BOARD MEETING DATE: October 5, 2007
AGENDA NO. 33

REPORT:

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on September 28, 2007. Major topics included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the October Board meeting. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on October 26, 2007 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Roy Wilson, Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Committee Chair Roy Wilson participated by video-teleconference. Committee member Dennis Yates was in attendance at District headquarters.
In the absence of William Burke, Miguel Pulido and Tonia Reyes Uranga, and pursuant to the Procedures for Standing Committees of the Governing Board, adopted March 8, 1996, Chairman Roy Wilson appointed Board Member Joseph Lyou an ad hoc member of the Technology Committee for the meeting of September 28, 2007 only.

OCTOBER BOARD AGENDA ITEMS

1. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Demonstration of NOx and PM Emissions Control Technology on Diesel-Powered Construction Equipment - Diesel-powered construction equipment contributes significant amounts of NOx and PM into the South Coast Air Basin. On March 2, 2007, the MSRC issued a RFQ to manufacturers of diesel emission control systems and a Program Announcement for owners of off-road diesel construction equipment. Thirty diesel emission control devices were submitted by 16 manufacturers, and 21 applications with a total of 230 pieces of off-road construction equipment were received from 18 construction equipment fleets. This action is to request contract awards to 11 construction equipment fleets to demonstrate combined NOx and PM reducing emission technologies on 32 pieces of construction equipment at a total cost not to exceed $1,245,750 from the Clean Fuels Fund. The MSRC will fund the remaining projects with 198 pieces of equipment at a cost of $3,641,013.

Chairman Wilson asked that the “Desert Sun” newspaper be included on the District’s standardized public notice for solicitation of bids. Dr. Liu indicated that this request would be communicated to our Finance Division to be included in future solicitations.

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

2. Execute Contracts for FY 2006-07 Year Nine Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program, and Transfer Clean Fuels Projects to the Carl Moyer Fund - On May 4, 2007, proposals were received in response to the Program Announcement that was issued for the “Year Nine” Carl Moyer Air Quality Standards Attainment Program. This action is to execute Carl Moyer Program contracts in an amount not to exceed $19,835,228. This action is also to transfer $1,904,250 in Clean Fuels Projects to the Carl Moyer Fund.

Committee Member Dennis Yates recused himself from voting on this item. Therefore, less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item. The Chairman and Dr. Lyou communicated their concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.

3. Issue RFP for University Competition to Develop Rechargeable Electric Leaf Vacuum Device - Gasoline-powered leaf blowers used by commercial gardeners/landscapers are sources of noise, exhaust emissions, and re-suspended dust. To address these environmental concerns, staff proposes to conduct a competition in which university engineering school students would be offered a monetary award for developing a prototype of a battery-powered, low-noise, backpack-style leaf vacuum device that could meet the needs of commercial gardeners. The winning entries could be used as templates to encourage equipment manufacturers to produce an environmentally friendly replacement for the existing leaf blowers used by commercial gardeners. Funding up to $100,000 for this competition would come from the Clean Fuels Fund to provide awards for up to five winning designs.

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

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

Bob Ulloa, Board Assistant ............................... AQMD

Nicole Nishimura, Board Assistant ...................... AQMD

Chung Liu, DEO, S&TA ................................... AQMD

William Wong, Sr. Deputy District Counsel ............ AQMD

Sam Atwood, Media Manager ............................ AQMD

Tina Cherry, Senior Public Information Specialist ..... AQMD

Dean Saito, S&TA ......................................... AQMD

Fred Minassian, S&TA .................................... AQMD

Matt Miyasato, S&TA ..................................... AQMD

Lisa Mirisola, S&TA ....................................... AQMD

Larry Kolczak, S&TA ...................................... AQMD

Adewale Oshinuga, S&TA ................................ AQMD

Donna Vernon, S&TA ..................................... AQMD

Dory Kilgour, S&TA ....................................... AQMD

James R. Peterson ....................................... Pacific Adventure Tours

Alex C. Gassler ........................................... Pacific Adventure Tours