BOARD MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 1, 2008
AGENDA NO. 23

REPORT:

Administrative Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Administrative Committee met on Friday, January 11, 2008, and reviewed the proposed agenda for the February 1, 2008 Board meeting. The Committee also discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is scheduled for Friday, February 8, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. in Conference Room CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Supervisor Roy Wilson, Vice Chair
Administrative Committee

Attendance: Present at AQMD were Jane Carney and Dennis Yates. Vice Chair Roy Wilson attended by videoconference. Chairman Burke was not present due to a conflict with the Coastal Commission meeting, and Ronald Loveridge was not present due to his attendance at the National League of Cities Board meeting.

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Board Members’ Concerns: None.
    
2. Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: Dr. Wallerstein stated that Councilmember Reyes Uranga has requested to attend the Green California Summit to be held on April 6-8, 2008 in Sacramento, CA.
    
3. Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s)/Consultant(s): None.
    
4. Report of Approved Out-of-Country Travel: None.
    
5. Discussion and Establishment of AQMD Position on Fair Share of Proposition 1B Air Quality Mitigation Funds: Dr. Wallerstein explained that the $1B in air quality mitigation funding will be discussed at CARB’s January Board meeting with the following categories written into the bond measure: trucks and shore power for ships at the ports, replacement of locomotives, and harbor craft and cargo handling equipment – key emission sources related to goods movement in California. CARB staff is recommending the following breakdown of the $1B: $400 M heavy-duty diesel trucks serving seaport and intermodal rail yards; $360M for heavy duty trucks and truck stop electrification; $100M for diesel freight locomotives operating within the state, principally switchers in railyards; $100M for shore power and cargo handling equipment; and $40M for commercial harbor craft. Dr. Wallerstein stated that the initial $25M will be discussed regarding allocations, possibly for various trade centers/corridors. CARB staff has solicited proposals for the $25M; AQMD staff has prepared a series of project proposals totaling $135M, illustrating the tremendous need in the South Coast region.
   
   CARB staff is proposing South Coast receive 55% of the $1 billion, San Joaquin 23%, Sacramento area 3%, Bay Area 14%, and San Diego 5%. Dr. Wallerstein mentioned that CARB looked at the following factors to determine how South Coast would receive 55%: population relative to the corridors, goods movement emissions for diesel particulate and percent NOX, and new NOX reductions in SIP, then taking an average of the three. Because of the population weighted air quality impacts for PM2.5 whereby South Coast has disproportionate exposure, there may be further discussion on whether our air region should more properly receive 75-80% of the funding. He continued that on the infrastructure side, the dollars still have to be allocated by the Legislature, but regarding air quality mitigation, a statute provides guidance to CARB to ensure the money is distributed appropriately. The conundrum here is that 55% of the money is more than received from other programs, but it does not match our disproportionate share of pollution exposure.
   
   Dr. Wallerstein stated that AQMD is at a point in time where relations with CARB and AQMD have improved tremendously and our staff and region will be handling over $500 million under this proposal.
   
   Mayor Yates asked whether the funds for the Los Angeles-San Bernardino areas were based on the MATES study, and Dr. Wallerstein answered that various specific projects would target emission reductions from the transportation corridors showing high cancer risks in MATES. Mayor Yates asked if the AQMD Board will distribute the money based on pollution in our area, and Dr. Wallerstein answered that the project selection will be made by CARB and the implementation delegated to us. Mayor Yates asked if our Board will have discretion on how the money will be spent, and Chung Liu, DEO/Technology Advancement Office, stated that the recommendation is still pending, but that the School Bus Program has a county-type approximate allocation mostly by population similar to the Moyer Program. Dr. Liu stated that the majority of money for trucks is $400M for port related and $260M targeted for non-port related trucks. Mayor Yates was concerned that the railroads would be receiving $100M outright, but small business owner/independent truck drivers would have to match the money provided them for leasing or purchasing new trucks. Dr. Wallerstein understood the concern and stated that staff will bring these concerns to the CARB Board.

