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HomeMy WebLinkAbout13 - Interactive Childrens Water DisplayMarch 28, 2000 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM NO. 13 TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Public Works Department SUBJECT: SPONSORSHIP OF INTERACTIVE CHILDREN'S WATER DISPLAY AT THE DISCOVERY MUSEUM OF ORANGE COUNTY RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Approve participation in the Blue Planet Foundation Project's development and sponsorship of a "hands -on, interactive, water model and educational display" to be located at the Discovery Museum of Orange County. 2. Authorize a sponsorship contribution of $2,500. DISCUSSION: The Utilities Division of the Public Works Department has been involved in non - profit, educational activities for school children throughout Orange County for the past three years. These educational activities are available for students living in Newport Beach. The Utilities Division Management Assistant, Terresa Moritz, was appointed to the Orange County Groundwater Guardian Group in 1998 by Eldon Davidson (Utilities Manager) and William Mills (of the Orange County Water District). She has been active in the planning and organization of the group's activities for the past three years. In an effort to promote water conservation and preservation of the Orange County groundwater basin, the Guardian Group targets elementary school children and educates them about this important natural resource. This program led to the Orange County Water District's creation of a non - profit entity called the "Blue Planet Foundation." Mrs. Moritz was appointed to the Blue Planet Foundation Board of Directors on March 15, 2000. The Blue Planet Foundation will encompass activities previously under the direction of the Orange County Water District, which presently includes the organization of the Discovery Museum Project. The Foundation has determined that agencies within the basin wishing to participate in the creation, design, and building of the Museum Project will need to provide sponsorship at the same level to ensure unilateral recognition upon completion of the project. The amount for sponsorship has been set at $2,500. As a sponsor the City will be recognized on the project mark as a major contributor. SUBJECT: Sponsorship of Interactive Children's Water Display at Discovery Museum MARCH 28, 2000 Page 2 It is the City's responsibility to endorse and encourage water conservation. This is required by the water industry-wide Best Management Practices (BMP), recognized statewide - specifically BMP 7 (Public Information) and BMP 8 (School Education) on a list of 16 BMP's. Several attachments are listed below to support and clarify the program and the Blue Planet Foundation. Staff requests Council to approve the sponsorship, continued support, and participation in education and water conservation programs by the Public Works Department. This will include a sponsorship donation of $2,500 to the Blue Planet Foundation for the Discovery Museum of Orange County. Funds will be taken from the Utilities Operating Budget Account No. 5500 -8010, Advertising and Public Relations. Respectfully subrmiitted PUBLI ORKS DEPARTMENT Don Webb, Director By: (70esa Moritz Management Assistant Eldon Davidson Utilities Manager Attachments: OCWD Letter Requesting City Participation OCWD Establishment of Non - Profit 501(c)(3 )—The Blue Planet Foundation Blue Planet Foundation — Mission Statement & Purpose Blue Planet Foundation Board of Directors Appointment Letter List 16 Best Management Practices for Water Conservation f:\ users \pbw\ shared \council \fygg- 00\march -28 \Interactive water display.doc Directors PHILIP L. ANTHONY WES BANNISTER KATHRYN L. BARR JAN M. FLORY JOHN V. FONLEY JERRY A. KING LAWRENCE P. KRAEMER JR. THOMAS E. LUTZ IRV PICKLER KELLY E. ROWE 2 J ORANGE COUNTY WATER DISTRICT February 16, 2000 Terresa Moritz Management Assistant City of Newport Beach - Utilities 3300 Newport Blvd Newport Beach, CA 92659 -1768 Dear Terresa: Officers IRV PICKLER President LAWRENCE P, KRAEMER JR, First Vice President JOHN V. FONLEY Second Vice President WILLIAM R. MILLS JR. General Manager CLARKIDE General Counsel JANICE DURANT District Secretary Thank you for your interest in contributing $2,500 to the Groundwater Guardian Team's project at the Discovery Museum of Orange County on behalf of the City of Newport Beach. I have enclosed a Project Description for your review. Two things I would like to emphasize: 1. When we are ready to begin the Project, I will convene a Project Team to oversee the project. This will ensure that everyone that is contributing can be part of the development process. 