BOARD MEETING DATE: March 6, 2009
AGENDA NO. 13

PROPOSAL:

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights January 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 January 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 which occurred in January 2009.

The AQMD held a Faith-Based Air Quality briefing on January 28, 2009 in conjunction with the Valley Interfaith Council. The briefing, held at Northridge United Methodist Church, was attended by Board Member Dr. Joseph Lyou as well as 29 representatives from faith-based organizations. Attendees received an in-depth briefing on air quality in the San Fernando Valley and its health impacts.  The AQMD hosts air quality briefings to inform and educate the public and key stakeholders about relevant air quality issues.

A Town Hall meeting was held on January 29, 2009 in the community of East Los Angeles. The meeting served to provide area residents with updated information on local air quality issues. Over 400 people attended the meeting, including AQMD Governing Board members Jan Perry and Dr. Joseph Lyou and local and state elected officials. Many of the attendees requested updated information on the status of a proposed power plant in the neighboring city of Vernon. AQMD staff provided attendees with information on the current moratorium on issuance of certain air permits, as well as other air quality information.

During the month of January 2009, Public Affairs staff also addressed the following organizations:

• Inland Congregation United for Change
• Los Angeles Archdiocese
• Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma
   

COMMUNITY EVENTS/PUBLIC MEETINGS

Each year, thousands of residents engage in valuable information exchange 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 January 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 describes the types of activities that were coordinated by this office in January 2009:

January 7  
Hosted an 18-member industrial delegation from Beijing, China. The group received a general air quality overview and tour of the lab and the alternative energy center.

January 29 
Hosted visitors from the Quebec Ministry of Economic Development who received an overview on Technology Advancement programs.
 

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 January 2009 are summarized below:

*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 January 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. The information is summarized below.

• Conducted two free on-site consultations
• Provided assistance in filing two requests for variance
• Provided permit application assistance to 172 companies
• Issued 46 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, Anaheim, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bell, Brea, Buena Park, Burbank, Calabasas, Commerce, Claremont, Colton, Corona, Covina, Cudahy, Cypress, Desert Hot Springs, Diamond Bar, Downey, Duarte, El Monte, Glendale, Glendora, Highland, Huntington Beach, Huntington Park, Industry, Irwindale, La Cañada Flintridge, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Arrowhead, Lakewood, La Puente, Loma Linda, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Maywood, Monrovia, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Norwalk, Ontario, Orange, Paramount, Pasadena, Perris, Pico Rivera, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, Rolling Hills Estates, Rosemead, San Bernardino, San Dimas, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Jacinto, Santa Ana, Santa Clarita, South El Monte, South Gate, South Pasadena, Upland, Walnut, West Covina, West Hollywood, and 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:

• Anaheim Chamber Government Affairs Committee
• Bloomington Municipal Advisory Council
• Five Mountain Communities Chamber of Commerce
• Gateway Cities Council of Governments
• Cucamonga Valley Water District Green Afternoons
• Green Team San Bernardino Mountains
• Inland Congregations United for Change
• Inland Action
• Inland Empire League of Cities
• Inland Empire Resource Conservation District
• Irwindale Chamber of Commerce Environmental Committee
• League of California Cities Membership
• Loma Linda Government Affairs Committee
• Los Angeles Archdiocese Creation Sustainability Committee
• Monrovia Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
• Orange County Council of Governments
• Rancho Cucamonga Chamber Legislative Affairs
• Redlands Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Committee
• San Bernardino Associated Governments
• San Bernardino Asthma Coalition
• San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council
• San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
• San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Energy, Environment & Natural Resources
• San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership Legislative Committee
• San Gabriel Valley Government Affairs Committee
• South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
• Upland Chamber of Commerce Government and Legislative Affairs
• Valley Economic Development Center’s Green Team