The Administrative Committee met Friday, June 8, 2001, and reviewed the proposed agenda for the July 20, 2001, Board meeting. The Committee also discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is Friday, July 13, 2001, 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 Board Member Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley. Also in attendance were Chairman Burke and Board Member Roy Wilson (via videoteleconference). Absent were Board Members Ron Loveridge and Hal Bernson.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Board Member Concerns: None.
Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: Barry Wallerstein, Executive Officer, reported that Chairman Burke approved the following travel: Ms. Verdugo-Peralta’s attendance at the California Fuel Cell Power Generation Collaborative Core Group meeting held in Sacramento, CA on June 5; and Mrs. Glover’s trip on June 11-13 to meet with FERC, administration officials and congressional members in Washington, D.C., regarding the electricity crisis. Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley, seconded by Burke, and unanimously recommended for approval.
Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s): Mrs. Glover requested Lara Davies’ contract be approved for FY 2000-01 effective June 7; and Board Assistant contracts for FY 2001-02 are being recommended for renewal. Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley, seconded by Glover, and unanimously recommended for approval.
Out-of-Country Travel: None, but Dr. Wallerstein stated staff has received a request from the Chilean Government to speak in the latter part of summer on AQMD’s MATES II Study and monitoring and toxic air contaminants as related to diesel exhaust.
JUNE AGENDA ITEMS
Proposal to Contract with American Lung Association to Administer the Adopt-A-School Bus Foundation: Dr. Wallerstein explained that with Dr. Burke’s suggestion the Board established a nonprofit entity called Adopt-A-School Bus Foundation to raise private sector funding to lower emissions in school buses. Donations from General Motors, Texaco, and Pickens Fuel Corporation have already been received and currently AQMD’s staff has been providing administrative support for this group. This proposal would ensure the further separation of AQMD staff from the Foundation Board and prevent any potential perception of conflict. Because of time constraints for current Board Members of this Foundation and the potential conflict of interest in sending AQMD staff to raise funds, staff is recommending the American Lung Association administer the Foundation, as justified by its experience in nonprofit operations and fund raising. AQMD’s Governing Board previously designated $1 million to the Adopt-A-School Bus Foundation Board, which would designate a portion of the money to the American Lung Association to be used to hire two staff members to administer the program. Mrs. Glover and Dr. Burke expressed their concern regarding the oversight of the money to ensure the majority is used for actual bus cleanup rather than administrative support purposes. Dr. Wallerstein stated that AQMD’s Governing Board would stipulate the maximum amount to be utilized from the money toward a contract amount of no more than $195,000 per year for a two-year period. Mrs. Glover stated she did not want to have a similar situation occur as has with other nonprofit organizations where the money is largely spent on support personnel. Dr. Wallerstein stated he would obtain assistance from District Counsel to prepare a Board letter pertaining to the transfer of funds for Foundation administration. Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley with the stipulation that there is adequate protection in the transfer of the money, seconded by Glover, and unanimously recommended for approval.
Execute Contract to Purchase Automated Gas Chromatograph System for Speciation and Measurement of Ambient Volatile Organic Compounds: Mel Zeldin, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer, Science and Technology Advancement, stated this purchase is for the analysis of VOCs and air toxics to support the PAMS Program funded through annual federal grant. Staff is recommending the contract be awarded to Entec for a maximum of $110,000. Dr. Burke asked if the contract was being awarded to the lowest bidder or to the company with the best equipment, and Mr. Zeldin answered that rigorous requirements were met and the lowest bidder is being recommended. Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley, seconded by Glover, and unanimously recommended for approval.
Execute Contract for Medical Services Provider: Jim Redmond, Human Resources Manager, explained that the contract will cover a three-year period not to exceed $25,000 per year beginning July 1 and recommends Kaiser Permanente be awarded the contract based on the numerous sites they have available for staff to visit and the significant expertise they have in pre-employment physicals, medical evaluations, first aid, and workers’ compensation treatment. Mrs. Glover stated she appreciated staff’s inclusion of the various geographical locations making it very accessible for employees. Moved by Glover, seconded by LaPisto-Kirtley, and unanimously recommended for approval.
