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PROPOSAL:

Implement Recommendations of the Permit Streamlining Task Force Regarding Acceptance of Applications Initially Filed with 85 Percent or More of Permit Processing Fees

SYNOPSIS:

The Permit Streamlining Task Force recommends that the AQMD implement, on a 6-month trial basis, a program to accept and process applications initially filed with 85% or more of permit processing fees. The acceptance of these applications is contingent upon two conditions: (1) all other elements and information required to accept an application are complete, and (2) the balance of the fees is paid within 45 days of notice. The results of this permit streamlining proposal will be reviewed at the conclusion of the 6-month trial period and a report will be provided back to the Board with a final proposal regarding this issue.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, May 22, 1998, Discussed

Permit Streamlining Task Force, May 29 and June 23, 1998, Discussed

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve implementation to initiate processing of applications initially filed with 85 % or more of permit processing fee for a 6-month trial period.

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

One of the top priorities of AQMD is a new initiative to improve efficiency and customer service to businesses seeking permits to establish or expand operation in the South Coast area. In order to provide assistance in this matter, Chairman Burke has formed the Permit Streamlining Task Force. The Task Force is headed by Governing Board Vice-Chair Norma Glover and includes Board Members Mayor Loveridge and Supervisor Silva along with seven industry representatives and environmental professionals. In addition, Mohsen Nazemi, an AQMD Senior Manager, has been appointed to the position of Ombudsman to work with the Task Force in implementing this initiative. The AQMD will also seek service of a contractor or a consultant to independently review permitting at AQMD as well as other agencies and organizations in order to recommend specific steps to improve and streamline permitting. Since its kick-off meeting on April 28, 1998, the Task Force has initially identified and focused on several permit-streamlining issues. While the entire process may take six to nine months before the Task Force can bring before the Governing Board specific and complete recommendations, the resolution of some of the issues may be implemented sooner. The Task Force intends to bring to the Governing Board such recommendations and report on the status of their progress on an ongoing basis.

Issue

AQMD Regulation III – Fees, requires that permit processing fees be paid at the time of filing of applications. To meet this requirement while providing sound customer service, AQMD implements an application prescreening procedure where staff, among other things, contacts the applicant for any application filed with a wrong fee. Staff would then place this application on hold if the applicant can submit the balance of the fees within a short time frame. Otherwise, the application would be considered as incomplete and returned to the applicant. According to a recent survey, approximately 60% of applications returned to the applicants (or an estimated 300 applications annually) were due to insufficient fees. These increase workload on the permit processing staff and result in delays in obtaining permits from the AQMD.

Proposal

Permit Streamlining Task Force recommends that staff implement, on a six-month trial basis, a mechanism to, initiate processing of applications that are substantially complete. For this trial period, an application will be considered substantially complete if it contains at least 85% of the required permit processing fees and all other elements and information required to accept an application. Since AQMD rules require that application fees be paid at the time of filing, the Task Force further recommends that staff informs the applicant about the additional amount due and, if full compliance with fee requirement is not achieved by paying the balance in 45 days from the date of notice, staff may cancel the application. Once an application is cancelled, the permit processing or initial fee may not be refundable per Rule 301(l) and the applicant will have to file a new application.

The results of this permit streamlining proposal will be examined at the conclusion of the six-month trial period and report provided with a final proposal regarding this issue.

Resource Impacts

Staff intends to implement these permit streamlining recommendations in approximately one month. The implementation will alter some of the existing permit processing procedures but is not expected to increase cost of operation or staffing requirement to a significant degree.

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