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 January, 1997. 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

PRESS RELEASE DISTRIBUTED TO AUTOMOTIVE TRADE PUBLICATIONS

The AQMD spoke with and sent a news release to the publication editors of more than 20 automotive trade organizations and commercial magazines focusing on the automotive repair trade. The news release publicizes the fact that automotive parts washing tanks will have to be switched from mineral spirits to water-based cleaners by 1999.

SANITATION DISTRICT MEETING REGARDING WATER-BASED SOLVENTS

On January 22, AQMD staff met with representatives of sanitation districts and the Department of Toxic Substances Control to discuss coordination of the outreach effort for Rule 1171. The goal was to create a unified program so that auto shop owners complying with the air regulations do not cause water pollution problems by improperly disposing of the water-based solvents used in auto parts washing tanks.

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE COUNCIL MEETINGS REGARDING WATER-BASED

In response to invitations the AQMD sent to the 13 local chapters of the Automotive Service Councils of California, eight have called to request a speaker on the new Rule 1171 requirements. Two of those speaking engagements occurred during January. One was to the Palm Desert ASC Chapter and the other was to the Inland Empire ASC Chapter. The goal of these meetings is to obtain input from automotive repair shop owners on the best way to inform this area’s more than 10,000 auto repair shops of the revision to Rule 1171 that requires the switch from petroleum solvents to water-based solvents for automotive parts washing tanks.

BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONFERENCES

The AQMD participated in two information expos conducted by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair at Riverside Community College and Long Beach City College. These two events attracted approximately 1,000 auto shop owners interested in becoming certified as Smog Check II test sites. The AQMD staffed an information booth at which information on the new Rule 1171 requirements was distributed.

AMERICA/CHINA BUSINESS SOCIETY CONFERENCE

The AQMD participated on a panel discussing environmental business opportunities and technologies with a group of 19 visiting Chinese officials. The officials were pleased to receive information on the AQMD’s innovative programs such as RECLAIM and the Technology Advancement programs.

INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENTAL COALITION OF ORANGE COUNTY

The AQMD provided a regulatory update at the January 16 meeting of this organization of pollution control professionals.

GENERAL OUTREACH

LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT

The AQMD co-sponsored a conference featuring State Legislators and local elected officials to discuss air quality issues. The two major topics were whether AQMD is moving in the right direction and how local governments are reducing emissions from mobile sources by using AB2766 funds. The Summit was attended by approximately 225 people.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

FUTURE CITIES COMPETITION - Public Advisor staff participated in the judging of 20 future cities models in this regional competition. AQMD staff awarded Oak Avenue Middle School of Temple City with the award for best air quality considerations in their future city model. The award for best overall future city design, which takes into account, transportation, growth, green space, zoning, sustainability and other issues, was , won by the Lawrence Middle School from Chatsworth. The school will move on to the national competition in Washington, D.C.

CONNECT-LA CONNECTIONS MEETING - Staff attended a Jan. 24 meeting of the volunteer networking organization Connect LA, whose guest speaker provided those in attendance with an information package on the Corporation for National Service, a federally subsidized program that provides youths the opportunity to offer their volunteer services to the community. AQMD staff is working with Connect-LA in organizing a separate volunteer outreach program for high schools seniors.

VISITING DIGNITARIES - Two foreign delegations visited AQMD headquarters during the month of January: Professor Sang-Min Choi of the Korea Advanced Institute of Technology, which met with technical staff on air monitoring, compliance and technology issues; and a pair of analysts from the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research, who met with planning and technology advancement staffs.

PUBLIC ADVISOR’S MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT 1997

OUTREACH

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

TOTAL

Speakers Bureau

Presentations (PADV staff)

4

Presentations coordinated

7

Delegations Hosted

2

District Tours

2

Events\Conferences

Sponsored\Hosted

1

Participated\Attended

10

Meetings

Chamber\Business Meetings

8

Community Meetings

5

Interagency Meetings

5

Public Notification

Public Workshops

0

Public Notices

4

Customer Service

Fee Review Requests

0

Customer Surveys

23

Public Info. Center

Material Requests Filled

976

Total Calls Received *

19596

Avg. Calls Per Day

632

* 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). The system is operational 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week.

