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Home My WebLink About15.a. Receive update on upcoming Future of Water in Central Contra Costa County Townhall event Page 1 of 4 Item 15.a. CENTRALSAN jdf A- hom CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT October 20, 2022 TO: HONORABLE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FROM: EMILYBARNETT, COMMUNICATIONS AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS MANAGER MELODY LABELLA, RESOURCE RECOVERY PROGRAM MANAGER REVIEWED BY: ROGER S. BAILEY, GENERAL MANAGER SUBJECT: RECEIVE UPDATE ON THE TOWNHALL MEETING REGARDING THE FUTURE OF WATER IN CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA COUNTY The Future of Water in Central Contra Costa County Townhall Date/Time: October 26, 2022, 11:30 a.m. — 1:30 p.m. Location: Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center- 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549 Host/Organizer. Rossmoor Community Partners: East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) Invitees/Outreach: Federal, State, County, and City elected officials representing Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Alamo, and Danville. Additionally, local Chambers of Commerce, East Bay Leadership Council (EBLC), central County golf courses, media outlets, and the public. Nexus Between the Townhall, Central San, and EBMUD: For several years, Central San has been building a strong relationship with the Rossmoor Community. The District's General Manager, Roger S. Bailey, has met with the Golden Rain Foundation's CEO, Tim O'Keefe, to open lines of communication and build strong partnerships. Mr. Bailey has been interviewed in the past by Rossmoor TV discussing the District's work, including recycled water. Additionally, Board Members for many years have given detailed presentations on recycled water and other Central San programs and services to various clubs and organizations within the Rossmoor Community. Central San's Communications team has worked with the Rossmoor Times and Rossmoor TV to share important Public Service announcements on fats, oils, and grease; proper wipes and unwanted medications disposal; and pollution prevention messages. Additionally, the Communications team has attended many events hosted at Rossmoor to provide information to customers. October 20, 2022 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 110 of 143 Page 2 of 4 I n October 2020, Jim Brezack, a contractor who advocates for Satellite Water Recycling Facility(SW RF) projects throughout the state, contacted Central San's Resource Recovery Program Manager, Melody LaBella, regarding a permit for a SW RF at Rossmoor. Ms. LaBella provided feedback that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)would be needed between EBMUD, Central San, the City of Walnut Creek, and Rossmoor to proceed. EBMUD drafted the four-way MOU in March 2021, but the MOU approval stalled as parties became aware of the extensive cost of a SWRF project. More recently, Rossmoor has expressed interest in revising the draft MOU to evaluate centralized recycled water service from Central San. On May 4, 2022, Central San's Board President David Williams and Mr. Bailey met with Rossmoor's CEO and staff. At that meeting, there was an agreement to host a Rossmoor TV interview with Central San. On July 12, 2022, Rossmoor's CEO interviewed Board President Williams about several topics related to Central San, including recycled water. The interview was aired seven times and received much interest from Rossmoor viewers. After President Williams's interview aired, Dwight Walker, the President of the Board of Directors for the Golden Rain Foundation, emailed President Williams on August 10, 2022, asking that he participate in "a forum to discuss the future of recycled water." He cited concerns that included, "Our community is very concerned about the future of water in Central Contra Costa County. The communities of Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda have no or very limited access to recycled water." President Williams responded that he would make himself available to meet the needs of Rossmoor's proposed forum. On August 15, 2022, Central San's Communications and Government Relations Manager, Emily Barnett, received an inquiry from a reporter at the Rossmoor Times stating that residents were upset that"Central San has refused to serve the community of Rossmoor with recycled water but is willing to serve Pleasant Hill and Concord." The reporter asked for a response from the District. Ms. LaBella and Ms. Barnett both met with the reporter and provided detailed information to clarify any misinformation and showcase Central San's proactive work to explore recycled water opportunities in the region. This culminated in an August 31, 2022, article in the Rossmoor Times. After confirmation from President Williams to support a forum on recycled water, Rossmoor reached out to EBMUD Board Member John Coleman to participate in the concept. A meeting between President Williams, Director Coleman, Mr. Bailey, and Rossmoor took place on September 2, 2022. A larger meeting with the Golden Rain Foundation Board and the previously mentioned parties took place on September 15, 2022, where action items/assigned responsibilities were determined. At this meeting, Central San agreed to: 1. Provide input to a draft press release that Rossmoor would send out to various entities as listed above 2. Co-develop an agenda with EBMUD 3. Coordinate presentations with EBMUD 4. Provide lunch to attendees 5. Provide approved secondary outreach (Rossmoor primary) Several planning meetings have taken place between the three entities. Last-minute logistics are still being worked on but should be finalized shortly. October 20, 2022 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 111 of 143 Page 3 of 4 Strategic Plan Tie-In GOAL ONE: Customer and Community Strategy 1—Deliver high-quality customer service, Strategy 2- Promote initiatives to advance affordable and equitable access to services, Strategy 3- Build neighborhood and industry relations GOAL TWO:Environmental Stewardship Strategy 3- Be a partner in regional development of local water supply GOAL FOUR: Governance and Fiscal Responsibility Strategy 2- Encourage and facilitate public participation, Strategy 3- Maintain financial stability and sustainability ATTACHMENTS: 1. Townhall Invitation October 20, 2022 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 112 of 143 Page 4 of 4 Df-"ISS Press keiease 4v-1-10 WAtN UT CREEK Golden Rain Foundation 1001 Golden Rain Road Walnut Creek, CA 94595 (925) 988-7700 www.rossmoor.com Contacts: Jeff Matheson, GRF Director of Resident Services (925) 988-7628 Emily Barnett, Central San Communications Manager (925) 229-7310 Town Hall on the Future of Water in Central Contra Costa Planned for October 26 With drought the new norm in California, how can we ensure Central Contra Costa County has a reliable water supply for the future?What are the opportunities and challenges for using recycled water to help meet our community's water needs? Join community leaders along with our local water, wastewater, and recycled water utilities for a town hall forum exploring the future of water in the central county area. Representatives of CCCSD and EBMUD will share what they are planning and doing to make the most of our precious water resources. The town hall will take place Wednesday, October 26, 11:30 a.m. through 1:30 p.m. at Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center, 3780 Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette. Lunch will be provided. All are welcome. The event is free, but space is limited, so pre-registration is requested by October 19th. To register, visit https://bit.ly/townhallwater or contact(925) 988-7780 or kbertokrossmoor.com. The town hall is sponsored by Rossmoor in partnership with East Bay Municipal Utility District and Central Contra Costa Sanitary District(Central San) to benefit the local central county communities of Alamo, Danville, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda and Walnut Creek that do not have access to recycled water. rwr = CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA EBMUD SANITARY DISTRICT October 20, 2022 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 113 of 143