BOARD MEETING DATE: October 20, 2000 AGENDA NO. 22
REPORT:
Final Report of the Councils of Governments for Work Performed Under a
Memorandum of Understanding for AB 2766 Subvention Fund Outreach to Local
Jurisdictions
SYNOPSIS:
At the May 14, 1999 Board meeting, the Board approved the execution of a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a group of Councils of Governments (COGs)
to provide outreach assistance to local jurisdictions utilizing AB 2766
Subvention Funds. The MOU ended June 30, 2000. This action is to receive and
file the COGs’ final reports.
COMMITTEE:
Mobile Source, September 22, 2000, Reviewed
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
At the December 17, 1998 Mobile Source Committee meeting, the Vice Chair
asked staff to explore the local Councils of Governments’(COGs’) level of
interest in forming a partnership with the AQMD to provide assistance to the
local jurisdictions implementing the AB 2766 Motor Vehicle Registration Fee
Subvention Fund Program. As a result, a group of COGs (South Bay Cities COG;
Orange County COG, SANBAG, and Western Riverside COG) executed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with the AQMD to implement this pilot program, for a total
amount not to exceed $100,000.
Objectives
Since AB 2766 was enacted in 1990, many local jurisdictions implemented
various emissions reduction programs utilizing this funding mechanism. However,
some jurisdictions maintained unallocated Subvention Fund balances. Key barriers
to timely Subvention Fund utilization most often cited by cities included the
belief that:
The amount of funding received was too small to implement meaningful
projects,
The program created an administrative burden on local jurisdiction staff
to develop and implement cost-effective emission reducing projects,
Local jurisdiction staff had limited experience in coordinating
multi-jurisdictional projects.
Under this MOU, the COGS were to survey local jurisdictions’ AB 2766
Programs and to provide outreach and assistance to local governments in
maximizing local AB 2766 Subvention Funds in accordance with their work plans.
The COGs were to also evaluate the success of the pilot project and to provide
recommendations to the Governing Board in their final report.
Findings Sought
Questions to be addressed by the COGs during this pilot project were:
Did the work done by the COGs during this pilot program provide accurate,
more timely information to the local jurisdictions?
Has there been an increase in obligated/subvention fund monies or a
decrease in unobligated fund balances?
Has there been an improvement in emissions reduction reporting?
What emissions reductions were achieved?
Were cooperative projects established?
Was there an increase in more cost-effective projects?
Accomplishments
On behalf of all the COGs, SANBAG submitted an Executive Summary (attached)
which highlights the accomplishments under this MOU. Accomplishments noted were:
Improved Communication. The greatest achievement of the program was
the increased communication between the SCAQMD and the affected
jurisdictions, and the increased assistance individual agencies received.
Jurisdictions were able to gain a heightened understanding of how best to
plan, use, and report AB 2766 projects. The jurisdictions also had an
opportunity to provide comments back to SCAQMD and CARB regarding the tools
they needed to implement what they had learned. In addition, this newfound
partnership provided opportunities for SCAQMD to address these jurisdictions
on other air quality issues outside of AB 2766 (Rule 1190, and
regulation-related legislation, for example).
Leveraging of Funds. The partnership between the COGs and the
SCAQMD has created a unique opportunity to leverage COG funds with SCAQMD
funds.
Baseline Data. Although some jurisdictions elected to retain their
AB 2766 funds until the outcome of the Proposed Rule 1190 series was known,
the COGs were able to collect baseline data for future year comparisons.
Timely and Accurate Annual Reports. Great strides were made with
jurisdictions in regards to the submittal of their FY 1998/1999 annual AB
2766 fund report in the areas of accuracy and timeliness. The COGs provided
workshops to educate the jurisdictions on the reporting software and, as a
result, the majority of the jurisdictions utilized the electronic format.
All of them submitted their reports on time.
Networking. Forums were provided for the jurisdictions to
collectively share current and past program information and talk about
future projects.
Training. Jurisdictions were: educated on various emissions
reduction projects that could be funded with AB 2766 funds; provided tools
and resources to assist them in their project planning and implementation;
trained on the new reporting software; and provided opportunities to receive
one-on-one assistance.
Rule 1190 Series Outreach. All of the COGs provided outreach on the
Rule 1190 series and suggested ways in which to utilize or pool AB 2766
funds to pay for those programs.
Recommendations
Based on work performed throughout the year, as well as ongoing relationships
with these jurisdictions, the COGs made the following recommendations to improve
the effectiveness and implementation of the AB 2766 Program:
Resource Material. To increase efficiency and enhance the outreach
partnership, the COGs suggest that CARB and SCAQMD provide more resource
material, such as detailed examples of worthwhile projects from outside
their county but also in other areas of the State. Additional resources
requested include analysis of emissions reduced and cost effectiveness
averages by jurisdiction, as well as website content on enhancing AB 2766
projects.
Continued Communication. The COGs highly recommend that the
communication continue and increase to other issues in addition to AB 2766.
Ongoing communication would continue with the COG Boards, Committees, and
Staff Working Groups. Communication on AB 2766 would also continue to
include areas of difficulty, successes, usefulness of reporting tools,
training, and promotion of cost effectiveness and high emissions reduction
projects. However, in addition to AB 2766 issues, communication could also
include assistance with rule development, comment/support of legislation,
etc.
Technical Assistance. The COGs recommend continued assistance with
technical issues, as this function should also continue as part of the
outreach project. While the SCAQMD staff provides technical assistance to
the jurisdictions, the COGs can also assist by working more closely with the
jurisdictions from the subregion perspective.
Leveraging Additional Funds. Working with jurisdictions and the
SCAQMD, the COGs can identify funding opportunities and provide that
information in a timely manner back to the jurisdictions.
Rule Development and Implementation. Concerning the SCAQMD 1190
Rule series or any other upcoming Rules that may impact these jurisdictions,
the COGs are ready and able to provide information and assistance.
Pedestrian and Bike Projects. Particularly in the areas of
pedestrian and bicycle projects, there needs to be more support from the
CARB and SCAQMD for jurisdictions to use AB 2766 funds for infrastructure
improvements.
Summary
The Final Reports (attached) were presented to the Mobile Source Committee on
September 22, 2000 for review.
South Coast Air Quality Management District