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:

• Office of Governor Pete Wilson (Lou Monville, Field Representative Inland Empire Office) - 1/31
• State Senator Ruben Ayala - 1/15
• State Senator Jim Brulte - 1/14 (Pat Wysocki, Administrative Assistant - 1/31)
• State Senator Rob Hurtt (Joe Yocca, Policy Director & John Fistolera, Legislative Assistant) - 1/15
• State Senator "Pete" Knight - 1/15
• State Senator Hilda Solis - 1/15
• Assembly Member Fred Aguiar - 1/14 (Neil Derry, Administrative Assistant - 1/8)
• Assembly Member Joe Baca - 1/15
• Assembly Member Bill Campbell - 1/14
• Assembly Member Martha Escutia - 1/31 (David Mahan, Field Representative - 1/31)
• Assembly Member Howard Kaloogian - 1/14
• Assembly Member Bill Leonard - 1/14
• Assembly Member Rod Pacheco - 1/14 & 1/31
• Assembly Member Curt Pringle - 1/15
• Assembly Member Nao Takasugi - 1/14
• Assembly Member Antonio Villaraigosa (Tracee Ljepava, Administrative Assistant) - 1/14

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

• South Bay Council of Governments

LOS ANGELES COUNTY - EASTERN REGION

• San Gabriel City Council
• Sierra Madre City Council
• Southeast Community Development Corporation

ORANGE COUNTY

• Laguna Hills City Council
• Mission Viejo City Council
• Orange County Board of Supervisors Swearing-In Ceremony
• Orange County Council of Governments & Alternative Fuels, Technical Advisory Committee and Executive Management Committee Meetings
• Orange County Division, League of California Cities, General Membership Meeting and Cities Selection Meeting
• San Juan Capistrano City Council

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

• Beaumont City Council
• Cathedral City Council
• Moreno Valley Legislative Affairs Committee
• San Jacinto City Council

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

• Grand Terrace City Council
• SANBAG Board & Committee Meetings

OTHER

• SCAG Policy & Standing Committee Meetings

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

• Greg Dawley, Office of Mayor Richard Riordan, City of Los Angeles
• Kim Fuentes, City of Torrance
• Mike Goodson, City of Hawthorne
• Harold Hofmann, Council Member, City of Lawndale
• Valerie Mallar, City of Hermosa Beach
• Manny Martinez, Office of Los Angeles Police Department Chief
• George Nakano, Council Member, City of Torrance
• Jim Walker, City of Palos Verdes Estates

LOS ANGELES COUNTY - EASTERN REGION

• Hermee Abido, City of Cerritos
• Mark Alexander, City of La Canada-Flintridge
• Eileen Ansari, Council Member, City of Diamond Bar
• Pat Barrett, City of South Gate
• Tom Brazeal, Council Member, City of Temple City
• Margaret Clark, Council Member, City of Rosemead
• Gavin Cohen, Finance, City of Glendora
• Joe Esquivel, Council Member, City of Lakewood
• Margaret Finlay, Council Member, City of Duarte
• Randy Floyd, City of Palmdale
• Tina Gall, City of Bell
• Larry Galvan, Council Member, City of Glendora
• Carol Herrera, Council Member, City of Diamond Bar
• David Johnson, City of Paramount
• Richard King, City of Commerce
• Alicia Lee, City of Artesia
• Barbara Messina, Council Member, City of Alhambra
• Pat Miranda, Council Member, City of Irwindale
• Mike Murphy, Intergovernmental Affairs Relations Officer, City of Santa Clarita
• Jenny Oropeza, Council Member, City of Long Beach
• Manuel Palmarin, City of Glendora
• Harwin Raintch, City of Pico Rivera
• Dolores Sanchez, City of Bell
• Kim Smith, City of Whittier
• Nell Soto, Council Member, City of Pomona & AQMD Governing Board Member
• Chris Veirs, City of Claremont
• Larry Zarian, Council Member, City of Glendale
• Bill Zylla, AB 2766 Program, City of Temple City

