BOARD MEETING DATE: March 4, 2005
AGENDA NO. 21

Administrative Committee

SYNOPSIS:

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

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Dr. William A. Burke, Chair
Administrative Committee

Attendance: Present were Committee Chair William A. Burke, Vice Chair Roy Wilson and member Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley (via videoteleconference). Present at AQMD was member Jane Carney. Member Ronald Loveridge was absent.

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Board Members’ Concerns: None.
    
2. Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: Dr. Wallerstein reported that Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta will attend the CALSTART 2005 Clean Heavy Duty Vehicles Conference to be held in La Quinta, CA on February 22-24, 2005.
    
3. Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s): None.
    
4. Report of Approved Out-of-Country Travel: None.
    
5. Approval of RECLAIM Task Force Stakeholders Workgroup Members: Dr. Wallerstein explained that when Board action was taken on rule amendments, Mayor Loveridge introduced a motion for a "40,000 foot level" review of the RECLAIM program and asked what the future of this program will be. The request includes a formation of a task force which includes: environmentalists, business community, and academia who have been involved in this program in previous years. Dr. Wallerstein proposed specific appointments. In addition, Elaine Chang, Carol Coy, legal staff and he will also be participating in this task force. Dr. Wallerstein recommended a representative from Pasadena Water & Power be included because they have specific issues as city providers, and Dr. Burke's ability to appoint replacements as needed. Moved by Wilson; seconded by Carney.

MARCH AGENDA ITEMS:

6. Renew Contracts for Media Relations Services: Dr. Wallerstein explained that this item will be postponed to the March 11 Administrative Committee and April 1 Board meetings to enable staff to provide additional information.
    
7. Report on AQMD Discretionary Programs/Activities: Dr. Wallerstein stated that an initiative from the Board was introduced as part of this year's budget approval to assemble a stakeholders group to review AQMD's discretionary programs & activities, specifically to either be enhanced, remain the same, or be reduced or eliminated. Stakeholder participants were approved at a previous Committee meeting, and included individuals from businesses, environmental groups, and local government representatives to review 25 program areas in great detail. The stakeholders group was surveyed on the benefits or downsides of the programs. Their report does not contain consensus on areas where significant savings may be made, but it was a good initial review of AQMD's discretionary programs. The review may be extended to highlight further performance measures. A few comment letters suggested that the Clean Air Store be eliminated, and that advertisement policy in newspapers be reviewed by the Administrative Committee for possible cost savings. There was a debate whether the Emergency Response Team should continue to provide public agencies with air quality data as staff is paid overtime, but the elimination of this program could be significant as public safety issue. Further comments regarding Environmental Justice, health studies, and programs will be integrated into the Board letter. Dr. Wallerstein recommended this item be a Receive & File Report, but be further discussed at the April 29 Budget Workshop. Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley stated she felt that the School Bus Foundation, Children's Air Quality Agenda, and Environmental Justice outreach projects be carefully reviewed because they are already part of AQMD's culture and do not require separate efforts. She also felt that the library and Clean Air Store should be eliminated. Dr. Wallerstein stated that no funding is allocated to the School Bus Foundation, but he requested counsel keep the Foundation alive to preserve the name. This decision would be further reviewed by the Board. Dr. Wallerstein stated that several initiatives have been broad and include many activities, but these can be more focused in the future. Moved by Carney; seconded by LaPisto-Kirtley.
    
8. Adopt Resolution to Renew General Services Agreement with County of Los Angeles: Cheryl Wade, Financial Services Manager, stated that this agreement would continue AQMD's association with the County of Los Angeles and provide treasury services for investments, purchase of vehicle gasoline and natural gas, and other services and supplies in bulk. If the association does not continue through the treasury management, it would be necessary to hire several full-time positions to continue this work. Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley; seconded by Wilson.
    
9. Report of RFPs and RFQs Scheduled for Release in March: Ms. Wade mentioned that two RFQs -- Off-Site Storage Services and Establish List of Prequalified Vendors for Printing Services -- are being requested for approval. Moved by Wilson; seconded by Carney.
    
10. Report of Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Accomplishments in 2004 and Approve Goals and Objectives for 2005: Pom Pom Ganguli, Public Advisor, stated that attached are the 2004 accomplishments and 2005 goals and objectives for the Local Government & Small Business Advisory Group being presented for approval. Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley; seconded by Carney.
     
11. Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for December 15, 2004: Attached for information are the Ethnic Community Advisory Group minutes for the December 15, 2004 meeting.
     
12. Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for December 10, 2004: Attached for information are the Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group (LG&SBA) minutes for the December 10, 2004, meeting.
     
13. Review March 4, 2005, Governing Board Agenda: No concerns were raised.
     
14. Other Business: Dr. Burke asked regarding LAX expansion issues relative to AQMD and the environmental assessment process. Dr. Wallerstein explained that AQMD has checked the technical work of the city's consultants on environmental documentation and made recommendations related to mitigation measures. Dr. Burke was concerned that after Board members took a field trip to the LAX airport, he felt uncomfortable that AQMD was not more involved. Dr. Wallerstein stated that this is the only role defined in law for AQMD, but this project is now being contested by the County of Los Angeles and the City of El Segundo and AQMD's participation will be important to the litigation. Dr. Burke stated a lot of issues were raised, but the Board did not have any input into the final analysis. Dr. Wallerstein stated that since this issue is in litigation, counsel can brief the Board members during closed session at the March 4 meeting.
     
15. Public Comment: None.

Meeting adjourned at 9:36 a.m.

Attachments

1. Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for December 15, 2004
2. Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for December 10, 2004

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