BOARD MEETING DATE: January 10, 2003
AGENDA NO. 18

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS: 

This report highlights the November 2002 outreach activities of the Public Affairs Office which includes the following: 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 the Public Affairs Office for the month of November 2002. The report format 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.

November 2002

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE UPDATE:

In September 2002, the Governing Board approved the Environmental Justice Program Enhancements for FY 2002-2003 The 23-point enhancements will serve as the basis for further outreach and problem-solving activities to address both short-term and long-term environmental justice issues.

A summary of Environmental Justice activities undertaken by Public Affairs will be enclosed with future reports.

Environmental Justice Activities for the Month of November
 

Town Hall Meeting	A meeting was held on November 13 in Placentia (Orange County). Approx. 25 people attended and received an update on air quality in their area. Executive staff attended to hear, and address, the public’s air quality concerns.
Special Projects/Meetings	(1)Two meetings were held for stakeholders to provide staff with input on potential approaches to rulemaking regarding cumulative impacts of air toxics. Staff will provide the Board with a White Paper on this topic at its January meeting. (2) Hosted meeting to receive input on enhanced outreach for Title V facilities in our region. (3) Assisted Toxics group with AB2588 bilingual notification
CEQA Commenting	• Document received during    November 2002 Requests to AQMD for document     review:                               55 Documents to receive AQMD     comments:                          31 Comment letters sent out this     reporting period:                  13

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 November.
 

Attended 50th Assembly District Health Fair in Cudahy.	Provided air quality information, in English and Spanish, to hundreds of health fair attendees.
Attended meeting of the Youth Service California Forum.	Learned about service learning and opportunities for AQMD to participate in local programs.
Attended meeting of the Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma.	Provided information on air pollution and health effects of smog.
Chaired meeting of Air Quality Committee of the Inland Counties Chapter of the American Lung Association.	Heard presentation from representative of Mojave Desert AQMD regarding their public education program.
Co-chaired meeting of Los Angeles Environmental Education Fair (LAEEF) Publicity Committee.	Assisting this multi-agency group in developing low-cost media placement/publicity for the March 8 event to be held at the LA County Arboretum in Arcadia.

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 November.
 

SPEAKERS BUREAU

Presentation on air quality to 100 children at elementary school in Baldwin Park.

Environmental Education presentation to participants of Children’s Enrichment Program in Los Angeles.

Air quality general overview to Lions Club in Brea.

Coordinated AQMD tour for students from college in Huntington Beach.

VISITORS

Hosted visitors from Odessa, Ukraine who requested a general overview on AQMD’s programs and specific information on our air monitoring and reporting process.

Hosted a 12-member delegation from the Korean Ministry of the Environment who requested information on RECLAIM, Alternative Fueled Vehicles and the Air Quality Management Plan.

Hosted visitor from Jilin Environmental Protection in China who requested information on our air monitoring systems, data collection and reporting.

COMMUNICATION CENTER STATISTICS

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

November 2002
 

Main Line Calls	Cut-Smog Line	After Hours Calls*	Spanish Line Calls	Total Phone Calls
5,293	3,595	3,048	41	12,734

*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.

November 2002

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 39 free on-site consultations.

Provided assistance filing 3 requests for variance.

Provided permit application assistance to 50 companies.

Issued 30 clearance letters.

Provided courtesy phone calls to expired permit holders and retained 16 permits.

Examples of businesses that were assisted include:

Stain & Paint Manufacturer

Several Drycleaners

Furniture Refinishers

Several Auto Body Repair Companies

Several Cabinet Makers

Several Building Management Companies

Several Construction Management Companies

Several Cable Broadcasting Companies

Pet Food Manufacturers

Metal Platers

Semiconductor Manufacturers

Several School Districts

LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITY (Four-County Area)

Government Relations staff provides outreach at monthly Board of Supervisors and City Council meetings, to name a few, 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 November.
 

Attended the SANBAG Board of Director's meeting.

Attended the Canyon Lake City Council meeting, and gave a brief presentation on AQMD.

Attended the Riverside Planning Community air quality workshop.

Represented AQMD at the League of California Cities/Riverside Division general meeting.

Attended the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting.

Attended Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Commissioners meeting.

Attended Orange County Council of Governments meeting.

Attended San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments meeting.

Attended City of Los Angeles Commerce, Energy, and Natural Resources committee meeting.

Attended Orange County League of Cities meeting.

/ / /