HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/15/1999, C7 - Y2K PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN councit //s/9y
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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
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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
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