Proposal:
Public Advisor’s Report
Synopsis:
This report highlights the Public Advisor, Local Government, Small Business Assistance and Economic Development activities for the month of September, 1996. Comprehensive reports on these efforts are set forth below in Sections I, II, III and IV, respectively.
Committee:
Not applicable.
Recommended Action:
Receive and file this report.
James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer
SECTION I - PUBLIC ADVISOR ACTIVITIES
Staff participated in the activities, programs and events listed below. A statistical report of these activities also is included.
Contact: La Ronda V. Bowen, Public Advisor, (909) 396-3235
BUSINESS OUTREACH
INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENTAL COALITION OF ORANGE COUNTY - Staff provided a briefing to this organization of environmental professionals, letting them know about recent rule changes and upcoming hearings about the AQMP.
RULE 1171 WORKING GROUP - Staff participated in the working group that developed the recently adopted Rule 1171, which requires conversion of metal-parts cleaning equipment from petroleum-based solvent to water-based solvent. This group included representatives from local sanitation districts, the Water Resources Board and the Institute for Research and Technology Advancement. The group recognized that for this rule to be successful and to avoid creating environmental problems at wastewater treatment facilities, the AQMD will have to spearhead an extensive outreach campaign to the estimated 40,000 businesses that use this equipment. The Public Advisor will join with representatives from local sanitation districts to develop and implement this outreach strategy.
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEYS - Staff completed the development of Survey Feedback Forms for engineers, small business assistance and compliance staff (Sample attached with Small Business Report).
AQMP OUTREACH
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
COMMUTER FAIRS - Staff participated in several transportation and commuter fairs throughout the South Coast district, including in the cities of Anaheim and Fountain Valley, and at the Walt Distey Studios in Burbank, each of which attracted thousands of people. September and October are the busiest months of the year for requests for the District to participate in such events.
COMMUNICATING AIR QUALITY CONFERENCE - Staff participated in the "Communicating Air Quality Conference" of the national association of state, territorial and local air pollution control officials (STAPPA/ALAPCO). At this conference, public information officers from all over the country share information on successful outreach programs for improving air quality awareness. AQMD shared information on amnesty, Public Information Center automation and the Smogbusters program.
CAPCOA PUBLIC OUTREACH COMMITTEE - Staff attended the quarterly meeting of public outreach officials from air districts throughout the state. Air districts use these meetings as a way of sharing successful outreach programs and strategies and Staff will investigate a "spare the air" type of outreach for the south coast area. The meeting included a presentation by the Bureau of Automotive Repair of the California Department of Consumer Affairs explaining the controversy surrounding the Smog Check II program.
SECTION II - LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES
Highlights of the activities of this reporting period are listed below.
Contact: Larry Rhinehart, Intergovernmental Affairs Director, 909.396.2898 or Oscar Abarca, Intergovernmental Affairs Director, (909)396 - 3242.
LEGISLATIVE OUTREACH
Intergovernmental Affairs Directors met or had contact with the following legislators and/or their staffs regarding air quality related issues:
LOCAL GOVERNMENT OUTREACH
Intergovernmental Affairs Directors made presentations on AQMD programs to the following city councils, and attended/participated in meetings with the following governmental organizations:
LOS ANGELES COUNTY - WESTERN REGION
LOS ANGELES COUNTY - EASTERN REGION
ORANGE COUNTY
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
OTHER
League of California Cities General Membership Meeting
California Contract Cities Association Fall Conference
SANBAG Board Meeting
As a result of their interaction with the organizations listed above, the Intergovernmental Affairs Directors communicated with the following officials by phone or in person:
LOS ANGELES COUNTY -WESTERN REGION
LOS ANGELES COUNTY - EASTERN REGION
ORANGE COUNTY
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
OTHER
Intergovernmental Affairs Directors also met or had contact with the following local and state agency, business and community representatives regarding air quality related issues:
The Intergovernmental Affairs Directors continued to provide administrative oversight for the AB 2766 Discretionary Fund and Subvention Fund programs. The IGA Directors also attended/ participated in the following activities:
SECTION III - SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES
Highlights of the activities for September, specifically related to the Permit Assistance Centers and the loan guaranty program, are described below. Attachment 1 is a statistical report of all staff activities. Attachment 2 describes the current marketing plan for the Air Quality Assistance Fund.
Contact Lee Lockie, Director, (909)396 -2390
PERMIT ASSISTANCE CENTER HIGHLIGHTS FOR SEPTEMBER
Staff is scheduling an orientation for the Directors or key contacts at all seven Permit Assistance Centers to brief them on the AQMD permitting process and to give them a tour of the AQMD’s headquarters building. The marketing plans for all the centers, which were presented at the last Governing Board meeting, will now be implemented. Business Assistance Surveys (Attachment 1, page 2-3) will be displayed in the Small Business Assistance Office lobby area and will be given to customers after they have been helped by Small business staff.
