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City weighs $50,000 MVP seed grant to boost water communications and outreach
Summary
Staff proposed using a $50,000 MVP 2.0 seed grant for water-focused communications — expanding the WaterSmart portal, bill inserts, school and farm outreach and equity-targeted engagement — and discussed whether to outsource tasks because of limited GIS/GPS capacity; the committee must submit a plan by June 30.
Staff told the committee the city has $50,000 in MVP 2.0 seed funding and must submit a high-level plan to the state by June 30. The staff presentation proposed using the funding to expand WaterSmart portal enrollment and content, run water-bill inserts and mailers, support school and farm outreach, and conduct equity-focused engagement to reach renters, seniors and other priority groups.
Staff noted some flexibility in how funds can be shifted among tasks and recommended using the city’s project manager/consultant to handle project management, community liaisons and outreach coordination in year one. Committee members flagged limited GPS (Department of Public Services) capacity to run an expanded outreach program and suggested outsourcing specific deliverables to regional partners or specialist nonprofits when feasible.
Several members pointed to existing, low-cost models from neighboring towns and statewide programs funded under the Drought Resilience and Water Conservation Grant Program as examples of effective work in the $30,000–$50,000 range. Options discussed included a pared-down plan that prioritized WaterSmart and bill inserts (lower administrative burden) or a fuller outreach plan that would spend more on community events, school programs and targeted materials.
Members also discussed grant-administration steps: incoming grants must be formally accepted by city council, and staff said prior MVP funding had not been processed correctly and will require council action to accept the current award. Committee members agreed to meet with the MVP vendor/partner the following week, to clarify deliverables and costs, and to return with a recommended plan for the council packet.
The committee did not vote on any grant acceptance tonight; members directed staff to refine scope options and produce a draft plan for ad hoc review and later City Council acceptance.
