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Administrative Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Administrative Committee met Friday, May 12, 2000, and reviewed the proposed agenda for the June 16, 2000 Board meeting. The Committee also discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is Friday, June 9, 2000, 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 Members Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley and, via videoteleconference, Roy Wilson and Board Chair William Burke. Prior to the meeting, Committee Chair Norma Glover had appointed Board Chair William Burke as the Chairman for this meeting only. Absent were Committee Chair Norma Glover and Members Hal Bernson and Cynthia Coad.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: Barry Wallerstein, Executive Officer, reported that Vice Chair Norma Glover will be submitting a request for travel to Sacramento on May 15 to testify at the Assembly Transportation Committee meeting. Moved by Burke, seconded by LaPisto-Kirtley, and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
2. Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s): None.
   
   
3. Out-of-Country Travel: Dr. Wallerstein reported that a request for travel has been submitted for Joseph Cassmassi to attend a conference and assist India with their air control regulations and rules. The Indian Government is paying the costs for Mr. Cassmassi’s travel and hotel. Deputy Executive Officer Chung Liu and Planning & Rules Manager Andy Abele have also been requested to attend the California Fuel Cell Partnership meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, on July 11 and 12. Chairman Burke asked if the cost of the Vancouver trip was included in our membership costs in the California Fuel Cell Partnership, and Dr. Wallerstein answered that this amount is allocated in Dr. Liu’s travel budget. (Moved by Wilson, seconded by LaPisto-Kirtley, and unanimously recommended for approval).

JUNE AGENDA ITEMS:

4. Execute Contracts for Employee Relations Litigation and/or Negotiation Services: Ms. Eudora Tharp, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer of Administrative & Human Resources, reported that approval is requested for four contracts with attorney firms for employee relations/litigation/negotiations matters. (Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley, seconded by Wilson, and unanimously recommended for approval.)
   
   
5. Approve Reallocation of PAMS Funds for Fixed Assets and Execute Contracts for Equipment in Air Monitoring Network: Mel Zeldin, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer, Monitoring & Analysis, requested contracts for AQMD’s air monitoring network be approved to replace aging equipment. Dr. Burke asked how many individuals use the microscope that is located in the laboratory. Mr. Zeldin responded that three microscopists have several microscopes to use, which have been updated. Dr. Burke asked the status of the x-ray fluorescent unit that detects metal and Mr. Zeldin answered that the one unit is in operational condition. Dr. Burke asked if any of the laboratory equipment, or lack of equipment, affects the speed by which permits are processed. Mr. Liu answered this is not the case. Mr. Zeldin answered that equipment has been replaced with modern units to make sure staff has the latest tools available. Dr. Burke requested staff prepare a one-page summary listing additional or replacement lab equipment necessary to process permits and more expeditiously achieve AQMD’s goals and objectives. (Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley, seconded by Wilson, and unanimously recommended for approval.)
   
   
6. Execute Contract to Expand AQMD Socioeconomic Assessment Program: Dr. Elaine Chang, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer, Planning, Rule Development, and Area Sources, stated that a sole-source contract be approved with Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI) to support AQMD’s socioeconomic assessment program for the 2001 AQMP to characterize the impacts at the sub-county level. (Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley, seconded by Wilson, and unanimously recommended for approval.)
   
   
7. Re-design Air Quality Assistance Fund Program to Provide Financial Assistance for Small Businesses That Are Subject to Air Pollution Control Requirements: La Ronda Bowen, Public Advisor, explained that, currently, AQMD has $2.2 million in the Air Quality Assistance Fund (AQAF), with $137,000 still obligated for guarantees and $750,000 on deposit with a trustee for the AQMD’s portion of the California Loans For Environmental Assistance Now (CLEAN) program of the State Treasurer’s Office. As the loans are repaid, the money revolves back into the AQAF. The AQMD Board requested staff to revise the program to increase its utilization. There are three components to the proposed revised program: (1) The banking component would use the California Capital Access Program to increase the leverage of money and make funds available at traditional bank outlets. AQMD funds would pay the borrower fees (2%) to allow more companies to qualify; (2) The retention of a financial consultant who would prepare documentation for the lease component, design and implement a marketing program, and maintain ongoing monitoring and reporting for the AQAF; and (3) the lease guarantee component where AQAF would guarantee repayment of equipment financed through a lease. Additionally, staff is proposing to divert $200,000 from the AQAF to be made available to assist organizations who need help applying for grants to comply with rules in the 1190 series. The revised AQAF authorizing documents will be returned to the Governing Board prior to implementation which is expected in early fall 2000.
   
   This item comes to the June Governing Board meeting for approval. (At this point, Supervisor Wilson’s videoteleconference connection went out.) Dr. Burke asked if there was a proper quorum to make a motion, but Barbara Baird, District Counsel, stated that this was an informational item and, therefore, did not require a recommendation.
   
   
8. Report of RFPs and RFQs Scheduled for Release in June: Rick Pearce, Chief Financial Officer, reported that there were items requesting approval to release an RFP to qualify vendors for library services and supplies and an RFP for assistance regarding facility-level socioeconomic analysis. Dr. Burke asked if a quorum was necessary to approve this item, but Ms. Baird stated that normally a report of RFPs is forwarded to the Administrative Committee for receipt but does not require recommendation since it is merely a report to the Board.
   
   
9. Review June 16, 2000 Governing Board Agenda: Dr. Wallerstein informed the Committee of the following changes to the agenda noting that only changes or items of concern will be discussed due to the limited time because many of the attendees are scheduled to attend an off-site press conference.

