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Sonoma County Relief Efforts

Redwood Credit Union

The Redwood Credit Union Community Fund (RCUCF) has opened a 2020 Fire Relief Fund to assist those who lost homes due to the recent fires, and to prepare to help its communities should more fires happen this year. Donations can be made here.

In addition to the Fund, RCU is offering financial assistance and other resources to members directly impacted by the recent fires. This includes special loan programs, insurance information, details related to nonprofit services, and ways to avoid fraud and scams during this time. For additional details on these resources, visit redwoodcu.org/2020-fire-assistance.

Redwood Empire Food Bank:

Redwood Empire Food Bank is accepting money and food donations.

The food bank, which serves Northern California from Sonoma County to the Oregon border, has seen an explosion in demand since the coronavirus pandemic began in March, when distribution of emergency food boxes went from 10,000 a month to roughly 36,000 boxes a month, CEO David Goodman said in a video posted on the organization’s Facebook page.

“Next time you go to the grocery store and you’re purchasing for your family, please think about all the people who are really struggling during these times and pick up an extra bag of groceries and drop it off at the Redwood Empire Food Bank,” Goodman said.

Financial donations help cover the nonprofit’s costs such as food refrigeration and transportation.

People who want to donate, volunteer or get food assistance from the food bank can go to refb.org for more information.

UndocuFund:

UndocuFund is seeking financial assistance to help undocumented people and their families, particularly those who have lost their homes or remain evacuated during the fires, fund spokesman Omar Medina said.

The fund, created after the 2017 Tubbs fire to provide assistance to undocumented wildfire survivors, already had more than a 300-person waitlist of families seeking help due to the pandemic before the fires sparked.

Organizers have been able to provide aid to fire victims most in need in recent days through referrals from local nonprofits, Medina said.

Donations can be made at undocufund.org/donate, by mail or by texting SONOMA to 44321.

Corazón Healdsburg:

The Healdsburg-based nonprofit reopened its Unity and Community Fund last week to help families disrupted by the fires, as well as those facing financial hardships due to the pandemic, said Angie Sanchez, head of programs.

Money raised will help cover lodging costs for families who have been evacuated or permanently displaced from their homes. In addition, low-income workers who have contracted COVID-19 and need to stay home from work will be helped.

The nonprofit also has launched a disaster resilience program to educate people about emergency preparedness, financial planning and renter’s insurance.Those who complete the program, offered in Spanish and English, are eligible to have their renter’s insurance paid for an entire year by Corazón Healdsburg, Sanchez said.

People seeking assistance can call 707-395-0938. The nonprofit primarily helps residents living in northern Sonoma County from Windsor to Cloverdale.

Donations to the fund launched during the 2019 Kincade fire can be made online at the Corazón Healdsburg website or mailed to the nonprofit.

American Red Cross:

American Red Cross is accepting monetary donations for victims of the wildfires. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the organization is asking good Samaritans to withhold dropping off food, clothing and other supplies at shelters, said Kathryn Hecht, a spokeswoman for the organization.

More than 2,500 people in Northern California received emergency housing assistance through the nonprofit since Aug. 17, Hecht said. In Sonoma County, Red Cross volunteers are helping people seeking temporary shelter.

People seeking support from the Red Cross are encouraged to go to Sonoma County Fairgrounds for an initial assessment. They also can call the organization’s hotline at 1-800-733-2767 or 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Financial donations can be made at redcross.org/donate or by mail. People wishing to route their funds directly to their area’s wildfire relief efforts can do so by selecting “Your Local Red Cross” under “I Want to Support.”

People who prefer to volunteer for the organization can apply at redcross.org/volunteer.

Sonoma County Farm Bureau:

Sonoma County Farm Bureau is raising money for farmers and ranchers whose businesses have been damaged or destroyed by the wildland blazes.

Donations can be made online at sonomafb.org/wildfire-donation or by mail.

Russian River Alliance:

Russian River Alliance is seeking monetary support for its Workforce Fund for low-wage workers living in the lower Russian River area, fund organizer Jennifer Wertz said.

Recently, the nonprofit has given $45,000 worth of grocery and restaurant gift cards to families and workers burdened during the pandemic, Wertz said. The fund also paid a group of taxi drivers to deliver groceries for three months to Russian River-area residents most vulnerable to contracting COVID-19.

The group is hoping for donations to help fire victims with basic supplies like food and gas. People can get more information at russianriveralliance.org/take-action.

