HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.b. Receive a recap of Central San Academy Spring 2021 Virtual session Page 1 of 14
Item 10.b.
CENTRALSAN
jdf A- hom
CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT
November 4, 2021
TO: HONORABLE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FROM: CHRISTINA GEE, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
REVIEWED BY: ROGER S. BAILEY, GENERAL MANAGER
SUBJECT: RECEIVE RECAP OF CENTRAL SAN ACADEMYSPRING 2021 VIRTUAL
SESSION
Please see the attached memo for a summary of this year's session of Central San's citizens' academy,
Central San Academy.
Strategic Plan re-In
GOAL ONE: Customer and Community
Strategy 1—Deliver high-quality customer service, Strategy 2—Maintain a positive reputation
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Memorandum
2. Presentation
November 4, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 94 of 324
Page 2 of 14
ATTACHMENT 1
CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA
SANITARY DISTRICT
November 4, 2021
TO: HONORABLE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
VIA: ROGER S. BAILEY, GENERAL MANAGER
FROM: CHRISTINA GEE, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
SUBJECT: RECAP OF CENTRAL SAN ACADEMY SPRING 2021 VIRTUAL SESSION
On April 21 and 22, Central San hosted members of the public for the fifth session of its
citizens' academy, Central San Academy, held for the first time in a virtual format. Held over
two nights from 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Microsoft Teams, the program was designed to 1)
reconnect with the 138 alumni ambassadors and update them on Central San's latest
activities and initiatives, and 2) introduce Central San to new participants and entice them to
come to the next in-person Academy. The first night was an introduction to Central San and
its core services, and the second night was dedicated to Central San's response to and
impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, including its participation in wastewater epidemiology
studies. The following is an analysis of this year's program.
Interest in the Academy (Applicants and Participants)
In addition to emailing the alumni and past applicants, Central San Academy was advertised
on Central San's social media and website. The program attracted 56 sign-ups, and
33 participants attended the program (attending at least one of the two classes). Of those
33 participants, 13 were alumni, 18 were new participants to Central San Academy, and two
were unidentifiable as they signed on with unknown credentials. Unfortunately, some
registrants could not attend due to scheduling conflicts, work, or technical difficulties with
joining the meeting. However, that did not stop them from engaging with Central San, letting
staff know that they would have liked to have attended, and/or watching the recorded videos
of the classes. The video recordings have been shared with the 56 individuals who signed up
for the session, and there have been 12 views on the 4/21 recording and five views on the
4/22 recording. Below is a chart showing the interest and attendance in this year's Academy:
Total Sign-ups for the Session 56
Total Participants (attended :51 of the 2 classes) 33 (59% of applicants)
Attended the 4/21 Class 29 (88% of total participants)
Attended the 4/22 Class 20 (61% of total participants)
Attended Both Classes 16 (49% of total participants)
November 4, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 95 of 324
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Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Recap of Central San Academy Spring 2021 Virtual Session
Page 2 of 8
In general, interest in Central San Academy remains high. Before the Spring 2020 session
was postponed in March 2020, 64 new applicants had signed up. That number has since
increased to 7 applications to date for our next in-person session. Below is a chart showing
how the number of applicants and participants has changed year to year since the inception
of Central San Academy in 2016.
Interest in the Academy
80
69 64(as of March 2020,
70 but 79 as of today)
60 56 60
56
50
40 39 40
30
28 36 33
20 0 (NA;-session
23 postponed)
10
0
Spring 2016 Spring 2017 Spring 2018 Spring 2019 Spring 2020 Spring 2021
(Virtual)
Applicants Participants
Participants
Traditionally, alumni are only invited to attend the last class of the Academy (the graduation
ceremony). This year, the entire program was open to both alumni and new participants. In
the end, the majority of known attendees (55%, or 18 participants) were new to Central San
Academy, as seen in the chart below on the left. Two participants joined with unknown
credentials; thus, no information is available on them. The alumni who attended came from
the sessions from the last three years, with the most attendance from the Spring 2019 alumni
group, as seen in the chart below on the right.