Approve Grants to Public School Districts and Joint Power Authorities to Purchase Lower-Emitting Diesel and Alternative Fuel School Buses and Infrastructure under Lower-Emission School Bus Replacement and Retrofit Program for FY 2000-01: Based on the following criteria in a lottery system (population in the county, income level, exposure level to PM and diesel exhaust, and how many CNG buses are to be used), applications were received for 410 CNG buses and 420 diesel buses located in 45 school districts. There is $16 million available using the State’s guidelines of school districts paying a 1:5 match ($25,000 per bus out of the total cost of $125,000). Mrs. Glover wondered how AQMD would receive the State’s $5 million if the traps have not yet been certified by ARB; Dr. Liu answered that this money is designated for newer intermediate diesel buses. Dr. Wallerstein explained that the money will be available to be used by the school districts even though ARB has not yet certified the traps for retrofitting. Dr. Burke remarked on the financial status of Ceryx and was concerned that funds not go toward support of their overhead. Mrs. Glover suggested caution be used in awarding this contract. Mrs. Glover stated that Huntington Beach and Newport Beach residents feel the AES plant will be polluting the area once they become active and the criteria selected should have included lower-emitting buses for this area. Dr. Burke questioned why there is an economic need component in the evaluation in awarding these school buses. Dr. Wallerstein explained that the Governing Board approved the criteria as follows: 20 points for comparative exposure to diesel cancer risk, 20 points for comparative PM10 concentration, and 30 points for the percent of students on the free meal program, which would correlate with students in these areas having less access to medical care. Dr. Wallerstein mentioned that prior to expending funds for retrofit equipment, AQMD would be reviewing a variety of technologies. Supervisor Wilson asked how AQMD determined whether CNG or lower-emission diesel buses would be purchased, and Dr. Liu answered that decisions were based on the application submitted. Supervisor Wilson asked why CNG was not being encouraged for use, and Dr. Wallerstein answered that if money is not available to purchase CNG buses, then lower-emission diesel would be selected and AQMD would provide the funding for the differential. There was discussion regarding the receipt of applications for 400 CNG buses with funding available for only 100. The State program prescribes that the school provide $25,000 towards the purchase of a school bus which costs $125,000, but then an old school bus would have to be scrapped. Dr. Wallerstein stated that at the June 15 Board meeting it will be recommended by staff that the first $25 million to be received from 1309.1 revenues will be used for retrofit purposes, but the final direction to staff will be made by AQMD’s Governing Board. Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley, seconded by Glover, and unanimously recommended for approval.
JULY AGENDA ITEMS
Establish List of Prequalified Providers of Temporary Employment Services: Lindsey Wright, Human Resources Manager, stated that staff is recommending establishment of a list of prequalified providers for temporary office/clerical, field and technical, computer services, and laboratory analysis. Dr. Burke asked for clarification on whether any of the providers are minorities, and requested this item be continued to next month’s meeting. Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley to continue this item to the July Administrative Committee meeting, seconded by Glover, and unanimously recommended for approval.
Amend Contract for Lease of South Bay Field Office: Sylvia Oroz, Business Services Manager, stated that this action is to amend the contract for a five-year period to lease office space through Grubb & Ellis for $1.45 per square foot (in a location with an average of $1.55 per square foot). Mrs. Glover commended Ms. Oroz on the fantastic job she has done on the building. Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley; seconded by Glover, and unanimously recommended for approval.
Report on Major Projects for Information Management Scheduled to Start During First Six Months of FY 2001-02: Chris Marlia, Assistant DEO/Information Management, stated this is a receive and file report related to major projects that are brought to the Board in January and July for approval. Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley, seconded by Burke, and unanimously recommended for approval.
Authorize Purchase of PeopleSoft, Oracle, and LibertyNet Software Support: Mr. Marlia stated this item, as presented on his status report to the Board of major projects to begin in the first six months of FY 2001-02, is to continue maintenance support on particular software packages for payroll and human resources and document imaging. Dr. Burke asked what software is being used to back up AQMD’s systems, what the end product is of imaging documents, and how often the information is backed up. Mark Henninger, Information Systems Manager, stated that documents are stored on a hard drive nightly then backed up every week, and subsequently moved off-site for disaster recovery purposes. Dr. Burke asked if the Xerox system was reviewed whereby they back up a company’s system on-site. Mr. Henninger stated that the current system was evaluated three years ago and the contract renewed because it was not cost effective to change to a new system. Mr. Marlia stated that the technology can be evaluated next year. Dr. Wallerstein stated that staff will meet with Xerox representatives to review their system shortly. Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley, seconded by Glover, and unanimously recommended for approval.
Authorize Purchase of Desktop Computer, Mini Computer, Network, and Phone System Hardware: Mr. Marlia stated that replacement purchases are made on a quarterly basis and brought to the Board for approval based on the approved budget. Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley, seconded by Glover, and unanimously recommended for approval.
Recognize and Appropriate Funds for PAMS, National Air Toxics Pilot, and PM2.5 Monitoring Programs: Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley, seconded by Glover, and unanimously recommended for approval.
Review July 20, 2001, Governing Board Agenda: Dr. Wallerstein stated that a slightly revised agenda has been provided to members, which extends Rule 1610 (vehicle scrapping program) for an additional 90 days to enable CARB and specialty parts manufacturers to work on an agreement to cross-reference specific language. Moved by Burke, seconded by LaPisto-Kirtley, and unanimously recommended for approval.
Other Business: None.
Public Comment: None.
Meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.
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This page updated:
August 13, 2004
URL: http://www.aqmd.gov/hb/2001/010730a.html
South Coast Air Quality Management District