BOARD MEETING DATE: June 3, 2005
AGENDA NO. 18

PROPOSAL:

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights the April 2005 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 April 2005. 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 April:

On April 1, District staff provided a bilingual presentation on air quality and permitting procedures to Parents of Lillian Street Elementary in Los Angeles. The parents were interested in knowing how facilities apply for air quality permits and the requirements for compliance with those permits. Also in attendance was a representative from the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning who explained zoning and conditional use permits. The meeting was coordinated by Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina’s staff that is working with community members in establishing the Florence/Firestone Community Enhancement Team.

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 April include:
 

Date	Event
April 9	Car Care for Clean Air, Perris
April 10	Earth Day Celebration, City of Beverly Hills
April 16	Car Care for Clean Air, Hemet
April 19-24	Various Earth Day Celebrations, including Cal State Univ., Northridge; University of La Verne; La Mirada High School; Wilson High School; City of San Juan Capistrano; City of Placentia; and various community and business-sponsored events throughout the region
April 23	19th Annual Inland Empire Environmental Expo at California State University, San Bernardino
April 23	Car Care for Clean Air, Moreno Valley
April 23	Assemblyman Bermudez’ Earth Day Celebration, Whittier

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 April:
 

	April 14 -Hosted a class from West Covina High School who received an overview on air quality and a tour of the laboratory
	April 15-Hosted the Mt. San Antonio College Chemistry Club who heard a presentation from the laboratory staff and a tour of the facility.
	April 29-Hosted visit from Claremont College students and provided a presentation on alternative fuels.

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 April:
 

	Main Line Calls	5,506
	1-800-CUT-SMOG® Line	4,141
	After Hours Calls*	2,123
	Spanish Line Calls	56
	Total Phone Calls	11,826
	*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 April:

Requests for Information

Calls

	Calls Received by PIC Staff	128
	Calls to Automated System	4,813
	Total Phone Calls	4,941

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

AQMD assists businesses by notifying them of proposed regulations so they can participate in their development. AQMD also works with other agencies and states to identify efficient, cost-effective ways to reduce air pollution and shares that information broadly. Additionally, staff provides personalized assistance to small businesses both over the telephone and by on-site consultation. The information is summarized below.
 

	Conducted 50 free on-site consultations
	Provided assistance in filing 5 requests for variance
	Provided permit application assistance to 179 companies
	Issued 25 clearance letters

Types of business assisted:

Drycleaning	Gas stations
Hospital	Metal finishing
Auto body repair	Computer component manufacturing
Wood products manufacturing/coating	Restaurant
Building management	Ink manufacturing

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.

Field visits and/or communications were conducted with elected officials, or staff from the following offices:
 

State Senator Joe Dunn State Senator Elaine Alquist Assembly Member Karen Bass Assembly Member Patty Berg Assembly Member Rudy Bermudez Assembly Member Ronald Calderon Assembly Member Wilma Chan Assembly Member Judy Chu Assembly Member Mike Gordon Assembly Member Tom Harman Assembly Member Bob Huff Assembly Member Betty Karnette Assembly Member John Klehs Assembly Member Mark Leno Assembly Member Carol Liu Assembly Member Jon Nation Assembly Member Gloria Negrete McLeod Assembly Member Roger Niello Assembly Member Jenny Oropeza Assembly Member Fran Pavley Assembly Member Mark Ridley-Thomas Assembly Member Lori Saldana Assembly Member Simon Salinas Assembly Member Todd Sptizer Assembly Member Alberto Torrico Assembly Member Van Tran Assembly Member Tom Umberg Assembly Member Mimi Walters Assembly Member Leland Yee

Field visits and/or communications were conducted with staff from the following cities:

Alhambra, Artesia, Baldwin Park, Bellflower, Beverly Hills, Brea, Buena Park, Carson, Cerritos , Colton, Commerce, Dana Point, Duarte, Gardena, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Industry, Inglewood, Irvine, La Canada-Flintridge, La Habra, Lakewood, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, La Palma, Lomita, Mission Viejo, Monterey Park, Palos Verdes Estates, Pico Rivera, Placentia, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills Estates, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Clarita, Seal Beach, South El Monte, South Gate, Torrance Walnut, West Hollywood and Westminster.

Chamber of Commerce and Council of Government contacts:

California Contract Cities Association
California Small Business Roundtable
Commerce Industrial Council
Gateway Cities Council of Governments
Irvine Chamber of Commerce
Las Virgenes/Malibu Council of Governments
Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce
Norco Chamber of Commerce
Orange County Council of Governments
Pico Rivera Chamber of Commerce
San Bernardino Associated Governments
San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
South Bay Council of Governments
South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce

Staff represented AQMD and/or provided a presentation to the following groups:

American Lung Association of Inland Counties
Inland County, League of California Cities
Los Angeles County Division, League of California Cities
South Gate Rotary Club
Raytheon Corporation

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