BOARD MEETING DATE: February 4, 2005
AGENDA NO. 21
REPORT:

Administrative Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Administrative Committee met Friday, January 14, 2005, and reviewed the proposed agenda for the February 4, 2005, Board meeting. The Committee also discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is Friday, February 11, at 9:00 a.m. in Conference Room CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

S. Roy Wilson, Vice Chair
Administrative Committee

Attendance: Present (via teleconference) was Committee Vice Chair Roy Wilson and Member Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley (via videoteleconference). Absent were Committee Chair William Burke and Members Jane Carney and Ronald Loveridge.

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

  1. Board Members’ Concerns: None.
     
  2. Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: Dr. Wallerstein reported that Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta attended the California Energy Commission's "Transportation Energy Efficiency and Alternative Fuels Analyses Workshop" held in Sacramento, CA on December 20, 2004; and she will be attending the California Clean Energy Roundtable to be held in Half Moon Bay, CA, on January 19-21, 2005.
     
  3. Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s): Board Member Gary C. Ovitt has requested assistance from James C. Coyle as a Board Consultant beginning January 14, 2005. Since there was not a quorum present, the Committee Members communicated their concurrence. District Counsel has determined that a quorum is not necessary to approve this item, so the matter was approved.
     
  4. Report of Approved Out-of-Country Travel: None.

FEBRUARY AGENDA ITEMS:

  1. Approve Transfer of Funds for Modeling Computer Workstations: Elaine Chang, DEO/Planning, Rule Development, and Area Sources, stated that staff is requesting approval to transfer funds to purchase two computer workstations to assist air quality modeling capability, which is important to the preparation of the upcoming MATES III and 2007 AQMP revisions. Since there was not a quorum present, the Committee members communicated their concurrence on this item.
     
  2. Amend Employee Relations Litigation and Negotiation Services Contract and Appropriate Funds from the Undesignated Fund Balance: Eudora Tharp, Asst. DEO/Administrative & Human Resources, stated the law firm of Best, Best & Krieger is representing the agency in a case that is ongoing since 2001, the costs of which will exceed the original contract limit. This request is to add $100,000 to the existing $50,000 contract to ensure adequate defense in this litigation. Litigation costs above the $50,000 deductible will be reimbursed in accordance with AQMD’s employer’s liability insurance. Supervisor Wilson abstained due to a conflict of interest since the contractor had made a campaign contribution. Since there was not a quorum present, the remaining Committee member present communicated her concurrence on this item.
     
  3. Add Positions in Science and Technology Advancement: Ms. Tharp stated that the federal government has indicated an intention to expand an existing special monitoring program that AQMD is involved in and to fund the program on a long-term basis. As a result, staff believes it is more cost effective to use regular, rather than temporary, staff for this work. To support the expanded program, staff recommends adding 10 Instrument Specialist I positions, 2 Senior Instrument Specialists, and 2 Office Assistants. The fully burdened cost of this recommendation is approximately $1,744,334. The staffing augmentation will not affect AQMD’s Budget since the positions will only be filled if federal funds are made available. Dr. Wallerstein explained that adding these positions is based on receiving the full covered funding from the federal government due for special sampling being done for the federal government.
     
    Additionally, with the passage of state legislation, AQMD will receive significant additional long-term Carl Moyer Program funding. To provide adequate staff support for this program, staff recommends adding an AQ Specialist position, at a fully burdened cost of approximately $173,609. Again, there will be no budget impact as the positions will be fully funded by the State’s Moyer Program. Ms. Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley asked if AQMD lost inspector positions from the Enforcement unit, and Dr. Wallerstein answered that the Board has had the agency in a downsizing mode for several years; however, when AQMD received a substantial settlement from a refinery enforcement case, the Board added some inspector positions, along with other positions. Because of downsizing, staff is having difficulty keeping up with day-to-day operations. Since there was not a quorum present, the Committee members present recommended this item for approval.
     
  4. Authorize Purchase of Desktop Computer Hardware Upgrades: Chris Marlia, Asst. DEO/Information Management, stated that this item is to replace 200 of the oldest PCs, which is usually done every year, but upgrading has not occurred in over two years. Staff is requesting approval for the replacements, which is covered in this year's budget. Since there was not a quorum present, the Committee members present communicated their concurrence.
     
  5. Report of RFPs and RFQs Scheduled for Release in February: Mr. Rick Pearce, Chief Financial Officer, stated that one RFQ—Prequalify Providers of Temporary Employment Services––is being requested for approval. Since there was not a quorum present, the Committee members present recommended this item for approval.
     
  6. Report of Ethnic Community Advisory Group Accomplishments in 2004 and Approve Goals and Objectives for 2005: Dr. Pom Pom Ganguli, Public Advisor, stated that this report represents the Accomplishments in 2004 and the Goals and Objectives for 2005, which have been reviewed and approved by the Advisory Group. Since there was not a quorum present, the Committee members present communicated their concurrence.
     
  7. Recommendation to Approve AQMD/ABC Radio Partnership to Promote Clean Air Cars: Dr. Ganguli stated that ABC Radio has invited AQMD to participate in a community outreach campaign which will result in 180 radio spots of 60 seconds each to reach 3/4 million people in Southern California. AQMD will partner on a 50-50 basis with other companies for 30 seconds each, at a cost of $20,000 to AQMD with a value over $270,000. AQMD will not be endorsing any products. Staff is requesting approval to initiate this project. Dr. Wallerstein wanted Committee members to be aware that this type of promotion will reach thousands of people, and is a good leveraging of AQMD dollars and creates strategic partnerships beneficial to the agency. The Committee members present approved this item.
     
  8. Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for November 10, 2004: Attached for information are the Ethnic Community Advisory Group minutes for the November 10, 2004 meeting.
     
  9. Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for November 12, 2004: Attached for information are the Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group (LG&SBA) minutes for the November 12, 2004, meeting.
     
  10. Review February 4, 2005, Governing Board Agenda: Dr. Wallerstein stated that there will not be any public hearing items at the February 4 Board meeting. Since there was not a quorum present, the Committee members present communicated their concurrence.
     
  11. Other Business: Dr. Wallerstein presented employee recognition service pins to Saundra McDaniel, Clerk of the Board, for 20 years; Henry Hogo, Asst. DEO/Science & Technology, for 15 years; Denise Whitcher, Executive Secretary, for 15 years; and Peter Mieras, District Prosecutor, for 15 years.
     
  12. Public Comment: None.

Meeting adjourned at 9:21 a.m.

Attachments

  1. Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for November 10, 2004
  2. Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for November 12, 2004

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