BOARD MEETING DATE: February 3, 2006
AGENDA NO. 22

Public Affairs Report

SYNPOSIS:

This report highlights the December 2005 outreach activities of Public Affairs, which include: Environmental Justice Update, Community Events/Public Meetings, Business Assistance, and Local Governmental Activity.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Receive and file.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

This report summarizes the activities of Public Affairs for December 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

Below is a summary of the Environmental Justice-related activities which occurred in December:

On December 8, staff held a meeting with Santa Ana Unified School District to provide an update to the community on the environmental testing conducted at Franklin Elementary School in Santa Ana. Representatives from the school district, city, county health care agency and AQMD gave presentations and answered questions. Also in attendance was Orange County Supervisor Lou Correa, as well as a representative from Senator Joe Dunn's staff.

On December 18, AQMD staff met with community members in Central Los Angeles to discuss a request for monitoring at a neighborhood school. The meeting was attended by local community advocates and included AQMD Board Member Jan Perry. AQMD staff provided information on monitoring protocols and an overview on local air quality. In an effort to provide local residents with information on the AQMD and its programs, a Clean Air Fair was scheduled in January 2006, where information, displays and staff would be available to provide information and respond to residents concerns.

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. Attendees typically receive the following information: 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 December:

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 December:

• December 3 - Presentation on Hybrid Technology to members of the Orange County Prius Club
• December 9 - Presentation on Emissions at the Ports at Air Quality Symposium hosted by the South Bay Sierra Club
   

Communication Center Statistics

*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 December:

Requests for Information

Calls

Business Assistance

AQMD assists businesses by notifying them of proposed regulations so they can participate in their development. AQMD also works with other government agencies and departments 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 20 free on-site consultations
Provided assistance in filing 4 requests for variance
Provided permit application assistance to 151 companies
Issued 23 clearance letters

Types of business assisted:

Local Government 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:

Congresswoman Grace Napolitano
Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez
State Senator Jim Battin
State Senator Denise DuCheny
State Senator Joe Dunn
State Senator Alan Lowenthal
Assembly Member Lloyd Levine
Assembly Member Cindy Montanez
Assembly Member Gloria Negrete McLeod

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

Alhambra, Aliso Viejo, Azusa, Banning, Burbank, Buena Park, Carson, Colton, Commerce, Corona, Covina, Cudahy, Culver City, Diamond Bar, Duarte, El Monte, El Segundo, Fullerton, Gardena, Hawthorne, Highland, Irvine, La Habra Heights, La Palma, La Puente, Long Beach, Moreno Valley, Montebello, Monterey Park, Norco, Norwalk, Palm Desert, Pasadena, Rancho Santa Margarita, Riverside, Rosemead, San Bernardino, San Clemente, San Dimas, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Jacinto, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Santa Clarita, Santa Monica, Seal Beach, Sierra Madre, Signal Hill, South El Monte, South Gate, South Pasadena, Temecula, Temple City, Torrance, Tustin, Upland, West Hollywood, and Whittier.
 

Chamber of Commerce and Council of Government contacts:

California Contract Cities Association Carson Chamber of Commerce Coachella Valley Association of Governments Economic Council of Pass Area Communities (ECOPAC) Gateway Cities Council of Governments Irvine Chamber of Commerce League of Cities-Inland Empire Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce Long Beach Chamber of Commerce Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce Norco Chamber of Commerce Orange County Business Council Orange County Council of Governments Orange County League of Cities Rosemead Chamber of Commerce San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) Board of Directors Meeting San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership South Bay Cities Council of Governments Upland Chamber of Commerce Westminster Chamber of Commerce Western Riverside Council of Governments

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

American Lung Association of Inland Counties American Lung Association of Orange County Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, South California Chapter Los Angeles City Council's Environmental Quality & Waste Management Committee Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma Long Beach Port Commissioners Orange County Public Affairs Association Pasadena Neighborhood Connections Open House South Bay Goods Movement Workshop South Gate Rotary Club

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