BOARD MEETING DATE: February 2, 2007
AGENDA NO. 30
Administrative Committee
SYNOPSIS:
The Administrative Committee met Friday, January 12, 2007, and reviewed the proposed agenda for the February 2, 2007, Board meeting. The Committee also discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is scheduled on Friday, February 9, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. in Conference Room CC-8.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file.
Dr. William A. Burke, Chair
Administrative Committee
Attendance: Present at AQMD were Jane Carney and Ronald Loveridge. Committee Chair William Burke attended the meeting via videoconference. Roy Wilson and Dennis Yates were absent.
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:
- Board Members’ Concerns: None.
- Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: None.
- Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s): None.
- Report of Approved Out-of-Country Travel: None.
- Options for Enhancing Public Outreach about 1-800-CUT-SMOG Smoking Vehicle Program:
Sam Atwood, Media Office Manager, stated that at the request of the Committee, he was presenting options for increasing call volume and enhancing effectiveness of the Smoking Vehicle Program. He stated that there has been a dramatic decline in the calls made to the 1-800-CUT-SMOG number since its peak in 1991, due to factors such as fewer smoking vehicles and a decrease in advertising from the 1990s (when the AQMD had 400 billboards through the Southern California region during one campaign promoting the 1-800-CUT-SMOG program).
By request of Mayor Loveridge staff explained the process for reporting a smoking vehicle. Mayor Loveridge inquired if staff knew how many individuals call in and how many actually make multiple calls. Dr. Ganguli stated that the trend does seem to point towards people making multiple calls. Dr. Burke commented that if he called in to report a smoking vehicle, he would want to know what the final outcome was. He suggested staff may want to and work something out with DMV to take action on these vehicles. Dr. Ganguli responded that staff would look into it. Dr. Burke stated that, in general, the individuals with the smoking vehicles do not really care when they receive the letter; and in most cases cannot afford to get it repaired. Dr. Burke further said that he likes this program but wants to see it become more effective. Ms. Carney agreed with Dr. Burke stating that the program is not as effective as she would like, but hopefully Media’s proposal will make a difference. Mr. Atwood, at this point, mentioned that this proposal before the Committee would address one aspect to make it more effective--the outreach portion. Currently, the majority of letters cannot be sent because the information cannot be matched with what the complainant has provided (license plate number does not match up, make of vehicle is not in DMV's system, the digits may be transposed, the vehicles are not registered or are not in the system any longer); or staff cannot track the vehicle back to original owner. For this variety of reasons, the letter is not sent to the registered owner. It means that 1,000 vehicles end up being repaired voluntarily. [Over 15,000 letters were sent out in 2005 with 80% not responding; 10% responded to the questionnaire, and of that number 7% repaired the vehicle.]
Dr. Burke suggested when we send a letter regarding a smoking vehicle and they don’t respond, then DMV will not renew their license plates the next year. Mayor Loveridge agreed with the suggestion. Kurt Wiese, District Counsel, suggested staff would need to verify that indeed the vehicle is a smoking vehicle. Dr. Burke mentioned that with the advent of new technology and camera phones, it might be a possibility for the public to take a picture of the smoking vehicle which would show the license plate and make of the vehicle which can be e-mailed to AQMD.
In light of this discussion, Dr. Burke suggested staff to go out with an RFP for media consultants who might have a better idea on how to make the 1-800-CUT SMOG program more effective and potentially redesign the program. Ms. Carney inquired from staff about the capability of the present consultants with regards to behavior change advertising and that the advertising piece could also highlight the consequences of a smoking vehicle.
Dr. Liu mentioned that the program has to have a way to verify that the vehicles reported are actually smoking vehicles. He also brought up the remote sensing project that AQMD is involved in with three million vehicles involved in the project in the next few years.
Ms. Carney recommended legislative authority to strengthen this program. Motion by Carney, seconded by Loveridge, and unanimously approved.