River to Coast Children’s Service:

River to Coast Children’s Service is asking for monetary donations to help displaced Guerneville residents pay for essentials like meals and temporary housing, which are a growing need, said executive director Soledad Figueroa.

The nonprofit is also working with UndocuFund to help immigrant families and using grant funds to provide gift cards for anyone who needs help with food costs. River to Coast has been working with the Red Cross and county social services to help families navigate evacuations and potential losses from the fire.

Anyone interested in donating can call Figueroa directly at 707-477-7898, or get more information at rccservices.org.

Community Action Partnership Sonoma County:

Sonoma County branch of Community Action Partnership is collecting cash and gift cards to support fire victims or anyone from a mandatory evacuation zone that needs financial assistance.

The local offshoot of the national nonprofit has been working with Catholic Charities to distribute gift cards at the county fairgrounds, the temporary evacuation point for displaced area residents. Anyone who needs gift cards and isn’t at the fairgrounds can contact the CAP office or Catholic Charities.

Also, CAP is beginning to explore different options for providing resources and assisting with recovery as the amount of need becomes clearer. The organization’s local resource center, Rebuilding Our Community, has provided support for fire victims since the 2017 firestorm.

Assistant director Kathy Kane can provide information on donating. She can be reached by email at kkane@capsonoma.org, or by phone at 707-544-6911.

Fundraiser for Volunteer Fire Foundation:  https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/10/sports/kevin-jorgeson-completes-crucial-pitch-on-el-capitans-dawn-wall.html. They live in Santa Rosa. The start of the foundation was delayed by COVID-19, but the volunteer firefighters need items now.  https://www.gofundme.com/f/what-firefighters-really-need-but-don039t-ask-for?pc=fb_co_campmgmtbnr_m&rcid=r01-159831529167-66fa5486348b4aea&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_lico%2Bbanner&fbclid=IwAR1h3EUhBE4-vElQ3hcD5zZRFBl01y_LUu1Wt5gpjtKs4VUZViGaEvPWdA0

Marin County Relief Efforts

American Red Cross:

Donations will go to the Red Cross’ disaster relief efforts. Visit redcross.org, call 800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. The Red Cross will also be holding a disaster relief volunteer fair on Monday, Aug. 24 at 4 p.m. PT. For more information, click here.

California Fire Foundation:

This foundation provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, active firefighters and the communities they protect.

CDP California Wildfires Recovery Fund:

Help the Center for Disaster Philanthropy support those affected by the wildfires.

GlobalGiving — California Wildfire:

Providing support for firefighters and supplying food, water and medicine to people in need.

GoFundMe:

Has launched a centralized hub of fundraisers that will help residents who have lost their homes and have been displaced by the fires. In addition, they have launched California Wildfire Cause General Fund to offer relief to Californians in need.

The Salvation Army:

Donations support disaster relief for the current wildfires as well as potential future disasters.

Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation: 

ARF partners in emergency disaster relief and provides help with animals in need.

Wildfire Relief Fund:

Supporting immediate, mid- and long-term recovery efforts for major California wildfires.

World Central Kitchen:

They have already been up and running in Vacaville and will continue to help across the state.

Napa Relief Efforts

Angwin Fire:

Angwin Fire operates its station on a very small budget. Napa County provides the apparatus and turnout gear, but the building and extras belong to the community of Angwin. The annual $27,000 budget and maintenance is 100% supported by the generous donations that you give.

Napa Valley Community Foundation’s 2020 Napa County Wildfire Fund:

Providing relief and recovery services to those affected by this most recent disaster in Napa Valley.

United Way Bay Area
Serving Napa County

Center for Volunteering and Nonprofit Leadership
Serving Napa and Sonoma Counties

Wildfire Relief Funds

• California Community Foundation has supported the immediate relief efforts and long-term recovery of wildfire-impacted communities since 2003 with its California Wildfire Relief Fund.
• California Immigrant Resilience Fund can direct you to local efforts in Northern California to ensure undocumented families impacted by wildfires have support and resources necessary to recover and rebuild their lives.
• The Center for Disaster Philanthropy offers a California Wildfires Recovery Fund that helps communities prepare for and recover from wildfires.
• The Latino Community Foundation operates a NorCal Wildfire Relief Fund which invests in grassroots Latino nonprofit organizations in Sonoma and Napa Counties.
• The Diocese of Sacramento is collecting donations to provide direct financial assistance to fire victims at its Fire Assistance Fund.
• The California Fire Foundation provides direct financial assistance to fire victims with its SAVE Fund and also helps firefighters and their families who have experienced losses from wildfires through the California Firefighters Benevolent Fund.

