FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Jennifer Cabral, Director of Communications
SUBJECT:
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HEADQUARTERS EDUCATIONAL DISPLAY
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the design recommendations for the Headquarters Educational Display.
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BACKGROUND
One of the General Manager’s Work Plan goals for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 is to develop a Board-approved design for a hands-on educational display for the outdoor patio area by June 30, 2025.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Maintain influential legislative advocacy and a public outreach program
• Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with regulators, stakeholders, and neighboring communities
• Make it easy for people to understand OC San’s roles and value to the community
PROBLEM
The Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) is a distinguished entity in the water/wastewater industry. The recently completed Headquarters incorporates an engaging educational display in the lobby that showcases the overall function of OC San, our history, service area, and interesting facts. As part of OC San’s educational outreach program, a second phase was incorporated to develop a hands-on display that would further illustrate OC San’s role in protecting public health and the environment.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
OC San staff has developed several options for the outdoor Headquarters Educational Display, as noted in the General Manager’s Work Plan. Staff explored various options, visited similar facilities, and consulted with vendors to create a proposed plan that incorporates a mix of hands-on displays and historical components, which further illustrate OC San’s long-term role in the community.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
Neglecting to inform the community, local agencies, and area businesses about OC San could lead to insufficient support for our mission, hindering our ability to fulfill our responsibilities effectively.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
June 2024 - Received and filed the General Manager’s Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Work Plan.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
There are three components proposed for the Educational Display, all of which were fully developed in-house by the Public Affairs team with support from the maintenance team.
The proposed educational display consists of an outdoor, hands-on display highlighting a variety of sewer pipes sizes, ranging from private laterals to local sewer lines, to OC San’s regional sewer pipes, including the largest one owned and operated by OC San- the ocean outfall. The intent of the display is to illustrate the magnitude of our pipes showcasing the level of effort to repair or replace them as well as highlight the What 2 Flush messaging. An additional element to this component is the installation of the various pipe materials OC San uses, including a historical pipe retrieved from Plant No. 2 that is believed to have been installed in the 1920s. This will show the evolution of our sewer collection system.
A secondary component would be an artifact wall in the lobby, highlighting OC San’s long history of protecting public health and the environment in Orange County.
A third component being considered during Phase 3 is a mini replica of the clarifier structure. This would be a fully functioning model that would be housed on our patio to give a close-up view of the function and operation of a circular clarifier. It would showcase the scum and sludge removal process highlighting a key component of our treatment process.
The displays will be incorporated over the next year.
CEQA
N/A
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
All items mentioned are included in OC San’s FY 2024-25 and 2025-26 Budget (Section 6, Page 36, Professional & Contractual Services). The estimated costs for the various elements at the time of conceptual design are as follows: Pipe Size Comparison Display - $30,000; History Wall - $5,000; Clarifier - $80,000. This cost may increase based on bids and installation costs.
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.gov) with the complete agenda package:
• Presentation