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PROPOSAL:

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS: 

This report highlights the August 1999 activities of the Public Affairs Office which includes the following activities: Environ-mental Justice Update, Community Events/Public Meetings, Business Assistance, Intergovernmental Affairs and Media Communications.

COMMITTEE: 

Not Applicable

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

The following report reflects the activities of the Public Affairs Office for the month of August. The report format includes five major areas: Environmental Justice Update, Community Events/Public Meetings (including the Speakers Bureau, Visiting Dignitaries and Public Information Center), Business Assistance, Intergovernmental Affairs and Media Communications (including the Communication Center).

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE UPDATE

INITIATIVE	ACTIVITY
Town Hall Meetings	Highland Town Hall Meeting held August 24, 1999. Inglewood/Lennox Town Hall Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 22, 1999.
Ambient Monitoring of Air Toxics	MATES-II and Microscale Study: All sampling completed. Microscale inventory nearing completion.
Community Response Teams	Alhambra Community is requesting a permit denial hearing for Wondries Collision Center. AQMD is cooperating with requests for information. Grandview Crematorium - Glendale AQMD is monitoring emissions from facility. A determination of Best Available Control Technology has been made. Staff to continue monitoring efforts. LAX - Inglewood/Lennox Preliminary air monitoring around LAX is completed. More monitoring is scheduled. Findings to be presented at Inglewood Town Hall Meeting on September 22, 1999.
CEQA Commenting	Commenting Reporting Period: August 2, 1999 - August 31, 1999 Number of CEQA documents received:  65 Number of requests to AQMD for document review   0 Number of documents to receive AQMD comments:   47 Number of comment letters sent out this reporting period:   24
Environmental Justice Task Force	Completed. Final Report approved at August 13, 1999 Board meeting.
City of Los Angeles Environmental Justice Forum	Completed. AQMD co-sponsored the City of L.A.'s Environmental Justice Forum on October 25, 1997. AQMD will participate in additional forums as they are scheduled.
Diesel Fuel Clean-Up Incentives	Support Funding Incentives The heavy-duty vehicle incentive program, known as the Carl Moyer Air Quality Incentive Program, is moving forward. To date the program has awarded $11,273,020. AB 1571, authored by Assemblymember Villaraigosa and Senator Brulte, is awaiting action from Governor Davis. Conduct Public Education and Outreach AQMD staff has initiated development of a program to educate local school boards regarding future procurement of clean fuel school buses, as outlined in the Children's Initiatives. Staff has met with LAUSD several times regarding a proposed demonstration of advanced clean fuel bus technologies.
Field Inspection Technology
Portable Equipment Permitting	Compliance Policy for Portable Equipment was approved by the Governing Board on March 12, 1999.
Public Comment, Rules 1401 and 1402	Rules 1401 & 219 were amended at the August 1999 Board meeting. Rule 1401 – Update acute compounds - Scientific Review Panel approved acute risk factors for approximately 60 chemicals in 1401. Proposing Comprehensive Air Toxics Reduction Plan. Governing Board retreat is tentatively scheduled for Fall 1999 to discuss Air Toxics Reduction Plan.

COMMUNITY EVENTS/PUBLIC MEETINGS

The following describes community events and public meetings that provided AQMD customers with air quality information during August.

Date	Location	Description of Activity
8/3	Los Angeles	Attended a community meeting at John H. Francis Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley to discuss preliminary findings of the recent monitoring activity conducted at that site.
8/7	Los Angeles	Staffed information table and distributed outreach literature at City of Baldwin Park's "Pride of the Valley" event.
8/12	Los Angeles	Attended community meeting regarding EPA Superfund site in Whittier.
8/24	Los Angeles	Spoke with coordinator from Leuzinger High School in Lawndale regarding planning for high school conference in Spring 2000. She will meet with outreach staff to review possible partnership opportunities.
8/24	San Bernardino	Organized and staffed Town Hall Meeting in Highland.
8/24	Los Angeles	Met with Centinela Hospital staff to discuss cooperative outreach possibilities.
8/28	Los Angeles	Staffed Kid's Care Fairs in Pomona and Baldwin Park.
8/31	Los Angeles	Spoke with resident of Arcadia who is planning to form a children’s environmental club. Provided information on our Smogbusters Club and related materials.

Speakers Bureau / Visiting Dignitaries / Information Requests

The District hosts distinguished visitors from around the world, as well as members of the general public, who visit our headquarters to tour the facility and meet with staff on a wide range of air quality issues. The following describes the major activities during August.

