BOARD MEETING DATE: January 6, 2006
AGENDA NO. 8

Approve Financial Assistance to Provide Transportation for South Coast District Residents or Representatives of Organizations to Participate in CARB Board Meeting in Sacramento

SYNPOSIS:

Staff is recommending a one-time financial assistance program, not to exceed $15,000, to provide transportation for local residents or representatives of organizations who are interested in participating in the upcoming CARB Board meeting in Sacramento, on January 26, 2006, or at a later date, if rescheduled.

COMMITTEE:

Not Applicable.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Approve financial assistance, not to exceed a total of $15,000, to allow local residents or representatives of organizations to travel to Sacramento to attend CARB Board Meeting.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

On June 23-24, 2005, the Executive Officer of CARB negotiated and signed an MOU with Union Pacific Railroad Company and BNSF Railway Company; the two railroads conducting over 80 percent of the rail-transport business in California. Various community and environmental justice groups, as well as business-related organizations, have been actively following the development of this agreement.

On July 8, 2005, the Board held a public discussion regarding this matter, which was attended by over 200 people representing elected officials, community groups, local governments, environmental and health organizations, businesses, and others.

After receiving numerous letters and other statements of concern, CARB scheduled two public consultation meetings and a hearing on the railroad MOU to allow for questions and comments from the public.

One public workshop was held in Sacramento on August 10. Over 50 local representatives were in attendance at this meeting, many bearing financial hardships to pay for their own travel to Sacramento to attend this meeting. The second workshop was held in the City of Commerce on August 31 and drew over 200 attendees. The public was able to comment on key components of the MOU and provide comments on its impacts.

Subsequently, CARB held a hearing in El Monte on October 27 where over 400 people attended. Those in attendance included representatives from community, business and environmental groups who wanted to express their concerns or support to the CARB Board. After hours of testimony, the Board directed its staff to report back in January 2006, clarifying many ambiguous provisions in the agreement.

The AQMD has a duty to assure effective communication with interested groups and the public. (Health & Safety Code section 40448(c).) It is important to enable community members and other interested parties to avail themselves of opportunities to engage in dialog and to participate in regulatory or legislative proceedings that affect their lives. AQMD’s assistance in this area would be another component of its public outreach and education.

Proposal

The January 26, 2006 CARB Board Hearing will serve as the culmination of six months of dedicated work by many in the local community, health, business and environmental arenas who have been diligent in attending the CARB workshops and hearings to speak about issues contained in the MOU.

However, many groups do not have the financial resources to travel and testify at the CARB Board meeting in Sacramento. This one-time financial assistance for travel will allow members of the impacted public to attend this important hearing and testify in favor or opposition.

Recommendation

Staff proposes that financial assistance be approved, not to exceed a total of $15,000, to allow local residents or representatives of organizations to travel to Sacramento to attend the CARB Board meeting on January 26, 2006, or at a later date, if rescheduled. A notice advertising availability of the funds will be posted on the AQMD website along with a description of the application procedure. Funds will be distributed to applicants with a demonstrated need for funding on a first-come, first-served basis. The grant awards will also consider equal geographic representation.

Resource Impacts

Sufficient funds are included in the approved FY 2005-06 Budget of Public Affairs.

/ / /