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PROPOSAL:

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights the December 1997 activities of the Public Affairs Office which includes the following activities: Environ-mental Justice Update, Community Events/Public Meetings, Business Assistance, Intergovernmental Affairs 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 Office for the month of December. The report format includes five major areas: Environmental Justice Update, Community Events/Public Meetings (including Speakers Bureau/Visiting Dignitaries), Business Assistance (including Economic Development/Business Retention), Intergovernmental Affairs (including Public Records) and Media Communications (including the Public Information Center).

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE UPDATE

INITIATIVE	ACTIVITY
1. Town Hall Meetings	• Held the first Town Hall Meeting December 4 at Boyle Heights Senior Center. • Scheduled Huntington Park Town Hall Meeting January 27. • Scheduled Riverside County (Jurupa/Mira Loma) Town Hall Meeting March 3.
2. Ambient Monitoring of Air Toxics	• Workplan adopted at December 12 Board Meeting. Pursuant to concerns raised at Dec. 12 Board meeting, a third mobile platform has been proposed. • Held Air Toxics Workshop on December 18th. • Technical Review Group met December 9. • Three sub-groups formed: - Microscale - Excluded compounds - Limited sample compounds
3. Community Response Teams (CRTs)	• Community Response Teams established. • Policies and procedures drafted.
4. CEQA Commenting	• Staff restructuring completed. • Review of documents began Jan 6.
5. Environmental Justice Task Force	• Composition and initial membership established. • First meeting scheduled for January 30.
6. City of Los Angeles Environmental Justice Forum	• Completed participation. • Maintaining contact with L.A. Env Affairs - Second forum is tentatively planned for March 1998.
7. Diesel Fuel Clean- Up Incentives	• Meeting in Sacramento, January 14, 1998, of District Corridor Group - discussion of pending funding incentive legislation. • Board approved RFP for Development of Alternative Fuel and Electric Off-Road Equipment, including Heavy-Duty applications. • 3 RFPs released to provide incremental cost funding for alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles, including transit, school buses, and heavy-duty trucks. - Proposals began arriving January 6, 1998. • Met with MTA to discuss various options for the alcohol bus fleet. • Sacramento, San Joaquin, and South Coast (through MSRC) AQMD all have issued RFPs to provide incremental cost funding incentives for clean heavy-duty trucks. • January 29, 1998 in Anaheim: Leadership Cities Roundtable meeting - to exchange information on alternative fuel technologies availability and experiences.
8. Field Inspection Technology	• Workplan to Improve In-Field Enforcement Capabilities adopted at Dec. 12 Board Meeting. • AST/SSC presented an RFP for advanced inspecting, testing and analysis equipment at December 11 Technology Committee meeting. • AST/SSC have drafted RFP language for contract study to bring forward "state-of-the-science" knowledge.
9. Portable Equipment Permitting	• Working Group established to determine how portable engine programs can be modified to prevent localized impacts.
10. Public Comment, Rules 1401 and 1402	• Board Air Toxics Workshop took place December 18, 1997. • 1401/1402 Policy Working Group meetings scheduled for Jan. 23 and Feb. 6. • Rule development outline presented at Jan. Tech. Comm. Mtg.

COMMUNITY EVENTS/PUBLIC MEETINGS

The following describes community events and public meetings that provided AQMD customers with air quality information during December.

