BOARD MEETING DATE: July 10, 2009
AGENDA NO. 19

PROPOSAL:

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights May 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 May 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 Federal, State, and Local Government.

Environmental Justice Update

Below is a summary of the Environmental Justice related activities in May 2009.

The Environmental Justice Advisory Group (EJAG) had its first meeting on May 19^th. Members discussed various issues of importance to the community and received overviews on past AQMD environmental justice activities and initiatives.

Staff conducted initial meetings with the Interfaith Congregations United for Change to develop a Clean Air Congress event in San Bernardino to be held on August 15^th. Staff contacted the different stakeholders such as the American Lung Association (ALA), community hospitals, health care providers, environmental groups, the Mayor of San Bernardino, and staff of Supervisor Gonzales, and Supervisor Biane, to organize the event which will take place at a church located directly across from BNSF rail yard.

Staff conducted follow-up meetings with faith, business, environmental and environmental justice organizations in the San Fernando Valley to  continue planning for the “Healthy Air, Healthy Communities Family Fair” being held Sunday July 12^th at the LA Valley College.

On May 5^th, staff hosted a booth for World Asthma Day at Kaiser Permanente in Fontana.  The event provided an opportunity for AQMD to provide air quality related information to children and their parents. 

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 May 2009 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 activity was coordinated by this office in May 2009:

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 May 2009 are summarized below:

*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 May 2009 is summarized below:

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. During the month of May 2009, staff:

• Conducted 13 free on-site consultations
• Provided assistance in filing 3 requests for variance
• Provided permit application assistance to 186 companies
• Issued 22 clearance letters

Types of business assisted:

OUTREACH TO BUSINESS AND FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

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

Alhambra, Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Arcadia, Artesia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Buena Park, Calabasas, Carson, Cerritos, Chino, Claremont, Colton, Commerce, Compton, Corona, Costa Mesa, Covina, Culver City, Diamond Bar, Downey, Duarte, El Monte, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Glendora, Hidden Hills, Huntington Beach, Huntington Park, Indian Wells, Indio, Industry, Irvine, Irwindale, La Canada Flintridge, La Mirada, La Puente, La Quinta, La Verne, Laguna Woods, Loma Linda, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Norco, Palm Desert, Paramount, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Santa Margarita, Redondo Beach, Riverside, Rolling Hills Estates, Rosemead, San Dimas, San Gabriel, San Marino, Santa Clarita, Santa Fe Springs, Sierra Madre, Signal Hill, South El Monte, South Gate, South Pasadena, Temple City, Torrance, Upland, Walnut, West Hollywood, Westminster, Whittier.

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

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

• 5 Mountain Community Chamber of Commerce, Government Affairs Committee
• Advanced Green Technologies
• American Jewish Committee
• American Jewish University
• American Lung Association
• Beach Cities Health District Office
• Black Chamber of Commerce of Orange County
• Board of Rabbis of Southern California
• Buena Park Chamber of Commerce, Business and Government Committee
• Breathe California of Los Angeles
• California Chamber of Commerce
• California Contract Cities Association
• California Hospital Association
• California Nurses Association
• California State University, Los Angeles
• California Transit Association
• Coachella Valley Association of Governments
• Corona Area Chamber of Commerce, Legislative Committee
• Culver City Unified School District
• El Monte Chamber of Commerce
• El Segundo Chamber of Commerce
• El Segundo Unified School District
• El Toro Water District
• Gateway Cities Council of Governments
• Hawthorne Unified School District
• Indio Chamber of Commerce, Legislative and Government Affairs Committee
• Inland Valley Chambers Legislative Alliance
• Inglewood Unified School District
• Irvine Ranch Water District
• Irwindale Chamber of Commerce, Environmental Committee
• Kaiser Permanente
• Laborers Local 300
• Las Virgenes Malibu Council of Governments
• Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
• Lawndale Unified School District
• League of California Cities, Los Angeles County Division
• League of California Cities, Riverside County Division
• Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce, Government Affairs Committee
• Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
• Los Angeles County Business Federation
• Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
• Los Angeles County Firefighters Union Local 1024
• Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
• Los Angeles Fire Department
• Los Angeles Police Protective League
• Los Angeles Society of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
• Los Angeles Valley College
• Milken Foundation
• Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce, Legislative Action Committee
• Occidental College
• Orange County Business Council
• Orange County Fire Authority
• Orange County League of Cities
• Orange County Transportation Authority
• Pacoima Beautiful
• Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce, Legislative and Government Affairs Committee
• Pass Area Legislative Council
• Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce, Legislative Committee
• Redlands Chamber of Commerce, Government Relations Committee
• Redondo Beach Unified School District
• Rio Hondo Community College Board of Trustees
• Rosemead Chamber of Commerce, Legislative Committee
• Rosemead Unified School District
• San Bernardino Associated Governments
• San Bernardino Asthma Coalition
• San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce, Legislative Committee
• San Bernardino Community College
• San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
• San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership, Legislative Action Committee
• San Gabriel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Santa Margarita Water District
• Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
• Santa Monica – Malibu Unified School District
• South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce
• South Bay Cities Council of Governments
• Southern California Association of Governments
• South Orange County Regional Chambers of Commerce
• South Orange County Wastewater Authority
• South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, Legislative Committee
• The San Fernando Valley Economic Alliance
• Torrance Unified School District
• Tustin Unified School District
• United Firefighters of Los Angeles City
• University Synagogue
• Upland Chamber of Commerce
• Valley Industry and Commerce Association
• West Riverside Council of Governments, Air Quality Task Force
• West Valley Occupational Center