BOARD MEETING DATE: November 4, 2005
AGENDA NO. 26

Administrative Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Administrative Committee met Friday, October 14, 2005, and reviewed the proposed agenda for the November 4, 2005, Board meeting. The Committee also discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is Thursday, November 10, 2005 at 9 a.m. in Conference Room CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

S. Roy Wilson, Vice Chair
Administrative Committee

Attendance: Present were Committee Vice Chair Roy Wilson (via videoconference) and Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley (via videoconference and teleconference). Members Jane Carney and Ronald Loveridge were absent.

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Kurt Wiese, District Counsel, suggested that when the Committee meeting is concluded, staff and public be requested to leave so that Committee members may discuss the closed session item.

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: None.
    
5. Report Regarding Separating Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group: Pompom Ganguli, Public Advisor, requested this item be postponed until Committee member Jane Carney is present.

NOVEMBER AGENDA ITEMS:

6. Establish Board Meeting Schedule for Calendar Year 2006: Less than a quorum was present; the Committee members present expressed their concurrence that this item be recommended for approval by the Board.
    
7. Costs to Continue Participation in California Climate Action Registry for Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Elaine Chang, DEO/Planning & Rule Development, explained that staff is requesting guidance on whether AQMD should participate in California Climate Action Registry, a non-profit voluntary registry for greenhouse gas emissions, established by the State Legislature in 2000. AQMD is a participant and pays an annual fee of $700; however, in order to continue our membership we need to submit greenhouse gas emissions for CO2 and be certified by a third party. Bay Area AQMD has provided an estimate of the costs to certify their CO2 emissions, which is $6,000 for the first year and $3,000 for the following two years totaling approximately $11,000. Since AQMD staff specializes in preparing emissions inventories for the Southern California region, staff feels it is unwise to spend public money to certify the CO2 emissions to meet the California Climate Action Registry's deadline of December 31, 2005.
    
   Dr. Wallerstein stated that he requested staff to bring this item before the Committee and was also concerned, as a public agency, about a situation in which AQMD would be spending public money to verify AQMD numbers. Dr. Wallerstein suggested that discussions with the Registry continue, to possibly have the State review the numbers as a more cost effective means.
    
8. Execute Contract to Provide Technical Support for AQMD PAMS Upper Air Meteorological Monitoring Network: Laki Tisopulos, Asst. DEO/Planning & Rule Development, stated staff is seeking authorization to execute a contract with Sonoma Technology to provide AQMD with assistance in maintaining the upper air monitoring network for air quality forecasting and modeling and event analysis. The contract amount is $60,000 with an option to renew for each of the next three years based on availability of funding and Sonoma's performance. Funding will be provided from the U.S. EPA Section 105 Grant funds. Less than a quorum was present; the Committee members present expressed their concurrence that this item be recommended for approval by the Board.
    
9. Recognize, Appropriate, and Reallocate Funds for U.S. EPA's Enhanced Particulate Monitoring Program and U.S. Department of Defense Study to Demonstrate Feasibility of Measuring Low-Level Pollutant Concentrations: Henry Hogo, Asst. DEO/Science & Technology, stated staff is seeking to recognize and appropriate funds from U.S. EPA for a special national particulate monitoring program. An award of $121,530 has been received to complete this project. This action is also to recognize revenues in the amount of $876,000 from the Department of Defense to conduct a special program to look at instruments to measure low-level pollutants and $440,000 from the first-year award. Mr. Hogo stated that staff is awaiting an additional award for the third year. Less than a quorum was present; the Committee members present expressed their concurrence that this item be recommended for approval by the Board.
    
