BOARD MEETING DATE: April 4, 2008
AGENDA NO. 15
PROPOSAL:
Public Affairs Report
SYNOPSIS:
This report highlights the February 2008 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 February 2008. 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 February.
On February 8, AQMD staffed an information display at Southern California Edison’s 6th Annual Black History Month event “Connecting the Evolution of Electricity to Black History,” held at the Customer Technology Application Center (CTAC) in the city of Irwindale. Over 600 people attended the event which served to recognize the contributions made by African Americans to modern technology, especially electricity. The event also highlighted local inventors of the past and present. AQMD displayed clean fuel vehicles and other clean air technologies and responded to a variety of air quality questions from the attendees. Staff made numerous contacts with scientific, community service and faith-based organizations which will help build stronger partnerships to advance clean air issues in the African American community. Edison's CTAC facility staff also invited AQMD to display air quality literature in their "Conservation Section" of the CTAC Center, which provides the public with conservation education materials.
On February 27 and 28, AQMD staff hosted the first of seven public workshops being held throughout the region to seek public input on the draft Multiple Air Toxics Exposure Study III (MATES III). The workshops were held in communities where the MATES III monitoring and evaluation study was conducted. Staff provided an overview of the findings and asked for comments from the public on the draft report of the Study, which was released on January 4, 2008 for a 90-day public review.
AQMD staff will prepare an update to its Air Toxics Control Plan to include strategies for further reducing toxic air pollution and cancer risk based on MATES III findings.
During the month of February, Public Affairs staff also addressed the following community organizations:
- Inland Empire Asthma Coalition
- Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy
- Pasadena Neighborhood Connections
- Women’s Environmental Council
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:
| February 2 | Environmental Charter High School Open House, Lawndale |
| February 6 | Advancing the Choice - Transportation Conference & Expo, Temecula |
| February 8 | Southern California Edison’s 6th Annual Black History Month Conference - Electricity & Environmental Sciences Advances, Irwindale |
| February 13 | Port of Long Beach Community Forum |
| February 19 | Resource Conservation Commission, Palm Springs |
| February 20 | First AME Church Multi-Faith Council meeting, Los Angeles |
| February 20 | Women’s Environmental Council, Burbank |
| February 21 | City of Rialto Economic Summit |
| February 23 | Chino Creek Wetlands & Educational Park Grand Opening, Chino |
| February 25-27 | Faster Freight-Cleaner Air Conference, Los Angeles Convention Center |
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 1 | Hosted a three-member delegation from the Municipality of Dubai. Visitors received an overview of mobile source programs and alternative fuels program. |
| February 13 | Provided an air quality overview to students majoring in health and science at La Sierra College in Corona. |
| February 21 | Hosted 20 students from The Art Center Automotive Design Program in Pasadena who received an air quality overview and tour of AQMD’s alternative fueled vehicles. |
| February 28 | Provided an air quality overview to 300 students at Tulita Elementary School’s Science Fair in Redondo Beach. |
| February 29 | Provided an air quality presentation to physics students at Cal Poly Pomona. |
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 February.
| Main Line Calls | 4,190 |
| 1-800-CUT-SMOG® Line | 2,525 |
| After Hours Calls* | 1,243 |
| Spanish Line Calls | 36 |
| Total Phone Calls | 7,994 |
*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 February:
Requests for Information
|
360 |
|
4 |
Calls
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80 |
|
1,978 |
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2,058 |
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 44 free on-site consultations√ Provided assistance in filing 1 request for variance
√ Provided permit application assistance to 194 companies
√ Issued 24 clearance letters
Types of business assisted:
| √ Drycleaning | √ Printing |
| √ Metal parts manufacturing | √ Gasoline stations |
| √ Auto body shops | √ Construction |
| √ Industrial services | √ Metal parts coating |
| √ Restaurants | √ Silicone products manufacturing |
Events:
- AQMD Phase II Enhanced Vapor Recovery & In-Station Diagnostics Conference – Diamond Bar
OUTREACH TO BUSINESS AND FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Field visits and communications were conducted with staff from the following cities:
Alhambra, Artesia, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Carson, Cerritos, Coachella, Commerce, Compton, Corona, Cypress, Diamond Bar, Duarte, El Monte, El Segundo, Fontana, Glendora, Hermosa Beach, Highland, Huntington Park, Indio, Irvine, Irwindale, La Habra Heights, La Puente, Lawndale, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Monrovia, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Ontario, Orange, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Palos Verdes Estates, Paramount, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Redondo Beach, Rialto, Riverside, Rolling Hills Estates, Rosemead, San Bernardino, San Jacinto, Santa Ana, Santa Clarita, Santa Monica, South Pasadena, Temecula, Temple City, Torrance, Upland, West Covina, and Whittier.
Visits and/or communications were conducted with elected officials or staff from the following offices:
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Staff represented AQMD and/or provided a presentation to the following groups:
Cerritos Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee
Coachella All Chamber Legislative Committee
Corona Chamber of Commerce Legislative Action Committee
El Monte/South El Monte Chamber Legislative Committee
Indio Chamber of Commerce
Irvine Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee
Irwindale Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee
Long Beach Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee
Monrovia Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
Murrieta Chamber of Commerce
Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
Riverside Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee
San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce