BOARD MEETING DATE: May 2, 2003
AGENDA NO. 14

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights the March 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 March 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
March 2003

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE UPDATE:

Environmental Justice Activities for the month of March.

Town Hall Meeting	A meeting was held on March 18 in Stanton with over 40 people in attendance. Attendees received updates on air quality in their area. AQMD Governing Board Members William Craycraft and Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta and executive management staff attended to hear and address the public’s air quality concerns.
Special Projects/Meetings	The initial meeting of the Pico Rivera Air Quality Task Force was held on March 26. 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 Task Force will meet again on April 10, and a community meeting will be held on April 30 to report key findings and recommendations to the community.
CEQA Commenting	Documents received during March 2003:         44 Requests to AQMD for document review:    0 Documents to receive AQMD comments:   28 Comment letters sent out this reporting        period:                                               11

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 March.
 

ACTIVITY

Approximately 5,000 people attended the 23rd Los Angeles Environmental Education Fair held at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia. The AQMD was a co-sponsor of the event which included 93 organizations exhibiting environmental information. Most of the attendees were children, parents and teachers who received information on air quality, health effects of smog and information on the newly-formed Clean Air Congress.

The District hosted three Small Business Breakfast Meetings in the cities of Los Angeles, Baldwin Park and Garden Grove 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. Two additional meetings will be held in April in the Inland Empire.

The first of two lawn mower exchange programs scheduled as part of the Mow Down Air Pollution 2003 project was held at the California Speedway in Fontana. 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 next event is scheduled in April at Hollywood Park in Inglewood.

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 March.
 

SPEAKERS

Staff hosted a delegation from the Korean National Assembly, Ministry of Environment who heard presentations on air monitoring and AQMD’s operations.

2003 Youth Career Fair held at Garey High School sponsored by Pomona Unified School District. Staff provided air quality and career information to over 1,000 event participants. Also participated in similar events held at West Covina High School and Gladstone High School.

COMMUNICATION CENTER STATISTICS

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

March 2003

Main Line Calls	Cut-Smog Line	After Hours Calls*	Spanish Line Calls	Total Phone Calls
5,991	3,643	2,428	63	12,125

*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.

March 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 during the month of March.
 

EXAMPLES

Conducted 86 free on-site consultations.

Provided assistance in filing 1 request for variance.

Provided permit application assistance to 107 companies.

Issued 29 clearance letters.

Provided courtesy phone calls to expired permit holders and retained 62 permits.

Examples of businesses 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)

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 March.
 

Attended the Ontario Chamber's Government Relations Forum and provided information on the AQMP updates/workshops, and the Lawn Mower Exchange Program.

Met with elected officials from Garden Grove, Monterey Park, Costa Mesa, and Baldwin Park regarding small business outreach.

Met with staff from the Offices of State Assembly Member Judy Chu, State Senator Gloria Romero, Congresswoman Hilda Solis, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, and Los Angeles County Office of Education regarding small business outreach.

Represented AQMD at the Indio Chamber Government Relations meeting.

Met with staff from City of Los Angeles regarding constituent issue resolution

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

Met w/elected officials from City of Stanton re: local constituent issue resolution.

Represented AQMD at the Fontana Chamber Business Network meeting and provided information on the AQMP/workshops; and the Lawn Mower Exchange program.

Meetings with executive staff at the following cities for the City Executive Outreach Program: Ontario, Hawaiian Gardens, Fontana, Azusa, Highland, Carson, La Quinta, and Rosemead.

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