CONTINUED TO JULY 21, 2000, BOARD MEETING

• Appropriate Funds from Clean Fuels Fund and Execute Lease and Purchase Agreements for Four New-Technology Vehicles for Alternative Fuel Vehicle Loan Program (#2507)

ADDITION

• Execute Contracts for Class 5-6 Vehicles, Transit Buses and Other On-Road Applications Awarded Under Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program (#2534)

Mayor Loveridge arrived at 10:05 a.m.

MAY AGENDA ITEMS

10. Status on Management Firm to Operate Diamond Bar Headquarters Childcare Center: Ms. Tharp reported that negotiations with the current childcare center provider are productive and a contract should be reached by early next week with recommendation being made to the Board. The contract would include priority enrollment and tuition reductions for AQMD families, and operating costs would be placed onto the contractor with a lease amount to be paid for a two-year term that would fund needed repairs to the facility.
    
    
11. Recognize and Appropriate Additional Funds from ARB for Children’s Health Study: Mr. Zeldin stated that an additional $219,960 be recognized from ARB for the Children’s Health Study and authorize the Executive Officer to amend the existing agreement with ARB. Dr. Burke commended AQMD staff members’ professionalism and caliber of expertise and efficiency. He invited Dr. Wallerstein to put together a task force of AQMD employees to provide strategy suggestions relating to his new position as an ARB Board member. (Moved by Wilson, seconded by LaPisto-Kirtley, and unanimously recommended for approval.)
    
    
12. Update on Executive Officer’s Proposed FY 00-01 Budget: Dr. Wallerstein reported that four changes have been made to the draft budget:
    
    a. Adjustments are being reflected in the budget because of receiving revenue
        from the childcare center.
    
    b. Propose Dr. Burke receive a stipend for an additional Board Assistant to assist with ARB
        activities. The stipend would be identical to what the other Board members’ assistants
        receive.
    
    c. Proposing Board Assistants/Consultants receive a 2.5% cost-of-living increase in total
        contract amount to be determined by the individual Board members in an increased hourly
        rate or total hours covered.
    
    d. Purchase an additional portable monitor for sampling in neighborhoods, at a cost of
        approximately $77,000 to be taken from the designated reserve set aside for enforcement
        monitoring equipment.
    
    
13. Other Business: None.
    
    
14. Adopt Resolution to Renew General Services Agreement with County of Los Angeles: Mr. Pearce stated that since AQMD’s inception, the County of Los Angeles has provided certain services at AQMD’s request. A boilerplate agreement has been prepared to take advantage of these services for the next five years; this is a mechanism to pay the County of L.A. (Moved by Wilson, seconded by LaPisto-Kirtley, and unanimously recommended for approval.)
    
    
15. Public Comment: (heard between item numbers 9 and 10)
    Dr. Wallerstein stated that a request for public comment has been received regarding the fleet rules, which will be discussed during the public comment period at the May 19 Board meeting. Dave Smith, representing BP AMOCO (formerly ARCO) and Southern California Clean Air Partnership, requested additional time be given for consideration to proposed Rules 1191, 1192, and 1193 prior to being heard in June by the Governing Board. Mr. Smith stated the following: there is a possibility that a comprehensive fuel-neutral PM and NO_X intensive program will allegedly provide more emission reductions than what staff’s report has proposed; the California truckers are holding legislative hearings in the first week of June, which will include a program to provide cleaner running trucks; the Long Beach Transit Organization testified that they are ready to retrofit their 200 buses with particulate traps for a cost of $1 million if allowed under Rule 1192 instead of purchasing only 3-4 CNG buses; AQMD’s Adopt-A-School Bus Program is being supported by various organizations; BP-AMOCO would make available in the South Coast Basin one million gallons of low-sulfur diesel fuel; and the Governor is looking at adding millions of dollars to reduce school bus emissions. He stated if these issues are worked out, the proposed rules would not be necessary. Mr. Smith stated that the deadline to submit comments for the economic assessment report is May 25. Dr. Wallerstein commented that staff is ready to go forth with Rule 1191 and that support has been obtained from the L.A. County Chapter of the California League of Cities and other COGS and cities. On Rule 1192, relative to transit buses, MTA purchased 150 diesel buses this week without particulate traps. Dr. Wallerstein suggested that if the rule is not brought forth to the Governing Board in June, there might be other organizations that may expedite purchasing vehicles that do not meet the requirements of the rule. On Rule 1193, issues are being narrowed and staff is hopeful there will be industry support when it is brought to the Board in June. Mr. Smith stated that with respect to Rule 1192, diesel will in effect be banned from the South Coast region. Dr. Burke stated that he was disappointed with MTA’s purchase of diesel buses and respected the importance that these rules have for Mr. Smith’s industry, but that MTA’s action did not represent the best interests of the population of Southern California in cleaning up the air. He suggested AQMD review this issue more closely, but only if MTA would delay purchasing the vehicles until a determination is made under this rule. Mr. Smith stated that MTA would be contacted to consider placing particulate traps on the diesel buses during factory installment. Dr. Burke stated under the Adopt-A-School Bus Program, BP-AMOCO would provide a two- to three-year supply of diesel fuel for school districts in the Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. Mr. Smith concurred that BP-AMOCO supported the Adopt-A-School Bus Program. Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley stated that approval has been received for Rule 1191 from the San Gabriel Valley COG, Gateway COG, League of California Cities, and a number of individual cities who are in support of the rule. Mr. Smith stated that South Coast Clean Air Partnership is objecting to this rule because small cities purchasing alternative-fuel vehicles would be affected. Dr. Wallerstein stated that with government leading the way, consumers would think about the emissions from vehicles and would select cleaner running vehicles. Dr. Wallerstein reminded attendees that the time for this type of debate would be during the regular Board meeting in the public hearing portion.

Board Chairman Burke adjourned the meeting at 10:18 a.m.

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