BOARD MEETING DATE: May 5 2006
AGENDA NO. 24

Administrative Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Administrative Committee met Friday, April 14, 2006, and reviewed the proposed agenda for the May 5, 2006, Board meeting.  The Committee also discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report.  The next Administrative Committee meeting is Friday, April 14, 2006 at 9 a.m. in Conference Room CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Supervisor S. Roy Wilson, Vice Chair
Administrative Committee

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

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Board Members’ Concerns:  None.
    
2. Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel:  Dr. Wallerstein stated that Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta is attending the California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team meeting in Sacramento on April 17-19, and Supervisor Wilson is testifying in Sacramento on April 19 related to AB 2015 (proposed expansion of AQMD's Governing Board).
    
3. Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s):  Councilwoman Jan Perry is requesting approval for Afriat Consulting Group, Inc. as a Board Consultant to assist with outreach effective today.  Moved by Carney; seconded by LaPisto-Kirtley; and unanimously approved.
    
4. Report of Approved Out-of-Country Travel:  Dr. Wallerstein stated that Miguel Pulido is speaking at the April 20 conference titled " Environment Management Forum and Air Quality Workshop" sponsored by the Mexican federal government and the United Nations in Mexico City, Mexico.  He mentioned that the Technology Advancement Office has assisted with preparing presentation material in Spanish and English regarding alternative fuels.
    
5. Report on Progress in Implementation of the Air Quality Institute:  Pom Pom Ganguli, Assistant DEO/Public Affairs, stated that the Board directed an Institute be formed with various contractors' assistance.  Staff put together a suggested Board of Counselors – a variety of people within the district from various agencies and groups.  (Dr. Ganguli read list).  Dr. Burke requested Jan Perry's and Ron Loveridge's participation on this advisory panel to assist with this work with an initial meeting to be scheduled for the latter part of April via teleconference.  Dr. Ganguli has already briefed Councilwoman Perry and will do the same for Mayor Loveridge with the primary focus on environmental justice with involvement from South Bay cities.  Dr. Ganguli stated that because the group has a large membership, coordination could extend the date.  Staff is currently planning on eight courses in two counties (Los Angeles and then Inland Counties) with one briefing session to be held in Sacramento.  The completion date would be the end of 2006 with the first course held this summer. 

MAY AGENDA ITEMS:

6. Appropriate Funds from Designation for Litigation and Enforcement and Authorize Amending Existing Contract with Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger to Appropriate Such Funds:  Kurt Wiese, District Counsel, stated that staff is requesting approval to appropriate $250,000 from the general fund for Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger for the remainder of FY 2005-06 to represent AQMD on environmental matters, which includes the railroad lawsuit, fleet rules, paint litigation, etc.  Staff attorneys are working alongside the outside firm in assisting with these matters.  Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley; seconded by Carney; and unanimously approved.
    
7. Appoint Members to AQMD Hearing Board:  Saundra McDaniel, Clerk of the Board, stated that terms are up for several Hearing Board Members.  The Advisory Committee, composed of members from each of the four counties reviewed and interviewed candidates and are recommending approval of Edward Camarena as Engineer Member, Laurine Tuleja as Attorney Member, Richard Ward as Alternate Attorney Member, and Ali Lakhdar-Hamina as Alternate Engineer Member for terms commencing July 1, 2006 and ending June 30, 2009.  Dr. Wallerstein stated that the alternate Engineer Member is a staff member of the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District, which is a sister agency.  Mayor Loveridge brought up the issue regarding recommending an individual outside of AQMD's 4-county region, and Mr. Wiese commented that there is no provision in the law stating members must be residents of AQMD's region.  Ms. Carney made a new motion to recommend Hong Xu as the alternate Engineer Member.  Dr. Wallerstein also added that approving Mr. Lakhdar-Hamina from Ventura County could pose a problem as it relates to permits issued through AQMD's Hearing Board.  Moved by Loveridge; seconded by Carney; and unanimously approved.
    