Direct Relief and Assistance

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides emergency medical, housing and other types of assistance for those affected by disasters.
• The Small Business Administration  provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses, non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, personal property, equipment and other business assets.
• The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services connects residents with a wide range of services and programs targeted specifically at those who have been affected by wildfires.
• The State of California’s Guide to Disaster Assistance Services for Immigrant Californians provides information on health, housing, emergency supplies, employment and other services available to all Californians, regardless of their immigration status.
• The American Red Cross provides access to shelter to evacuees across California, as well as providing financial assistance to victims of disaster, evacuation updates and safety information.
• Northern California Salvation Army supports relief efforts. Funds may be used to provide food and drinks to survivors, cleaning supplies and other essential commodities, direct financial aid to those effected or to support disaster relief workers serving in the area.
• The California Association of Food Banks represents more than 40 food banks in the state that provide food to millions of residents, including victims of wildfires.
• Foodbank of Contra Costa and Solano  distributes food directly to low-income people at community sites and makes food available for other nonprofit organizations serving the ill, needy and children.

 

Like many regions in the nation dealing with the huge impact of COVID-19, North Bay citizens may find themselves immersed in two sure things in life come Nov. 3 — death and taxes.

A collective of California’s 482 cities is lining up with ballot measures to raise taxes aimed at offsetting the monumental dent in their budgets due to the loss in mainly transient occupancy and sales taxes during the economic upheaval caused by the global pandemic.

North Bay cities in Sonoma and Marin counties, as well as Sonoma County itself, are making plans to ask for help from taxpayers.

But there is push back. North Bay Leadership Council is leading the charge of a coalition to fight the measures.

The employer-led public policy advocacy organization representing more than 25,000 businesses, nonprofits and educational institutions wrote a letter to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors insisting the jurisdiction impose a moratorium on all tax measures. The letter dated July 31 was also signed by the heads of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau and North Coast Builders Exchange.

The opposition to the flurry of tax measures expected to hit the ballot this year is not aimed at a general disdain for taxes. Instead, the group contends the timing is poor.

“The first thing is, we’re in an economic crisis. No one has money now. We’d like government to take a pause. Their deficits are bigger than what the taxes are asking for anyway,” council Executive Director and group Co-Chairwoman Cynthia Murray told the Business Journal.

The group’s letter stated:

“There are double-digit unemployment rates, small businesses are shuttered and economists predict almost half of those businesses will not reopen. Local families are struggling to pay bills and adjust to a virtual school model. “We are fighting a health pandemic, but the resulting economic crisis will most likely have a longer effect on the well-being of our community.”

The proposed tax measures spanning over two counties from Healdsburg to San Rafael range in categories from transportation to lodging. Some are new. Others represent continuations of previously agreed-upon initiatives. Major cities in Napa County such as Napa, St. Helena and Calistoga passed on the options.

But as recent as Tuesday, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors decided to place a sales tax increase for mental health and homeless services. The additional tax amounts to a quarter-cent increase over 10 years.

Despite California cities aiming to counter an estimated $7 billion shortfall, Murray warned local governments to refrain from thinking of the taxpayers as “their favorite ATMs” — especially now.

“The timing is wrong to ask the businesses and residents of the North Bay to reach into their empty pockets to fund a mishmash of tax measures in these uncertain times,” according to the leadership group’s website policy watch page. relaxinfo.ch. “This is not about what the ballot measures are slated to fund, it is about hitting people with new taxes when they can’t afford it.”

Murray recommended that local governments “need to look at the bigger picture” in finding ways “to live within their means.”

When faced with the question of how a local government funds the needs of the people when it’s lost so much, Sonoma County Farm Bureau Tawny Tesconi countered that these times require cities to operate as businesses have been forced to.

“Most small businesses have had to lay off staff, downsize or cut out discretionary purchases. Government needs to do the same,” Tesconi told the Business Journal. She suggested a government model that emulates a quasi “privatization” as a solution.

“Moving services currently provided by public employees to the private sector will likely result in more efficient use of the taxpayer’s dollar,” she said.

Whatever the route, the outcome will most certainly involve an uphill climb.

For years, cities have grappled with out-of-control payouts to fund the state Public Employees Retirement System — the cash cow for government workers. Just last week, the California Supreme Court halted these PERS recipients from heaping onto their pensions by working extra hours and cashing out unused vacation and sick leave. The practice called “pension spiking” is something that “should be looked at” more thoroughly, Murray lamented.

