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Home My WebLink AboutNCS000540_PublicEdOutreach&Inv_Manual_20220609Town of Mooresville Stormwater Public Education and Outreach Public Involvement and Participation Programs and Procedures Manual Adopted December 2021 Updates: February 23, 2022 ITable of Contents................................................................................................................................................1 1 Background..........................................................................................................................................................2 1.1 Purpose.......................................................................................................................................................2 1.2 NPDES Phase II Permit Requirements...................................................................................................2 2 Public Education and Outreach Program........................................................................................................4 2.1 Program Goals and Objectives................................................................................................................4 2.2 Target Pollutants.......................................................................................................................................4 2.3 Target Audiences......................................................................................................................................4 2.4 Residential and Industrial/Commercial Issues....................................................................................5 2.5 Informational Website..............................................................................................................................5 2.6 Hotline/Helpline.......................................................................................................................................5 2.7 Distribution of Materials..........................................................................................................................6 2.8 In Person Education..................................................................................................................................7 2.9 Regional Stormwater Partnership of the Carolinas..............................................................................8 2.10 Program Implementation Procedures....................................................................................................8 2.11 Personnel..................................................................................................................................................12 2.12 Documentation & Record Keeping.......................................................................................................13 2.13 Program Evaluation................................................................................................................................13 3 Public Involvement and Participation Program...........................................................................................13 3.1 Program Goals and Objectives..............................................................................................................13 3.2 Volunteer Opportunities........................................................................................................................13 3.3 Community Involvement.......................................................................................................................16 3.4 Personnel..................................................................................................................................................16 3.5 Documentation & Record Keeping.......................................................................................................17 3.6 Program Evaluation................................................................................................................................17 4 Appendices........................................................................................................................................................18 Page 11 1.1 Purpose This manual was developed to provide personnel with the Town of Mooresville the information needed to correctly implement the various programs and procedures related to Public Education, Outreach, Involvement and Participation. 1.2 NPDES Phase II Permit Requirements Public Education and Outreach & Public Involvement and Participation are two of the six minimum measures required by the Town of Mooresville's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Stormwater Permit as issued by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ). To accomplish this objective, the Town of Mooresville is to implement the following Best Management Practices found on Pages 3 and 4 of the active permit: Public Education and Outreach BMPs BMP Measurable Goals a. Goals and Objectives Defined goals and objectives of the Local Public Education and Outreach Program based on community wide issues. b. Describe target pollutants The permittee shall maintain a description of the target pollutants and/or stressors and/or stressors and likely sources. c. Describe target audiences The permittee shall maintain a description of the target audiences likely to have significant storm water impacts and why they were selected. d. Describe residential and The permittee shall describe issues, such as pollutants, likely industrial/commercial issues sources of those