South Coast Air Quality Management District

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS: 

This report highlights the November 2000 activities of the Public Affairs Office which includes the following activities: Environ-mental Justice Update, Community Events/Public Meetings, Business Assistance, Intergovernmental Affairs and Media Communications. The latest edition of the AQMD Advisor is included with this report.

COMMITTEE: 

Not Applicable.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

The following report reflects the activities of the Public Affairs Office for the month of November. The report format includes five major areas: Environmental Justice Update, Community Events/Public Meetings (including the Speakers Bureau, Visiting Dignitaries and Public Information Center), Business Assistance, Intergovernmental Affairs and Media Communications (including the Communication Center).

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE UPDATE

As of March 2000, the AQMD has met the objectives of the Environmental Justice Initiatives. Policies and Procedures are in place to address the Environmental Justice concerns of communities and individuals.
 

INITIATIVE	ACTIVITY
Town Hall Meetings	A Community Meeting was held in Coachella Valley on Wednesday, December 6, 2000 at the Thousand Palms Community Center located at 31-189 Robert Road.
Ambient Monitoring of Air Toxics	MATES-II and Microscale Study: Completed.
Community Response Teams	Boyle Heights AQMD Staff is working with the California Air Resources Board on a special monitoring project at Hollenbeck Middle School located at 2510 East 6th Street in Los Angeles.
CEQA Commenting	Commenting Reporting Period: September 1-30, 2000 Requests to AQMD for document review:             0 Documents received this reporting period:            50 Documents to receive AQMD comments:            16 Comment letters sent out this reporting period:       9
Environmental Justice Task Force	Completed.
City of Los Angeles Environmental Justice Forum	Completed.
Diesel Fuel Clean-Up Incentives	AQMD is hosting a Clean Vehicle Fleet Rule Symposium in Diamond Bar on December 14, 2000.
Field Inspection Technology	Completed.
Portable Equipment Permitting	Completed.
Public Comment, Rules 1401 and 1402	Completed.

COMMUNITY EVENTS/PUBLIC MEETINGS

Each year, thousands of AQMD customers receive tips on reducing their exposure to smog and its health effects; information on ways to participate in AQMD rule and policy development; and assistance in resolving air quality-related problems through events and meetings which AQMD sponsors alone or with others. The following describes the activities undertaken during November.
 

Date	Location	Description of Activity
11/1	Orange	Spoke with representatives from RR Donnelly who requested information on Adopt-A-School Bus Foundation. Also forwarded information to Bay Area AQMD on same subject.
11/1	Los Angeles	Spoke with staff member from Spanish Trails Girl Scouts who requested air quality information for an upcoming seminar on vehicles and air pollution.
11/2	Los Angeles	Met with representatives of FAME Renaissance at First AME church in Los Angeles to discuss business and community outreach partnerships.
11/5	Los Angeles	Staffed an information table and distributed outreach literature at Breath Games hosted by American Lung Association of Los Angeles County at Cal State Northridge.
11/6	Orange	Attended a steering committee meeting of the Orange County Chapter of the California Regional Environmental Education Community (CREEC) Network at the Santa Ana Zoo to discuss AQMD's role in environmental education outreach in Orange County public schools.
11/14	Los Angeles	Spoke with staff from Asthma & Allergy Foundation re: update on Breathmobile project. Unit is being built and will be ready to roll-out in early January 2001.
11/16	Out of Basin	Teleconference with ARB Monitoring & Analysis staff re: monitoring studies scheduled for Boyle Heights and Wilmington. Focus was on outreach efforts to inform community about ARB’s Community Health Program and SB 25 monitoring program.
11/17	Orange	Spoke with staff member from ALA Orange County regarding future funding for mobile health unit in Orange County.
11/18	Los Angeles	Staffed an information table and distributed outreach materials at a Community Health Fair in Monterey Park attended by more than 300 people.
11/29-30	Headquarters	Helped to staff and organize Public Sectors for Clean Air Conference attended by 180 people.

