BOARD MEETING DATE: December 5, 2008
AGENDA NO. 11

PROPOSAL:

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights October 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 ACTIONS:

Receive and file.
 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

This report summarizes the activities of Public Affairs for October 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 October.

The AQMD co-hosted a Goods Movement Tour coordinated by the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) on October 24, 2008. Participating agencies included Riverside County Transportation Commission, City of Long Beach, Port of Long Beach, SANBAG and AQMD. Participants included local elected officials and city staff who attended the day-long excursion which began with a tour of the BNSF railyard in San Bernardino and concluded with a tour of the Port of Long Beach. AQMD staff provided the tour members with a thorough presentation on goods movement issues, followed by a Question and Answer session. SANBAG staff also spoke on transportation issues and regional projects.

The AQMD held an air quality briefing on October 28, 2008 in coordination with Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE), an interfaith association of more than 600 religious leaders throughout Los Angeles County. Governing Board Member Tonia Reyes Uranga welcomed the 20 leaders of Long Beach-area faith organizations. The attendees received an in-depth briefing on mobile source emissions, goods movement and port emissions, and other issues related to air quality, including the Communities of Faith Partnership, part of AQMD’s Clean Air Congress activities.

During the month of October, Public Affairs staff also addressed the following organizations:

• California Safe Schools
• City of Gardena Senior Citizens Commission
• Pasadena Forward
• Southern Christian Leadership Conference
   

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 October 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 October:

• October 9 Hosted 22 students from the Art Center Automotive Design program in Pasadena. The students received an overview on clean vehicle technologies and a tour of the alternative fuel vehicles available at AQMD.
   
• October 19 Provided a presentation on Air Quality and Health to parish nurses attending a speaker series at Redlands Community Hospital.
   
• October 21 Hosted new staff members from Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma who received a comprehensive overview on AQMD’s programs and also toured the laboratory.
   
• October 22 Hosted a 4-person delegation from Asia Pacific Environmental Corporation from Seoul, Korea who received an overview on refinery operations and AQMD’s Leak Detection and Repair Program.
   
• October 31 Provided an Overview of AQMD’s Transportation Programs to members of Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association.
   

Communication Center Statistics

The Communication Center handles the AQMD main line, 1-800-CUT-SMOG^® line and Spanish line calls. Calls received in the month of October are summarized below:

*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. Information for the month of October is summarized below:

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 37 free on-site consultations
• Provided assistance in filing 1 request for variance
• Provided permit application assistance to 209 companies
• Issued 34 clearance letters

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, Banning, Beaumont, Bell, Beverly Hills, Calimesa, Cerritos, Chino, Covina, Diamond Bar, Fountain Valley, Hawthorne, Indio, Industry, Irvine, Irwindale, Laguna Woods, Loma Linda, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Maywood, Monrovia, Montebello, Moreno Valley, Norwalk, Ontario, Orange, Paramount, Pasadena, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Redondo Beach, Rialto, Riverside, Rosemead, San Bernardino, Santa Clarita, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Monica, South Gate, South Pasadena, Torrance, Upland, West Covina, Whittier, and Wildomar.

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

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

• Automobile Club of Southern California
• Anaheim Chamber of Commerce
• Beach Cities Health District
• Harbor City Neighborhood Council
• Inland Empire League of California Cities, Legislative Committee
• Irvine Chamber Governmental Affairs Committee
• League of California Cities, Gateway Cities
• Metrolink
• Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles
• Orange Chamber of Commerce, Government Affairs Committee
• Orange County Business Council
• Orange County Transportation Authority
• Redlands Chamber of Commerce
• Riverside County Transportation Commission
• San Bernardino Association of Governments, Administrative Committee
• San Bernardino Chamber Legislative Committee
• San Gabriel Valley Chamber Legislative Coalition
• Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee
• San Gabriel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Southern California Association of Governments
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Western Riverside Council of Governments
• Wilmington Chamber of Commerce