BOARD MEETING DATE: March 7, 2003
AGENDA NO. 13

PROPOSAL: 

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS: 

This report highlights the January 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 January 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
January 2003

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE UPDATE:

Environmental Justice Activities for the month of January.

Town Hall Meeting	A meeting was held on January 15 in Riverside with approximately 50 attendees. Attendees received updates on air quality in their area. Executive staff attended to hear, and address the public's air quality concerns.
Special Projects/Meetings	Established community Clean Air Depositories as part of the E.J. Enhancements II-7. Depositories delivered to Santa Ana, Riverside, San Bernardino, Palm Desert, Wilmington, Pacoima and Commerce. Information will be maintained and updated on a monthly basis.
CEQA Commenting	Documents received during January 2003:     59 Requests to AQMD for document review:   0 Documents to receive AQMD comments:   21 Comment letters sent out this reporting      period:                                               38

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 January.
 

ACTIVITY

Participated in the Asian Expo at Pomona Fairplex. Approximately 50,000 attended the event and the District provided information on Small Business Assistance and general air quality information.

Outreach presentations (5) to the Chino area as part of the Educational Outreach Program.

Provided information on air pollution and health effects of smog to the Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma.

Gave presentation to the City of Inglewood Director of Public Works as part of expanded City Executive Outreach Program.

Chaired meeting of Air Quality Committee of 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; assisted this group in developing low-cost media placement/publicity for the March 8 event to be held at the Los Angeles 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 January.
 

SPEAKERS

Presentation for Azusa Pacific University students encapsulating their environmental studies.

COMMUNICATION CENTER STATISTICS

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

January 2003

Main Line Calls	Cut-Smog Line	After Hours Calls*	Spanish Line Calls	Total Phone Calls
5,796	3,696	2,776	65	12,333

*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.

January 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 66 free on-site consultations.

Provided assistance filing 2 requests for variance.

Provided permit application assistance to 103 companies.

Issued 20 clearance letters.

Provided courtesy phone calls to expired permit holders and retained 36 permits.

Examples of businesses that were assisted include:

Drycleaners

Auto Body Repair Companies

Denim Care and Garment Manufacturers

Medical Supply Companies

Building Management Companies

Construction Management Companies

Semiconductor Manufacturers

Gas Stations

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 January.
 

Represented AQMD at the League of California Cities/Riverside Division's General meeting.

Provided staff support at San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Board meeting.

Attended the Cities of Riverside County's City Selection Committee meeting.

Met with LA Unified School District Official to provide support for campus area toxic audit program.

Represented AQMD at the Rancho Cucamonga State of the City Address.

Met with Assemblymember Lowenthal, L.A. County staff, and community members regarding local landfill issue.

Represented AQMD at the League of California Cities/Inland Empire Division's Legislative Task Force meeting.

Met with staff to Assemblymember Chu regarding local constituent issue.

Represented AQMD at the Northwest Riverside County Clean Cities Coalition meeting.

Represented AQMD at multiple events coordinated by the City of Los Angeles' Mayor's Office for Black History Month.

Attended the San Bernardino City Council meeting; gave a presentation on AQMD programs.

Conference with City of Commerce official on special monitoring project.

Represented AQMD at the Riverside State of the City Address.

Met with Los Angeles Department of Water and Power official regarding distributive generation.

Attended the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce Government Relations meeting.

Conference with executive staff to City of San Gabriel official regarding general plan air quality elements.

Attended the Loma Linda City Council meeting; gave a presentation on AQMD programs.

Conference with City of Tustin staff regarding clean vehicle funding.

Participated in conference call with Assemblywoman Pavley's staff re: proposed asbestos-related legislation.

Conference with Office of Los Angeles City Councilmember LaBonge regarding local constituent issue.

Meetings with executive staff at the following cities for the City Executive Outreach Program: Pomona, Inglewood, Baldwin Park, Downey, and Dana Point.

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