Events/Conferences Sponsored/Hosted	Participated/Attended
6 / 4	6 / 6

Public Workshops/Notices	Fee Review Requests
4 / 0	2

Speakers Bureau / Visiting Dignitaries / Information Requests

AQMD receives dozens of requests each month from trade associations, chambers of commerce and community-based groups, as well as schools, hospitals and health-based organizations, requesting a District staff member to speak on a variety of air quality-related issues. In turn, the District hosts distinguished visitors from around the world, as well as members of the general public, who visit our headquarters to tour the facility and meet with staff on a wide range of air quality issues. The following describes the major activities handled during November.
 

Date	Location	Description of Activity
11/14	Headquarters	A 12-member delegation of attorneys and lawmakers from Bulgaria on a learning program hosted by Cal Poly Pomona met with Public Affairs staff for a general air quality overview and a tour of AQMD headquarters.
11/15	Headquarters	A 23-member delegation of policymakers from Zhejiang province (China), on a four-month study tour of U.S. environmental policy met with Public Affairs staff for a general discussion of air pollution control and how AQMD fits into the U.S. environmental regulatory framework.
11/17	Headquarters	A five-member delegation from the Auto Exhaust Association of Japan met with Planning, Public Affairs, Transportation and Technology Advancement staffs to compare the differences in vehicle emission control systems in Japan and the U.S.
11/28	Headquarters	A 12-member delegation from the Japan Automobile Research Institute in town for a November 29-30 IQPC Conference in San Diego met with Technology Advancement staff on fuel-cell research and development.
11/29	Riverside	Public Affairs staff spoke to 60 members of the Exchange Club of Magnolia Center for a general air quality overview presentation.

Speaking Requests Received	Presentations (by Public Advisor staff)
7	5
Delegations Hosted	Tours of AQMD Headquarters
4	3

Public Information Center Statistics

The Public Information Center handles the District’s visitors and handles general information phone calls.
 

Visitor Transactions	Info Packages Mailed	Calls Received by PIC Staff	Calls to Automated System	Total Phone Calls Received
350	485	323	4,648	4,971

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

AQMD assists businesses by notifying them of proposed regulations so they can participate in their development by providing one-to-one assistance. Staff also works with other agencies and states to identify efficient, cost-effective ways to reduce air pollution and shares that information broadly.
 

Date	Location	Description of Activity
11/1	Orange	Circuit board manufacturer: Start-up operation. Provided assistance explaining AQMD’s rules and equipment permitting requirements. The owner is traveling to Italy to purchase new equipment.
11/1	Los Angeles	Community Outreach: Staff provided outreach materials and programs to a local Unified School District. As a result, arrangements have been made to give a presentation to 70-100 school principals at the next District meeting.
11/1	Orange	Furniture manufacturer: Company is proposing to relocate due to business growth to a facility with existing permit limits. Provided information on proposed new location which included spray booth usage permit limits.
11/1	Los Angeles	Food processor: Requested assistance applying for modification of an existing boiler permit. Discussed current BACT and provided necessary application forms and quoted fees. Also provided information about District’s express permit processing under Rule 301 (y).
11/1-3	Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino	Various businesses: Staff gave outreach regarding Rule 222-B filing requirements for boilers rated between 1 to 2 million Btu/hr.
11/1-17	Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino	Staff provided air quality clearance letters for companies in the cities and areas of: Brea, Cypress, Glendale, Huntington Beach, Industry, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Rubidoux, Santa Fe Springs, Stanton, Torrance, and Van Nuys.
11/2	Los Angeles	Ship building and repair facility. Provided assistance and explanations in permitting requirements for plasma arc cutting equipment.
11/14	Los Angeles	Precision instrument manufacturer: Opening a facility operating degreasers. Staff conducted on-site visit. Assisted with applicable rules and provided permit application packages.
11/15	Los Angeles	Plating shop: Was issued a Notice of Violation for operating a plating line without a valid permit. Staff provided information on financial assistance through the Fee Review Committee and rule permit requirements.
11/15	Los Angeles	High-rise apartment building: Asked for an on-site consultation to permit two existing boilers operating without an AQMD permit. Staff visited the facility and explained District rules about installing low-NOx burners to comply with BACT requirements. Assisted in filling out application forms and quoted the fees to be submitted.
11/16	San Bernardino	Paint spray booth: Assisted company that is relocating their operations. Discussed permit requirements and applicable exemptions.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS ACTIVITY

