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INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA DEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM TO: Jason E. Brown, County Administrator THROUGH: Richard B. Szpyrka P.E., Public Works Director THROUGH: Keith McCully P.E., Stormwater Engineer FROM: Alexis Peralta, Stormwater Educator& Fertilizer Enforcement SUBJECT: Stormdrain Awareness: An Educational Art Project DATE: October 29, 2019 DESCRIPTION "Only Rain Down the Drain" is the motto of Indian River County Stormwater. In an attempt to educate the Public and help citizens of the County understand the relationship between the stormdrain and the Indian River Lagoon, staff is proposing a new educational art project of paintinglocal stormdrains. 9 p p 9 Drains that have heavy foot traffic and are visible to the masses will be creatively and permanently painted with images that foster a sense of responsibility for the health of the Lagoon and, in turn, help prevent individual/personal stormwater pollution. Previous stormdrain awareness attempts have been made through permanent, small, plastic markers that read "Drains to Lagoon." The public has liked these markers but overall complain they are not visible enough to really market the message. By drawing more attention through professional art that lasts, the County will educate many more residents on the importance of stormwater drains, how they prevent flooding but are untreated, and that we all have a responsibility to prevent pollution as they lead to the Indian River Lagoon. With the help of The Downtown Vero Beach Mural Project, volunteer artists will be assigned an approved stormdrain and paint a scene that includes the slogan "Only Rain Down the Drain." Incorporating the message onto each individual design will give a consistency from drain to drain that helps the message stick.Artists can be paired with environmental organizations, school groups,or civic groups, such as nonprofits and rotary clubs, that wish to sponsor a drain. All drain designs will go through an application process for approval of design and to determine which drain will be assigned according to location and size.The art is expected to last a few years before fading;staff and volunteers will review drains annually to determine deterioration rate. Based off the exuberant public excitement for this project, staff estimates a biannual update where artists can touch up the drains or they can be painted over and recreated. Many stormdrains in high foot traffic areas are located within the municipalities of the City of Vero Beach and the City of Sebastian. Staff has reached out to both, and also to the Town of Indian River Shores,to create a County-wide project that spans our entire area of the Lagoon. The City of Vero Beach is very interested and excited to utilize this project to forward their same message of stormdrains leading to the Lagoon. If the County Board of Commissioners approves the project, staff will go to City Council for official municipal approval. If necessary, and depending on location, the Florida Department of Transportation will be contacted regarding approval for drains in their sector. Crystal Ploszay, owner of Unicorn Epoxy, professionally specializes in concrete painting and has graciously donated all the necessary art supplies for up to 30 drains this year, as well as prepping the stormdrain area and finishing with a rough glaze to seal the art and make sure it is slip proof and Page 2 124