pollutants, impacts, and the physical attributes of stormwater runoff, in their education/outreach program. e. Informational Web Site The permittee shall promote and maintain, an internet web site designed to convey the programs message. f. Distribute public education The permittee shall distribute stormwater educational material to materials to identified target audiences and user groups. For appropriate target groups. Instead of developing its own example, schools, homeowners, materials, the permittee may rely on Public Education and and/or businesses. Outreach materials supplied by the state, and/or other entities Page 12 Public Education and Outreach BMPs BMP Measurable Goals through a cooperative agreement, as available, when implementing its own program. g. Maintain Hotline/Help line The permittee shall promote and maintain a stormwater hotline/helpline for the purpose of public education and outreach. h. Implement a Public Education The permittee's outreach program, including those elements and Outreach Program. implemented locally or through a cooperative agreement, shall include a combination of approaches designed to reach the target audiences. For each media, event or activity, including those elements implemented locally or through a cooperative agreement the permittee shall estimate and record the extent of exposure. Public Involvement and Participation BMPs BMP Measurable Goals a. Allow the public an opportunity The permittee shall conduct at least one public meeting during to review and comment on the the term of the permit to allow the public an opportunity to Stormwater Plan review and comment on the Stormwater Plan. b. Describe target pollutants The permittee shall maintain a description of the target and/or stressors pollutants and/or stressors and likely sources. c. Describe target audiences The permittee shall maintain a description of the target audiences likely to have significant storm water impacts and why they were selected. d. Describe residential and The permittee shall describe issues, such as pollutants, likely industrial/commercial issues sources of those pollutants, impacts, and the physical attributes of stormwater runoff, in their education/outreach program. This manual covers the implementation and/ or procedures in place to carry out the above BMP's. Page 13 2.1 Program Goals and Objectives The primary goal and objective of the Town of Mooresville's Public Education and Outreach Program is to educate the community about the impacts of stormwater discharges on water bodies and the steps the public can take to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff through the distribution of educational materials and/or outreach activities. Targeted goals of this program are as follows: • Understand public perceptions and attitudes towards common stormwater issues such as illicit discharges and urban runoff • Increase community awareness that stormwater is not treated before flowing into local creeks and waterways • Promote citizen reporting of illicit discharges within the community • Provide targeted education materials to businesses and industries likely to have significant stormwater impacts • Educate younger generations on stormwater pollution prevention and the importance of protecting surface waters 2.2 Target Pollutants The table below describes the pollutants and pollutant sources targeted for the public education and outreach program for the current permit cycle. Educational information provided will include the impacts of stormwater pollution on water bodies and the steps the public can take to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff. Target pollutants are chosen based on citizen complaints and requests for service, and information provided by Town staff. Table 2.2: Target Pollutants for the Public Education and Outreach Program Target Pollutant Pollution Source Grass Clippings, leaves and yard waste Residential areas, landscaped areas Automotive Fluids Residential areas Pet Waste Residential areas, public open areas Trash Garbage and litter Illegal Dumping Dum sters 2.3 Target Audiences Homeowners and business owners are the target audiences for the public education and outreach program. Homeowners were chosen as a target audience for the Public Education and Outreach program because they are most likely to engage in activities that produce or involve the target pollutants listed in Table 2.2. The Town of Mooresville has a wide variety of businesses which have the potential to contribute to stormwater pollution. A selection of businesses and facilities which conduct activities that produce the target pollutants will receive targeted education providing information regarding stormwater pollution prevention specific to their business. Page 14 2.4 Residential and Industrial/Commercial Issues The following residential and industrial/commercial stormwater issues will be addressed in the Towri s Public Education and Outreach Program. Table 2.4: Pollutants associated with residential and industrial/commercial issues Issue Pollutant Impacts Lawn and garden care Nutrients (Grass Excess nutrients discharged from the Towri s activities clippings, leaves, yard MS4 and into receiving waters increase algae waste) growth which negatively impacts aquatic plants and wildlife. Automotive Automotive Fluids Negative environmental impacts on the Towri s Maintenance receivin waters. Pet Waste Pet Waste Excess nutrients and bacteria discharged from the Towris MS4 can negatively impact the Towris receiving waters. Littering in Trash Increase in bacteria in stormwater runoff