Intergovernmental Affairs works with local government, state and federal officials in response to their air quality concerns and local issues.
 

Date	Location	Description of Activity
11/1	San Bernardino	Attended San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) Board Meeting. Discussed the status of the Rule 1190 series rules and alternative fuel infrastructure funding with mayors and council members from Upland, Chino, Fontana, Colton, Montclair, Ontario, and Yucaipa.
11/1	Riverside	Attended Norco City Council Meeting. Discussed the status of the Rule 1190 series rules and alternative fuel infrastructure funding with the mayor and city manager.
11/2	Districtwide	Attended SCAG Implementation and Policy Committees and Regional Council. Discussed the status of the Rule 1190 series rules and alternative fuel infrastructure funding with mayors, council members, and staff from Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Buena Park, Corona, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Hemet, Lake Forest, and Laguna Niguel.
11/2	San Bernardino	Attended Ramona-Alessandro Elementary School PTA meeting regarding impacts potentially related to fueling and maintenance operations at the San Bernardino Omnitrans facility.
11/2	Los Angeles	Conferred with Gateway Cities COG regarding upcoming electronic town hall meeting featuring the MATES II study.
11/2	Los Angeles	Attended League of California Cities Meeting and L.A. County City Selection Committee meeting in Monterey Park.
11/2	Los Angeles	Conferred with management staff from ARB and Los Angeles Division, League of California Cities and with the Executive Directors of COGs for eastern cities in Los Angeles County, ICA and CCCA regarding Clean Vehicle Fleet Rule Symposium on December 14.
11/3	Los Angeles	Conferred with staff from Coro regarding the intern (Fellow) who will be working with IGA from November 15 to December 14.
11/6	Riverside	Attended Western Riverside Council of Governments Executive Committee (WRCOG) Meeting. Discussed the status of the Rule 1190 series rules and alternative fuel infrastructure funding with mayors and council members from Hemet, Norco, Moreno Valley, San Jacinto, and Temecula.
11/7	Orange	Attended Orange County Council of Governments Technical Advisory Committee (OCCOG TAC) Meeting. Discussed the status of the Rule 1190 series rules and alternative fuel infrastructure funding with TAC members from Mission Viejo, La Palma, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Fullerton, and Cypress, as well as with OCCOG staff.
11/7	Los Angeles	Gave presentation on air quality issues to the Santa Clarita City Council at their study session.
11/8	Riverside	Attended Riverside County Transportation Committee Board Meeting. Discussed the status of the Rule 1190 series rules and alternative fuel infrastructure funding with mayors and council members from La Quinta, Palm Desert, Hemet, Moreno Valley, Murrietta, Temecula, and Lake Elsinore.
11/8	Riverside	Attended Canyon Lake City Council Meeting. Discussed the status of the Rule 1190 series rules and alternative fuel infrastructure funding with the mayor, council members, and city manager.
11/8	Riverside	Attended meeting with City of Beaumont Council Members, City Staff, AQMD Compliance Staff and Beaumont residents regarding concerns about emissions from Wholesale Shutter Company.
11/8	Los Angeles	Participated in California Council for Economic and Environmental Balance (CCEEB) meeting.
11/9	Districtwide	Attended Alternative Fuel, Electric Vehicle & Fuel Cell Conference at Ontario Convention Center. Discussed the status of the Rule 1190 series rules and alternative fuel infrastructure funding with elected officials and staff in attendance.
11/9	Orange	Attended Orange County Public Affairs Association Meeting. Discussed the status of the Rule 1190 series rules and alternative fuel infrastructure funding with elected officials and staff in attendance.
11/9	Orange	Attended Orange County Division, League of California Cities General Membership Meeting. Discussed the status of the Rule 1190 series rules and alternative fuel infrastructure funding with mayors and council members from Huntington Beach, Buena Park, Anaheim, Brea, Yorba Linda, Laguna Woods, and Santa Ana.
11/9	Los Angeles	Conferred with Gateway Cities COG regarding upcoming electronic town hall meeting.
11/9	Los Angeles	Conferred with staff to the City of San Marino regarding fleet rule implementation.
11/13	Riverside	Attended Riverside County Division, League of California Cities General Membership Meeting. Discussed the status of the Rule 1190 series rules and alternative fuel infrastructure funding with mayors, council members and city managers from Hemet, Norco, Moreno Valley, Murrietta, Perris, Palm Desert, La Quinta, and Temecula.
11/13	Riverside	Met with the city manager of the City of Beaumont. Discussed new developments related to complaining residents regarding concerns about emissions from a local company.