ORANGE COUNTY

• Zai Abu Bakar, City Planner, City of Brea
• Richard Barnard, Assistant City Manager, City of Huntington Beach
• John Basham, City of Stanton
• Ron Bates, Council Member, City of Huntington Beach
• Ralph Baur, Council Member, City of Huntington Beach
• Art Brown, Mayor, City of Buena Park
• Tim Casey, City Manager, City of Laguna Niguel
• Tom Daly, Mayor, City of Anaheim
• Jan Debay, Mayor, City of Newport Beach
• Peggy Ducey, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Newport Beach
• Jan Flory, Council Member, City of Fullerton
• Norma Glover, Council Member, City of Newport Beach & AQMD Governing Board Member
• Kevin Haddick, Administration, Orange County Sanitation District
• John Harris, AB 2766 Program, City of Irvine
• R. Richard Jones, Council Member, City of Fullerton
• Joel Lautenschleger, Council Member, City of Laguna Hills
• Melanie McCann, Planning Manager, City of Santa Ana
• Kathryn McCullough, Council Member, City of Lake Forest
• Miguel Pulido, Mayor, City of Brea
• Craig Scott, Council Member, City of Laguna Hills
• Chuck Smith, Supervisor, County of Orange
• Allan Songstad, Mayor, City of Laguna Hills
• Todd Spitzer, Supervisor, County of Orange
• Mike Spurgeon, Council Member, City of Orange

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

• Lyle Alberg, Council Member, City of Hemet
• Dave Berry, Mayor, City of Cathedral City
• Steve Brown, Community Development & Planning, City of Perris
• Jim Conner, Mayor, City of San Jacinto
• Bonnie Flickenger, Mayor, City of Moreno Valley
• Brian Guillot, AB 2766 Program, City of Banning
• Dennis Halloway, City Manager, City of San Jacinto
• Tim Hultz, AB 2766 Program, City of San Jacinto
• Jan Leja, Mayor, City of Beaumont
• Robin Lowe, Mayor, City of Hemet
• Tom Mullen, Supervisor, County of Riverside
• Frank Parrott, Council Member, City of Beaumont
• Elizabeth Scott Donnelly, Council Member, City of Desert Hot Springs
• Jim Smedley, Mayor Pro Tem, City of San Jacinto
• Lori Van Arsdale, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Hemet
• Armando Villa, City of Lake Elsinore

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

• Bill Alexander, Mayor, City of Rancho Cucamonga
• Dan Buchanan, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Grand Terrace
• Bob Christman, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Loma Linda
• John Chu, Telecommuting Center, City of Highland
• Nancy Cooney, City of Ontario
• Marge Crouter, Council Member, Town of Yucca Valley
• Dave Eshelmann, Mayor, City of Fontana
• Lee Ann Garcia, Council Member, City of Grand Terrace
• Herman Hilkey, Council Member, City of Grand Terrace
• Jack Lam, City Manager, City of Rancho Cucamonga
• Tamara Lane, City of Rialto
• John Longville, Mayor, City of Rialto
• Patrizia Materassi, Director of Planning, City of Grand Terrace
• Byron Matteson, Mayor, City of Grand Terrace
• Lee McDougal, City Administrator, City of Montclair
• Mike Milhiser, City Manager, City of Upland
• Bob Nolan, Mayor, City of Upland
• Mike O’Connor, City Manager, City of Ontario
• Leonard Paulitz, Council Member, City of Montclair and AQMD Governing Board Member
• Tom Shwab, City Manager, City of Grand Terrace
• Jim Singley, Council Member, City of Grand Terrace
• Diane Williams, Council Member, City of Rancho Cucamonga

OTHER

• Ron Hoffman, County of Los Angeles

Intergovernmental Affairs Directors also met or had contact with the following local and state agency, business and community representatives regarding air quality related issues:

