BOARD MEETING DATE: February 2, 2007
AGENDA NO. 21

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:  

This report highlights the December 2006 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 2006.  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.

On December 6, AQMD held a Community Meeting in Hacienda Heights to discuss the proposed installation and operation of an air pollution control system at a local facility. Over 40 people attended the meeting, which included an overview of the system which would significantly reduce emissions of air pollutants, including toxics, from this facility.

On December 13, staff assisted the Hearing Board in holding a Public Hearing in El Monte to discuss the proposed modification to an order for abatement for a business in that city.  The local community was very interested in this case, which drew over 100 attendees to the Hearing.

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.  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 December 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 December.

• December 5 – Presentation on the Draft 2007 Air Quality Management Plan to Cal State Univ., Fullerton Geology class.
• December 12 – Air Quality Overview before members of the City of Commerce Community Awareness Emergency Response (CAER) group.
• December 13 – Air Quality Briefing to members of the Bradley Landfill Advisory Committee
• December 20 – Air Quality Overview to the Buena Park Rotary

CommunicationCenter 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 December.

*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

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 37 free on-site consultations
• Provided permit application assistance to 118 companies
• Issued 26 clearance letters

Types of business assisted:

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.  Following is a summary of December activities.

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

• Congress Member Mary Bono
• Congress Member Loretta Sanchez
• Senator Bob Dutton
• Senator Tom Harman
• Assembly Member Hector De La Torre
• Assembly Member Mike Duvall
• Assembly Member Bonnie Garcia
• Assembly Member Kevin Jeffries
• Assembly Member Lloyd Levine
• Assembly Member Jim Silva
• Assembly Member Jose Solorio

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

Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Arcadia, Banning, Beaumont, Buena Park, Chino, Colton, Commerce, Corona, Dana Point, Desert Hot Springs, Duarte, El Monte, El Segundo, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Glendale, Grand Terrace, Hemet, Highland, Huntington Park, Industry, Irvine, La Habra, Lake Elsinore, Lake Forest, Loma Linda, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Newport Beach, Norco, Ontario, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Perris, Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Santa Margarita, Rialto, Riverside,  San Bernardino, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Santa Monica, South Gate, South Pasadena,  Temecula, and Yucaipa.

Chamber of Commerce and Councils of Governments contacts:

Arcadia Chamber of Commerce

Commerce Industrial Council

Corona Chamber of Commerce

Covina Chamber of Commerce

Gateway Cities Council of Governments

Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce

Irvine Chamber of Commerce

Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce

Orange County Business Council

Orange County Council of Governments

Riverside Chamber of Commerce

Western Riverside Council of Governments

Westminster Chamber of Commerce

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

American Lung Association of Inland Counties, Air Quality Task Force

American Lung Association of Orange County & Los Angeles

Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, Southern California Chapter

Buena Park Rotary

East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice

Orange County Outdoor Science Project

Orange County Public Affairs Network

Riverside County Asthma Coalition

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