Ms. Carney asked how the process would work related to the proposals and funding. Dr. Liu answered that CARB will be drafting a two-phase approach guideline where local districts would propose a project type or joint proposals and submit them, and CARB will make funding decisions on these programs, but this process may take a few months to be realized.

Ms. Carney stated that there are areas in the Inland Empire which have high rates of pollution, but without any outreach as is accomplished in areas with more community activism, there may not be a large amount of technically adequate proposals or community pressure. Mayor Yates stated that CCAEJ is one of the few strong support groups in the Inland Empire to assist with environmental justice issues.

Supervisor Wilson stated that 55% in the South Coast and 5% in San Diego comprises the ‘magical 60%’ that the California Transportation Commission cited during their hearing in October. He also suggested to support CARB’s recommended distribution, but then begin working on additional projects to be identified for the next allocation. Ms. Carney suggested using the money allocated us in a timely manner to support our position of requiring additional funds.

FEBRUARY AGENDA ITEMS:

6. Amend Contract with Sonoma Technology, Inc. to Provide Technical Support for AQMD PAMS Upper Air Meteorological Monitoring Network: Elaine Chang, DEO/Planning, Rule Development & Area Sources, stated that this item is seeking approval to exercise our second year option with Sonoma Technology to operate and manage data for the operation of our upper air monitoring stations. The money is funded from passed-through EPA PAMS money. Moved by Carney; seconded by Yates; and unanimously approved.
   
7. Recognize Revenue and Appropriate Funds to the Statewide Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) and Add and Delete Positions: Carol Coy, DEO/Engineering & Compliance, stated CARB has administered the PERP Program for the past 10 years at industry’s request where an owner of portable engines or equipment can register with the State then operate in any of the districts without obtaining an individual permit. The PERP Program presented difficulties for AQMD in enforcement because the equipment was mobile and therefore a logistical challenge, but AQMD had to bill the company for the inspection at the standard state-wide rate of $75 an inspection, which barely covers the administrative costs. Over the years, CARB has been reticent to change the program to make it more enforceable, but about 1½ years ago CAPCOA sponsored an effort that restructured the program to incentivize companies to register or permit their equipment, which includes a triennial fee of $315 set at the home district where the equipment will be operated most of the time. Ms. Coy continued that CARB now collects the inspection fees up front and disburses the $315 to AQMD, with an additional nominal fee provided to rural districts throughout the state for their enforcement programs. This program has affected AQMD staff by moving them out of their sector inspections to respond to complaints; therefore, staff is requesting to upgrade a position to Senior Engineer as a supervisor over the program along with inspector positions.
   
   Mayor Yates asked whether generators in Big Bear with its snow equipment falls into this category, but Ms. Coy stated that type of equipment is permitted under AQMD. The type of equipment that falls under this program is portable equipment such as the movie industry uses where it is moved site to site, or the Los Angeles County Fair where cranes are used to construct ride equipment brought in for a few weeks. If the equipment is being used or stored somewhere, the operator obtains a PERP permit for state-wide operation so when they move from county to county, there is no need for a separate permit. Moved by Yates; seconded by Carney; and unanimously approved.
    
8. Approve Budget for Air Monitoring Station Improvements and Issue Purchase Orders: Philip Fine, Atmospheric Measurements Manager, stated that there are 35 air monitoring stations located in the basin which provide information on whether AQMD is in attainment of air quality standards and also assist with planning and modeling efforts. Many of the stations are over 30 years old and the original infrastructure installed is still in place, but now requires repairs or replacement. Staff is requesting approval to replace seven older modular or wooden trailers with new metal converted shipping containers, which have been used in special studies and have proved very cost effective and useful in improving the security and safety of the sites where the instruments are located and in making improvements to the sites. Moved by Carney; seconded by Yates; and unanimously approved.
    
