BOARD MEETING DATE: February 6, 2009
AGENDA NO. 15
PROPOSAL:
Public Affairs Report
SYNOPSIS:
This report highlights December 2008 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 ACTION:
Receive and file.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
This report summarizes the activities of Public Affairs for December 2008. 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 Federal, State, and Local Government.
Environmental Justice Update
Below is a summary of the Environmental Justice related activities which occurred in December 2008.
The AQMD hosted a Town Hall meeting on December 3, 2008 in the community of Rubidoux in Western Riverside County. This meeting was the third in a series of community meetings held in both San Bernardino and Riverside counties to provide area residents with updated information on actions taken to reduce hexavalent chromium emissions from local cement handling and production facilities. Over 200 people attended the meeting, which was chaired by AQMD Governing Board Members Jane Carney and Dr. Joe Lyou. Also in attendance was San Bernardino County fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales, who previously hosted a community meeting in the city of Colton.
AQMD staff provided an overview of recent air monitoring and analysis conducted near the cement plants. Staff also provided an update on proposed amendments to Rule 1156, Further Reductions of Particulate Emissions from Cement Manufacturing Facilities. The pProposed aAmendments would include further reduction of particulate matter, as well as hexavalent chromium emissions, from cement manufacturing facilities and would also require the total enclosure of clinker material storage.
The AQMD Governing Board will hold its March 6, 2009 meeting in Riverside to provide the local community with an additional opportunity to address the Governing Board on proposed amendments to Rule 1156 and other comments regarding the actions that have been undertaken to reduce hexavalent chromium emissions from cement plants and lower risk levels in the communities around these facilities.
During the month of December 2008, Public Affairs staff also addressed the following organizations:
- Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justices
- Economic Alliance of San Fernando Valley
- Kiwanis Club of Walnut Valley
COMMUNITY EVENTS/PUBLIC MEETINGS
Each year, thousands of 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 2008 include the following:
| December 3 | Town Hall Meeting, Rubidoux |
| December 8 | Tools & Resources to Help Communities Fight Pollution, Wilmington |
| December 9-10 | California Green Schools Conference, Anaheim |
| December 11 | Tools & Resources to Help Communities Fight Pollution, Riverside |
| December 13 | 13th Annual Christmas Parade, Hemet |
| December 18 | Women’s Environmental Council, Burbank |
| December 18 | Los Angeles County Federation of Labor – Labor & Green Jobs, Los Angeles |
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 2008:
| December 2 | Provided a general air quality overview to members of the Bloomington Municipal Advisory Council. Also responded to a variety of air quality questions including emissions from railyard operations, truck farms and local cement plants. |
| December 4 | Provided a general air quality overview to students enrolled in an environmental science class at Riverside City College. |
| December 4 | Hosted 15 students from University of Southern California. Provided an air quality overview and demonstration of AQMD’s clean fuel vehicles. |
| December 4 | Provided an air quality overview to students at San Bernardino Valley College. Displayed clean fuel vehicle and answered questions from audience. |
| December 5 | Provided an air quality overview to members of the Walnut Valley Kiwanis Club. The presentation highlighted alternative fuels technology. |
Communication Center Statistics
The Communication Center handles the AQMD main line, 1-800-CUT-SMOG® line and Spanish line calls. Calls received in the month of December 2008 are summarized below:
| Main Line Calls | 4,528 | |
| 1-800-CUT-SMOG® Line | 1,712 | |
| After Hours Calls* | 1,241 | |
| Spanish Line Calls | 24 | |
| Total Phone Calls | 7,505 |
*Saturday, Sunday, holidays and after 9:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Public Information Center Statistics
The Public Information Center handles phone calls and walk-in requests for general information. Information for the month of December 2008 is summarized below:
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214 |
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12 |
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88 |
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1,317 |
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1,405 |
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, as summarized below:
- Conducted eight free on-site consultations
- Provided assistance in filing one request for variance
- Provided permit application assistance to 111 companies
- Issued 37 clearance letters
Types of business 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:
Anaheim, Azusa, Buena Park, Burbank, Commerce, Costa Mesa, Covina, Diamond Bar, Duarte, El Monte, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Glendale, Glendora, Irvine, Irwindale, La Canada Flintridge, Lake Arrowhead, La Verne, Los Angeles, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Orange, Paramount, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Rialto, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Dimas, San Gabriel, Santa Ana, South El Monte, South Pasadena, Temple City, Walnut, and West Covina.
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:
- Action Now
- Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice
- Five Mountain Communities Chamber of Commerce
- Gateway Cities Council of Governments
- Irvine Chamber Government Affairs
- Irwindale Chamber of Commerce Environmental Committee
- Kiwanis Club of Walnut Valley
- Los Angeles County Federation of Labor
- Orange County Public Affairs Association
- San Bernardino Associated Governments
- San Bernardino County Farm Bureau
- San Gabriel Valley Chamber Legislative Coalition
- San Gabriel Valley City Manager Association
- San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
- San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
- San Gabriel Valley Public Affairs Network
- Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
- United States Environmental Protection Agency