BOARD MEETING DATE: November 7, 2008
AGENDA NO. 17

PROPOSAL:

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights September 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 ACTIONS:

Receive and file.
 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

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

The AQMD held an Air Quality Institute briefing (AQI) on September 10, 2008 for the Board of Rabbis of Southern California. The AQI was attended by approximately 30 Rabbis and representatives from the Jewish community who received an in-depth briefing on mobile source emissions, goods movement and port emissions, and other issues related to air quality, including the Communities of Faith Partnership, part of AQMD’s Clean Air Congress activities. As a follow-up to this meeting, AQMD held an Air Quality briefing on September 25 with the American Jewish University's rabbinical students' Green Team.  The AQIs were initiated in 2006 to inform and educate the public and key stakeholders about relevant air quality issues. The AQMD plans to hold future AQIs for stakeholders in the area of goods movement, for medical, health, and faith-based organizations.

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

• Black Chamber of Commerce of Orange County
• Korean Clergy Council
• League of California Cities
• Wilmington Neighborhood 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.

In September, AQMD participated in two high-profile events that reached thousands of local residents with our air quality message. The first event was an AQMD exhibit at the Los Angeles County Fair, held September 5-28 at the Fairplex in Pomona. The exhibit was in the “Going Green - Making a World of Difference” Pavilion, and highlighted AQMD programs, including the Healthy Hearths initiative, lawnmower and leaf blower exchange programs, and Clean Air Congress. The second event was the “Future is Green Conference and Expo” sponsored by the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association, held September 14-16 at the Long Beach Convention Center. The conference included special sessions for small business entrepreneurs, teachers, and the public, who were able to attend for free on Sunday, September 14.

Highlights of events/activities undertaken during the month of September 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 September:

Communication Center Statistics

The Communication Center handles the AQMD main line, 1-800-CUT-SMOG^® line and Spanish line calls. Calls received in the month of September are summarized below:

*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. Information for the month of September is summarized below:

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 34 free on-site consultations
• Provided assistance in filing 1 request for variance
• Provided permit application assistance to 151 companies
• Issued 26 clearance letters

Types of business assisted:

OUTREACH TO BUSINESS AND FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

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

Anaheim, Banning, Beaumont, Bell, Beverly Hills, Calimesa, Cerritos, Chino, Covina, Diamond Bar, Fountain Valley, Hawthorne, Indio, Industry, Irvine, Irwindale, Laguna Woods, Loma Linda, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Maywood, Monrovia, Montebello, Moreno Valley, Norwalk, Ontario, Orange, Paramount, Pasadena, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Redondo Beach, Rialto, Riverside, Rosemead, San Bernardino, Santa Clarita, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Monica, South Gate, South Pasadena, Torrance, Upland, West Covina, Whittier, and Wildomar.

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:

• Anaheim Chamber of Commerce
• Beach Cities Health District
• Harbor City Neighborhood Council
• Inland Empire League of California Cities, Legislative Committee
• Irvine Chamber Governmental Affairs Committee
• League of California Cities, Gateway Cities
• Orange Chamber of Commerce, Government Affairs Committee
• Orange County Business Council
• Redlands Chamber of Commerce
• San Bernardino Association of Governments, Administrative Committee
• San Bernardino Chamber Legislative Committee
• San Gabriel Valley Chamber Legislative Coalition
• Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee
• San Gabriel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Western Riverside Council of Governments
• Wilmington Chamber of Commerce