BOARD MEETING DATE: January 6, 2006
AGENDA NO. 20

Administrative Committee

SYNPOSIS:

The Administrative Committee met Friday, December 9, 2005, and reviewed the proposed agenda for the January 6, 2005, Board meeting. The Committee also discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is Friday, January 13, 2006 at 9 a.m. in Conference Room CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Receive and file.

Attendance: Present at AQMD was Jane Carney. Also present were Chair Dr. William Burke, Vice Chair Roy Wilson, and Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley (via videoconference). Ronald Loveridge was absent.

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Board Members’ Concerns: None.
    

2. Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta attended the CEC Advanced Energy Pathways Roundtable held in Sacramento, CA on September 21-23; and is scheduled to attend the Montreux Energy's California Clean Energy Roundtable in San Francisco, CA on January 24-27.
    

3. Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s): None.
    

4. Report of Approved Out-of-Country Travel: None.
    

5. Report on BP/ARCO Settlement Funding Project Ideas: Pom Pom Ganguli, Public Advisor, explained that five public meetings were held regarding the expenditure of $6 million in funds from the BP/ARCO settlement. Each meeting had good attendance by both Board members and the public. Dr. Ganguli recommended the Committee authorize staff to hold a two-hour study session for Board Members to review the proposals immediately following the January 6 Board meeting. Dr. Wallerstein added that four hours would be more adequate to review all the proposals received. Dr. Ganguli stated that a comprehensive summary of over 190 projects submitted will be forwarded to the Board members for their consideration shortly.

Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley requested an extension to the December 5 deadline in order to submit additional proposals from Los Angeles Unified School District. There was extensive discussion regarding when announcements were made regarding the deadline date. Dr. Wallerstein suggested extending the deadline on AQMD's website to December 14 with Dr. Burke's approval. Supervisor Wilson directed staff to post the new deadline. Ms. Carney supported scheduling the study session after the January 6 Board meeting because the agenda is light and it would be otherwise very difficult to locate another date. Dr. Wallerstein stated staff will walk Board Members through the proposals, which will be brought to the February 3 Board meeting for approval.

Dr. Burke chaired the meeting from this point on.

JANUARY AGENDA ITEMS:

6. Issue RFP for Media Relations/Public Relations Services: Sam Atwood, Media Office Manager, stated that this item is to assist the Media Office with media communication services and programs, proactive media outreach activities and the Clean Air Choice Program. Staff is requesting an RFP be issued at the January 6 Board meeting. Motion by LaPisto-Kirtley; seconded by Carney; unanimously approved.
    

7. Amend Employee Relations Litigation and Negotiation Services Contract and Appropriate Funds from Undesignated Fund Balance: Kurt Wiese, District Counsel, explained that staff is requesting to increase an existing contract by $50,000 for outside legal counsel to cover costs incurred from an employment lawsuit. The court recently granted AQMD's motion for summary judgment, which will end the case, unless the plaintiff appeals. Dr. Burke congratulated Mr. Wiese on the result of this lawsuit. Motion by LaPisto-Kirtley; seconded by Carney. Supervisor Wilson abstained due to campaign contributions received from Best, Best & Krieger.
    

8. Execute Contract to Obtain Technical and Functional Support for Upgrading PeopleSoft HRMS/Payroll System Software: Chris Marlia, Assistant DEO/Information Management, stated that staff is requesting approval to upgrade the current PeopleSoft Human Resources segment to the next version. This contract will also provide technical expertise to perform this upgrade. Mr. Marlia noted that bids were sent out in September and MBH Solutions received the highest evaluation ranking. Motion by LaPisto-Kirtley; seconded by Carney; unanimously approved.
    

9. Report on Major Projects for Information Management Scheduled to Start During Last Six Months of FY 2005-06: Mr. Marlia stated this is the bi-annual report of projects to be performed within the next six months, to develop new software projects. Motion by Wilson; seconded by LaPisto-Kirtley; unanimously approved.
    