• Pam Burmich, California Air Resources Board
• Sam Chu, Aggregate Recycling, Huntington Park
• Annabel Cook, MSRC-TAC Chair, SCAG
• John Cox, President, The Partnership
• Susan De Santos, The Planning Center
• Terry Dipple, Consultant
• Eddie Duque, Project Manager - Arroyo Associates, Inc., San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
• Anne Geherty, California Air Resources Board
• Mike Greenwald, Administrative Assistant, Orange County Division, League of California Cities
• John Guerra, The Gas Company
• Darryl Halls, Manager - Policy Development & Legislative Services, Orange County Division, League of California Cities
• Janet Huston, Executive Director, Orange County Division, League of California Cities
• Erin Jaffarian, Resident, City of Fullerton
• Mike Lewis, President, Mike Lewis & Company
• Al Lopez, Board Member, Southern California Rideshare
• Heide Lutz, Staff, SANBAG
• Donna Nakashima, Accountant, Thompson, Cobb, Bazilio and Associates
• Maureen O’Connor-Cavin, Manager - Policy Development & Members Services, Orange County Division, League of California Cities
• Irv Pickler, Former Council Member, City of Anaheim
• Rick Price, The Gas Company
• Julie Puentes, Executive Director, Orange County Private Sector Task Force & Orange County Business Council
• Al Rangel, Southern California Rideshare, SCAG
• Chris Reynolds, Legislative Director, California Air Resources Board
• Stephanie Robinson, Principle, The Planning Center
• Dave Smith, ARCO
• Terry Solis, The Solis Group
• A. J. Wilson, Executive Director, Western Riverside Council of Governments
• Bill Woollett, Executive Director, Orange County Transportation Corridor Agencies & Chairman, RAPC-EMC
• Dan Young, Consultant

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:

• AB 2766 Subvention Fund Open House, AQMD Headquarters
• AQMD Administrative Committee
• AQMD Governing Board Meeting
• AQMD Legislative Committee
• AQMD Legislative Summit
• California Contract Cities Association Sacramento Legislative Tour
• CLOUT (Baldy View Public/Private Coalition) Meeting

Many of these contacts occurred at the Legislative Summit.

SECTION III - SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES

The statistical report of all staff activities for January is also included.

Contact Lee Lockie, Director, 909.396.2390

SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE OFFICE ACTIVITY

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 guaranties.

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 5 Red Team meetings with a used car super-store chain, (Confidential), Gulfstream (an airplane manufacturer), an airplane re-conditioner (Santa Barbara Aerospace), the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority, and a manufacturer of cultured marble (confidential). We also conducted one 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 exceeded 40 people.

Open Items (business development and retention efforts in process) 42

Completed Items (decision to stay, expand, etc.) 4

(This represents 626 jobs/jobs retained in California)

Outreach and meetings with companies 5

REPUBLIC INDUSTRIES

Republic Industries has interests in waste management, home alarm systems, and rental cars. It is an owner of Alamo Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental systems. Their plan is to process approximately 200 cars per day through a car reconditioning facility, including limited mechanical service, body and fender repairs and limited painting. The reconditioning facility would employ up to 400 people and would supply used autos to a number of used car super-stores throughout the Basin, employing another 200-300 people.

GULFSTREAM (AIRPLANE MANUFACTURER)

In August of 1996 a Red Team meeting was held to discuss a major expansion in the manufacturing and painting facilities for an airplane manufacturer. The manufacturer had wanted to remain confidential until such time as a corporate decision was made to go ahead with the expansion. Gulfstream, like so many other companies, was under the mis-impression that building such a facility in the Basin was impossible. EDBR staff has been working with the Long Beach Economic Development Office and was able to explain just how easy it is to conduct such an expansion. The paint booth in this case is actually an airplane hanger that acts like a paint booth. A decision has now been made by the company’s officer to site and build the new 300,000 sq.ft. paint facility in the Long Beach Airport area. Based on information gathered, this will create an additional 300 jobs and approximately $20 million of investment capital.

SANTA BARBARA AEROSPACE

Santa Barbara Aerospace is a leading airplane reconditioning and service provider. They are a progressive company, having instituted a number of pollution prevention technologies in their operations. Faced with growing pains at their Santa Barbara facility, the company searched for a suitable site that would accommodate the increase in business. They have recently signed a lease for hanger space at the San Bernardino Airport, formerly known as Norton Air Force Base, where they will be using a UV-Ox system for the control of emissions from the new painting operation. The operation will create about 125 - 130 jobs.