BOARD MEETING DATE: January 10, 1997 AGENDA NO. 16
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 November, 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 following 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
AQMD INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLE MEETING - November 6, 1996 at the AQMD Headquarters in Diamond Bar. Executive Officer James M. Lents, Ph.D., and AQMD staff met with nine members of the Industry Roundtable and provided the group with an overview of the Draft 1997 Update to the Air Quality Management Plan.
BUSINESS & PUBLIC POLICY CONFERENCE - AQMD staff facilitated the AQMD’s co- sponsorship of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce’s 48th Annual Business & Public Policy Conference on November 20, 1996 at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. The featured speakers at this year’s conference included: Paul Hazen, Chairman of Wells Fargo & Co.; Daniel E. Lungren, California’s Attorney General; Gray Davis, Lieutenant Governor of California; Robert D. Hormats, Vice Chairman of Goldman Sachs (International); and Brit Hume, ABC Chief White House Correspondent. AQMD staffed an information table during the conference. Business outreach and assistance information was provided to conference attendees along with information on the health effects of smog.
OUTREACH PLANNING FOR AUTOMOTIVE PARTS CLEANING OPERATIONS (RULE 1171) - AQMD staff met with representatives of Sanitation Districts, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, and the Pollution Prevention Center to develop an outreach program to publicize the changes to Rule 1171 which require automotive parts cleaning operations to switch to water-based solvents by 1999.
LA BREA TAR PIT PROJECT - AQMD staff facilitated a meeting between the management of the Page Museum and the director of the Pollution Prevention Center. In the past, the Page Museum has used a vapor degreasing unit containing the solvent 1,1,1 TCA to remove tar from the specimens and soil collected from the La Brea Tar Pits. At the request of the Public Advisor’s Office, the Pollution Prevention Center will explore alternatives which use a water-based solvent for this purpose. The dual goals of this project are to eliminate the use of 1,1,1 (TCA), which is an ozone depleting compound, and to eliminate the need for the Page Museum to operate a vapor degreasing unit which requires an AQMD permit.
MEETING OF THE INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENTAL COALITION OF ORANGE COUNTY - In addition to a regulatory briefing provided by AQMD staff, Dr. Lents was the keynote speaker at the luncheon meeting of this professional association. Dr. Lents described the newly adopted AQMP and the future direction of air pollution control in this region.
PUBLIC EDUCATION
SMOGBUSTERS CLUB - AQMD staff has facilitated an agreement with Clean Air Now to develop and produce an activity sheet featuring information on alternative sources of renewable energy for members of the AQMD’s Smogbusters Club. Clean Air Now is a nonprofit organization that works to educate and inform the public health and air quality issues. Nearly 2,500 students have joined the AQMD’s Smogbusters Club which promotes the voluntary reduction of air pollution through education and providing information through quarterly mailings of activity sheets, other materials and events students can participate in.
OPEN AIRWAYS PROGRAM - AQMD staff facilitated the AQMD’s co-sponsorship of the American Lung Association of Los Angeles County’s Open Airways for Schools curriculum to be used this fall in Los Angeles area schools. The goal of the program is to reduce student absenteeism and emergency room visits by helping students to control their asthma. Packets of guides for instructors have been distributed to hospital nurses who visit elementary schools throughout the region. AQMD staff has also made presentations on recent revisions to Regulation VII to several ALA in-service training meetings for nurses..
VISITING DIGNITARIES - Three delegations representing a total of three countries visited AQMD’s headquarters during the month of November: Armen Sagatelian, Ph.D., Environmental Center Director of the Academy of Sciences in Yerevan, Armenia, met Nov. 6 with Public Advisor and Transportation Planning staffs for a general overview and a tour; a six-member delegation led by Hsiaung-Wen Chen, Director of the Bureau of Air Quality Protection and Noise Control, Taiwan EPA, met Nov. 19 with Technology Advancement and Planning, Transportation and Information Management staff for an overview of alternative energies; and a delegation of provincial environmental bureaus from the People’s Republic of China met Nov. 21 with Public Advisor staff for a general overview of AQMD’s programs.
