HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-03-09 - AGENDA REPORTS - ENVIRONMENTAL OUTREACH PLAN (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
NEW BUSINESS
City Manager Approva
Item to be presented byYAmelia tze
DATE: March 9, 1999
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES OUTREACH PLAN PRESENTATION
DEPARTMENT: Planning & Building Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council receive a report regarding the Environmental Education & Outreach Plan;
City Council approve appropriation of $180,000 in account number 3820-8110 from
Stormwater Utility Fund; and, City Council award contract in the amount of $180,000 to
Rogers & Associates.
BACKGROUND
In 1997, the City reorganized, resulting in the combination of the Solid Waste and
Stormwater Divisions in a newly created Environmental Services Division. Public
education and outreach are critical components of both programs. With the past
organizational structure, both Divisions had developed outreach materials focused on very
narrow environmental issues, such as recycling or illegal dumping. The integration of the
Solid Waste and Stormwater Programs resulted in the ability to develop a more broad-
based message, designed to provide environmental education to residents and local
businesses in a more complete manner.
Prior success of the public education and outreach components of the environmental
programs includes attaining the AB939 goal of 50% diversion from the landfill by Year
2000, recent legislation reducing the land available in Elsmere Canyon for landfills, the
increase in participation in the annual Household Hazardous Waste Roundup in Santa
Clarita, a 1300% increase in participation in River Rally since inception, and many other
successes.
With this list of accomplishments, the Division is ready to take the City to the next level.
Programs such as a "Buy Recycled," Household Hazardous Waste Door -to -Door collection,
additional efforts related to the fight against a landfill in Elsmere Canyon, and the full
implementation of the City's Stormwater Management Program will require additional
public education and outreach efforts to ensure the maximum success possible.
Additionally, research shows that public education campaigns must be revised periodically
to continue to be effective. As a campaign progresses, a point of saturation occurs and the
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message loses its impact. Thus, periodic review and re -design is required to ensure that the
most effective public education is reaching its target audience.
In order to get the most "bang for our outreach buck," the City hired a public relations firm,
specializing in environmental education and outreach, to assist the City with the
development of a comprehensive Environmental Education and Outreach Plan.
Rogers & Associates, the consultant chosen to prepare the Plan, is also a contractor for the
Los Angeles County Environmental Education & Outreach Program, of which the City of
Santa Clarita is a partner. Through this partnership, the City has realized tremendous
cost savings and leverage in providing high quality environmental education to our
residents.
Implementation of the Environmental Education & Outreach Plan, along with the County-
wide Stormwater Public Education Program, fully meet all outreach requirements in the
Stormwater and Solid Waste Programs. Rogers & Associates will provide a brief
presentation to the City Council to discuss the details of the Plan.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
1. No other alternative actions identified by staff.
2. Other action as determined by Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this expenditure, in the amount of $180,000 is available in the Stormwater
Utility Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
Outreach Plan is available for review in the City Clerk Reading File.
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