PROPOSAL:

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights the July 1997 activities of the Public Affairs Office which includes the Public Advisor (Small Business Assistance, Economic Development/Business Retention, Outreach Activities), Local Government, Public Records and Media Communications.

COMMITTEE:

Not Applicable.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file this report.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Acting Executive Officer

The following report reflects the activities of the Public Affairs and Local Government Assistance Office for the month of July. The report format has changed to include four major areas: Community Events/Public Meetings, Business Assistance (including Economic Development/Business Retention), Local Government Activity and Communications.

COMMUNITY EVENTS/PUBLIC MEETINGS

Each year, thousands of AQMD customers receive tips on reducing their exposure to smog and its health effects; information on ways to participate in AQMD rule and policy development, and assistance in resolving air quality related problems through events and meetings which AQMD sponsors alone or with others. The following describes the activities undertaken during July.

Date	Location	Description of Activity
7/2	Los Angeles	Environmental Education Consortium - Continue to work with corporate entities like Disney, Gas Company, etc. to broaden the efforts with respect to increasing environmental education programs and opportunities. Agreed to meet in October to discuss where AQMD, Gas Co. and Disney have complimentary public educational programs.
7/30	Planning Meeting	Partnership w/Health Orgs. Public Health Assoc. to participate in Environmental meeting and to be added to AQMD list of potential partners.

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

AQMD assists its regulated customers by notifying them of proposed regulations so they can participate in the development of them, by providing one-to-one technical assistance and compliance assistance to businesses and by actively participating in efforts to attract and retain employers in the basin. Staff works with other agencies and states (including Iowa, Texas, Massachusetts and Nevada) to identify efficient, cost-effective ways to reduce air pollution and shares that information broadly.

Date	Location	Description of Activity
7/1	City of Hawaiian Gardens, Building & Safety Dept.	Visited office of Housing Technician. Discussed how permit checklist & clearances work. Gave copies of new checklist, notification forms for asbestos removal, and SBAO pamphlets. Also, met with Associate Planner and discussed SBAO assistance.
7/2	High Technology Cleaning Workshop Planning Committee, Irwindale	Staff is conducting a workshop focusing on low-and zero-VOC technologies for industrial cleaning. Technologies included in the workshop will be CO2; Low Flashpoint, Vapor-Phase Cleaning; Airtight and Airless Degreasing & Spraying; Laser Cleaning and Plasma Cleaning. In addition, a number of tabletop exhibits will be available to attendees with cleaning problems.
7/8	Los Angeles	A decorative chrome plating manufacturer located in central Los Angeles had financial and technical difficulties in meeting District requirements. Staff provided technical suggestions that would reduce overall compliance costs
7/8	Downey - Seminar on Permitting Gas Engines	Staff was a guest speaker on seminar hosted by the Gas Company entitled Permitting Gas Engines. Provided information on what it takes to keep natural gas powered Internal Combustion Engines up-to-date and in compliance with AQMD’s rules and regulations. Also, shared information on permit assistance available through the Small Business Assistance Office and it’s outlining assistance centers.
7/10	City of Los Angeles 15th Council District Rudy Svorinich, Councilman	Met with councilman’s staff, to discuss small business opportunities and economic development within the San Pedro and Harbor area. Provided information about our programs and gave them an information package about the agency and related assistance programs.
7/10	City of Los Angeles Building & Safety Department	Prepared and distributed copies of The Southland’s War on Smog to approximately 100 LA City Building & Safety Department’s Construction Services Center staff along with letters promoting our 50th anniversary and the hours and services of our permit counter.
7/13	Echo Park - 20th Annual Lotus Festival	Staffed AQMD exhibit booth. Outreach to the public on functions of the AQMD.
7/17	Los Angeles Unified School District	Jefferson Middle School - Concerned Citizens of South Central L.A. have requested the agency’s assistance in resolving a dust and soil contamination pre-existing problem. Staff attended a public meeting of representative agencies and all entities will be working cooperatively to resolve the issues.
7/20	Auto Parts & Service Expo	Provided staff support for the AQMD exhibit booth. Event was attended by over 100 manufacturers and outreach efforts were made to a number of participants.
7/20	Anaheim	Automotive Service Council - Staff attended convention and provided information materials and outreach materials to the public.
7/22	San Pedro	Juanita Foods - Joint Agency (SBAO, CalEPA and RWQCB) inspection of facility to provide compliance assistance with remodeling plans. Company provided with information and materials.
7/24	City of Industry - International Trade Conference Planning Activity	Staff is participating in the Third International Trade Conference on the Pacific Rim and the Americas to be held in early fall. Attending will be a number of minority business owners from the southern California area that plan to or currently are conducting business in Pacific Rim or Latin American countries. Last year’s conference had excellent participation with well over 600 participants and AQMD staff will again sponsor a tabletop display.
7/24	Los Angeles	RAMCO Specialty Products - A new technology using biodegradation has been developed for use in the degassing of storage tanks used at oil refineries. This is a water-based system using soaps that has been tested in other locations of the United States but not in the South Coast basin. Staff, working with the soil remediation group, assisted in the permitting of this important new technology.
7/28	Los Angeles	LADWP/Union Nature - Assisted New Tire Recycling Center at Sunland plant.
7/28	Anaheim	Dietzgen - Provided technical assistance.
7/29	City of Fontana, Building. & Safety	Visited city’s new larger, permit assistance counter. Left AQ checklists, R1171 packages, etc.
7/30	City of Cerritos	Assisted the Community Development Department with needed information on permit requirements for a company that was relocating within the city of Cerritos.
7/30	Anaheim	AWFS Annual Convention - Attended the Association of Wood Finishers and Suppliers Convention and participated as an event speaker.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACTIVITY

