CITY OF BRENTWOOD

PUBLIC EDUCATION & INDUSTRIAL OUTREACH

2007-2008

PUBLIC EDUCATION & INDUSTRIAL OUTREACH

QUALITATIVE RESULTS

Municipality: City of BrentwoodPermit Year: (2007/2008)

Introduction:

It is the City of Brentwood’s goal to communicate to every facet of the community the environmental significance of our local watersheds and to encourage the adoption of non-polluting and environmentally sensitive practices. To effectively promote this goal, the City of Brentwood continues its attempts to educate residents, school children, local businesses and the development community through newsletters, local newspaper articles, and water bill inserts public events, workshops, special programs, city ordinances and Council proclamations. The annual Brentwood CornFest and Marsh Creek clean-up day are the most effective annual community venues for distributing PEIO literature and materials and for practicing environmental restoration activities. Due to our past growth the City has stepped up its outreach to contractors and developers by hosting workshops on best management practices for stormwater control and runoff from other influences.

Implementation & Evaluation:

Jeff Cowling and Laurie Monte are responsible for implementation of the Public Education & Industrial Outreach Performance Standards in conjunction with Program activities. Currently, at least six (6) staff members are responsible for implementation of the city’s various PEIO activities from the program coordinator, code enforcement staff, solid waste, wastewater, utility billing and publication of “Hometown News”, the City’s newsletter. Due to our continued development growth we participate on the NDCC sub-committee as opposed to the PEIO sub- committee.

Distribution of ProgramInformation Pieces:

Most program-developed PEIO materials have been distributed during the annual CornFest,Public Works Open House, Annual Safety Fair and Marsh Creek Cleanup day. Other materials are reserved forspecific field activities such as concrete placement and for commercial/retail business visits. We currently have businesses located in the city that are participating in the Contra Costa motoroil recycle program. We will issue to any resident or business oil containers for used oil. Theseestablishments will take up to five (5) quarts of used oil for per visit. These containers are alsodistributed throughout the year for any and all complaints that are received for vehicles that arein the street or located in the driveways’ that are leaking oil. This has helped our citizensbecome more aware of the damage that oil will do once it has entered our storm drain system.

PEIO - 1

The City continues to use theirelectronic database (Government Outreach) for tracking inspections andenforcement actions have been adapted to include the distribution of PEIO materials. Thequantity of materials distributed during inspections and enforcement actions are cross referenced with the corresponding reports. Other items distributed by “Mr. Funnelhead” in theCity of Brentwood are provided by Matt Bolander (aka: “Mr. Funnelhead”) Refer to Attachment“PEIO-1”for photos of the Cornfest and Mr. Funnelhead.A copy of each Program-developed PEIO material is compiled in Volume IV “Public Education & Industrial Outreach”. The City of Brentwood continues to distribute our informational “Future Solutions Now” pamphletto help educate the general public on how to keep our creeks, bay and delta clean. Thispamphlet is available for public distribution at the Community Development Department andEngineering/Public Works’ main counter; as well as on our web site @ ci.brentwood.ca.us. It can be obtained any time during business hours ormailed upon request.

Storm Drain Inlet Stencils/Markings and Signs:

The City has modified its Construction Standard Details for labeling storm drain inlets in 2006. These “Drains to Creek” logos for all new and modified development projects; the existing thermoplastic stencils are a part will be a part of the reinspection program that continue to use the thermoplastic. These newlabels have been customized for our city, designed with multiple colors in order to stand out better and include asalmon “fish” graphic which is relevant to the common species found in Marsh Creek, ourtributary to the Delta waterway. We have also included on the stencil the Brentwood Municipal Code 14.20 that outlines all of the codes for our stormwater program. Additionally, the glue-down labels can be applied by any citizengroup, such as the Boy Scouts of America, as opposed the torch-applied stencils. Storm drainlabeling is a City of Brentwood standard condition of approval which must be completed with theconstruction of public improvements prior to the issuance of a building permit. The PublicWorks Department tracks the maintenance of all storm drain inlets owned and accepted by the City on a yearly basis. This includes labeling and repairs or replacement.

