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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - Legislative & Public Outreach Committee - 04/08/2021LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC OUT REACH COMMIT TEE VIA TELECONFERENCE April 8, 2021 - 2:00 PM31111 Greenspot Road, Highland, CA 92346 In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and in accordance with Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-25-20 and N-29-20, this meeting is being conducted via teleconference. There will be no public location for attending this meeting in person. Members of the public may listen and provide public comment telephonically. Anyone wishing to join the meeting may do so using the following information: DIAL: 1-209-425-5876 and enter CONFERENCE ID: 198 379 16# You may also join by clicking HERE to join the meeting via Microsoft Teams. AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PUBLIC COMMENTS CONSENT CALENDAR 1.Approve the August 13, 2020 Committee meeting minutes 2.Approve the October 8, 2020 committee meeting minutes 3.Approve the February 11, 2021 Committee meeting minutes NEW BUSINESS 4.Sterling Natural Resource Center Project Update 5.Legislative Update 6.Conservation Update 7.Outreach Update 8.Director's Comments 9.Staff's Comments 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. 08-13-2020 cmc Subject to approval EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT August 13, 2020 LEGISLATIVE & PUBLIC OUTREACH COMMITTEE VIA TELECONFERENCE MINUTES Kelly Malloy, Director of Strategic Services, called the meeting to order at 2:04 pm and led the flag salute. PRESENT: Directors: Goodrich, Smith ABSENT: None STAFF: Kelly Malloy, Director of Strategic Services; Cecilia Contreras, Senior Administrative Assistant GUEST(s): None PUBLIC COMMENTS The Senior Administrative Assistant declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 2:05 pm. There being no written or verbal comments, the public participation section was closed. APPROVAL OF THE MAY 22, 2020 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES M/S/C (Goodrich-Smith) that the May 22, 2020 committee meeting minutes be approved as submitted. APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 11, 2020 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES M/S/C (Goodrich-Smith) that the June 11, 2020 committee meeting minutes be approved as submitted. STERLING NATURAL RESOURCE CENTER UPDATE The Director of Strategic Services shared that construction has hit the halfway mark to include significant rebar and concrete work, pipeline installations, and building assembly; that staff is continuing progress toward receiving the various regulatory approvals needed including a public notice that is required for air quality permitting; and that the District has increased outreach to the community members living within a quarter mile radius of the project through website content, social media posts and bill inserts. Information only. 08-13-2020 cmc EMERGENCY RESPONSE UPDATE The Director of Strategic Services stated that the Districts Emergency Response Plan, Risk and Resilience Assessment, and Threat Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment have all been completed; that the Hazard Mitigation Plan has been approved by California Office of Emergency Services, and is currently at FEMA for review and approval; that in addition to these plans, staff is also developing a Business Continuity Plan which will focus on resuming and maintaining operations during and after an emergency. Ms. Malloy discussed the impacts that COVID-19 has been having for people across the world; that staff has taken steps to require adaptations to operations including hybrid staffing, enhanced cleaning solutions, procurement and distribution of personal protective equipment, and enhanced community outreach through social media, bill inserts, and the website. She stated that given the response to this emergency, staff has submitted a “small project” to FEMA to help recover the costs that have been spent to ensure continued operations and the safety of our staff. Information only. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE The Director of Strategic Services stated that staff, along with the efforts from the District’s legislative lobbyist continues to monitor multiple bills, including but not limited to SB 1099, SB 1386, AB 685, AB 1492, SB 1159, FY 2020-21 State Budget, and items related to COVID-19. Information only. OUTREACH UPDATE The Director of Strategic Services presented an update of the current outreach that has been created for the community including, but not limited to specific information for COVID-19, capital improvement projects, distribution of the CCR, design and printing of the current budget, Pathways Program material including a series of short videos interviewing staff about their careers. She also stated that outreach for conservation will be increasing now that fall is getting closer to remind customers about reducing outdoor water use to assist with less tier three charges. Information only. DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS Chairman Smith thanked staff for the information provided. Vice Chairman Goodrich thanked staff as well for the information provided. 