Experience: Public Participation Projects

Stormwater Issues

Healthy Streams Fair, Overland Park, Kansas: Organized and facilitated the Healthy Streams Fair. The event, part of the City’s compliance program for the Clean Water Act NPDES Phase II regulations, was designed to help residents realize their role in preserving and protecting the community’s water environment. More than 250 people attended the fair, which included displays, interactive exhibits and children’s activities.

Watershed Management Program, City of Lenexa, Kansas: Designed and executed a comprehensive education program for the Rain to Recreation Program.

Helped organize Lenexa WaterFest, a special event that is part of the community education program. The Public Education Program resulted in 78% voter approval of the sales tax funding plan.

Waterfest was awarded the Mid-America Association of Conservation District's Outstanding Public Education Program for 2000 and an Award of Excellence in the Special Events category from 3CMA, the City/County Communications and Marketing Association. “Turning Rain Into Recreation,” was the winner of the David Garcia Environmental Excellence Award, Bridging the Gap, 2001.

SMAC Stormwater Projects, Lenexa, Kansas: Designed and executed a public participation process for three preliminary engineering studies and one final design for stormwater projects funded through Johnson County’s Stormwater Management Advisory Council (SMAC).

Public Participation Services for Johnson County, Kansas: Provided on-call public relations/public education services for the Johnson County Stormwater Program. Specific projects have included publicity for the household hazardous waste collection project and rollout of floodplain map revisions.

Mill Creek Watershed Study, Johnson County, Kansas: Designed a public information campaign, prepared press releases, newsletter articles, citizen correspondence, a frequently-asked-questions fact sheet, and council transmittal memos. Designed and facilitated community meetings. Facilitate monthly progress meetings.

Brookside Watershed Improvement Program, Kansas City, Missouri: Prepared public participation plans for multi-phased program. Coordinated smoketesting notification and testing results to residents. Maintained communication with stakeholders. Prepared layout and text for a website to inform citizens about project, flood mitigation strategies, floodplain management, and flood insurance (www.kcmo.org/water, “Brookside Improvements”). Arranged and facilitated public meetings.

Indian Creek Watershed Study, Johnson County, Kansas: Designed the public information campaign involving a list of prioritized projects to address flooding problems and a re-mapping of the floodplain.

Cost of Services Study and Funding Plan, Kansas City, Missouri: Currently working with Kansas City, Missouri to develop a public involvement plan to engage stakeholders and residents in potential changes to the city’s utility rate structures (water, sewer, stormwater). Responsibilities include:

• Assemble a Task Force of diverse membership to provide guidance on water services funding issues. 
• Promote opportunities for pubic involvement, including public hearings and other stakeholder meetings. 
• Develop Issue Papers for distribution prior to public meetings and to post on the web for public access. 
• Coordinate input from other boards and committees, including the Wet Weather Solutions Community Panel.  
• Provide progress reports and recommendations to the city council.

Public Participation Services for Johnson County, Kansas:
Stormwater Program/New Flood Map Roll-out: Provided on-call public relations/public education services for the Johnson County Stormwater Program. Specific projects have included publicity for the rollout of floodplain map revisions. Coordinated notification and public meetings for residents. Developed website for individual community’s public education efforts (www.merriamfloodplain.com).

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events since 2005: Developed and implemented public education plan including: media releases, newsletter articles, targeted flyer distribution, guest columns, and advertising for the spring and fall collection events.

Electronic Recycling Event: Publicizing county-wide electronic waste collection event. Created and coordinated advertising wrote and distributed media materials, and articles for city newsletters.

Merriam, Kansas Floodplain Map Revision Public Participation Services: Provided public education services to the City of Merriam, Kansas for the rollout of floodplain map revisions through the Johnson County Stormwater Program. Specific work included prepared press releases, citizen correspondence, a frequently-asked-questions fact sheet, a website, and council transmittal memos as well as assist with citizen education through a public information meeting.

Olathe Watershed Alternatives Study: Created a website to inform citizens about project, floodplain management and flood insurance (www.olathewatershed.com). Maintained communication with stakeholders, including elected officials and neighborhood leadership. Arranged and facilitated public meetings.

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