BOARD MEETING DATE: January 6, 2006
AGENDA NO. 9

Designated Deputy Advancement and Appointment

SYNPOSIS:

The changing role and responsibilities of Public Affairs programs over the past several years warrants upgrades for the office’s executive management. This action, which has been reviewed and approved by the Board’s Personnel Committee, is to advance Assistant Deputy Executive Officer Oscar Abarca to Deputy Executive Officer/Public Affairs and to appoint Senior Public Affairs Manager Anupom Ganguli to Assistant Deputy Executive Officer/Public Affairs. This action is also to amend AQMD’s Salary Resolution to establish the salary for Deputy Executive Officer/Public Affairs at $133,057and the salary for Assistant Deputy Executive Officer/Public Affairs at $121,066. The annual salary and benefit cost of these actions is approximately $29,940.

COMMITTEE:

Personnel, November 21, 2005

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Adopt the attached Resolution amending AQMD’s Salary Resolution to establish salaries for Deputy Executive Officer/Public Affairs and Assistant Deputy Executive Officer/Public Affairs, effective January 2, 2006.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The Office of Public Affairs has played a key role in the past several years in a number of mission-critical accomplishments. Success in initiating new programs aimed at building strong relationships with local governments, communities, environmental groups, and ethnic and business organizations has resulted in broader understanding of the Board’s agenda and better participation by stakeholders in AQMD-related activities. The Office is responsible for public outreach and education, small business assistance, AQMD Environmental Justice Programs, local government affairs and legislative issues at the federal, State, and local levels. Of particular note was the Office’s successful effort to win public involvement with respect to the Board’s response to CARB’s Mobile Source component to the latest AQMP, Environmental Justice initiatives, the Railroad MOU and many other initiatives. Additionally, the office has coordinated the many community Town Hall meetings and other public events that allow Board and staff members to hear and respond to community concerns first-hand in informal local community settings. The duties for the two Executive Managers in Public Affairs were previously recognized at the DEO and Assistant DEO level. Given the broad array of projects and associated complexity of tasks currently encompassed within the office, upgrades for the office’s executive management positions are warranted.

Proposal

This recommendation is to advance Assistant Deputy Executive Officer Oscar Abarca to Deputy Executive Officer/Public Affairs at an annual salary of $133,057 and to appoint Senior Public Affairs Manager Anupom Ganguli to Assistant Deputy Executive Officer/Public Affairs at an annual salary of $121,066. The proposed salaries are less than that previously approved for other DEOs and Assistant DEOs to reflect differences in the duties. Mr. Ganguli would continue to serve as Public Advisor in his new assignment. Establishment of salaries at these levels recognizes future duties and, with the earlier re-assignment of the Media Office from Public Affairs to the Executive Office, the levels of responsibility of these two Designated Deputy positions. These appointments and salary changes would take effect January 2, 2006.

Resource Impacts

The annual salary and benefit cost of these changes is approximately $29,940. Sufficient funds are available in the approved FY 2005-06 Budget to cover the increase.

Attachment

ATTACHMENT

RESOLUTION NO. 05-

                    A Resolution of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Governing Board amending Chapter III, Article 7, of AQMD’s Salary Resolution to establish salaries for Deputy Executive Officer/Public Affairs and Assistant Deputy Executive Officer/Public Affairs.

                    WHEREAS the AQMD Governing Board finds it appropriate to establish Designated Deputy salary levels.

                    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the AQMD Governing Board, State of California, in regular session assembled on January 6, 2006, that Chapter III, Ar-ticle 7, of AQMD’s Salary Resolution shall be amended to establish, effective January 2, 2006, the salary for Deputy Executive Officer/Public Affairs at $133,057 and the salary of Assistant Deputy Executive Officer/Public Affairs at $121,066.

________________________________       _________________________________
Date                                                        Clerk of the Board

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