City of Westlake

Public Involvement & Public Education Program

Westlake Watershed Group

Citizen’s advisory committee for Phase II regulations

Formed in Summer ‘04 11 initial membersGroup meets quarterly on Friday mornings

before work

Founding of W.W.G.Solicited for members in Mayor’s Newsletter,

city website, City Council Meetings and direct mailings to properties abutting creeks throughout city.

Meetings overseen by Director of Engineering and Storm Water Discharge Coordinator.

Members were all Westlake residents, business owners or city employees.

Originally seen as a “sounding board” for Phase II policies.

W.W.G. Members32 people in WWG

Constant growth

Who we are…ResidentsCity employeesEngineersBiologists / Scientists

Business owners & employees

EducatorsCity Council members

Why use citizen based group?Local control = local interestsGreat sounding board for project ideasBroadens lists of contactsNew ideas / resourcesLocal history, experienceExpertise in multiple fields

Macroinvertabrate biology, organic lawn care, pond maintenance, organic gardening, chemistry, education, engineering, construction, …

GO GREEN Westlake

In 2007 the WWG blanketed our PIPE efforts under our “Go Green” program.Program designed to recognize efforts of

citizens & businesses using Eco-friendly practices.

Yard signs & stickers displayed in front yards, at schools & on doors of vehicles and businesses to generate interest in program.

Going Green for use of Rain Barrels, Rain Gardens, organic fertilizer use, water quality BMPs, etc.

Effectiveness of GOing GREEN Low cost to city – production of

signsHigh recognition of logoProvides information for contact

– website addressGenerates a lot of “neighborhood

marketing” Neighbors talking to neighbors about

Going Green

Educational MediaCity website• links to videos, pamphlets, outside resources• upcoming events, workshops

Educational MediaMayor’s Newsletter

• Quarterly mailing to all residences & businesses

• Effective, highly read publication

• Provides notification of upcoming events, messages & opportunities to join WWG

Educational Media

Community Television Channel

Broadcasts of self-produced videosCrocker Rd. Water Quality BasinRain Barrel Workshop

Educational Media / Public InvolvementSchool ProgramsName the Stream & Coloring Contests

Kids essay contest to name a stream thru city park Coloring contest showing importance of pollution prevention Winning entries made into banners and displayed in park

Retention Basin Design Program High School Environmental Science Class designing a retrofit

of existing basin to a water quality basinSchool Rain Garden and Rain Barrels

New high school and middle school incorporating water quality BMPs in their design – to be used / maintained by environmental clubs in each building

Educational Media

PostersBroad-based messages to change

resident behavior.Fertilizer use -2011, Car Washing -

2009.Self-produced or modified from

other organizations.Distributed to public buildings,

schools, churches or businesses where target market was.

Educational Media / Public InvolvementRain Garden

WorkshopSpring 2008Rain garden created at

Recreation Center (high visibility)

Signs explaining benefits / uses of rain garden & available resources / contacts for building your own

Available fliers, books on building gardens

Rain Barrel Workshop Spring 2011 Rain Barrel

installation / benefits explained at workshop

Workshop videotaped and put online for reference

Rain Barrels & diverters used were available for discounted purchase by attendees

P.I.P.E. ProgramHow & why?Marketing research done in 2008 on

effectiveness of public media outlets for Westlake

Feedback from WWG membersFeedback from citizens & businesses

Phone calls for city servicesAttendance & comments at workshops

Highly cost-effective & easy for residents to use

Where we’re GOing GREENThe future of the Westlake PIPE program

Continue with regular meetings of W.W.G. Always look to add new members & new ideas.

Continue with annual workshops – Rain & Garden Show

Produce related annual educational messages to be tied in with appropriate community involvement activities

Stay flexible and look to change in most effective way to get out the message or involve another community group.

Why We’re Proud of our PIPELocal control & involvementLow cost to the city – annual budget of $

1000.00Effective messages and workshops.