BOARD MEETING DATE: June 6, 2008
AGENDA NO. 22

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.
 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

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

A Town Hall meeting was held on April 21 in the community of Rubidoux in Western Riverside County. The meeting served to provide area residents with updated information on airborne hexavalent chromium detected at sites near a cement plant in Riverside County. Over 500 people attended the meeting, which was chaired by two AQMD Governing Board Members and the San Bernardino County Supervisor from the 5th District. AQMD staff provided an overview on actions that were being taken by AQMD to reduce the hexavalent chromium emissions from the facility and lower the risk levels in the local community. AQMD agreed to hold a follow-up meeting in neighboring San Bernardino County to provide area residents with a similar update on air quality data taken around another cement plant in that county.

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

• American Jewish Committee, Orange County Chapter
• Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America
• Healthy Redlands
• Islamic Center of Hawthorne
• South Coast Interfaith Council Environmental Priorities Network
   

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 April 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 April:

April 4 Provided an air quality presentation to students at Corona High School

April 22 Provided an air quality overview to 35 young women living in a residence program in Hollywood

April 23 Hosted a group of 60 students from Fremont Middle School in Pomona who received an air quality overview and tour of the AQMD and laboratory

April 24 Provided an air quality overview to employees of Pardee Homes in Corona, as part of an Earth Day speaker series

April 25 Presented an overview on air quality challenges in Southern California to attendees of a symposium hosted by the Southern California Chinese American Environmental Protection Association in the City of Industry
 

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 April.

*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 April:
 

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 25 free on-site consultations
• Provided permit application assistance to 167 companies
• Issued 17 clearance letters

Types of business assisted:

Events:

• ACE Dry Cleaner Opening, Long Beach
   

OUTREACH TO BUSINESS AND FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

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

Alhambra, Anaheim, Bell Gardens, Big Bear, Brea, Canyon Lake, Chino, Chino Hills, Colton, Commerce, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Diamond Bar, Duarte, Fontana, Glendale, Grand Terrace, Highland, Huntington Beach, Indio, Irvine, La Canada Flintridge, La Mirada, La Puente, La Verne, Loma Linda, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Los Angeles, Malibu, Mission Viejo, Montclair, Monterey Park, Moreno Valley, Newport Beach, Ontario, Pasadena, Pomona, Redlands, Riverside, San Clemente, Santa Clarita, Santa Monica, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Tustin, Walnut, Wildomar 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:

Century City Chamber of Commerce
Cerritos Chamber of Commerce
Cerritos Regional Chamber of Commerce and Gateway Chambers Alliance
Coachella All Chamber Legislative Committee
Dana Point Chamber of Commerce
El Segundo Chamber of Commerce
Gateway Cities Council of Governments
Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
Indio Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
Las Virgenes-Malibu Council of Governments
Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce
Lomita Chamber of Commerce
Long Beach Chamber of Commerce
Los Angeles County League of Cities
Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce
Maywood Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee
Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce
North Redondo Beach Business Association
Ontario Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
Port of Long Beach
Rosemead Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
San Gabriel Valley Chamber of Commerce Coalition
San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership Legislative Committee
San Gabriel Valley Regional Chamber Alliance
San Juan Capistrano Chamber Government Affairs Committee
Santa Clarita Chamber of Commerce
South Bay Chamber of Commerce
South Bay Cities Council of Governments
South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
Temecula Chamber of Commerce
Upland Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
Valley Industry and Commerce Association
West Covina Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
West Orange County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee