BOARD MEETING DATE: July 10, 2009
AGENDA NO. 31
REPORT:
Mobile Source Committee
SYNOPSIS:
The Mobile Source Committee met Friday, June 19, 2009. Following is a summary of that meeting.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Receive and file the attached report.
Roy Wilson, Vice-Chair
Mobile Source Committee
Attendance
Vice-Chair Roy Wilson called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Present were Committee Members Jane Carney and Josie Gonzales, and Committee Member Bill Campbell (via videoconference). Absent were Chair Ronald Loveridge, and Committee Member Jan Perry. The following items were presented:
ACTION ITEM:
- Execute Contract for 2009 Leaf Blower Exchange Program
Shashi Singeetham, Air Quality Specialist, gave a presentation on the staff recommendations for executing a contract with Pacific Stihl for the 2009 Leaf Blower Exchange Program. The presentation included slides on background information on the Air Quality Investment Program (AQIP), Available Funding, Proposals Received, comparison of the two products and staff recommendation.
Supervisor Josie Gonzales inquired about the manufacturing location of Stihl blowers. Mr. Singeetham stated that TMS blowers were made in Japan and Stihl in Virginia. Mrs. Jane Carney asked about the progress in the area of leaf vacuums. Mr. Singeetham stated that per the manufacturer, the leaf vacuums may be another five years away before becoming commercially available and that the battery technology was the hurdle. There was a brief discussion on the battery technology relating to the leaf vacuums.
Motion by Carney; seconded by Gonzales; and unanimously approved.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
- Intergovernmental Review Process
At the May 22, 2009 Mobile Source Committee Meeting, Board Members requested a presentation on the responsibilities and procedures used by intergovernmental review (IGR) staff when reviewing CEQA documents prepared by other agencies. In response to this request, Susan Nakamura, Planning and Rules Manager, gave a presentation on the AQMD’s role in the IGR process under CEQA and also provided historical information on the development of the AQMD’s IGR program, positive effects of AQMD comments on CEQA projects, current challenges faced by IGR staff, and future objectives. Supervisor Gonzales asked if there is a way to identify the socioeconomic status of communities to determine if they are environmental justice (EJ) areas. AQMD staff has mapped EJ areas in the district based on socioeconomic status and pollutant concentrations. Mrs. Carney suggested that staff use these EJ maps and scrutinize more closely projects located in EJ areas. Supervisor Gonzales asked what type of outreach staff was performing to update local planners on air quality analysis methodologies. Staff responded that there are occasional workshops, working group meetings, and training sessions on the URBEMIS model, a model that quantifies emissions from a variety of land use projects. Supervisor Gonzales recommended that staff keep a tally of city/county representatives who have not participated in these types of meetings and make additional outreach efforts to ensure greater participation, possibly issuing a participation certificate. Mrs. Carney suggested that staff consider working with Public Affairs to expand outreach activities. Supervisor Gonzales asked about what efforts staff is making to address the concern over conducting “reverse CEQA” analysis for residential and sensitive land uses where impacts from surrounding sources such as freeways are analyzed for projects such as residential developments. Staff responded that the AQMD is preparing a letter to the Resources Agency that formally requests modifying the CEQA Guidelines to require a “reverse CEQA” analysis in all CEQA documents.
Supervisor Bill Campbell left the meeting at 9:35 a.m.
- Rule 2202 Activity Report
Written report submitted. No comments.
- Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives – CEQA Document Commenting Update
Written report submitted. No comments.
- Other Business
None
- Public Comment
None
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.
Attachment (DOC, 45kb)
Attendance Roster