BOARD MEETING DATE: February 6, 2004
AGENDA NO. 18

Administrative Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Administrative Committee met Friday, January 16, 2004, and reviewed the proposed agenda for the February 6, 2004, Board meeting. The Committee also discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is Friday, February 13, at 9:00 a.m. in Conference Room CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Vice Chair S. Roy Wilson, Acting Chair
Administrative Committee

Attendance: Present was Vice Chair Roy Wilson (via videoteleconference), who chaired this meeting. Also present at AQMD were Committee Members Ronald Loveridge and Leonard Paulitz.

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Board Members’ Concerns: None.
    
2. Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: Barry Wallerstein, Executive Officer, stated that Board Member Verdugo-Peralta is attending the California Alliance for Distributed Energy Resources Conference to be held in La Jolla, CA on January 25-28. Mayor Loveridge asked what the conference is related to, and Dr. Wallerstein explained that the distributed energy resources are non-large-fossil-fuel power plants, such as microturbines, fuel cells, and small solar units.
    
3. Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s): None.
    
4. Report of Approved Out-of-Country Travel: None.

FEBRUARY AGENDA ITEMS:

5. Execute Contract for Janitorial Service at Diamond Bar Headquarters: Eudora Tharp, Assistant DEO/Administrative & Human Resources, stated that this item is brought to the Board every three years. The current janitorial contract expires at the end of February. Thirty nine proposals were received, 19 of which met RFP requirements. These were evaluated based on cost, understanding of AQMD's needs, qualifications, and references. The highest-ranked proposal was from Diamond Contract Services, which is the current contractor. Diamond has provided reliable and responsive service to AQMD and received high references for services at other similar-sized government facilities. Moved by Wilson, seconded by Loveridge.
    
6. Execute Contract for Litigation Enforcement and Appropriate Funds from General Fund, Undesignated Fund Balance to District Prosecutor's FY 2003-04 Budget: Peter Mieras, District Prosecutor, explained that the BP/ARCO litigation is premised on joint prosecution with District Prosecutor's Office and two outside law firms. The Board previously appropriated funds to the law firms through the completion of the litigation process. Staff is requesting $341,000 for the District Prosecutor's portion of the case to be used for expert witnesses, deposition expenses, and other costs related to this case. Moved by Paulitz, seconded by Wilson.
    
7. Issue Purchase Orders for Compressed Pure Gases and Cryogenic Liquids: Henry Hogo, Asst. DEO/Science & Technology Office, stated that this is staff's annual request for purchase orders to purchase pure gases and cryogenic liquids used to analyze ambient and special air samples, to various vendors, not to exceed $60,000 for this fiscal year. Submitted quotes are in effect through December 2005. Moved by Paulitz, seconded by Loveridge.
    
8. Report of RFPs and RFQs Scheduled in February: Rick Pearce, Chief Financial Officer, stated two RFPs are being released for: Medical Services Provider for pre-employment examination and minor injury evaluation and treatment; and Occupational Health Services for Cal/OSHA-required employee medical examinations. Moved by Paulitz, seconded by Wilson.
    
9. Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for November 12, 2003: Attached for information are the Ethnic Community Advisory Group minutes for the November 12, 2003, meeting. Mayor Loveridge asked how the advisory group was functioning. Pom Pom Ganguli, Public Advisor, answered that the advisory group is doing well and will be submitting a proposed revised charter at the March Administrative Committee meeting for the number of members to be increased. Mayor Loveridge asked if an annual report will be published. Dr. Ganguli answered that the goals and accomplishments and an annual report for the past year will be presented in February.
    
10. Review February 6, 2004, Governing Board Agenda: Mayor Loveridge asked what issues were involved on item #4276 (Authorize Funding to Purchase Compliance Year 2003 NOx RECLAIM Trading Credits). Dr. Wallerstein answered that during the state's recent power crisis, the Board adopted amendments for power plants to pay into a mitigation fee program. The agency has an obligation to make up for those emissions as laid out in the Board's amended rule. AQMD has gone to the market with the mitigation funds to purchase RECLAIM credits to retire emission debt. This action is to retire the entire remaining debt. The fee was set at $7.50 per lb.; the cost of credits is currently about $1 per lb. Therefore, AQMD now has additional money for the Board to invest in clean air strategies and/or to buy up credits.
    
    Mayor Loveridge asked the status on #4277 (Implementation Status Report on Rule 1102 – Dry Cleaners Using Solvent Other than Perchloroethylene). This is a report to the Board members regarding one company (a large industrial cleaner) that uses a hydrocarbon-based cleaning solvent. Staff will shortly be providing the Board members with a status report on the perc rule implementation. The Grant Program is going well as more hydrocarbon machines, CO², and wet cleaning systems are available.
    
    Dr. Wallerstein stated that item #4307 (Approve Implementation of Initiatives Proposed by Chairman William A. Burke) will provide a write-up of Dr. Burke's proposed initiatives presented at the January 9 Board meeting.
    
    Item 4251 (Receive Public Input on Executive Officer's Proposed Program Goals/Objectives for FY 2004-05) will include the annual goals and objectives statement that leads into the more detailed budget development process. This year's goals and objectives will be similar to last year's.
    
    Item 4284 (Amend Rule 2202 – On-Road-Road Motor Vehicle Mitigation Options and Guidelines), as stated by Dr. Wallerstein, is the rideshare rule which may have a moderate amount of testimony. The majority of attendees are expected to be in support of the amendments to be made. Other innovative suggestions have been included in this item for the Board's recommendation. Three approaches involved in this program are: rideshare, option to pay into an air quality investment program, or secure emission reductions themselves. Carol Gomez, Transportation Programs Manager, stated that there are 1,331 employers regulated by AQMD with 570 not reaching their goals. Mayor Loveridge asked if workshops have been held on this issue, and Ms. Gomez answered that many workshops, public consultations, and meetings with different industry groups have been held. Mayor Loveridge asked what was learned from these meetings, and Ms. Gomez answered that staff has been able to work with the regulated community and prepare amendments based on what has been obtained. Leonard Paulitz stated that the City of Montclair has had difficulty getting employees to rideshare. Dr. Wallerstein stated that he is aware of one proposal by the Orange County Transportation Authority submitted to Board members that entails rule language for a set aside money from the air quality investment program for transportation demand strategies to fund rideshare, vanpool and other activities. Dr. Wallerstein is recommending the Board not to go this route; there is nothing to deter OCTA from applying and submitting a proposal to fund such projects under current rule language. One additional issue is that transportation planning experts do not want AQMD to forget about the mobility improvement side of Rule 2202, but AQMD's highest priority is to take care of air quality. There may be a moderate amount of discussion on this issue at the Board meeting.
     
11. Other Business: Supervisor Wilson welcomed Barbara Baird back from Washington DC where she assisted outside counsel in preparing argument in the fleet rules appeal to the Supreme Court. Mayor Loveridge requested an update be made to Board members. Ms. Baird stated she will prepare a memo regarding the arguments presented on January 14.
    
    Mayor Loveridge asked about the News Clips sent out regarding the requirements for clean cars. Dr. Wallerstein stated near zero emission passenger vehicles are available for purchase, but the main pollution sources are heavy-duty and off-road mobile sources, consumer products, and architectural coatings. Mayor Loveridge wanted to know what pollutants various vehicles produce. Dr. Wallerstein suggested that staff brief Mayor Loveridge on this item at his office.
    
    Jimmy Lee was introduced as AQMD's Manager of Intergovernmental Affairs and Legislative Activities with an extensive background in public relations and governmental work.
     
12. Public Comment: None.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.

Attachment

Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for November 12, 2003

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