BOARD MEETING DATE: May 5, 2006
AGENDA NO. 28

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on April 28, 2006.  Major topics included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the May Board meeting.  A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided.  The next Technology Committee meeting will be on May 26, 2006 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Roy Wilson, Chairman
Technology Committee

Attendance:  Committee Chairman Roy Wilson and Committee member Miguel Pulido participated by video-teleconference.  Committee members Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta and Dennis Yates were in attendance at District headquarters.

MAY BOARD AGENDA ITEMS

1. Amend Existing Contract Funding for Organic Compound Tracers Analyses of Particulate Matter Samples Collected Under MATES-III  -  In March 2005, the Board approved a contract with Desert Research Institute to analyze particulate samples collected under MATES-III to determine diesel emission contribution. The existing contract is to analyze one year of samples collected. However, the MATES-III study has been extended for an additional year of monitoring as approved by the Board in May 2005. As part of the May 2005 Board action, $200,000 was budgeted to extend the analyses to the second year samples based on results reported for the first year set of particulate matter samples. Analyses to-date indicate that diesel emission contributions are discernable and analysis of the second year samples will provide valuable additional information necessary to complete MATES-III. This action is to extend the contract with Desert Research Institute to analyze the second year samples and to increase the existing contract at a cost not to exceed $200,000.

Moved (Verdugo-Peralta), seconded (Yates), and unanimously recommended for approval.

2. Amend Contract for CoachellaValley PM10 Clean Streets Management Program   -  Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) has been overseeing a PM10 Clean Streets Management Program as part of the Coachella Valley PM10 SIP.  CVAG indicated that in order to continue the program, they would need additional funding assistance over the next three years.  The AQMD is providing funding assistance to the program, while CVAG is seeking additional federal funding that would sustain the program.  However, CVAG indicated that the federal government has not yet made a final determination on funding.  CVAG is requesting additional AQMD funding support to cover the program in the short-term and will reevaluate the program based on the federal government’s decision.  This action is to amend the existing contract with CVAG for funding the Coachella Valley Clean Streets Management Program with an additional $500,000 from the Rule 1309.1 Priority Reserve Fund and extending the contract for a period of up to one year.

Vice Chair Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta chaired the meeting for this one item as Committee Chair Wilson recused himself from this vote.

Moved (Pulido), seconded (Yates), and unanimously recommended for approval.

3. Issue RFP for Technical Assistance for Advanced, Low- and Zero-Emission Mobile and Stationary Source Pollution Control Technologies   -  The RFP will solicit statements of qualifications from individuals and organizations potentially capable of providing expert technical consultation in a variety of specialized areas to support AQMD technology advancement activities.  It is anticipated that multiple awards for level-of-effort contracts will be made from this solicitation.  Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Fund to support this work in an amount not to exceed $300,000.

Moved (Verdugo-Peralta), seconded (Pulido), and unanimously recommended for approval.

4. Issue Program Announcement and Application for New CNG School Buses with AB 923 Funds and Retrofit Diesel School Buses with State Funds  -  This action is to approve issuance of a program announcement to replace pre-1987 school buses with new CNG buses in the amount of approximately $14 million in AB 923 funds, and to retrofit diesel school buses with PM trap filters in an amount not to exceed $5,449,000 in state funds.

Moved (Yates), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta), and unanimously recommended for approval.

5. Status Report on AQMD Support for California Fuel Cell Partnership, Steering Team Meeting Report, and Proposal to Renew Membership for Calendar Year 2006 Including Continued Support for CaFCP Regional Coordinator Located at AQMD   -  On March 17, 2000, the Board approved joining the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) as a full member.  This status report summarizes the AQMD’s support for the CaFCP and the benefits received by the AQMD per the request made at the February 24, 2006 Technology Committee.  Also attached is the report for the CaFCP Steering Team meeting, which occurred April 18-19, 2006.  There are two proposals for continuing AQMD’s participation in the CaFCP for a cash amount not to exceed $133,800 and for providing office space and utilities for the CaFCP Regional Coordinator position located at the AQMD.

The Technology Committee recommended continued participation for at least one year under Option B proposed by Board Member Verdugo-Peralta with the understanding that the District will evaluate CaFCP’s responsiveness to the District’s requests.

Moved (Pulido), seconded (Wilson), and unanimously recommended for approval.

6. Overview of the Clean Cities Programs within the AQMD Boundaries  -  At its July 11, 2003 meeting, the Board directed staff to regularly report back the activities of the Clean Cities Coalitions in the South Coast District to understand what the coalitions are doing and how AQMD can leverage their participation, and their outreach to the communities.  This letter summarizes the current and recent activities of the local Clean Cities Coalitions.

This was an information item only.

OTHER BUSINESS  -  There was no other business.

Public Comment Period  -  There was no public comment.

The meeting was adjourned.

Attachment A  -  Attendance

Attachment A - Attendance