FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager
SUBJECT:
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PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2019
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
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RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file the Public Affairs Update for the month of September 2019.
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BACKGROUND
Staff will provide an update on recent public affairs activities.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Maintain influential legislative advocacy and a public outreach program
• Build brand, trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders
• Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with regulators, stakeholders and neighboring communities
• Listen to and seriously consider community input on environmental concerns
PROBLEM
Many Californians are not aware of the Orange County Sanitation District (Sanitation District) and the important work we do to keep the environment clean by using the wastewater byproducts to create energy, water recycling, and the use of biosolids. In general, the community and businesses do not realize that when they improperly dispose of waste into the sanitation system, it can negatively affect the work we do and the quality of water we supply for the Groundwater Replenishment System.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
By providing tours, community outreach, education, and general communication via the Sanitation District’s website, social media outlets, and mainstream media, we have the ability to educate the community, local agencies, and businesses on the What2Flush program, energy production, water recycling, biosolids, and our source control program. This, in turn, results in a better quality of wastewater.
TIMING CONCERNS
N/A
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
If we do not educate the community, local agencies, and area businesses about the Sanitation District, we lose an opportunity to educate thousands of people about our plants, source control, and the wastewater industry as a whole.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
N/A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
September 2019
|
Activity |
# |
# of Guests |
|
OCSD/OCWD Tours |
6 |
83 |
|
OCSD Tours |
7 |
66 |
|
Speaking Engagements |
1 |
40 |
Current Activities - September 2019
Ice Cream Social
On September 18, the Sanitation District held an Ice Cream Social where employees and Board members came to take a quick break and celebrate the end of the summer and the 2019 Beach Water Quality Report. A commemorative sticker was handed out to both the employees and Board members. These stickers will be used for future outreach events as a tool to discuss environmental programs related to water quality.
Utility of the Future
The Sanitation District was recently named the Utility of Future for the second time. The Sanitation District’s General Manager was at the Water Environment Federation Conference in Chicago to accept the award. The Utility of the Future celebrates the achievements of water utilities that transform from traditional wastewater treatment to a resource recovery facility and leader in the overall sustainability and resiliency of the communities they serve.
Construction Outreach
The Santa Ana River Interceptor (SARI) Rock Stabilization Removal project in the City of Yorba Linda has started. The 54-inch SARI pipeline was relocated to the south side of the Santa Ana River riverbed. Rocks were temporarily placed under special permits around the pipeline’s previous alignment in the riverbed to protect from erosion damage. As part of the permit conditions, the rocks need to be removed. The contractor has started the work to remove over 20,000 tons of rocks. The project was previously scheduled to start earlier in the year but was postponed due to nesting birds in the area. Notifications will be provided to residents once work commences near residential neighborhoods.
A notification was sent to Plant No. 1 neighbors in Fountain Valley about the removal of shrubs and overgrown vegetation along Ward Street. The shrubs posed a safety concern as a campground and storage area for unwanted individuals as well as a fire hazard. The notification included information about a future project for additional site security for the area.
As part of the Huntington Beach Plant No. 2 Outreach Program, neighbors participated in a Plant No. 2 tour on September 14 to learn more about the Sanitation District and upcoming construction projects. The community liaison attended the Southeast Area Council Committee Meeting in Huntington Beach to continue to build relationships with the community.
A condition assessment of existing structures outside of Plant No. 2 in Huntington Beach in the Santa Ana River is taking place. Some of the activities can only be performed during low tide during the early morning hours and varies day by day. A notification was provided to the surrounding community to alert them of activity they may notice along the river.
A maintenance project to install erosion control measures to protect existing facilities near the Santa Ana River in Huntington Beach required the temporary closure of a private gate to a residential complex. The community liaison worked directly with the residential Homeowner’s Association and provided notification to the residents about the gate closure.
CEQA
N/A
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
N/A
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OCSD website (www.ocsd.com) with the complete agenda package:
• Outreach Report September 2019
• Media Clips September 2019