BOARD MEETING DATE: July 9, 2004
AGENDA NO. 16

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights the May 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 May 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 May:

Community Meeting
 

On May 24, staff attended the meeting of CalEPA’s Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice which met to discuss and take appropriate action on the recommendations for CalEPA’s Intragency Environmental Justice Strategy. The Secretary of CalEPA presented his plan for a two pathway strategic planning process, along with staff’s recommendations for the EJ Action Plan. A public workshop is planned for June 28 in Sacramento to review the proposed plan.

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 May include:
 

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. 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 May:
 

	On May 12, staff gave a presentation on air pollution and health effects to members of the Riverside Community Health Foundation.
	On May 13, staff hosted a Japanese delegation from the International Coalition of Local Environmental Initiatives who met with AQMD staff to discuss clean fuel programs and sustainable growth.
	On May 21, staff provided an air quality presentation to students at Palm Desert Middle School.

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 May:
 

	Main Line Calls	5,695
	1-800-CUT-SMOG® Line	5,233
	After Hours Calls*	2,451
	Spanish Line Calls	43
	Total Phone Calls	13,422
	*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 May:

Requests for Information

	Visitor Transactions	340
	Information Packages Mailed	27

Calls

	Calls Received by PIC Staff	219
	Calls to Automated System	6,441
	Total Phone Calls	6,660

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, allowing businesses the opportunity to participate in the 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 May included:

   Conducted 70 free on-site consultations
   Provided guidance in filing 4 requests for variance
   Provided permit application assistance to 273 companies
   Issued 31 clearance letters

Types of businesses assisted:

Drycleaners	Construction management companies
Furniture refinishers	Building management companies
Autobody repair shops	Screen printers
Cabinetmakers	Water treatment plants
Restaurants

LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITY (Four-County Area)

Staff provides outreach at Board of Supervisors and City Council meetings. Staff also worked 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 staff proposals during the month of May:
 

On Friday, May 21 AQMD, in partnership with Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, held a Special Briefing on Air Quality Issues and Upcoming Legislation. Assemblywoman Garcia requested the event be tailored to address the air quality concerns of local elected officials of the Coachella Valley and nearby communities. Those in attendance represented the offices of Senator Jim Battin and Assemblyman Russ Bogh and the cities of Indio, Coachella, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, as well as the Indio Chamber of Commerce.

Field visits and/or communications were conducted with staff from the following cities:

Agoura Hills, Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Calabasas, Carson, Claremont, Covina, Cudahy, Culver City, Dana Point, Diamond Bar, Downey, Duarte, El Monte, El Segundo, Gardena, Glendale, Glendora, Grand Terrace, Hawthorne, Hemet, Hermosa Beach, Hidden Hills, Industry, Inglewood, Irvine, Irwindale, La Cañada Flintridge, Laguna Beach, La Puente, La Verne, Lawndale, Loma Linda, Lomita, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Maywood, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Norco, Palos Verdes Estates, Pasadena, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redlands, Redondo Beach, Riverside, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rosemead, San Dimas, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Marino, Santa Clarita, Sierra Madre, South El Monte, South Gate, South Pasadena, Temple City, Temecula, Torrance, and Vernon, Walnut, West Covina, and Westlake Village.

Staff provided presentations at the following meetings:
 

Diamond Bar Legislative Committee

Indio City Council

Orange County Business Council Regulatory Committee

Orange County COG Technical Advisory Group

Public Policy Conference

South Bay Cities COG Board of Directors

South Bay Cities COG Legislative Committee

Chamber of Commerce contacts:
 

Corona

Greater Riverside

Indio

Moreno Valley

Norco

Riverside

Staff represented AQMD at the following meetings:
 

Burbank City Council

Clean Cities Coalition - Western Riverside County

Coachella Valley Association of Governments Energy and       Environmental Committee

Hemet City Council

Industrial Environmental Council of Orange County

League of California Cities/Riverside Division

Riverside City Council

Riverside Community Health Foundation Seminar

Riverside County Asthma Coalition

San Gabriel Valley COG Board Meeting

Western Riverside Council of Governments

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