The City continues to be incommunication with Boy Scouts of America, local Troop 93 to assist with labeling storm drainsin our older neighborhoods as part of our public education and outreach program. Currently Daniel Finn is working proactively to educate the residents of Brentwood as part of his Eagle Scout project. The first phase of his project was to identify all of the areas within Brentwood that are in need of installation of stencils, and secondly; to identify all areas that are in need of replacement stencils. During theCornfest Daniel was present handing out an informational flyer Attachment “PEIO-2”to all who passed through the info alley; Attachment “PEIO-3”Daniel continues to work on his project in phases; next being organizing a group of fellow scouts to hang door flyers on all residents during the same time that the installation of stencils are being applied.

Another marking to identify compliance comes through the City Park & Recreation Department. They have implemented “Marsh Creek Watershed” signs atstrategic

locations along the Marsh Creek Trail. These signs are a constant reminder to all of our residents how important using the proper disposal of garbage and debris is to our aquatic life.

Agencies’ Community Outreach Program:

In accordance with Performance Standards PEIO-11 & 12, The City of Brentwood participates in at least four (4) community outreach activities as required for agencies with less than 50,000 inpopulation.The annual Brentwood Cornfestheld during the second weekend of July is one of the mosteffective annual community venues for distributing PEIO literature and materials; and being able to continue to educatethe public about the environmental significance of the watershed. City employees are staffed atthe Clean Water Booth during the entire event along with “Mr. Funnelhead” and his costumedassistants to meet and talk with the public. The city yearly gives away used 6-quart oil containers; which continue to be amajor hit. The popularity of the containers and awareness of their availability from the previousyear encouraged many to stop by the booth. As a result, we continue with providing thecontainers to the attendees; approximately 750 were handed out at during this year’s event. Eventhough many people now go to service facilities to have their automobile oil changed, we findthat there is still a high demand for the containers’ use on motorcycles, power boats andagricultural equipment. We continue to find that many people are surprised at the convenientavailability of free oil drop-off facilities. Other items distributed this year include key rings,letter openers, candy, car air fresheners and rulersall with the new city logo along with reference to ourstorm water municipal code ordinance.

The annual Marsh Creek cleanup day hosted by the City of Brentwood, in conjunction with the California Coastal Commission and the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District is a publicvolunteer effort to clean up debris along the Marsh Creek watershed and its smaller tributaries.Marsh Creek itself is the City’s major drainage tributary to the San Joaquin Delta. Refer toAttachment “PEIO-4”. City staff provides educational instruction, PEIO handout material,safety advice, debris bags, gloves, debris hauling and refreshments to all participants. TheCity’s local newspapers, The Brentwood News and the Brentwood Press, as well as The EastCounty Living magazine, “110 Degrees”, advertise the Annual Marsh Creek Clean up Day andreport on the participation. The annual Marsh Creek Cleanup Day for this reporting period wasconducted on September 15, 2007. Refer toAttachment “PEIO-5”.Refer to the bulletin advertising the event and newspaperarticle, included as Attachment “PE-6”. Additionally, the City of Brentwood Parks andRecreation Commission continue to co-sponsor the California Coastal Cleanup Day.

The City continues to support and encourage “The Friends of Marsh Creek” watershed group facilitated by The Natural Heritage Institute (NHI). At the Corn Fest this year; the group had a table of its own and was able to reach out to the residents trying to educate them on the vitality of Marsh Creek. This group is a vital element for monitoringthe condition of Marsh Creek to reflect the City’s Stormwater Management Programeffectiveness. NHI and the Delta Science Center at Big Break through a grant from the State ofCalifornia Coastal Conservancy, the San Francisco Bay Fund, the CALFED Bay-Delta Program,the Witter Foundation, and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation has prepared aninformative booklet, The Past and Present Condition of the Marsh Creek Watershed.