08-13-2020 cmc Information only. STAFF’S COMMENTS The Director of Strategic Services thanked the Directors for attending and stated that the next meeting is scheduled for October 8, 2020 at 2pm. Information only. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 3:18 pm. ______________________________ ______________________________ David E. Smith Phillip R. Goodrich Director Director 10-08-2020 cmc Subject to approval EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT October 8, 2020 LEGISLATIVE & PUBLIC OUTREACH COMMITTEE VIA TELECONFERENCE MINUTES Kelly Malloy, Director of Strategic Services, called the meeting to order at 2:01 pm and led the flag salute. PRESENT: Directors: Goodrich, Smith ABSENT: None STAFF: Kelly Malloy, Director of Strategic Services; Cecilia Contreras, Senior Administrative Assistant GUEST(s): Members of the Public The Director of Strategic Services requested that Agenda item #2 Community Advisory Commission update be moved up to agenda item #1. PUBLIC COMMENTS The Senior Administrative Assistant declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 2:02 pm. There being no written or verbal comments, the public participation section was closed. COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION VACANCY UPDATE The Director of Strategic Services updated the Directors on the vacancy seats of the Community Advisory Commission; that Dr. Alan Kay and Gail Shelton are being recommended to fill these seats and that this item will be taken to the next regular board meeting for approval. Dr. Alan Kay provided a thank you to the board members and to staff for allowing him the opportunity to serve on this commission. Information only. HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE The Director of Strategic Services provided an update on the Districts current Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP); that staff has been working with Arcadis US in updating the HMP and that this plan has been approved by the California Office of Emergency Services and Federal Emergency Management Agency and the next steps are to present this plan to the board at the next regular board meeting for adoption; that this has been a great process of aligning various plan such as strategic plan, five-year work plan, and capital 10-08-2020 cmc improvement projects; and that with the approval and adoption of this plan, the District continues to be eligible for hazard mitigation grant funding as well as emergency reimbursement events. She stated that staff will continue to review this document and make updates if needed but that this document is now good for five years until staff must resubmit for approval. Information only. STERLING NATURAL RESOURCE CENTER UPDATE The Director of Strategic Services provided an update on the project including but not limited to Del Rosa pipeline being installed that goes to the East Trunk Sewer line, concrete and rebar continued to be input, crews are preparing for the construction of the digestors, and the admin office is framed and roofing is beginning; and stated that staff did not receive any comments from the required public hearing that the air quality control permit needed and that staff is getting ready for another round of notices that will be going out to the surrounding community. She stated that staff continues to increase outreach through a bi-monthly newsletter that goes to residents within a quarter mile radius of the project, as well as website content, bill inserts, and social media. Information only. OUTREACH UPDATE The Director of Strategic Services shared an update of the current outreach that has been created for the community including but not limited to monthly bill inserts, CCR, conservation updates, COVID-19 awareness, as well as capital improvement projects that are currently in construction. Information only. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE The Director of Strategic Services stated staff along with the efforts from the District’s legislative lobbyist continues to monitor multiple bills including but not limited to monitoring the response of COVID-19, Governors Executive orders regarding the moratorium of disconnections, AB 685, SB 1386, FY 2020-21 state budget, and the general election. Information only. DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS Chairman Smith thanked staff for the presentation of the information. Information only. 10-08-2020 cmc STAFF’S COMMENTS The Director of Strategic Services reminded the Directors of the next meeting scheduled for December 10, 2020. Information only. