BOARD MEETING DATE: September 5, 2008
AGENDA NO. 22
PROPOSAL:
Public Affairs Report
SYNOPSIS:
This report highlights June and July 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
This report summarizes the activities of Public Affairs for June and July 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 June and July.
A Town Hall meeting was held on June 19 in the city of Maywood in Los Angeles County. The meeting served to provide area residents with updated information on local air quality including air sampling conducted around a local battery recycling facility. Over 100 people attended the meeting, which was chaired by AQMD Governing Board Member Dr. Joseph K. Lyou. Maywood Mayor Felipe Aguirre provided welcoming remarks which were followed by an AQMD staff presentation. Many of the attendees commented on a proposed power plant in the neighboring city of Vernon. Speakers requested that AQMD ensure that the community be kept informed on the proposed power plant.
On July 2, 2008 AQMD held a Public Consultation meeting in Bloomington for Proposed Amendments to Rule 1156, Further Reductions of Particulate Emissions from Cement Manufacturing Facilities. Over 100 people attended the meeting, which served to highlight the rule amendments which include further reduction of particulate matter, as well as hexavalent chromium emissions, from cement manufacturing facilities. The proposed rule amendment would also require the total enclosure of clinker material storage. The proposed amendments were pursued as one of many aggressive actions that were undertaken to reduce hexavalent chromium emissions from cement plants and lower risk levels in the communities around these facilities.
During the months of June and July, Public Affairs staff also addressed the following organizations:
- American Jewish Committee
- Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America
- Environmental Priorities Network
- Inland Congregations United for Change
- Los Angeles County Federation of Labor
- Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma
- Orange County Medical Association
- San Fernando Valley Inter-Faith Committee
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 months of June and July include the following:
| June 8 | Physicians for Social Responsibility event, Santa Monica |
| June 9 | Health and Safety Fair, Fontana |
| June 11 | Multi-Faith Air Quality Institute at First AME Church, Los Angeles |
| June 25 | Mountain Communities Economic Summit, Big Bear |
| June 27 | California Hospital Association Health Care Summit, Los Angeles |
| June 28 | Eco-Fest, Venice Beach |
| June 29 | Family Day hosted by the Orange County Diocese, Orange |
| July 1 | Incorporation Ceremony for the City of Wildomar |
| July 1 | Bloomington Municipal Advisory Committee |
| July 8 | Center for Energy Efficiency & Renewable Technologies, Los Angeles |
| July 10 | Air Quality Institute for Medical Community, at California Hospital, Long Beach |
| July 10 | Environmental Priorities Network meeting, Manhattan Beach |
| July 10 | San Bernardino Asthma Coalition meeting |
| July 11 | Southern California Ecumenical Council, Los Angeles |
| July 15 | Inland Empire Air Quality Committee meeting, San Bernardino |
| July 15 | Air Quality Institute meeting hosted by the American Lung Association, San Bernardino |
| July 15 | Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma Coalition meeting |
| July 15 | Friends of Clean Air meeting, Alhambra |
| July 20 | South Pasadena Clean Air Car Show & Film Festival |
| July 26 | Central Avenue Jazz Festival, Los Angeles |
| July 28 | Air Quality Institute meeting, Long Beach |
| July 31 | Alternative Fuels/Fleet Management Workshop hosted by San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments & AQMD, Monrovia |
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 June and July:
June 6
Provided a presentation on air pollution issues to students at La Canada High School
June 12
Hosted a delegation from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Business Managers and Administrators Network who received an overview on AQMD and Small Business programs
July 9
Facilitated a presentation by AQMD staff on the Clean School Bus program and funding sources to Rim of the World School Board Members and staff from Senator Dutton’s office
July 17
Provided an air quality overview to members of the community group Action Now in Temple City
Communication Center Statistics
The Communication Center handles the AQMD main line, 1-800-CUT-SMOG® line and Spanish line calls. Calls received in the months of June and July are summarized below:
| June: | Main Line Calls | 4,991 |
| 1-800-CUT-SMOG® Line | 2,822 | |
| After Hours Calls* | 1,093 | |
| Spanish Line Calls | 41 | |
| Total Phone Calls | 8,947 |
| July: | Main Line Calls | 5,391 |
| 1-800-CUT-SMOG® Line | 2,298 | |
| After Hours Calls* | 1,385 | |
| Spanish Line Calls | 41 | |
| Total Phone Calls | 9,115 |
*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 months of June and July are summarized below:
June:
| Visitor Transactions | 281 |
| Information Packages Mailed | 3 |
| Calls Received by PIC Staff | 88 |
| Calls to Automated System | 3,494 |
| Total Phone Calls | 3,582 |
July:
| Visitor Transactions | 320 |
| Information Packages Mailed | 2 |
| Calls Received by PIC Staff | 126 |
| Calls to Automated System | 1733 |
| Total Phone Calls | 1859 |
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, as shown below:
June activity:
- Conducted 33 free on-site consultations
- Provided permit application assistance to 231companies
- Issued 28 clearance letters
June events:
- Professional Wet Cleaning Workshop, Irwindale
- City of Long Beach Small Business Advisory Committee Meeting
July activity:
- Conducted 20 free on-site consultations
- Provided assistance in filing 1 request for variance
- Provided permit application assistance to 203 companies
- Issued 34 clearance letters
July events:
- Institute for Research and Technical Assistance (IRTA) - Perc Dry Cleaning Alternatives Expo, Irwindale
Types of businesses 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, Baldwin Park, Beaumont, Big Bear, Chino, Chino Hills, Calimesa, Cerritos, Coachella, Colton, Compton, Costa Mesa, Desert Hot Springs, El Segundo, Gardena, Hemet, Highland, Huntington Beach, Huntington Park, Indian Wells, Indio, Irvine, Irwindale, Loma Linda, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Los Angeles, Monrovia, Montclair, Moreno Valley, Norco, Ontario, Orange, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Pasadena, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Redondo Beach, Riverside, Rosemead, San Bernardino, San Jacinto, Santa Ana, Santa Clarita, South Pasadena, Temple City, Upland, Westminster, Wildomar, and Yucaipa.
Visits and/or communications were conducted with elected officials or staff from the following offices:
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Staff represented AQMD and/or provided a presentation to the following groups:
Bloomington Municipal Advisory Committee
Coachella Valley Advisory Group
Gardena Chamber of Commerce
Indio Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Irvine Chamber of Commerce
Irwindale Chamber of Commerce & Environmental Committee
Lake Arrowhead Chamber of Commerce
Loma Linda Chamber Government Affairs Committee
Monrovia Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
Montclair City Council Chamber
Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce
Mountain Communities Chamber of Commerce
North Redondo Beach Business Association
Port of Long Beach
Port of Los Angeles
Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce
Redlands Chamber of Commerce
Riverside Chamber of Commerce
Rosemead Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
San Gabriel Valley Chamber Legislative Coalition
Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce
South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
Upland Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
Venice Chamber of Commerce
West Orange County Chambers Legislative Committee
Westminster Chamber of Commerce