BOARD MEETING DATE: January 11, 2002
AGENDA NO. 13

Administrative Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Administrative Committee met Friday, December 14, 2001, and reviewed the proposed agenda for the January 11, 2002, Board meeting. The Committee also discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is Friday, January 18, 2002, 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, Board Chair William Burke, and Members Jane Carney (appointed by Dr. Burke as a member for this meeting only), Ronald Loveridge, and Roy Wilson (via videoteleconference). Also in attendance was Board Member Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta. Absent were Committee Vice Chair Hal Bernson and Member Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

18. Closed Session: This item was taken out of order; Burke moved, Carney seconded. Arlene Prater, outside legal counsel for Best Best & Krieger noted necessity to recess to closed session for the following: Public Employee Performance Evaluations pursuant to Government Code Section 54957. Employees are Executive Officer and District Counsel; and Conference with Labor Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6. Agency designated representatives are Eudora Tharp and Arlene Prater; unrepresented employees are Executive Officer, District Counsel, and Designated Deputies. Closed session began at 9:43 a.m. and ended at 10:25 a.m. There was no reportable action.
    
    
1. Board Members’ Concerns: Dr. Burke requested Board Assistants be reimbursed with a $50-100 monthly allowance for incoming cell phone calls that are AQMD related. Committee Chair Glover stated this item needs to be reviewed prior to it being brought to the Committee.

Dr. Burke left the meeting at 10:28 a.m.

2. Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: Barry Wallerstein, Executive Officer, stated that a travel request was approved for Dr. Burke to attend the Advanced Automotive Battery Conference to be held in Las Vegas, NV on February 4-7, 2002.
   
   
3. Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s): None at this meeting, but Mrs. Glover requested that Lara Davies’ contract be increased to $45,000 and be brought to the January 18, 2002, Administrative Committee meeting for approval.
   
   
4. Out-of-Country Travel: None.
   
   
5. Discussion Regarding Revised AQMD Mission Statement, Significant Goals, Objectives, and Accomplishments Achieved: Dr. Wallerstein explained that AQMD’s mission statement and vision report will be revised to be directed to the general public to highlight accomplishments for the previous year and to report major accomplishments sought for the next year, which will be more along the lines of the City of Riverside’s report. Mayor Loveridge agreed to the revised format. Dr. Wallerstein requested District Counsel’s opinion regarding the limitation of distribution of publication, which, as stated by Barbara Baird, does not affect this report as only the roster is listed pertaining to the Board Members.

DECEMBER AGENDA ITEMS:

6. Establish List of Prequalified Vendors and Issue Purchase Orders for Purchase of Compressed Pure Gases and Cryogenic Liquids: Henry Hogo, Assistant DEO/Science & Technology Advancement, stated that this item is to establish a list of prequalified vendors to purchase compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids used in laboratory analysis for chemical sampling with seven vendors on the list for a two-year period for an amount not to exceed $60,000 annually. Moved by Wilson, seconded by Glover, and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
7. Allocate Funds to Assist in the Purchase of Natural Gas Vehicles for Taxicab Services: Mr. Hogo stated that six taxicab organizations are requesting to purchase natural gas vehicles (Ford Crown Victorias), which would provide emission reductions per Rule 2202. Staff is recommending the use of the third quarter Rule 2202 funds for the purchase of 309 natural gas vehicles. Dr. Wallerstein added that since Ford requires orders to be placed early in the year for this type of vehicle, approval is now being sought for this item. Mrs. Glover stated that a great deal of pride goes with this program. Moved by Glover, seconded by Mrs. Carney, and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
8. Strategic Plan for Information Management: Chris Marlia, Assistant DEO/Information Management, described the resources and equipment necessary to maintain AQMD’s programs to be kept up-to-date as they relate to Information Management’s five-year Strategic Plan. This item was unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
9. Approval of Initial Task Orders for Ethnic Community Outreach: Marilyn Solomon, DEO/Public Affairs & Transportation Programs, explained there are four task orders requested by staff requiring approval. The task orders involve community outreach using social marketing techniques to achieve the following objectives: raising the visibility of AQMD as a voice for clean air, improving the public’s knowledge of effects of air pollution, and building partnerships with the general public as well as ethnic and underserved communities.
   
