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REPORT: 

Administrative Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Administrative Committee met Friday, October 15, 1999, and reviewed the proposed agenda for the November 5, 1999 Board meeting. The Committee also discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is Friday, November 19, 1999, at 9:30 a.m., in Conference Room CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Norma J. Glover, Chair
Administrative Committee

Attendance:
Present were Committee Chair Glover; and Committee Members Cynthia Coad and Roy Wilson who both attended via videoconference. Committee Chair Glover appointed Dr. William Burke, also participating via videoconference, as an ad hoc Administrative Committee member for the meeting of October 15, 1999 only. Absent were Members Hal Bernson, Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley and Mee Hae Lee.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: Barry Wallerstein, Executive Officer, reported on the upcoming travel of Chairman Burke to Cambridge, England to attend the Global New Energies Roundtable II Conference. Dr. Wallerstein noted that the speakers on the agenda are among the most prominent names in the alternative fuels, advanced energy technology arena. Dr. Burke’s attendance will allow AQMD the opportunity to acquire the most up-to-date information about what is transpiring globally in the area of fuel cells and alternative fuels. Dr. Wallerstein offered copies of the agenda to interested Committee Members. Dr. Burke added that he will provide a written report following the Conference. Moved (Glover), seconded (Coad) and unanimously recommended for approval.

2. Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s): None to report.

3. Out-of-Country Travel: Dr. Wallerstein advised the Committee that Dr. Chung Liu, Deputy Executive Officer of Science and Technology, has requested travel to Toronto, Canada, as part of a delegation that would include staff from National Renewable Energies, the U.S. Department of Energy, and a representative from Honda Motor Company. The purpose of the visit is to meet with representatives from FuelMaker, the manufacturer of a device for fueling natural gas-powered vehicles. Advancing this type of technology could be of great benefit in promoting natural gas passenger cars. In response to Committee Chair Glover’s question, Dr. Wallerstein confirmed that this device could be installed in home garages. Moved (Glover), seconded (Wilson) and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   Committee Chair Glover acknowledged the importance of the out of-District travel adding that the Agency should place more emphasis on working with areas such as Phoenix, Arizona and Houston, Texas, since these cities are beginning to have more smog than the South Coast basin. She referred to an article that appeared in the Los Angeles Times regarding Houston and suggested it be included in the news clippings.

4. Local Government and Small Business Advisory Group Report: Deputy Executive Officer of Public Affairs and Transportation Programs Lupe Valdez informed the Committee that the Local Government and Small Business Advisory Group met on October 1. At that time staff updated the members regarding the SIP, MATES II, and Rule 1186 implementation. Three new members attended and the focus of the meeting was to provide information on ongoing issues.

5. Status Report on Implementation of Inland Empire Initiatives: Dr. Wallerstein said that the seven initiatives approved by the Board either have been fully implemented or are nearing completion. He updated the Committee on the following issues:

• The test program for the air quality pager alert system has been completed and the participants have responded that the system was very beneficial. Staff is in discussion with providers of pager systems regarding providing air quality information on an ongoing basis and is expecting to bring the item to the Board for consideration at its December, 1999 meeting.

• The field test of the catalyst system at elementary school playgrounds has recently been completed. Englehardt Company developed a catalyst "top hat" that can be placed on air conditioning systems and that actually reduces nearby ambient ozone levels. The concept was to find a series of portable classrooms with air conditioners pointed out towards the playground area to determine if the operating of air conditioners during ozone season actually reduced the ambient ozone levels. Staff is in the process of analyzing the data; preliminary results indicate that ozone levels were reduced within ten feet of the units. The manufacturer is contacting local real estate developers, as well as those in other areas in California, who would be interested in placing the catalyst on air conditioners in a residential development.

• Regarding the initiative to maintain additional profilers in the Inland Empire, Dr. Wallerstein reported that there is an item requesting authorization to purchase an additional upper-air radar wind and temperature profiler later on the Administrative Committee agenda. With the Board’s approval, and upon completion of the installation, this initiative will be completed.

6. Status Report on Leasing Space at AQMD Headquarters: Committee Chair Glover said that she requested this report since Board Members and staff often receive comments from California Assemblymembers and Senators referring to the AQMD building negatively adding that she expects the building to be fully utilized. Rick Pearce, Chief Financial Officer, reported that the Agency has contracted with the real estate firm of Grubb & Ellis to start marketing the vacant space, which has been listed in three multiple listings. There are approximately 12,000 square feet available for lease and the District is offering a full service gross lease for $1.75 per square foot which includes utilities, taxes, security, janitorial services, and modular cubicles. If fully occupied, the lease would generate approximately $250,000 per year.
   
   Since some of the money will be funded through the Building Corporation for layout and construction, staff has met with them to discuss requirements. A relocation plan to vacate the first floor is being developed and would require about 195 staff moves. The projected cost is about $80,000, with approximately 30% coming from the Building Corporation.
   
   Committee Chair Glover added that, as a public agency, the District needs to utilize all of its resources and increase the revenue stream. Mr. Pearce mentioned that currently 5,400 square feet are being leased to the U.S. Treasury Department, which brings in about $100,000 in lease revenue.

NOVEMBER AGENDA ITEMS

7. Execute Contract to Purchase Private Data Network Services to Support the Emissions Reporting System: Chris Marlia, Acting Director of Information Management, informed the Committee this request is for authorization to purchase Private Data Network services from NDC eCommerce to support the telecommunication and data processing needs associated with the District’s electronic Emission Reporting System requirements for RECLAIM. Dr. Wallerstein pointed out that the firm was the low-cost bidder. Moved (Wilson), seconded (Coad) and unanimously recommended for approval.

