March 1, 2012 Outreach Committee minutes

Public Outreach Meeting
Ironhouse Sanitary District
March 1, 2012

A. Public Comments
None.

B. Planning for future and ongoing District Public Outreach efforts

1. Continuation on FOG campaign and where to go from here on the promotion
 Look into putting the FOG info on the City’s electronic board
 Begin promotion for the next Saturday drop-off day April 28
 Work with Delta Household Hazardous Waste on developing a satellite event to pick up all hazardous was waste (paint, batteries, etc.) at the ISD offices on a Saturday in the spring.
 See about adding a non-profit group to raise money at the event for e-waste pick-up as well. Look into sponsorship for the program from DHHW and the City of Oakley.
 Dates for consideration Memorial Day weekend May 26-28. Check with Central Sans and Delta Diablo Sanitation District about similar models.
 Clean Water Program: see about tapping into the funds provided through the Clean Water Program.

2. Delta Conservancy’s “Delta Grants Coalition”
a. Explained program, offering information such as what the program is about and how it might be useful for ISD.
b. Committee gave suggestions on current project ideas that might benefit from sponsorship including:
 Recycled water: Developing a program that can utilize the District’s Resource Recovery Facility.
 Utilizing energy sources like solar and wind power.
 Becoming a source of water for industrial use irrigation, and other areas such as vineyards.
 Becoming a source of water during times of drought conditions
 Check into Water District Recycled water 2020

3. Salt reduction program
 Establishing a program that will offer rebates to homeowners who trade their current salt generating water softeners to non-salt generating devices.
 Establishing an educational salt reduction campaign for both Oakley and Bethel Island.
 Establishing an education program on pollution prevention

4. PG&E check and how we want to promote it publically
 Work with Jenny to interview PG&E representative about the program and how it can be beneficial for the District.
 Check with board on how the money is to be spent. Ask that the money be used to reduce rates for ratepayers and reinvesting into other uses of energy including water, wind, solar.
 Develop a press release that can be sent to local newspapers about the program using key words such as example of ongoing efforts to keep your rates down, energy conservation and award-winning district. Give quote from PG&E about using ISD as an example of programs for other Districts.

5. Education Program
 Continue working with Joe on the Sewer in the Classroom and elementary program.
 Work with CCTV or other video programming service to complete a video tour of the Water Recycling Facility
 Develop a 3 minute video on the district with information on the district and the facility to place on website

Not on topic but also discussed for this program:
 was to begin finding out information on the Green Business Program and working to see if the District can become a member; develop a program to off awards to businesses for being good partners with ISD.
 Service awards for ISD: look into applying for awards through CASA, CWEA, etc. Get deadlines for awards, applications and packets together to discuss which to apply for.


6. April Newsletter
 Push PG&E to front page story
 Keep regular stories like SSMP, FOG, etc.
 Make sure emergency number is in place on front page. Add a story on reasons to call the office beyond business hours for an emergency and what questions to ask for help. What services the district provides to residents.
 Important dates to be placed on back cover in the mailing box.

7. Next meeting:
Special meeting for outreach set for March 15, 2012—9 a.m. for newsletter prep, awards and answers to various questions asked at March meeting.
Next regular meeting April 6, 2012—9 a.m.
Special April meeting April 19, 2012—9a.m. for Oakley Science Week prep.