2. As part of the Project Team you can ensure that the City of Newport Beach gets the recognition you deserve (and need) for your contribution. I am eager to discuss this educational partnership with you. If you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact me at (714) 378 -3351. Thank you. _ n 'Ron Wildermuth Public Information Officer Enclosure P.O. Box 8300, Fountain Valley, CA 92728 -8300 • 10500 Ellis Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 Telephone (714) 378 -3200 Fax (714) 378 -3373 Web Page www.ocwd.com DISCOVERY MUSEUM OF ORANGE COUNTY WATER EXHIBIT PROJECT DESCRIPTION The OCWD Groundwater Guardian Team and the OCWD Public Affairs staff have been working with the Discovery Museum of Orange County (located in Santa Ana) to develop a permanent water exhibit. The Museum serves more than 40,000 visitors each year and is eager to expand its water - related educational programming to include Orange County water history and information. This exhibit or "Water Learning Station" will serve as an outdoor classroom and exhibit hall available for group tours and the general public. The project will consist of the three components listed below. OCWD will form a Project Team with staff representing each of the project partners to work closely with Museum throughout the development and installation process. PROJECT COMPONENTS Outdoor Water Learning Station A 16' by 20' adobe -type building will be constructed using alternative construction materials. These materials eliminate the need for climate control, therefore are energy efficient. The building will be 8' high and include three enclosed walls, with a patio overlooking the wetlands area. A pond and waterfall will be constructed in the wetlands area and a demonstration xeriscape will be planted adjacent to the Water Learning Station. Outside the building will be a permanent sign showing a cross - section of the groundwater basin. History of Water in Orange County Exhibit Inside the Learning Station will be a permanent display area that will be designed to demonstrate how water has changed in Orange County and explain how advanced our current water system is. The display will cover current water sources, both groundwater and imported water; a history of distribution systems; and an explanation of the groundwater basin. The Project Team will work closely with the Museum to develop the final content of the display. Although the display area will be permanent, the content of the display can be changed. Interactive Water Exhibit Also in the Water Learning Station will be a self- contained, three - dimensional water exhibit that will enable students and adults to explore the various aspects of groundwater and the water system. Models of a groundwater basin, watershed and treatment or reclamation facilities will be constructed to demonstrate the different facets of our water system including the types of activities that can affect water quality. An exhibit on used motor oil will be featured in this area. Water samples will be available from the tap, the wetlands and the rain to enable visitors to conduct simple water quality testing. TIMELINE The following is the proposed timeline for each of the project components: • Outdoor Water Learning Station April 2000 Construction begins May 2000 Construction completed History of Water in Orange County Exhibit April 2000 Museum outlines design May 2000 Design presented to Project Team June 2000 Project Team comments incorporated design; final approval and artifact acquisition begins July 2000 Exhibit installation • Interactive Water Exhibit May 2000 Design complete July 2000 Installation complete FUNDING The total cost for the design, construction and operation of the exhibit will be $19,200. Several organizations have expressed an interest in partnering to share the cost of the exhibit, including MWDOC, the County of Orange Health Care Agency, the City of Irvine and the City of Newport Beach. RECOGNITION Upon completion of the project, the Project Team will coordinate a media event to celebrate the opening of the exhibit. A permanent plaque will be displayed in the Water Learning Station recognizing the project partners. Additionally, project partners will be recognized in all publications related to the building and exhibit as well as in the . Museum's newsletter. DISCUSSIONtANALYSIS In the past two years, the Public Affairs effort at OCWD has greatly expanded. Media coverage has increased by a significant order of magnitude, and we have added Orange County Water 101 (a community water education course), two new watershed community tours and a District Open House to our outreach efforts. The Children's Drinking Water Festival has grown annually from 2,500 children and teachers to a current 5,500 attendees, and is now the largest event of its kind in the United States. Not only has the department provided an intensive community education and outreach program in support of the Groundwater Replenishment System (including more than 300 presentations), but it has also taken a more active role in the legislative arena, become involved in more community charity events and initiated a countywide hotel/motel conservation program. Staff has researched the feasibility of establishing a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) foundation at the District to improve contributions to the District's future communication, education and recharge efforts. In contacting various businesses (Disney and Boeing), OCWD's community outreach efforts, such as the Children's Drinking Water Festival and a proposed George Osborne Scholarship, could be better supported by businesses and other organizations if OCWD had a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) foundation to receive donations. Local