BOARD MEETING DATE: June 5, 2009
AGENDA NO. 28

PROPOSAL:

Administrative Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Administrative Committee met on Friday, May 8, 2009, and May 1, 2009. The Committee discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 12, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. in Conference Room CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Receive and file.
 

Dr. William A. Burke, Chair
Administrative Committee

Attendance: Present at the May 8, 2009 meeting were Chair William Burke, Vice Chair Wilson and Committee Members Jane Carney and Dennis Yates. Mayor Loveridge was absent due to a conflict with his schedule.
 

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Board Members’ Concerns: None.
    
2. Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: None.
    
3. Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s)/Consultant(s): Dr. Wallerstein stated that the Board Members have approved their current Board Assistants/Consultants proposals for FY 2009-10. There was a brief discussion about the availability of health insurance benefits to those who had chosen “employee” status. As a result of this discussion, Dr. Wallerstein offered to send a brief note to Board Assistants/Consultants so that, as their contract terms are
   renewed for the next fiscal year, they are advised of their options on health insurance available to them through AQMD. Dr. Wallerstein requested that, should a Board Assistant/Consultant choose to switch to employee status to receive health coverage, he or she would have Committee approval, based on Mayor Yates’ prior motion to approve. The Committee concurred.
   Moved Yates; seconded by Carney; unanimously approved.
    
4. Report of Approved Out-of-Country Travel: None.
   
   JUNE AGENDA ITEMS:
    
5. Establish List of Pre-qualified Legal Counsel to Provide Employee and Labor Relations Legal Services: Kurt Wiese, General Counsel, advised that AQMD received an outstanding response to its RFP for labor and employee relations legal services; and, upon evaluation of those proposals, staff recommended that the Board approve the top three firms from the prequalified list. Upon Mrs. Carney’s inquiry on the division of work between the three firms, Mr. Wiese replied that counsel could be sought from one or all three of the firms based on price and specifics of the task, and the work was not required to be divided among the three. Mr. Wiese further clarified that, although none of the firms qualified for minority- or women-owned business certification, each of the selected firms were comprised of partners and associates that include women and minorities to ensure diversity.
   Moved by Carney; seconded by Yates; unanimously approved.
    
6. Appropriate Funds from Designation for Litigation and Enforcement and Authorize Amending/Initiating Contracts with Outside Counsel: Mr. Wiese advised that this item, to appropriate $175,000 for environmental litigation, arises out of the offset credit lawsuit in which AQMD has been engaged for over a year in both state and federal court, which has proven to be a very costly matter.
   Moved by Yates; seconded by Carney; unanimously approved.
    
7. Adopt Executive Officer’s FY 2009-10 AQMD Budget and Work Program: Dr. Wallerstein stated this item would be postponed to the May 14-15, 2009 Board Retreat for discussion.
    
8. Amend Regulation III – Fees: Dr. Wallerstein stated this item would be postponed to the May 14-15, 2009 Board Retreat for discussion.
    
9. Amend Contract with Technical and Business Systems, Inc. for Air Pollutant Measurements Aloft: Laki Tisopulos, Asst. DEO/Planning, Rule Development & Area Sources, advised that the contract with Technical and Business Systems, Inc., will provide critical information to incorporate into AQMD’s air quality modeling and AQMP. Of the $155,000 contract increase, Dr. Tisopulos reported that $110,000 is to be funded by U.S. EPA Section 105 Grant monies.
   Moved by Carney; seconded by Yates; unanimously approved.
    
10. Amend Contract with Technical and Business Systems, Inc. to Provide Technical Support for AQMD Coachella Valley Meteorological Network: Dr. Tisopulos reported that staff has been pleased with the performance of Technical and Business Systems, Inc., under this contract and is, therefore, recommending the Board exercise this first one-year contract extension under the contract terms providing for three one-year extensions, in the amount of $55,000.
    Moved by Wilson; seconded by Carney; unanimously approved.
     
11. Issue Purchase Order for Laboratory Information Management System:
    Rudy Eden, Manager/Laboratory Services, presented this item on behalf of Dr. Chung Liu, DEO/Science & Technology Advancement. Mr. Eden introduced this item as a part of the approved budget for FY 2008-09, and advised that this system would enable the laboratory staff to unify data held in a variety of different data bases into one uniform data base. Mr. Eden further advised that this item is primarily funded with U.S. EPA PAMS funds. Chairman Burke voiced his concern that AQMD computer systems may not be properly interfacing with one another; however, Chris Marlia, Asst. DEO/Information Management, reassured the Committee that this system would integrate very well with AQMD’s computers. Chairman Burke reiterated that all of AQMD’s multiple computer systems should be able to interface with each other.
    Moved by Carney; seconded by Yates; unanimously approved.
     