11/13	Riverside	Met with the mayor and new city manager of the City of Perris regarding the emission limits permitted for a local facility.
11/14	Riverside	Attended Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) Transportation "NOW" Committee Meeting. Discussed the status of their CNG bus order and alternative fuel infrastructure funding with RTA staff, committee members from Corona, Lake Elsinore, and San Jacinto, and with staff of State Senator Ray Haynes and Assembly Members Bruce Thompson and Rod Pacheco.
11/14	Orange	Attended Irvine City Council Meeting. Discussed the Rule 1190 series rules and alternative fuel infrastructure funding with the mayor-elect.
11/14	Sacramento	Gave presentation on Public Affairs and Transportation Programs at legislative briefing.
11/14	Los Angeles	Conferred with City of Pomona staff regarding railroad locomotive emissions.
11/15	San Bernardino	Attended San Bernardino Associated Governments Plans and Programs Committee Meeting. Discussed the program and issues for the upcoming San Bernardino County "City/County Conference."
11/15	Los Angeles	Attended seminar sponsored by the Pat Brown Institute titled "Public Policy Making In a Fragmented Society: Governing California in a New Century."
11/16-17	San Bernardino	Attended San Bernardino City/County Conference. Discussed various air quality matters, including the 1190 Series Rules, fueling infrastructure, Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) "conformity", and local legislative issues with mayors, council members, city managers, and staff from the cities of Chino, Chino Hills, Redlands, Montclair, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Colton, Rialto, Fontana, San Bernardino, and Grand Terrace, and with members of the Board of Supervisors and county staff.
11/16	Los Angeles	Participated in Board of Taxicab Commissioners Meeting in Los Angeles to provide update on AQMD activities.
11/16	Los Angeles	Conferred with staff to L.A. City Councilmember Michael Feuer regarding constituent issue.
11/16	Los Angeles	Conferred with Gateway Cities COG on upcoming Town Hall Meeting.
11/16	Los Angeles	Conducted cities "reminder" campaign for "Public Sectors for Clean Air" Conference on November 29 and 30.
11/20	Los Angeles	Met with Executive Officer and Councilmember Ruth Galanter to discuss constituent issues and the implementation of the fleet rules.
11/21	Los Angeles	Conferred with staff from City of Vernon regarding power generation.
11/21	Los Angeles	Met with staff from City of West Covina regarding AQMD’s role and responsibilities.
11/21	Los Angeles	Conferred with Gateway Cities COG regarding upcoming electronic town hall meeting
11/21-23	Los Angeles	Called offices of Mayors and City Managers for Cities in Los Angeles County to remind re: AQMD’s Public Sectors for Clean Air Conference.
11/22	Los Angeles	Conferred with Mayor of Rosemead regarding Clean Air Conference.
11/22	Los Angeles	Conferred with staff from Orange County COG and League of California Cities regarding COG MOU.
11/22	Los Angeles	Conferred with Redondo Beach City Councilmember regarding AQMD’s fleet rules.
11/27	Los Angeles	Attended SGVCOG Public Works Officer TAC and Environmental Committee Meetings.
11/28	Riverside	Attended Riverside County Board of Supervisors Meeting. Discussed the Rule 1190 series with the Deputy County Administrative Officer.
11/28	Los Angeles	Attended City of Los Angeles Commerce, Energy and Natural Resources Committee meeting for presentation on fuel cells.
11/29	Districtwide	Attended CSAC Conference. Interfaced with county supervisors and staff from around the state. Discussed and answered questions about the Rule 1190 series rules and AQMD actions to imnprove air quality in the region.
11/29	Riverside	Attended Northwest Riverside County Clean Cities Steering Committee Meeting. Participated in planning of their annual event that will occur in February 2001 and answered questions regarding the Fleet Rule implementation.
11/29	Los Angeles	Participated in Public Sectors for Clean Air Conference and reception.
11/29	Los Angeles	Assisted field staff for Assemblymember Gloria Romero with constituent issue.
11/29	Los Angeles	Conferred with Council member for City of Redondo Beach regarding fleet rules.
11/30	San Bernardino	Attended the Baldy View Public/Private Coalition (CLOUT) Meeting. Discussed and answered questions regarding the Rule 1190 series rules and AQMD actions to improve air quality in the region with elected officials, staff, and Chamber of Commerce members from Upland, Chino, Rancho Cucamonga, Claremont, Chino Hills, Ontario, and San Bernardino County.
11/30	San Bernardino	Attended Omnitrans Town Hall Meeting regarding impacts potentially related to fueling and maintenance operations at a local facility adjacent to the Ramona-Alessandro Elementary School.
11/30	Los Angeles	Participated in Public Sectors for Clean Air Conference.
11/30	Los Angeles	Attended San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Executive Board Meeting.
11/30	Los Angeles	Conferred with staff to Assemblymember Robert Pacheco regarding Transportation issue.

MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

The Communications Unit is responsible for informing and educating the public through the media and through the District’s Communication Center.

Press Relations Highlights
 

Date	Media	Description of Activity
11/1	Radio	Interviewed on KZLA Radio (93.9 FM) regarding AQMD-GM Clean Air Partnership and Adopt-A-School-Bus Program.
11/1	All Media	Issued news release concerning final smog season statistics.
11/1	Newspaper	Provided air quality data to the Los Angeles Times.
11/1	Newspaper	Provided information and interview to the Los Angeles Business Journal regarding the affect of the fleet rules on alternative fuel markets in the region.
11/1	Newspaper	Provided information concerning status of permits for the CENCO Refinery project to the Whittier Daily News.
11/1	Newspaper	Provided information on air quality management plan to the Los Angeles Times.
11/1	Newspaper	Provided information to the Los Angeles Times concerning health effects study.
11/1	Newspaper	Provided interview concerning proposed EPA health standards for ozone and PM2.5 to the Los Angeles Times.
11/1	Newspapers/ Radio	Provided smog data to the Los Angeles Times, Daily Breeze and a radio interview on smog season to Metro News Networks.
11/2	Magazine	Provided information on incentives for purchasing clean-fueled cars to Business Week.
11/2	Newspaper	Provided information regarding compliance activities at OH Kruse to the Los Angeles Times.
11/2	Newsletter	Provided information regarding Rule 1612.1 to Inside Cal-EPA.
11/3	Magazine	Provided Business Week with information on alternative fuel programs.