businesses and other possible donators, including Federal agencies, have more latitude in and gain more benefit from donating if it is to a nonprofit organization that includes some local community participation. Improved contributions will allow OCWD's educational outreach to expand while minimizing costs to the District. The Board of the proposed 501(c)(3) foundation would not only include direction and leadership by OCWD's Public Affairs personnel, but also participation by OCWD's Groundwater Guardian team members who represent various community organizations. With such community involvement, this nonprofit foundation might eventually be supported by grants, contributions and donations. Programs supported by the foundation may include: a scholarship in memory of George Osborne, increased business /community funding for the Children's Drinking Water Festival and Groundwater Guardian Program, a mini -grant program to complement the Festival and emphasize groundwater education, groundwater protection and conservation and other activities including a water education exhibit at the Santa Ana Discovery Science Centers. In addition, staff recommends changing Sharon Lien's status from a 20 hour - per -week part-time position to a full -time limited -term contract position. This would facilitate her ability to initiate, raise funds for and manage the 501(c)(3) as well as help implement programs supported by the 501(c)(3). Sharon Lien has been a part-time employee (20 hours per week) in Public Affairs since January 5, 1998. Her current duties are to plan and carry out the Children's Drinking Water Festival and to manage OCWD's Groundwater Guardian Program. Sharon is ideal, for this new initiative because she has experience in managing a 501(c)(3). In fact, she has agreed to transfer control of her non-profit entity, "The Blue Planet Foundation," to OCWD by changing the bylaws and restaffing its board with OCWD Public Affairs personnel. This has been reviewed and approved by legal counsel. She would manage the 501(c)(3) as an employee of OCWD and initiate the transfer paperwork, raise funds for the 501(c)(3), as well as help implement programs supported by the 501(c)(3). To carry out creation and management of the 501(c)(3) as well as continue her current duties, staff recommends bringing Sharon on full -time at her current salary with a one -year limited -term contract as an exempt public affairs specialist. "w� ma Community -6ared e�vivoKre "cal. proyrarS, edvcatio% aKd relear& MISSION STATEMENT To develop and provide environmental education, programs, products and services that educate and empower the community SPECIFIC PURPOSE The specific purpose for which this corporation is organized is to provide environmental education, information and resources to the general public. OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES The primary objectives and purposes of this corporation shall be: a) to develop groundwater education and information materials. b) to distribute groundwater education and information materials. c) to provide information and instruction in groundwater protection, conservation and reuse activities. d) to coordinate or participate in groundwater education events, workshops, public meetings and community events. e) to coordinate or participate in school education activities related to groundwater protection, conservation, and reuse. f) to coordinate volunteer and community groundwater education activities. Commvei }y -based eeviroemeeial Programs, eJvcay:on and reieard BOARD OF DIRECTORS President - Sharon L. Lien Ms. Lien is employed by the Foundation to develop and manage the education projects and programs. Ms. Lien is also a Public Affairs Specialist for the Orange County Water District and is responsible for the District's Groundwater Guardian Program, Children's Drinking Water Festival and Groundwater Education Program. Ms. Lien is the Chairperson of The Groundwater Foundation's Technical Advisory Committee, a member of The Groundwater Foundation Board of Directors and Vice - Chairperson of the Groundwater Guardian Council. Ms. Lien recently received the Edith Stevens Groundwater Education Award. Treasurer - Nancy S. Weaver As a cost engineer for Turner Construction, Ms. Weaver brings a solid financial management background to the Foundation. Ms. Weaver also has experience in bioenvironmental engineering and management as part of her U.S. Air Force Reserve career. Secretary - Tanya S. LaSoya Ms. LaSoya brings to the Foundation extensive experience in coordinating and managing events, people and budgets. Currently an employee of the Anaheim Convention Center, Ms. LaSoya provides insight into Foundation planning, budgeting and management issues. Technical Advisory Team The Foundation also solicits volunteers to provide technical assistance in specific project areas. In the past, this has included other environmental, communications, graphic design and public relations professionals. o�hda,��o Cororovei +y -based ehviro"me " +al frogramf, educa+:en and repeard, BLUE PLANET FOUNDATION PROJECTS Source Water Assessment Project The Foundation is currently assisting The Groundwater Foundation in implementing a Source Water Protection education program in