The Intergovernmental Affairs Local Government Directors work interactively with local government, state and federal officials in response to their air quality concerns and local issues. Major activities include understanding local governments’ needs and sensitivities, educating and helping them address various air quality issues that are encountered in their communities. Additionally, staff administers the AB2766 Subvention and Discretionary Fund Programs, in addition to managing the AQMD Public Records Function.

Date	Location	Description of Activity
7/1	San Fernando Valley	Staff met with the City Managers of the City of Agoura, City of Westlake and City of Calabasas and discussed their cities’ use of AB 2766 funds and the Subvention 25% Match Program.
7/1	Los Angeles Co.	Met with the City of Hidden Hills and discussed the cities’ use of AB 2766 funds and other District programs.
7/2	Los Angeles Co.	Met with City Manager, City of La Canada/ Flintridge to discuss the various District programs available like the AB 2766 Subvention Fund Program and the "Match" Program.
7/2	San Gabriel Valley	Conducted presentation on AB 2766 Subvention Fund Program for Laura Jimenez (field representative) and Liza Villasenor (Chief of Staff), Senator Hilda Solis’ Office, El Monte
7/3	Riverside County	Made a presentation to the Indian Wells City Council and distributed AQMD information packets to council members. Four members of the city council are new.

7/3	Los Angeles Co.	Met with the City of Malibu and discussed the cities’ use of AB 2766 funds.
7/8	Los Angeles Co.	Provided overview of District programs and services to staff of Supervisor Don Knabe.
7/9	Los Angeles City	Met with staff members for Councilmember Ruth Galanter to discuss the various programs available at the District to the community, business and government.
7/9	South Bay	Discussed AB 2766 Subvention Fund Program. City of Torrance will dedicate their FY 96/97 allocations to alternative fueled vehicle purchases.
7/15	Riverside Co.	MWD’s Eastside Reservoir Project Dust Control Issues. Accompanied City of Hemet Mayor Robin Lowe and Riverside County Supervisor Jim Venable to a homeowner’s association meeting regarding dust impacts caused by MWD’s Eastside Reservoir construction project. The meeting was attended by approximately 100 people.
7/16	San Gabriel Valley	Staff discussed public nuisance/odor problem at Monterey Park City Council Meeting.
7/17	San Bernardino Co.	Attended a regular meeting of the San Bernardino City Managers where staff encouraged cities to prepare their applications for the MSRC 25% Subvention Fund Match Program.
7/23	Glendale	Coordinated and participated in State Senator Adam Schiff’s Small Business Forum at Glendale Community College. The forum had more than forty exhibitors, several speakers and over 200 attendees.
7/23	Los Angeles	Participated in community Meeting of Boyle Heights Residents Homeowners Association community meeting. Staff conducted a detailed presentation on the District’s odors complaints procedures. In attendance were representatives from the Mothers of East Los Angeles organization and Los Angeles Councilman Richard Alatorre’s Office.
7/23 - 25	All Counties	Staff attended League of California Cities Mayors and Council Members Executive Forum. Staff conducted presentation to Executive Committee of the L.A. Division of League of Cities regarding new Federal mandates on ozone and PM.
7/24	Los Angeles City	Conducted briefing for staff to Los Angeles City Councilman Rudy Svorinich’s on District programs and services available to the city.
7/25	West Los Angeles	Staff met with City of Beverly Hills staff to review their cities’ use of AB 2766 funds, discussed the Subvention 25% Match Program and provided a summary of other District programs and services.
7/26	San Fernando Valley	Staff participated in a Government Day Event sponsored by Supervisor Yaroslavsky at the Panorama Mall. This event offers residents from the San Fernando Valley an opportunity to meet with representatives from community based and government organizations. The agencies, in turn have an opportunity to disseminate information and answer questions.
7/29	San Gabriel Valley	Met with City of Baldwin Park to review Baldwin Park’s use of AB 2766 funds. Provided information on eligible expenditures and MSRC’s 25% Match Program.
7/30	San Gabriel Valley	Discussed status of District’s investigation into the source of odors impacting Monterey Park residents.
7/30	Southeast L.A.	Staff provided Signal Hill with information on purchase of electric vehicles with AB 2766 Subvention Funds.
7/30	South Bay	Provided assistance to Rancho Palos Verdes on calculating emission reductions resulting from projects funded by AB 2766 funds.
7/31	Los Angeles Co.	Provided County with information regarding subvention fund program.