11/3	Newspaper	Provided the Dallas Morning News with information on smog levels.
11/7	Newspaper	Provided the Whittier Daily News with an update on the status of permits for CENCO.
11/7	Newspaper	Provided the Whittier Daily News with information on the Refuse Truck and Alternative Vehicle Loaners Programs.
11/7	Newspaper	Provided the LA Times with information on costs and benefits related to air quality.
11/8	Newspaper	Provided the Los Angeles Times with information regarding weekend smog effect.
11/8	Radio	Provided the American Radio Network with information on the CUT-SMOG smoking vehicle complaint line program.
11/8	Newspaper	Provided the Houston Chronicle with information regarding nitrogen oxide control standards.
11/8	Newspaper	Provided the Beaumont Record-Gazette with information on a meeting concerning a local company.
11/14	Newspaper	Provided information regarding O.H. Kruse hearing to the Los Angeles Times and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.
11/16	Newspaper	Provided the LA Times with information on the Sunshine Canyon Landfill.
11/16	Newsletter	Provided information regarding Rule 1612.1 to Inside Cal-EPA.
11/16	Newspaper	Provided information regarding the Board meeting agenda to the Orange County Register.
11/16	Newspaper	Provided information to the Daily Breeze concerning the AES enforcement case.
11/16	All Media	Issued press release on AES enforcement case.
11/17	Newspaper	Provided information to the Business Press on bio-diesel fuel.
11/17	All Media	Issued November Board Summary.
11/17	Newspaper	Provided interview to the Daily Breeze concerning the AES enforcement case.
11/17	Radio	Provided information on Board meeting to Metro Networks News.
11/21 & 22	Newsletter/ Newspaper	Provided information on AES case to Megawatt Daily, California Energy Markets, Energy Argus, McGraw-Hill, Coal and Energy Outlook, the Easy Reader, Derry News, and Environmental News Online.

11/22	Newspaper	Provided information on the Inland Empire Utility Agency to the Chino Champion.
11/28	Newspaper	Provided more information to the Chino Champion on the Chino composting facility.
11/28	Newspaper	Provided information to Orange County Register on AQMD CEQA comments on Tustin base reuse.
11/28	News Service/ Newsletter	Provided information to the Associated Press and BNA Publications regarding the national conference.
11/28	Newsletters	Provided information on RECLAIM Advisory Committee meeting to Inside Cal-EPA.
11/29	Newspaper	Provided information to Los Angeles Daily News on Public Sectors Conference.
11/29	Internet	Provided information to Office.com on weekend smog.
11/29	Newspaper	Provided information to San Bernardino County Sun on smog season.
11/29	News Service	Provided an interview to the Associated Press regarding air quality progress.
11/29	Newsletters	Provided information to Energy Argus and Megawatt Daily concerning status of AES case.
11/29	Newspaper	Provided information to the High Desert Sun regarding Alternative Fuel Vehicle Demonstration program.
11/29	Newspaper	Provided information to the Los Angeles Times regarding clean fleet rules.
11/29	Newspaper	Provided information and interview to the Los Angeles Times regarding the AES case.
11/29	Newspaper	Provided information to the Los Angeles Times concerning wood smoke.
11/30	Newsletter	Provided information to Air Daily on fleet rules.
11/30	Newspaper	Provided information to Riverside Press-Enterprise on MSRC.
11/30	Newspapers	Provided information to the Daily Breeze and Contra Costa Times on the AES case.
11/30	Newspaper	Provided information and interview to the Whittier Daily News regarding issuance of permits to CENCO.

Communication Center Statistics

The Communication Center handles all District main line, CUT-SMOG line and Spanish line calls.
 

Main Line Calls	CUT-SMOG Line	After Hours Calls*	Spanish Line Calls	Total Phone Calls
7,058	4,049	2,435	75	15,666

*Saturday, Sunday and after 9:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

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