BOARD MEETING DATE: July 11, 2008
AGENDA NO. 24

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Receive and file.
 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

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

A Town Hall meeting was held on May 29 in the city of Colton in San Bernardino County. The meeting served to provide area residents with updated information on air quality data and air sampling conducted around local cement facilities. Over 250 people attended the meeting, which was chaired by Board Member Dennis Yates and San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales. AQMD staff provided an overview on actions that have been taken to reduce hexavalent chromium emissions from local cement facilities, including monitoring, inspection and enforcement activities. Approximately 30 people spoke on air quality and health issues.

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

• Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America
• National Council of Jewish Women
• Orange County Medical Association
• Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange
• South Central Family Health Center
• Southern California Ecumenical 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 May 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 May:

• May 6-Provided a presentation on Air Pollution Issues to City of Garden Grove staff.
• May 13-Provided an air quality overview and clean fuels vehicle display to 120 students (5 classes) at Downey High School.
• May 13-Hosted visitors from the International Port of Padua, Italy who received a presentation on Air Quality & Goods Movement.
• May 15-Provided an air quality overview to Valley Industry & Commerce Association Government Affairs Committee, Tarzana.
• May 16-Provided an air quality presentation to 30 members of Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange.
• May 21-Hosted a 27-member AP Environmental Studies class from Artesia High School who received an overview on air quality and preview of alternative fuel vehicles.
• May 22-Provided a presentation on Environmental Aspects of Biofuels to members of the American Chemical Society of Orange County, Irvine.
• May 22-Provided a presentation on Air Quality Funding & Legislation to attendees of the Industrial Environmental Coalition of Orange County, Costa Mesa.
• May 28-Provided an overview on Air Quality Permitting & Compliance Issues for the Multi-Housing Industry to members of the Southern California Apartment Association, Irvine.

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 May.

*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 May:

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.

• Conducted 80 free on-site consultations
• Provided assistance in filing one request for variance
• Provided permit application assistance to 160 companies
• Issued 50 clearance letters

Types of business assisted:

Events:

• Institute for Research and Technical Assistance (IRTA) - Perc Dry Cleaning Alternatives Expo – Irwindale
   

OUTREACH TO BUSINESS AND FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Field visits and communications were conducted with staff from the following cities:

Alhambra, Anaheim, Arcadia, Artesia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Beaumont, Bell, Bell Gardens, Big Bear, Brea, Buena Park, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Cerritos, Chino, Chino Hills, Claremont, Colton, Commerce, Corona, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Desert Hot Springs, Diamond Bar, Downey, Duarte, El Monte, Fontana, Glendale, Glendora, Grand Terrace, Hawaiian Gardens, Highland, Huntington Beach, Huntington Park, Indio, Irvine, Irwindale, La Canada Flintridge, Laguna Woods, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, La Puente, La Verne, Lake Elsinore, Lake Forest, Loma Linda, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Los Angeles, Maywood, Mission Viejo, Monrovia, Montclair, Monterey Park, Moreno Valley, Newport Beach, Ontario, Palm Desert, Pasadena, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Mirage, Redlands, Riverside, Rolling Hills Estates, Rosemead, San Bernardino, San Clemente, San Dimas, San Jacinto, Santa Clarita, Santa Monica, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Tustin, Walnut, and Yucaipa.

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:

• American Lung Association of California
• Arroyo-Verdugo Council of Governments
• Breathe LA
• California Contract Cities Association
• Century City Chamber of Commerce
• Cerritos Chamber of Commerce
• Cerritos Regional Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs
• Coachella All Chamber Legislative Committee
• Dana Point Chamber of Commerce
• El Segundo Chamber of Commerce
• Encino Chamber of Commerce
• Gateway Chamber Alliance
• Gateway Cities Council of Governments
• Greater West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
• Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce
• Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
• Hospital Association of Southern California
• Independent Cities Association
• Indio Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
• Irwindale Chamber of Commerce
• Las Virgenes-Malibu Council of Governments
• League of California Cities (Los Angeles Division)
• League of California Cities (Orange County Division)
• Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce
• Lomita Chamber of Commerce
• Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma
• Long Beach Chamber of Commerce
• Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce
• Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce
• Maywood Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee
• Metropolitan Transportation Agency
• Monrovia Chamber of Commerce
• North Orange County Chambers of Commerce
• North Redondo Beach Business Association
• Ontario Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
• Orange County Business Council Infrastructure Committee
• Orange County Council of Governments
• Orange County Medical Association
• Port of Long Beach
• Port of Los Angeles
• Regional Chamber of San Gabriel Valley
• Riverside Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
• Rosemead Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
• San Bernardino Association of Governments
• San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
• San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
• San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership Legislative Committee
• San Gabriel Valley Chamber Coalition
• San Juan Capistrano Chamber Government Affairs Committee
• Santa Clarita Chamber of Commerce
• South Bay Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee
• South Bay Cities Council of Governments
• South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
• Southern California Association of Governments
• Temecula Chamber of Commerce
• United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley
• Upland Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
• Valley Industry and Commerce Association
• West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
• Western Riverside Council of Governments
• Woodland Hills-Tarzana Chamber of Commerce