   Ms. Solomon stated Vons and their clean fleet would be partnered for advertising purposes in the Asian communities using Imada Wong. The messages will be placed on various products.
   
   Ms. Solomon stated that Oralia Michel, together with Toyota, will be targeting the Latino community through soccer leagues and tournaments with a splashover to larger communities. Staff will ensure the material is prepared in both English and Spanish.
   
   RCA Associates will target the African-American community, as well as Latino, especially as it relates to asthma in children, with health awareness programs being scheduled.
   
   Strategy Workshops would be forming Clean Air Assemblies to inform the public regarding rules and programs initiated by AQMD and introducing the public to AQMD’s successes through various publications. The consultant will upgrade the website to be more interactive and make the 1-800-CUTSMOG number more prominent. Currently, surveys indicate 75% of the public is unaware of the 800-CUTSMOG function. Mrs. Glover commented that the CEO of American Express should also be contacted and that communicating through soccer groups is a good way of spreading the message.
   
   Mayor Loveridge thanked staff for the poll that was previously distributed and requested that the SCAG State of the Region Report be provided to each Board Member. He asked what the status was of the Environmental Justice Program, and Dr. Wallerstein answered that a memo will be forwarded to the Governing Board Members updating them on this issue. Dr. Wallerstein commented that AQMD is more advanced than its counterparts in this area.
   
   Mayor Loveridge stated he liked the idea of social marketing, but asked how the social behaviors of citizens can be modified regarding air quality related issues. Ms. Solomon answered that a list of 25 ideas will be used in public service announcements to assist in building partnerships to clean the air.
   
   Ms. Verdugo-Peralta mentioned she did not want to alienate Hispanics that were non-Spanish speaking or do not participate in soccer, but that she liked the idea of RCA using celebrities, which is a powerful tool, and not to exclude ethnic professionals, chambers, associations, or schools. Ms. Solomon stated that children’s museums will be utilized in this regard. Moved by Verdugo-Peralta, seconded by Glover, and unanimously recommended for approval.

Supervisor Wilson left the meeting at 11:15 a.m.

JANUARY AGENDA ITEMS:

10. Audit for FY Ended June 30, 2001: Rick Pearce, Chief Financial Officer, stated that this is an annual audit conducted to review AQMD’s financial operations and statements. Mr. Pearce introduced Grace Nguyen of Simpson & Simpson, who reported that this audit covered the period ending June 30, 2001, to review whether AQMD’s financial programs and controls are in compliance. The audit concluded with an unqualified status, which is the highest and best rating possible. Moved by Loveridge, seconded by Verdugo-Peralta, and unanimously recommended for approval.
    
    
11. Amend Contract with Ecotek, MST Solutions, Inc. for Privatization of Portions of Annual Emissions Reporting Program: Laki Tisopulos, Assistant DEO/Planning, Rule Development & Area Sources, explained staff is recommending to amend the contract with Ecotek to exercise the option to renew the second year of a three-year contract in an amount not to exceed $390,000. This firm has been assisting AQMD with privatizing portions of the annual emissions reporting system, redesigning forms, conducting public outreach, and upgrading the reporting systems. By using this firm, staff has had resources available to conduct audits on more than 150 companies, which has identified $250,000 that was undercharged and $125,000 that was overcharged. Moved by Glover, seconded by Loveridge, and unanimously recommended for approval.
    
    
12. Report on Major Projects for Information Management Scheduled to Start During Last Six Months of FY 2001-02: Mr. Marlia stated that this report is to provide the Board with the list of projects to be implemented in January through June 2002. Moved by Loveridge, seconded by Carney, and unanimously recommended for approval.
    
    
13. Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for October 10, 2001: Attached for information are the Ethnic Community Advisory Group minutes for the October 10, 2001 meeting.
    
    
14. Local Government and Small Business Advisory Group Minutes for October 5, 2001: Attached for information are the Local Government and Small Business Advisory Group Minutes for the October 5, 2001 meeting.
    
    
15. Review January 11, 2002, Governing Board Agenda: This item was approved by the Committee.
    
    
16. Other Business: None.
    
    
17. Public Comment: None.

Mayor Loveridge left at 11:27 a.m.

Meeting adjourned at 11:28 a.m.

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