10. Amend Existing Contract with Oralia Michel Marketing and Public Relations to Develop and Implement an Air Quality Institute: Oscar Abarca, Assistant DEO/Public Affairs, stated at the last Administrative Committee meeting, staff presented this item and Committee members directed staff to provide greater specificity to the deliverables of the Air Quality Institute. Mr. Abarca stated that the Institute would offer eight half-day courses in air quality, land use planning, economic impact and environmental justice issues throughout the four-county region for newly elected officials, business leaders, community leaders, labor leaders and stakeholders plus one Executive Briefing to be held in Sacramento. The courses will be offered in environmental justice impacted areas with a curriculum tailored to each community. The purpose of these courses is to address the informational needs of responsible decisionmakers regarding air quality issues and to promote greater awareness of available prevention and mitigation options.

Mr. Abarca explained that an advisory panel would be established comprising cross-sections of backgrounds and expertise to guide the design of the Air Quality Institute and establish immediate credibility, and will include academia, AQMD Board members, legislators, and members of other stakeholder groups. The Administrative Committee will review the composition of the advisory panel, the list of Institute participants, and other key elements. Two courses in the four-county area and the Executive Briefing in Sacramento will be held within six months of contract execution with an additional six courses held within one year. Mr. Abarca continued that staff commits to providing periodic reports to the Administrative Committee regarding the Air Quality Institute and other results of this effort.

Ms. Carney and Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley had a concern regarding the amount of the contract to implement this project, with Dr. Burke's added concern regarding the evaluation process to asses the success of this project. Dr. Wallerstein added that this contractor has previously provided successful PSAs produced in English and Spanish, a comprehensive newspaper insert, a complete revamping of AQMD's webpage prepared in multiple languages, and an outreach program to families involved in children's soccer, including outdoor community events. Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley asked about the half-day sessions. Mr. Abarca answered that a participant could attend either one or both sessions, but details still need to be developed. Dr. Wallerstein stated the sessions will be developed as discussed at the November 10 Administrative Committee meeting. Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley raised the idea that the courses could be added to the upcoming asthma conference or another event to optimize attendance.

Ms. Carney had a concern regarding whether this is an effective way to get information to elected officials; she felt it may not be, because it is difficult to keep an audience for four hours on one topic, and that AQMD may not accomplish what is needed because the format is incorrect.

Dr. Burke recommended this item be moved to the January agenda to allow Board Members to express their opinions and consider approval. Motion by Wilson; seconded by LaPisto-Kirtley; unanimously approved.

Ms. Carney left the meeting at 9:35 a.m.

11. Recognize Revenue and Approve Expenditures for Conference on Asthma: Dr. Wallerstein stated that the Board requested staff to schedule a conference in the areas of asthma and air quality. This conference will include Dr. Bruce Hensel, M.D., possible representatives from KCBS, NBC4, or Telemundo, and Mayor Villaraigosa as a keynote speaker. Large sponsors, such as Kaiser Permanente, Merck, Separcor, and the California Endowment have already joined this effort. Staff is requesting approval of this item. Motion by Wilson; seconded by LaPisto-Kirtley; unanimously approved.
     

12. Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for October 12, 2005: Attached for information are the Ethnic Community Advisory Group minutes for the October 12, 2005 meeting.
     

13. Report of RFPs and RFQs Scheduled for Release in January: Rick Pearce, Chief Financial Officer, stated that two items are proposed for release—Mini-Computer Hardware and Software, and Employee Relations Litigation and Negotiation Services. Motion by LaPisto-Kirtley; seconded by Wilson; unanimously approved.
     

14. Review January 6, 2006, Governing Board Agenda: Dr. Wallerstein recommended an additional item be placed on the agenda related to providing limited grant funds ($15,000) for local community members to attend the next CARB MOU hearing in Sacramento, CA. Motion by Burke; seconded by Wilson; unanimously approved.
     

15. Other Business: Dr. Wallerstein recognized Patrician Price and Jean Ospital for their tireless efforts in coordinating the upcoming Asthma Conference.
     

16. Public Comment: None.

Meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.

Attachments (DOC 44kb)
Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes for October 12, 2005

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