BOARD MEETING DATE: September 3, 2004
AGENDA NO. 22

Administrative Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Administrative Committee met Friday, August 13, 2004, and reviewed the proposed agenda for the September 3, 2004, Board meeting. The Committee also discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is Friday, September 10, at 9:00 a.m. in Conference Room CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Jane Carney, Acting Chair
Administrative Committee

Attendance: Present via teleconference was Member Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley. Present at AQMD was Member Jane Carney. Absent were Dr. William Burke, Supervisor Roy Wilson, and Mayor Ronald Loveridge.

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Board Members’ Concerns: None.
    
2. Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: None.
    
3. Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s): None.
    
4. Report of Approved Out-of-Country Travel: Elaine Chang, DEO/Planning, Rule Development, and Area Sources, referred to the agenda which stated that Matt Miyasato is traveling to Toronto, Canada to participate on a panel titled "Hydrogen Developments and Deployments on the U.S. West Coast" at the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Conference to be held on September 26-28; and Barry Wallerstein will participate at the Montreux Energy Roundtable regarding worldwide energy investments and emerging technologies to be held on September 27-29.

SEPTEMBER AGENDA ITEMS:

5. Appropriate Funds from Designation for Litigation & Enforcement to District Counsel's FY 2004-05 Budget and Amend Contracts to Expend these Funds: Barbara Baird, District Counsel, stated that this item is to appropriate $350,000 for environmental litigation. AQMD is currently involved in six major lawsuits – fleet rules, challenges to 2002 and 2003 architectural coatings rules, WSPA challenge to last year's refinery rules, and two new CEQA cases challenging the negative declarations issued regarding a Conoco-Philips project. In this year's budget, the Board has established a $1 million designation for litigation and enforcement to pay for outside counsel. This money will provide assistance in the current heavy workload to defend these cases. Jane Carney asked whether the outside law firms will be billing per hourly basis, and Ms. Baird affirmed. Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; those Committee members who were present communicated their concurrence.
    
6. Execute Sole-Source Contract for Three-Year Maintenance and Service for AQMD Headquarters' Energy Management System: Eudora Tharp, Assistant DEO/Administrative & Human Resources, stated that the maintenance contract on the building's energy management system to operates heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, has expired. This action is to execute a three-year sole-source management contract with the manufacturer, Siemens. AQMD policy allows sole- source contracting when proprietary technology is involved, and Siemens maintains proprietary control of sales and service. The total three-year cost is $73,572, which includes upgrading hardware and staff training. Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; those Committee members who were present communicated their concurrence.
    
7. Recognize Funds from Other California Air Pollution Control Districts and Air Quality Management Districts for Current Upgrade to URBEMIS2002 Model and Appropriate Funds to FY 2004-05 Budget: Elaine Chang, DEO/Planning, Rule Development & Area Sources, stated that this item will recognize funds from other air districts to add funds to the existing contract for Jones & Stokes to update CARB's URBEMIS model, which local air pollution districts use to assess air quality impacts for CEQA projects. AQMD administers the contract for all districts, but it is initially CARB's model. Steve Smith, Program Supervisor, explained the model belongs to CARB, but a third-party company updates the model. The update to the URBEMIS model would ensure the air quality impact analysis is consistent with the latest CARB inventory methodology. Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; those Committee members who were present communicated their concurrence.
    
8. Recognize and Appropriate U.S. EPA Pollution Prevention Grant Funds for Lubricant and Rust Inhibitor Study: Laki Tisopulos, Assistant DEO/Planning, Rule Development & Area Sources, stated that AQMD received $79,986 from U.S. EPA in Pollution Prevention Grant funds to conduct a study on lubricant and rust inhibitors and identify and test potential low-VOC alternatives. The action is to recognize the funds awarded. Ms. Carney requested the Board letter further clarify AQMD's participation by accepting this EPA grant. Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; those Committee members who were present communicated their concurrence.
    
9. Establish List of Prequalified Vendors to Provide Library Services and Supplies: Chris Marlia, Assistant DEO/Information Management, stated that this item is to establish a vendors list to assist staff with library functions. Outside assistance is required to access and acquire various publications. An RFP was issued listing six broad task categories with $80,000 being budgeted for one year, and $60,000 being spent for book acquisitions or subscriptions.

Power was lost at the Los Angeles County facility from 9:16 – 9:22 a.m. Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley teleconferenced from 9:22 – 9:30 a.m. Videoteleconferencing reconnected at 9:30 a.m.

There was an extended discussion regarding staff functions and the type of services provided by outside vendors. Ms. Carney requested the Board letter be reworded to further clarify the method of purchasing books, subscriptions, and publications and how much is actually spent on these types of items. This item was continued to the September 10 Administrative Committee/October 1 Governing Board meetings.

10. Issue Request for Proposals (RFP) for Legislative Consulting Services in Washington, D.C. and Issue RFP/Extend Legislative Consulting Services in Sacramento, CA: Since this item was discussed at the 8 a.m. Legislative Committee meeting, the Committee members moved the item. Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; those Committee members who were present communicated their concurrence.
     
11. Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for June 9, 2004: Attached for information are the Ethnic Community Advisory Group minutes for the June 9, 2004.
     
12. Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for June 11, 2004: Attached for information are the Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group (LG&SBA) minutes for the June 11, 2004, meeting.
     
13. Review September 3, 2004, Governing Board Agenda: Dr. Chang stated that the item regarding "Execute Contracts for AQIP Proposals Received During Fourth Quarter of 2003 and First Semi-Annual Period 2004" is being continued to the October 1 Board agenda and "Authorize Final Payments on Completed Contracts with Closed Accounts" and Issue RFP for Technical Assistance for Advanced, Low- and Zero-Emission Mobile and Stationary Source Pollution Control Technologies" have been added to the September 3 Board agenda. Dr. Chang also stated that the "Informational Hearing and White Paper for Proposed Amendments to RECLAIM" may be a controversial item.
     
    Ms. Carney asked whether the "Evaluation Report on Emissions from Flaring Operations at Refineries" will be going to the August 20 Stationary Source Committee meeting, and whether the emission information is current in the report. Dr. Chang stated that the report will include recent data submitted by references in the Board package.
     
    Ms. Baird stated that the Informational Hearing item on RECLAIM is to provide information to the Board. Staff will make a presentation and Board members may make their comments regarding this item, but not take any votes on this item. This item will be coming before the Board as a rule amendment in subsequent months for approval.
     
14. Other Business: Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley asked the amounts for the Sacramento legislative representation since she did not receive her copy of this specific Board letter. Oscar Abarca, Assistant DEO/Public Affairs, replied that Alan Lind's contract is for an extension not to exceed $100,000 and former Senator Polanco's contract is for an amount not to exceed $140,000 (which are the current amounts plus CPI).
     
15. Public Comment: None.

Meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.

Attachments

1. Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for June 9, 2004
2. Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for June 11, 2004

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