BOARD MEETING DATE: March 3, 2006
AGENDA NO. 21
REPORT:

Administrative Committee

SYNPOSIS:

The Administrative Committee met Friday, February 10, 2006, and reviewed the proposed agenda for the March 3, 2006, Board meeting. The Committee also discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is Friday, March 10, 2006 at 9 a.m. in Conference Room CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Receive and file.

Supervisor S. Roy Wilson, Vice Chair
Administrative Committee

Attendance: Present at AQMD was Jane Carney. Also present were Vice Chair Roy Wilson and Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley (via videoconference). Dr. Burke and Ronald Loveridge were absent.

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

  1. Board Members’ Concerns: None.
     
  2. Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: The following travel was reported: Dr. Burke's attendance at the CARB Board meeting on January 26-27 in Sacramento; Ronald Loveridge's attendance at the Faster Freight/Cleaner Air Conference on January 30-February 1 in Long Beach; Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta's attendance at the California Hydrogen Blueprint Advisory Panel meeting in Sacramento on February 20-21; and Ms. Peralta's speaking engagement at the National Hydrogen Annual Conference in Long Beach on March 12-16.
     
  3. Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s): Supervisor Ovitt is requesting approval for Roman Nava as his Board Consultant (assuming the position formerly held by James Coyle) retroactive to February 3, 2006. Moved by Carney; seconded by LaPisto-Kirtley; unanimously approved.
     
  4. Report of Approved Out-of-Country Travel: None.

MARCH AGENDA ITEMS:

  1. Amend Compensation and Reimbursement Policy for Board Members to Comply with Limitations of AB 1234: Kurt Wiese, District Counsel, stated that this item relates to AB 1234, which was signed by the Governor in October 2005. The bill requires AQMD to have a Board Member reimbursement/compensation policy in place, which AQMD has, and that Board members attend ethics training.

Mr. Wiese explained that the bill describes activities that trigger Board Member compensation, which includes attending Board meetings, advisory group meetings, public meetings noticed by the Brown Act, and engaging in any activities spelled out in the revised policy. The revisions to the AQMD policy required by AB 1234 include: 1) obtaining authorization by the Chair to approve compensation for any events that weren't specifically described, 2) that Board Members avail themselves of government or group rates when available for lodging and travel, 3) and, most importantly, that receipts are always required regardless of the amount of the expense claimed, 4) Finally, travel reports are to be submitted for attending an event where reimbursement will be requested by the next Board meeting to the Clerk of the Board. Mr. Wiese commented that a line will be included at the top of the Board agenda indicating a travel report is included. The written report form will include the Board Member's name, date of Board meeting, dates of travel, location, and purpose of the trip. Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley asked whether she would be required to submit a travel report if she attended a league meeting, and Mr. Wiese answered only when there are expense reimbursements, but not when the Board Member is only paid the $100 daily compensation. Ms. Carney asked how Board Members obtain government or group rates for transportation or lodging, and Dr. Wallerstein answered that when Tania Christman coordinates Board member travel she assists each Board Member. Rick Pearce, Chief Financial Officer, added that a Board Member could decide to stay at a higher-priced hotel or travel above coach class, with AQMD reimbursing them only at the coach rate. Motion by LaPisto-Kirtley; seconded by Carney.

  1. Approve Establishment of Cal-Trans High Priority Projects Special Revenue Fund to Implement Federal Emission Reduction Program for South Coast Air Quality Management District: Fred Minassian, Technology Implementation Manager in Science & Technology Advancement, stated that this item was carried over from last Friday's Board meeting for consideration and approval of funds, available under the Transportation Equity Act enacted in August 2005, to accept the funding and put $2 million into a separate account available for the diesel emission reduction program. The current program is set up such that the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Freeway Administration budget passes through CalTrans. Mr. Minassian stated that the program is set up for $400,000 annually to be granted AQMD for 2005-2009 and an initial application request of $800,000 to be requested for 2005-06. Up to 15% of the funds are deducted for administrative fees by the federal government. The types of projects to be implemented will be to promote the use of clean fuels, augmenting existing incentive-based programs and other programs to lower local emissions. Mr. Minassian stated that last Friday the Board approved one project relating to AB 1222 for $300,000, to determine the feasibility of remote sensing to quantify emissions from locomotives. Staff will propose other potential projects for Board's consideration in the near future, such as demonstrations of SCR on a Metrolink locomotive and DPF on a switcher locomotive. Staff is requesting authorization for the Executive Officer to apply for funds, establish a separate fund for $800,000 for the first two years, and allocate $400,000 each year until 2009 for a total of $2 million. Ms. Carney noted that the monies are being allocated for demonstration projects, and Mr. Minassian answered that staff has consulted with CalTrans, which has agreed that the projects be selected by AQMD based on its staff's experience. Motion by Carney; seconded by LaPisto-Kirtley; unanimously approved and to be implemented.
     