8. Adopt Resolution for Voluntary Employee Medicare Participation:  Eudora Tharp, Assistant DEO/Administrative & Human Resources, explained that part of recent labor contract negotiations was an agreement to bring to the Board a Resolution to authorize a Medicare election.  This election would allow employees hired before 1986, who do not currently pay the Medicate tax that all other employees have deducted from their pay, voluntarily and irrevocably to become subject to the tax in order to qualify for benefits when they retire.  CALPERS is the designated agency for conducting elections, and their procedure requires a Board-adopted Resolution.  Survey results indicate few employees will take advantage of this opportunity, and AQMD's matching Medicare contribution for those opting in is not expected to exceed $35,000 annually.  Moved by Loveridge; seconded by LaPisto-Kirtley; and unanimously approved.
    
9. Approve Prequalified List of Law Firms for Employee Relations Litigation and Negotiation Services:  Ms. Tharp stated that this item will be postponed to the May Administrative Committee meeting.
    
10. Reallocate Funds from U.S. Department of Defense, Execute Purchase Order, and Issue RFQ to Conduct Feasibility Demonstration to Measure Low-Level Pollutant Concentrations:  Henry Hogo, Assistant DEO, Science and Technology Advancement Office, stated that this item is to move ahead with the second-year program with the purchase of a portable gas chromatograph and issuance of a RFQ to purchase ion mobility spectrometers to measure low-level pollutant concentrations.  In addition, staff is requesting the Board’s approval with a revised budget for the program based on discussions with U.S. DOD.  Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley; seconded by Carney; and unanimously approved.
     
11. Recognize and Appropriate Funds from U.S. EPA for PM 2.5 Program and Issue RFQ:  Henry Hogo stated that an amendment will be made to this item to issue an RFQ.  Moved by Carney; seconded by LaPisto-Kirtley; unanimously approved.
     
12. Remove Various Fixed Assets from AQMD Inventory:  Moved by Carney; seconded by Loveridge; and unanimously approved.
     
13. Report of RFPs and RFQs Scheduled for Release in May:  Issue RFQ—Leasing Mailing Equipment.  Moved by Carney; seconded by Loveridge; and unanimously approved.
     
14. Discuss Balance of $6 Million BP Settlement Funding:  Dr. Ganguli explained the three options for the Committee to consider regarding the balance of BP/Arco settlement funds.  Dr. Wallerstein previously contacted Supervisor Antonovich requesting his opinion on other options to a Refinery Inspector and a consultant from the remaining moneys.  Supervisor Antonovich suggested that the uncommitted funds of $105,000 be allocated to stationary source Technology Advancement projects.  Ms. Carney stated that the Refinery Inspector is more of a direct benefit and the stationary source funds allocated to Technology Advancement would assist in continuing studies for rulemakings.  Base on Committee comments, Dr. Wallerstein suggested option 1 be approved with the remaining $105,000 be allocated for Technology Advancement to assist with stationary source related projects.  Moved by Loveridge; seconded by Carney; and unanimously approved.
     
15. Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for February 8, 2006:  Attached for information are the Ethnic Community Advisory Group minutes for the February 8, 2006 meeting. 
     
16. Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for February 10, 2006:  Attached for information are the Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for the February 10, 2006 meeting.
     
17. Review May 5, 2006, Governing Board Agenda:  Dr. Wallerstein stated that the California Fuel Cell Partnership issue will return to the Board on May 5.  He asked staff how many members of the Legislature visited the Sacramento facility, and they responded that there were only 4-5 members who visited.  The H2 Highway Program initiation by the Governor was held at LAX, and Dr. Wallerstein said it was not certain why it was important to staff the Sacramento site when there were more interested parties in Southern California. 

Regarding the May 5 Board agenda, Dr. Wallerstein stated there were noncontroversial rules being heard for approval by the Board.  Mayor Loveridge asked when he could submit information for the May 5 Board package, and Dr. Wallerstein answered by Tuesday prior to the Board meeting.  Moved by LaPisto-Kirtley; seconded by Loveridge; and unanimously approved.

18. Other Business:  None.
     
19. Public Comment:   Rita Loof, Radtech International, commented on Rule 219 – Equipment Not Requiring a Written Permit Pursuant to Regulation II.  Radtech has been working with staff on language particularly related to a Desert Hot Springs facility.  Supervisor Wilson voiced encouragement for the subject.  Dr. Wallerstein stated that staff also felt that amendments should be made but staff would have to review the current suggestions.  Supervisor Wilson requested staff work with the facility and be able to address issues at theApril 28 Stationary Source Committee meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.

Attachments (EXE 76kb)
Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for February 8, 2006
Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for
     February 10, 2006