BOARD MEETING DATE: September 9, 2005
AGENDA NO. 14
Public Affairs Report
SYNOPSIS:
This report highlights the June and July 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 June and July 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 June and July:
On June 16 and July 28, District staff participated in community meetings held at Franklin Elementary School in Santa Ana. The June 16 meeting was hosted by Senator Joe Dunn. Approximately 120 people attended the meeting and requested that AQMD investigate toxic air pollution levels in Santa Ana. In response to residents’ concerns about potential health effects from toxic air pollution, the AQMD agreed to conduct a special air monitoring project in Santa Ana starting this summer.
The July 28 Community Meeting was held to discuss permits for a local chrome plating facility and to describe efforts AQMD is taking to monitor local air pollution levels in response to requests by community members. Representatives from the facility, as well as staff from Santa Ana Unified School District, Orange County Water District and Orange County Sanitation Districts were on hand to respond to community questions.
Other Environmental Justice events held in July included:
| July 13 | San Bernardino Community Meeting to discuss local air monitoring issues |
| July 20 | Environmental Justice Advisory Group Meeting to review implementation of FY 2004-05 Environmental Justice Workplan |
| July 26 | Community Smoke School to teach local community leaders, residents and business representatives techniques used to identify potential visible air pollution emissions |
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: 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 June and July include:
| Date | Event |
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| June 4 | 10th Annual American Lung Association of Orange County Big Breathe Easy, Irvine |
| June 5 | Tustin Street Fair, Tustin |
| June 11 | Hispanic Outreach Taskforce Health Fair, Pico Rivera |
| June 14 | Community Briefing on AQMD Hydrogen Program, Diamond Bar |
| June 18 | Health & Safety Fair, Fontana |
| June 18 | Juneteenth & Kid’s Health Fair hosted by Assembly Member Negrete McLeod, Pomona |
| July 26 | Fernangeles Elementary School Open House |
| July 30-31 | Central Avenue Jazz Festival & Community Fair, Los Angeles |
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 June and July:
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June 22 - Hosted students from an Energy & Environment class at Everest College who received a briefing from our District Prosecutor on environmental law. The presentation was followed by a tour of an Alternative Energy Center. |
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June 23 - Hosted a program coordinator from UC Irvine who received an air quality overview and tour. |
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June 24 - Hosted a 26-member delegation from the Chinese government who received presentation from an expert panel on local Environmental Regulations and Programs. |
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June 28-29 - Visit from an official with the Union of South Africa who received an in-depth review of dispersion modeling and other technical presentations by District staff. |
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July 20 - Gave a presentation to the Orange County Chapter of the American Construction Inspectors Association. |
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July21 - Gave a presentation to the Professional Environmental Marketing Association. |
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July 28 - Hosted a delegation of 34 dignitaries from the Republic of China who received an overview on the AQMD and our air quality program, followed by a tour of the alternative-energy center. |
Communication Center Statistics
The Communication Center handles the AQMD main line, 1-800-CUT-SMOG® line and Spanish line calls. Below is a summary of calls received in June:
| JUNE | JULY | ||
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Main Line Calls | 6,454 | 5,441 |
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1-800-CUT-SMOG® Line | 4,561 | 3,044 |
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After Hours Calls* | 1,979 | 2,215 |
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Spanish Line Calls | 49 | 48 |
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Total Phone Calls | 13,043 | 10,748 |
| *Saturday,
Sunday, holidays and after 9:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. |
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Public Information Center Statistics
The Public Information Center handles phone calls and walk-in requests for general information. Below is a summary for June and July:
Requests for Information
| JUNE | JULY | ||
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Visitor Transactions | 416 | 357 |
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Information Packages Mailed | 16 | 22 |
Calls
| JUNE | JULY | ||
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Calls Received by PIC Staff | 194 | 156 |
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Calls to Automated System | 5,023 | 5,223 |
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Total Phone Calls | 5,332 | 5,379 |
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 from June and July is summarized below.
