BOARD MEETING DATE: July 7, 2006
AGENDA NO.30

Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee

SYNOPSIS:

Below is a summary of key issues addressed at the MSRC’s regular June 22, 2006 meeting. The MSRC canceled its meeting in July. Therefore, the MSRC’s next meeting is Thursday, August 17, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. in Room GB.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Michael D. Antonovich
AQMD Representative on MSRC

Adjustment to New Meeting Schedule Change

At its last meeting, the MSRC changed its meeting schedule from the fourth Thursday at 1:30 p.m. to the third Thursday at 2:30 p.m. At its June 22, 2006 meeting, the MSRC unanimously agreed to cancel its meeting in July and changed the time of its future meetings to begin at 2:00 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August  17, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. My participation at future meetings may be conducted via video-conferencing from the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration or the MTA building in Los Angeles.

FY 2006-07 Work Program Development

The MSRC directed its Technical Advisory Committee to begin development of the FY 2006-07 Conceptual Work Program. Three subcommittees will be formed. The Vehicle Subcommittee will focus on restructuring the existing school bus incentive program to factor in tax incentives and other funding opportunities and develop programs focusing on off-road vehicle emissions reduction strategies, goods movements issues, and retrofit programs. The Infrastructure Subcommittee will focus on alternative fuel infrastructure including refueling and facility modifications. Finally, the TCM Subcommittee will focus on TCM/TDM and other strategies that have a congestion mitigation aspect in addition to air quality benefit. The popular Local Government Match Program will also be discussed as part of the upcoming work program but not until the fall since the Phase II Program is currently open until October 2006. The intention is to present the conceptual work program to the MSRC for consideration in August 2006.

Adoption of FY 2006-07 Administrative Budget

Every year in either May or June the MSRC considers an Administrative Budget for the next fiscal year, as a projection of the 5% administrative cap provided by the law. The MSRC unanimously approved the FY 2005-06 Administrative Budget with project expenditures in the amount of $619,146, leaving a margin of more than $90,000 under the cap. The Budget includes three sections: 1) staff administrative support; 2) contract administration and program support, which includes three full-time positions that exclusively support the MSRC; and 3) miscellaneous costs estimated at $55,690 for expenditures such as MSRC-related travel, printing and mailing costs, office supplies, advertising, and ethics training newly required by law. The Administrative Budget also includes one-quarter of the Technical Advisor’s contract in an amount not to exceed $38,059 plus $15,000 for the subcontractor previously approved under the Technical Advisor’s contract to provide special project and contracts assistance as needed by task order.

Received and Approved Final Reports

The MSRC unanimously received and approved two final reports at its June 22, 2006 meeting, as follows:

1. Omnitrans Contract #AB02024, which provided $46,127 towards the purchase of three CNG transit buses and mechanic training; and
2. Foothill Transit Agency Contract #AB02007, which provided $315,000 towards the purchase of 30 CNG transit buses and fueling facility modifications.

All final reports are filed in the AQMD's library and a two-page summary of each closed project can be viewed in the electronic library on the MSRC's website. It is anticipated that in the future the MSRC’s website, http://www.cleantransportationfunding.org/, will include complete final reports in its electronic library.

Contract Modification Requests

At its June 22, 2006 meeting, the MSRC considered three contract modification requests and took action, as follows:

1. For City of Lawndale Contract #ML04028, which provides $20,000 towards the purchase of heavy-duty CNG vehicles, approval of a no-cost time extension through December 31, 2006 (approximately five months);
2. For City of Cathedral City Contract #MS03032, which provided $24,895 for installation of wind fencing at various locations, approval of a no-cost, one-year time extension July 17, 2007, and a $1,942 reduction in their contract value for one wind fence project on Indian land paid through other means; and
3. For City of Glendale Contract #AB01010, which provides $200,000 to install a new CNG refueling station, instead of their request for an 18-month time extension, approval of a no-cost, six-month time extension through December 31, 2006, with a mandatory report to be provided at the MSRC’s November 2006 meeting for confirmation that the station bid was released on schedule.

Ethics Training

Previously, AQMD legal counsel advised the MSRC about the ethics training now required under Assembly Bill 1234 since MSRC members are eligible to receive reimbursement of travel expenses if conducting MSRC business. While MSRC members have rarely received any such reimbursement under the policy, guidance was provided to ensure training would be completed by January 1, 2007, as required by statute. At the MSRC’s June 22, 2006 meeting, legal counsel suggested the MSRC either adopt minor changes to its travel policy to ensure compliance with AB 1234, or rescind its travel policy. To ensure flexibility the MSRC chose to maintain a travel reimbursement policy and to adopt the minor revisions as suggested by legal counsel, which requires receipts for all expenditures and preparation of a written travel report.

Website Statistical Report

At its June 22, 2006 meeting, the MSRC received a written website report on its new website at http://www.cleantransportationfunding.org/, which was launched in November 2005. The report simply provided data on usage of the website for their information.

Contract Administrator’s Report

The MSRC's AB 2766 Contract Administrator provides a written status report on all open contracts from FY 1999-00 through the present. This Contract Administrator’s Report for the month of June is attached for your information.

Attachment (PDF 144 KB)
Contract Administrator’s Report
July06 MSRC Board Cte Report.doc