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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Glendale Water and Power Water Master Plan Communications and Outreach Plan
1. Motion to Note and File Glendale Water and Power’s Water Master Plan Communications and Outreach Plan.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Calendar
Approved for May 13, 2025 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2024, Glendale Water and Power (GWP) entered into a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Arcadis U.S., Inc. to develop a comprehensive Water Master Plan (WMP). This plan is a critical step towards improving and maintaining the City’s water infrastructure and enhancing Glendale’s water reliability and sustainability by reducing dependence on imported water. To support the WMP, GWP developed an Outreach Plan (see Exhibit 1) designed to educate residents, engage stakeholders, and foster public trust in recycled water initiatives. By prioritizing strategic communication and proactive community involvement, the outreach plan aligns with the City’s long-term goals of equitable service, infrastructure investment, and environmental stewardship.
RECOMMENDATION
Note and file the herein report regarding GWP’s Water Master Plan Communication and Outreach Plan.
ANALYSIS
The outreach plan aims to support the implementation of the WMP by educating the community about the benefits of re-investing into its infrastructure while enhancing local water sources and ensuring long-term water reliability and sustainability. It seeks to build trust and transparency while encouraging public engagement in the planning process.
The key elements of this plan are outlined below:
Audience: The target audience includes Glendale residents, businesses, and stakeholders who rely on GWP’s services. Special emphasis is placed on reaching diverse communities and ensuring equitable access to information and participation. {{section.number}}b2
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Messaging: This focuses on key themes such as water service reliability, sustainability, and emergency preparedness. It highlights the importance of proactive investment in infrastructure and emphasizes the safety, and reliability of recycled water as a critical resource for Glendale’s future.
Research: The plan proposes conducting formal public opinion surveys to gauge community priorities, awareness, and concerns about recycled water. Feedback from surveys and stakeholder interviews will guide the development of outreach materials and strategies to ensure they resonate with the community.
Content Development: Informational materials such as fact sheets, infographics, FAQs, and success stories will be created in alignment with GWP branding standards. These materials will be designed to educate the public about recycled water, its benefits, and the planning process, while addressing common concerns such as cost and safety.
Public Outreach: The outreach strategy includes community meetings, virtual sessions, newsletters, social media campaigns, and direct mailings. These efforts will ensure broad participation across Glendale, providing opportunities for residents to engage with the planning process and share feedback.
Media Relations: Traditional and digital media channels will be leveraged to amplify outreach messages. Social media platforms, newsletters, and event materials will be used to promote awareness and provide updates on the progress of the Recycled Water Master Plan.
The effectiveness of the outreach plan will be measured through public feedback, survey results, engagement levels on social media, and participation in community events. These metrics will help refine the strategy and ensure the plan remains responsive to community needs.
The outreach schedule begins this month (May 2025) and will be completed by May 2026. The preliminary tasks for the outreach plan include research and strategic development of outreach platforms to better understand GWP’s communities and stakeholders. These foundational tasks will take place in the first four months and are intended to inform the content that will be developed to educate and engage with the community. Community engagement activities will take place from June 2025 until the completion of the Water Master Planning efforts in the first quarter of 2026.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
Stakeholders Identified: The outreach plan prioritizes engagement with the following groups:
•Residents: Including homeowners, tenants, and individuals in priority populations such as low-income households and non-English-speaking communities.
•Businesses: Local business owners, major employers (e.g., Americana, DreamWorks, Disney), and commercial water users.
•Community Organizations: Nonprofits, environmental groups, cultural organizations, and advocacy groups (e.g., Glendale Environmental Coalition, {{section.number}}b3
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Armenian National Committee).
•Youth and Educational Groups: Glendale Unified School District (GUSD), Glendale Community College, and youth leadership programs. •Neighborhood Associations: Including property owner associations and tenant unions.
•Regional Water Agencies: Neighboring utilities such as Burbank Water and Power, Pasadena Water and Power and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
Outreach Methods: GWP will use a combination of traditional and modern outreach methods tailored to the needs and preferences of Glendale’s diverse community:
•Community Meetings: Informal, open-house-style meetings will provide residents and stakeholders with opportunities to interact directly with project staff, ask questions, and give feedback.
•Social Media Campaigns: Targeted posts across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Nextdoor will amplify outreach efforts and provide regular updates.
•Direct Mail and Email Notifications: Mailers and e-blasts will ensure residents who may not actively follow digital channels are informed about the plan and encouraged to engage.
•Website and Online Resources: A dedicated webpage on the City’s website will serve as a central hub for project updates, downloadable materials, and public input opportunities.
•Pop-Up Outreach: The outreach team will participate in existing city events (e.g., Glendale Farmers Market, Glendale Cruise Night) to meet residents where they are and provide accessible information about the plan. •Stakeholder Advisory Group (STAG): GWP will reconvene and expand its advisory group to include representatives from key stakeholder groups, ensuring consistent input and feedback throughout the process.
Past and Upcoming Engagement Activities:
•Stakeholder List Development: As outlined in Appendix C of the attached outreach plan, a comprehensive list of stakeholders has been identified to ensure broad and equitable engagement.
•Community Input Activities: Initial stakeholder interviews and surveys are planned to assess current community awareness, priorities, and concerns about water services. These activities will guide the development of outreach materials and messaging.
•Future Community Events: Beginning in September, GWP will host several in- person and virtual engagement events, supported by targeted outreach via social media, newsletters, and direct mail.
Impact and Insights: Initial outreach efforts have already highlighted key opportunities to enhance communication and build trust with Glendale’s diverse community. For example, early discussions with community leaders have emphasized the importance of delivering materials in multiple languages and addressing common concerns about the {{section.number}}b4
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safety and cost of recycled water. By prioritizing equitable access to information and actively seeking feedback, GWP aims to ensure the planning process reflects community values and priorities.
FISCAL IMPACT
No new appropriation is being requested at this time. Funds for this item have already been approved as part of the 2025 Recycled Water Master Plan and Water System Master Plan development in the FY 2024-25 budget. The City Council approved funding is outlined below:
Existing Appropriation
Amount Account String Funding Source
$1,316,582 43110-5920-GWP-4700-P0000 Water Works Revenue Fund
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
Not Applicable. The action requested herein is to note and file the herein Report and as such is not a project for the purposes of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
Not Applicable.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1: Choose not to note and file the herein report as requested by staff. 2: Consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Scott K. Mellon, P.E., Acting General Manager - Glendale Water and Power Prepared by:
Chisom Obegolu, Assistant General Manager - Water
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1: GWP Recycled Water Outreach Plan.