which neighborhoods, can negatively impact human health. Dumpsters and Trash Cans Steep Slopes Sediment Degradation of streambanks and negative impacts on aquatic plant and wildlife habitats Public education handouts and other distributed materials address the pollutants listed above that are associated with residential and industrial/commercial issues. Issues are also to be addressed through articles in a newsletter distributed to both residents and businesses who receive a utility bill. 2.5 Informational Website A website containing information on the Towris stormwater program is maintained by the Stormwater Program Specialist. The link for the website is: https://mooresvillenc.gov/500/Stormwater The website includes a link to the Town of Mooresville Post Construction and Illicit Discharge and Connection Ordinance, contact information for the Stormwater Maintenance Supervisor and Stormwater Program Specialist, forms for post construction stormwater control measures and general stormwater pollution prevention information. The website also includes information regarding the six minimum measures, how to volunteer to mark storm drains, and how to report an illicit discharge and an up-to- date version of this SWMP which includes annual reporting information for the previous fiscal year. 2.6 Hotline/Helpline The designated hotline number for reporting Illicit Discharges is the general phone number for the Public Operation Center (704) 663-7282. However, educational materials include phone numbers for the Stormwater Program Specialist and Stormwater Maintenance Supervisor. The majority of illicit discharge reports and requests for assistance come directly to the designated Stormwater personnel. The Town Stormwater website (https://www.mooresvillenc.gov/500/Stormwater) advertises an online reporting method for Illicit Discharges and Stormwater issues. Citizens are encouraged to utilize this method of reporting as it will automatically create a service request that is emailed to both the Page 15 Stormwater Program Specialist and the Stormwater Maintenance Supervisor. The non -emergency line for the Mooresville Police Department 704-664-3311 is listed as the after-hours contact to report concerns. The Police Department has been informed to contact the Stormwater Maintenance Supervisor in the event of an after-hours call. The Stormwater Maintenance Supervisor position is always on call to deal with any emergency maintenance or illicit discharge reports that require immediate attention. 2.7 Distribution of Materials Educational information about stormwater, stormwater pollution, and stormwater pollution prevention is distributed periodically through the utility bill mailer and through flyers and handouts distributed at various events in Mooresville throughout the year. Educational materials are also distributed in the field when conducting illicit discharge investigations or routine facility inspections. The Stormwater Program Specialist attends various meetings and events within the Town to distribute handouts to citizens. Handouts contain information regarding stormwater pollution and stormwater pollution prevention tips including: don't litter, pick up after your pet and pile leaves, grass clippings and other yard waste above the curb and away from storm drains. Targeted materials and advertisements for the Towri s volunteer program are also distributed to relevant audiences. Table 2.7 highlights a list of current educational materials, the source who developed the material and the methods in which they are distributed. This list is to be updated as part of the annual review of this program. Table 2.7: Educational Materials Utilized 2017-Present Name of Material Source Distribution Format Stormwater Services General Town In person Stormwater Pollution Prevention (Citizen) Town In person Stormwater Pollution Prevention (Business) Town In person Hazardous Household Waste Day Town In person Leaf Pickup Educational PSA Town Social media, Town Voice Major Storm PSA Town Social Media Stormwater Drainage Policy Town In person, social media, Town Voice Yard Waste Post Card Town Mail Pollution Found Postcard Town Mail Pollution Prevention for Restaurants Town Mail, in Person, adaptable for Town Voice Stormwater Utility Program Handout Town In Person Rain Barrel Sale Town In person, social media, Town Voice Storm Drain Marking Town In person, social media, Town Voice Citizen Storm Drain Clearing Regional Stormwater Partnership of the Carolinas RSPC In Person, social media, adaptable for Town Voice Landscape Management Industry BMP RSPC In Person, social media, adaptable for Town Voice Page 16 Citizens Guide to Stormwater RSPC In Person, social media, adaptable for Town Voice Painting Industry BMP RSPC In Person, social media, adaptable for Town Voice Pool Cleaning Industry BMP RSPC In Person, social media, adaptable for Town Voice Vehicle Maintenance BMP RSPC In Person, social media, adaptable for Town Voice Commercial Property Maintenance BMP RSPC In Person, social media, adaptable for Town Voice Construction Industry BMP RSPC In Person, social media, adaptable for Town Voice Food Industry BMP RSPC In Person, social media, adaptable for Town Voice Dog Waste Handout RSPC In Person, social media, adaptable for Town Voice The Water Cycle Coloring Book RSPC In erson(youth) Stormwater Activity Book NCDOT In person(youth) Stormwater Pollution Workbook NCDENR In person (youth) Floods Happen. Lessen the Loss. Nature Nurture In person (youth) Center NWS/NOAA 2.7.1 TOWN VOICE ARTICLES Articles focused on stormwater pollution prevention information or on topics related to stormwater are published in the Town of Mooresville utility mailing, the Town Voice, several times per year. Approximately 14,500 residents and businesses receive a copy of the Town Voice every month and it is also available online at https://mooresvillenc.gov/478/Town-Voice-Newsletter. Stormwater specific article topics are chosen based on citizen reports, complaints and requests for service as well as information provided by Town of Mooresville staff. 