BOARD MEETING DATE: September 5, 2003
AGENDA NO. 12
Public Affairs Report
SYNOPSIS:
This report highlights the July 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 July 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 July:
Special Projects/Meetings
The AQMD held the second and third in a series of six Environmental Justice Training Workshops July 8 at the Radisson Hotel in Los Angeles and on July 22 at the Riverside Marriott Hotel. 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.
CEQA Commenting
Documents received during July 2003:
72
Requests to AQMD for document review:
0
Documents to receive AQMD comments:
22
Comment letters sent out this reporting period:
31
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 include 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 July include:
The AQMD participated in a tour of the Asthma & Allergy Foundation’s Asthma Summer Camp which is in its 27th year of providing an outdoor adventure for children with asthma. The program included an overview of AAFA programs and services for asthmatic children.
Staff hosted an information table at the 10-week Santa Monica Pier Community Concert Series which provides the AQMD with an opportunity to reach thousands of attendees with air quality information.
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 July.
The AQMD hosted a delegation from the Japanese Petroleum Energy Institute who heard a presentation on our air monitoring network
Gave a presentation on air quality and health effects to members of the "Happy Puffers" COPD patient group hosted by the VA Hospital in Sepulveda
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 July:
Main Line Calls
6,061
CUT-SMOG Line
4,130
After Hours Calls*
2,394
Spanish Line Calls
59
Total Phone Calls
13,490
*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 July:
Requests for Information
Visitor Transactions
588
Info. Pkgs. Mailed
31
Calls
Calls Rec'd. by PIC Staff
163
Calls to Automated System
846
Total Phone Calls
9,228
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 96 free on-site consultations
Provided assistance in filing 15 requests for variance
Provided permit application assistance to 248 companies
Issued 29 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. The following is a sample of the type of issues dealt with during the month of July.
Field Contacts:
Staff to Congresswoman Mary Bono
Staff to Assembly Member Russ Bogh
Staff to Congressman Jerry Lewis
Staff to Senator Jim Battin
Staff to Congressman Ken Calvert
Staff to Congressman David Dreier
Staff to Assembly Member Bob Dutton
Senator Michael Machado
Assembly Member Joe Canciamilla
Assembly Member Keith Richman
Metropolitan Water District Chairman Phillip Pace
Metropolitan Water District Executive Officer Ron Gastelum
Staff to Los Angeles City Councilmember Cindy Miscikowski
Staff to Los Angeles City Councilmember Janice Hahn
Staff to Los Angeles City Councilmember Bernard Parks
Staff to Los Angeles City Councilmember Alex Padilla
Staff to Los Angeles City Councilmember Jan Perry
Staff to Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge
Staff to Los Angeles City Councilmember Ed Reyes
Staff to Metropolitan Water District
Staff to Los Angeles Department of Water & Power
Staff to Los Angeles County Department of Public Works
Staff to SANBAG
Staff represented AQMD at the following meetings:
Riverside Board of Supervisors
San Bernardino Board of Supervisors
Upland Chamber of Commerce, Governmental Relations Committee
CVAG's Energy & Environmental Resources Committee
League of California Cities/Inland Empire Division General Membership
Riverside Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee
Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce Governmental Relations Forum
Staff provided presentations at the following meetings:
Washington Carver Elementary School, Palm Desert
Constituent Issues:
There were no significant constituent issues during this period.
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