Date	Location	Description of Activity
12/4-5	Statewide	Meeting of the CAPCOA Public Outreach Committee: Staff met with public information officers from 13 air pollution control agencies to exchange information on programs and to discuss several coordinated efforts planned for 1998.
12/2	Los Angeles	EPA Roundtable: Participated in meeting w/EPA, ARB, Communities for a Better Environment, and various business representatives to discuss the question of Environmental Justice impacts from trading programs.
12/2	Los Angeles	Solano Community Association: Re: Environmental Justice issues. Staff spoke with representatives concerning proposed expansion of 110 freeway. Referred the association to appropriate agency. Also encouraged them to contact us if the group would like an overview on air quality.
12/2	Los Angeles	Zero Air Pollution: Staff spoke to representative interested in Environmental Justice issues relative to gasoline-powered leaf blowers. Also interested in Town Hall Meetings that will be held in South Bay and San Fernando Valley. Spoke to her in detail regarding District Environmental Justice Initiatives.
12/3	Orange	Toxic Hot Spot Public Meeting: Public Advisor, Communications, and Toxics staff met with officials of a company in Fullerton to plan arrangements for a January 1998 public notification meeting required by AB 2588 on risk from air toxics emissions.
12/4	Los Angeles	Coordinated and facilitated town hall meeting at Boyle Heights Senior Center in East Los Angeles.
12/4	Los Angeles	Provided outreach materials for distribution at the Environmental Media Awards held by the Coalition for Clean Air at Will Rogers State Park.
12/4	Los Angeles	Staffed an information table and provided outreach materials during an environmental fair for employees at Disney’s Burbank studios.
12/5	Districtwide	California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR): Staff met with the Public Information Director to obtain information on the new Smog Check requirements that become effective in March 1999. Arranged to link with BAR in several outreach efforts, including publicizing the AQMD’s water-based cleaning rule at BAR training sessions for auto shop owners in AQMD jurisdiction.
12/5	Los Angeles	Staff met with ARB to discuss possible involvement in the outreach effort to publicize a lawnmower exchange program scheduled to begin in the Los Angeles area in March 1998.
12/5	Los Angeles	California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance Quarterly Meeting: Staff discussed issues including trading, BACT/LAER and budget.
12/5	Riverside	Staffed and facilitated the AQMD’s sponsorship of the annual Celebrity Luncheon held by the American Lung Association of the Inland Counties at UC Riverside. The event benefits the Chapter’s summer asthma camp and school-based asthma education program.
12/5	San Bernardino	Provided outreach publications and materials for distribution to members of the planning committee for the annual Inland Empire Environmental Expo.
12/9	Orange	Community of Garden Grove: Staff met with Chamber of Commerce staff to obtain lists of community groups, churches, and schools which will be contacted for the upcoming Town Hall Meeting.
12/9	Los Angeles	Provided Smogbuster coloring books, activity books, and promotional materials for distribution to elementary school students in the East Los Angeles area.
12/9	Los Angeles	Provided Smogbuster Coloring Books for distribution to students in the Pomona Unified School District.
12/11	Districtwide	Think Earth Committee meeting: Staff participated in development of junior high school curriculum.
12/11	Districtwide	Annual USC Corporate Procurement Sponsorship Meeting: Meeting to plan 1998 procurement conference in which District, other agencies, and corporations’ participation is being developed.
12/12	Los Angeles	Provided outreach publications and materials for distribution to Bank of America employees in Pasadena.
12/17	Los Angeles	Lawnmower Exchange Outreach Meeting: Staff met with officials of city and county sanitation districts and electric utilities to help develop a series of events at which the public will be able to purchase electric mowers at a reduced price if they turn in their gasoline mowers for scrapping. The events are scheduled for April and May, and the target is to exchange 8,000 mowers.
12/17	Districtwide	SCAG Meeting on Draft 1998 Regional Transportation Plan: Staff prepared the public notice for the upcoming public consultation meeting on this plan. The meeting is scheduled for Jan. 27, 1998, at the AQMD auditorium.
12/17	Los Angeles	SCAG Regional Advisory Committee: Staff represented AQMD at the monthly meeting of this committee.
12/31	Orange	Provided outreach publications and materials for distribution to students at a conference for high school girls sponsored by the American Association of University Women at Fullerton College.

Events/Conferences Sponsored/Hosted	Participated/Attended
1/1	1/1

Public Workshops/Notices	Fee Review Requests/Customer Surveys
2/1	7/25

Speakers Bureau / Visiting Dignitaries / Information Requests

The District hosts distinguished visitors from around the world, as well as members of the general public, who visit our headquarters to tour the facility and meet with staff on a wide range of air quality issues. The following describes the major activities handled during December.

Date	Location	Description of Activity
12/10	AQMD headquarters	A 24-member delegation of automotive executives from Suzuki Co. Ltd., Tokyo, met with Public Advisor and Stationary Source Compliance staff for a general overview of air quality in the South Coast basin and a summary of non-assembly line coatings and solvent clean-up operations.
12/12	AQMD	Mr. Fabio Feldman, Secretary of Environment, Sao Paulo, Brazil, met with Public Advisor staff for a general air quality overview and with Applied Science and Technology staff on ambient air monitoring.