|
PUBLIC ADVISOR’S MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT 1996 |
|
Business Outreach |
JAN |
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
JUN |
JUL |
AUG |
SEP |
OCT |
NOV |
DEC |
TOTAL |
|
Business Meetings |
8 |
7 |
3 |
16 |
9 |
7 |
12 |
16 |
6 |
13 |
10 | ||
|
Speakers Bureau |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
2 |
2 | ||
|
Events/Conferences |
1 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
1 | ||
|
Chamber Meetings |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 | ||
|
Fee Review Requests |
15 |
0 |
11 |
0 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
3 | ||
|
Customer Surveys |
28 |
26 |
40 |
86 |
28 |
88 |
87 |
16 |
31 |
34 |
23 | ||
|
Public Workshops |
2 |
5 |
10 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
10 |
13 |
1 | ||
|
Public Notices |
4 |
8 |
8 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
8 | ||
|
Public Education | |||||||||||||
|
Community Meetings |
5 |
7 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
7 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
5 | ||
|
Speakers Bureau |
2 |
10 |
1 |
18 |
8 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
2 | ||
|
Events/Conferences |
4 |
2 |
4 |
35 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
33 |
6 |
2 |
0 | ||
|
Reg. VII Presentations |
4 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 | ||
|
Dignitaries Hosted |
3 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
3 | ||
|
District Tours |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
3 | ||
|
Public Info. Center: | |||||||||||||
|
Materials Requested |
640 |
589 |
532 |
395 |
344 |
315 |
399 |
569 |
465 |
460 |
456 | ||
|
Total Calls* |
33806 |
28972 |
28627 |
34114 |
40628 |
30922** |
53280 |
55607 |
24705 |
35431 | |||
|
Avg. Calls Per Day |
1090 |
999 |
923 |
1137 |
1310 |
1719 |
1794 |
823 |
1143 |
*The District uses an automated phone system that provides callers with self-service access to information on meetings, workshops, air quality readings and forecasts by simply entering their zip codes. Callers can also request rules or publications, obtain updates on District programs or speak to a public information representative (during regular business hours) for answers to detailed questions. The system is operational 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week.
**Data for total calls during the month of June is incomplete because of a computer malfunction June 6-24.
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
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
No activity during this reporting period.
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 November, specifically related to the Permit Assistance Centers and the Air Quality Assistance Fund (AQAF) loan guaranty program, are described below. The statistical report of all staff activities is also included. Please note that the format for the statistical report has taken on a new appearance which was initiated last month. The intent is to make it clearer and more reflective of all office activities.
Contact Lee Lockie, Director, 909.396.2390
PERMIT ASSISTANCE CENTER HIGHLIGHTS FOR NOVEMBER
The Small Business Assistance Office (SBAO) continued to staff the Centers at Downey, Van Nuys, Los Angeles City Hall, Palm Desert, Baldwin Hills-BRC, and Ontario on a part-time basis. The number of permit applications received by the AQMD from the areas surrounding these centers decreased during the month of November, as compared to October’s statistics. Our assistance requests decreased as well. The chart below is a graphic representation of permit activities within a 3 ½ mile radius of each center during the months of October and November.
PERMITS RECEIVED/ISSUED DURING OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 1996
Figure 1
Gas Company-Energy Resource Center - Downey
Staff currently is in the process of finalizing the revisions and amendments to the memorandum of understanding between the Gas Company and AQMD. This new MOU will reflect the current staff operating schedule and outline the types of services that are provided by SBAO staff.
On November 20, 1996, Nola Oriola-Brown, AQAC Supervisor, and Mr. Al Baez, A.Q. Engineer, were guest speakers at a Gas Company sponsored workshop for small business owners. Staff discussed compliance inspections methodologies, answered questions, and provided information on SBAO services and programs available to small businesses. Approximately 60 businesses attended the event. A number of businesses contacted us after the seminar to request on-site technical consultations.
San Fernando Valley Permit Assistance Center
The Valley Economic Development Center (VEDC) launched a $126.5 million lending partnership which is part of their Business Assistance Program. The VEDC is a one-stop small business center providing free consulting, training, and business assistance. Our Air Quality Assistance Fund is recognized by this partnership as an additional financial resource available to small businesses to help offset the cost of air quality compliance. Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, City Council members Alarcon, Chick, Feuer, and State Senator Rosenthal attended the event, as did AQMD SBAO staff.
SBAO and Cal/EPA staff met with representatives of Singapore Aerospace International, Inc. Mr. Federiko Yap, Regional Manager and Mr. Ang Chye Kiat, Regional Director North America. The company is considering installation of an aircraft refinishing operation in the Valley or at the former Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino. The company could employ approximately 100 people at full operation.
Orange County Permit Assistance Centers - Santa Ana and Lake Forest
This month the Regional Agencies Round Table met for the first time. This committee is sponsored by Cal/EPA and is comprised of representatives from the following agencies:
Cal/OSHA
City of Lake Forest
Count of Orange, Environmental Management Agency
County of Orange Environmental Health Division
County Sanitation Districts of Orange County
Department of Fish and Game
Department of Toxic Substances Control
Los Alisos Water District
Orange County Fire Authority
Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board
SCAQMD
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
This roundtable will convene every other Wednesday at Lake Forest City Hall to provide a one-stop permit coordination panel for Orange County businesses. The panel also addresses such issues as permit streamlining, environmental cross-media training, and inter-agency permit screening. Association with this roundtable is beneficial for the overview it offers to the regulatory requirement processes of other agencies. Additionally, addressing compliance issues and other agency requirements in this forum streamlines the process for companies.
Business Revitalization Center (BRC) - Baldwin Hills
The corner of Imperial Highway and Central Avenue is the proposed site for the development of the new Watts Gateway which includes new businesses and the modernization of existing businesses in South Central Los Angeles. The JT Graves Company is the developer. It plans to bring two new businesses, Home Base and a Denny’s Restaurant, to a separate location at the corner of Central and Rosecrans in Compton.