Alumni vs. New Participants Alumni Participants
6% by Year Originally Attended
(2 unknown participants)
m E 7 6
S. m 6
U �
v 5 4
39% M Q 4 3
(13 alums) •E N 3
55% E2
(18 new participants) C:
Q 1 0
0
Spring 2016 Spring 2017 Spring 2018 Spring 2019
■Alum New Participant Unknown Central San Academy Session Originally Attended
November 4, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 96 of 324
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Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Recap of Central San Academy Spring 2021 Virtual Session
Page 3 of 8
This year's participants included the following:
• A chief executive officer of a biomass energy company who has been working with the
California Association of Sanitation Agencies
• A Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Area Coordinator
• A graduate of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program and
CERT volunteer for Walnut Creek
• A graduate of the City of Pleasant Hill Citizens' Academy
• A Master Gardener and East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) Docent
• An employee of the Environmental Services Division of Contra Costa County's Public
Works Department (helping ensure County transportation and flood control projects
meet environmental compliance), Board Member of the Golden Gate Audubon Society
(GGAS), and Co-Chair of the GGAS East Bay Conservation Committee (referred by a
Central San Academy alum)
• A public health and sustainability communications consultant who serves on the
Executive Committee of the Mt. Diablo Sierra Club, co-founded a local homelessness
nonprofit, is on the Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Commission, serves as
Chair of the City of Martinez Civil Service Commission, and is a member of the
Martinez Parks Bond Oversight Committee
• A member of Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club
• A spouse of a Central San employee, who is a Mechanical Engineer in the
construction industry starting to work on wastewater treatment projects and wants to
learn more about the treatment process
• An employee of the EBRPD (referred by a Central San Academy alum who is a
surveyor at EBRPD)
• A substitute teacher
• An architect and Board Member of the Friends of Five Creeks in Berkeley who has
hosted several tours of the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) treatment plant
in Oakland
• An active 2019 Academy alum who still attends some of Central San's Board meetings
and is now serving on the County's Measure X Community Advisory Board, as
appointed by District 2 Supervisor Candace Andersen.
Professional Background: As in years past, there were more working professionals than
retirees and more participants with a private sector background than public sector. In total,
60%, or 20 participants, are working or looking for work (in the private or public sector), and
33%, or 11 participants, are retired (from private or public sector).
In terms of public sector vs. private sector, 58%, or 19 participants, have a private sector
professional background or interest, and 36%, or 12 participants, have a public sector
professional background or interest. This information is presented in chart form on the next
page.
November 4, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 97 of 324
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Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Recap of Central San Academy Spring 2021 Virtual Session
Page 4 of 8
Retired vs. Working Public vs. Private
6% 6%
(2 participants) 24% (2 unknown participants)
(8 participants) _
27%
(9 participants) 36%
9% (12 public sector
(3 participants) participants) 58%
(19 private sector
33% participants)
(11 participants)
■Currently Retired-worked in the private sector Private Sector Professional
■Currently Retired-worked in the public sector Background or Interest
Currently Working or Looking for Work in the private sector Public Sector Professional
Currently Working or Looking for Work in the public sector Background or Interest
Unknown ■Unknown
City of Residence: The majority, at 79%, or 26 participants, live in Central San's service area.
The rest of known participants, 15%, or five participants, joined from as far as Berkeley,
Pleasanton, Pittsburg, and Oakland. Like last year, the most represented city was Walnut
Creek, with 10 participants accounting for 30% of the total class. In the spring 2019 session,
19 participants from Walnut Creek accounted for 48% of the total that year. The following
charts show this year's participants in the service area vs. outside the service area, and the
number of participants from each city.
In vs. Out of Service Area City of Residence
15% 6%(2 participants) 12 10
(5 participants) 4
10
_a 8
6
co4 3 3 3 3
79% 0 p 1 1 1 1 1 ■ ■ ■ 1 ■ 1 1
(26 participants) ° oA �a ��° oti o
In Service Area Pam�,�°� °�o° �a�° m� mea° Geo°��1P ����yaP'`�12r�c f ��o
■Out of Service Area �' �.� O Qa Q Q\ea5 Q\e,
■Unknown
The following table shows a comparison between 2018, 2019, and 2021 participants' city of
residence:
Session % of Participants
In Service Area
2018 72% 28%
2019 88% 12%
2021 79% 15% 6%
November 4, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 98 of 324
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Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Recap of Central San Academy Spring 2021 Virtual Session
Page 5 of 8
Feedback from the Participants
The participants' feedback this year were mainly messages of gratitude and intent to attend a
future session. Included below are some of the messages received.
