BOARD MEETING DATE: March 5, 2004
AGENDA NO. 24

Administrative Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Administrative Committee met Friday, February 13, 2004, and reviewed the proposed agenda for the March 5, 2004, Board meeting. The Committee also discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is Friday, March 12, at 9:00 a.m. in Conference Room CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

S. Roy Wilson, Vice Chair
Administrative Committee

Attendance: Present were Vice Chair Roy Wilson, who chaired this meeting (via teleconference), and Member Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley (via teleconference). Also present at AQMD were Members Jane Carney and Ronald Loveridge. Board Member Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta attended this meeting regarding the Ethnic Community Advisory Group. (Videoteleconferencing was not available due to technical difficulties.)

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Board Members’ Concerns: Mayor Loveridge asked what type of issues are discussed and Barry Wallerstein, Executive Officer, explained that this item was placed on the agenda approximately two years ago to give Board Members an opportunity to raise issues of concern to the Administrative Committee.
    
2. Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: None.
    
3. Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s): Supervisor Wilson stated that approval is being requested for Robert Ulloa and Earl Elrod as Board Consultants to Dennis Yates and Steve Afriat as a Board Consultant to Jan Perry. Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley, seconded by Carney.
    
4. Report of Approved Out-of-Country Travel: None.

MARCH AGENDA ITEMS:

5. Execute Contract for Insurance Brokerage Services: Dr. Wallerstein stated that this item will be continued to the April Board meeting.
    
6. Execute Contract to Purchase Two Carbon Analyzers to Support PM2.5 Program: Henry Hogo, Assistant DEO/Science & Technology Advancement, stated that staff is recommending authorization to issue a purchase order with the highest-ranked bidder for the purchase of two carbon analyzers to support the PM2.5 Program; utilizing U.S. EPA Section 103 Grant funds, in an amount not to exceed $94,600 with the remaining funds to be reallocated to purchase laboratory supplies. Moved by Carney, seconded by Wilson.

Board member Cynthia Verdugo Peralta joined the meeting at 9:25 a.m.

7. Report on Small Business Roundtable: Pom Pom Ganguli, Public Advisor, explained that the initial meeting was held on January 16, 2004, and attended by Board Members Jane Carney, Jan Perry and Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta. A number of items were brought up in this meeting to be pursued, such as loan guarantee programs and financial assistance programs to small businesses. Staff will be meeting with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to discuss cooperative arrangements between AQMD and SBA. Ms. Verdugo Peralta added that she continued conversations with Frank Brancale and Alberto Alvarado of the SBA regarding their enthusiasm in working with the AQMD and small businesses. Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley and duly noted.
    
8. Amend Charter for Ethnic Community Advisory Group: Dr. Ganguli explained that the charter is being amended to address membership representation by geographic areas, in order to enhance participation from San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties. Mayor Loveridge requested a list of vacancies be provided to the Governing Board members prior to being filled. Moved by Loveridge, seconded by Carney.
    
9. Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for December 17, 2003: Attached for information are the Ethnic Community Advisory Group minutes for the December 17, 2003, meeting, including 2003 Accomplishments and 2004 Goals & Objectives. Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley requested more detailed information regarding the range and number of attendees, dates, location, and comments received from the Environmental Justice (EJ) workshops and how the outreach dollars were spent by the consultants. Oscar Abarca, Assistant DEO/Public Affairs, replied that staff will prepare a report to address this request. Board Member Jane Carney said her understanding was that the role of the advisory groups is to solicit comments, commentary, questions, and input which is reflected in the minutes monthly and reported to the Board via the Administrative Committee. Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley reiterated that she is requesting this information be included in the minutes. Board Member Verdugo-Peralta, Chair of the Ethnic Community Advisory Group answered that advisory group members have attended and supported EJ workshops and small business breakfasts when presented to the public. Dr. Ganguli stated staff will provide more details of such events in the accomplishments section in the future. Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley asked for more detailed accounting of the $1.5 million expenditure for the ethnic community outreach contracts previously authorized by the Board. Dr. Wallerstein explained that each group provides input regarding how to best approach particular ethnic communities; the outreach consultants organize the events, such as the Interfaith Summit, prepare mailing lists to send out flyers, prepare the agenda and coordinate speakers. Ms. Verdugo Peralta stated there is a lot of communication since the consultants attend ECAG meetings to obtain suggestions, feedback, and comments being provided to Dr. Wallerstein and the staff. Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley stated this information should be included in the comments made toward the accomplishments for the next meeting.
    
10. Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for November 21, 2003: Attached for information are the Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group (LG&SBA) minutes for the November 21, 2003, meeting, including 2003 Accomplishments and 2004 Goals & Objectives. Ms. Carney stated that the LG&SBA group asked clarification of Administrative Committee members regarding their minutes. The advisory group is invigorated by the new members and there are a lot of new perspectives being expressed from a very involved group. Once the 2004 goals and objectives are approved, the advisory group’s agenda should relate to these goals and objectives. Other items that are brought up should be pursued through an amendment to the goals and objectives to assist with the advisory group focus and to develop committee agendas. Ms. Carney continued that all advisory groups should follow this procedure. She did not agree with the suggestions made previously where advisory groups would like to contact the Governor directly. Ms. Carney asked if 2004 goals and objectives are approved by the Committee or Board; and Dr. Wallerstein answered that it takes concurrence from the Administrative Committee to be added to the Board agenda. Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley concurred that advisory groups cannot speak on behalf of the Governing Board members on any issue. Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley asked that prior to any cutbacks being decided, a total cost of outreach assistance by consultants be provided. Dr. Wallerstein stated that this information will be brought to the Finance Committee, and then to the Board's Budget Workshop. Mayor Loveridge requested the accomplishments & goals for both ECAG & LG&SBA be postponed to the March 12 Administrative Committee meeting for further discussion because there is no time commitment assigned to these action items. Barbara Baird, District Counsel, suggested that the goals and objectives from both advisory groups be postponed to the March 12 Administrative Committee meeting because the wording on the agenda stated written reports, whereas there needs to be some action for approval taken on these items. Dr. Wallerstein suggested initiating a Board letter to be taken to the April 2 meeting where the accomplishments and goals of each advisory group are separated and formal action taken to include how the money has been spent by the consultants.
     
11. Review March 5, 2004, Governing Board Agenda: Mayor Loveridge asked if Leonard Paulitz will be recognized at the next Board meeting, and Dr. Wallerstein answered that both Mr. Paulitz and former Supervisor Fred Aguiar have been invited to the Board meeting for a presentation.
    
    Item 4152 (Execute Contracts to Develop and Demonstrate Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles and Variable Gaseous Fueled Engine): Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley asked where the fueling stations will be located, and Chung Liu, DEO/Science & Technology Advancement, answered that the sites will be in Riverside, Santa Ana, Burbank, Santa Monica, and Ontario.
    
    Item 4314 (Execute Contract for Insurance Brokerage Services): Dr. Wallerstein stated that this item is being delayed one month.
    
    Item 4210 (Adopt Rule 1148.1 – Oil and Gas Production Operations and Amend Rule 222 – Filing Requirements for Specific Emission Sources Not Requiring a Written Permit Pursuant to Regulation II): Dr. Wallerstein stated this item has been discussed previously, but staff is prepared to explain AQMD staff's differences with the oil companies. He noted that this rule is an important one based on VOC and attainment strategy. He noted that the rule is relevant to issues concerning an oil well at Beverly Hills High School. CBS recently ran a story concerning the well.

Supervisor Wilson left the meeting at 9:58 a.m. and Ms. Carney chaired the meeting.

Dr. Wallerstein commented that an annual meeting for the Brain Tumor Foundation will be added to the March 5 Board agenda.

12. Other Business: None.
     
13. Public Comment: None.

Meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
 

Attachments

Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for December 17, 2003
Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for November 21, 2003

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