BOARD MEETING DATE: November 5, 2004
AGENDA NO. 14
Public Affairs Report
SYNOPSIS:
This report highlights the September 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 September 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 September:
Community Meetings
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On September 8, AQMD staff attended a community meeting in Pacoima hosted by Los Angeles City Councilman Alex Padilla and Pacoima Beautiful to address environmental clean-up of a former industrial site. Approximately 75 community members attended the meeting, along with representatives from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board and the California Dept. of Toxic Substances Control. |
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On September 20, AQMD hosted a Community Meeting in East Los Angeles to address community concerns related to potential cumulative impacts from area metal plating facilities as well as other manufacturing operations in the area. Also in attendance were representatives from the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office who specialize in the area of Environmental Justice. AQMD staff provided the meeting attendees with an overview of the AQMD permit process, as well as information on our complaint response program. |
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 September include:
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Event |
Location |
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September 2 |
Santa Monica Pier Clean Air Congress |
Santa Monica |
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September 11-12 |
Black Business Expo & Trade Fair |
Los Angeles |
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September 12 |
Family Eco Fun Fair |
Anaheim |
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September 23 |
Fountain Valley Community Fair |
Fountain Valley |
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September 25 |
Clean Air Congress "River Rally" |
Santa Clarita |
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September 26 |
Bolero Festival and Community Fair-Exposition Park |
Los Angeles |
Staff has also prepared a "Clean Air Congress Voice" newsletter that is mailed or e-mailed to all Clean Air Congress members.
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 September:
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On September 3, staff hosted a visit from the French Deputy Director of the Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development who received an air quality overview and presentation on the AQMD’s alternative fuels program. |
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On September 16, the Public Advisor participated on a panel session on Environmental Justice before the City of Los Angeles Environmental Affairs Commission. |
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On September 17, staff hosted a nine-member delegation from Lost Mountain Transit in Canada who received a briefing on the AQMD’s alternative fuels program. |
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On September 28, staff hosted a group of officials from the Environmental Protection Bureau, of Kaohsiung City, Taiwan who received an overview of rule development and implementation of toxic rules, and monitoring for toxic air emissions. |
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 September:
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Main Line Calls |
5,862 |
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1-800-CUT-SMOG® Line |
4,884 |
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After Hours Calls* |
2,253 |
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Spanish Line Calls |
698 |
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Total Phone Calls |
43 |
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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 September:
Requests for Information
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Visitor Transactions |
450 |
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Information Packages Mailed |
39 |
Calls
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Calls Received by PIC Staff |
108 |
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Calls to Automated System |
5,843 |
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Total Phone Calls |
5,951 |
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 September included:
Conducted 86 free on-site consultations
Provided guidance in filing 2 requests for variance
Provided permit application assistance to 237 companies
Issued 39 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 were provided to the identified parties during the month of September:
Field visits and/or communications were conducted with staff from the following offices:
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Senator Martha Escutia |
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Senator Gloria Romero |
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Assembly Member Judy Chu |
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Assembly Member Alan Lowenthal |
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Assembly Member George Nakano |
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Assembly Member Fabian Nuñez |
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Assembly Member Gloria Negrete McLeod |
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Assembly Member Cindy Montañez |
Field visits and/or communications were conducted with staff from the following cities:
Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Banning, Baldwin Park, Carson, Cerritos, Coachella, Commerce, Corona, Dana Point, Diamond Bar, El Monte, Fontana, Hawthorne, Hidden Hills, Inglewood, Irwindale, La Puente, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Moreno Valley, Newport Beach, Pacoima, Pasadena, Redondo Beach, Riverside, Rosemead, San Clemente, San Gabriel, Sierra Madre, San Marino, South El Monte, South Pasadena, Temple City, Torrance, and Yucaipa.
Staff provided presentations at the following civic meetings:
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Chamber of Commerce contacts:
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Staff represented AQMD at the following meetings:
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