BOARD MEETING DATE: June 6, 2008
AGENDA NO. 29

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.
 

Dr. William A. Burke, Chair
Administrative Committee

Attendance: Chairman Dr. William Burke attended via videoconference. Present at AQMD were Committee Members Ronald Loveridge and Dennis Yates. Committee Members Jane Carney and Vice Chairman Roy Wilson were absent.
 

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Board Members’ Concerns: Dr. Wallerstein stated that work has been initiated on the mailing list and database for public members interested in air quality issues. He continued that Dr. Lyou expressed concern related to the completion of Title V permits in the next twelve months; staff has committed to issue the remaining permits in that time frame and is assessing whether contract assistance will be necessary.

2. Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: None.

3. Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s)/Consultant(s): Staff is recommending proposals for Board Assistants and Consultants to the respective Board Members for FY 2008-09 be approved.
Moved by Yates; seconded by Loveridge; and unanimously approved.

4. Report of Approved Out-of-Country Travel: Dr. Burke reported that he traveled to Nice, France on May 1-7 to meet with representatives of MDI International regarding their advanced technology related to compressed air vehicles. He stated that a vehicle can run at 70 miles per hour, 140-150 miles on one tank of compressed air, and the vehicle is plugged in to refuel it. India has provided MDI International with $50 million for the rights to manufacture and distribute vehicles in India alone. The current retail price is $7,000. He suggested sending two technical staff members to visit the firm.

Oscar Abarca will meet with elected officials in Santiago, Chile on May 11-19, 2008, regarding the Santiago Decontamination Plan as requested by the Chilean government. The government of Chile will reimburse AQMD for Mr. Abarca’s travel.
Moved by Yates; seconded by Loveridge; and unanimously approved.

5. AQMD Name Change Study and Survey: Dr. Wallerstein stated that Mayor Pulido proposed to consider renaming the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to Southern California AQMD to convey the full jurisdiction of SCAQMD and not just the coastal area. Staff was directed by the Board to issue a contract to provide the background and history of how SCAQMD’s name was derived, solicit viewpoints regarding potential name change and return to Administrative Committee and the Board for consideration. Pom Pom Ganguli, Asst. DEO/Public Affairs, explained that Mark Vargas of Cordoba Corporation identified the group to be surveyed, conducted the polling, and analyzed the data. Fifty percent of the 65 targeted elected officials and business leaders responded, as well as 11% of the 1,700 public members of the Clean Air Congress.

Mayor Loveridge asked how the public can become a member of the Clean Air Congress, and Dr. Ganguli answered that an outreach program, as well as a established a web-based system is used. The majority of responses were of the opinion that the name should be retained. Dr. Wallerstein stated that, although Southern California is defined as including Santa Barbara, Ventura, Mohave, Antelope Valley, Imperial, and San Diego districts, South Coast AQMD’s jurisdiction does not include such areas. Mayor Yates opposed the cost of $50,000 for the study and stated that SCAQMD has built an international reputation for air pollution control. Mayor Loveridge asked what the value of the name change was and what the advantage was, and Dr. Wallerstein explained that the Board asked staff to conduct the survey and the evaluation and report back to the Administrative Committee, along with Supervisor Campbell’s request to secure a spot bill should the Board decide to revise the name. Dr. Wallerstein continued that the Administrative Committee has the authority to recommend the current name be retained, and report such action to the Board via the Committee Report (attached). Accordingly, Dr. Burke asked Dr. Wallerstein to contact Mayor Pulido to brief him of the Committee’s action on this item.
Moved by Loveridge to retain the name; seconded by Yates; and unanimously approved.

6. Establish Health Effects Research Account from BP ARCO Settlement Fund and Future Penalty Monies: Dr. Wallerstein explained that at this year’s Board Retreat, Dr. Burke encouraged and forwarded a recommendation to establish and forward for recommendation to the June 6 Board agenda to (1) take $1.5 million from the BP ARCO Settlement Fund and transfer it to create the Health Effects Research Fund; (2) if more than $4 million in annual penalty monies were received, 20% of the excess would be transferred to this account. This transfer would be reviewed annually by the Board; (3) an agreement with BP ARCO for $1 million of the annual $3 million funds available under the settlement agreement for community benefits programs to be directed to health effects research. The result would be that one third of the money would be set aside by the Oversight Committee for health effects research ($1 million/year for years 6-10 funding). (4) Interest would be accrued on $1.5 million to place into the Brain & Lung Tumor & Air Pollution (BLTAP) Foundation for additional work to be conducted this summer. Dr. Burke asked that the Committee members on the BLTAP be current to ensure each one is able to serve on this Foundation. Mayor Loveridge asked what the foundation is, and Dr. Wallerstein answered it was established in February 2003 as concern grew that air pollution may cause/contribute to brain cancer. The initial funding was provided, and several Board Members and two outside parties became members of the Foundation. Dr. Burke added the research was conducted by a coalition of USC, UCLA, and UC Riverside research teams.

Mayor Loveridge was concerned that various foundations and committees are formed that become “phantom agencies” with no governance or accountability. Dr. Wallerstein responded that this is a unique type of research which is conducted by exposing mice to particulate pollution, seeking genetic activity related to tumor formation or cancer incidences as it relates to where the population resides. Dr. Wallerstein also explained that the BLTAP Foundation is the only foundation at AQMD. Mayor Yates asked if a study can be conducted to address the chromium 6 in Riverside with UC Riverside to determine whether residents close to Riverside Cement have been affected. Jean Ospital, Health Effects Officer, responded that there is already a statewide cancer surveillance program being conducted, which tracks every diagnosed case of cancer in the state with Loma Linda University tracking residents in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Dr. Wallerstein stated that the study would determine whether cancer clusters are being found in this particular area, and Dr. Ospital added that workplace studies of chromium cancer show an increased risk of cancer. Dr. Wallerstein stated that staff is recommending this item be approved.
Moved by Yates; seconded by Loveridge; and unanimously approved.