From alumni:
• Thanks for inviting us alums to participate. It was a good refresher and update for me.
• Thanks for organizing the meetings on CCCSD. I was sorry to miss the first one, but
see that they were recorded and I will watch #1 later. As always they were informative
and I don't believe the daily residents of CCC [Contra Costa County] understand what
process it takes when they push the handle in their bathroom. I was very educated by
the CCCSD Academy (Turd University) and have told a number of people and hope
that once this current problem is resolved you will be able to once again offer this for
public involvement. Keep up the good work of bringing the process of CCCSD to the
next level and public information.
• Thank you so much Christina! Fantastic job, and I am so impressed (and inspired) that
you get this together for the public with this level of engagement. I'll be sure to share
this with other folks here at Public Works.
• Thank you so much for putting this program together. I continue to learn so much with
every class.
• 1 really enjoyed last night's session and appreciated the presentations. I learned a lot!
Unfortunately, I have to miss tonight's session. I need to finish some project tasks this
evening. Thank you so much for your hard work coordinating another successful
academy!
• 1 really enjoyed last night's session and appreciated the presentations. I learned a lot!
• 1 am so sorry and bummed that I missed last night's presentation. I got held up at work
with patients and it looks as if tonight will be more of the same. G) I know that it went
very well...because you were in charge of the organization. Sure hope to make the
next one! Appreciate you and the great work that you do!
From new participants:
• It was a wonderful "Academy". I learned a lot.
• This was great. Thank you so much for putting this on.
• 1 so enjoyed yesterday's first (virtual) session of the Central San Academy! (My
husband could not make it so it was just me.) I'm so glad I signed up for this year's
Academy (camera on my laptop notwithstanding) because it's made me a bigger
supporter of water/wastewater management at a local level as well as inspiring me to
be a better environmentalist. ;-) In addition, I was so excited [at] the huge [level of]
interest given the other participants yesterday. It makes us feel like we live in a caring
and environmentally-conscious community which is great. :-) Thanks again for all your
hard work on yesterday's fantastic session! Questions: 1) After the Central San
Academy sadly ends tonight, what more can interested community members like us do
at or with Central San? How can we stay involved with Central San as community
members OR how can we stay on top of what Central San is doing? I heard that one
participant gave tours of Central San's treatment plant. [The participant misheard
November 4, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 99 of 324
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Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Recap of Central San Academy Spring 2021 Virtual Session
Page 6 of 8
another participant saying she has given tours of EBMUD's treatment plant] Wow, that
is cool! But I hardly qualify to be a volunteer tour guide at this point (ha ha). 2) How
can we sign up for the twice-yearly Central San Pipeline community newsletter?
Should I call the front desk and give our mailing address? 3) Do you know the next
public community event hosted by Central San Academy (virtual or in-person)?
Thanks in advance for your answers! Look forward to meeting you in person one day,
Christina!
• 1 wish all of the participants might have an in-person "reunion" later down the line so
we can all meet each other when it's safe to do so. :-) Besides the group, I also hope
to have the chance to meet you in person one day as well. You have sort of been the
*face* of Central San for me given my participation in your Central San Academy and
a wonderful representative for the organization.
• Thanks for the opportunity to join the Academy session today. Unfortunately, we use a
desktop Apple computer and Firefox. While I was able to see your screen, I could not
see any faces nor hear through the computer. Needless to say, holding the phone to
my ear for 1-1/2 hours was less than ideal. It seems it might be better for me to wait for
a chance to attend in person and maybe take advantage of some of that good food I
heard mentioned. Thanks again and I look forward to meeting you in the future. I did
enjoy learning about some of the facilities we drive around while we are on the
property for the annual Christmas Bird Count.
1 did not participate to my regret. The Chromebook I am using right now doesn't have a
camera anymore and has other problems. The other computer had to be completely
overhauled. It seems so easy to participate in the late afternoon for two times, but
being a full time teacher, I also found that it would have been a stretch to participate if I
could have. Right now, even if I had a chance, there is no time to spare with report
cards and other pressing things that I never thought would come. I am still very much
interested in finding out more. In the early 80s, I visited the facility with some 6th grade
students and was impressed by the trip.