Date	Location	Description of Activity
8/12	Headquarters	A 12-member delegation of engineers and chemists from Egypt met with Public Advisor, Rule Development and Enforcement & Compliance staffs for a general air quality overview and a review of regulations affecting the petroleum industry.
8/17-26	Headquarters	Two environmental officials from Thailand's Pollution Control Department and Environmental Research and Training Center were referred to AQMD by the World Environment Center to conduct two weeks of research on ambient air monitoring, source testing and laboratory analysis.
8/18	Headquarters	A delegation of various provincial environmental protection bureaus throughout China met with Public Advisor staff for a general air quality overview and a tour of AQMD headquarters.

Public Information Center Statistics

The Public Information Center handles the District’s visitors and handles general information phone calls.

Visitor Transactions	Info Packages Mailed	Calls Received by PIC Staff	Calls to Auto-mated System	Total Phone Calls Received
805	122	326	8,772	9,098

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

AQMD assists businesses by notifying them of proposed regulations so they can participate in their development by providing one-to-one assistance. Staff also works with other agencies and states to identify efficient, cost-effective ways to reduce air pollution and shares that information broadly.

Date	Location	Description of Activity
8/3	Los Angeles	Auto body shop: Is operating spray booth without permit and requested assistance. Staff conducted on-site visit, explained rule requirements, recordkeeping, and assisted in completing a spray booth application.
8/3	Orange	Restaurant: New business will operate a charbroiler. Provided and assisted in the completion of the required registration form.
8/3	Los Angeles	Wood flat stock coating operation: This small business will be affected by Rule 1104 amendments. Staff is working with the company and product line manufacturers in order to assist the company regarding compliance with the amendments.
8/3	Orange	Small dry cleaning facility: Petitioning for variance protection from Rule 1421 violations. Provided an introduction and explanations of the Hearing Board proceedings, and assisted in filing a variance petition with Hearing Board.
8/3	Orange	Transformer manufacturing company: Seeking assistance applying for permits for two new electric ovens and a dip tank. Also wanted the permit expedited. Assisted in filling out application forms and quoted new fees. Also coordinated with the engineer from the coatings group to expedite applicant’s permit under Rule 301 (y).
8/3 – 31	Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino	Provided air quality clearance letters for companies in the cities and areas of: Agoura Hills, Anaheim, Bellflower, Commerce, Culver City, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Mira Loma, Monterey Park, North Hollywood, Northridge, Norwalk, Ontario, Paramount, Perris, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, South El Monte, Stanton, Torrance, Van Nuys, and Woodland Hills.
8/4	Los Angeles	School district: Provided forms and explained requirements for asbestos notification regarding demolition of buildings.
8/4	Los Angeles	Auto body shop: Received a Notice of Violation and, as part of a settlement, the company is required to attend a Compliance Promotion Class. Staff made arrangements to give this company the class at their shop to facilitate hands-on training. The assistance was given in Spanish.
8/6	Orange	Dry cleaners: Facility is applying for a permit to operate an existing dry cleaning machine with an expired permit. Explained District's rule requirements for dry cleaners and assisted with permit application.
8/10	Riverside	Furniture manufacturing facility: Provided assistance and explanation of Rule 1401 requirement related to wood product stripping operation using methylene chloride.
8/10	Los Angeles	Start-up lead processing facility: Provided assistance and explained to the applicant District rule requirements regarding lead-containing material processing operation.
8/11	Los Angeles	Dry cleaning equipment distributor: Facilitated a meeting between the distributor and District compliance staff to discuss issues regarding equipment to be installed as required by Rule 1421.
8/12	Orange	Auto body shop: Applicant needed assistance in permitting a spray booth with an expired permit. Staff conducted an on-site visit to discuss and assist in completing application package in Spanish.
8/12	Orange	Fire sprinkler equipment company: Provided assistance and explained to the applicant the rule requirements and permit application processes for emergency fire pump internal combustion engines.
8/12	Los Angeles	Local city fire department: Fire official is evaluating the feasibility of receiving an emergency engine from the Long Beach Naval Shipyard Asset Redistribution Program. Provided assistance explaining District rule requirements for change of ownership and relocating the internal combustion engine.
8/13	Los Angeles	Furniture refinishing: Applicant needed assistance with permitting a spray booth and rule requirements including recordkeeping. Assistance was given in Spanish.
8/13	Los Angeles	Food product manufacturing facility: Provided assistance in boiler equipment permits application.
8/24	Orange	Rubber product manufacturing facility: Larger size rubber mold presses are no longer exempt from permit requirement under Rule 219. In response to our notices, this facility requested assistance with permit applications for their rubber presses.
8/24	Los Angeles	Auto repair: Facility is in the process of changing their solvent cleaning operations to water based cleaners, and requested assistance. Discussed rule requirements and provided list of water-based cleaner suppliers.
8/24	Orange	Auto repair: Start-up business. Explained and provided Rules 1171 and 1411 and provided a list of water-based products/equipment. Also provided a permit application package and advised them of fees. Assistance was given in Spanish.
8/24	Los Angeles	Local military base: Inquired about permitting requirements for tear gas training equipment. Provided assistance and explained District rules regarding equipment permitting and operating requirements.
8/24	Los Angeles	Automotive paint distributor: Company received violation for improper sale of coating. Discussed how to maintain compliance in the future.
8/25	Los Angeles	Solvent manufacturer: Attorney for the company called and inquired about requirements of Rule 1122 and other rules applicable to degreasers. Also wanted to know the procedures for de-listing their solvent as a VOC. Staff discussed R219 for the permit requirements and other applicable rules including R1401 in case a permit is required. Advised that EPA first de-lists a solvent as a VOC and the District follows suit.
8/25	Los Angeles	Furniture refinishing: Applicant was referred to AQMD by local fire department to obtain permit for spray booth. Staff conducted onsite visit to assist company in completing application package and recordkeeping.
8/26	San Bernardino	Environmental contractor: Provided assistance and explanations of District rules and permitting requirements for contaminated ground water VOC extraction operations.
8/27	Orange	Fire sprinkler company: Provided assistance completing permit application for fire pump equipment.
8/31	Los Angeles	Small furniture stripping operation: Explained the new permitting requirements for furniture stripping equipment and provided assistance in determining the facility's possible exemption status.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS ACTIVITY

