BOARD MEETING DATE: July 11, 2003
AGENDA NO. 16

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights the May 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

Background

This report summarizes the activities of Public Affairs for May 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

This report reflects the activities of Public Affairs for the period of May 2003.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE UPDATE:

Environmental Justice Activities:

Town Hall Meeting	A meeting was held on May 21 in Moreno Valley with 20 people in attendance. Attendees received updates on air quality in their area. AQMD Board Member Ron Loveridge and executive management staff attended to hear and address the public’s air quality concerns.
Special Projects/Meetings	The third meeting of the Pico Rivera Air Quality Task Force was held on May 27. The Task Force, which includes community members, local businesses and representatives from local state and federal governments, was formed to address and help resolve key air quality concerns in Pico Rivera. The Group has made recommendations which will be presented to the larger community in June 2003.
CEQA Commenting	Documents received during May 2003:           47 Requests to AQMD for document review:   0 Documents to receive AQMD comments:   24 Comment letters sent out this reporting       period:                                               13

COMMUNITY EVENTS/PUBLIC MEETINGS

Each year, thousands of residents of the South Coast District receive valuable information 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 May include:

• AQMD participated in a World Asthma Day Fair on May 2^nd in partnership with Kaiser-Permanente. The event drew hundreds of visitors who visited the AQMD’s information table to learn about the health effects of air pollution.
• AQMD co-sponsored the 3^rd Annual Los Angeles River Ride, which promotes bicycling as a safe and environmentally-friendly mode of transportation. All event attendees received a "call to action" to join the AQMD’s newly-formed Clean Air Congress.
• The 9^th Annual Clean Cities Conference was held in Palm Desert. AQMD staff hosted an exhibit to provide conference attendees with the latest information on new technologies and administered by air quality funding programs the Technology Advancement Office and the MSRC.

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 May:

• Public Affairs hosted a delegation from the Korean Ministry of Environment who heard presentations on the development of the AQMP and the RECLAIM program.
• As part of the Enhanced School Outreach program, AQMD staff made presentations to approximately 14 schools.

COMMUNICATION CENTER STATISTICS

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

Main Line Calls	CUT-SMOG Line	After Hours Calls*	Spanish Line Calls	Total Phone Calls
5,542	3,784	2,369	44	12,563

*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 May:
 

Visitor Transactions	Info. Pkgs. Mailed	Calls Received by PIC Staff	Calls to Automated System	Total Phone Calls
666	34	192	4,802	4,994

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. Following are examples of assistance given in May.

• Conducted 118 free on-site consultations.
• Provided assistance in filing 18 requests for variance.
• Provided permit application assistance to 135 companies.
• Issued 18 clearance letters.
• Provided courtesy phone calls to expired permit holders and retained 32 permits.

Examples of business 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)

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. The following is a sample of the type of issues dealt with during the month of May.

• Staff represented AQMD at the following meetings:

• Ontario Chamber of Government Relations Committee meeting. Provided information on AQMD sponsored legislation and briefing on recent AQMD meetings/activities.
• San Jacinto City Council meeting to speak to the Council on AB1063.
• Upland Government Relations Committee meeting. Provided information on AQMD sponsored legislation and a briefing on recent and upcoming AQMD meetings/events/activities.
• Moreno Valley Chamber of Legislative Affairs Committee meeting. Provided information on recent and upcoming AQMD meetings/events/activities/programs.
• Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Government Relations Forum Legislative Breakfasts.
• League of California Cities/Inland Empire Legislative Action Committee. Provided information on recent and upcoming AQMD meetings/ events/activities/programs.

• Staff attended the following meetings:

• San Bernardino Area Chamber Legislative Breakfast.
• South Bay Cities COG.
• South County Labor AFL-CIO.

• Staff contacted the following cities in Orange County to discuss upcoming city council meetings and to place an AQMD presentation on the city councils' agendas

• Aliso Viejo
• Anaheim
• Brea
• Buena Park
• Costa Mesa
• Cypress
• Dana Point
• Fountain Valley
• Fullerton
• Garden Grove
• Huntington Beach
• Irvine
• La Habra
• La Palma
• Laguna Beach
• Laguna Hills
• Laguna Niguel
• Laguna Woods
• Lake Forest
• Los Alamitos
• Mission Viejo
• Newport Beach
• Orange
• Placentia
• Rancho Santa Margarita
• San Clemente
• San Juan Capistrano
• Santa Ana
• Seal Beach
• Stanton
• Tustin
• Villa Park
• Westminster
• Yorba Linda

/ / /