HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - November 2, 2016 B-01CITY OF LODI
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AGENDA ITEM
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AGENDA TITLE: Presentation of League of California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence for
the Public Works Storm Drain Detectives Program
MEETING DATE: November 2, 2016
PREPARED BY: Public Works Director
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Presentation of League of California Cities Helen Putnam Award for
Excellence for the Public Works Storm Drain Detectives Program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Public Works Department employees, Brian Bock and Kathy Grant,
traveled to Long Beach, October 4-6, 2016, to the League of
California Cities annual convention to receive the Helen Putnam
Award for Excellence, in the Ruth Vreeland Award for Engaging Youth in City Government category; and
to participate in activities highlighting the City's award winning Storm Drain Detectives Program (SDD
Program) that originated in 2000. The Ruth Vreeland Award category highlights collaborated efforts
between City's and other agencies (schools, public agencies, etc.) to inform and engage youth about City
issues and their community.
The 2016-2017 SDD Program team is composed of five Lodi Unified School District (LUSD) teachers,
and 175 students from Lodi High School, Tokay High School, Erma B. Reese Elementary School, and
Heritage Elementary School. Approximately 30 students and two teachers meet after school two times
each month to monitor water quality at five sites along the Mokelumne River that are located above and
below the City's stormwater outfalls. The question the students are trying to answer is: "How does the
City of Lodi's stormwater runoff affect the river?" A City of Lodi Environmental Compliance Inspector (Mr.
Bock) and the Watershed Program Coordinator (Mrs. Grant) ensure the students are following the
appropriate monitoring practices.
Each May, Lodi High School SDD students present the data collected over the year and interpret the
results to the public. Data is also used by the City of Lodi's Surface Water Treatment Facility for the
State required Watershed Sanitary Survey that is published every five years to assess the health, issues,
and concerns of the Lower Mokelumne River watershed. Public Works continues to use the SDD
Program to comply with the public outreach and public involvement requirements in the City's stormwater
permit.
The SDD Program is the cornerstone of the City of Lodi's watershed education program. Throughout the
year, students attend fieldtrips to the San Francisco Bay and Delta, Mokelumne River Fish Hatchery,
Lodi Lake Nature Area, Surface Water Treatment Facility, White Slough Water Pollution Control Facility,
Waste Management or California Waste transfer stations, and the Woodbridge Road Isenberg Sandhill
Crane Reserve. These field trips are paid for through partnership grants.
League of California Cities Regional Public Affairs Manager, Stephen Qualls, will present the 2016 Helen
Putnam Award for Excellence, Ruth Vreeland Award for Engaging Youth in City Government, to the City
of Lodi in recognition of the City's SDD program.
APPROVED:
affia
tep en Sc waif, City Manager
R:\GROUP\STREETS\STORM\Watershed\Awards\2016\CC# SDD- Helen Putnam Award Presentation.doc 10/24/16
Presentation of League of California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence for the Public Works Storm Drain Detectives Program
November 2, 2016
Page 2
FISCAL IMPACT: Not applicable.
FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not applicable.
Charles E. Swimley, Jr.
Public Works Director
Prepared by Kathy Grant, Watershed Program Coordinator
CES/KG/trb
R:\GROUP\STREETS\STORM\Watershed\Awards\2016\CC# SDD- Helen Putnam Award Presentation doc 10/24/16