Intergovernmental Affairs works with local government, state and federal officials in response to their air quality concerns and local issues. Additionally, staff administers the AB 2766 Subvention Fund Program.

Date	Location	Description of Activity
8/5	Los Angeles	Met with City Manager and Councilmember from Bell Gardens to discuss air quality policies contained in their general plan elements.
8/5	Los Angeles	Met with field representatives for Assemblymember Rod Wright, District 48, to provide additional information on various AQMD programs.
8/5	Los Angeles	Met with field representatives for Assemblymember Gil Cedillo, District 46, to provide additional information on various AQMD programs. Provided status reports on RECLAIM Program and resolution to Darling Industries issues.
8/5-27	Los Angeles	Met with City Managers from Commerce, Compton, Long Beach, Lynwood, Maywood, Pico Rivera and Vernon to discuss air quality policies contained in their general plan elements.
8/6	Los Angeles	Met with field representatives for Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, District 45, to provide additional information on various AQMD programs.
8/10	Orange	Attended Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG) Executive Management Meeting. Discussed the AB 2766 COG Outreach Program with members of the committee. Discussed status of the AB 2766 COG Outreach Program MOU.
8/11	San Bernardino	Attended SANBAG Administrative Committee. Discussed the AB 2766 COG Outreach Program with members of the committee and SANBAG staff. Discussed potential alternative fuel vehicle program with the Mayor of Fontana.
8/12	Orange	Attended Orange County Division League of California Cities General Membership Meeting. Discussed the AB 2766 COG Outreach Program and alternative fuel vehicles programs with mayors and council members from the cities of Brea, Huntington Beach, Buena Park, Lake Forest, Fullerton, Fountain Valley, La Habra, and Placentia, and with League (OCCOG) staff.
8/12	Los Angeles	Attended Los Angeles Division League of Cities General Membership meeting in Commerce. Featured program speakers were Congressman Brad Sherman and Congressman Steven Kuykendall who discussed local government issues.
8/12	Los Angeles	Met with representative from South Bay COG to discuss MOU and AB 2766 issues.
8/13	Los Angeles	Met with City Manager from West Hollywood to discuss air quality policies contained in their general plan elements and to deliver materials that the city wanted to place in their lobby display.
8/13	Los Angeles	Met with field staff to Senator Richard Polanco, District 22, to provide additional information on various AQMD programs.
8/13	Los Angeles	Met with Los Angeles City Councilmember Nick Pacheco to provide information on various AQMD programs and to offer a more extensive overview of air quality issues prevalent in his district.
8/17	Orange	Met with Council Member from the City of Huntington Beach. Discussed interests in alternate fuel vehicle programs.
8/18	San Bernardino	Attended the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) Plans & Program Committee Meeting. Discussed AB 2766 Outreach Program with mayor and staff from the City of Fontana.
8/18	Los Angeles	Spoke with staff from City of South Gate about upcoming meeting to discuss air monitoring sites.
8/18	Los Angeles	Spoke with staff from City of Commerce about upcoming meeting to discuss train issue.
8/18	Los Angeles	Spoke with Environmental Engineer for the City of Glendale regarding source test of Grand View Mortuary.
8/18	Los Angeles	Assisted resident of Sylmar, who had been referred by Assemblymember Tony Cardenas’ field staff, with an air quality complaint. Complaint was then referred to Communications Center staff.