Staff is assisting the Office of Mayor Riordan and the Regional Water Quality Control Board to determine what environmental hazards exist in order to assist with the completion of this commercial endeavor. This tract of land is the largest open and available tract of commercial land in Los Angeles. Natalia Porche is the SBAO staff person working on this project.
Los Angeles City Hall
SBAO is considering changing the staffing day for this center to the first Monday of every month, starting the first of next year. Preliminary analysis shows Mondays to be the busiest day of the week at L.A. City Hall.
Inland Empire Permit Assistance Center - Ontario
Activity generated from this center was moderate during November.
Our Small Business Assistance Office is active in identifying companies that are candidates for pollution prevention measures. SBAO staff encourage these businesses to use lower VOC coatings even when the rules do not require it.
In this regard, during November, Sherri Fairbanks, Staff Specialist and SBAO staff member assigned to this office, performed an on-site technical consultation at a small manufacturer that paints and silk-screens approximately 1,800 golf club shafts per day. These shafts, made of graphite carbon, are painted to order in a variety of custom colors and may or may not be finished using a two component polyester resin topcoat. Graphite carbon is a substrate that does not fall within the definition of any of the AQMD’s coating rules. Therefore, the company did not have to comply with any VOC requirements. However, the company is voluntarily using coatings that are below the VOC limits specified in our Rules. Apache Golf of Yorba Linda is spotlighted as noteworthy for its pollution prevention efforts. We encouraged the owner to continue to use lower VOC products.
SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE OFFICE ACTIVITY
Figure 2
* These totals are not cumulative. This graph is designed to show the general types of assistance provided
Definitions
Rule Interpretations - assistance in interpreting whether permits are necessary and/or whether a business is operating in compliance with AQMD rules.
Permit Applications - assistance in completing permit applications and calculating fees.
Clearance Letters - state law prohibits Building Departments from issuing a final certificate of occupancy unless all requirements of the local air quality agency are met.
On-site Consultations - technical consultation provided at one’s place of business.
Financial Assistance - screening businesses planning to purchase air pollution control equipment to determine eligibility for loan guarantees.
New Business Roundtables - attending multi-agency meetings with new or expanding businesses.
Outreach activities - participating in meetings/conferences on small business concerns (includes Chambers of Commerce, local governments, technical seminars). This includes assisting businesses to become involved in rule development.
Bilingual Assistance - providing all or part of our services in languages other than English.
SECTION IV -
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & BUSINESS RETENTION (EDBR) ACTIVITIES
Highlights of the activities conducted during this reporting period are described below.
Contact: La Ronda Bowen, Public Advisor, 909.396.3235
Larry Watkins, EDBR, 909.396.3246
Roberta Rigg, EDBR, 909.396.2659.
ACTIVITIES
Activities during this reporting period included participation in 2 Red Team meetings, one with a paper recycler (confidential), and a follow-up meeting with CPC International, and 1 community outreach project. Assistance was provided to various facilities wanting to expand or consolidate their operations. Companies were informed of emerging new pollution reduction technologies as well as technology transfer opportunities. EDBR staff also participated in 1 public outreach meeting by making a presentation and providing information to interested parties. The total number of participants reached through this meeting was 80 people.
Open Items (business development and retention efforts in process) 27
Completed Items (decision to stay, expand, etc.) 19
(This represents 3,548 jobs/jobs retained in California)
Outreach and meetings with companies 2
BAKING FACILITY (CONFIDENTIAL)
The owners of a large baking facility located in the Southland were contemplating relocating the operation to a vacant facility located in central California. The motivation for the move was an estimated increase in annual profits of $2.3 million. The move would have essentially terminated employment for 900 local baking personnel and had a significant impact on the surrounding community as most of the employees commuted. The move would not have impacted an additional 1,100 employees associated with distribution and sales. A Governor’s Red Team was created to retain this important facility and the associated jobs including: Economic Development Corporation of Los Angeles County, City of Montebello, Southern California Edison, The Gas Company, Los Angeles County Sanitation District, State of California Trade and Commerce Agency, California Manufacturing Technology Center (CMTC), organized labor, management and EDBR staff.
An action plan was developed to mitigate the annual operating cost differential between the local plant and the central California plant. It was discovered that the local plant used inefficient equipment and operating practices. It was determined that the services of CMTC should be retained to perform a study thoroughly analyzing the equipment, processes and practices used by the bakery and to make recommendations to improve efficiency and cost savings. The cost of the CMTC study was estimated to be $20,000 of which $15,000 was cost-shared by the District.
The City of Montebello and the facility cost-shared the remainder of the study. The study’s results determined that for an expenditure of approximately $650,000 the bakery could conservatively save $420,000 annually. As a result, the bakery owners have decided to remain in southern California.
AIRPLANE MANUFACTURER (CONFIDENTIAL)
EDBR staff discussed a proposal advanced by a major airline for the construction and operation of an airplane painting facility in southern California. Based on information supplied by the airline company, this could create an additional 600 jobs as they would shut down a similar facility in the midwest. The decision, expected to be made in the very near future, now stands between a northern California location and a southern California location.