BOARD MEETING DATE: April 6, 2007
AGENDA NO. 21
PROPOSAL:
Public Affairs Report
SYNOPSIS:
This report highlights the February 2007 outreach activities of Public Affairs, which include: Environmental Justice Update, Community Events/Public Meetings, Business Assistance, and Local Governmental Activity.
COMMITTEE:
Not Applicable
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
This report summarizes the activities of Public Affairs for February 2007. The report includes four major areas: Environmental Justice Update; Community Events/Public Meetings (including the Speakers Bureau/Visitor Services, Communications Center, and Public Information Center); Business Assistance; and Local Governmental Activity.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE UPDATE
Below is a summary of the Environmental Justice-related activities which occurred in February.
On February 20, AQMD staff provided a comprehensive overview of the District’s Environmental Justice program to members of the California Fuel Cell Partnership’s Steering Team. The Partnership is a collaboration of 31 member companies who are working together to promote the commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles. Members include automobile manufacturers, energy providers, government agencies, fuel cell technology companies and transit authorities.
On February 21, the AQMD hosted a meeting with representatives of the Native American Environmental Protection Coalition. Ten tribal bands were represented at the meeting which was held at the Morongo Reservation and was attended by Board Member Dennis Yates and executive staff from AQMD. Key issues discussed included current air monitoring, data sharing, training and tribal air quality issues. The meeting was the first formal information exchange between the AQMD and the tribal bands and was viewed as an important step in working cooperatively to address air quality issues in and around the tribal lands.
Public Affairs staff also addressed the following community organizations:
- American Lung Association of Inland Counties, Air Quality Task Force
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Southern California Chapter
- Riverside County Asthma Coalition
In February, staff also presented air quality overviews to the following educational groups:
- Environmental studies class at La Sierra University, Riverside
- Students from La Mirada High School, La Mirada
- Teachers with Los Angeles Unified School District’s Target Science program, Los Angeles
COMMUNITY EVENTS/PUBLIC MEETINGS
Each year, thousands of residents engage in valuable information exchanges through events and meetings that AQMD sponsors, alone and in partnership with others. Attendees typically receive the following information: tips on reducing their exposure to smog and its health effects; ways to participate in AQMD rule and policy development; and assistance in resolving air quality-related problems. Highlights of events/activities undertaken during the month of February include the following.
|
Date |
Event |
|
February 8 |
Advancing the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Choice, Mission Inn, Riverside |
|
February 10 |
Korean Drycleaners and Laundry Association Annual Meeting, Diamond Bar |
|
February 13-15 |
7th Annual Clean Heavy Duty Vehicle Conference, Universal City |
|
February 26-28 |
Faster Freight-Cleaner Air Conference, Long Beach |
Speakers Bureau/Visitor Services
AQMD receives requests for staff to speak on a variety of air quality-related issues. The requests come from organizations, such as trade associations, chambers of commerce, community-based groups, schools, hospitals and health-based organizations. AQMD also hosts visitors from around the world who meet with staff on a wide range of air quality issues. The following describes the types of activities that were coordinated by this office in February:
February 27 - Hosted a visit from the president of the Los Angeles County Assessor’s
Appraisers Association who received an overview on the District’s
operations.
February 28 - Presented an overview of current regulatory and composting issues, to
members of the Inland Empire Disposal Association.
February 28 - Presented an overview on regulatory requirements to the Orange County
chapter of the California Autobody Association.
CommunicationCenter Statistics
The Communication Center handles the AQMD main line, 1-800-CUT-SMOG® line and Spanish line calls. Below is a summary of calls received in January.
|
Main Line Calls |
4,330 |
|
1-800-CUT-SMOG® Line |
2,829 |
|
After Hours Calls* |
1,298 |
|
Spanish Line Calls |
63 |
|
Total Phone Calls |
8,520 |
*Sunday, holidays and after 9:00 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.
PublicInformationCenter Statistics
The Public Information Center handles phone calls and walk-in requests for general information. Below is a summary for February:
Requests for Information
| • |
Visitor Transactions |
386 |
| • |
Information Packages Mailed |
2 |
Calls
| • |
Calls Received by PIC Staff |
68 |
| • |
Calls to Automated System |
2,374 |
| • |
Total Phone Calls |
2,442 |
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
AQMD assists businesses by notifying them of proposed regulations so they can participate in their development. AQMD also works with other agencies and states to identify efficient, cost-effective ways to reduce air pollution and shares that information broadly. Additionally, staff provides personalized assistance to small businesses, both over the telephone and by on-site consultation. The information is summarized below.
√ Conducted 60 free on-site consultations
√ Provided permit application assistance to 69 companies
√ Issued 30 clearance letters
Types of business assisted:
|
√ Drycleaning |
√ Ink manufacturing |
|
√ Energy/power systems |
√ Metal finishing |
|
√ Auto body shops |
√ Restaurants |
|
√ Food products |
√ Wood cabinet coating |
|
√ College |
√ Metal parts coating/manufacturing |
LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITY (Four-County Area)
Staff provides outreach at Board of Supervisors and City Council meetings. Staff also works with local government, state and federal officials to respond to their air quality concerns and issues. Following is a summary of February activities.
2007 Air Quality Management Plan presentations to local city councils, chambers of commerce and community organizations:
- February 1 Arcadia Chamber of Commerce-Legislative Committee
- February 1 League of California Cities (Riverside Branch)
- February 5 Huntington Park City Council
- February 5 Lomita City Council
- February 5 Pomona City Council
- February 5 Lawndale City Council
- February 6 Lynwood City Council
- February 6 El Monte City Council
- February 6 Manhattan Beach City Council
- February 6 Compton City Council
- February 7 San Bernardino County Association of Governments
- February 7 Aliso Viejo City Council
- February 8 Santa Fe Springs City Council
- February 13 American Lung Association of Inland Counties
- February 13 Newport Beach City Council Study Group
- February 13 Rosemead City Council
- February 13 South El Monte City Council
- February 14 Montebello City Council
- February 14 San Marino City Council
- February 14 Westlake Village City Council
- February 14 Westminster City Council
- February 15 Canyon Lake City Council
- February 15 San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Energy &
Environment Research Committee - February 15 San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
- February 15 San Gabriel Valley Chamber Coalition - Calabasas City Council
- February 15 Western Riverside Council of Governments Technical Advisory
Committee - February 15 League of Women Voters - Orange Coast Chapter
- February 18 Walnut City Council
- February 20 Beaumont City Council
- February 20 Bradbury City Council
- February 20 Greater Griffith Park Area Advisory Committee
- February 20 Long Beach City Council
- February 20 Norwalk City Council
- February 20 Redondo Beach City Council
- February 20 West Hollywood City Council
- February 21 Baldwin Park City Council
- February 22 West Covina City staff
- February 26 Rolling Hills City Council
- February 26 Southwest California Legislative Committee (Temecula)
- February 27 Duarte City Council
- February 27 Inglewood City Council
- February 27 Irvine City Council
- February 27 South Gate City Council
- February 28 Agoura Hills City Council
The following visits and/or communications were conducted with elected officials or staff from the following offices:
- Senator Lou Correa
- Senator Tom Harman
- Assembly Member Jim Silva
- Assembly Member Van Tran
Staff represented AQMD and/or provided a presentation to the following groups:
Orange County Public Affairs Network
South Gate Rotary
South Orange County Chambers