Still, the reality of lost revenues plagues city governments that have succumbed to asking for state and federal assistance.

A study spun out of the League of California Cities indicates nine out of 10 cities project their shortfalls will lead to service cuts, furloughs and layoffs. Nearly three in four cities have reported they may take a combination of actions to offset their losses.

“In every city and every town in California, local leaders are working to protect the health and safety of residents and the financial viability of local businesses impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. As emergency costs continue to grow city revenues to fund local services are plummeting,” said John Dunbar, Yountville mayor and League president.

The study showed the decline in sales tax revenue attributing to 57% of the shortfall in the estimated $7 billion gap over the next two years. TOT is predicted to be down by 27% in that equation.

“Since the beginning of this crisis, cities have stepped up to protect and serve their communities, taking actions that have saved lives and served as a model for the country,” League Executive Director Carolyn Coleman said, adding that “now is the time” for the state and federal governments to step in with assistance.

The median price for detached homes in Marin County rose 5.3% in June over the prior year, marking the first solid gain since the coronavirus arrested the market.

The price — $1.45 million — was based on 254 sales last month, exactly even with the sales volume in June 2019. That reversed the steep declines in year-over-year sales volume for May and April.

In the condo and townhome market in Marin, the median price reached $730,000 last month, a gain of 7.5% over the prior June. Sales fell from 57 to 51.

The data are among the latest figures from the Marin County assessor’s office. The median price is the point at which half are higher and half lower.

Patti Cohn, a Compass real estate broker based in Marin, said demand is brisk and buyers from San Francisco are “out in droves.” Cohn said she has been getting interest on properties even before they are officially listed.

“If anyone thinks there is a housing crisis, think again,” she said. “After a slowdown in the traditional spring real estate season, buyers are actively looking for homes to purchase.”

At the higher end of the Marin real estate market in June, three homes in Belvedere sold for an average price of $4.42 million, according to the assessor’s office. Five homes in Ross sold for an average price of $3.9 million. Nine homes in Tiburon sold for an average price of $3.78 million.

At the lower end, 15 condos or townhomes in Novato sold for an average price of $549,163 last month.

Properties on the market now range from an eight-bedroom home in Ross for $43 million to a mobile home in Novato for $75,000, according to the Zillow real estate service.

Cynthia Murray, executive director of the North Bay Leadership Council, a nonprofit consortium of business and civic interests, said she is not surprised to see a rebound in the real estate market. She cited low mortgage rates, a flow of families from the cities to the suburbs, and the increase in telecommuters who can live farther from company headquarters.

“The demand for housing still greatly exceeds the supply,” said Murray, a former Marin County supervisor. “The housing crisis pre-pandemic has gotten worse and now we have a great push to get everyone housed to reduce the spread, which is pushing the demand higher.”

Robert Eyler, chief economist for Marin Economic Forum, said market observers offer growth forecasts of about 2.5% to 5% over the next year in Marin.

“So we may see some slow down in price growth if the economy flattens a bit in its attempt to recover, but for right now indicators are showing a good market through 2020,” Eyler said.

“The lower interest rates and potentially some workers with portable jobs and wanting out of the cities may be driving behavior here also, and there is a short-term element to that given Marin County pricing,” he said. “However, the desire to be close but out of the city may drive demand in Marin County for years to come where that is not new, just moved up a notch with COVID-19.”

Statewide, the median price for a detached home reached a record high of $626,170 last month, up 6.5% from May and up 2.5% from the prior June, the California Association of Realtors said Thursday.

In the Bay Area, the median price for a detached home in June was $1 million, up 3.6% from May and 4.2% from June 2019, the association reported.

“Home sales bounced back solidly in June after hitting a record bottom in May, as lockdown restrictions loosened and pent up demand driven by record-low interest rates roared back,” said association president Jeanne Radsick, an agent in Bakersfield. “While the momentum is expected to be sustained as we kick off the third quarter, the resurgence in coronavirus cases remains a concern and may hinder the market recovery in the second half of the year.”

In the midst of the biggest disruption to the economy in the last century, how do we get through this pandemic and reset the economy to fix inequities and make it more resilient for all people?  While they don’t have all the answers, our two speakers will share ideas and hope for a better tomorrow.

Dr. Micah Weinberg, CEO, California Forward, and Chris Dombrowski, Acting Director for the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) will provide new insights and fresh data on the North Bay’s economic resilience and what key factors are shaping our future.

Join us to learn about the Next Normal and how we can work collectively to weather the turbulence of our economy and set the stage for the rise of the North Bay.