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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - Legislative & Public Outreach Committee - 05/17/2019LEG ISLAT IVE A N D PUBLIC O UT REA C H C O MMIT T EE May 17, 2019 - 3:00 P M 31111 Greenspot Road, Highland, C A 92346 AGE N D A C A LL TO O RD ER PLED G E O F A LLEG IA N C E PUBLIC C O MMEN T S C O N SE N T C AL E N D AR 1.Approve the J anuary 25, 2019 C ommittee Meeting Minutes 2.Approve the March 1, 2019 Committee Meeting Minutes N E W B U SI N E SS 3.Sterling Natural Resource C enter Project Update 4.C onservation Update 5.Legislative Update 6.Outreach Update 7.Facility Use Update 8.Director's Comments 9.Staff's C omments AD J O U RN P LEAS E NO T E: P urs uant to G overnment C ode S ec tion 54954.2(a), any reques t for a dis ability-related modification or ac commodation, including auxiliary aids or services, that is s ought in order to partic ipate in the above- agendized public meeting should be direc ted to the District C lerk at (909) 885-4900 at least 72 hours prior to said meeting. Subject to approval EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT January 25, 2019 LEGISLATIVE & PUBLIC OUTREACH COMMITTEE MINUTES Kelly Malloy, Director of Strategic Services, called the meeting to order at 1:31 pm. Mr. Brown led the flag salute. PRESENT: Directors: Carrillo, Smith ABSENT: None STAFF: Kelly Malloy, Director of Strategic Services; Eileen Bateman, Senior Administrative Assistant GUEST(s): None PUBLIC COMMENTS The Senior Administrative Assistant declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 1:31 pm. There being no written or verbal comments, the public participation section was closed. APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 21, 2018 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES M/S/C (Carrillo-Smith) that the September 21, 2018 committee meeting minutes be approved as submitted. STERLING NATURAL RESOURCE CENTER UPDATE Ms. Malloy provided information on the progress of the Sterling Natural Resource Center to date including but not limited to construction, permits, agreements for reimbursement and grant funding opportunities. Bill inserts are being sent in the next billing cycle for customers to know the progress. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Ms. Malloy stated that the District is continuing to watch state regulations for water taxes, water affordability and water conservation regulations; that the District is planning a legislative advocacy visit in March . Information only. COMMUNICATION UPDATE Ms. Malloy stated that the District is currently working with Idea Hall to complete a training on the meaning and importance of the District branding; that we are also working on internal communication with the development of and employee intranet site for a central location to better inform employees of District operations to date; that the District submitted the reports for the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Program (PAFR). Ms. Malloy also discussed the upcoming website redesign. Information only. DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS There were no comments at this time. STAFF’S COMMENTS There were no comments at this time. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 2:25 pm. ______________________________ ______________________________ Chris Carrillo David E. Smith Director Director 03-01-2019 cmc Subject to approval EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT March 1, 2019 LEGISLATIVE & PUBLIC OUTREACH COMMITTEE MINUTES Kelly Malloy, Director of Strategic Services, called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm. Director Carrillo led the flag salute. PRESENT: Directors: Carrillo, Smith ABSENT: None STAFF: Kelly Malloy, Director of Strategic Services; Cecilia Contreras, Senior Administrative Assistant; Roxana Morales, Public Affairs Specialists GUEST(s): Members of the Public PUBLIC COMMENTS The Senior Administrative Assistant declared the public participation sect ion of the meeting open at 1:32 pm. There being no written or verbal comments, the public participation section was closed. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Ms. Malloy stated that the District is currently monitoring 126 bills and presented an overview on AB5, AB68, AB68, AB217, AB231, AB292, AB508, AB533, AB756, AB782, AB955, AB1021, SB4, SB13, SB33, SB 53, SB134, SB200, SB332, SB668, and SB669; that the District and the legislative lobbyists are actively engaged in discussions; that District staff will be attending the AWCA Legislative Symposium on Marc h 5-6 and visiting legislative offices on March 12. Members of the public asked questions regarding this item, staff answered appropriately. Information only. OUTREACH UPDATE Ms. Malloy provided an update on the continued outreach efforts that the District is participating in including celebrating the 65th year of the District being established; updating the Strategic Communications plan to include staff and how they play a role in the District’s branding, the official launch of the redesign of the District’s website, monthly ads and quarterly bill inserts updating the community on the Sterling Natural Resource Center, and presentations by District staff at upcoming conferences. Members of the public asked questions regarding this item, staff answered appropriately. 03-01-2019 cmc Information only. CONSERVATION UPDATE Ms. Malloy stated that the District had a 16 percent reduction i n water usage for the month of January; that the rain received during January and February is already above the average rainfall for the year; that Bob Tincher from Valley District will be presenting at an upcoming board meeting regarding the Basin health including water management; that the District has hosted two workshops with a tu rnout of over 100 attendees and have two more scheduled in the fall; that a Community Conservation Fest is scheduled on April 27 on the west end of our District; that the District has a new Demonstration Garden Brochure that customers can pick up when they visit our garden that was funded by a Prop 84 grant. She provided an update on the rebates issued this fiscal year and the Direct Install Weather Based Irrigation Controller program continues to be the most popular. Members of the public asked questions regarding this item, staff answered appropriately. Information only. DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS There were no comments at this time . STAFF’S COMMENTS There were no comments at this time. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 2:34 pm. ______________________________ ______________________________ Chris Carrillo David E. Smith Director Director S TAF F R E P ORT Agenda Item #3. Meeting Date: May 17, 2019 To: LEG I S LAT I VE AND P U BLI C O UT R EAC H C O MMI T T EE F rom: Direc tor of S trategic S ervic es Subject: S terling Natural R es o urc e C enter P rojec t Update R E C O MME N D AT IO N: T his item is fo r info rmatio n o nly, no actio n is recommended at this time. B AC KGR O UN D / AN ALYS IS : T he S terling Natural R esource C enter (S NR C ) will provide a valuable res o urc e for o ur community. T hrough the p ro gres s ive design-build proc es s , Dis tric t s taff works alo ng s id e the d esign and cons truc tion team to d evelop the fac ility in a s treamlined manner while p ulling from the d ivers e exp ertis e to ensure that the S NR C is a world class p ro jec t. T he Dis tric t c o ntinues to work with the c urrent outs id e fund ing s o urces on finalizing agreements and gathering information fo r regular rep o rting. C urrently, the p ro jec t is fully fund ed through a low interes t S tate lo an, and s uc ces s ful award o f P ro p o s ition 1 and Urb an G reening grants to taling over $8 million in fund ing. T he G overning Board rec ently ap p ro ved the increas e of the to tal S tate R evolving F und lo an amount to allow fo r d iges tors to