BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT: Title
Approve the Fiscal Year 2026 Santa Clara Valley Water District Youth Commission Work Plan Including the September 30, 2025, Youth Commission’s Project Recommendations.
End
RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
Consider and approve the Fiscal Year 2026 Santa Clara Valley Water District Youth Commission Work Plan with recommendations resulting from the September 30, 2025 Youth Commission meeting:
A. One Water Pitch: A Youth Video Competition on Water Sustainability;
B. Data Accessibility Project, based on Water Watch, Microplastic Interception Program and Trash Pollution Heatmap; and
C. Creekside Community Care Project with elements from Providing Safe Drinking Water.
Body
SUMMARY:
On September 30, 2025, the Santa Clara Valley Water District Youth Commission (Commission) discussed, reviewed and voted on the submitted project proposals. A total of three (3) project proposals were selected by the Commission to recommend to the Board for inclusion in the FY26 Work Plan. The selected projects are the following:
• One Water Pitch: A Youth Video Competition on Water Sustainability - This project aims to engage Santa Clara County high school students in water conservation, flood preparedness, and creek protection through a creative countywide video pitch competition, while empowering Youth Commissioners to lead outreach, promotion, and judging, fostering environmental leadership and community engagement.
• Data Accessibility Project, based on the following proposals:
o Water Watch: Free Community Water Testing and Mapping Project - This project aims to engage community members in collecting and testing water samples to create a publicly accessible Water Quality Map of Santa Clara Valley, highlighting environmental justice issues and empowering Youth Commissioners with hands-on experience in scientific analysis, community outreach, and advocacy.
o Microplastic Interception Program - This project aims to reduce microplastic pollution in local waterways by distributing interception kits to households, educating the community, and providing Youth Commissioners with hands-on experience in environmental solutions, public engagement, and data analysis.
o Trash Pollution Heatmap - This project aims to use drone technology to map trash density in rivers, raise community awareness, and provide data-driven insights to guide cleanup efforts and protect local waterways.
• Creekside Community Care Project with elements from Providing Safe Drinking Water:
o Creekside Community Care Project - This project aims to be an improved continuation of the FY25 project, with the goal of increasing flood safety awareness and support by promoting Valley Water programs, offering emergency preparedness resources, and partnering with community organizations to protect unhoused youth in Santa Clara County during flood season.
o Providing Safe Drinking Water - This project aims to provide safe drinking water to rural and low-income communities affected by contamination while raising awareness and equipping Youth Commissioners with real-world experience in addressing water insecurity and developing fundraising campaigns.
Upon the Board’s approval of the FY26 Work Plan, which includes the three projects listed above, the Youth Commission will work with staff to refine the project details to ensure they are achievable within FY26, are aligned with the Valley Water mission, and then implement the projects.
Background
The Valley Water Board of Directors adopted Resolution 17-75 providing for and defining the structure and function of advisory committees to the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors and Repealing Resolution 15-28. Resolution 17-75, Section 4.4 states:
“The Board approves and sets all Committee annual work plans and meeting agendas. Committee meeting agendas will be considered pre-approved by the Board once it has approved each of the annual Advisory Committee work plans. Modifications to meeting agendas will be considered by the Board, or Board Chair, as needed, through a review of the pre-approved work plans when it receives and considers Committee policy recommendations, comments, and requests, staff recommended modifications, and requests by members of the public. The Board may also initiate modifications to pre-approved work plans at any time.”
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
There are no environmental justice impacts associated with this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this item. The FY26 Work Plan activities are budgeted in the Education and Volunteerism Project, Project No. 60171002.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have a potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: FY26 Work Plan
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER: Manager
Rachael Gibson, 408-630-2884