2.8 In Person Education The Stormwater Program Specialist attends various meetings and events within the Town to discuss local issues and distribute handouts to citizens throughout the year. Presence at in person events also provides the public an opportunity to ask any questions about the Stormwater Program and fill out a citizen concern form. Table 2.8 contains a list of annual events the Stormwater Program Specialist typically attends. This list is to be updated as part of the annual review of this program. Month Event May Race City Festival June Know -it -All Fair June Summer Cams Town Rec Facilities August National Night Out September -October Citizens Academy October Chamber Community & Business Expo -varies- 'Touch a Truck' event Page 17 2.9 Regional Stormwater Partnership of the Carolinas The Town of Mooresville is a member of the Regional Stormwater Partnership of the Carolinas, which is a non-profit organization that provides an opportunity for municipalities in the region to collaborate on projects related to public education, outreach, and training. The RSPC allows the Town of Mooresville to reach a wider audience and provide more outreach, education, and public information than would be possible for us as an individual municipality. The RSPC maintains an educational website with stormwater information and information on how to report an illicit discharge, http://regionalstormwater.org. Throughout the year, the RSPC holds numerous workshops and educational events and develops targeted educational materials to meet the needs of membership municipalities. 2.10 Program Implementation Procedures 2.10.1 UPDATING TARGET POLLUTANTS, RESIDENTIAL ISSUES & INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL ISSUES Target Pollutants, and community stormwater issues should be assessed as part of the annual program review process. Service requests that have been put into iWorQ, Illicit Discharge Reports, and Field Observations should be analyzed at the end of each fiscal year. Service Requests will assist in identify residential issues and industrial/commercial issues. If residential and industrial/commercial issues are found to be insufficient based off community perceptions and findings, the list should be updated to reflect such changes. Illicit Discharges will be taken in account to determine if the list of target pollutants is up to date. If high occurrences of a certain form of illicit discharge are prevalent during the reporting period, the pollutant should be taken into consideration to be added to the target pollutants list upon the discretion of the Stormwater Program Specialist. Additional educational materials should be developed to address these target pollutants if they do not already exist, and the Town of Mooresville Stormwater website should be updated accordingly to reflect these changes. The Stormwater Program Specialist shall develop a Community Stormwater Survey at least once per permit cycle to gauge citizen awareness and perceptions on stormwater related issues. Responses to this survey shall be utilized to update target pollutants, target audiences and residential & industrial/commercial issues. 2.10.2 WEBSITE UPDATES The Town of Mooresville Stormwater Website is currently updated by the Communications and Marketing Department. Any information that needs to be updated shall be communicated through the designated department contact. As of 2021, the designated contact for Engineering/Stormwater is Megan Pleasant. Table 2.10 outlines the information that should be updated, and approximate timelines where applicable. Page 18 Content Timeline NPDES Phase II Annual Re ort/SWMP Annually, upon submission of report to NCDEQ Contact Information As needed Phase II Program Pages As needed, update accordingly if additional BMPs are added to permit Target Pollutants As needed, Stormwater homepa e first paragraph Volunteer Program Information As needed, Get Involved! page Post Construction BMP Forms As needed FAQ's Annually, update with relevant issues and questions from Citizen Requests 2.10.3 DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION MATERIALS Public Education materials may be utilized and/or adapted from reputable sources including but not limited to the Regional Stormwater Partnership of the Carolinas, NCDEQ, EPA, and other Phase II municipalities. When adapting new materials from existing publications assure proper permissions and source citations are in order to utilize any information or images. Additional Public Education materials should be developed in house by the Stormwater Program Specialist or by the Communications and Marketing Department upon request. 