BOARD MEETING DATE: September 3, 2004
AGENDA NO. 13
Public Affairs Report
SYNOPSIS:
This report highlights the July 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 July 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 July:
Community Meetings
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On July 6, the inaugural meeting of the Foothill Neighborhood Environmental Justice Council was held at the City of Hope in Duarte. This group represents the third neighborhood EJ council established by AQMD to review local air quality issues and bring forth recommendations that would serve to mitigate air quality impacts in their respective communities. The meeting was chaired by Board Member Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley, Mayor of Bradbury, and attended by representatives of local governments, businesses, community and schools. |
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On July 7, the Hacienda Heights/La Puente/Avocado Heights Neighborhood EJ Council met to continue its discussions on local air quality issues. The meeting agenda included the review of a recently completed AQMD source test and Health Risk Assessment for a local facility. This EJ Council, which has been meeting for over a year, plans to conclude within the next few months with its findings being discussed at a Community Town Hall meeting. |
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On July 18, staff attended a Community Impact Forum held in San Pedro. The event was sponsored by several local neighborhood councils and was held to consider the ramifications of continuing or abandoning a local oil/gas pipeline operated by Amerigas that extends to the port. Approximately 75 members of the public, including Los Angeles City Council Member Janice Hahn, attended the meeting. |
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On July 27 (Ontario) and July 29 (Baldwin Park), AQMD hosted Environmental Justice Workshops, which included an air quality overview, update on air pollution and health effects and an update on the Proposed EJ Work Plan for 2004-05. Each workshop drew over 70 attendees. Two additional meetings are scheduled in August for Orange and Riverside counties. |
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On July 31, AQMD co-hosted a Community Meeting on Locomotive Emissions and Air Quality in the City of Commerce. The event, which was co-hosted by the Modesta Avila Coalition and the city, drew over 200 attendees who heard first-hand about the impacts of diesel emissions on health. Attendees asked questions and voiced their concerns about air quality issues. The meeting speakers included Assembly Member Cindy Montanez, 39th Assembly District & Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Environmental Justice; Mayor Rosalina Lopez, City of Commerce; a representative from the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company and AQMD Governing Board Members Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley, Dennis Yates and Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta. Program highlights included a Clean Air Fair, clean fuel vehicle display and information on AQMD’s Environmental Justice 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 July include:
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Event |
Location |
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July 4 |
4th of July Community Festival |
Mission Viejo |
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July 9 |
Harbor/UCLA Research & Education |
South Bay |
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*July 11 |
"We Care About Our Air" Fair |
Riverside |
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July 16 |
VA Hospital "Happy Puffers" Presentation |
Sepulveda |
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July 17 |
Government Day |
Panorama City |
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July 24 |
Asthma Awareness Day |
Torrance |
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July 30 - Aug. 1 |
Central Ave. Jazz Festival and Community Fair |
So. Los Angeles |
*This event was held to recognize AQMD Clean Air Congress members, a committed group of Southlanders who have joined in the fight for clean air. The event drew hundreds of attendees who learned about the latest clean air technologies and participated in fun-filled activities for children. The event offered attendees a look at one of the first demonstration fuel cell hydrogen vehicles, presentations on air pollution and health and free health screenings. There were two previous Clean Air Congress events held in June and two more are scheduled for September. Staff has also prepared a newsletter "Clean Air Congress Voice" that is mailed or e-mailed to all members.
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 July:
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On July 8, staff hosted 13 members of the Italian Commission on the Environment & Public Safety who received an overview on the regulatory development of emissions programs, air monitoring and public education. The visitors also viewed the Honda Fuel Cell vehicle. |
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On July 26, staff hosted visitors from British Columbia Transit who received an overview on the agency's Clean Fuels Program and fleet rule development. |
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 July:
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Main Line Calls |
6,015 |
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1-800-CUT-SMOG® Line |
4,689 |
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After Hours Calls* |
2,458 |
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Spanish Line Calls |
46 |
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Total Phone Calls |
13,208 |
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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 July:
Requests for Information
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Visitor Transactions |
306 |
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Information Packages Mailed |
44 |
Calls
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Calls Received by PIC Staff |
124 |
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Calls to Automated System |
6,350 |
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Total Phone Calls |
6,474 |
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 July included:
Conducted 49 free on-site consultations
Provided guidance in filing 6 requests for variance
Provided permit application assistance to 162 companies
Issued 28 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 July:
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 Bob Margett |
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Senator Gloria Romero |
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Assembly Member Ronald Calderon |
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Assembly Member Edward Chavez |
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Assembly Member Dario J. Frommer |
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Assembly Member Jackie Goldberg |
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Assembly Member John Longville |
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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 Moñtanez |
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Assembly Member Bob Pacheco |
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Assembly Member Mark Ridley-Thomas |
Field visits and/or communications were conducted with staff from the following cities:
Banning, Baldwin Park, Carson, Commerce, Fontana, Hawthorne, Inglewood, and Riverside.
Staff provided presentations at the following meetings:
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Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce Government Relations |
Chamber of Commerce contacts:
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Staff represented AQMD at the following meetings:
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