The Administrative Committee met Friday, April 14, 2000, and reviewed the proposed agenda for the May 19, 2000 Board meeting. The Committee also discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is Friday, May 12, 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 Chair Norma Glover, and Committee Members Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley and, via videoconference, Roy Wilson. Absent were Members Hal Bernson and Cynthia Coad.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: Barry Wallerstein, Executive Officer, reported that Mayor Loveridge will be submitting a request to attend the Clean Cities Conference & Expo to be held in San Diego in May. Mayor Pro Tem Paulitz may also attend to become aware of the newest technology related to alternate fuel vehicles.
Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s): The Committee considered the proposed compensation for Supervisor Mikels’ Consultant, Julie Gilbert, for consultant-independent contractor status for FY 1999-00. Dr. Wallerstein said that staff had reviewed the proposal and recommended approval.
Moved (Paulitz), seconded (LaPisto-Kirtley), and unanimously recommended for approval.
Out-of-Country Travel: Dr. Wallerstein reported that a request has been submitted for Joe Cassmassi, Senior Meteorologist in Science and Technology, to travel to India in June to provide assistance with air quality monitoring and forecasting. The travel costs will be incurred by the agency making the request. This item will be brought to the Committee for approval at the May 12, 2000 meeting.
MAY AGENDA ITEMS:
Execute Sole-Source Contract with Los Angeles County Agricultural Commission Department of Weights and Measures for Gasoline Vapor Recovery Inspections and Testing. Carol Coy, Deputy Executive Officer of Engineering & Compliance, explained that AQMD has been contracting with Los Angeles County Weights and Measures for approximately six years, which has been a cost effective augment for AQMD staff to inspect service stations and provide documentation to AQMD regarding repairs or notices of violation. A pilot program, funded at $100,000, is being recommended to add performance tests on the bootless gasoline dispensing nozzles and to test vapor recovery efficiency, thereby streamlining compliance-assurance efforts. Moved (LaPisto-Kirtley), seconded (Paulitz), and unanimously recommended for approval.
Execute Contract for Management Firm to Operate Diamond Bar Headquarters Childcare Center: Dr. Wallerstein noted this is a report to update the Committee. Eudora Tharp, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer of Administrative & Human Resources, reported that AQMD is reviewing the subsidy currently provided for the childcare center and is considering several options. To allow time to evaluate options and make a recommendation, the current contract is being extended through the end of August 2000. Mayor Pro Tem Paulitz stated that the childcare center is of valuable service to the community and suggested considering ways to keep it open. Chairman Glover requested this item be included in May’s Finance Committee agenda. Dr. Wallerstein stated that no action is required on this item, but that staff will have a recommendation for consideration by the Board in June or earlier.
Issue RFP for Management Firm to Operate Diamond Bar Headquarters Cafeteria: Ms. Tharp informed the Committee that staff is recommending to release an RFP for cafeteria management services for a three-year period. Moved (Wilson), seconded (LaPisto-Kirtley), and unanimously recommended for approval.
Amend Contracts with Cordoba Corporation, R Systems, and Sierra Cybernetics, Inc. to Provide Short- and Long-Term Systems Development and Support Services; and Authorize Appropriation of $200,000 from Undesignated Fund Balance: Chris Marlia, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer of Information Management, reported that this item related to software development firms that have been utilized in the area of rule changes for permit streamlining. The undesignated fund balance has been increased by $200,000, which is money that is being redistributed to the three contractors from a previous contractor that terminated its services. Mayor Pro Tem Paulitz asked what percentage of the total budget is currently contracted out and Mr. Marlia answered that $7 million is currently budgeted, but the majority is allocated for maintenance and $1.2 million is allocated for software development. Mr. Paulitz asked why in-house staff were not used to perform these functions, and Mr. Marlia responded that tools change rapidly and it is very difficult to keep staff trained in the latest technology. Mr. Paulitz expressed concern that staff will not have adequate training to continue programs initiated by contractors. Dr. Wallerstein explained that task orders are competitively bid, but to save money and resources, provisions were included in this Board letter to allow staff the ability to sole source task orders if this method was in the best interest of AQMD. Moved (LaPisto-Kirtley), seconded (Wilson), and unanimously recommended for approval.
Report of RFPs and RFQs Scheduled for Release in May: Rick Pearce, Chief Financial Officer, requested this item be removed from the agenda because it duplicates item Number 6.
Appoint Attorney, Engineer, and Alternate Members to AQMD Hearing Board: Jackie Dix, Clerk of the Boards, reported that the Health & Safety Code requires that each of the AQMD Board's county and Los Angeles City representatives appoint an individual to serve on an advisory committee to make recommendations regarding appointments to the Hearing Board. The advisory committee evaluated 70 resumes for attorneys and 14 resumes for engineers and is now recommending reappointment of Ed Camarena as the engineer member, Laurine Tuleja as the attorney member, and two alternates—Stuart Muller, attorney, and Michael Chang, engineer. Dr. Wallerstein commended the current Hearing Board, which has been dealing with very difficult issues, has been doing a very good job. Moved (Paulitz), seconded (LaPisto-Kirtley), and unanimously recommended for approval.
