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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - Legislative & Public Outreach Committee - 11/23/2009IM EastValley VA later District PUBLIC OUTREACH COMMITTEE MEETING Date: November 23, 2009 Time: 9:OOa.m. Place: 3654 E. Highland Ave, Suite 12 Highland, CA 92346 UTICI4.17_1 CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. Public: Comments 2. Update on the District's phone system. 3. Update on the District's website. 4. Discussion regarding article in the Highland Community News and response from Director Levesque. 5. Review draft 2010 District calendar. 6. Discussion regarding emergency preparedness / public outreach programs. 7. Public Outreach Programs. ADJOURN - - - -- - - - - - -- ------------------------------------------------------- Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2(a), any request for a disability- related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, that is sought in order to participate in the above- agendized public meeting shoc:ld be directed to the District's Administrative Manager at (909) 885 -4900 at least 72 hours prior to said meeting. -------------------------------- ---- ---- --- --- -------- ------ -- - ---- rrtnt version � �)narrie on z v vv iJ OPINION > LETTERS Shame on EVIND Published: Friday, November 13, 2009 7:07 PM CST rage i oI t s i i Print Page i t This past week I listened to channel 4 news discuss water rationing laws that are strictly fine enforced in many communities in Southern California— some of the laws only allow watering of grass once a week. That is severe and it is doubtful that most grass will even survive with so little water I have friends in Redlands who own a small orange grove and are barely allowed enough water to keep their trees alive. On top of the restriction, they also are only allowed to water a very few specifically scheduled hours of the week. I read articles everywhere in every literary format out there about the crucial need for water conservation. My husband and I took out all the grass on our large corner property some five years ago and went to desert landscaping in our own effort to cut down on water use. But East Valley Water District, who wants to raise my water bill and yours, evidently has not heard about any of the above. They continue to dump thousands if not hundreds of thousands of gallons of water down our city streets almost daily. It is wasteful to say the least and hypocritical by any standard. Flushing wells is one thing, but thousands of gallons just dumped day after day after day, is another thing entirely! Who is minding the store? Who holds EVWD accountable for this monstrous waste of a very precious resource that we pay dearly for? What can we as citizens of Highland do to end the outrage? Helen Carson, Highland Copyright © 2009 - Highland News rx) Close Window http: / /Www.highlandnews .net /articles /2009/l l /l 3/ opinion /letters /doc4afeO25a8d44b5513... 11/20/2009 Page 1 of 2 Justine Hendricksen From: Matt Levesque Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 2:08 PM To: Kip Sturgeon Cc: Justine Hendricksen Subject: FW: Shame on EVWD M Since we didn't do a very good job on the front end of this thing, we should play off the "free car wash" idea in this lady's response. See attached draft after you read the email below. Matt From: Helen Carson Imailto :helencarson @sbcglobal.net] Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 10:09 AM To: matt @bisliopconstruction.net Subject: Re: Shame on EVWD Hello Matt, I must admit I was very surprised to receive your email yesterday, and pleasantly so. I appreciate the time you took to read my letter to the editor and respond to it so quickly and with the facts of the matter. It is not often that somebody in your position would do so. After reading your letter, I understand why EVWD is dumping all the water. I still think that there might be a way of collecting that water and using it for grove owners and farmers in the area that need the water so desperately for their crops. However, I would also agree with you that most of it probably does percolate back into the aquifer. Again, thank you so much for your time and explanation. As I drive through the splish splash next time, I will understand why I am getting a free car wash! Helen Carson - -- On Tue, 11/17/09, Matt Le Vesque <matts1evesque@gmai1.com> wrote: From: Matt Le Vesque <mattslevesque @gmail.com> Subject: Shame on EVWD To: helencarson @sbcglobal.net Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 9:56 AM Hi Helen, I asked Charles from the Highland Community News for your contact info, I hope you 11/18/2009 Page 2 of 2 don't mind. I want you to know that we take your comments seriously and want to explain why we're purging the well on Third Street. First, we don't have a choice. Whenever a well is taken into service, we have to comply with State of California, Department of Public Health requirements. To successfully complete all these tests and prove there are no contaminants, the water must be flushed until we have "clean" results. In this case, we have several filter