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ITEM: |
INFORMATIONAL
ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS |
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27. |
QUARTERLY PUBLIC INFORMATION
PROGRAM REPORT |
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Meeting
Date: |
October 18, 2004 |
Budgeted: |
N/A |
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From: |
David A.
Berger, |
Program/ |
N/A |
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General
Manager |
Line Item No.: |
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Prepared
By: |
Henrietta
Stern |
Cost Estimate: |
N/A |
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General Counsel Approval: N/A |
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Committee Recommendation: N/A |
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CEQA Compliance: N/A |
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The purpose of the MPWMD Public Information Program is to more effectively communicate factual information about the District’s mission, its activities, and water issues to the public. The following paragraphs highlight activities in the July-September 2004 period. The next quarterly report will be prepared for the January 2005 meeting.
Public
Outreach/Communications Committee -- The committee members as of January
2004 are
District Staff Action -- During this reporting period, District staff continued to write news releases on Board action and notable District activities, answer questions from the media and general public on a variety of subjects, maintain the District website (www.mpwmd.dst.ca.us), and related activities. As of March 15, 2004, all regular Board meetings and significant workshops are televised on Cable Channel 25 from the Monterey City Council Chambers.
A notable issue included the District’s opposition to a moratorium on water connections proposed by California American Water (Cal-Am) as part of a requested rate increase for high-volume water users to be considered by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). District Counsel and Board members participated in public hearings hosted by the CPUC. The General Manager spoke at an August 8, 2004 water issues forum hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. He will speak to the Carmel Rotary Club on October 13, 2004.
At its regular meeting and a special workshop in July 2004, the District invited representatives from Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency, Cal-Am/Monterey County, and Pajaro/Sunny Mesa Community Services District to describe their reclaimed water and two Moss Landing desalination proposals, respectively. District desalination and aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) proposals were also described. (See Item 28, Water Supply Project Update, for more information.) The General Manager also wrote a letter to the Monterey County Herald on August 12, 2004 regarding the cost of desalination.
At its September 29, 2004 Strategic Planning Workshop, the Board adopted a new Vision Statement emphasizing collaboration with other public and private entities, and retained its existing Mission Statement. The new Vision Statement is “The MPWMD: (1) will strive to serve as a catalyst in collaboration with public and private entities for environmentally responsible solutions that result in a reliable and legal water supply; and (2) shall be a fiscally responsible, professionally and publicly respected leader in managing water resources.” The current Mission Statement is to "manage, augment and protect water resources for the benefit of the community and the environment."
District staff and consultants published the 2003 District Annual Report in September 2004. The draft report (text only) was accepted by the Board in March 2004. The published version included many additional informative charts and photographs.
District staff continues to respond to many queries about water distribution system regulations, pending legislation, water availability, and other related issues through a variety of media (phone, e-mail, letter). Several District staff members regularly update information on the District website. A staff team is working on a comprehensive re-design of the website as time allows.
District Board Action: On September 18, 2004, Chair Edwards and Director Lehman participated in a talk-radio call-in show hosted by Bob Oliver on Radio KNRY 1240. They responded to questions asked by Mr. Oliver and members of the public.
U:\staff\word\boardpacket\2004\2004boardpacket\20041018\InfoItems\27\item27.doc