BOARD MEETING DATE: November 2, 2007
AGENDA NO. 18

PROPOSAL:

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights the September 2007 outreach activities of Public Affairs, which include: Environmental Justice Update, Community Events/Public Meetings, Business Assistance, and Outreach to Business and Federal, State, and Local Government.

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 September 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 Outreach to Business and Federal, State, and Local Government.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE UPDATE
Below is a summary of the Environmental Justice-related activities which occurred in September:

On September 8, AQMD attended a community meeting in the City of Compton hosted by the Centennial Block Club. There were over 25 people in attendance. AQMD staff provided an overview on fugitive dust and what actions AQMD is taking to ensure that local facilities are complying with dust regulations. Also in attendance was the Compton City Manager, who provided meeting attendees with information on plans for redevelopment of a large industrial site that is being considered for housing and mixed use development.

AQMD participated in an Environmental Issues Workshop hosted by the City of Carson on September 19. Over 50 people attended. The event served to provide local residents with information on roles and responsibilities of local environmental agencies, including AQMD. The meeting began with a panel presentation of agency representatives, which was followed by a Question and Answer session where attendees could visit each respective agency’s information table and ask questions of staff representatives.

AQMD staff attended and spoke at the Health Impacts of Air Pollution on Communities Conference hosted by the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association in Carson on September 19-20. Over 200 people attended. The conference agenda included topics on health and risk assessment, tools and practices for assessing exposure and concluded with a panel presentation on ways to build bridges to healthier communities.

Public Affairs staff also addressed the following community organizations:

• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Environmental Justice Forum
• African Marketplace & Cultural Faire
• California Interfaith Power & Light
• Catholic Action for Creation & Care
• Compton Gospel Festival
• Latino Coalition for Healthy California

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 September 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 September:

September 25      Air Quality overview and tour of facility to a 10-member
                          delegation from the Chinese National Development & Reform
                          Commission, from Shanghai, China.

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 September.

*Saturday, Sunday, holidays and after 9:00 p.m., Monday 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 September:

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.

Types of business assisted:

OUTREACH TO BUSINESS AND FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Field visits and communications were conducted with staff from the following cities:

Anaheim, Arcadia, Artesia, Baldwin Park, Bellflower, Beverly Hills, Carson, Cerritos, Chino, Colton, Compton, Corona, Costa Mesa, Culver City, Diamond Bar, El Monte, Fontana, Fullerton, Grand Terrace, Highland, Huntington Park, Indian Wells, Indio, Industry, Inglewood, Irwindale, La Canada, La Mirada, La Puente, Lakewood, Loma Linda, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Maywood, Mission Viejo, Monrovia, Montclair, Montebello, Moreno Valley, Norco, Norwalk, Ontario, Orange, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Paramount, Pico Rivera, Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Mirage, Rancho Santa Margarita, Redlands, Rialto, Riverside, Rosemead, San Bernardino, San Gabriel, Santa Ana, Santa Clarita, Santa Monica, South Pasadena, Torrance, Upland, Vernon, West Los Angeles, Westminster, Whittier and Yucaipa.

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

• Congress Member Hilda Solis
• Senator Lou Correa
• Senator Denise Ducheny
• Senator Robert Dutton
• Senator Tom Harman
• Senator Bob Margett
• Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod
• Senator Gloria Romero
• Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter
• Assembly Member Mervyn Dymally
• Assembly Member Bill Emmerson
• Assembly Member Bonnie Garcia
• Assembly Member Ed Hernandez
• Assembly Member Tony Mendoza
• Assembly Member Anthony Portantino
• Assembly Member Jim Silva
• Assembly Member Jose Solorio
• Assembly Member Mimi Walters

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

All Valley Chamber Legislative Group
American Lung Association
Asthma Coalition of San Bernardino
Black Chamber of Orange County
Burbank Chamber of Commerce
Cerritos Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee
Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee
Irwindale Chamber of Commerce Environmental Forum
Los Angeles County Asthma Coalition
Long Beach Chamber of Commerce
Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce
Monrovia Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee
Moreno Valley Legislative Committee
Orange County Business Council
Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce
Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce
San Bernardino Council of Governments
San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership’s Action Committee
South Orange County Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee
South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
Torrance Chamber of Commerce Business Committee
Upland Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs Committee
Valley Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee