BOARD MEETING DATE: April 4, 2003
AGENDA NO. 17

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS: 

This report highlights the February 2003 outreach activities of Public Affairs which includes: Environmental Justice Update, Community Events/Public Meetings, Business Assistance, and Local Governmental Activity.

COMMITTEE: 

Not Applicable

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

The attached report reflects the activities of Public Affairs for February 2003. The report includes four major areas: Environmental Justice Update; Community Events/Public Meetings (including the Speaker's Bureau, Visitor Services, Communications Center, and Public Information Center); Business Assistance; and Local Governmental Activity.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT
February 2003

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE UPDATE:

Environmental Justice Activities for the month of February.

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, and in partnership with others. Following are highlights of events/activities that were undertaken during the month of February.
 

ACTIVITY

Participated in Lantern Festival in Monterey Park on February 15. Approximately 50,000 attended the event that celebrates Chinese New Year. AQMD staff provided air quality information in English and Chinese to event participants and recruited members for the Clean Air Congress.

Celebrated African American Heritage on February 7-9. The African American Heritage Youth Village, in the City of Los Angeles at Leimert Park, was part of a citywide celebration to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. AQMD participated in the event and distributed air quality information to attendees and recruited members for the Clean Air Congress.

SPEAKERS BUREAU/VISITOR SERVICES

AQMD receives requests from trade associations, chambers of commerce and community-based groups, as well as schools, hospitals, and health-based organizations for AQMD staff to speak on a variety of air quality-related issues. The AQMD also hosts visitors from around the world who meet with staff on a wide range of air quality issues. The following describes the types of activities coordinated by this office during February.
 

SPEAKERS

Outreach Presentation to Garden Grove High School, including a tour of the chemical laboratory and recruited members for the Clean Air Congress.

Los Angeles Trade Tech College tour (including high school students and 5 teachers/faculty staff). Provided overview presentation of the District and a tour of the chemical laboratory and recruited members for the Clean Air Congress.

COMMUNICATION CENTER STATISTICS

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

February 2003

Main Line Calls	Cut-Smog Line	After Hours Calls*	Spanish Line Calls	Total Phone Calls
5,405	3,125	2,425	69	11,909

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

PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTER STATISTICS

The Public Information Center handles phone calls and walk-in requests for general information.

February 2003

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

AQMD assists businesses by notifying them of proposed regulations so they can participate in their development, and works with other agencies and states to identify efficient, cost-effective ways to reduce air pollution and shares that information broadly. Staff also provides personalized assistance to small businesses both over the phone and by on-site consultation.

The following are examples of the types of businesses we help, and the services provided.

EXAMPLES

Conducted 83 on-site consultations.

Provided assistance in filing five requests for variance.

Provided permit application assistance to 95 companies.

Issued 38 clearance letters.

Provided courtesy phone calls to expired permit holders and retained 48 permits.

Examples of businesses that were assisted include:

Drycleaners

Furniture Refinishers

Auto Body Repair Companies

Cabinet Makers

Building Management Companies

Construction Management Companies

Screen Printers

Water Treatment Plants

Restaurants

LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITY (Four-County Area)

Staff provides outreach at monthly Board of Supervisors and City Council meetings as well as working with local government, state and federal officials in response to their air quality concerns and local issues. The following is a sample of the type of issues dealt with during the month of February.
 

Represented AQMD at the San Bernardino Board of Supervisors’ meeting.

Represented AQMD and provided brief presentation on AQMD at the following city council meetings: Beaumont, Redlands, Yucaipa, and Chino.

On-going conferences with Los Angeles councilmember regarding constituent issue in the North Valley.

Represented AQMD at the SANBAG Board of Director’s meeting.

Attended the Riverside County Board of Supervisor meeting.

Met with Pico Rivera city staff regarding resolving constituent issue.

Represented AQMD at the Los Angeles Division of the California League of Cities.

Meetings with executive staff at the following cities for the City Executive Outreach Programs: La Verne, Chino Hills, San Bernardino, Torrance, Artesia, and Santa Monica.

Participated in a press event at LADWP regarding a Wind Power Program.

Met with El Monte Councilmember regarding constituent issue.

Conference with staff from the city of Santa Clarita regarding constituent issue.

Attended the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber’s Government Relations Committee Meeting.

Attended the Western Riverside Council of Government’s Technical Advisory Committee meeting.

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