BOARD MEETING DATE: March 1, 2002
AGENDA NO. 32

Administrative Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Administrative Committee met Friday, February 8, 2002, and reviewed the proposed agenda for the March 1, 2002, Board meeting. The Committee also discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is Friday, March 8, 2002, at 9:30 a.m. in Conference Room CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Dr. William A. Burke
Administrative Committee

Attendance: Present were Members Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley, Ronald Loveridge, and William Burke and Roy Wilson (via videoteleconference). Also in attendance was Board Member Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta. Absent were Committee Chair Norma Glover and Vice Chair Hal Bernson. Dr. Burke was appointed as Chair of this Committee for this meeting.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Board Members’ Concerns: None.
   
    
2. Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: Barry Wallerstein, Executive Officer, stated that travel requests were approved for Chairman Glover for the following: meet with the Department of Energy’s Secretary in Washington D.C. on January 27-29; attend a meeting with CARB Chairman Allan Lloyd and other elected/ appointed officials on February 20 in Sacramento; and meet with congressional and legislative staff members regarding funding issues in Washington D.C. on March 3-5.
   
    
3. Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s): None.
   
    
4. Out-of-Country Travel: None.
   
    
5. Status Report on Outreach Program and Approval of Task Orders: Marilyn Solomon, DEO/Public Affairs and Public Advisor, stated that task orders have been approved for the four contractors providing assistance, and they are progressing with their tasks for the period covering FY 2002-03. Dr. Burke requested details of the task orders. Ms. Solomon explained that the first task order is to set up a partnership with AQMD and Vons to conduct outreach to the Asian community; the next involves plans for Dr. Peters at USC together with the National Institute of Environmental Health and Sciences to conduct a symposium targeting the African-American community to review respiratory problems in young children; and the last will begin outreach to the Latino community using the approach of soccer athletes. Dr. Wallerstein explained that these task orders previously went to the Board, and that other concepts are being considered by staff to be reviewed by the Administrative Committee prior to going to the Board for final approval.
   
   Dr. Burke asked what amount of money is being provided to the contractors to conduct the tasks with Vons, and Ms. Solomon answered the total amount is estimated at $45,000, which may involve television advertising and giveaways. She continued that a detailed budget is still being developed for each of these projects. Dr. Burke requested information regarding what will be accomplished with the $45,000 and what the time frame is. Dr. Wallerstein stated he would provide Dr. Burke with the task orders and timeline.

MARCH AGENDA ITEMS:

6. Continue Current Contracts with Strategy Workshop and TLC MediaWorks for Media Relations and Public Relations Services: Marilyn Solomon briefed the Committee regarding the contracts that will be expiring on March 9, 2002. Staff is requesting the contracts be continued. She stated that the contract for Strategy Workshop is for $120,000 and TLC MediaWorks for $75,000. Dr. Wallerstein explained that Strategy Workshop has provided assistance regarding the adoption of fleet rules in arranging a set of editorial Board interviews and additional press regarding the Board’s consideration of the fleet rules, and also assisted with the International Clean Air Conference and many other aspects of our media program. Regarding TLC MediaWorks, firm principal Laurence Cohen has been involved with the Clean Air Choice sticker program, clean air initiatives, and secured a lengthy public radio feature regarding the dry/wet cleaning processes. The contractors have augmented AQMD staff in providing full coverage in the media area. Ms. La Pisto-Kirtley requested a list of tasks and accomplishments of the contractors be provided to Committee members prior to the Committee approving the renewal of contracts. Dr. Burke stated he has noticed a dramatic change in public relations at AQMD while using these two contractors and wondered what the chances are of downsizing the internal press operation and specifically using contractors since they seem to be more effective. Dr. Wallerstein stated that he believes a blend of outside consultants with internal staff would be the best formula as staff would be available to handle day-to-day activities and outside contractors would be able to provide AQMD with assistance with projects at a different level, such as scheduling an interview with a cable TV show for Chairman Glover. Ms. Solomon stated that she has seen a tremendous amount of professional growth in internal staff since her time here at AQMD and that current external contractors support staff. Dr. Wallerstein added that contractors have many personal and business contacts that assist AQMD. Dr. Wallerstein suggested attaching a one-page summary listing the accomplishments made by both contractors with additional information discussed today to be included in the final Board letter. Mayor Loveridge asked for the rationale of additional funds, and Dr. Wallerstein answered that the Governing Board has assigned many projects for staff to complete, including initiatives and conferences, that require a lot of media contact in order to obtain maximum benefits of these events. Moved by Burke, seconded by La-Pisto Kirtley, and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
    