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 3:07 pm. ______________________________ ______________________________ David E. Smith Phillip R. Goodrich Director Director 02-11-2021 cmc Subject to approval EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT February 11, 2021 LEGISLATIVE & PUBLIC OUTREACH COMMITTEE VIA TELECONFERENCE MINUTES Kelly Malloy, Director of Strategic Services, called the meeting to order at 2:04 pm and led the flag salute. PRESENT: Directors: Goodrich, Smith ABSENT: None STAFF: Kelly Malloy, Director of Strategic Services; Cecilia Contreras, Public Affairs Coordinator; William Ringland, Public Affairs & Conservation Manager; Janett Robledo, Conservation Coordinator GUEST(s): None PUBLIC COMMENTS The Public Affairs Coordinator declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 2:04 pm. There being no written or verbal comments, the public participation section was closed. EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION UPDATE The Director of Strategic Services stated that the District’s current emergency plans have been completed and approved by Cal OES and FEMA; that this starts the five year clock until these plans have to be updated but that District staff will be reviewing them annually. She explained the different types of options that the District uses to communicate with staff and the community in the event of an emergency to include mobile phones, satellite phones, two-way radios, email, website, and social media; that the District uses Informcast to send message alerts by email, text, or phone call to District staff. With on-going changes to customer contact, there was a need to overcome data integrity when trying reach out to our rate payers in emergencies. Ms. Malloy explained that staff recently submitted an application to FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) to assist with being able to send emergency notifications to our customers; this program will use a geographic area to send alerts to mobile phones, similar to Amber Alerts we currently receive; that we have received approval from FEMA to use this program and are finalizing the process with Cal OES. Information only. GRANT STRATEGY 02-11-2021 cmc The Director of Strategic Services provided an update on the revision of the Districts Grant Strategy; that this document was originally created in 2012 for specific projects, and that those projects have been completed and it was time to restructure the plan to better assist staff with researching and applying for grant opportunities; that this document covers the roles and responsibilities for the Board, General Manager/CEO, staff, and consultants; that it also includes funding source considerations, organizational evaluation to include planning efforts, financial elements, and program assessment. Ms. Malloy stated that this document will be taken to the Community Advisory Commission for review and input and then it will be brought to the Board for consideration and adoption at a later date. Information only. SET THE DAY AND TIME FOR HOLDING RECURRING MEETINGS The Committee discussed and established that they will meet the second Thursday at 2pm every other month. Information only. DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS There were no comments at this time. STAFF’S COMMENTS The Director of Strategic Services stated that outreach still continues to the community regarding updates of the Sterling Natural Resources Center, that there will be a conservation update at the next meeting regarding a pilot landscaping program, and that staff is continuing to watch legislation that could effect the District. Information only. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 pm. ______________________________ ______________________________ David E. Smith Phillip R. Goodrich Director Director Respectfully submitted: STAFF REPORT Agenda Item #4. Meeting Date: April 8, 2021 To: LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC OUTREACH COMMITTEE From: Director of Strategic Services Subject: Sterling Natural Resource Center Project Update RECOMMENDATION: This agenda item is for informational purposes only. BACKGROUND / ANALYSIS: Construction activities continues for the Sterling Natural Resource Center. Since the project is using the progressive design-build model, construction continues while design efforts are underway in a collaborative team environment with the project partners. In recent weeks, the construction has reached new heights and is not more visible from beyond the fenceline. The design team is incorporating the bio-energy enhancement into the various elements of the treatment process, offsite improvements, and pipeline. Efforts continue to work