be inc o rp o rated into the initial phas e o f the p ro jec t, rather than at a later time. C o nstruc tio n is underway with effo rts foc us ing o n the treatment p lant elements that require majo r excavation. T he influent p ump station (IP S ) is a c ritical lo catio n in the process and will b e the d eep est fac ility. With s afety as a to p p rio rity, s teel beams have b een bored into the ground for enhanced s tab ilization s urrounding the I P S along with s horing put in p lac e along the s o il walls . T he p rojec t has exp erienced a minor s lo w d o wn in exc avation ac tivities due to the recent rain events . F o rtunately, the d rainage o n the s ite allo ws for work to res ume s hortly after the s torms have p assed. Des ign effo rts are not impac ted b y the weather and the team continues to work diligently toward reac hing completio n d ead lines . T he team is meeting with the various agenc y's regarding cooperative efforts and regulato ry ap p ro vals nec es s ary fo r the project. C urrent agency c oo rd inatio n inc luded in the S NR C inc lude the S tate Water R es o urc es C ontrol Board Division o f Drinking Water, R egio nal Water Q uality C ontrol Bo ard, S an Bernardino C ounty F lood C o ntro l, S an Bernardino C ity Unified S c hool Dis tric t, S an Bernardino Internatio nal Airport Authority/Inland Valley Develo p ment Agenc y, C ity o f Highland, C ity o f R ed lands , and C ity of S an Bernard ino. G iven the vis ibility of the cons truc tion pro gress, a c o nstruc tio n camera has been ad d ed to the s ite and the link is available o n the Dis tric t's webs ite. T his is a s afe way fo r the c o mmunity to have an ins id e look at the effo rts R es p ec tfully s ubmitted : Kelly Mallo y Directo r o f S trategic S ervices available o n the Dis tric t's webs ite. T his is a s afe way fo r the c o mmunity to have an ins id e look at the effo rts und erway to c o nstruc t the S terling Natural R es o urc e C enter. T he Dis tric t continues to p ro vide projec t up d ates at Board meetings , in the mo nthly b ills , and at c o mmunity events . AG E N C Y G O ALS AN D OB J E C T IVE S : R E VIE W B Y O T HE R S : T his item has been reviewed by the C ommunity Ad vis ory C o mmis sion. F IS C AL IMPAC T T here is no fis cal impac t as s o c iated with this agend a item. S TAF F R E P ORT Agenda Item #4. Meeting Date: May 17, 2019 To: LEG I S LAT I VE AND P U BLI C O UT R EAC H C O MMI T T EE F rom: Direc tor of S trategic S ervic es Subject: C ons ervation Update R E C O MME N D AT IO N: T his item is fo r info rmatio nal p urp o s es only, no ac tion is reques ted at this time. B AC KGR O UN D / AN ALYS IS : With the S tate no longer in a s tage of d ro ught it is es s ential to c o ntinue our c o nservation efforts to maintain the water s avings momentum ac hieved b y the c o mmunity. C ons ervatio n programs such as reb ates, works hops , and the smart c o ntro ller direc t ins tallatio n pro gram have provid ed the o p p o rtunity to maintain engagement with o ur community and as s is t them in their efforts to comply with the Dis tric ts cons ervation meas ures. T he Dis tric t c ontinues to rep o rt water s avings in the monthly productio n rep ort that is s ubmitted to the S tate Water R es o urce C ontrol Bo ard every month. To date the Dis tric t has ac hieved a cumulative s avings of 18% b etween March 2018-2019. O ur c o mmunity c ontinues to res pond to the call to c o ns erve and remains engaged with the Dis tric t thro ugh the C o ns ervatio n p rograms . P artic ip atio n in the Districts rebate programs remains cons tant with over 340 applic ations received . T hro ugh S an Bernard ino Valley Munic ipal Water Dis tric ts 25% rebate reimb ursement program the Dis tric t has been awarded $22,885.71 fo r the firs t half o f this fisc al year. By p articipating in Valley Dis tric ts p ro gram the Dis tric t is able to inc reas e fund ing to the rebate pro grams whic h allo ws more