7. Appropriate Funds and Reissue RFQ to Purchase Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer System: Henry Hogo stated that staff is requesting the Board’s approval to reissue an RFQ to replace a 15-year old system. The funding of up to $120,000 would come from CARB’s extension of funds provided to AQMD for compliance purposes. Moved by Wilson, seconded by La Pisto-Kirtley, and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
    
8. Authorize Purchase of Desktop Standard Office Software: Chris Marlia, Assistant DEO/Information Management, stated that this item is being continued to the April Board agenda.
   
    
9. Establish Classification and Add and Delete Positions: Eudora Tharp, Assistant DEO/Administrative and Human Resources, explained that the Board’s Personnel Committee has recommended establishing a position to assist the District Counsel with the heavy workload in reviewing and providing legal counsel on a wide range of matters. The new attorney classification, Principal Deputy District Counsel, with a top-step salary of $110,476, could serve in either District Counsel or District Prosecutor Offices as the primary backup on the most complex and sensitive legal work and to provide day-to-day direction to the attorneys and support staff. This recommendation is to delete a Senior Deputy District Counsel position in District Counsel’s office and to add a Principal Deputy District Counsel. The new position would be filled by internal promotion, so there would be no net increase in staffing. The approximate annual cost of the recommendation is $4,933. Moved by Loveridge, seconded by La-Pisto Kirtley, and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
    
10. Report of RFPs and RFQs Scheduled for Release in March: RFP for Travel Agency Services. Moved by La Pisto-Kirtley, seconded by Loveridge, and unanimously recommended for approval.
    
     
11. Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for December 18, 2001 and Recommended Appointments/Reappointments for Membership: Dr. Wallerstein stated that this is a monthly report and includes the Ethnic Community Advisory Group minutes for the December 18, 2001 meeting and a recommendation to appoint Michael Robbins to the Advisory Group. Ms. Verdugo-Peralta asked about previously pending recommendations, and Dr. Wallerstein answered that Chairman Glover will be reviewing the Board’s Committee memberships through the Blue Ribbon Committee so that a recommendation may be brought to the April Board meeting for approval. Moved by Loveridge, seconded by La Pisto-Kirtley, and unanimously recommended for approval.
    
     
12. Local Government and Small Business Advisory Group Minutes for November 2, 2001 and Recommended Appointments/Reappointments for Membership: Attached for information is the Local Government and Small Business Advisory Group minutes for the November 2, 2001 meeting.
    
     
13. Review March 1, 2002, Governing Board Agenda: Moved by La Pisto-Kirtley, seconded by Wilson, and unanimously recommended for approval.
    
     
14. Other Business: None.
    
     
15. Public Comment: Ray Whitmer, Teamsters representative, who represents the Office Clerical and Maintenance and Technical & Enforcement bargaining units, stated that the Teamsters will begin the process of contract negotiations this morning and are looking forward to a productive set of negotiations to bring about an agreement that would be acceptable to both the membership and Board Members. He stated that the relationship with the Board Members has improved since the last bargaining session held, due to Dr. Wallerstein’s positive attitude. The Teamsters’ key issue for these negotiations is health and welfare and the rising cost of medical premiums. Mr. Whitmer said he felt very good about the process and the approach being taken.

Mayor Loveridge left the meeting at 10:17 a.m.

Meeting adjourned at 10:18 a.m.

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