BOARD MEETING DATE: October 3, 2003
AGENDA NO. 15
Public Affairs Report
SYNOPSIS:
This report highlights the August 2003 outreach activities of Public Affairs which include: 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 August 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.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE UPDATE
Below is a summary of the Environmental Justice related activities which occurred in August:
Town Hall Meeting
On August 20, the AQMD hosted a Town Hall Meeting in the Santa Clarita Valley. The meeting focused on air quality issues relative to the proposed Soledad Canyon Sand and Gravel Mining project as well as other air quality concerns. More than 100 people attended the meeting to learn what is being done to improve the air quality and protect the public from the effects of air pollution. The meeting was attended by Board Member Michael Antonovich and AQMD executive staff.
Special Projects/Meetings
The AQMD held the fourth and fifth in a series of six Environmental Justice Training Workshops August 6 at the Double Tree Hotel in Santa Ana and on August 16 at the Sheraton Los Angeles Harbor Hotel San Pedro. Over 50 people attended each workshop which provided overviews on Environmental Justice, health effects of air pollution and ways the public can assist the agency in preparing for future air quality related actions.
On August 21, the AQMD hosted a Precautionary Principle Conference at its Diamond Bar headquarters. The informational program included experts from environmental organizations, industry and government fields and was attended by 200 people.
CEQA Commenting
Documents received during August 2003:
47
Requests to AQMD for document review:
0
Documents to receive AQMD comments:
15
Comment letters sent out this reporting period:
29
COMMUNITY EVENTS/PUBLIC MEETINGS
Each year, thousands of residents of the South Coast District engage in valuable information exchange 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 August include:
On August 20, AQMD staff participated in the 11th Annual Family Health Fair hosted by the Hispanic Outreach Task Force of Whittier. The event drew over 400 people and included over 20 exhibitors, including free health screening and information on health and safety issues.
On August 16, AQMD staff participated in the Kids Care Fair hosted by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The event drew parents, children and hospital staff who received free health screenings, referrals and information on health, safety and other public services.
AQMD participated in two kick-off events co-sponsored by the American Lung Association of Orange County and American Lung Association of Inland Counties in preparation for the "Blow the Whistle on Asthma" Walks being held in October. The walks will serve to raise awareness of the increased incidence of asthma and air pollution’s health impacts.
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 August.
The AQMD hosted a delegation from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, who were interested in learning about the agency’s air monitoring and forecasting program.
The AQMD also hosted a delegation from the Kyonggi Research Institute of Korea and discussed AQMP policy development.
Communication Center Statistics
The Communication Center handles all AQMD main line, 1-800-CUT-SMOG line and Spanish line calls. Below is a summary of calls received in August:
Main Line Calls
5,632
CUT-SMOG Line
3,927
After Hours Calls*
2,356
Spanish Line Calls
48
Total Phone Calls
12,773
*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 August:
Requests for Information
Visitor Transactions
478
Information Packages Mailed
42
Calls
Calls Received by PIC Staff
165
Calls to Automated System
6,385
Total Phone Calls
6,377
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. The information is summarized below.
Conducted 76 free on-site consultations
Provided assistance in filing 12 requests for variance
Provided permit application assistance to 177 companies
Issued 16 clearance letters
Types of business assisted:
Drycleaners
Construction management companies
Furniture refinishers
Building management companies
Auto body repair shops
Screen printers
Cabinet makers
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. Specific presentations were provided to some of the identified groups on the staff proposals to address cumulative impacts and CEQA localized significance thresholds. Presentations were also provided regarding the highlights of the 2003 AQMP revision. The following is a sample of the activity conducted during the month of August.
Field Contacts:
Senator Sheila Kuehl
Assembly Speaker Herb J. Wesson, Jr.
Assemblymember Cindy Montanez
Los Angeles City Council President Alex Padilla
Los Angeles City Councilmember Tony Cardenas
Los Angeles City Councilmember Jan Perry
Los Angeles City Councilmember Bernard Park
Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky
LAUSD Boardmember Julie Korenstein
Mayor Tod Ridgeway of Newport Beach
San Fernando City Mayor Pro Tem Maribel De La Torre
San Fernando City Councilmember Steven Veres
San Fernando City Councilmember Julia Ruelas
San Fernando City Councilmember Nury Martinez
Santa Monica City Councilmember Michael Feinstein
Metropolitan Water District Boardmember Wesley Bannister
Los Angeles City Police Chief William Bratton
Staff to Senator Richard Alarcon
Staff to Senator Denise Ducheny's Coachella Office
Staff to Senator Jim Battin's Moreno Valley Office
Staff to Assemblymember Cindy Montanez
Staff to Assemblymember Judy Chu
Staff to Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke
Staff to Los Angeles City Councilmember Alex Padillas
Staff to Los Angeles City Councilmember Greg Smith
Staff to Los Angeles City Councilmember Tony Cardenas
Staff to Los Angeles City Councilmember Wendy Greuel
Staff to Los Angeles City Councilmember Eric Garcetti
Staff to California League of Cities Los Angeles Division
Staff to City of Redondo Beach
Staff to City of Torrance
Staff to Irvine Water District
Staff to Metropolitan Water District
Staff to Orange County Council of Governments
Staff to Orange County Transportation Authority
Staff to Orange County Water District
Staff to Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce
Staff to Southern California Association of Governments
Staff to Torrance Chamber of Commerce
Staff provided presentations at the following meetings:
Agoura Hills City Council
Calabasas City Council
Chino City Council
Chino Hills City Council
Anaheim Planning
City Planners (Cites represented: Big Bear City, Chino, Chino Hills, Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Loma Linda, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, Upland)
Culver City Council
Examining Environmental Health Risks and Resources in the Northeast San Fernando Valley - Valley Care Community Consortium
Hemet/San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Forum
Hermosa Beach City Council
Highland Planning Staff
Huntington Beach City Council
Inglewood City Council
Montclair Planning Staff
Orange County American Lung Association
Redlands City Council
San Fernando City Council
San Pedro Rotary Club
South Bay Council of Governments, Board of Directors
South Bay Council of Governments, Legislative Committee
Sunland Tujunga Neighborhood Council
Upland Community Redevelopment Agency and City Council
Western Riverside Planning Directors
Yucaipa Planning Staff
Chamber of Commerce contacts:
Agoura Hills
Beverly Hills
Calabasas
Culver City
Greater Stanton
La Habra Area
La Palma
Orange County Hispanic Chamber
San Fernando
Santa Monica
School contacts:
ABC Unified School District
Buena Park School District
Fullerton Joint Unified School District
Huntington Beach City Elementary School District
Huntington Beach Union High School District
La Habra City School District
Las Virgenes School District
Los Alamitos Unified School District
Lowell Joint School District
Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School Districts
Ocean View School District
Whittier Union High School District
Staff represented AQMD at the following meetings:
Aliso Viejo City Council
Carson City Council
Culver City Council
Inland Valley Alliance Town Hall Meeting by Inland Valley COC Alliance
La Palma City Council
Laguna Hills City Council
Mission Viejo City Council
Orange County Council of Government General Assembly
Orange County Council of Government Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
Orange County League of Cities
Omnitrans
Rancho Santa Margarita City Council
Riverside Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forums
San Bernardino Board of Supervisors
San Bernardino Associated Governments Board of Directors
Santa Fe Springs Special City Council
Santa Monica City Council
Torrance City Council
Western Riverside Council of Governments General Assembly Dinner
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