California. This program includes coordinating workshops to provide an overview of the Source Water Protection Program, requirements of California's Drinking Water Source Protection and Prevention Program and information on how the community can get involved in this new initiative to protect the nation's drinking water. Water Education Bookmarks The Foundation is completing a series of three water education bookmarks for The Boeing Company. These bookmarks will be distributed to 43 libraries throughout Orange County and at local community events. The bookmarks include a cross - section of Orange County's groundwater basin, information on groundwater protection and water conservation, and the telephone number for locations of used oil and household hazardous waste collection centers. 1997 CIWMB Research, Testing and Demonstration Grant The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) is now requiring evaluation components in all its Used Oil Recycling grants. In 1997, the CIWMB awarded the Blue Planet Foundation a Used Oil Research, Testing and Demonstration Grant to develop methodologies to assist grantees in evaluating their programs. As part of this project, the Foundation developed a guidebook for grantees to evaluate the implementation and impact of their oil recycling programs. The completed Guidebook was distributed by the CIWMB to more than 500 local agencies with used oil recycling grants. Children's Drinking Water Festival The Blue Planet Foundation provides assistance to the Orange County Water District in the coordination of the Children's Drinking Water Festival. Additionally, for the past two years the Foundation has presented the interactivity "Edible Aquifer." Through this interactivity, children learn about aquifers and potential sources of contamination by building their own aquifer using ice, soda, ice cream and candy sprinkles. The Foundation has taken a lead role in raising funds to support the 2000 Children's Drinking Water Festival. Qo`'e P(a 7( CCMMV"; +y -based env;ronmen +al programs, edvca4.on 2nd re5e2rd, Movie Theater Screen Ad Campaign In partnership with the Orange County Water District, the Blue Planet Foundation produced a groundwater protection screen ad campaign that was shown on 94 Edward's Movie Theater screens throughout Orange County. The campaign featured three slides encouraging the public to protect one of Orange County's most valuable resources — groundwater. This campaign ran for four weeks and reached approximately 130,000 moviegoers. The Foundation assisted in development of the slides and in securing the movie screens for the campaign. Jan Schlichtmann Public Service Announcement In partnership with the Groundwater Foundation and the Orange County Water District, the Blue Planet Foundation produced a Public Service Announcement featuring Jan Schlichtmann (the attorney portrayed by John Travolta in the motion picture A Civil Action. Two versions of this 30- second PSA were produced. The first version focused on protecting Orange County's groundwater resources and included the Orange County Water District Groundwater Guardian hotline number. The second version was for national use and included the Groundwater Foundation's telephone number. The Foundation prepared the script and coordinated the production and editing of the PSA. „ d \ a o r h Commvrti +y -based environmental programs, educa4;en and refe2rd, CONTRIBUTORS California Integrated Waste Management Board Through the CIWMB's Used Oil Research, Testing and Demonstration Grant Program, provided funding for the development of the used oil recycling program evaluation guidebook. Amount: $214,000 City of Costa Mesa Provided funding for the 2000 Children's Drinking Water Festival. Amount: $1,000 Jacobs Engineering Provided funding for the 2000 Children's Drinking Water Festival. Amount: $500 The Boeinq Comoanv Provided funding for the water education bookmarks. Amount: $3,000 Synergy Communications Provided supplies for the Blue Planet Foundation to present the interactivity "Edible Aquifer” at the 1998 Children's Drinking Water Festival. Amount: $250 Pulse Media Productions Provided additional video production services to produce the groundwater protection Public Service Announcement. Amount: $500 (estimated) � , r CoMrnunity -based enviro"men}al rrogram5, educal:en a"A research FUNDING REQUEST SUBMITTED BY THE BLUE PLANET FOUNDATION PROJECT #1 Ginny Groundwater Activity Book Ginny Groundwater, the Orange County Water District's new mascot, is making a big splash at community events throughout Orange County. Ginny represents a drop of groundwater that fell in the San Bernardino Mountains, followed a stream to the Santa Ana river, then percolated into Orange County's groundwater basin. Ginny helps the District tell the story of water conservation and groundwater protection to children throughout the county. (see attached picture of Ginny Groundwater) This project will involve the design and printing of an activity book that Ginny can give out to children during community events. The activity book will be similar in style as the "Farm Water for Kids" book that is enclosed. It will include word searches, puzzles, facts, a maze and other local groundwater education