memb ers o f our c o mmunity to participate. Maintaining the c o mmunities c o ncern with p ro tec ting our prec io us water res ource, we must c o ntinue to b e of s ervic e and enc o urage complianc e with the S tates p ro p o s ed p ermanent prohib itions agains t was teful water us e p ractices . In ad d ition to rebate and regulato ry efforts , the District continues to utilize creative approaches to maintain a s trong relations hip with o ur community. T he S tud ent P os ter C ontes t is und erway, and will res ult in an 18-mo nth calend ar s p anning 2019-2020. T his year's theme enc o urages o ur lo cal yo uths to id entify ways to be a water hero. F ace-to -fac e interac tions provid e an invaluab le o p portunity to und erstand the needs o f our cus to mers and allo ws us the ab ility to d evelop p ro grams to better as s ist in c ons ervatio n effo rts . T he Dis tric t ho sted a C ommunity C o nservatio n F es t in Ap ril to pro mo te environmental awarenes s . AG E N C Y G O ALS AN D OB J E C T IVE S : R es p ec tfully s ubmitted : Kelly Mallo y Directo r o f S trategic S ervices AG E N C Y G O ALS AN D OB J E C T IVE S : R E VIE W B Y O T HE R S : T his item has been reviewed by the C ommunity Ad vis ory C o mmis sion. F IS C AL IMPAC T T here is no fis cal impac t as s o c iated with this item. ATTACH M E N TS: Description Type Conservation P resentation P resentation CONSERVATION UPDATE May 17, 2019 MONTHLY SYSTEM REDUCTION Month Total System Reduction March 2018 27% April 2018 15% May 2018 23% June 2018 22% July 2018 22% August 2018 13% September 2018 19% October 2018 7% November 2018 -3% December 2018 15% January 2019 16% February 2019 28% March 2019 31% CUMULATIVE TOTAL TO DATE 18% REBATE PROGRAM -SUMMARY PROGRAM DETAILS # APPLICATIONS ESTIMATED REBATES OUTDOOR PROGRAMS Water Efficient Landscaping $200 for qualifying landscaping 41 $6,805.17 Sprinkler Nozzles $4/per high efficient sprinkler nozzle 138 $148.00 Weather Based Irrigation System $150/WBIC Controller 7 $979.96 Direct Installation WBIC $515/WBIC Controller, Installation 144 $80,530 INDOOR PROGRAMS Washing Machine $150/washer 21 $2,850.00 Showerheads $30/showerhead 15 $316.56 Toilets $100/toilet 187 $20,111.10 PROPOSED REGULATIONS •Allowing no more than incidental runoff when irrigating; •Only using hoses with automatic shutoff nozzles; •No use of potable water to wash sidewalks and driveways; •No use of potable water in ornamental fountains; •No irrigation of turf or ornamental landscapes during and within 48 hours following measurable rainfall; •Hotels and motels must offer the option to refuse laundry service; •Restaurants are only to serve water to guest upon request; •No irrigation of turf or high water use plants within public street medians and parkways; and •Homeowner’s associations and cities cannot fine homeowners trying to conserve during a declared drought emergency. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS •Conservation Workshop Series •Community Conservation Fest •Student Poster Contest •Demonstration Garden Brochure •WBIC Direct Install Program •SoCal Yard Transformation Book •Indoor and Outdoor Rebates S TAF F R E P ORT Agenda Item #5. Meeting Date: May 17, 2019 To: LEG I S LAT I VE AND P U BLI C O UT R EAC H C O MMI T T EE F rom: Direc tor of S trategic S ervic es Subject: Legis lative Up d ate R E C O MME N D AT IO N: T his item is an informational item, with no actio n req uired . B AC KGR O UN D / AN ALYS IS : T he Dis tric t maintains a high level of engagement in the politic al ac tivities of S acramento . S tate and lo c al legislative ac tions can have major impac ts on Dis tric t o peratio ns , a c o mmunity's quality of life, and even req uire actio n o n the p art o f individ uals themselves . T he next 2-year legis lative session is b eginning in C alifornia. With the rec ent elec tion res ults o f 2018, there are s o me s ignificant changes that will take effec t. S o me key dates for the firs t year of this