units that need to be filled, purged, and tested and the process is very lengthy. Second, In most cases, the water is discharged to a drain system and nobody sees it. In this case, the intersection doesn't have storm drains, so everyone can see how much water is pt.imped to get the results we need. Believe me, we've heard may comments about this process. Finally, The water is not potable (drinkable) and the water doesn't really go to waste. Except for some evaporation, it runs into the riverbed through the existing drainage system and percolates back into the aquifer to replenish our wells. We do, however, pay the electric bill to run the well and it looks like we don't know what we're doing when, in fact, we're complying with health standards and putting another well online. I hope this information is helpful to you. I know it appears that we aren't paying attention to your concerns but 1 want to assure you that we are. Please call me at 951 - 830 -4918, email me at mlevesque @eastvalley.org, or attend and ask questions at our meetings, held the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month at 3:00 PM, 3654 East Highland Ave., Suite 12. Thank you, Matt Le Vesque„ Director East Valley Water District 909 -885 -4900 ml.evesc(ug: @eastvaIley: org www. EastVall_ey. org Statement of Confidentiality: This message and any attachments may contain confidential information. It is solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you are not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you received this email in error. The information may also be confidential and /or legally privileged. Any use, review, disclosure, reproduction, distribution, copying of, or reliance on, this email and any attachment is strictly prohibited. if you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify the sender by reply email and delete this message and any attachments. Thank you for your cooperation. Email is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 USC SS 2510 -2521 and is legally privileged. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.72/2511 - Release Date: 11/18/09 07:50:00 11/18/2009 PRESS RELEASE "EVWD announces end to free car washes ". The East Valley Water District has been purging undrinkable water for a new well and filtration system for the past month and has received many complaints about wasting waiver. "We don't have a choice, the state makes use run the water until it's passed all the tests" explained board president, Skip Wilson. "Normally, people aren't even aware of this process but this intersection doesn't have an effective storm drain, so people think we're wasting the water when it's just something we have to do. The fact is, it drains to the riverbed and percolates right back into the aquifer ". Over the purge and test period the intersection of Palm Avenue and 5th Street has been flooded on a regular basis and the district has received many complaints about wasting water and damage to the road. After explaining the facts to one constituent, a board member received an email thanking the district for the free car washes. "That's a very positive way of looking at it ", said Wilson, "but the free car washes will come to an next week" U11 UU»1U1V11iccuiig wi vary Justine Hendric:ksen From: Gary Sturdivan Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 4:20 PM To: Justine Hendricksen Subject: FW: Discussion /meeting wl Gary FYI From: Matt Le Vesque [mailto:mattslevesque @gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:53 AM To: Gary Sturdivan Subject: Discussion/ meeting w/ Gary Gary, Page I of 1 Per our brief discussion Monday, these are some of the emergency preparedness /public outreach ideas we discussed. (I think it's great that EVWD has begun to stage for events) - Replace the bottled water program with a refillable /reusable bottle, to be purchased at cost or a percentage of cost, rather than a freebee. If you give them away, they'll be throne away or taken for granted. The purpose is to emphasize tap water use and hydration. httb /mysigg.com/ index. asp ?PageAction= VIEWCATS &Category=3 - Availability of 5 gal. "camping" bottles for emergency prep, again at or below cost with purification instructions, logo, etc. These could also be used for raffles, etc. at business events, h_ttp;// outdoor -I iying_hardWarestore com /58- .235- water- jugs /ventless- water- can- 135160.aspx - Creation of a "cooling station" at public events. Convert a fire hydrant to a drinking / re -fill station with a canopy and misters for really hot days. << >> http./1wmw.ygqtp p.com /watch ?v_ =_Ab o_3amOyvY -Use a "water buffalo" at public events to show the size / price of a billing unit of water and for field / emergency use. - imprint all our materials with a link to the EVWD site with added info on emergency prep. I will leave it to you to share these ideas with Bob, Jo. Matt 11/2/2009 Public Outreach Budget CCR $15,000 Calendars $ 8,000 Pipeline $12,000 Spring tour $ 2,200 Fall Tour $ 2,200 Web Site $ 1,000 Harvest Festival $ 1,000 Discover Highland$ 500 Night Route 66 $ 100 Truck $ 500 Promo Items $10,000 Total Budget $40,000