  2. Adopt Resolution Accepting Terms and Conditions for FY 2005-06 Carl Moyer Program Award and Issue RFP: Mr. Minassian stated this is year 8 of the Carl Moyer program and this item is to adopt a resolution to accept funding from CARB that is allocated to AQMD. This item is also to request approval of the release of an RFP for year 8, to solicit projects for low emission on- and off-road vehicles and equipment for FY 2005-06. As requested by Ms. Carney, background information has been provided showing the first 7 years where $88 million has been allocated for Carl Moyer programs and a reduction of 3300 lbs. of NOx has been accomplished. The Carl Moyer program has provided AQMD with funds to provide incentives for purchase of newer vehicles to replace higher-emitting off-road vehicles, buses, and heavy-duty trucks. The RFP amount is for $30.1 million, of which $21.8 million is from SB 1107 and $8.3 million from funds under AB 923. In addition, funds are set aside for electronic monitoring units and LNG truck projects at the ports. The Board will consider staff's proposal on the fleet modernization and the LNG truck projects later this year. The RFP schedule would recommend proposals be due by May 5 and recommendation for approval by the Governing Board at the September 8 meeting. Motion by Carney; seconded by LaPisto-Kirtley; unanimously approved and to be implemented.
     
  3. Issue Purchase Orders for Purchase of Compressed Pure and Blended Gases and Cryogenic Liquids and Release RFQ: Henry Hogo, Assistant DEO/Science & Technology Advancement, stated this is a request to approve a vendors list as the result of a Board-approved RFQ soliciting quotations in October 2005 to purchase gases for laboratory and field instruments. Motion by LaPisto-Kirtley; seconded by Carney.
     
  4. Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for December 14, 2005: Attached for information are the Ethnic Community Advisory Group minutes for the December 14, 2005 meeting.
     
  5. Report of Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Accomplishments for 2005 and Approve Goals and Objectives for 2006: Pom Pom Ganguli, Assistant DEO/Public Affairs, stated that this annual report is for the Local Government & Small Business Assistance accomplishments for 2005 and goals and objectives for 2006. Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley asked if the goals and objectives include mining operations (fugitive dust), and Dr. Ganguli answered that there will be a report of rules established related to this issue from the AQMP objectives. Motion by LaPisto-Kirtley; seconded by Carney.
     
  6. Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for December 9, 2005: Attached for information are the Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for the December 9, 2005 meeting.
     
  7. Report of RFPs and RFQs Scheduled for Release in March: Mr. Pearce stated there is one RFP that is part of the 2007 CEQA documentation support and other CEQA-related tasks. Motion by LaPisto-Kirtley; seconded by Carney.
     
  8. Review March 3, 2006, Governing Board Agenda: Dr. Wallerstein stated that public hearings in March will be to approve and adopt the Technology Advancement (TAO) Clean Fuels Program Annual Report and Plan Update, as well as receiving the annual RECLAIM audit report for 2004. Ms. Carney requested that the TAO report be distributed to the Governing Board at an earlier time. Dr. Wallerstein also stated that at this morning's Legislative Committee meeting, staff was requested to add an item under the Board calendar related to U.S. EPA's proposal for new course on particulate standards. The meeting held with the Brain & Lung Tumor & Air Pollution Foundation members will also be added. Motion by LaPisto-Kirtley, seconded by Carney.
     
  9. Other Business: None.
     
  10. Public Comment: None.

Meeting adjourned at 9:49 a.m.

Attachments (EXE 90kb)
Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for December 14, 2005
Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for December 9, 2005

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