9. Establish List of Prequalified Vendors to Provide Computer, Network, Printer Hardware and Software, and Desktop Computer Hardware Upgrades: Chris Marlia, Asst. DEO/Information Management, stated that this item is to request approval to prequalify a list of vendors for future purchases in seven categories, which includes computer equipment, parts, software, printers, printer parts, network LAN/WAN equipment, and desktop computer hardware upgrade systems where twelve bids received. Moved by Yates; seconded by Carney; and unanimously approved.
    
10. Report of RFPs and RFQs Scheduled for Release in February: Mr. Pearce stated that one RFP is being released – Proposal for Re-roofing AQMD Headquarters; and four RFQs are being released – Prequalify Providers of Temporary Employment Services; and three for U.S. EPA-funded equipment for PAMS and NAAMS programs--Procure Standard and Trace Level Sulfur Dioxide Analyzers, Procure Total Reactive Nitrogen Analyzers, and Procure Automated Gas Chromatograph System. Supervisor Wilson requested staff examine the possibility of using solar tiles to reroof the auditorium as a number of firms produce this type of material, but Ms. Carney was concerned that making this revision may change the RFP. Supervisor Wilson requested the RFP be revised after meeting with companies manufacturing these products. Moved by Yates; seconded by Carney; and unanimously approved.
     
11. Approve Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Accomplishments for 2007, and Goals and Objectives for 2008: Anupom Ganguli, Asst. DEO/Public Affairs, stated this item is to approve the LG&SBA Advisory Group accomplishments for last year and goals and objectives for 2008. He also stated that the advisory group has been very active under the leadership of Ms. Carney. Ms. Carney thanked the members of the committee for their diligence, and requested that Dr. Burke review Board Members’ assignments to ensure there is additional Board representation. Dr. Wallerstein mentioned that Dr. Burke will be reassigning Board Members to committees and advisory groups to ensure adequate distribution once the appointments or re-appointments have been done. Moved by Yates; seconded by Carney; and unanimously approved.
     
12. Ethnic Advisory Group Minutes for November 14, 2007 meeting: Attached for information are the Ethnic Advisory Group minutes for the November 14, 2007 meeting.
     
13. Local Government & Small Business Advisory Group Minutes of November 16, 2007 meeting: Attached for information are the Local Government & Small Business Advisory Group minutes for the November 16, 2007 meeting.
     
14. Review February 1, 2008 Governing Board Agenda: Dr. Wallerstein stated that two items are being added to the consent calendar, which require the Committee’s approval. They are 1) Amend Rule 461 – Gasoline Transfer and Dispensing to help ensure a smooth transition to CARB’s Phase II Enhanced Vapor Recovery as required by State law, and 2) Issue an RFP for obtaining assistance in organizing two air quality and health-related conferences with the solicitation process to go through the Technology Committee.
    
    Dr. Wallerstein continued that the following public hearing items will be discussed: 1) Executive Officer’s Proposed Program Goals/Objectives for FY 2008-09, Rule 1110.2 continued from last month, Amend Rule 1171 – Solvent Cleaning Operations – a small amendment is being made to allow additional time for the industry to develop more compliant materials and conduct further tests in the production environment, amend Rule 1401 and adopt Rule 1472 for stationary emergency standby diesel-fueled internal combustion engines, and the adoption of the Surplus Off-road Op-in for NOx (SOON) Program. The SOON Program was a major item in the AQMP negotiations where the CARB Board adopted this opt-in regulation that affects multiple industries but especially the construction industry. Dr. Wallerstein continued that this program provides an opportunity for local districts to access Moyer funding to help pay for enhanced and expedited fleet cleanup. Staff needs to move forward to obtain PM2.5 emission reductions in a timely manner. Moved by Yates; seconded by Carney; and unanimously approved.
     
15. Other Business: None.
     
16. Public Comment: None.

Meeting adjourned at 9:53 a.m.

Attachments (EXE 92kb)

– Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for November 14, 2007
– Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for
  November 16, 2007