Approve Co-Sponsorship of American Lung Association of Los Angeles County’s Development of Its "A Is for Asthma" Program, and Expansion of Its "Clean Air Kids Club" Program: Lupe Valdez, Deputy Executive Officer of Public Affairs, explained that this is part of the Children’s Air Quality Agenda and that staff is recommending a pilot program be initiated to inform various communities of the effects of, and treatment options for, asthma. The contracted effort will make use of videos with Sesame Street characters, and implement a webpage and a Clean Air Patch program. Moved (LaPisto-Kirtley), seconded (Glover), and unanimously recommended for approval.
Amend Regulation III – Fees: Lee Lockie, Director of Area Sources, provided information regarding the ten rules affecting permit processing fees, annual operating permit renewal fees, and annual emission fees. Being proposed is a 2.9% across-the-board increase using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustment for most fees and an 11% increase to annual emission fees due to the reduction of revenue based on emissions reported by companies. Barbara Baird, District Counsel, explained that AQMD is allowed by law to increase the fee beyond the CPI if the Board makes a finding that the increase is necessary and will result in equitable apportionment in fees, which will be recommended in the resolution. Dr. Wallerstein added that even with the proposed increase, companies on average will be paying an equivalent amount as last year. Mr. Pearce stated that emission fee revenues are continuing to decline, and Mr. Paulitz suggested reviewing the fee structure study to increase revenues and to continue eliminating expenditures. Committee Chair Glover reported that this is an informational item, but that the Governing Board will continue working with Finance to resolve the issue of declining revenues. Since this was an informational item, no motion was taken.
Recognize and Appropriate Funds, and Amend Contract with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration to Provide Upper-Air Wind and Temperature Monitoring Services: Elaine Chang, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer of Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources, explained that due to the delay in receiving CARB funding of $175,000, it is necessary to recognize and appropriate the fund in this budget year. Moved (LaPisto-Kirtley), seconded (Paulitz), and unanimously recommended for approval.
Approve Salary Adjustment for Management and Confidential Employees: Dr. Wallerstein explained that three-year agreements have been arrived at with represented employees whereas management and confidential employees’ compensation packages are considered on an annual basis. He is recommending a 2.5% increase for management and confidential staff for the upcoming year, which is comparable to what the represented units will be receiving. Moved (LaPisto-Kirtley), seconded (Paulitz), and unanimously recommended for approval.
Adopt Executive Officer’s FY 2000-01 Budget and Work Program: Dr. Wallerstein informed the Committee that a Budget Workshop has been scheduled for April 28 at 1 p.m. to discuss changes being made to the budget. Mr. Pearce stated that the proposed budget is $400,000 less than the previous year with total projected revenues of $85.3 million, which includes the 2.9% fee increase. In order to fund a shortfall in the budget, $1.5 million from the undesignated reserves will be utilized. Dr. Wallerstein explained that AQMD is trying to avoid major fee increases, such as the large fee increases adopted by Bay Area AQMD and Ventura County APCD, but that if subvention funds of $3 million are not received, a future increase may be necessary. Jack Broadbent, Deputy Executive Officer of Planning, Rule Development and Areas Sources, added that several notifications regarding the proposed fee changes have already been mailed out. Moved (LaPisto-Kirtley), seconded (Wilson), and unanimously recommended for approval.
Review May 19, 2000 Governing Board Agenda: Dr. Wallerstein informed the Committee of the following regarding changes to the agenda:
ADDITIONS
Recognize and Appropriate Additional Funds from ARB for Children’s Health Study
DELETIONS
Execute Contract for Management Firm to Operate Diamond Bar Headquarters Childcare Center
Report on Effectiveness of Regulation XIII – New Source Review
Report of RFPs and RFQs Scheduled for Release in May – Mr. Pearce requested this item be removed from the agenda due to redundancy.
Notification of Office of Environmental Health & Hazard Assessment Finalization of Chronic Reference Exposure Levels– John Billheimer, Small Business Coalition, requested a summary of SIC or equipment codes related to the compounds that are of concern in the operation of the permit system. Vice-Chair Glover stated that this suggestion will be taken into consideration.
Amend Rule 216 – Appeals – John Billheimer stated that 10,000 additional filings will result from this amendment, thereby increasing the current permit processing backlog. He asked if the system could accommodate the increased volume. Dr. Wallerstein suggested including a discussion item in the Board letter regarding this issue.
APRIL AGENDA ITEMS
Amend Contract with JT2 Integrated Resources Regarding Selection of Legal Defense Attorneys for Workers’ Compensation Matters: Moved (LaPisto-Kirtley), seconded (Wilson), and unanimously recommended for approval.
Issue RFP to Conduct Performance Audit for FY Ending June 30, 2000: Moved (Wilson), seconded (Paulitz), and unanimously recommended for approval.
Approve Classification Recommendations: Moved (LaPisto-Kirtley), seconded (Paulitz), and unanimously recommended for approval.
Other Business: None.
Public Comment: Director of the AQMD Childcare Center Em Button-Feller and community parents Ed Valdez and Sandy Vaughn urged the Governing Board to quickly recommend allowing the childcare center to remain open to provide quality childcare for AQMD and community families. Vice-Chair Glover requested this issue be resolved expeditiously.
Committee Chair Glover adjourned the meeting at 11:07 a.m.
/ / /
This page updated:
August 19, 2004
URL: http://www.aqmd.gov/hb/2000/000530a.html