Speaking Requests Received	Presentations (by Public Advisor staff)
4	2

Delegations Hosted	Tours of AQMD Headquarters
3	1

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

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

Date	Location	Description of Activity
12/3	Orange	Eyeglass manufacturer: Staff discussed permitting requirements re: expansion of operation and need for Emission Reduction Certificates and BACT.
12/3	Los Angeles	Hydrogen burner manufacturer: Staff met twice to discuss technology transfer and possible uses in both mobile and stationary sources.
12/3	Orange	Furniture manufacturer: Wants to increase permit spray limit for powder coating. Staff involved in requesting new test method to determine VOC content of powder coating.
12/3	Statewide	Meeting of CAPCOA Business Assistance Committee in Sacramento: Staff met with other representatives of statewide assistance programs to discuss preparation of annual report to EPA and the upcoming March national conference. Information was also exchanged on new Pollution Prevention Program.
12/8-9	Las Vegas, Nevada	15th Annual International Autobody Conference and Exposition: Staff met with 76 national and internationally-based manufacturers of coatings application equipment. Staff provided information to attendees on the District and its requirements for various applicable rules.
12/9-12	Des Moines, Iowa	Iowa Waste Reduction Facility: Staff met with representatives and received good advice and insight on how to establish pollution prevention programs at AQMD.
12/16	Los Angeles	Trucking company: Staff assisted with application preparation for installation of spray booth.
12/16	Los Angeles	Retail store with two emergency generators: Staff gave company information to assist with permit applications. Equipment was not on AQMD certified list. However, company was pleased to receive a 75% reduction in fees for second generator.
12/16	Los Angeles	Motion picture trade association: Provided consultant with information on Rule 1107 - Metal Parts Coating.
12/16	Arizona	Staff supplied State of Arizona Office of Air Quality with contacts for information regarding charbroilers and rule development.
12/16	Pennsylvania	Supplied Printers’ National Environmental Assistance in Pittsburgh with information on Small Business Assistance Programs at the AQMD.
12/16-31	Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange	Staff issued clearance letters to the cities of Garden Grove, Torrance, Tustin and Westminster, allowing the issuance of occupancy permits by those cities.
12/18	Orange	Pharmaceutical manufacturer: Staff reviewed ERC, BACT and permitting issues with this company.
12/18	Los Angeles	Restaurant owner: Staff assisted with preparation and filing of charbroiler application.
12/18	Los Angeles	Pharmaceutical manufacturer: Staff performed on-site consultation and assisted in preparing application for control equipment.
12/18	San Bernardino	Transportation company: Provided rule requirements for an internal combustion engine.
12/18	Riverside	Restaurant: Staff assisted owner (walk-in customer) in obtaining same-day permit for certified charbroiler.
12/18	Los Angeles	Aerospace company: Staff provided information on Rules 1110, 1110.1 and 1110.2 - Emissions from Internal Combustion Engines.
12/19	Los Angeles	Printing company: Staff discussed Title V and permit requirements for expanding their operation.
12/31	Los Angeles	Three car wash/service stations: Staff provided assistance with variance packages. These facilities were not able to comply with Rule 461-Gasoline Transfer and Dispensing requirements for vapor recovery system testing that had to be completed by January 1, 1998.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS ACTIVITY

Intergovernmental Affairs works interactively with local government, state and federal officials in response to their air quality concerns and local issues. Major activities include informing, educating and helping cities and counties address various air quality issues that are encountered in their communities. Additionally, staff administers the AB 2766 Subvention and MSRC Discretionary Fund Programs.

Date	Location	Description of Activity
12/1	Riverside	Staff attended the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) Executive Committee Meeting. Staff discussed the AQMD Governing Board’s recently adopted "Environmental Justice Initiatives" and TAO Funding Reauthorization legislation with Acting Executive Director.
12/1	Riverside	Staff met with City of Hemet Mayor regarding community concerns regarding the operation and storage practices of a business operating in Hemet.
12/2	Orange	Staff attended the Orange County Council of Governments Technical Advisory Committee (OCCOG-TAC) Transportation and Air Quality Funding Subcommittee Meeting and gave a report regarding the California Air Resources Board’s "Motor Vehicle Fee Program Technical Working Group" meeting which was held in Sacramento on November 19, 1997. The report will also be made to the OCCOG Board of Directors at their January 1998 meeting.
12/2	Riverside	Met with City Traffic Engineer and Transportation Coordinator for City of Moreno Valley to discuss AB 2766 Subvention Fund Program.
12/3	San Bernardino	Staff attended the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) Board of Directors Meeting. Staff discussed MSRC’s "Local Subvention Fund Match Program" with several of the SANBAG Board Members.
12/3	San Bernardino	Staff discussed ramifications of legislation, suggested by SANBAG Board Members, which may attempt to quantify and take credit where appropriate for Mobile Source Emission Reduction Credits produced by AB 2766 Subvention Fund projects with SANBAG Transportation Planning Manager.
12/4	Districtwide	Staff attended SCAG’s policy, standing, and Regional Council meetings, where the draft Regional Transportation Plan continued to be the main focus of attention. The SCAG 1998 Legislative Program was approved with language that was requested at last month’s meetings. The language inserted included an additional air quality objective to "Seek legislation from congressional representatives to control emissions from federal and federally regulated mobile sources."
12/9	Orange	Staff attended SCAG’s Orange County Summit on Draft Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) held at Tustin City Hall and discussed the MSRC’s proposed Work Program RFPs as they are related to elements of the draft RTP with some of the elected officials who were in attendance.
12/9	Orange	Staff attended the Orange County Board of Supervisors along with representatives of Edison-EV and the Planning Center, who serve as the MSRC’s outreach coordinator, in support of the MSRC’s "Quick Charge" Electric Charging Infrastructure and the County’s purchase/lease of electric vehicles as part of the MSRC’s Local Government Match Program items which were on the Board’s agenda. The Board approved both items.