• 1 apologize for not getting to you before your first session last night. I was unable to
make it and will not make it tonight. As a matter of fact, I'd like to be on the list for a
future session where it can once again be done in person.
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November 4, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 100 of 324
Page 8 of 14
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Recap of Central San Academy Spring 2021 Virtual Session
Page 7 of 8
Areas of Success
Overall, the Academy was successful in putting forth a concise program that hit the intended
main points of communication and introduced the participants to a wide range of Central
San'ers. Time management was a success this year, with all presentations ending on time,
except for the Introductions Roundtable, which took longer than expected and ended the first
class twenty minutes over schedule, despite being time well spent allowing the employees
and participants to introduce themselves to each other.
Although the virtual nature of the meetings was not ideal, there were some silver linings.
Some registrants had been waiting since October 2019 to join Central San Academy, so
having a virtual event was a safe way to keep these citizens engaged until the full academy
can be held in person. The participants being able to post questions and comments on chat
kept interruptions to a minimum and saved time by staff typing answers to the questions
instead of verbally explaining them. Technical difficulties were also limited to non-existent on
the presenters' side and for most of the participants. The virtual format could also be the
reason for higher alumni participation. In previous Academies, only a handful of alumni
attended the graduation ceremonies, whereas this year, 13 alumni participated. This
Academy opened the door to possibly integrate Iivestreams or recorded session options to
future Academies.
Areas of Potential Improvement
As mentioned, the session went over time on night one because of the longer-than-expected
Introductions Roundtable, so more time should be allotted for that segment of the program in
the future. Additionally, participation in the second class dropped off by 31% (29 participants
on 4/21 down to 20 participants on 4/22), so perhaps virtual meeting fatigue set in, or most
participants were more interested in hearing the content of the first session than hearing
about COVID-19 (the over-arching theme of the second session), which has already taken
over so much of the participants' daily lives. Additionally, there were comments from the
participants wishing the meetings were hosted on Zoom, which is a more familiar platform to
most members of the public.
Impact of the Academy
Though difficult to quantify, Central San Academy has a radiating effect on the community.
Many of the participants perform volunteer work, are active with community groups, are
involved with local government agencies, or work in a business that is related to Central
San's operations. This Academy served as a refresher course for our alumni ambassadors,
reminding them of our core services and pollution prevention messaging, and it seems to
have enticed new participants to attend the full in-person session.
Central San now has 156 Academy alumni ambassadors (138 previous alumni plus 18 new
participants in the virtual session) who can serve as volunteers at future events, external
ambassadors, and an ad hoc focus group. The alumni association email network and
Facebook group, which now has 28 members, allow Central San to stay connected with the
November 4, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 101 of 324
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Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Recap of Central San Academy Spring 2021 Virtual Session
Page 8 of 8
alumni, share ideas, and keep them apprised of Central San events. Additionally, alumni
newsletters are published twice a year.
Central San Academy helps execute Goal One — Customer and Community of the Strategic
Plan. Being one of the few if not the first of its kind in this area, the award-winning Academy
helps Central San maintain an excellent reputation in the community. Central San also
provides exceptional and unique customer service by soliciting feedback from the Academy's
participants. Their contributions help Central San better understand and meet the needs of its
customers.
Next Steps
There are currently 79 people who could potentially be interested in a future session. Staff
will assess the best time and location for the next in-person session, which will build upon the
foundation created during the first five years, replicating the successes, addressing the areas
for improvement to enhance the participant experience, and continuing the cost-effective
administration of the program.
November 4, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 102 of 324
Page 10 of 14
Attachment 2
1 ' • eCENAR44 SAN AGnOto�•
1
RECAP OF CENTRAL SAN ACADEMY
SPRING 2021 VIRTUAL SESSION
'. Board Meeting
November 4, 2021
- Christina Gee, Management Analyst
l,
1
SPRING 2021 SESSION
• Fifth session of Central San's annual citizens' academy
• Two-night session held virtually from 5:00-6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 21: Core services and recent infrastructure upgrades
• Thursday, April 22: Response to and impacts from COVID-19 pandemic,
participation in wastewater epidemiology studies, and other updates
• Goals
• Reconnect with 138 alumni ambassadors
• Introduce Central San to new participants
(some registrants had been waiting since
October 2019 to join Central San Academy)
2 '
2
November 4, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 103 of 324 1
Page 11 of 14
INTEREST IN THE ACADEMY
Sign-upsTotal Session
Total Participants
.
