BOARD MEETING DATE: May 6, 2005
AGENDA NO. 19

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights the March 2005 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 March 2005. 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 March:

On March 16, the District hosted a meeting of the Hacienda Heights/La Puente/Avocado Heights Neighborhood Environmental Justice Council (NEJC). The NEJC was formed in May 2003 to address local air quality concerns and involve key community members in the discussion. The NEJC has meet five times over the past two years, with AQMD staff providing briefings on permitting history, compliance procedures, health risk assessments, risk reduction plans and also inviting other agency experts to discuss topics outside of AQMD’s jurisdiction.

Through this process, the NEJC members, who represent community, business and local governments, have become more aware of multiple viewpoints and are more knowledgeable on the necessary steps to reduce excess health risk in the surrounding community.

On March 18, the District’s Environmental Justice Advisory Group (EJAG) held its first meeting. The EJAG was formed as part of the 2004-05 Environmental Justice Work Plan approved by Board in October 2004. The 17-member group, whose members represent the environmental, community, industry, health and medical fields from across the four-county region, met to review the implementation of the AQMD’s current Environmental Justice Work Plan, and to provide input into the development of the 2005-06 Work Plan.

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 March include:
 

Date	Event
March 5-6	Festival of Whales, Dana Point
March 11	Legislative Briefing hosted with Assembly Member Gloria Negrete-McLeod in Ontario

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 March:
 

	March 10 - hosted a 30-member delegation from China who received an overview of the Technology Advancement Program
	March 24 - air quality presentation to three classes at Rubidoux High School in Mira Loma
	March 29 - hosted a 5-member delegation from South Korea who received an overview of continuous emissions monitoring systems and Best Available Control Technology requirements.

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 March:
 

	Main Line Calls	6,460
	1-800-CUT-SMOG® Line	4,653
	After Hours Calls*	2,057
	Spanish Line Calls	64
	Total Phone Calls	13,234
	*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 March:

Requests for Information

Calls
 

	Calls Received by PIC Staff	200
	Calls to Automated System	4,506
	Total Phone Calls	4,706

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 62 free on-site consultations
	Provided assistance in filing 11 requests for variance
	Provided permit application assistance to 322 companies
	Issued 31 clearance letters

Types of business assisted:

Drycleaning	Gas stations
Pharmaceutical	Metal finishing
Auto body repair	Circuit board manufacturing
Wood products     manufacturing/coating	Restaurant
Hospital	Recycled paper products     manufacturing

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 Christopher Cox Congresswoman Hilda Solis State Senator Joe Dunn State Senator Gloria Romero Assembly Member Ronald Calderon Assembly Member Judy Chu Assembly Member Chuck Devore Assembly Member Gloria Negrete-McLeod Assembly Member Fran Pavley Assembly Member Mimi Walters

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

Agoura Hills, Alhambra, Azusa, Bell, Bell Gardens, Carson, Chino Hills, Claremont, Commerce, Colton, Costa Mesa, Covina, Cudahy, Culver City, Dana Point, Duarte, El Monte, Fontana, Garden Grove, Hidden Hills, Huntington Beach, La Verne, La Mirada, Long Beach, Maywood, Monterey Park, Newport Beach, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, San Bernardino, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Seal Beach, South El Monte, South Gate, Vernon, Walnut, West Covina and Yorba Linda.

Chamber of Commerce and Council of Government contacts:

California Contract Cities Association
Commerce Industrial Council
Gateway Cities Council of Governments
Las Virgenes/Malibu Council of Governments
Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
Orange County Business Council
Orange County Council of Governments
Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce
San Bernardino Associated Governments
San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce
San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
South Bay Council of Governments
Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce
Western Riverside Council of Governments
Westside Cities Council of Governments

Staff represented AQMD and/or provided a presentation to the following groups:

American Lung Association of Inland Counties
CLOUT civic group in San Bernardino
Inland County Water Association
Inland County, League of California Cities
League of Women Voters, North Orange County Chapter
Los Angeles County Division, League of California Cities
Orange County Division, League of California Cities
South Gate Rotary Club

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