BOARD MEETING DATE: December 4, 2009
AGENDA NO. 19
PROPOSAL:
Public Affairs Report
SYNOPSIS:
This report highlights October 2009 outreach activities of Public Affairs, which include: Environmental Justice Update, Community Events/Public Meetings, Business Assistance, and Outreach to Business and Federal, State, and Local Government.
COMMITTEE:
Not Applicable
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Receive and file.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
This report summarizes the activities of Public Affairs for October 2009. 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 Outreach to Business and the Federal, State, and Local Governments.
Environmental Justice Update
The following are key environmental justice-related activities in which staff participated during October 2009. These events involved communities which suffer disproportionately from adverse air quality impacts.
On October 2, staff met with representatives of the Black Barbershop Health Outreach program in Inglewood. The Black Barbershop Association addresses healthcare disparities and cardiovascular disease in African American men. Staff provided air quality related information and discussed the possibility of collaboration on events.
On October 8, staff made a presentation to the Inglewood Area Ministers’ Association at their monthly meeting. Staff provided an overview of the AQMD and how we clean the air and protect public health.
On October 16, staff updated representatives of the Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC) on air quality issues and discussed the possibility of conducting an educational briefing for their general membership.
On October 17, staff participated in the Saint Francis Xavier Health Fair in Pico Rivera. Staff provided air quality/health information. This event was a collaboration based on a presentation staff conducted to the leaders of the Los Angeles Archdiocese in June.
On October 20, staff attended the monthly pastors meeting of the Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches (IECAAC). Staff provided a brief introduction to the AQMD to begin dialogue on how to work together to address environmental justice issues in San Bernardino. The group is interested in exploring strategies to address sources of diesel pollution from trains and trucks.
On October 21, staff met with the Bartlett Senior Citizen Association in Torrance. They discussed collaboration on community projects, community events and future support for air quality initiatives.
On October 23, staff hosted a booth at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) state conference held in Manhattan Beach. Staff met with NAACP leadership and discussed air quality and AQMD’s legislative and regulatory efforts to reduce air pollution.
On October 24, staff participated in Senator Gil Cedillo’s Community Health Event in the Pico Union area of the City of Los Angeles. AQMD staff provided air quality related information to about 600 attendees.
On October 30, the Environmental Justice Advisory Group conducted its third meeting. Staff provided an overview of roadway effects of fine particulates and began a discussion of priorities of past work plans. The next EJAG meeting is scheduled January 29, 2010.
On October 31, staff participated in the 1st Annual South Los Angeles Health Fair on 35th and Main Street. Councilmember Jan Perry and Assemblymember John Perez sponsored the event. Staff provided air quality related information to 200 attendees.
COMMUNITY EVENTS/PUBLIC MEETINGS
Each year, thousands of residents engage in valuable information exchanges through events and meetings that AQMD sponsors alone, or 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 October 2009 include the following:
October 3 |
45th Assembly District Second Annual Health & Fitness Fair – Los Angeles
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October 15 |
Senator Fran Pavley’s “Greening the Bottom Line” – Santa Monica
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October 17
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California School Nurses Organization Southern Section Fall Conference - Whittier |
October 21
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Arroyo Vista Elementary School presentation – South Pasadena
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October 29 |
62nd Assembly District Economic Recovery Town Hall Meeting – San Bernardino
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October 30
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“El Poder Verde” Green Jobs Summit, California Latino Legislative Caucus – Los Angeles
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October 31 |
The Green Economy Symposium – Pasadena
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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 activities were coordinated by this office in October 2009:
| October 1 |
Fifteen students from the International Studies Learning Center were given a general tour of AQMD’s lab and alternative fuel vehicles. |
| October 8 |
Provided a tour of AQMD’s lab and an alternative fuel cell demonstration to twenty-two students from Arts Center College of Design, Pasadena, Automotive Design class. |
| October 16 |
AQMD engineers provided a presentation to students at Los Angeles Valley College. Students were given an overview of AQMD technology and the role of engineers at AQMD. |
| October 27 | Members from a delegation from Guang Zhou, China were given a presentation on air quality issues affecting the region and a tour of AQMD’s lab and an alternative fuel cell demonstration. |
| October 29 | Provided a presentation on air quality issues affecting the region to eighteen members of a delegation from Hubei Province, China. Visitors were given an alternative fuel cell demonstration and a tour of AQMD’s lab. |
Communication Center Statistics
The Communication Center handles calls on the AQMD main line, 1-800-CUT-SMOG® line and Spanish line. Calls received in the month of October 2009 are summarized below:
October |
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Main Line Calls |
4,822 |
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1-800-CUT-SMOG® Line |
2,079 |
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After Hours Calls* |
1,039 |
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Spanish Line Calls |
47 |
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Total Phone Calls |
7,987 |
(*Saturday, Sunday, holidays and after 9:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.)
