HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - October 20, 2021 B-02AGENDA ITEM 13,02
Alw%iCITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
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AGENDA TITLE: Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing C.A. Webster Foundation in Support of
the City of Lodi's Watershed Education Program
MEETING DATE: October 20, 2021
PREPARED BY: Public Works Director
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Presentation of Proclamation recognizing C.A. Webster
Foundation in support of the City of Lodi's Watershed Education
Program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Since 2000, City of Lodi Public Works, has overseen a watershed
education outreach program to help meet the City's stormwater
permit requirements. The City's stormwater discharges must
comply with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, (NPDES) for Small Municipal Separate
Storm Sewer Systems, since a portion of Lodi streets drain to the Mokelumne River and Woodbridge
Irrigation Canal, relatively untreated.
Each year, the City of Lodi's Watershed Education Program engages the community through cleanups,
the Storm Drain Detectives monitoring program, art murals, the Mokelumne Current newspaper, and
watershed study trips for students. Typically, these activities are supported by watershed grants.
Each year the Watershed Program Coordinator reaches out to community partners and outlines a plan
for outreach, and requests financial support. Since 2015, the C.A. Webster Foundation has contributed
to the City of Lodi's Watershed Education Program through these grant requests.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, students were not able to participate in many of the
City of Lodi's outreach efforts, yet the City's permit requirements for outreach remained in effect.
Acknowledging the situation, the C.A. Webster Foundation sent the City of Lodi a check for $8,000.00 to
support its watershed education program, without having been requested by the City. In their words,
"The C.A. Webster Foundation is pleased to be able to support the admirable work you are doing. We
understand that during these unprecedented times your efforts and services are more critical than ever
and we are happy to be able to donate more to your efforts this year." Their contribution allowed the City
to work creatively, adapting to the ever changing challenges.
Thanks to the C.A. Webster Foundation, the City of Lodi was able to meet stormwater permit
requirements for public outreach and public participation through the completion of six Mokelumne River
watershed education videos, a yearly subscription to the Litterati app, a smartphone application that
allows the public to engage in cleanups, while also allowing the City to track data; and finally, the
publication of the 2021 Mokelumne Current student newspaper which was distributed to 12,000 LUSD
students. The C.A. Webster Foundation has proven to be a generous partner and supporter in helping
inspire the Lodi community in environmental stewardship.
A representative of the Public Works Department will be present to accept the proclamation.
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Charles E. Swimley, Jr.
Public Works Director
Prepared by Kathy Grant, Watershed Program Coordinator
CES/KG/tw
APPROVED: Steve Schwabauer
Stephen Schwabauer, City Manager
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