Fort Bragg city updates
Since it has been a couple of weeks since I have authored the Miller Report, I thought I would use this report to provide updates on a number of topics.
First, the City Council downgraded the city’s water emergency from a Stage 2 to a Stage 1 on Sept. 28. The primary difference is that Stage 1 water conservation measures target a 10 percent water reduction and set forth a number of mandatorywatersaving actions. Those can be found on the city’swebsite. Stage 2 water conservation measures target a 20 percent water reduction and require all of the Stage 2 water-saving actions, plus it forbids watering ornamental landscaping and lawns. With the cooler weather and onset of fall, the flows in the Noyo River have risen. We expect to keep the Stage 1 emergency in place until at least the end ofOctober and the end of the high tides that can inhibit the city’s ability to pump water fromthe Noyo.
The city has continued to test the sewer for COVID-19. The most recent results reported “none detected” for the two strains of COVID-19. While the strength and presence of COVID-19 in the sewer are helpful to gather information in the long term, it provides no information to help identify who is COVID-19 positive. More recently, test results have borne some relationship to the number of reported active cases in the 95437 zip code, as provided by Mendocino County. Keep in mind that the 95437 zip code expands beyond the city’s sewer service.
For low- and moderateincome households who may be having difficulty paying their rent due to COVID-19, funds are still available through the city’s Tenant-Based Rental Assistance program. Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified applicants who reside within city limits. Please call (707) 961-2823, extension 106 or email tbra@ fortbragg.com.
In addition to the city’s TBRA program, the State of California extended its COVID eviction protections through Jan. 31, 2021. There are several requirements that tenants seeking the protections must meet and landlords have a duty to provide certain information to their tenants or they may be fined. For more information visit landlordtenant.dre.ca.gov. The website also provides information about protection for homeowners and landlords with four or fewer properties who may be experiencing difficulty making their mortgage payments because of COVID-19.
Fort Bragg Police Chief John Naulty and Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall have both reported an increase in behavioral health issues and domestic violence calls for service. A friend told me that she recently called her employer’s Employee Assistance Program to make an appointment and it was a six-week waiting period. Just a reminder that there are services available and places to call if you need crisis or non-crisis support.
The 24/7 toll free crisis line, if you need help right away and are a danger to yourself or others, is 1-855-838-0404. Mendocino County has a Warm Line that provides non-crisis support and compassion for Mendocino County residents. It is also free and confidential. Call 1-833-9552510 or 707-472-2311.
Project Sanctuary, whose mission is to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault, provides a number of services. For coastal services, please call 707- 4634357. Safe Passage, also here in Fort Bragg, provides help for victims of domestic and sexual violence. As a side note, the City Council will be recognizing National Domestic Violence Awareness Month at its
Oct. 13 meeting.
Finally, but not least, the Fort Bragg Unified School District provides families social-emotional support for enrolled students through school counselors at each site. Just reach out directly to your child’s school and ask for the counselor.