information. Funding Requested from the Boeing Company' $3,000 Funding would be used for printing of 5,000 Ginny Groundwater activity books. Other Contributors Orange County Water District. Funding for the design of the activity book $2,100 Total Project Cost $5,100 As a contributing sponsor to this project, the Boeing Company would be given substantial publicity and recognition. COMMVMi +y —based eevao�rnen +al PrograMs, eJyca+ion and research FUNDING REQUEST SUBMITTED BY THE BLUE PLANET FOUNDATION PROJECT #2 Learning to be WaterWise"I More than 50 percent of the teachers that are scheduled to attend the 2000 Festival indicated that they have an interest in, or would be willing to, have their class do a water - related project. The Blue Planet Foundation and the Orange County Water District Groundwater Guardian Team would like to capitalize on this interest and develop a forum for students to participate in class projects and present activities at the Festival based on these projects. As part of this project, the Foundation and the Team would select 10 classes to participate in the Learning to Be WaterWiseTM technology -based Conservation Education program. As part of this program, students will participate in water conservation- related activities in the classroom and each student will be given a Resource Action Kit to take home. The students will utilize the contents of the Kit to improve water efficiency in their home. (See attached contents of the Resource Action Kit). Using the information gained through the project and assistance from the Foundation and the Team, each class will present an activity at the Festival. Funding Requested from the Boeing Company* $5,500 Funding would be used for the purchase of Learning to be Water Wise Programs for five classes and Resource Action Kits for each student in the five classes. Other Contributors Metropolitan Water District of Southern California" Funding for the purchase of Learning to be Water Wise Programs for five classes and Resource Action Kits for each student in the five classes. $5,500 Total Project Cost $11,000 *As a contributing sponsor to this project, the Boeing Company would be given substantial publicity and recognition. "This funding is not confirmed. The Blue Planet Foundation is submitting a proposal on March 7, 2000, for funding under MW D's Community Partnering Program. Pfa,��� March 13, 2000 Terresa Moritz 01 . Management Assistant City of Newport Beach - Utilities X 3300 Newport Blvd Newport Beach, CA 92659 -1768 Corr�Mity -baled Dear Terresa: environmehtal. proyrarl, education ahJ relearcl, As we discussed, you were nominated to fill a vacant position on the Blue Planet Foundation Board of Directors. The Foundation works closely with the Orange County Water District and the Groundwater Guardian Team on several groundwater protection and water education projects. Other Foundation projects have included: water education bookmarks for Orange County libraries funded by The Boeing Company; A Used Oil Recycling Program evaluation guidebook for cities, counties and nonprofits funded by the California Integrated Waste Management Board; a groundwater protection Public Service Announcement in partnership with The Groundwater Foundation and the Orange County Water District; and a Drinking Water Source Assessment and Protection grant project with The Groundwater Foundation and US EPA Region IX. Your experience in the water industry and with the Groundwater Guardian Team will be a great asset to our Board. I expect the time commitment will be small. The Board regular meetings are in January and June. However, there may be a couple special during the year. Other contact is typically done through email and conference calls. Please let me know if you will accept the nomination and participate on the Board or if you have any questions. I can be reached at (714) 378 -3362. Thank you for onsideration. 28881 Canyon Point 15etb'' Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679 Sharon L. Lien Phone(949)766.0914 President FAX (949) 766-0914 APPENDIX BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES BMP 1 Interior and Exterior Water Audits and Incentive Programs for Single Family Residential and Multifamily Residential BMP 2 Plumbing, New and Retrofit BMP 3 Distribution System Water Audits /Leak Detection and Repair BMP 4 Metering with Commodity Rates for All New Connections and Retrofit of Existing Connections BMP 5 Large Landscape Water Audits and Incentives BMP 6 Landscape Water Conservation Requirements for New and Existing, Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Governmental, and Multi - Family Developments BMP 7 Public Information BMP 8 School Education BMP 9 Commercial, Industrial, Institutional Water Conservation BMP 10 New Commercial, Industrial and Institutional Water Use Review BMP 11 Conservation Pricing, Water Service, Sewer Service BMP 12 Landscape Water Conservation, for New and Existing Single Family Homes BMP 13 Water Waste Prohibition BMP 14 Water Conservation Coordinator BMP 15 Financial Incentives BMP 16 Ultra Low Flush Toilet Replacement For a more detailed breakdown and description of each BMP please refer to the Best Management Practices Summary Report 1996 -1997, pages 4 -19.