BOARD MEETING DATE: December 5, 2003
AGENDA NO. 10

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights the October 2003 outreach activities of Public Affairs which include: 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

Background

This report summarizes the activities of Public Affairs for October 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.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE UPDATE

Below is a summary of the Environmental Justice related activities which occurred in October:

Town Hall Meeting

On October 22, the AQMD hosted a Town Hall Meeting in the City of Beaumont. Approximately 40 people attended the meeting to learn what is being done to improve the air quality and protect the public from the effects of air pollution. The meeting was attended by Board Member Ron Loveridge and AQMD executive staff.

Special Projects/Meetings

On October 23, the AQMD hosted the California Air Resources Board meeting, which included a critical hearing to consider a new strategy for the California State Implementation Plan. The hearing was attended by approximately 400 people, including representatives from community, business, government and environmental organizations.

During the period of October 24-31, the region experience a series of wildfires which severely impacted the air quality in many areas. The District developed a series of "Safety Tips" in English and Spanish to provide specific health advisory actions for children, seniors and the general public. A Smoke Advisory Page was created on the AQMD’s website to provide up-to-date information on the Air Quality Index for fine particles, including the health impacts of smoke and precautionary actions to take to minimize exposure.

CEQA Commenting

	Documents received during October 2003:	63
	Requests to AQMD for document review:	0
	Documents to receive AQMD comments:	27
	Comment letters sent out this reporting period:	19

COMMUNITY EVENTS/PUBLIC MEETINGS

Each year, thousands of residents of the South Coast District engage in valuable information exchange through events and meetings which AQMD sponsors, alone and in partnership with others. Information attendees receive includes tips on reducing their exposure to smog and its health effects, ways to participate in AQMD rule and policy development and assistance in resolving air quality-related problems. Highlights of events/activities undertaken during the month of October include:

	On October 15, the AQMD hosted its 15th Annual Clean Air Awards program. This event was attended by 380 people who recognized this year’s nine winners for the significant contributions they’ve made to cleaner air in our region.
	On October 5, the AQMD participated in two "Blow the Whistle on Asthma" walks co-sponsored by the American Lung Association of Orange County and American Lung Association of Inland Counties. The walks helped raise needed funds for asthma education and outreach.

Speakers Bureau/Visitor Services

AQMD receives requests for staff to speak on a variety of air quality-related issues. The requests come from a variety of organizations such as trade associations, chambers of commerce, community-based groups, schools, hospitals, and health-based organizations. 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 that were coordinated by this office in October.

	The AQMD hosted a delegation from the Chinese American Professional Society who received an overview on new technologies to monitor and control air pollution.
	The AQMD hosted a 5-member delegation from the LC-CALTEX Oil Corporation in Korea who heard from AQMD RECLAIM and refinery unit staff. District staff provided an overview on specialty coatings for attendees of the International Business Conference.
	An air quality overview was presented to: Daughters of the American Revolution, South Shore Chapter; Glendora Kiwanis; the American Chemical Society and at the National Chemistry Week Educators Conference at Occidental College.
	An Air Quality and Energy presentation was given to a panel at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. AQMD also hosted a panel on Air Quality: The Future of Regulations and Compliance as part of the Entech West (HazMat Conference) also held in Long Beach.

Communication Center Statistics

The Communication Center handles all AQMD main line, 1-800-CUT-SMOG® line and Spanish line calls. Below is a summary of calls received in October:

	Main Line Calls	6,972
	1-800-CUT-SMOG® Line	6,027
	After Hours Calls*	2,148
	Spanish Line Calls	67
	Total Phone Calls	15,214

*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. Below is a summary for October:

Requests for Information
	Visitor Transactions	513
	Information Packages Mailed	34

Calls
	Calls Received by PIC Staff	506
	Calls to Automated System	13,758
	Total Phone Calls	14,264

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

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

	Conducted 61 free on-site consultations
	Provided assistance in filing 8 requests for variance
	Provided permit application assistance to 176 companies
	Issued 50 clearance letters

Types of business assisted:

	Drycleaners		Construction management companies
	Furniture refinishers		Building management companies
	Auto body repair shops		Screen printers
	Cabinet makers		Water treatment plants
	Restaurants

LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITY (Four-County Area)

AQMD staff provides outreach at monthly Board of Supervisors and City Council meetings. Staff also works with local government, state and federal officials to respond to their air quality concerns and issues. Specific presentations were provided to some of the identified groups on the staff proposals. The following is a sample of the activity conducted during the month of October.

Field Contacts:

	Staff to City of Beaumont
	Staff to City of La Habra
	Staff to City of Murrieta
	Staff to Director of Environmental and Public Works Management, Santa Monica

Staff provided presentations at the following meetings:
 

	Laguna Beach City Council
	Norwalk City Council
	Orange County Board of Supervisors "Walk To School Day" presentation
	Orange County Council of Governments TAC
	Riverside County Asthma Coalition
	Staff to City of Canyon Lake
	Staff to City of Rancho Mirage
	Staff to City of San Dimas
	Upland Chamber of Commerce, Governmental Relations Committee

Chamber of Commerce contacts:
 

	Canyon Lake
	Cerritos
	Coachella Valley
	Colton
	Fontana
	Garden Grove
	Glendora
	Greater Riverside
	Lakewood
	Loma Linda
	Los Alamitos
	Montclair
	Moreno Valley
	Norco
	Ontario
	Redlands
	Rialto
	San Bernardino
	San Dimas
	San Fernando
	Seal Beach
	Walnut
	West Covina
	Yucaipa

School contacts:
 

	Diamond Bar High School
	Inglewood Unified School District

Staff represented AQMD at the following meetings:
 

	Beverly Hills City Council
	Hidden Hills City Council
	League of California Cities/Orange County
	League of Cities/Inland Empire
	Los Alamitos City Council
	Murrieta/Temecula/Lake Elsinore Chambers of Commerce Legislative Affairs    Committee
	State of the Inland Empire Luncheon

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