12. Issue Purchase Orders for Purchase of Compressed U.S. EPA Protocol Calibration Gases, Ultrapure Air, and Other Gases Needed for Satisfying Federal Air Monitoring Program Requirements: Mr. Eden continued with this item, advising that it is a routine annual item to provide the laboratory with fixed and protocol gases as further addressed in the following agenda item. Mr. Eden further advised that the gases are paid in part with U.S. EPA funds, with the remaining monies allocated in the FY 2009-10 Budget. Mayor Yates approved agenda items #12 and #13 with his motion.
    Moved by Yates; seconded by Carney; unanimously approved.
     
13. Issue Purchase Orders for Purchase of Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Liquids: Upon Mr. Eden’s introductory comments for agenda item #12, above, Mayor Yates moved approval of this item, as well.
    Moved by Yates; seconded by Carney; unanimously approved.
     
14. Local Government & Small Business Advisory Group Minutes for March 13, 2009 meeting: Attached for information only is the Local Government & Small Business Advisory Group minutes for the March 13, 2009 meeting.
     
15. Authorize Purchase of Audio-Visual System Upgrade: Dr. Wallerstein addressed this item by noting it has been previously agendized and was delayed while AQMD’s budget and finances were evaluated, as the $1.7 million expenditure for the upgrade was subsequently questioned during the current economic downturn. However, Dr. Wallerstein noted his ongoing concern that the audio-visual equipment is very outdated and portions are in need of upgrade. Dr. Wallerstein advised that he would confer with Chris Marlia to determine a more incremental way to proceed, rather that upgrading the entire system. As a result, staff would contact the bidders to request they re-bid the work on an item-by-item upgrade rather than system-wide. Chairman Burke commented that, although he was a proponent of the system upgrade in better economic circumstances, he encouraged staff to reconsider the upgrade as inconsistent with current budget constraints and suggested the matter be tabled until solid signs of economic recovery can be seen. Dr. Burke further commented that this million-dollar expenditure would be ill-advised when the Board is trying to save jobs and benefits. Mayor Yates moved this item be indefinitely continued for future consideration due to budget constraints.
    Moved by Yates, seconded by Wilson; unanimously approved.
     
16. Review June 5, 2009 Governing Board Agenda: Mrs. Carney inquired as to the status of several items which were included on the June Board agenda and indicated as reviewed by Committee, but which were not included on the current Administrative Committee agenda. Dr. Wallerstein replied that if an item is not ready for Administrative Committee review, it may be referred to another appropriate Board Committee for consideration. Otherwise, the item would not come to the Board in June, but would be delayed for a month.
    
    Dr. Wallerstein mentioned there will be several significant items at the next Board meeting. In addition to the adoption of the budget and fee rule are Rule 317 – Clean Air Act Non-Attainment Fees and a new proposed regulation Rule 433 – Natural Gas Quality, dealing with the “hot gas” issue. Dr. Wallerstein advised the Committee that an interesting Board discussion could be anticipated on these two items.
     
17. Other Business: None.
     
18. Public Comment: None.

Meeting adjourned at 9:27 a.m.

Attachment (DOC, 57K)

Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Minutes for March 13, 2009
 

SPECIAL MEETING – MAY 1, 2009

A Special Meeting of the Administrative Committee was held on May 1, 2009 principally to interview candidates for the SCAQMD Hearing Board.

Attendance: Chair William Burke and Committee Members Jane Carney and Dennis Yates. Vice Chair Roy Wilson and Mayor Loveridge were absent.
 

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Appoint Members to AQMD Hearing Board: Dr. Wallerstein explained that the terms of office for the Hearing Board Attorney and Engineer Members and their Alternates expire June 30, 2009. The four candidates for the attorney position were interviewed, with Julie Masters being selected as the Attorney Member and the alternate being Laurine Tuleja. Ms. Carney requested the Ms. Tuleja be sent a thank you letter expressing the Committee’s appreciation for her previous years of service as Vice Chair on the Hearing Board.
   
   Moved by Burke; seconded by Yates; and unanimously approved.
   
   Three candidates were interviewed for the Engineer position with Ed Camarena selected as the Engineer Member, and Tom Browne as the Alternate.
   
   Moved by Burke; seconded by Yates; and unanimously approved.
    
2. Report on Proposals Received in Response to SCAQMD RFP for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program Services: Dr. Wallerstein stated that this item would be discussed at the May 14-15, 2009 Board Retreat to allow for additional consideration of this item.
    
3. Public Comment: None.
    
4. Adjourned at 12:55 p.m.