7. Approve Proposed Memorandum of Understanding Between South Coast Air Quality Management District and Intermodal Container Transfer Facility Joint Powers Authority: Kurt Wiese, District Counsel, stated that at the May 2 Board meeting a discussion was held regarding the proposal of Union Pacific Railroad to expand its railyard and port. The Joint Powers of Authority, consisting of Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, requested AQMD conduct CEQA analysis for this project with $2.5 million to be paid to AQMD by Union Pacific Railroad. Staff is recommending approval even though Union Pacific Railroad counsel sent a letter objecting to this agreement. Dr. Wallerstein added that the agreement has been placed on the website so that the public is aware that this MOU is being proposed.
Moved by Yates; seconded by Loveridge; and unanimously approved.
 

JUNE AGENDA ITEMS:

8. Issue Purchase Order for Automated Gas Chromatograph System: Rudy Eden, Sr. Enforcement Manager/Technology Advancement, explained that AQMD is in its 16^th year participating in the photochemical assessment monitoring system (PAMS) with EPA, which is fully funded by EPA. This chromatograph system is being proposed to analyze photochemically reactive compounds as ozone precursor, for the Pico Rivera monitoring station.
Moved by Yates; seconded by Loveridge; and unanimously approved.

9. Issue Purchase Order for Energy Dispersive XRF Spectrometer System: Mr. Eden stated that the spectrometer system is used for nondestructive analysis of filters and other bulk samples used for metals analysis, is fully funded by EPA, relative to trends and PM2.5 networks AQMD is required to conduct.
Moved by Yates; seconded by Loveridge; and unanimously approved.

10. Establish List of Prequalified Providers for Temporary Employment Services: Eudora Tharp, Assistant DEO/Administrative & Human Resources, stated that this is a routine item brought every three years for the Board to pre-qualify temporary employment agencies. All pre-qualified agencies will be asked to submit competitive bids when temporary are needed.
Moved by Loveridge; seconded by Yates; and unanimously approved.

11. Release Request for Vendors to Provide Mailing Services:  
Moved by Yates; seconded by Loveridge; and unanimously approved.

12. Authorize Purchase of CLASS System Production and Development Servers: Chris Marlia, Assistant DEO/Information Management, explained this item is to replace two production servers that house our production applications (15 in all) and was last upgraded in 1996 for $1 million. With advances in technology, the current cost is $348,361.
Moved by Loveridge; seconded by Yates; and unanimously approved.

13. Authorize Purchase of Microsoft Windows Server Operating System Upgrades: Mr. Marlia stated that the Windows Server Operating System drives all of AQMD servers for the web, print, and file servers with 25 servers in all. The current Windows system is eight years old with up-to-date capabilities and functionality, including a database server to enhance applications. Dr. Burke asked which companies pay this amount of money to upgrade their system, and Mayor Yates responded that every computer needs to be upgraded with each one costing $400 each.
Moved by Loveridge; seconded by Yates; and unanimously approved.

14. Remove Various Fixed Assets from AQMD Inventory: Rick Pearce, Chief Financial Officer, stated that every two years AQMD conducts a fixed assets inventory and recommends the removal of surplus equipment and vehicles. Dr. Burke asked about the items that have not been located, and Mr. Pearce responded that all of the items were ten years and older and had already been salvaged or cannibalized for parts, such as lab and computer equipment.
Moved by Loveridge; seconded by Yates; and unanimously approved.

15. Recommend Appointments to Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Membership: Dr. Ganguli stated that there are two vacancies in Local Government & Small Business and four reappointments which need approval. Bio data for the candidates is attached. Mayor Loveridge stated he supports the recommendation, but would like to review all the committees charters to determine their functionality. Dr. Wallerstein stated that this review will take place at the June 13, 2008 Administrative Committee meeting.
Moved by Yates; seconded by Loveridge; and unanimously approved.

16. Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for March 21, 2008: Attached for information is the Ethnic Community Advisory Group minutes for the March 21, 2008 meeting.

17. Local Government & Small Business Advisory Group Minutes of March 14, 2008 meeting: Attached for information is the Local Government & Small Business Advisory Group minutes for the March 14, 2008 meeting.

18. Review June 6, 2008 Governing Board Agenda: Dr. Wallerstein stated that the major items on this agenda will be the white paper on the Southern California Climate Solutions Exchange, a report on Riverside Cement and discussion of Proposed Rule 314.

19. Other Business: None.

20.  Public Comment: Rose Montoya, representing ECAG and their members, stated that at the last ECAG meeting Dr. Lyou mentioned that ECAG would be reconfigured or dismantled due to monetary reasons. Dr. Wallerstein explained that at the last Administrative Committee meeting, Jane Carney asked to reshape the existing ECAG to a different scope as an Environmental Justice committee. Ms. Montoya continued that she and the ECAG members felt that ECAG links AQMD to outside communities and is a conduit which provides information to the public, as well as local government agencies. She provided an example of how her involvement and testimony at a city council meeting, as an ECAG member, had a positive impact and resulted in policy that benefited the health of residents.

Danny Morales of Riverside stated he feels ECAG provides communication from communities to ECAG, then to Board Members, as public concerns arise, and that ECAG and is a valuable tool to AQMD.

Ms. Montoya and Mr. Morales felt it has been an honor to serve as ECAG members, and look forward to continued service is this role.

Meeting adjourned at 10:01 a.m.

Attachments (exe 913 kb)

AQMD Name Change Study and Survey

Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for March 21, 2008

Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for March 14, 2008