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

“The outcome of this day is more than what we could have hoped for, and we are deeply grateful for the participation of our distinguished speakers and the support of our sponsors,” said Don-Neva Johnson and Tracy Diop, IA&I committee chairs for Berkeley Bay Area and Hayward Tri-City.

“Their contributions helped us create an informative and empowering event for our community,” said event organizer Dr. Natalie Wilson, associate professor of UCSF School of Nursing and IA&I committee chair.

Held at the Samuel Merritt Health Education Center at 400 Hawthorne Ave. in Oakland, the event was made possible by the generous support of sponsors ViiV healthcare, Gilead Sciences, and Good Health WINs. Attendees received gift bags and had the opportunity to engage with educational tables from Gilead, participate in a Q&A session with speakers led by Wilson.

Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated is an organization of college-educated women committed to the development of its members and offer public service with a primary focus on the Black community. We are dedicated to empowering our communities through education, advocacy, and support around the world.

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Activism

Self-eSTEM Empowers BIPOC Women, Girls in Science, Math

In January 2025, Self-eSTEM will launch digital and generative AI programming, which provides digital literacy and AI literacy training through an entrepreneurial project-based activity. This programming will be a hybrid (i.e. in-person and online). Additionally, thanks to a grant from Comcast, in spring 2025, the organization will have a co-ed series for middle and high school students.

Published

4 days ago

December 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Adamaka Ajaelo. Courtesy photo.

By Y’Anad Burrell
Special to The Post

In a world where technology plays an increasingly central role in all aspects of life, the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education cannot be overstated. Recognizing the significance of STEM for the future, focusing on young women and girls is a critical step in achieving gender equality and empowering the next generation.

Self-eSTEM, an Oakland-based non-profit organization, was founded by Adamaka Ajaelo, an Oakland native who had a successful corporate career with several Bay Area technology and non-tech companies. Ajaelo boldly decided to step away from these companies to give 100% of her time and talent to the non-profit organization she started in 2014 in the belief that she can change the game in innovation and future STEM leaders.

Over the course of a decade, Ajaelo has provided futurist tech programming to more than 2,000 BIPOC women and girls. The organization has an Early STEM Immersion Program for ages 7-17, Emerging Leaders Workshops for ages 18-25 and volunteer network opportunities for ages 25 and up.

While the organization’s programs center on innovation and technology, participants also gain other valuable skills critical for self-development as they prepare for a workforce future. “Self-eSTEM encourages young women to expand on teamwork, communication, creativity, and problem-solving skills. The organization allows young women to enter STEM careers and pathways,” said Trinity Taylor, a seventh-year innovator.

“Our journey over the last decade is a testament to the power of community and opportunity, and I couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds as we continue to break barriers and spark dreams,” said Ajaelo.

“By encouraging girls to explore STEM fields from a young age, we foster their intellectual growth and equip them with the tools needed to thrive in a competitive global economy,” Ajaelo says.

Empowering young girls through STEM education is also a key driver of innovation and progress. When young women and girls are encouraged to pursue careers in STEM, they bring unique perspectives and problem-solving approaches to the table, leading to more diverse and inclusive solutions. This diversity is crucial for driving creativity and pushing boundaries in scientific and technological advancements.

Self-eSTEM has fundraising opportunities year-round, but year-end giving is one of the most critical times to support the program. Visit www.selfestem.org to donate to the organization, as your generosity and support will propel programming support for today’s innovators.

You will also find more details about Self-eSTEM’s programs on their website and social channels @selfestemorg