2.10.4 DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLIC EDUCATION MATERIALS Educational materials may be distributed at Town events, meetings, youth programs, during the field work, or via publications. Distribution of flyers is to be tracked via the Public Education and Outreach Log Excel Spreadsheet under the sheet representing that particular Fiscal Year's flyer distribution log. 2.10.4.1 FIELD DISTRIBUTION LOG Industry targeted Best Management Practices and 'Citizen s Guide to Stormwater' flyers are also carried in the Stormwater Maintenance Supervisors vehicle. When issues are found out in the field or when responding to a report of a potential illicit discharge, an appropriate flyer may be distributed to the party on site. A paper log is included on the outside of the folder containing these guides and should be used to track the following • Date • Type of flyer distributed • To whom the flyer was distributed • Reason for visit At the end of the Fiscal Year, the Stormwater Program Specialist is to collect the distribution log and add the information to the Public Education and Outreach Log excel spreadsheet found on the Stormwater OneDrive. 2.10.4.2 TOWN VOICE The Town Voice is a publication that is distributed monthly with Town of Mooresville utility mailing. Approximately 14,500 residents and businesses receive a copy of the Town Voice every month. Articles Page 19 focused on stormwater pollution prevention, general program information and volunteer opportunities should be published in the Town Voice several times a year. Article topics should be chosen on citizen reports/requests for service, illicit discharge reports as well as information provided by the Town of Mooresville staff. To have an article included in the Town Voice, the Communications and Marketing Department contact (Megan Pleasant) should be notified by the first Friday of the previous month (ex. Contact January 7, 2022, to be included in February 2022 edition). The department contact should be provided a write up of the topic and any relevant images (if applicable). Existing education materials such as industry targeted Best Management Practices flyers may be provided as an alternative. The department contact will pull relevant information and trim the education material to fit in the allotted space for the article. Stormwater articles included in the Town Voice should be logged in the Public Education and Outreach Log Spreadsheet on the Stormwater OneDrive. Information should include the month of the publication, the name of the article, approximate number of interactions (14,500 citizens/businesses receive Town Voice as of 2021) and a brief description of the content. A copy of the Town Voice edition containing stormwater related articles should be saved in the following folder on the Stormwater OneDrive under the appropriate fiscal year subfolder C:\Users\*insertusername*\Town of Mooresville\Engineering - Documents\Stormwater\1_Public Education and Outreach\Town Voice Newsletter. All past editions of the Town Voice are available for viewing and download at https://mooresvillenc.gov/478/Town-Voice- Newsletter. 2.10.4.3 SOCIAL MEDIA The Town of Mooresville has a Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and a YouTube channel. Stormwater Public Service Announcements, pollution prevention tips and other relevant messages may be posted to Town social media through the Communications and Marketing Department. The Stormwater Program Specialist should contact their C&M department contact with the information to be posted and timelines for posts. The following is a list of some example topics posted to social media during the last permit cycle: • Leaf Collection PSA • Incoming Storm- Flooding PSA • Storm Drain Marking Volunteer Program • Citizen Stormwater Survey • Announcement of Public Meeting for Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan Review Social Media posts should be tracked in the Public Education and Outreach Log under the associated fiscal year, with approximate interactions on the post included when available. A screenshot of the post may also be saved in a relevant folder subfolder within Public Education & Outreach or Public Involvement & Participation on the Stormwater OneDrive (ex. Facebook and Twitter advertisements of 2021 Public Information Session are saved under Stormwater Management Plan Review subfolder within Public Involvement & Participation). Page 110 2.10.5 ATTENDANCE AT SPECIAL EVENTS, MEETINGS, SCHOOLS, ETC. 2.10.5.1 TOWN EVENTS The Stormwater Program Specialist is responsible for coordinating involvement at the various Town Events (see Section 2.8), meetings and youth programs where stormwater education would be deemed appropriate. The Stormwater Program Specialist should establish contact with personnel within various departments including, but not limited to the Managers Office, Human Resources and Parks and Recreation to obtain a list of upcoming events that have opportunities for stormwater involvement. The Communications and Marketing Department is another key contact to assist in finding events to coordinate on. The C&M Department hosts a Marketing Co -Op group with a representative from every Town department to meet on a monthly basis and collaborate on ideas for outreach and provide information on upcoming events. The Stormwater Program Specialist shall use their best judgement in what types of educational materials and displays should be brought to each event based on the target audience. Examples of education materials may be found in Table 2.7. For events where digital media may be used (PowerPoint presentation, slide shows, etc.) the Stormwater Program Specialist should choose a suitable Presentation Template from the Public Education Material subfolder on the Stormwater OneDrive. If a presentation does not exist that is suitable for the event, existing presentations should be modified with relevant information and photos. Existing presentations include: • Stormwater for Homeowners • Stormwater for Youth (younger) • Stormwater for Youth (older) • Stormwater Program and Services • Teen Outreach While participating at events, the Stormwater Program Specialist shall keep track of any interactions and any materials distributed. At the end of the event the number of interactions should be entered into the Public Education & Outreach Log under the proper sub sheet for fiscal year event log or flyer tracking. Any reference materials or photos taken at the event should also be saved in a subfolder with the date and location of the event in the Events & Presentations folder on the Stormwater OneDrive. 