As the Lake Havasu City Supervisors Excellence Academy's Class of 2024 prepares to graduate, members are working on projects to educate the community about water conservation.
During last week's City Council planning session, presentations were made about the class and the capstone project. City Human Resources Director Bobby Kimleton and participants with Brittney Sartick-Bayliss Sergeant Michael terinoni.
Kimleton said the academy was born in late 2021 after discussions with city administrators.
“There was an argument that many of our supervisors are in supervisory positions because they are good at their jobs, but they don't actually have enough training related to supervision.” Kimleton said. Said.
As a result, they decided to design their own academy.
The 52-week class, held once a week for four hours, began in June at Mojave Community College, with more than 20 successful applicants from various city departments.
Topics covered in class included ethics, budgeting, workplace violence, risk management, and disciplinary processes.
However, lectures were not the only part of the class. Subject matter experts come into the classroom and teach about city-specific tasks.
The class allowed city supervisors to network and learn more about different departments.
“We were supervisors of different organizations in the city, and most of us didn't know each other.” terinoni Said. “The biggest benefit of taking classes together was the networking aspect.”
With graduation approaching at the end of February, the class is focused on their final project.
“We were tasked with executing a capstone project that would benefit the city, its workers, its citizens, or both.” terinoni Said. “This gives us the opportunity to work together to implement projects for the common benefit of our community.”
Ultimately, the class voted on a project to enhance the aesthetics of a landscaped area near City Hall known as the Havasu Water Smart Demonstration Garden, aimed at furthering the goals of the 2020 Water Conservation Plan..
The Water Conservation Plan, approved by City Council in 2019, outlines basic strategies and water conservation planning cycles to reduce water use.
Project Manager Jerry Bracamonte said the project was identified as a potential water quality improvement effort to extend green infrastructure efforts to conserve drinking water and demonstrate alternative irrigation strategies to the public.
“This project allows the city to lead by example and bring this concrete initiative to the forefront. Essentially, we are implementing the current recommended plant list published on the city’s website. ” Bracamonte said.
The target area is a semi-circular area at the corner of Spezzano Way and N. McCulloch Boulevard.
It is also adjacent to Heart of Havasu Park, a project initiated by the Chamber of Commerce's 2011 Havasu Leadership Development Class. Before launching the project, Bracamonte said he received permission to move forward.
The first phase of the project will be carried out by the class and will include the installation of WaterSmart plants with signage and information on how to maintain the plants.
Scan the QR code on the park placard to access an interactive website with more information.
Sartik Bayliss said 45 plants will be planted in the area by academy participants and water diversion techniques will be introduced to harness rainwater runoff and groundwater.
“This will be an area where visitors, businesses, developers, residents, and students can observe a variety of water-saving desert plants and hardscapes and learn how to beautify landscape spaces with water-saving techniques. Masu.” terinoni Said.
He added that this will also serve as an educational and research program on how to reduce water consumption and increase water efficiency and reuse.
Irrigation demonstrations are also held, and this is the only time water is allowed to flow.
Funding for the first phase will come from corporate donations and non-financial contributions from the city.
Bracamonte said he was grateful. of Various local businesses and organizations helped fundraise for all the materials, as well as City council, city staff, MCC professors.
The next two phases will be completed in coordination with the Water Sustainability Program Manager. This includes extending the Water Smart Demonstration Area into the PD parking lot.
The class is also considering grant opportunities to support the project, and a grant application to the Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority seeking funding for a “water conservation demonstration park” was approved in January.
The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by the Academy's graduation on February 28, with a ribbon cutting on Earth Day. — April 22nd — To make plants bloom.
