BOARD MEETING DATE: June 6, 2003
AGENDA NO. 17

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights the April 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 April 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
April 2003

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE UPDATE:

Environmental Justice activities for the month of April.

Town Hall Meeting	A meeting was held on April 23 in Ontario with over 30 people in attendance. Attendees received updates on air quality in their area. AQMD Governing Board Member Leonard Paulitz and executive management staff attended to hear and address the public’s air quality concerns.
Special Projects/Meetings	The second meeting of the Pico Rivera Air Quality Task Force was held on April 10. 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.
CEQA Commenting	Documents received during April 2003:           53 Requests to AQMD for document review:   0 Documents to receive AQMD comments:  14 Comment letters sent out this reporting        period:                                              31

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 April.
 

ACTIVITY

In recognition of the Earth Day Celebrations, AQMD staff participated in the following events: City of Pomona Earth Day Celebration; Inland Empire Environmental Expo; Earth Day at the Huntington Beach Pier; City of Placentia Earth Run and Cabrillo Marine Museum Earth Day. Outreach materials were also provided to many other events.

The District hosted two Small Business Breakfast Meetings in the cities of Riverside and Ontario to provide area businesses with information on AQMD programs and services to assist them in complying with air quality regulations. The meetings, which drew an average of 100 attendees, were chaired by Governing Board Members and co-hosted by area Chambers of Commerce.

The second of two lawn mower exchange programs scheduled as part of the Mow Down Air Pollution 2003 project was held at Hollywood Park in Inglewood. The program will replace up to 2,000 gas-powered mowers with zero-pollution electric ones, reducing smog-forming emissions. The event drew over 1,000 attendees who received a voucher towards the purchase of an electric, cordless rechargeable lawn mower with the exchange of a working, gas-powered mower. The AQMD plans to schedule two additional events in Orange and Riverside counties.

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 April.
 

SPEAKERS

Staff hosted a group of small businesses representatives from the Republic of China. The visitors were interested in dust control and air monitoring technologies.

As part of the Enhanced School Outreach program, staff made presentations to the following programs: Constitutional Rights Foundation Youth Leadership Forum (Los Angeles); Briggs Fundamental School, Chino; Colton Unified School District Middle School Principals and Azusa High School.

COMMUNICATION CENTER STATISTICS

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

April 2003

Main Line Calls	Cut-Smog Line	After Hours Calls*	Spanish Line Calls	Total Phone Calls
5,891	3,627	2,115	63	11,696

*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.

April 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. Following are examples of the types of assistance given:

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 April.

Represented AQMD at the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Board meeting.

Conducted research on constituent’s complaint regarding diesel fumes in Pomona.

Represented AQMD at the Alameda Corridor Construction Authority Governing Board Meeting.

Attended the Indio, San Jacinto, and Coachella City Council meetings and provided information on SB 981 and AB 1063.

Represented AQMD at the Orange County Council of Governments Board Meeting.

Provided information on SB 981 and AB 1063 to the Western Riverside Council of Governments’ Technical Advisory Committee.

Represented AQMD at the Coachella Valley Association of Governments' Energy and Environmental Committee.

Researched and prepared response to Councilman's inquiry for the City of Norco.

Represented AQMD at the Western Riverside County Association of Governments.

Attended the Baldy View Public/Private Coalition (CLOUT) meeting.

Met with staff to County Supervisor Molina regarding constituent issue.

Attended SANBAG’s City/County Manager’s meeting and provided city managers with information on SB 981 and AB 1063.

Met with staff to Los Angeles City Councilmember La Bonge regarding constituent issue.

Attended the Inland Valley Alliance Government Relations Forum.

Attended the Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting.

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