10. Add and Delete Positions in FY 2005-06 Budget: Eudora Tharp, Asst. DEO/Administrative & Human Resources, stated that, due to the significant increase in long-term funding for State incentive programs, staffing levels need to be augmented to administer these programs. Specifically, staff recommends adding two Contracts Assistant positions in Science & Technology Advancement, using Carl Moyer and Clean Fuels funding. Additionally, to enhance staffing flexibility, the recommendation is to add an Air Quality Specialist position and to delete a vacant Meteorologist position in Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources and to add a Sr. Public Information Specialist position and delete a vacant Public Affairs Specialist in Public Affairs. Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley was concerned about the increase in funding required to upgrade the Public Affairs Specialist to Senior Public Information Specialist. Dr. Ganguli explained that the lower-level position did not have the qualifications or expertise to handle the additional responsibilities necessary for providing liaison services to the eastern portion of Los Angeles County. Dr. Wallerstein stated that significant downsizing has occurred in Public Affairs over the years, but the products of their work effort related to key Board issues, such as the railroads, has not diminished. This minor adjustment to staffing, he felt, is appropriate. Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley had additional concerns regarding the recruitment process for this position, in response to which Dr. Ganguli stated that this action allows the agency to hire, on a full-time basis, a person who has been a temporary worker for two years and whose performance has been exceptional. Less than a quorum was present; the Committee members present expressed their concurrence that this item be recommended for approval by the Board.
     
11. Authorize Purchase of Ingres Relational Database Management System Software Support: Chris Marlia, Assistant DEO/Information Management, explained that staff is requesting approval to purchase software maintenance support services for AQMD's core activities for one year at a cost not to exceed $150,000. Less than a quorum was present; the Committee members present expressed their concurrence that this item be recommended for approval by the Board.
     
12. Report of RFPs and RFQs Scheduled for Release in November: Mr. Pearce stated that one RFP – Short- and Long-Term Systems Development and Maintenance Services – is being requested for approval.
     
13. Extend Contract for Legislative Representation in Washington, DC: Dr. Wallerstein stated this item was approved at the Legislative Committee meeting earlier. Less than a quorum was present; the Committee members present expressed their concurrence that this item be recommended for approval by the Board.
     
14. Extend Contract for Legislative Representation in Sacramento, CA: Dr. Wallerstein stated this item was approved at the Legislative Committee meeting earlier. Less than a quorum was present; the Committee members present expressed their concurrence that this item be recommended for approval by the Board.
     
15. Environmental Justice Program Review and Proposed Work Plan for FY 2005-06: Dr. Ganguli requested this item be moved to the next month's agenda to allow ample time for public comment.
     
16. Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for July 13, 2005: Attached for information are the Ethnic Community Advisory Group minutes for the July 13, 2005 meeting.
     
17. Local Government & Small Business Advisory Group Minutes for July 15, 2005: Attached for information are the Local Government & Small Business Advisory Group minutes for the July 15, 2005 meetings.
     
18. Review November 4, 2005, Governing Board Agenda: Dr. Wallerstein stated that this Board meeting will be held in Long Beach City Hall Chambers beginning at 9 a.m. The agenda will be long, with the following important rules to be heard for adoption – Requirements for New and Relocated Facilities Near Schools, Control of Emissions from Refinery Flares, PM10 Emission Reductions from Cement Manufacturing Facilities, and Coating of Metal Parts and Products.
     
    Dr. Wallerstein stated that Dr. Burke proposed that the "mobile" Board meeting offer time to hear community concerns regarding air quality topics related to the surrounding areas. The public comment period is scheduled at 11 a.m. for approximately 1 1/2 hours. The Board meeting will then continue with the remaining Board agenda.
     
    Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley asked if there was any data available regarding crystalline silica related to mining sites in her area. Dr. Tisopulos stated that two facilities in Riverside and Colton were being examined. Mr. Hogo stated that currently there is monitoring being conducted on crystalline silica in the Duarte area and once the data has been received from CARB, it will be provided to her.
     
19. Other Business: None.
     
20. Public Comment: None.

Closed Session

It is necessary for the Committee to recess to closed session pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(a) to confer with its counsel regarding pending litigation which has been initiated formally and to which the District is a party. The action is:

George v. SCAQMD, et al., United States District Court Case No. EDCV-02-906-RGK (SGLx).

No reportable action.

Meeting adjourned at 10:02 a.m.
 

Attachments (EXE 84kb)

Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for July 13, 2005

Local Government & Small Business Advisory Group Minutes for July 15, 2005

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