PUBLIC RECORDS

A new unit in Public Affairs is the Public Records Unit. Monthly we will report on the requests that are received and those which are completed. There are also requests that are carried over from month to month.

Requests Carried Over	No. of Requests Received for July	No. of Requests Closed
370	333	437

COMMUNICATIONS

The Communications Unit is responsible for informing and educating the public through the media and through the District’s Public Information Center

Date	Media	Description of Activity
7/1	Districtwide Press	Health Advisory due to smoke from the fire
7/1	Districtwide Press	Air Touch # SMOG smoking vehicle line service
7/2	Interview	Joe Cassmassi, District Meteorologist interviewed on air quality by KTLA & KFWB
7/4	Districtwide Press	Press Release on First Stage 1 Smog Alert of the year
7/4	Districtwide Press	Coverage of Smog siege over the Fourth of July weekend, including Broadcast interview with KFWB, KFI radio, KABC TV
7/9	Briefing	Background briefing of new environmental reporter at the Daily Bulletin
7/11	Districtwide Press	Prepared and distributed Press release on the adoption of the solvent cleaning rule. Received coverage by daily papers & KTLA Channel 5
7/16	International Press	Briefing with Public Advisor’s Office of the Korean Metropolitan Council received press coverage from Korean TV
7/17	Districtwide Press	News Release & Media inquiries on Rule 1122 proposal
7/17	Districtwide Press	Press release on the Clean Air Solvent certifications
7/17	Districtwide Press	Interview with the Los Angeles Times columnist Robert Jones on Sunlaw’s pollution control catalyst, known as SCONOX
7/18	Districtwide Press	Executive Officer interviewed by KCET’s Life & Times
7/22-23	Districtwide Press	Extensive coverage of CBE suit regarding Rule 1610
7/22	Orange County	Orange County Register spread on a Summer Recipe for Pollution
7/23-24	International Press	French CAPA Presse TV Toured AQMD and conducted several interviews for show on air pollution
7/24	Riverside County	Press-Enterprise story on dust from MWD Reservoir Project
7/27	Districtwide Press	KROQ Radio Open Line interview of Lupe Valdez, 7:30 a.m.
7/30	Trade Publication	Carolyn Wetzel, BNA Publications, Interview of Executive Officer
7/31	International Press	Dutch Journalist, NRC Handelsblad Newspaper Briefing
7/7	Exhibit	50th Anniversary Exhibit at Los Angeles Department of Water & Power headquarters
7/7	Exhibit	50th Anniversary Exhibit at the Orange County Administration Building
7/7-11	Exhibit	50th Anniversary Exhibit at the Orange County Hall of Administration
7/11-13	Exhibit	50th Anniversary Exhibit at West Covina Plaza, Lotus Festival at Echo Park
7/14-25	Exhibit	50th Anniversary Exhibit at the Montclair City Hall and the Montclair Plaza
7/22-25	Exhibit	50th Anniversary Exhibit at the County of Los Angeles Hall of Administration
7/25-31	Exhibit	50th Anniversary Exhibit - L.A. Zoo & Venice Abbot Kinney Branch Library

PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTER

Public Information Center handles the District’s daily visitors and handles general information phone calls. This monthly report will provide a total tally of visitor transactions and phone calls.

Visitor Transactions	Total Phone Calls
1,003	14,653

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