8/19	Orange	Attended Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG) General Assembly. Participated in the Roundtable Workshop on OCCOG's accomplishments and future activities. A follow-up report will be released in November 1999.
8/19	Orange	Attended Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG) Board of Directors Meeting. Discussed the AB 2766 Outreach Program MOU with OCCOG staff and legal counsel. All issues have been resolved.
8/24	Riverside	Attended the Riverside County Board of Supervisor’s meeting. Discussed alternative fuels vehicles with Deputy County Administrative Officer.
8/25	San Bernardino	Met with City Manager from the City of Upland. Discussed possible interest in the Electric Vehicle Loan program offered by California Air Resources Board (CARB).
8/25	Orange	Followed-up on interest expressed by the city of Dana Point in participating in the Electric Vehicle Loan program offered by CARB with the city’s Director of Public Works.
8/26	Districtwide	Attended Sub-Regional Coordinators Meeting. Discussed status of AB 2766 COG Outreach Program with executive directors of Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) and Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG).
8/26	Districtwide	Attended League of California Cities Policy Committee Meetings. Discussed legislative and intergovernmental issues that local governments are addressing presently with city officials throughout the region.
8/27	Los Angeles	Met with staff to Assemblymember Marco Firebaugh (District 50) to provide additional information on various AQMD programs.
8/27	Los Angeles	Met with City Manager from Culver City to discuss air quality policies contained in their general plan elements. Also discussed upcoming Inglewood/Lennox Town Hall meeting on September 22 where LAX expansion issues will be discussed.
8/27	Los Angeles	Met with staff to Senator Hilda Solis to provide additional information on various AQMD programs.
8/27	Los Angeles	Met with staff to Assemblymember Gloria Romero to provide additional information on various AQMD programs.
8/31	San Bernardino	Attended Inland Empire Division - League of California Cities Task Force Meeting. Discussed recent court decision regarding air quality plans with the city elected officials and staff members present. Also discussed the COG AB 2766 Outreach Program.

MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

The Communications Unit is responsible for informing and educating the public through the media and through the District’s Communication Center.

Press Relations Highlights

Date	Media	Description of Activity
8/3	Textbook	Provided information on history of air pollution control to textbook writer for McMillan-McGraw-Hill.
8/3	Radio	Provided information on the RECLAIM program to Swedish National Radio.
8/3	All	Discussed arrangements for Society of Environmental Journalists meeting here with BNA Publications local correspondent.
8/4	Television	Provided air quality data to CNN.
8/5	Newspaper	Provided information on Teledyne in Redlands to the Riverside-Press Enterprise.
8/5	Newsletter	Provided information on AQMD’s toxic air pollution plan to Inside Cal-EPA.
8/5	Newspaper	Provided information about AQMD involvement in fire at the Mobil refinery to the Daily Breeze.
8/5	Television	Provided information concerning regulation of indoor air pollution to Internetwork News.
8/5	Newsletter	Provided information on Board agenda to Inside Cal-EPA.
8/5	Newspaper	Provided status update on Grand View Memorial Park mortuary to the Glendale Gazette.