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Conducted free on-site consultations: 77 in June; 27 in July |
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Provided assistance in filing requests for variance: 9 in June; 2 in July |
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Provided permit application assistance to companies: 232 in June; 90 in July |
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Issued clearance letters: 21 in June; 32 in July |
Types of business assisted:
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Drycleaning |
Gas stations |
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Printing |
Metal finishing |
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Auto body repair |
Clothing manufacturer |
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Wood products manufacturing/coating |
Restaurant |
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Building management |
Consumer products manufacturing |
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Screen Printing |
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:
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Congresswoman Mary Bono |
Assembly Member John Benoit
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Congressman David Dreier |
Assembly Member Russ Bogh |
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Congresswoman Grace Napolitano |
Assembly Member Judy Chu |
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Congresswoman Hilda Solis |
Assembly Member Bill Emmerson |
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State Senator Deborah Bowen |
Assembly Member Carol Liu |
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State Senator Joe Dunn |
Assembly Member Gloria Negrete-McLeod |
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State Senator Alan Lowenthal |
Assembly Member Jenny Oropeza |
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State Senator Nell Soto |
Assembly Member Fran Pavley |
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Assembly Member Todd Spitzer |
Field visits and/or communications were conducted with staff from the following cities:
Agoura Hills, Alhambra, Arcadia, Artesia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Banning, Bell, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Beverly Hills, Bradbury, Burbank, Buena Park, Calabasas, Calimesa, Carson, Cathedral City, Cerritos, Chino, Chino Hills, Claremont, Coachella, Colton, Commerce, Compton, Corona, Covina, Cudahy, Culver City, Desert Hot Springs, Downey, Duarte, El Monte, El Segundo, Gardena, Glendale, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Hemet, Hermosa Beach, Hidden Hills, Highland, Huntington Beach, Huntington Park, Indian Wells, Indio, Inglewood, Irvine, Irwindale, La Canada-Flintridge, La Puente, La Quinta, La Verne, Lakewood, Lawndale, Lomita, Long Beach, Lynwood, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Maywood, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Moreno Valley, Norco, Norwalk, Ontario, Palm Desert, Palos Verdes Estates, Paramount, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Rancho Mirage, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rancho Santa Margarita, Redlands, Redondo Beach, Rialto, Riverside, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rosemead, San Bernardino, San Clemente, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Jacinto, Santa Ana, Santa Clarita, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Monica, Sierra Madre, Signal Hill, South El Monte, South Gate, South Pasadena, Temple City, Torrance, Walnut, West Hollywood, Westlake Village, Westminster, Whittier.
Chamber of Commerce and Council of Government contacts:
| JUNE | JULY |
| Burbank Chamber of Commerce | Arroyo Verdugo Cities Council of Governments |
| Carson Chamber of Commerce | Burbank Chamber of Commerce |
| City of Industry Manufacturers Council | California Contract Cities Association |
| Coachella Valley Association of Governments | Carson Chamber of Commerce |
| ECOPAC | El Monte/South El Monte Chamber of Commerce |
| Gateway Cities Council of Governments | Gateway Cities Council of Governments |
| Irvine Chamber of Commerce | Glendale Chamber of Commerce |
| Las Virgenes/Malibu Council of Governments | Industrial Council Chamber of Commerce |
| Long Beach Chamber of Commerce | Inland Valley Chamber Alliance |
| Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce | Irvine Chamber of Commerce |
| Norco Chamber of Commerce | Las Virgenes/Malibu Council of Governments |
| Orange County Council of Governments | League of California Cities, Inland Division |
| Orange County League of Cities | Lomita Chamber of Commerce |
| Port of Long Beach | Long Beach Chamber of Commerce |
| Rosemead Chamber of Commerce | Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce |
| San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership | Rosemead Chamber of Commerce |
| South Bay Council of Governments | San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments |
| South Orange County Chambers | South Bay Cities Council of Governments |
| Tustin Chamber of Commerce | South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce |
| Western Riverside Council of Governments | Southwest California Legislative Council |
Staff represented AQMD and/or provided a presentation to the following groups:
American Lung Association of Inland Counties
American Lung Association of Orange County
Commerce CAER (Community Awareness Emergency Response)
League of Women Voters
Professional Environmental Marketing Association
South Bay CAER
South Gate Rotary Club
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