s es s io n inc lude: January 1- S tatues took effect January 7- Legislature rec o nvened January 25- Last day to have sub mitted b ill requests F ebruary 22- Las t d ay fo r b ills to be introduced June 15- Budget bill mus t b e passed by midnight S eptemb er 13- Last day fo r any b ill to b e pas s ed O c to b er 13- Last day for the G overno r to sign o r veto bills T he District will c o ntinue to wo rk with T he O nate G ro up and T he Q uintana C ruz C ompany o n legislative is s ues . T his includ ed coordinating offic e and field vis its to meet with legislato rs and their s taff. At the time this agenda was prepared , the Dis tric t is c lo sely monitoring the fo llowing bills : AB 60 AB 533 AB 1414 AB 1415 AB 1486 S B 217 S B 414 S B 669 It is imp o rtant to keep in mind that the legislative proc es s allows fo r s ignificant c hanges to the text o f b ills . T his R es p ec tfully s ubmitted : Kelly Mallo y Directo r o f S trategic S ervices It is imp o rtant to keep in mind that the legislative proc es s allows fo r s ignificant c hanges to the text o f b ills . T his may res ult in a bill going from high to lo w p riority o r vic e vers a. Additio nally, o ther regulatory ac tions o uts id e of the legis lature may require inp ut fro m the District. AG E N C Y G O ALS AN D OB J E C T IVE S : R E VIE W B Y O T HE R S : T his item has been reviewed by the C ommunity Ad vis ory C o mmis sion. F IS C AL IMPAC T T here is no fis cal impac t as s o c iated with this agend a item. S TAF F R E P ORT Agenda Item #6. Meeting Date: May 17, 2019 To: LEG I S LAT I VE AND P U BLI C O UT R EAC H C O MMI T T EE F rom: Direc tor of S trategic S ervic es Subject: O utreac h Up d ate R E C O MME N D AT IO N: T his item is fo r info rmatio nal p urp o s es only, no ac tion is reques ted at this time. B AC KGR O UN D / AN ALYS IS : T he District c o ntinues to utilize various avenues of c o mmunic ation to engage with the c o mmunity. By d ivers ifying its communic atio n outlets , the Dis tric t s eeks to exp and its reach o f community memb ers that wo uld o therwis e be o verlooked with a s ingular o utlet. R ecent p rojec ts have inc luded, but are not limited to: • S ocial Media • Bill Ins erts and Ad vertis ements T he Dis tric t c o ntinues to ac tively utilize s oc ial media as p art of its on-go ing o utreach effo rts . T hro ugh pos ts o n F acebook, Twitter, and Ins tagram, the Dis tric t p ro vides the public with S terling Natural R es ource C enter projec t b enefits and pro gress , news up d ates, community event informatio n, conservation tips , rebate p ro gram information, and s ervices available to c us to mers. Bill inserts are o ne o f the most effec tive outreach o utlets . By includ ing outreach materials in the water bill, the Dis tric t ensures c o mmunity memb ers within the s ervic e area receive and engage with the ins ert. In the mo s t recent bill insert, residents rec eived their invitation to the C ommunity C ons ervation F es t. Ad d itio nally, the Dis tric t c o ntinues to ad vertise in the lo c al news paper year-round. Ad vertisements typic ally foc us o n multiple campaigns . T he c urrent campaign c o mmemorates the Dis tric t’s 65th anniversary, invites p artic ip ation in the fes tival, and encourages the pub lic to watc h c o nstruc tion p ro gres s o f the S terling Natural R es o urc e C enter b y p ro viding a web link to the time-lapse camera. In c ultivating effec tive outreac h efforts , the Dis tric t c o nsiders divers ity within its s ervic e area and their d ifferentiating c o mmunic ation p references , bac kgrounds and p rimary language. As res ult, the Dis tric t no w p ro vides its most c ritical o utreac h materials in multiple languages . T he Dis tric t is b eginning the pro cess of up d ating five emergency related plans. O ne o f tho se, inc ludes the Hazard Mitigatio n p lan whic h has c o mmunity input and outreac h requirements . AG E N C Y G O ALS AN D OB J E C T IVE S : R espec tfully sub mitted: Kelly Malloy Direc tor of S trategic S ervic es AG E N C Y G O ALS AN D OB J E C T IVE S : R E VIE W B Y O T HE R S : T his item has been reviewed by the C ommunity Ad vis ory C o mmis sion. F IS C AL IMPAC T T here is no fis cal impac t as s o c iated with this item. ATTACH M E N TS: Description Type Outreac h Update P resentation Cover M e mo LEGISLATIVE/PUBLIC OUTREACH UPDATE May 17, 2019 SOCIAL MEDIA •All Social Media Channels Experienced an Increase in Followers •The District Continues to Post at a Frequency of Least 3 Times Per week •Posts Provide: •SNRC project benefits and progress •News updates •Community event information •Conservations tips •Services available to customers ENGAGEMENT FOLLOWERS –JANUARY TO APRIL Followers Per Month Channel Jan.Feb. March April % Change Facebook 250 252 254 262 + 4.8 Instagram 454 474 487 508 + 12 Twitter 150 152 154 161 + 7.3 POST EXAMPLES BILL INSERTS REACHING THE COMMUNITY •Inserts are Included with Monthly Water Bills •The District Ensures Community Members Receive and Engage with the Outreach Material •Inserts Provide Information Regarding: •Sterling Natural Resource Center progress •Conservation workshops •District news •Services •Rebate programs BILL INSERT EXAMPLES ADVERTISEMENTS YEAR-ROUND ADVERTISING •The District’s 2019 Advertising Schedule Includes Bi-Weekly Ads •Advertisements in the Highland Community News •Highland Senior Center “Senior Times” •Advertisements Promote •Sterling Natural Resource Center project updates •Upcoming workshops •District services and programs •Rebate programs •Conservation tips ADVERTISEMENT EXAMPLES S TAF F R E P ORT Agenda Item #7. Meeting Date: May 17, 2019 To: LEG I S LAT I VE AND P U BLI C O UT R EAC H C O MMI T T EE F rom: Direc tor of S trategic S ervic es Subject: F ac ility Us e Update R E C O MME N D AT IO N: T his item is fo r info rmatio nal p urp o s es only, no ac tion is reques ted at this time. B AC KGR O UN D / AN ALYS IS : T he Dis tric t continues to maintain a succ essful F ac ility R ental P ro gram, offering the Headquarters fac ility for p rivate events inc luding wed d ings, annivers ary parties , rec o gnition events, and company retreats. In 2017, the District amend ed the polic y to limit events to Dis tric t c us tomers and add a contrac ted s erver for events with alcoho l. T hes e adjus tments have enhanc ed the succ es s of the p ro grams and res ulted in positive feed b ac k from the c ommunity. C urrently, the fac ility has 21 events s c hed uled on weekend s thro ugh O c tober, with a few weekends o p en to allo w for s cheduled fac ility maintenanc e. C o mmunity memb ers have als o b een touring the fac ility to s ched ule events for 2020 as well. T he Distric t has recently c o ntrac ted with R o xs With a Twis t, a p ro fes sional serving c o mpany. T he previo us contrac t with the s erving c o mp any had expired , allowing staff to reach o ut to a different vend o r. S o far, staff has received pos itive feed bac k regarding the service b y R o xs With a Twis t. T his c hange in the p olic y that to o k p lac e in 2017 c o ntinues to p ro ve the added benefit o f the s upport need ed to have safe and res p o ns ib le events. Event p artic ip ants continue to welcome this enhancement to the p ro gram. Ad d itionally, staff c o ntinues to monito r the F acility R ental financials to evaluate the effectivenes s of the program, ensuring that the c o s ts to maintain the program are no t c o mp ens ated b y the rate p ayers . T he District c o ntinues to rec eive overwhelmingly pos itive feedbac k regarding this program. It has p ro ven to be a muc h need ed amenity fo r this c ommunity. AG E N C Y G O ALS AN D OB J E C T IVE S : R E VIE W B Y O T HE R S : T his item has been reviewed by the C ommunity Ad vis ory C o mmis sion. R es p ec tfully s ubmitted : Kelly Mallo y Directo r o f S trategic S ervices F IS C AL IMPAC T T here is no fis cal impac t as s o c iated with this item.