8/5	Newspaper	Provided update on the smog pager program to the Los Angeles Daily News.
8/10	Newspaper	Provided information to Riverside Press-Enterprise on smokeless broiler.
8/10	Newspaper	Provided information to San Bernardino County Sun on smog season.
8/10/	Newspaper	Provided information to San Bernardino County Sun on dust complaints in Colton.
8/10	Newsletter	Provided information on BACT program to Inside Cal-EPA.
8/10	Newspaper	Provided information on August Board meeting to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.
8/10 & 12	All	Discussed arrangements for the Society of Environmental Journalists meeting at AQMD with the society’s meeting coordinator.
8/10	Newspaper	Provided information on smoke enforcement at the port to the Long Beach Press-Telegram.
8/11	Newspaper	Provided information to Business Press on biodiesel, Carl Moyer program.
8/11 & 12	Newspaper	Provided information on source test of crematory in Glendale to the Glendale News-Press and Glendale Gazette.
8/12	Radio	Provided info on the Aug. 13 Board meeting to Inland Empire News Radio.
8/12	Newspaper	Interview of the Executive Officer by the Los Angeles Times on air toxics plan.
8/12	Newspaper	Provided information and interview to the Los Angeles Times on smog season.
8/12	Radio & Newspaper	Provided information and interviews on Rule 1113 to KFWB, Riverside Press Enterprise and UPN Ch. 13 (interview with Executive Officer).
8/13	Magazine	Provided information to E Magazine on solar roof shingles.
8/13	Newspaper	Provided information on the August Board meeting to the Los Angeles Times.
8/13	Book	Provided photos depicting smog to a textbook author.
8/13	Newspaper	Provided information on August Board meeting to the Riverside Press-Enterprise, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.
8/13	All Media	Distributed the August Board Meeting Summary.
8/16	Radio	Gave interview on smog trends to National Public Radio.
8/17	Newsletter	Provided smog trend data to the ALA newsletter.
8/17	Newspaper	Provided smog trend data and interview to the Christian Science Monitor.
8/17	Newspaper	Provided information on smog trends to the Riverside Press-Enterprise.
8/17	Magazine	Provided information to Waste News on Carl Moyer fund awards.
8/18	Newspaper	Provided information to Business Press on re-election of Chairman Burke.
8/18	Newspaper	Provided information to Riverside Press-Enterprise on smog season and historical smog statistics.
8/18	Newspaper	Provided information and interviews to San Gabriel Valley Tribune on smog season.
8/18	Newspaper	Provided information and interview to the Los Angeles Times on the MATES II program.
8/18	Radio	Discussed possible on-air interview with KROQ (106.7 FM).
8/18	Newspaper	Provided information history of AQMD to the Riverside-Press Enterprise.
8/18	Radio	Discussed requests for on-air interviews with KPCC (89.3 FM).
8/18 & 19	Newspapers	Provided status report on activities related to Glendale crematorium to the Glendale News-Gazette and Glendale News-Press.
8/19	Radio	Provided information and interview to KFI radio on smog season.
8/19	Newspaper	Provided information to the Los Angeles Times on AQMD’s transportation/mobile source related programs.
8/19	Internet TV	Provided producer of "Talk About It" with information on air quality for an upcoming program.
8/20	TV	Provided information to ABC Network News on smog season and historic air pollution control measures.
8/20, 24, 25 & 26	Newspaper	Provided information to the Glendale News-Press, Glendale Gazette and Los Angeles Daily News on the status of Glendale crematory source test analysis.
8/24	Newspaper	Provided information to the L.A. Times on the current smog season.
8/24	Newspaper & Radio	Provided information to the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News and the Inland Empire Radio News on summer smog season.

8/25	Radio	Provided information and interviews to KPCC Radio (FM 89.3) for the "Air Talk" show on diesel pollution.
8/25	Radio	Set up interview on KROQ Radio (FM 106.7) on air quality programs and trends for Oct. 10.
8/25	Newspaper	Provided information to the Riverside Press-Enterprise on the Inland air quality study.
8/26	Newspaper	Provided information to Los Angeles Business Journal on September Board meeting.
8/26	Newspaper	Provided information to the Riverside Press-Enterprise on open burning rules.
8/26	News Service	Provided information to City News Service on smog.
8/26	Magazine	Discussed status of article on TAO programs with Government West magazine.
8/26	Newspaper	Provided information to the Los Angeles Times (Sacramento office) on this year’s PM10 alerts.

Press Relations Statistics

The Press Relations staff handles media calls to the District and media monitoring.

Press Interviews/Assistance	Mailings by News Bureau
74	545

Communication Center Statistics

The Communication Center handles all District main line, CUT-SMOG line and Spanish line calls.

Main Line Calls	CUT-SMOG Line	After Hours Calls*	Spanish Line Calls	Total Phone Calls
6,728	7,344	2,791	55	16,918

*Saturday, Sunday and after 9:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Graphics Statistics

The Graphics staff handles creative presentation and handout materials for all District offices.

Brochures/Flyers	Transparencies	Slides
8,500	620	124

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