33 (59% of applicants)
(attended
Attended29 (88% of total participants)
Attended20 (61% of total participants)
AttendedBoth Classes 16 (49% of total participants)
Interest in the Academy
80
70 69 64(as of March 2020,
fio 56—
60 but 79 as of today)
56
50
ao
39 40
ao
33
zo23 7E� 0(NA-session
postponed
20
10
0
Spring 2016 Spring 2017 Spring 2018 Spring 2019 Spring 2020 Spring 2021(Virtual)
-Applicants -Participants
3
PARTICIPANTS
Alumni vs.New Participants Alumni Participants by Year Originally Attended
7 6
6%(2 unknown participants) " a 6
E
1
4
IL a 3
39% 3
(13alums) �o
55% �� z
(18 new panic!p ¢ 1 0
0 1 a
Spring 2016 Spring 2017 Spring 2018 Spring 2019
•Alum •New Participant •Unknown Central San Academy Session Originally Attended
• Notable participants
• A chief executive officer of a biomass energy company
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)volunteers
• Graduate of the City of Pleasant Hill Citizens'Academy
• Graduate of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program
• A spouse of a Central San employee
• Employees of East Bay Regional Park District and Contra Costa County Public Works Department
• Academy alum who serves on the County's Measure X Community Advisory Board
4 I
CFNTPAISAN
4
November 4, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 104 of 324 2
Page 12 of 14
PARTICIPANTS' CITY OF RESIDENCE
In vs. Out of Service Area City of Residence
12
15% 6%(2 participants) 10
(5 participants) °
C 6
a
U
6
a
o ° 3 3 3 3
*k 2 2 2
79% 2 1 1 1 1
(26 participants) a
■In Service Area °
aaa� °a z cel aK a°° oP ti* c° ta6\ caa� °mac
■Out of Service Area p a� °c �a, a` of °r �5 ac 5a �a LG Fc
■Unknown Q> G �,a �1 p Qa Q. Q\aae Q�aa bac a\ca Jc
..
In Service Area Out of Service Area
72% 28%
88% 12%
®' 79% 15% (6% unknown) 5
f
5
PARTICIPANTS' PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Retired vs. Working Public vs. Private
6% 6%
(2 participants 24% (2 unknown partici ants)
27% (8 participants)
(9 _
participants) 9% 36%
(12 public sector
(3 participants) participants)
33% 58%
(11 participants) (19 private sector
Currently Retired-worked in the private sector participants)
■Currently Retired-worked in the public sector Private Sector Professional Background
Currently Working or Looking for Work in the or Interest
private sector •Public Sector Professional Background
Currently Working or Looking for Work in the or Interest
public sector
■Unknown ■Unknown
6 1
6
November 4, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 105 of 324 3
As always[the sessions]were informative and I I avu so iw�pressed (awd iwspired)that
don't believe the daily residents of[Contra Costa I ok get this together for the pkbUr with
County]understand what process it takes when this LeveL of ewgagemewt.itt be sure to
they push the handle in their bathroom.I was very share this with other foUes here at pkWo
educated by the CCCSD Academy(Turd University) Worlzs.
and have told a number of people and hope that
once this current problem is resolved you will be
able to once again offer this for public involvement.
I'm so glad I signed up for this year's Academy... it's made me
a bigger supporter of water/wastewater management at a
local level as well as inspiring me to be a better
environmentalist.;-) In addition, I was so excited [at]the huge
[level of] interest given the other participants yesterday.
It makes us feel like we live in a caring and environmentally-
conscious community which is great.
CFNTRAI SAN
i
CFNTRAI SAN
• •' '• i•. • • • •. .• • • I
Page 14 of 14
QUESTIONS?
CENTRAL SAN
_ - --
9
November 4, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 107 of 324 5