The week of May 20-26, 2007 was American Public Works Association Open House. This yearwe included a Storm Water Educational booth. It featured the Contra Costawatershed model for attendees to see how sediment and pollutants are distributed within thewatershed. Refer to Attachment “PEIO-7”for flyer and photos.The City’s public outreach includes public information articles which have appeared in seasonaleditions of the community newsletter, “The Brentwood Connection” (formerly titled “Hometown News”), distributed by the City of Brentwood.

These articles discuss programs and efforts which result in a reduction of water pollution. Corresponding excerpts from “The Brentwood Connection” and local newspapers; “Brentwood Press” and the “Contra Costa Times” are included in Attachment “PEIO-8”. Topicsfor this reporting period include:

The Brentwood Connection

  • Come On Out to the 2007 Creek Clean-Up!
  • Storm Water Pollution Prevention
  • Christmas Tree Disposal
  • Weather-Based Irrigation Pilot Program
  • Help the City Keep Storm Drains Clean
  • Residents Can Help Reduce Salinity in Wastewater
  • Street Sweeping Program
  • Property Maintenance
  • City’s Fats, Oil, and Grease (FOG) Program
  • Rental Inspection Program

The Brentwood Press

  • City Earns Five-Year Water Discharge Reprieve
  • Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
  • E-radicate your E-Waste

The Brentwood News

  • Leaf bags available to avert bin overflow

Household Hazardous Waste Program:

In the late 1990's, the City of Brentwood, along with the Cities of Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley and ContraCostaCounty, formed a regional partnership with the Delta Diablo Sanitation District toprovide the capital investment for a permanent hazardous waste facility to serve EastCounty.In addition to the initial capital investment, these same jurisdictions share in the on-goingoperational costs to run the facility that is open several days a week to residents and smallbusinesses. In conjunction with the regular hours at the permanent facility, several mobilecollection events are held throughout EastContraCostaCounty.As indicated in the Municipal Maintenance section, the Public Works Solid Waste Division hasdistributed literature to residents and businesses informing them of the proper disposal ofhousehold hazardous waste and advising them of convenient disposal and recycling facilities.

Other publications are distributed by the Community Development Department along with theissuance of Building Permits and Business Tax License Certificates, as well as during the course of CodeEnforcement responses-to-violations that are reported or witnessed. These publications include(refer to Attachments “MM-1 through MM-6” from last year’s report):

  • Chemistry 101: Mixing chemicals makes for unpredictable results
  • What You Should Know About Mercury. Protect Your Home and Family
  • Contra Costa Reuse & Recycling Guide (available as a link from Website)
  • Carpet Cleaners; Wash Water Disposal Practice
  • Mobile Surface CleanersPEIO – 6
  • Draining Pools & Spas
  • Hauling Waste or Used Tires
  • SWPPP requirements cards
  • Concrete Washout cards
  • Paint Washout cards
  • Code Enforcement Program Flyer
  • 9. Calendar Mr. Funnel Head w\oil disposal sites

The City has also distributed information on Free Hazardous Waste Drop-off included in our water; sewer and garbage service bills. Refer to Attachments “PEIO-9-10”forphotos and collection event report.

Free Neighborhood Clean-Up:

Once a year, the City of Brentwood hosts a citywide clean up for all residentsto dispose of unwanted items, excluding hazardous waste (this is conducted on a separate day). This program helps to avoid anygarbage and debris that could end up in anyone of the city’s five creeks. The city mailed14,763 flyers and the attendance was an overall success.Refer toAttachments “PE-11-14”for copy of the flyers and photos of the event.