Gas Company-Energy Resource Center - Downey
The joint efforts by staff of the AQMD and the Gas Company seem to be increasing the number of walk-in clients and allowing better use of this field assistance center in Downey. During September, five complete applications for AQMD permits were filed at the ERC in Downey. Two of the applications were for spray booths, two for metal melting furnaces, and one for a boiler. Staff believes permit activity increased at the ERC this month because of the Gas Company’s very focused outreach efforts. Gas Company account executives have been marketing our permit services and the Air Quality Assistance Fund (AQAF) Program to a select group of customers who may need to apply for District permits and may need loan guarantees.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Gas Company and the AQMD has expired, and the Gas Company will be proposing an updated MOU that will reflect the present status of the District’s commitment of staffing resources to the ERC.
Orange County Permit Assistance Centers - Santa Ana and Lake Forest
The South Orange County Permit Assistance Center in Lake Forest is now open and is being staffed part-time by Orange County Health Department employees. AQMD will service the businesses wishing to use this office by assigning its Orange County business representative to respond when paged.
Last month, AQMD staff servicing this center conducted an active outreach program aimed at better informing businesses of AQMD requirements. Staff met with the City of Anaheim Community Development Department to improve coordination of business permitting between the city and the AQMD. In addition, staff met with several industrial products distributors including one manufacturer of equipment made of fiberglass and plastics (storage tanks, process tanks, and scrubbers). This manufacturer has agreed to assist their customers in submitting complete permit applications for purchased equipment. It is hoped that their assistance will help speed AQMD processing of each application.
San Fernando Valley Permit Assistance Center - Van Nuys
This center has historically been very active. Permit assistance activity at this center has remained stable. Approximately three to six customers per week request help with AQMD permits at this center or at their worksite.
Business Revitalization Center (BRC) - Baldwin Hills
AQMD staffs the BRC for one-half day, every Thursday. However, the BRC’s Director is requesting that AQMD staff be present for an entire day to meet the increased demand for air quality information. Staff has agreed to be at the office from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. one day per week, which is an increase of two hours per week. More assistance will be provided as demand for our services increases.
SBAO is utilizing the BRC as its base for actively outreaching to the African-American business community. By working closely this year with the local business community, SBAO is gaining recognition in the Los Angeles area. For example, at the BRC, a day has been set aside in October to honor and promote African-American businesses. As part of the event, SBAO staff is scheduled to participate in a bus tour of revitalized areas followed by the Black Business Association Awards Luncheon, and later a gathering of minority businesses. For the long term, staff has been invited to work with various minority businesses by way of hands-on participation and activities coordinated through the permit assistance center.
Last month, through participation at the Governor’s Business Revitalization Center at the Crenshaw Plaza, SBAO and the Regional Water Quality Board formed a partnership to conduct joint audits of 41 industrial sites throughout the Air Basin. SBAO has been asked to assist Regional Water Quality Board and Metropolitan Transportation Authority with the redevelopment of an El Segundo industrial site. These inter-agency projects highlight the cooperation that can exist in the redevelopment of the Los Angeles area and underline the importance of a firm AQMD commitment to assist.
Los Angeles City Hall
Permit assistance staff members have increased their presence at the City Hall location to one-half day per week. Customer questions are usually related to the restaurant and construction industries, and permits are requested primarily for spray booths.
A hot-line phone, provides immediate toll-free access to the Small Business Assistance Office in Diamond Bar and is used by businesses to receive assistance when staff is not present. Clearance letters can be turned around in less than 10 minutes by use of the nearby fax machine.
Inland Empire Permit Assistance Center - Ontario
Permit assistance activity at this center has increased significantly in the past few months. During the month of September, most requests were for clearance letters. In addition, several coordination meetings were held with potential new employers and new businesses during September. The center also held an open house attended by many local elected officials and regulatory agency staff, including the AQMD.
Cal/EPA has opened another permit assistance center in Riverside. Staff has been asked to provide AQMD services at this location.
Coachella Valley Permit Assistance Center - Palm Desert
The inquiries average approximately one to two per day at this center. New small business activities are relatively low. Only one clearance letter was authorized at this center during this reporting period. A Stationary Source Compliance staff person is currently assisting SBAO staff in servicing area businesses. In September, AQMD staff gave a presentation on the AQMP to the Palm Desert Chamber. Brief focus was given to the center and its availability for public use. Since then, the center has received calls from the local fire department requesting burn-day information.
Other Issues
The Mayor of Torrance has requested that an AQMD staff member be available two days per month at the City Hall to assist customers in the Torrance area with air quality permits. They now have office space available. The City of Compton has also requested help. In accordance with the individual needs of these cities, staff will be supporting both cities with their "one-stop" efforts to assist local businesses in their jurisdictions.
ATTACHMENT 1
SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE REPORT
Month of September 1996
|
Mode of Contact |
Counts |
Assistance Provided |
Counts |
|
Telephone |
285 |
Rules |
117 |
|
On-site |
34 |
Permits |
110 |
|
Walk-in |
35 |
Permit Checklist/Clearance Letter |
55 |
|
Mail/Fax |
31 |
Consultation |
76 |
|
AQAF |
16 | ||
|
Rules/Forms Supplied |
112 | ||
|
Amnesty |
0 | ||
|
New Business |
20 | ||
|
Outreach |
36 | ||
|
Referral |
55 | ||
|
Public Information |
59 | ||
|
Others |
10 |