through the various regulatory approvals necessary for the project, working closely with Southern California Edison, South Coast Air Quality Management District, CalTrans, Metropolitan Water District, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the cities of Highland and San Bernardino. This is an on- going process in tandem with the construction effort. The District continues to provide information through website content, social media posts, and bill inserts. Additional outreach is being sent bi-monthly to residents living in the vicinity of the site. Staff maintains dialogue with the community in spite of the COVID restrictions and gathering limitations, especially residents directly adjacent to the facility. AGENCY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: Goal and Objectives I - Implement Effective Solutions Through Visionary Leadership a) Identify Opportunities to Optimize Natural Resources FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this update. Kelly Malloy Director of Strategic Services S TAF F R E P ORT Agenda Item #5. Meeting Date: Ap ril 8, 2021 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 fo r info rmatio nal p urp o s es only. B AC KGR O UN D / AN ALYS IS : T he Dis tric t staff to gether with legis lative advo cates , T he O nate G roup and R es o lute, are mo nitoring this year ’s legis lative ses s ion which rec o nvened on January 11, 2021. With C O VI D-19 impac ting the 2020 session, many of the s talled b ills have b een re-introduced this year. S peaker o f the Assembly, Antony R endon, laid out the p riorities whic h inc lude, C O VI D-19 res p o nse and relief effo rts, climate c hange and enviro nmental jus tic e, and addres s ing ec o nomic inequities . S taff are monitoring the fo llo wing piec es of legis lation: AB 1434; Urb an water us e objec tives : indoor res idential water use AB 377; Water quality: imp aired waters AB 1500; S afe drinking water, wildfire preventio n, d ro ught p rep aratio n, flo o d p ro tec tion, extreme heat mitigation, and wo rkforc e d evelopment bond ac t of 2022 S B 45; Wildfire prevention, safe drinking water, drought prep aration, and flo o d p ro tec tio n b ond act of 2022 S B 222; Water affordability assistanc e p ro gram S B 223; D iscontinuation of residential water service Together with AC WA, WaterR eus e, and C MUA, District staff are ac tively p articipating in wo rking gro ups and ad voc ating the Dis tric t’s c o nc erns . Engagement with thes e group s are es s ential to voic e concerns o ver the p ro p o s ed legislatio ns , learn ab o ut ind us try c o nc erns and p artner with neighb o ring distric ts o n legislative p o s itions . S taff will d raft po s ition letters o f s uppo rt or o p p o s itio n bas ed upon the Board ap p ro ved legislative p latform. T he District, together with S an Bernard ino Valley Munic ip al Water Dis tric t, Eas tern Municipal Water District, and C ity of S an Bernardino Municipal Water Department have built a c o alitio n to s upport S B 45 s ep tic -to- s ewer funding in the propo s ed c limate res ilienc e b o nds. T his partners hip is o ne examp le o f the c o llaborative p ro ces s the Dis tric t takes to ad vo cate, s uppo rt o r c hamp io n p iec es of legis lation. As the legislative s es s io n progres s es , the Dis tric t will continue to mo nitor the evolving bills, maintain p artic ip atio n in legislative b riefings fro m AC WA, C MUA, and WaterR eus e, and work with our lo b b yist who engages on our behalf with elec ted o fficials and adminis tration s taff. R es p ec tfully s ubmitted : Kelly Mallo y Directo r o f S trategic S ervices engages on our behalf with elec ted o fficials and adminis tration s taff. AG E N C Y G O ALS AN D OB J E C T IVE S : G oal and O b jectives I - Implement Effec tive S o lutio ns T hrough Visionary Leadership c) S trengthen R egional, State and N ational P artnerships 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: Ap ril 8, 2021 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 ed only. B AC KGR O UN D / AN ALYS IS : C o nservatio n is a fo und ational public engagement effo rt fo r East Valley Water Dis trict as water resources continue to b e in limited sup p ly. C alifornia is experienc ing its s ec o nd cons ecutive year o f b elow average rainfall and many c ities are rep o rting low rainfall totals . T he C ity of Highland has rec o rded o nly 5.71 inches of rainfall and 58% of the S tate is experienc ing s evere drought. Due to this current s ituation, there is a high prob ab ility o f a s tate drought d ec laration in the upc o ming months demo nstrating the imp o rtance fo r the Dis tric t to continue engaging with residents to c o ns erve water. T he Distric t is continuing to encourage c usto mers to us e water wis ely and reward their c o ns ervatio n effo rts thro ugh a