FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager
SUBJECT:
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PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2020
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
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RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file the Public Affairs Update for the month of February 2020.
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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
The Orange County Sanitation District (Sanitation District) is well-recognized within the water/wastewater industry; however, within our service area there is limited knowledge by our customers of the important work we do to protect public health and the environment. In general, the customers we serve do not realize that when they improperly dispose of waste into the sanitation system, it can negatively affect our sewer lines, our treatment plants, 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 direct mailings, we have the ability to educate the community, local agencies, and businesses on our messaging such as the What2Flush program, energy production, water recycling, biosolids, and our source control program. This, in turn, helps improve the quality of wastewater that is recycled or released to the ocean.
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 may not have the support necessary to deliver our mission.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
N/A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
February 2020
|
Activity |
# |
# of Guests |
|
OCSD/OCWD Tours |
7 |
230 |
|
OCSD Tours |
5 |
82 |
|
Speaking Engagements |
2 |
60 |
Current Activities - February 2020
State College Sewer Construction Project Community Meetings
In the month of February, the Sanitation District hosted two community meetings in the City of Anaheim to discuss the sewer construction project along State College Blvd. The meetings were held to give the public an opportunity to hear directly from the project team and learn about the current and upcoming activities. For the latest information on the project please visit our website at www.ocsd.com/StateCollege.
Honor Walk Nomination Time is Here
The annual Honor Walk nomination period is currently underway. Any retired/former employee, as well as former Board Member, who has made a significant contribution to the Sanitation District in the past can be nominated. Nominations must be submitted by March 13. The Honor Walk celebration will take place on June 24 prior to the Steering Committee meeting.
Connecting with our Neighbors
As part of our community outreach efforts, quarterly newsletters are distributed to the Plant No. 2 neighbors in Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. The purpose of the newsletter is to keep them informed of the activities taking place at the plant. The winter issue was distributed last month to 1,400 residents.
Upcoming Activities
Children’s Water Festival
The 24th Annual Children's Water Education Festival will be held March 25-26, 2020 at the University of California, Irvine. The Sanitation District will once again participate by hosting a booth at the Festival to give kids the opportunity to learn about the wastewater process. Since its inception, more than 135,000 Orange County students have experienced the Festival and learned about the water world.
Santa Ana River Basin Section Awards Banquet (SARBS)
In March, Sanitation District employees will attend the SARBS awards banquet, which will be held at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. Several staff members will be recognized amongst their peers for their contributions to the wastewater field. SARBS is the local chapter of the California Water Environment Association (CWEA).
CEQA
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FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
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ATTACHMENTS
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OCSD website (www.ocsd.com) with the complete agenda package:
• Outreach and Media Summary Report February 2020
• PowerPoint presentation provided to Legislative and Public Affairs Committee on March 9, 2020