BOARD MEETING DATE: March 7, 2008
AGENDA NO. 14
PROPOSAL:
Public Affairs Report
SYNOPSIS:
This report highlights the January 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 ACTION:
Receive and file.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
This report summarizes the activities of Public Affairs for January 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 January.
On January 16, AQMD staff attended a Public Hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed Puente Hills Intermodal Facility, a rail yard facility in the City of Industry. Close to 200 people attended the meeting, which provided an overview of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and EIR process. The proposed project would be operated by the Sanitation District of Los Angeles County and would be used to load and unload rail-ready shipping containers of municipal solid waste between rail cars and trucks. AQMD’s CEQA staff has provided extensive comments on the Draft EIR.
On January 22, AQMD staff attended a roundtable discussion in Ladera Ranch in preparation for a public consultation meeting on a proposed new power plant in that community. The public consultation meeting, scheduled for March 6, will focus on AQMD’s air quality permitting process, including permitting requirements for power plants.
During the month of January, Public Affairs staff also addressed the following community organizations:
- Baldwin Hills Conservancy
- California Regional Environmental Education Community
- Concerned Citizens of Compton
- Inland Empire Asthma Coalition
- North Whittier Neighborhood Watch
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 January include the following:
| January 11 | Los Angeles 5 Rotary Club Meeting, Los Angeles |
| January 15 | State of the City Luncheon, Long Beach |
| January 19 | Community Day and Multi-Faith Breakfast, Los Angeles Southwest College |
| January 24 | Mayor of Riverside’s State of the City Address, Riverside |
| January 24 | Lincoln Institute Conference, Riverside |
| January 25 | St. Francis Hospital Business Partners Seminar, Lynwood |
| January 25 | State of the Port of Long Beach Address, Long Beach |
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 January:
January 11 Provided air quality information to attendees of North Redondo Beach Monthly Town Hall meeting.
January 11 Provided information on the School Site Guidance Document and the Guidance Document for Addressing Air Quality Issues in General Plans and Local Planning to members of The Planning Center, Costa Mesa.
January 23 Hosted a 15-member delegation from the Chinese Environmental Protection Agency who received a presentation on the AQMD’s Technology Advancement program, with a focus on the clean fuels program.
January 25 Provided presentations on air quality and health to five class sessions at South El Monte High School.
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 January.
| Main Line Calls | 4,812 | |
| 1-800-CUT-SMOG® Line | 2,195 | |
| After Hours Calls* | 1,566 | |
| Spanish Line Calls | 35 | |
| Total Phone Calls | 8,608 |
*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 January:
Requests for Information
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320 |
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8 |
Calls
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93 |
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1,784 |
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1,877 |
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 42 free on-site consultations
- Provided permit application assistance to 330 companies
- Issued 28 clearance letters
Types of business assisted:
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OUTREACH TO BUSINESS AND FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Field visits and communications were conducted with staff from the following cities:
Alhambra, Anaheim, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Burbank, Cerritos, City of Industry, Claremont, Coachella, Colton, Commerce, Compton, Corona, Costa Mesa, Desert Hot Springs, Duarte, El Monte, Fontana, Gardena, Glendale, Hermosa Beach, Indio, Irwindale, La Canada-Flintridge, La Quinta, Laguna Beach, Lawndale, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Los Angeles, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Moreno Valley, Newport Beach, Norwalk, Ontario, Orange, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Paramount, Rancho Cucamonga, Redondo Beach, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Gabriel, Santa Ana, Santa Clarita, South El Monte, South Pasadena, Temple City, Torrance, Upland, and Whittier.
Visits and/or communications were conducted with elected officials or staff from the following offices:
- U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
- Congress Member Joe Baca
- Senator Jim Battin
- Senator Denise Ducheny
- Senator Tom Harman
- Senator Alan Lowenthal
- Assembly Member John Benoit
- Assembly Member Mike Eng
Staff represented AQMD and/or provided a presentation to the following groups:
- American Lung Association of California
- Anaheim Chamber Governmental Affairs Committee
- Coachella All Chamber Legislative Committee
- Corona Chamber of Commerce Legislative Action Committee
- El Monte/South El Monte Chamber Legislative Committee
- Indio Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee
- La Quinta Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
- League of Cities, Riverside County Division
- Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma
- Long Beach Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee
- Montebello Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee
- Moreno Valley Chamber Legislative Committee
- Ontario Chamber Legislative Committee
- Orange County League of Cities Legislative Committee
- Rancho Cucamonga Chamber Legislative Committee
- Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce
- Riverside Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee
- San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce
- San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
- South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
- Upland Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Committee