Transportation Standards:

The City currently operates 25 vehicles and other motorized equipment using non-pollutingfuels. The Police Department currently has six mountain bikes equipped with lights, mini sirenand motor to travel up to 30 mph generally for patrols of the downtown, parks and schools. Ateast five (5) City staff commutes to work, either by walking, cycling or running.Another annual activity which the City of Brentwood actively endorses and hosts each spring isthe “Bike to Work Day.” During this reporting period the city has expanded the program to “Biketo Work Week”. Refer to Attachments “PE-15 & 16”for flyer and photos. This event is anattempt to get local commuters out of their cars for at least one day while encouragingalternative routes such as the Marsh Creek bicycle trail. Besides reducing pollutants caused bythe use of motorized vehicles, traveling by bicycle along the watershed at a slower recreationalpace in a peaceful and enjoyable environment serves as an educational awareness of thisvaluable resource. The City sets up “Energizer Stations” at strategic locations and this yearalso hosted a free lunch by Willey’s Bagels and Blends to help encourage those commuting bicycle. The annual bike to work day for this reporting period was conducted on May 12-17,2008. In all we had 52 participate citywide throughout the course of the week. At theelementary and junior high levels we had 1127 students/people participle. Additionally, the city has beendesignated a bicycle friendly community for 2003-2006 by the League of American Bicyclists.

The City of Brentwood proactively removes in-operative vehicles from public and private property. The City offers a free program that will tow any vehicle as long as the pink slip is provided. All vehicles accepted by this program are dismantled and the scrap iron recycled. This program helps reduce pollution to the ecosystem and eliminates blight. Refer toAttachments “PE-17 & 18”vehicle abatement form. The total number of vehicles removed from the city during the fiscal year 2006-2007 was 952 and the current amount removed during this fiscal year of 2007-2008 was 367.

Safety, Health and Wellness Fair:

The City of Brentwood annually hosts a Health and Safety Fair. Refer toAttachments “PE-19”for flyer. This was our first year at the event establishing a storm water booth.

Our employees had an opportunity to educate themselves on storm water best management practices (BMP’s). Educational materials were provided to all who attended the booth. Additionally a quiz was given to all who wanted to participate. The quiz was related to all storm water and pollution controls. Prizes were given to the top three scorers. Refer to Attachments “PE-20”

NPDES Website:

Duringthe past fiscal year city staff has refurbished the website for all residents and developers toidentify with the requirements for the City of Brentwood. The website includes the annual report,illicit discharge, inspection, municipal maintenance, city ordinances, public outreach information, andall new development with linksto the Contra Costa Clean Water Program and the EPA. During the pastyear we have had 646 hits on the site. We are continually updating the site with currentinformation and documentation. Our website can be visited at General Information NPDES – Stormwater.

Modifications:

No Performance Standards have been modified or added during the current reporting period.

Fiscal Year 2006/2007 Goals:

1.Continue to host workshops annually for the development community, including; developers,landscapers, concrete companies, swimming pools, environmental services, and planners.

2.Educate the business owners i.e. Vehicle Service Facilities, Food Service Facilities,Community Pools, Landscapers, Hardware Facilities, Hotel Inns, Dry Cleaners, Misc.

3.Continue plans to include working with local Boy Scout Troop 93 for community service hours to have the boys stencil the unmarked inlets.

4.Continue to participate financially in the Mr. Funnelhead grant

5.Continue education for City of Brentwood staff

6.Continue our outreach and encourage programs focusing on environmental protection of ourcreeks and watersheds to the following local schools:

  • BrentwoodElementary School
  • BristowMiddle School
  • EdnaHillMiddle School
  • GarinElementary School
  • PaulKreyElementary School
  • LomaVistaElementary School
  • MarshCreekElementary School
  • PioneerElementary School
  • GarinElementary School
  • RonNunnElementary School

These goals will be modified, as necessary, based upon the requirements of the reissued Municipal Permit.

Fiscal Year 2008/2009 Goals:

Continued education of developers within the City of Brentwood

Continued education of Brentwood residents

This program continues to be successful and will continue in the 2008-2009 fiscal year.