2.10.5.2 YOUTH PROGRAMS The Stormwater Program Specialist should coordinate with the following Parks and Recreation facilities in the Spring of each year to schedule Summer Camp education sessions during the months of June and July: • Winnie Hooper Center • Selma Burke Center • War Memorial Center Youth Programs should last from 30 minutes to 1:30 minutes per session and include a lesson/presentation followed by an activity, game, or demonstration. Past lessons and activities can be found in the Events & Presentations subfolder under Public Education and Outreach. Additional lesson plans and activities may be developed from the Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide 2.0 located Page 111 in the Stormwater Program Specialist's office or adapted from any stormwater related STEM activity that is age appropriate found from reputable internet sources. Upon completion of a youth event all lesson plans, presentations, activities, and photos taken should be saved under a subfolder created with the date and location of the event within the Events and Activity folder on the Stormwater OneDrive. The event should also be logged with the number of interactions (students who participates) in the Public Education and Outreach Log. 2.10.5.3 MEETINGS & OTHER EVENTS The Stormwater Program Specialist may occasionally be asked to participate and/or present on stormwater related topics at various meetings or special events for groups such as the Mooresville Youth Council and Town of Mooresville Environmental Protection Committee. The Stormwater Program has worked closely with these groups in the past on joint initiatives such as the Storm Drain Marking Volunteer Program and with Rain Barrel sales for water conservation and stormwater runoff awareness. The Stormwater Program Specialist may also be asked to provide status updates on the stormwater program or specific topics to Town leadership or the Town Board. All meetings and presentations of this nature should be logged in the Public Education and Outreach log and tracked in the Events and Presentations Folder. 2.10.6 COORDINATION WITH REGIONAL STORMWATER PARTNERSHIP The Stormwater Program Specialist is the designated contact for the Regional Stormwater Partnership of the Carolinas. It is their responsibility to attend all quarterly meetings as schedule permits and track any public education and outreach successes that may count towards Town of Mooresville permit requirements. Annual reports, tech talk & workshop agendas, attendance logs and educational materials should be saved in the RSPC Subfolder under the Public Education and Outreach folder on the Stormwater OneDrive. The Stormwater Program Specialist is also responsible for assuring membership dues are paid on time and proper documentation of organization membership is stored on the Stormwater OneDrive including but not limited to any bylaws, articles of incorporation and service agreements. 2.11 Personnel The Stormwater Program Specialist is the primary personnel responsible for developing, executing, and tracking the best management practices within the Public Education and Outreach Program. The Stormwater Program Specialist shall serve as the point of contact for any inquiries for presence at events, meetings, schools, etc. It is the responsibility of the Stormwater Program Specialist to assure this program is kept up to date and all interactions are logged on the Stormwater OneDrive for a period of 5 years. The Stormwater Maintenance Supervisor also participates in the Public Education and Outreach Program by distributing public education materials while out in the field and through presence at certain Town events such as the Touch -A -Truck festival and Mooresville Citizens Academy. Page 112 2.12 Documentation & Record Keeping Documentation of all past events, presentations, flyers distributed, and interactions are to be kept in the Public Education and Outreach Log Excel Spreadsheet on the Stormwater. All stormwater education materials, presentations, photos, etc. are to be saved in their relevant folder on the Stormwater OneDrive. The following list specifies locations for all program documentation and records: • Program Manual C:\Users\*insertusername*\Town of Mooresville\Engineering - Documents\Stormwater\1_Public Education and Outreach • Public Education & Outreach Log C:\Users\*insertusername*\Town of Mooresville\Engineering - Documents\Stormwater\1_Public Education and Outreach • Education Materials C:\Users\*insertusername*\Town of Mooresville\Engineering - Documents\Stormwater\1_Public Education and Outreach\0_Public Education Material • Events and Presentations: C:\Users\*insertusername*\Town of Mooresville\Engineering - Documents\Stormwater\1_Public Education and Outreach\Events and Presentations • Town Voice Newsletter C:\Users\*insertusername*\Town of Mooresville\Engineering - Documents\Stormwater\1_Public Education and Outreach\Town Voice Newsletter • Regional Stormwater Partnership of the Carolinas: C:\Users\*insertusername*\Town of Mooresville\Engineering - Documents\Stormwater\1_Public Education and Outreach\RSPC 2.13 Program Evaluation This program will be evaluated at least once annually by the Stormwater Program Specialist. An amendment log can be found in Appendix B of this Manual. For any amendments to the O&M plan, please note date of change, specify page and/or section number and a summary of the amendment. 