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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/15/1999, C7 - Y2K PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN councit //s/9y j ac Enaa aEpont CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FROM: RobertF. Neumann,Fire Chief SUBJECT: Y2K Public Awareness Campaign CAO RECOMMENDATION Approve participation in a county-wide Y2K/disaster preparedness public education campaign in the amount of$9,300. DISCUSSION In early May, the San Luis Obispo County Y2K Action Alliance made a funding request to the County Board of Supervisors for a county-wide media campaign to increase public education regarding the Y2K problem. The Alliance is made up of concerned citizens, public officials, emergency planners (Fire Chiefs), and the County Sheriff, whose purpose is to educate the public about the possible impacts associated with the new millenium. The proposed media campaign is a great way to educate the public on preparedness for all disasters and the City will be recognized for its contribution by having its logo appear on all advertising. The campaign will consist of radio and television public service announcements, as well as print ads that will be viewed from August to November, 1999. It will augment the Action Alliance's ongoing efforts. These include the distribution of brochures, information expos and booths, preparedness information issued in PG&E's current Diablo Canyon Newsletter, and information disseminated by the Red Cross and Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES). This is the next logical step in awareness/preparedness efforts. The attention Y2K has generated can be used to lead a greater proportion of citizens to be prepared for any type of future disasters. Therefore, while experts disagree about the severity of the Y2K problem, staff believes the campaign will be valuable in educating the public to be prepared for all disasters. The Board of Supervisors has agreed to pay the majority of the costs. The County Office of Emergency Services will manage the campaign, taking input from the Action Alliance. The total cost for the campaign is $53,000. The County is asking the seven cities in the County to provide funding proportional to population. The City's population makes up 18% of the County base; therefore, our contribution will be$9,300. FISCAL 11"ACT Funds are currently allocated in the 1998-99 budget, which could be used for this purpose. The Fire Chief, who has taken an active role in the Action Alliance, will ensure that fiords are expended appropriately and will monitor that any fiords not spent are returned to the City. ATTACE(NMNT-Proposal Letter from County Administrative Officer e�� t MAY 2 8 1999 SLO CITY CONN JL oun y an Luis Obispo COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER,RM.370■SAN LUIS OBISPO,CALIFORNIA 93408■(805)781-5011 May 21, 1999 City Council OFFICE OF THE City of San Luis Obispo COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR 990 Palm St. San Luis Obispo,CA 93401 RE: YEAR 2000 PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN Dear Council Members: While the exact effect's of the "Y2K Millennium Bug" are unknown, federal and state government and private sector experts predict a series of mild to moderate disruptions in a.wide variety of services. We believe that we have a responsibility to notify citizens of possible impacts and encourage self-preparedness. The San Luis Obispo County Y2K Action Alliance has approached the County Board of Supervisors to request funding fora county-wide awareness/preparedness media campaign to increase public education.The campaign will augment the Action Alliance's efforts which include the distribution of 80,000 preparedness brochures (fimded by Mid-State Bank and Central Coast Printers), information expos and booths, preparedness information issued in PG&E's current Diablo Canyon Newsletter, and information disseminated by the Red Cross and Govemor's Office of Emergency Services. The proposed media campaign is the"next step"in awarenesstpreparedness efforts.The County and cities are in an excellent position to take the lead in educating their constituents.The fimding will be used to create radio and television public service announcements and print ads that will "blitz" the media outlets from August to November, 1999. On April 29, 1999 a letter was sent to you from the Action Alliance introducing this awareness campaign. The proposed cost is$53,000.The Board of Supervisors will provide$22,988 for these efforts.All cities are being asked to provide funding for this effort proportional to population.We hope you will take a lead in addressing Y2K issues and co-sponsor this campaign. The entities that provide funding will be recognized as the campaign's sponsors and their logos will appear on all advertising.City funds would be transferred to the County Office of Emergency Services;OES will manage the campaign. The requested funding levels are as follows,based on population: CITY POPULATION %OF COUNTY POP, FUNDS REOUESTED Arroyo Grande 16,000 7% $3,742 Atascadero 25,450 10.5% $5,613 Grover Beach 12,650 5% $2,673 Morro Bay 9,875 4% $27138 Pismo Beach 8,475 3.5% $1,871 Paso Robles 22,500 9% $4,811 San Luis Obispo 427856 18% $9,623 Unincorporated Areas 103,800 43% $22,988 C7� Commitment of funds is ied by July 15, 1999. On May 27, 1999, the Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council will meet; your emergency management representative will be in attendance. An outline of the educational campaign and awareness efforts will be given.City representatives will be encouraged to present Y2K status updates and recommendations to their councils. Y2K Action Alliance members will attend these council meetings to support funding for the awareness campaign. The County Office of Emergency Services is in full support of an awareness/preparedness campaign. Currently,a low percentage of citizens(estimated at 10-20%)are properly prepared for a disaster, including enough supplies for 3-7 days of self sufficiency. The "millennium bug" offers a unique opportunity for citizens to prepare for something that is perceived as a"real threat"and happens to come with a"real date." A preparedness campaign is a moderate approach to help prevent panic and apathy. Y2K is different from other types of potential hazards in that we know the date on which possible effects may occur.It's surmised that if services are disrupted due to Y2K the potential for a significant public outcry is greater than for other types of emergencies.The basic idea could be"they all knew it was coming,so why wasn't something done to help us?" Y2K preparedness is also a terrific avenue to educate the public on preparedness for all disasters.The fervor that Y2K has generated can be harnessed into broader preparation efforts and could ultimately lead to a greater proportion of citizens prepared for known threats to this area.Thus,even if Y2K interruptions prove minimal,a greater portion of the populace would be prepared for future disasters. Regardless of your personal opinion of what Y2K will or will not bring,the bottom line is that it will happen. For those of you who are gamblers,this may be a good opportunity to"hedge your bets." Being proactive could assist you and your staff later in the year when public concern over Y2K may increase. Thank you for your support and participation in this unified campaign.I look forward to working together. Si ly,• DAVID EDGE County Administrator cc:San Luis Obispo City Council C7-3