BOARD MEETING DATE: May 4, 2007
AGENDA NO. 13

PROPOSAL:

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights the March 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 March 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 March.

On March 8, AQMD staff attended a meeting held at Santee School in Los Angeles to provide the results of air monitoring that was conducted at the school. In attendance were representatives from Los Angeles Unified School District and members of Neighbors for an Improved Community. Staff had met with representatives in December 2006 to discuss concerns they had raised relative to possible use of contaminated soil (Chrome 6, dioxins, asbestos and lead) used as fill material at Santee School. In March, the AQMD conducted a one-day flex chamber test and also took air samples upwind and downwind of the school. The results showed no elevated levels of any of these toxics. The school staff and community members were appreciative of the AQMD’s efforts in meeting with the community and conducting the air sampling.

On March 10, the AQMD served as co-sponsor of the Riverside County “Great Clean Air Tree Planting”. Over 800 volunteers participated in the planting of 275 trees in and around Nichols Park in Riverside. The event was coordinated by Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful and a coalition of urban forestry organizations.

On March 27, District staff provided a comprehensive overview of the AQMD’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.

Also, on March 27, the AQMD hosted a Town Hall meeting in Compton. The meeting was attended by 30 people, including City Council Member Barbara Calhoun and Micah Ali, Field Representative for Assembly Member Mervyn Dymally. There were approximately 12 speakers who addressed AQMD. Many of the issues focused on compliance with air quality regulations, reporting air quality problems and air monitoring. Council Member Calhoun thanked AQMD for holding a meeting in Compton and requested that a follow-up meeting be held in the near future and committed the city of Compton to assist with outreach to the community.

Public Affairs staff also addressed the following community organizations:

• Breathe California –Los Angeles County Chapter Board of Directors
• Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice
• East Valley Community Health Center
• Environment Now
• Long Beach Council of PTA’s
• Pacoima Beautiful
• San Bernardino Asthma Coalition
• Surfrider Foundation

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 March include the following.

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 March:

Communication Center 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 March.

*Sunday, holidays and after 9:00 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

Public Information Center Statistics

The Public Information Center handles phone calls and walk-in requests for general information. Below is a summary for March:

Requests for Information

Calls

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 68 free on-site consultations
• Provided permit application assistance to 158 companies
• Issued 24 clearance letters

Types of business assisted:

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 March activities.

Draft 2007 Air Quality Management Plan presentations to local city councils and chambers of commerce:

• March 5 Azusa City Council
• March 5 Pomona City Council
• March 7 City of Los Angeles Energy & Environment Committee
• March 7 South Pasadena City Council
• March 8 La Habra Heights City Council
• March 8 Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce
• March 9 Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce-Government Affairs Committee
• March 12 Bell City Council
• March 13 Buena Park City Council
• March 13 La Puente City Council
• March 13 South Gate City Council
• March 13 West Covina Chamber of Commerce
• March 14 Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce—Board of Directors
• March 14 Westminster Chamber Legislative Committee
• March 15 Industrial Environmental Coalition of Orange County
• March 20 Monrovia City Council
• March 22 Orange County Council of Governments—Board Meeting
• March 23 Pico Rivera City Council
• March 27 Claremont City Council
• March 27 Duarte City Council
• March 27 Hawaiian Gardens City Council
• March 29 Corona Chamber of Commerce
• March 30 Statewide League of California Cities

The following visits and/or communications were conducted with elected officials or staff from the following offices:

• Senator Lou Correa
• Assembly Member Mike Eng
• Assembly Member Ed Hernandez
• Assembly Member Anthony Portantino
• Assembly Member Joe Solorio
• Assembly Member Mimi Walters

Staff represented AQMD and/or provided a presentation to the following groups:

Compton Rotary Club
Gray Panthers/Long Beach Chapter
Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma
Orange County Public Affairs Network
Pico Rivera Residents for EJ
South Gate Rotary
Statewide League of California Cities
Women’s Forum hosted by Congressman Baca