BOARD MEETING DATE: February 4, 2005
AGENDA NO. 11

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights the December 2004 outreach activities of Public Affairs, which include: Environmental Justice Update, Community Events/Public Meetings, Business Assistance, and Local Governmental Activity.

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 December 2004. 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 Local Governmental Activity.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE UPDATE

Below is a summary of the Environmental Justice-related activities which occurred in December:

Community Meetings

On December 7, staff participated on a tour of areas in Colton, Glen Avon, Mira Loma, and San Bernardino that are impacted by railroad and diesel traffic. The tour was sponsored by the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice.

COMMUNITY EVENTS/PUBLIC MEETINGS

Each year, thousands of AQMD residents engage in valuable information exchanges through events and meetings that AQMD sponsors, alone and in partnership with others. Information attendees receive includes: 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 December include:
 

Date	Event
December 2	Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice Open House

Calendar Contest

The 2005 AQMD Calendar Contest, "Color My World With Healthy Air" drew entries from Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The kids ranging from grades K-12 created artwork depicting their ideas of a world that is healthy, with clean air. The calendar includes tips on cleaning the air that we breathe, health information related to air pollution, holidays and AQMD Governing Board meeting dates. It is anticipated that the calendar and the calendar contest, which have been well received by the public, will become annual community events. Complimentary calendars are available, while supplies last, at the Public Information Center at the AQMD headquarters.

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 December:
 

	December 1, Board Member Dennis Yates gave an AQMD presentation to the Chino Rotary Club.
	December 1, five Chilean officials met with staff to discuss RECLAIM program.
	December 3, 47 students and three faculty from Tunisia toured air monitoring station.
	December 17, staff hosted David Bostwick and Rick Stephenson of the Canadian Consulate.

Communication Center Statistics

The Communication Center handles all AQMD main line, 1-800-CUT-SMOG^® line and Spanish line calls. Below is a summary of calls received in December:
 

	Main Line Calls	5,677
	1-800-CUT-SMOG® Line	3,368
	After Hours Calls*	2,224
	Spanish Line Calls	29
	Total Phone Calls	11,298
	*Saturday, Sunday, holidays and after 9:00 p.m.   Tuesday 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 December:

Requests for Information

Calls

	Calls Received by PIC Staff	123
	Calls to Automated System	3,222
	Total Phone Calls	3,345

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

AQMD provides assistance to businesses to achieve and maintain compliance with applicable air pollution rules and regulations. Key components of this program include providing notification of upcoming rule development; ensuring businesses the opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process; conducting "no-fault" inspections; determining potential permitting requirements; assisting with the completion of permit applications and variance request forms; explaining rule and recordkeeping requirements; offering financial assistance through the California Capital Access Program and the Non-Perc Dry Cleaner Grant Program; and working with other agencies to identify efficient, cost-effective methods for reducing air pollution. Business assistance activities for the month of December included:
 

	Conducted 72 free on-site consultations
	Provided assistance in filing 3 requests for variance
	Provided permit application assistance to 201 companies
	Issued 42 clearance letters

Types of businesses assisted:

Drycleaners	Construction management companies
Furniture refinishers	Building management companies
Autobody repair shops	Screen printers
Cabinetmakers	Water treatment plants
Restaurants

LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITY (Four-County Area)

Staff provides outreach at Board of Supervisors and City Council meetings. Staff also works with local government, state and federal officials to respond to their air quality concerns and issues.

Field visits and/or communications were conducted with elected officials, or staff from the following offices:
 

	Congressman Ken Calvert
	Congresswoman Hilda Solis
	State Senator Dick Ackerman
	State Senator Debra Bowen
	State Senator Gilbert Cedillo
	State Senator Denise Ducheny
	State Senator Robert Dutton
	State Senator Vincent Edwards
	State Senator Bob Margett
	State Senator Jack Scott
	Assembly Member John Benoit
	Assembly Member Russ Bogh
	Assembly Member Ed Chavez
	Assembly Member Judy Chu
	Assembly Member Lynn Daucher
	Assembly Member Dario Frommer
	Assembly Member Mike Gordon
	Assembly Member Jerome Horton
	Assembly Member Bob Huff
	Assembly Member Paul Koretz
	Assembly Member Carol Liu
	Assembly Member Dennis Mountjoy
	Assembly Member Gloria Negrete McLeod
	Assembly Member Jenny Oropeza
	Riverside County Supervisor John Tavaglione
	Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley
	Riverside County Supervisor Bob Buster

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

Alhambra, Anaheim, Baldwin Park, Beaumont, Bradbury, Claremont, Covina, Diamond Bar, El Monte, Glendora, Industry, Irwindale, La Puente, La Verne, Lynwood, Mission Viejo, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Dimas, San Gabriel, San Marino, South El Monte, Temple City, West Covina, and Whittier.

Chamber of Commerce and Council of Government contacts:

Corona Chamber of Commerce

Gateway Cities Council of Governments

Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce

Irvine Chamber of Commerce

Long Beach Chamber of Commerce

Orange County Council of Governments

San Bernardino Associated Governments

San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments

Upland Chamber of Commerce

Staff represented AQMD and/or provided a presentation at the following meetings:

American Lung Association of Orange County

American Lung Association of San Bernardino County

Duarte Head Start

Long Beach Transit Agency

Los Angeles Division, League of California Cities

Montebello Transit

Orange County Division, League of California Cities

Orange County Public Affairs Association

Port of Long Beach

San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District

San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments

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