Resilient Infrastructure​

Summary of objective implementation status (achievements or progress over last year; significant delays or issues, etc.)

Sonoma Public Infrastructure (SPI) made the following progress to establish neighborhood-based service centers in various regions:

• North County (Cloverdale): Health Services leases a small office for behavioral health services, but space constraints limit the expansion of other County services.
• West County (Guerneville): The County secured stability with the purchase of the Bank of America property on Main Street, allowing for potential service expansion. In 2024, Sonoma Public Infrastructure (SPI) also acquired the Bodega Yacht Club to serve as a Parks training and usage facility.
• South County (Petaluma): A neighborhood-based center at Old Redwood Highway co-locates Human Services and Health Services. WIC services are offered at Petaluma Health Center. Emergency-grade Wi-Fi infrastructure has been planned for Petaluma’s Veterans Hall to enhance emergency response capabilities.
• Sonoma Valley: The County began leasing a facility on Lomita Avenue in 2023-24 to house Health Services, Human Services, and housing navigation. It may also be used as a voting center and community engagement space by the Office of Equity. Emergency-grade Wi-Fi is planned for the Sonoma Veterans Hall to support emergency readiness.

Additionally, SPI secured a grant in 2024 to identify a location for a Community Emergency Resource Center (CERC) in an underserved Sonoma area. This CERC will serve as an emergency response hub and may also provide law enforcement, fire, veteran, or other services.

Key milestone update (include relevant metrics, if applicable)

• West Sonoma County (Guerneville): In December 2022, the County purchased the former Bank of America building (7,784 sq. ft.) in downtown Guerneville, ensuring continued Health Services, Probation, and West County Community Services operations for the lower Russian River area. The Veterans Memorial Building in Guerneville is also used year-round as a warming shelter to support the homeless community.
• Sonoma Valley: In July 2023, the County leased 19080 Lomita Avenue to establish a neighborhood satellite services center for Sonoma Valley residents.
• Facility Upgrades: Funding was approved for tenant improvements at both the Guerneville Bank of America building and the leased Lomita Avenue facility.
• Emergency Preparedness: For FY 24-25, funding has been allocated to install emergency-grade Wi-Fi at Petaluma and Sonoma Veterans Halls to improve emergency response capabilities. Additionally, a grant-funded project is underway with designers and an oversight committee to identify the best location for a Community Emergency Resource Center (CERC) in an underserved area.

Coordination and partnership update

Sonoma Public Infrastructure collaborates with departments and local organizations to select appropriate and available facilities in satellite regions, apply for funding, and explore mobile service options.

Community, equity and climate update

Locating services where residents live and work makes the services more available to people who may not have the means to travel to Santa Rosa for services. Additionally, the reduction in travel time for residents equates to a reduction in carbon emissions from travel.

If this objective received Strategic Plan funding, please provide the project status and amount spent to date for non-position related funding.

Human Services received $800,800 to pursue a mobile satellite service option. The department plans to purchase two mobile vehicle offices, for a total of $500,000. The department plans to utilize the remaining funds for operation and maintenance of the offices. Human Services is partnering with Sonoma Public Infrastructure to coordinate the purchase and customization of the mobile offices.