FEBRUARY AGENDA ITEMS:
- 6. Issue Purchase Order for CNG Passenger Vehicles to Conduct Special Particulate Air Monitoring Program: Henry Hogo, Assistant DEO/Science & Technology Advancement, stated that staff is proposing to purchase nine CNG passenger vehicles to conduct the U.S. Homeland Security enhanced monitoring program. Those Committee Members who were present communicated their concurrence. Motion by Carney, seconded by Loveridge, Dr. Burke abstained on this item.
- 7. Authorize Headquarters Building Refurbishment Expenditures: Eudora Tharp, Assistant DEO/Administrative & Human Resources, stated that staff recommends undertaking several long-deferred projects for the upkeep of the Diamond Bar headquarters facility. Funds have been set aside in a special designation for building refurbishment projects. Mayor Loveridge asked whether AQMD is maximizing use of solar options for the building, to which Dr. Chung Liu replied that the south side of the building currently has solar panels with 100 kilowatt capacity. Ms. Tharp stated that staff will coordinate with the Technology Advancement Office to assure roofing is compatible with solar options. Motion by Carney, seconded by Loveridge, and unanimously approved.
- 8. Execute Contract for Janitorial Services at Diamond Bar Headquarters: Ms. Tharp stated the contract for janitorial services comes up for approval every three years and that staff recommends executing a contract with Santa Fe Building Maintenance, the top-rated bidder, who has agreed to meet " green" cleaning supply requirements included in the RFP. Dr. Burke wanted to make sure AQMD complies with the " zero VOC" requirements of the draft AQMP with respect to cleaning supplies. Assistant DEO/Planning, Rule Development & Area Sources Laki Tisopulos pointed out that these products are currently being tested. Ms. Tharp stated that " zero VOC" cleaning supplies would be used as available. Motion by Carney, seconded by Loveridge, and unanimously approved.
- Report of RFPs and RFQs Scheduled for Release in February: Rick Pearce, Chief Financial Officer, stated that there was one RFP to report-- security guard services. Ms. Carney wanted specific reassurance that staff has included in this RFP, and all subsequent RFPs, that contractors comply with lawful minimum wage requirements. Dr. Burke requested staff to investigate the possibility of requiring payment of a “living wage” for future contracts and to report back to the Committee with any possible cost ramifications of such a requirement.
- Authorize Sole Source Contract and Issue RFP for Air Quality Institute Training Sessions on the Chairman's Mobile Source Fair Share Emissions Reduction Initiatives and the Draft 2007 AQMP: Pom Pom Ganguli, Assistant DEO/Public Affairs, stated that staff proposes, due to the success of implementing the Air Quality Institute (AQI), to embark on Phase II of the AQI with a focus on the Chairman's Mobile Source Fair Share Emissions Reduction Initiatives and the Draft 2007 AQMP, using a two-pronged approach: 1) hire a contractor via sole-source task order, Cordoba Corporation, for the amount of $25,000 to produce two additional institute briefing sessions – one in Sacramento and another in Washington D.C. within a 90-day period; and 2) issue an RFP to seek a contractor that will continue with the policy outreach for FY 2007-08 in the amount of $130,000. Motion by Carney, seconded by Loveridge, and unanimously approved.
- Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for November 8, 2006: Attached for information are the Ethnic Community Advisory Group minutes for the November 8, 2006 meeting. Dr. Ganguli answered questions from Committee Members that the group has been reviewing AQMP material and has been providing input. Of interest to the group at its recent meeting was the subject of Notification on Refinery Flares where staff got a lot of input.
- Review February 2, 2007, Governing Board Agenda:
Ms. Carney made a request of staff to include in the California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership item, for the Board’s information, a status report on its activities.
Motion by Carney, seconded by Loveridge, and unanimously approved. - Other Business: None.
- Public Comment: None.
Meeting adjourned at 10:08 a.m.
Attachment (DOC 51kb)
Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for November 8, 2006