s eries o f reb ates. To d ate, the Dis tric t has proc es sed 126 applic ations fo r indoor and outdoor rebates . T hro ugh the Distric t’s weather-b as ed irrigation c ontroller direc t ins tallation pro gram, 102 c o ntro llers have b een installed , help ing c us tomers water mo re efficiently. T he Dis tric t has started wo rk on develo p ing a new pilot cons ervation reb ate program to help c us tomers better cons erve and red uc e outdoor water us e. T he p ilo t p arkway turf removal program will c onvert the s trip o f gras s o r other high-water use p lants between the s id ewalk and the s treet to water effic ient parkways. T he propos ed p ilo t program wo uld c o nnect p ro p erty owners with a licens ed land s cape c o ntrac tor to d es ign and c o mp lete the trans fo rmatio n of the p arkways . By implementing the pilot p ro gram, the Dis tric t help cus tomers reduc e their o utd o o r c o nsump tio n, b ring c usto mers into c o mpliance with the Dis tric t’s c o ns ervatio n ord inance, and maintain the es thetic s of the c ommunity with beautiful water-effic ient parkways. Las t mo nth, cus tomers were invited to join the Dis trict for the virtual F amily F riend ly G ard ening Wo rksho p , hosted via F acebook Live. C us tomers were able to view the gardening p resentatio n fro m the comfo rt of their home and learn help ful tip s to apply to their land s capes . With over 64 views o f the d emons tratio n, the Distric t is lo o king to c reate mo re c onservation vid eo s and s hare thro ugh the s o cial med ia p latfo rms fo r c usto mers to us e water more effic iently. Eas t Valley Water Dis tric t continues to foc us o n cons ervation efforts for Dis tric t and s up p o rt cus tomers to b ecome go o d steward s of the limited and p rec io us res o urce. 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 : G o al and O bjec tives I I I - Deliver P ublic S ervic e with P urpose W hile Emb rac ing C ontinuo us G rowth c) P ro mote a P o s itive O rganizational C ulture d ) Embrace an Environment of Active Learning and Knowled ge S haring F IS C AL IMPAC T T here is no fis cal impac t as s o c iated with this agend a item at this time. S TAF F R E P ORT Agenda Item #7. Meeting Date: Ap ril 8, 2021 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. B AC KGR O UN D / AN ALYS IS : T he Dis tric t continues to utilize various avenues o f c ommunic ation to engage with the c o mmunity. R ecent projects have included, but are not limited to: C apital I mprovement P roject C onstruction P athway P ro gram (Indian S p rings High S c hool) S NR C Up d ates C o ns ervatio n Wo rksho p Methods of communicatio n vary d ep ending on the p ro jec t, but may includ e: S o c ial Med ia Bill Inserts Direc t Mailers P rint Advertis ements P ress R eleas es C o mmunity S ite vis its T he District c o ntinues to ac tively utilize s o cial media as part o f its o n-go ing outreach effo rts. T hrough p o s ts on F acebook, Twitter, and Ins tagram, the Dis tric t provides the p ublic with S terling Natural R es o urc e C enter projec t benefits and p ro gress , news updates , c o nservation tips, reb ate p rogram information, and services availab le to c usto mers . F ac eb o o k and Ins tagram have become the b es t p erfo rming platforms fo r the District. S ince January 2021, the @EastValleyWater F acebook p age has received 407 organic reac tions and Instagram had 735 organic engagements . S oc ial med ia ad s have b een us ed to amplify the s trategic mes s ages for the Distric t. S ince January 2021, the District’s s o cial med ia ad s have reac hed o ver 20k c o mmunity members. Bill ins erts are a s trategic and o ne o f the mo s t effective o utreac h channels . By includ ing informatio nal materials in the water b ill, the Dis tric t ens ures c o mmunity members within the s ervic e area have information read ily ac ces s ible and are encouraged to engage with the Dis tric t as a res ult o f the ins ert. Additio nally, the Dis tric t is invo lved in a number of construc tion p ro jects within the service area. A foc used effort is undertaken o n each p ro ject to inform residents that c o uld have their service d irec tly impacted along R espec tfully sub mitted: Kelly Malloy Direc tor of S trategic S ervic es effort is undertaken o n each p ro ject to inform residents that c o uld have their service d irec tly impacted along with res id ents that c ould be indirectly imp ac ted b y lane c lo s ures o r eq uipment staging. AG E N C Y G O ALS AN D OB J E C T IVE S : G o al and O bjec tives I I - Maintain a C ommitment to S us tainab ility, Transparenc y, and Ac c o untability b ) Utilize Effective C ommunic atio n Method s d) P rovide Q uality I nformation to E ncourage Community E ngagement F IS C AL IMPAC T T here is no fis cal impac t as s o c iated with this agend a item.