The Administrative Committee met Friday, July 19, 2002, and reviewed the proposed agenda for the August 2, 2002, Board meeting. The Committee also discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is Friday, August 9, 2002, at 9:30 a.m. in Conference Room
CC-8.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file.
S. Roy Wilson
Administrative Committee
Attendance: Present were Members Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley, Jane Carney, and Mayor Ronald Loveridge, and Members Dr. William Burke and Supervisor Roy Wilson (via videoteleconference). Supervisor Wilson was previously appointed as Chair of this meeting due to Mrs. Glover’s absence. Dr. Burke and Ms. Carney were appointed as ad hoc committee members for this meeting. Absent were Chairman Norma Glover and Vice Chair Hal Bernson.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Board Members’ Concerns: Ms. La Pisto-Kirtley requested staff to report to the Administrative Committee meetings on a quarterly basis regarding the Western Riverside and Orange County COG MOUs regarding progress and specific results of the program, and asked how the COGs will provide outreach. Dr. Wallerstein recommended that the Administrative Committee be provided with a quarterly report to address the two issues. Ms. La Pisto-Kirtley’s request is to ensure that the COGs develop a model that works which may be used elsewhere and to show that the moneys are well spent. Mayor Loveridge asked what the measure of success is. Dr. Wallerstein answered that there is a significant step forward if an enhanced Model Air Quality Element is developed and is considered by cities and counties.. Mayor Loveridge stated that the City of Riverside will develop an air quality element, but the implementation of the element is the difficult part for local government. Dr. Wallerstein explained that a working group will be convened to assist AQMD in this matter and that CARB staff also plans to aggressively engage local government about its land use policies and decisions. The goal of these efforts is to emphasize consideration of air quality impacts and prevention of EJ-related conflicts seen within the four-county area. He continued that an initial model element would be prepared, followed by outreach, providing the opportunity to measure the success by how many cities and counties incorporate this approach in their general plan and whether the actual implementation practices and policies follow. Ms. La Pisto-Kirtley also made inquiry as to how outreach for fleet rules was being conducted.
Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: Barry Wallerstein, Executive Officer, stated that travel requests were approved for Board Member Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta for the California Hydrogen Business Council meeting held in Thousand Palms, CA on June 26-28; the CaFCP Post-2003 Team meeting held in Sacramento, CA on July 9-10; and Hart’s 20th Annual World Fuels Conference to be held in Washington, D.C. on September 24-29. Chairman Glover will travel to Detroit, MI on July 14-17 to visit original equipment manufacturers (Ford, GM, Detroit Diesel) regarding platform and vehicle assembly issues in support of AQMD Fleet Rules; to Austin, TX on July 22-26 to meet with representatives regarding Chairman’s Multi-Regional Alliance for Clean Air; to Washington, D.C. on September 25-27 to attend Hart’s 20th Annual World Fuels Conference; and on October 7-10 to Washington, D.C. to attend the 8th International & 20th National Conference & Exhibition on Natural Gas Vehicles.
Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s): None.
Report of Approved Out-of-Country Travel: None.
Report from Local Government and Small Business Assistance Advisory Group regarding Approval of Small Business Conference: Dr. Wallerstein explained that at the previous Administrative Committee meeting, there was brief discussion regarding a proposal made by Board Member Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta which requested staff conduct a small business conference this fall. Ms. Carney stated she has been in discussion with the Local Government and Small Business Assistance Advisory Group regarding this proposal. Dr. Wallerstein explained that the conference would be held in the latter part of October with 200 – 300 attendees anticipated. The Shilo Inn Hotel was identified as a possible site. Information will be disseminated regarding: AQMD’s small business programs, updates on compliance tools, how to increase small business competitiveness and business retention, strengthening ties with small business, regarding future RFPs and actions, and assistance with activities by other AQMD committees. Ms. Peralta has had an initial conversation with Secretary of Business, Housing & Transportation Maria Contreras-Sweet to possibly be a keynote speaker. The suggested workshop topics would include environmental permit assistance, Environmental Justice issues impacting small business, advanced clean air technologies, equipment leasing/purchasing programs, the calendar regarding upcoming rule making and policies at AQMD, and the procurement process. The target audience would be small businesses, their cities and their Economic Development Agencies and legislative staff. Ms. Peralta has had conversations with a variety of private and public sector businesses regarding potential sponsorship. Possible partners are: CARB, CEC, DOE, EPA and private sector organizations, such as utilities. A suggested registration fee of $30 is recommended to ensure the participants are engaged in the event. The total cost of the conference would be approximately $8,500, but the sponsorships and registration fees would allow the cost for AQMD to be limited to in-kind donation of staff time and materials for the event.
