BOARD MEETING DATE: December 3, 2004
AGENDA NO. 19
Public Affairs Report
SYNOPSIS:
This report highlights the October 2004 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 October 2004. The report includes four major areas: Environmental Justice Update; Community Events/Public Meetings (including the Speakers 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 October:
Community Meetings
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On October 20, AQMD hosted a Town Hall Meeting in Corona. The meeting was attended by 16 community members, in addition to AQMD Board Members Ron Loveridge and Jane Carney, and a representative from Riverside County Supervisor Tavaglione’s staff. Issues addressed included dust from a cement aggregate facility, excess emissions from school buses that idle near a neighboring school, and dust from a local munitions operation. AQMD staff provided an overview of air quality in the Corona area, as well as information on the AQMD’s compliance and inspection program. |
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On October 27, AQMD held the second meeting of the Foothill Neighborhood Environmental Justice Council, which was hosted by the City of Irwindale. The group, comprised of representatives from government, business, community and education, has been meeting to review local air quality issues and bring forth recommendations that would serve to mitigate air quality impacts in foothill communities. The agenda included an update by AQMD staff on Irwindale Field Activities & Task Force and a presentation on Irwindale’s Mining Operation Plan by the city manager. |
COMMUNITY EVENTS/PUBLIC MEETINGS
Each year, thousands of AQMD residents engage in valuable information exchanges through events and meetings that 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 October include:
| Date | Event |
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| October 2 | Family Day Event hosted by Pacoima Beautiful. |
| October 2 | Riverside Community Health Foundation Teen Health Fair. |
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October 2 |
Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice 25th Anniversary Gala. |
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October 3 |
STEP5 Conference for science teachers and students in grades K through 12. |
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October 3 |
American Lung Association of Inland Counties Walkathon. |
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October 13 |
The 16th Annual Clean Air Awards luncheon. |
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October 23 |
Emergency Preparedness Fair by the City of Long Beach. |
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October 30 |
Air Power Games hosted by the Asthma & Allergy Foundation. |
Speakers Bureau/Visitor Services
AQMD receives requests for staff to speak on a variety of air quality-related issues. The requests come from organizations such as trade associations, chambers of commerce, community-based groups, schools, hospitals and health-based organizations. 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 October:
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October 5, hosted a member of European Parliament. |
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October 12, conducted a tour for visiting Chinese students studying at UC Riverside. |
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October 20, provided an air quality presentation to students of a Nature and Society class at California State University, Fullerton. |
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October 21, hosted an Eisenhower Fellow from Pakistan. |
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October 29, hosted a 27 member delegation from China. |
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 October:
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Main Line Calls |
5,857 |
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1-800-CUT-SMOG® Line |
4,079 |
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After Hours Calls* |
1,942 |
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Spanish Line Calls |
47 |
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Total Phone Calls |
11,925 |
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*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 October:
Requests for Information
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Visitor Transactions |
430 |
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Information Packages Mailed |
18 |
Calls
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Calls Received by PIC Staff |
122 |
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Calls to Automated System |
4,535 |
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Total Phone Calls |
4,657 |
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
AQMD provides assistance to businesses to achieve and maintain compliance with applicable air pollution rules and regulations. Key components of this program include providing notification of upcoming rule development, ensuring businesses the opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process; conducting "no-fault" inspections; determining potential permitting requirements; assisting with the completion of permit applications and variance request forms; explaining rule and recordkeeping requirements; offering financial assistance through the California Capital Access Program and the Non-Perc Dry Cleaner Grant Program; and working with other agencies to identify efficient, cost-effective methods for reducing air pollution. Business assistance activities for the month of October included:
Conducted 65 free on-site consultations
Provided guidance in filing 3 requests for variance
Provided permit application assistance to 201 companies
Issued 31 clearance letters
Types of businesses assisted:
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LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITY (Four-County Area)
Staff provides outreach at 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 on activities are listed below:
Field visits and/or communications were conducted with staff from the following offices:
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Congressman Ken Calvert |
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Assembly Member Judy Chu |
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Assembly Member Cindy Montañez |
Field visits and/or communications were conducted with staff from the following cities:
Arcadia, Beaumont, Bradbury, Carson, Corona, El Monte, Indio, Industry, La Puente, Lynwood, Monrovia, Ontario, Rosemead, San Marino, South El Monte, South Pasadena, and Temple City.
Chamber of Commerce contacts:
Corona
Gateway Cities Council of Governments
Greater Riverside
Indio
South Bay Cities Council of Governments
Upland
School District contacts:
Bassett
Corona-Norco Unified
El Segundo
La Puente
Moreno Valley Unified
San Clemente
Staff represented AQMD at the following meetings:
California Performance Review meeting, UC Irvine
American Lung Association, Orange County Planning
American Lunch Association, Los Angeles Inaugural Breathe Easy Breakfast
Cal/EPA Environmental Justice Workshop
San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Governing Board Meeting
South Bay Community Awareness Emergency Response (CAER)
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