Public Information Center Statistics
The Public Information Center (PIC) handles phone calls and walk-in requests for general information. Information for the month of October 2009 is summarized below:
October |
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Visitor Transactions |
257 |
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Calls Received by PIC Staff |
68 |
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Calls to Automated System |
2,660 |
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Total Phone Calls |
2,728 |
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E-mail Smoke Advisories Sent |
3,882 |
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
AQMD assists businesses by notifying them of proposed regulations so they can participate in the development of these rules. 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 two free on-site consultations
Provided assistance in filing one request for variance
Provided permit application assistance to 167 companies
Issued 22 clearance letters
Types of businesses assisted:
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OUTREACH TO BUSINESS AND FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Field visits and communications were conducted with staff from the following cities:
Big Bear Lake, Chino, Commerce, Downey, Duarte, Fontana, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Irwindale, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lakewood, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Maywood, Monrovia, Montebello, Norwalk, Ontario, Palm Desert, Paramount, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Pomona, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Riverside, Rolling Hills Estates, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, Santa Fe Springs, South Gate, South Pasadena, Torrance, Tustin, Whittier, and Yucaipa.
Visits and/or communications were conducted with elected officials or staff from the following offices:
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Staff represented AQMD and/or provided a presentation to the following groups:
American Jewish Committee
American Cancer Society
Anthem Blue Cross
Arizona Transit Association
Asthma Coalition of Los Angeles County
Breathe California of Los Angeles County
California Department of Transportation
California Hospital Association
California Nurses Association
California Women’s Leadership Association
Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce, Legislative and Government Affairs Committee
Chino Public Works
Comite Pro Uno
Commerce Chamber of Commerce
Communities for a Better Environment
El Segundo Chamber of Commerce
Glendale Adventist Medical Center
Glendale Health Community Coalition
Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles
Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Government Affairs Committee
Huntington Park Chamber of Commerce
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Irwindale Chamber of Commerce, Environmental Committee
Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce, Government Affairs Committee
Loma Linda University
Long Beach Chamber of Commerce
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles Valley College
Madrona Marsh Preserve (Torrance, CA)
Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce
Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce
Metropolitan Transportation Commission
National Association of School Nurses
Norwalk Chamber of Commerce
Orange Chamber of Commerce, Government Affairs Committee
Orange County Fire Authority
Paramount Chamber of Commerce
Pico Rivera Chamber of Commerce
Redlands Chamber of Commerce, Government Affairs Committee
Riverside Chamber of Commerce, Legislative and Government Affairs Committee
Riverside County Public Health
Rosemead Chamber of Commerce, Legislative Committee
San Bernardino Associated Governments
San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership, Legislative Action Committee
San Gabriel Valley Mountains Regional Conservancy
Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce
Service Employees International Union Local 99
South Bay Area Chambers of Commerce
South Bay Cities Council of Governments
South Gate Chamber of Commerce
South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, Legislative Committee
South Orange County Regional Chambers of Commerce, Legislative Action Committee
True Vine Baptist Church
Torrance Senior Citizens Council
Transportation NOW, Greater Riverside Chapter
United Steel Workers, District 12 Local 9518
University of Southern California
Upland Chamber of Commerce
Valley Industry and Commerce Association
Western Riverside Council of Governments, Air Quality Task Force