12/9	Orange	Staff attended the Anaheim City Council Meeting along with representatives of Edison-EV and the Planning Center in support of the MOU regarding the MSRC’s "Quick Charge" Electric Charging Infrastructure. The City of Anaheim is the lead agency representing Orange County cities and county with respect to the installation of 23 public access electric charging stations at various locations throughout Orange County.
12/9	Districtwide	Met with ARB staff to discuss streamlining procedure for cities to report annual AB 2766 Subvention Fund expenditures.
12/10	San Bernardino	Staff met with Ontario City Manager and Administrative Services Director regarding air quality related projects in the City of Ontario. They were seeking information about AQMD policies and activities, an update regarding Rule 1186, and possible impacts of the impending electric utility deregulation.
12/10	Districtwide	Contacted 20 legislators to extend invitation to District’s Reception for Elected Officials.
12/11 & 12/12	Los Angeles	Met with Councilmember from City of Cudahy to discuss LAXT testimony at District’s Governing Board meeting on December 12
12/17	San Bernardino	Staff attended the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) Plans & Program Committee Meeting. Staff discussed the proposed TAO Funding Reauthorization legislation with SANBAG’s Legislative Affairs Director.
12/17	Districtwide	Staff organized the AQMD Governing Board’s "Holiday Reception for Elected Officials"
12/18	Los Angeles	Met with Zoning Commissioner for City of Los Angeles to discuss issues relating to local governments
12/19	Districtwide	Met with representative from Automobile Club of Southern California to discuss TAO reauthorization outreach and AB 2766 Subvention Fund issues

Public Records

The Public Records Unit is responsible for reporting on 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	No. of Requests Closed
305	335	276

MEDIA 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
12/5	Newspaper	Provided background briefing for Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario) on AQMD's role in regulating air pollution.
12/7	Newspaper	Provided background on air quality to Orange County Register for article on utility deregulation.
12/11	TV	Provided tour of air monitoring station to NBC News for national report on sport utility vehicle emissions.
12/12	All Media	Issued press release on LAXT plan approval, which resulted in numerous stories, including in the L.A. Times and Daily Breeze (Torrance) newspapers.
12/12 & 12/16	Newspaper	Provided extensive background to the Washington Post for article on air quality trends.
12/16	Newspaper	Provided background to the L.A. Times for article on the history of air pollution control ideas.
12/16	All Media	Media Advisory on Toxics Workshop.
12/16	Newspaper	Provided background briefing to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario) on MATES II study.
12/17	Radio	Interview with KFWB on toxics workshop.
12/17 & 12/18	Internet	Provided extensive information on auto scrapping and emissions trading programs for Fox News Internet story on emissions credit programs.
12/17	Newspaper	Provided information on air quality for Press Enterprise (Riverside) environment year-in-review story.
12/17	Newspaper	Provided information and interview to Orange County Register on Kenar Technologies toxic hot spots notification.
12/17	Newsletter	Provided information on air quality investment program to Clean Air News.
12/18	Newsletter	Provided background on certified solvents to Air Daily.
12/18	Newspaper	Provided extensive background on auto scrapping to New Times.
12/19	Newspaper	Provided extensive background to L.A. Daily News on the trend toward cleaner air.
12/19	Newspaper	Provided information to New Times on the compliance status of Chrome Crankshaft near Suva School.
12/19	Newspaper	Provided information to the Orange County Register on the compliance status of Sunshine Makers.
12/19	Internet	Provided background information to Fox News Internet on RECLAIM.
12/22	Newspaper	Provided interview on auto scrapping credit rules to New Times.
12/23	Wire Service	Provided extensive background information to Associated Press for feature story on the cleanest air on record.
12/23	Newspaper	Provided background to the L.A. Times on the use of hydrogen fluoride by refineries.
12/23	Magazine	Provided photos to AWMA Magazine
12/23	Newspaper	Discussed District position on smog check with San Gabriel Valley Tribune (West Covina).
12/31	Newsletter	Provided information on emission reduction credits to Clean Air Report.
12/31	Newspaper	Provided interview and information on Rule 1118.1 -- Refinery Flares to the Daily Breeze (Torrance).
12/31	Newspaper	Provided reaction to study on ground-level ozone and ultraviolet rays to the L.A. Daily News.

Public Information Center Statistics

The 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
456	6,422

Information Packages Mailed	Live Calls by PIC Staff
180	561

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