Ms. Carney stated that the current proposal has been refined from the original, which had estimated costs of $50,000 initially. Mayor Loveridge asked why the conference could not be held at AQMD headquarters and why a dinner the evening prior to the event was necessary. Dr. Wallerstein answered that if a hotel were reserved there would be additional space for vendors and agencies to set up booths, and the dinner was to allow speakers and participants to network and organize for the next day’s event. Ms. La Pisto-Kirtley asked if the participants would pay for their own hotel costs, and Dr. Wallerstein answered affirmatively. Ms. La Pisto-Kirtley inquired as to how many speakers are being invited, and Dr. Anupom Ganguli, Public Advisor, answered approximately 10.
Dr. Wallerstein recommended establishing the conference to reserve the hotel and to initiate the arrangements, speakers, etc., but return to the August 9 Administrative Committee meeting with Ms. Peralta providing additional explanations of the importance of the proposed dinner. Dr. Burke asked how many vendors’ booth spaces will be available at the conference, and Dr. Wallerstein responded that was not yet determined. Dr. Burke suggested that Ms. Peralta explain the conference details at the next Administrative Committee meeting or Governing Board meeting regarding the issue related to the dinner. Dr. Wallerstein requested if the Committee Members would be agreeable to approving the Conference at AQMD headquarters and allow Ms. Peralta to seek the Committee’s approval for reserving the hotel and scheduling the dinner at the next Administrative Committee if she still wanted to pursue those arrangements. Such action would ensure the event moving forward with only the location and potential dinner left for future discussion. The Committee agreed. In addition, this item will be placed on the agenda for the August 9 meeting if further discussion is needed.
AUGUST AGENDA ITEMS:
Add and Delete Positions and Establish Classification: Eudora Tharp, Assistant DEO/Administrative & Human Resources, stated that this item is to adjust for changes in the organization for staffing needs, whereby eight positions would be deleted and 11 would be added for an approximate cost of $137,000. Mayor Loveridge asked for clarification of the purpose of these proposed changes. Ms. Tharp answered that some of the actions would be classified as "cleanup" after the reorganization in Public Affairs and other units. Dr. Wallerstein stated that some operations were moved to other units after Marilyn Solomon left and this is to provide effective working efforts. Dr. Wallerstein explained that the Contracts Assistant position would provide assistance with the grant moneys received recently and the significant number of contracts produced. Moved by Loveridge, seconded by La Pisto-Kirtley, and unanimously recommended for
approved.
Recognize Revenue from EPA and Appropriate Prior Year’s Unexpended EPA Grant Section 105 Funds to FY 2002-03 Budget: Rick Pearce, Chief Financial Officer, stated that this item is to carry over funds from last year provided by EPA of $245,000 for five projects and to recognize the revenue. Moved by Carney, seconded by La Pisto-Kirtley, and unanimously recommended for approved.
Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for May 8, 2002 and Recommended Appointments/Reappointments for Membership/and Request for ECAG Breakfast Meeting with Board Members: Attached for information are the Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for May 8, 2002. Dr. Wallerstein stated that the Advisory Group is seeking approval to meet with the Governing Board Members at a breakfast meeting, which will be held in conjunction with a regular Board meeting and scheduled at an appropriate time. The Committee approved scheduling such an event.
Local Government and Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for May 17, 2002, and Recommended Appointments/Reappointments for Membership: Attached for information are the Local Government and Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for May 17, 2002.
Report of RFPs and RFQs Scheduled for Release in August: Rick Pearce stated that the following RFP/Qs were proposed: Short- and Long-Term Systems Development and Maintenance Services, Development of Web-Based Access to Electronic Documents by the Public, Establish List of Prequalified Vendors for Unleaded Fuel, Establish List of Prequalified Vendors for Automotive Mechanical Repair and Service, Establish Lists of Prequalified Vendors for Mailing Services, and Establish List of Prequalified Vendors for Advertising. This item was approved by the Committee Members.
Review August 2, 2002, Governing Board Agenda: This item was approved by the Committee Members.
Other Business: Dr. Wallerstein presented Dr. Chung Liu, DEO/Technology Advancement Office, with a 20-year service award.
Public Comment: Ms. La Pisto-Kirtley stated that the Legislative Committee meeting has been moved to an 8 a.m. time for future meetings and was seeking approval to move the Administrative Committee to a 9 a.m. time. Supervisor Wilson recommended staff inquire if Chairman Glover would consider the time change for future Administrative Committee meetings.
South Coast Air Quality Management District