8. Execute Contract to Purchase Telecommunication Services: Mr. Marlia explained the request is for authorization of the purchase of telecommunication services, which includes seven different types of services required at AQMD. Referring to the attachment, "Summary of Evaluation of Respondents to RFP," Mr. Marlia said that staff is recommending GTE to provide six of the services, since they received the most points in all categories except one. ATT is recommended to provide cellular services. Both of these recommendations represent the lowest cost bid. Moved (Glover), seconded (Coad) and unanimously recommended for approval.

9. Execute Contract for Management Firm to Operate Diamond Bar Headquarters Cafeteria: Eudora Tharp, Acting Director of Administrative and Human Resources, reported that staff was disappointed in the response to the RFP for the operation of the cafeteria since only five bids were received. The evaluation panel determined that the current provider received the highest rating; therefore, staff is recommending a one-year contract with Food Systems, Inc. A one-year contract will allow release of another RFP a year from now with the expectation of receiving more bids because of the anticipated increase in clientele from the surrounding area. Moved (Wilson), seconded (Glover) and unanimously recommended for approval.

10. Issue RFP for Management Firm to Operate Diamond Bar Headquarters Childcare Center: Ms. Tharp reported that a child care specialist had provided assistance in developing the RFP to ensure the lowest-cost, highest-quality child care for the employees and community families. Currently there are 60 children enrolled and the center is licensed for 72 children, ranging in age from infancy to four years old. Moved (Wilson), seconded (Burke) and unanimously recommended for approval.

11. Recognize Revenues from ARB and Amend Contract for PAMS Data Analysis with Sonoma Technology, Incorporated: Elaine Chang, Assistant DEO for Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources, informed the Committee that ARB has requested that AQMD extend the Sonoma Technology, Inc. contract and expand the scope of the analysis to include all days monitored during the 1997 Southern California Air Quality Study summer field program. ARB made the request along with providing funding support and staff is asking that the Board recognize and appropriate $128,806 revenues from ARB and amend the existing contract to provide additional quality assurance services. Moved (Wilson), seconded (Coad) and unanimously recommended for approval.

12. Purchase Upper-Air Radar Wind and Temperature Profiler: Ms. Chang explained this was the item Dr. Wallerstein had referred to during his briefing on the Inland Empire Initiatives. The purchase will fulfill Initiative No. 6 and assist in the U.S. EPA PAMS 7^th Year objectives. The profiler will significantly enhance AQMD’s air quality modeling capabilities and provide valuable information to further characterize the meteorological conditions in Orange County and the transport that leads to high ozone and fine particulates in the Inland Empire. This will be sole-source with Radian International LLC since they are the only manufacturers in the United States of the upper air wind profiler system. Moved (Wilson), seconded (Coad) and unanimously recommended for approval.

13. Remove Various Fixed Assets from AQMD Inventory: Mr. Pearce reported there are approximately $1.8 million worth of assets that are determined to be either obsolete or broken and staff is requesting the Board surplus this equipment so it can either be auctioned off or salvaged. Mr. Pearce referred to the handout that listed the items, most of which were computer or laboratory equipment. The final page of the handout listed the automobiles that are scheduled for auction. Dr. Burke asked why the 1991 Honda Electric Vehicle CRX with mileage of 13,000 was being removed and Mr. Pearce responded that vehicle will not be removed after all. It was originally listed because of its old technology, and it is a one-of-a-kind car that was built to demonstrate electric technology in 1992; however, the car will not be removed since it has been determined it is still usable. Dr. Burke suggested that these vehicles with early technological innovation be donated to a museum. Mr. Pearce replied that staff is in discussion with the Petersen Automotive Museum and he will follow-up on Dr. Burke’s suggestion. Supervisor Coad asked if community centers had been contacted with respect to donating usable surplus computers. Mr. Pearce responded that usable computers will be donated; however, most of the computers listed have been stripped of their useful parts. Moved (Coad), seconded (Wilson) and unanimously recommended for approval.

14. Adopt Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Credit Card (Discover) Payments for Application Fees Plus Convenience Charge: Mr. Pearce reported that the Permit Streamlining Task Force had recommended the acceptance of credit card payments for application fees plus convenience charge. Currently the only program that is available that provides for the pass-through of the convenience fee is the Discover Card and staff is requesting the Board approve the acceptance of these credit card payments. Staff is investigating expanding this program by accepting VISA and MasterCard for Internet-based permit applications in the future. Committee Chair Glover noted that this had been a suggestion of James Silva, former Governing Board Member, who served as a member of the Task Force. Moved (Glover), seconded (Coad) and unanimously recommended for approval.

15. Review November 5, 1999 Governing Board Agenda: Dr. Wallerstein informed the Committee of the following changes to the draft agenda:
    
    CONTINUED OR DELETED ITEMS:

• 2013: Execute Agreement to Cost-Share Determination of Non-Registration Rates of On-Road Vehicles

• 2198: Issue RFP for Development of Low NOx Heavy-Duty Natural Gas Engine and Accept Co-funding from California Energy Commission

• 2212: Reclassify Budgeted Air Quality Analysis and Compliance Supervisor Positions to Program Supervisor and Revise Program Supervisor Class Specification

16. Other Business: None

17. Public Comment: None

Committee Chair Glover adjourned the meeting at 10:24 a.m.

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