3.1 Program Goals and Objectives The goal of the Public Involvement and Participation Program is to involve the citizens of the Town of Mooresville in the Stormwater Program and promote volunteer opportunities. 3.2 Volunteer Opportunities The Stormwater Department has an active page on the Town of Mooresville's volunteer portal, Community Connect, at https://mooresvillenc.galaxydigital.com/agency/detail/?agency_id=ll7417. The Department page has background information about the stormwater program, the Towns Phase II NPDES permit and stormwater pollution. The home page also contains contact information for the current Volunteer Program Contact (Stormwater Program Specialist as of 2021). Page 113 The Department page should be frequently updated with current contact information for staff and as new volunteer opportunities are developed. As the need grows for additional Stormwater staff to be involved in the volunteer portal, the Human Resources department should be notified to provide personnel with the required login credentials. As of December 2021, the Human Resources point of contact for volunteer programs is Violet Carter. 3.2.1 STORM DRAIN MARKING PROGRAM As of 2021, the Storm Drain Marking Program is active as an opportunity in Community Connect. Storm drain marking is an activity in which volunteers place storm drain markers on or near storm drains to help draw attention to the connection between storm drains and our local water bodies. These storm drain markers show the message "Don't pollute, flows to waterways". Volunteers with the storm drain marking program are encouraged to mark storm drains in lower -income neighborhoods to provide additional education through the Public Involvement and Participation program for these areas. This group was chosen because a higher number of illicit discharges were noted in the lower income neighborhoods within the Town of Mooresville. Neighborhoods where volunteer storm drain marking events take place also receive additional education through doorhangers. These doorhangers have general stormwater pollution prevention information in English and Spanish. 3.2.1,1 VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS All Town Volunteers must be over the age of 14 years unless the youth volunteer is working with a parent, teacher, or another caregiver. Volunteer candidates over the age of 16 will also be required to pass a background screening prior to being allowed to respond to an opportunity in Community Connect. Department specific volunteer requirements will be found when volunteers go to respond to opportunities in Community Connect. A required qualification to register for the Storm Drain Marking Program is the completion of a Stormwater specific waiver which includes safety guidelines and procedures to follow when marking and clearing off storm drains. If the participant in the system is a minor, an adult will be required to complete the youth participation form in Community Connect in order for the candidate to be fully registered in the system. Some situations may not warrant the need for a volunteer to register in Community Connect. For example, "one off" type events for specific groups or individuals who do not intend to volunteer with the Town more than once. Those individuals will be required to complete the required waiver(s) specific to the program and records will be retained with the Stormwater Program Specialist. Human Resources should also be provided with this information for their records. *As the Community Connect platform is a new system for volunteer opportunities, there are still some bugs in the system. When citizens inquire about the Storm Drain Marking program, ensure they are provided with all guidance materials and information needed to register. Any issues with getting candidates to show up in the system should be directed to the appropriate Human Resources contact. Page 114 3.2.1.2 VOLUNTEER RECORDS Records of all marking events are to be maintained by the Stormwater Program Specialist. Records to be kept include participation waivers (discussed in section 3.2.1.1), storm drain marking logs and materials sign out sheets. Prior to all marking events, volunteer groups should be provided with a Marked Drain Log or access to the digital form found at https://arcg.is/OTmggT. Participants are to note the locations of drains, the number of drains marked on each street section and any problems observed. Marked Drain Logs are to be returned to the Stormwater Program Specialist within 72 hours of the marking event. The Stormwater Program Specialist will frequently update the Volunteer Log spreadsheet found on the Stormwater One Drive after marking events are complete. Information to be logged include volunteer waiver completion, volunteer hours, materials quantities, materials sign out, areas marked and neighborhoods that still need to be marked by future volunteers. 3.2.1.3 DOOR HANGERS Door hangers have been developed in both English and Spanish formats to be distributed in neighborhoods after a storm drain marking event. Door Hangers explain that the area was recently marked, why this was done and further guidance on how to prevent stormwater pollution in residential areas. The door hangers also include contact information for the Stormwater Program Specialist for those interested in additional information on stormwater or volunteering for the program. Doorhangers are saved as Microsoft Publisher files in the Public Involvement and Participation subfolder on the Stormwater OneDrive. Doorhangers should be updated as needed with current Stormwater Program Specialist's contact information. Distribution of door hangers should be tracked in the Volunteer Log spreadsheet and included in annual reports submitted to NCDEQ. 3.2.1.4 STORM DRAIN MARKING MAP A Storm Drain Marking Map was developed in ArcGIS Online to better track completion of areas that are in need of markers. Stormwater infrastructure is symbolized as follows: • Red- Not marked • Yellow- Unknown (area that needs to be checked) • Green- Marked (restamped message or decal) • Purple- Not Applicable (private drains or yard inlets that are unable to be marked) The Stormwater Program Specialist is responsible for updating this map after marking events are completed and as free time permits to update the status of unknown structures. As of February 2022, 2003 structures are noted as marked,1356 are unmarked and 5473 are unknown. 3.2.2 ADOPT -A -DRAIN PROGRAM *Section to be updated once pilot program is launched in Spring 2022* Page 115 3.3 Community Involvement 3.3.1 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN The Town of Mooresville Stormwater Management Plan is updated on an as needed basis. Annually, the Stormwater Program Specialist is responsible for developing a narrative Annual Report to be posted on the Town Stormwater website. The narrative annual report contains all elements of the Stormwater Management Plan along with data and milestones for the previous Fiscal Year. Citizens are encouraged to review the Annual Report and contact the Stormwater Program Specialist with any feedback or questions about the program. Per the current Stormwater Management Plan (2017-2022), at least one Public Meeting was to be held during the permit cycle where citizens can meet with Stormwater staff to comment on the plan and ask any questions about the program. A public meeting was advertised in the Town Voice, on Town of Mooresville social media, on TV monitors at Town facilities and through handouts with a QR code directed to a PDF version of the plan. The Public Meeting was also announced on the Billy Buck Morning Show (WAME Radio) on October 21st, 2021. The public meeting was held on November 16th from 4pm- 6pm. No community members outside of Town employees were in attendance for this session. The Stormwater Program Specialist is responsible for scheduling a SWMP Community Session during the next permit cycle beginning in February of 2022. 3.3.2 CITIZEN SURVEY Due to low turnout at the 2021 Stormwater Management Plan Community Session, an online survey was developed in ArcGIS Survey123 in hopes of soliciting public feedback on the SWMP and Stormwater program. The survey includes questions about community perceptions on water quality, sources of illicit discharges, awareness of Town policies and effectiveness of public education materials. The survey was advertised to the public starting in November of 2021 with additional advertisements in the Town Voice and on social media over the following months.. As of February 2022,45 community members responded to the survey. The Stormwater Program Specialist is responsible for analyzing responses to survey questions and implementing feedback into the current program. A new survey should be developed at least once per permit cycle to allow public an opportunity to ask any questions and provide comments on the stormwater program. 3.4 Personnel The Stormwater Program Specialist is the primary personnel responsible for developing, executing, and tracking the best management practices within the Public Involvement and Participation Program. The Stormwater Program Specialist shall serve as the point of contact for any inquiries on the Stormwater Management Plan and volunteer programs. It is the responsibility of the Stormwater Program Specialist to assure this program is kept up to date and all volunteer events, meetings and survey responses are logged on the Stormwater OneDrive for a period of 5 years. Page 116 The Stormwater Maintenance Supervisor also participates in the Public Involvement and Participation Program on an as needed basis for large Storm Drain Marking events and implementing program changes deemed necessary from public comment sessions and survey responses. 3.5 Documentation & Record Keeping Documentation of all past public meetings, volunteer events and surveys events are to be kept on the Stormwater OneDrive in the Public Involvement and Participation Subfolder C:\Users\mmeltzer\Town of Mooresville\Engineering - Documents\Stormwater\2_Public Involvement and Participation. Advertisement of meetings and opportunities are logged separately in the Public Education and Outreach Log found at C:\Users\mmeltzer\Town of Mooresville\Engineering - Documents\Stormwater\1_Public Education and Outreach. 3.6 Program Evaluation This program will be evaluated at least once annually by the Stormwater Program Specialist. An amendment log can be found in Appendix B of this Manual. For any amendments to the O&M plan, please note date of change, specify page and/or section number and a summary of the amendment. Page 117 4.1 Appendix A: Reference Materials Page 118 4.2 Appendix B: Amendment Log Page 119