BOARD MEETING DATE: May 1, 2009
AGENDA NO. 20
PROPOSAL:
Public Affairs Report
SYNOPSIS:
This report highlights March 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 ACTION:
Receive and file.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
This report summarizes the activities of Public Affairs for March 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 March 2009.
During the month of March, AQMD staff met with numerous organizations regarding partnership opportunities in the San Fernando Valley regarding an upcoming Healthy Air Community Fair this summer. This upcoming event is a direct outgrowth of the Air Quality Briefing that occurred in January with members of the Valley Inter-Faith Council (VIC), who requested to partner and host an “air quality event” with emphasis on environmental justice issues with the AQMD. Staff subsequently met with the following organizations/entities: Canoga Park High School, Valley College, Valley Cultural Center, St. Michael Episcopal Church, West Valley Occupational Center, Breathe LA, California State University Northridge Institute of Sustainability, Eco Family News, Glendale Memorial Hospital, Northridge Hospital Medical Center, Pacoima Beautiful, Progressive Christians Uniting, San Fernando Valley Area Health Office, St. Michael Episcopal Church, Valley Economic Alliance, Valley Green Team, Valley Industrial & Commerce Association, Valley Presbyterian Hospital, Hollywood Community Hospital of Van Nuys, Kaiser Foundation Hospital Northridge, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, North East Valley Health Corporation, Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, Sherman Oaks Hospital and Health Center, Valley Presbyterian Hospital West Hills Hospital and Medical Center, Asthma & Allergy Foundation, Foundation for Pierce College, Hope Gardens, West Coast Environmental & Engineering, and Beth Hillel Day School.
AQMD hopes to strengthen partnerships with key organizations as well as engage the residents of the San Fernando Valley to work together to pursue effective strategies for educating the public and crafting solutions to address issues related to environmental justice.
Public Affairs staff has responded to public comments made at the mobile Board meeting in Riverside, in coordination with compliance and monitoring staff, to collect information regarding complaints about emissions from the ‘Auto Club drag strip.’ Staff has also coordinated a follow-up meeting with the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice to discuss partnership opportunities to address the air quality concerns in the Westside San Bernardino community that is adjacent to the BNSF intermodal facility. Additional follow-up meetings are planned.
In addition, staff met with Maria Elena Kennedy, a water quality advocate involved with the Environmental Justice community. At this meeting staff discussed the nexus between air quality and water quality issues being faced by environmental justice communities near the ‘Quail Valley’ in Riverside County.
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 March 2009 include the following:
| March 1 | Jewlicious Festival, Long Beach |
| March 3 | Israeli Environmental Technology Solutions, Los Angeles |
| March 3 | Inter Faith Event, San Bernardino |
| March 5 | Meet and Greet Community Reception, Riverside |
| March 7 | 3rd Annual The State of Women, Rialto |
| March 7 | Long Beach Breathe Well Community Asthma Fair, Long Beach |
| March 7 | Neighbor Helping Neighbor, San Bernardino |
| March 9 | American Public Transportation Association Air Quality Institute, Washington, D.C. |
| March 14 | Los Angeles Environmental Education Fair, Arcadia |
| March 18 | Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Conference & Expo, Long Beach |
| March 19 | Pat Brown Institute, Los Angeles |
| March 19 | 49th Street School Clean Air Congress Event, Los Angeles |
| March 21 | Kids Fitness Challenge, Fontana |
| March 23-25 | Faster Freight Cleaner Air Conference, Long Beach |
| March 26 | San Gabriel Valley Cities Council of Governments Air Quality Institute, Duarte |
| March 28-29 | Redlands Bicycle Classic, Redlands |
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 March 2009:
- March 3
- Provided a laboratory tour to the Mobility 21 Executive Director.
- March 11
- Provided an air quality presentation and Small Business Assistance presentation to 20 members of the City of Lynwood Business Roundtable.
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 March 2009 are summarized below:
| Main Line Calls | 5,738 |
| 1-800-CUT-SMOG® Line | 2,270 |
| After Hours Calls* | 1,098 |
| Spanish Line Calls | 29 |
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Total Phone Calls |
9,135 |
Public Information Center Statistics
The Public Information Center (PIC) handles phone calls and walk-in requests for general information. Information for the month of March 2009 is summarized below:
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312 |
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4 |
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110 |
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2,021 |
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2,131 |
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 seven free on-site consultations
- Provided permit application assistance to 173 companies
- Issued 23 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:
Arcadia, Azusa, Calabasas, Carson, Cerritos, Chino, City of Industry, Claremont, Commerce, Corona, Covina, Diamond Bar, Downey, Duarte, El Monte, El Segundo, Fontana, Gardena, Glendora, Hawthorne, Irwindale, La Canada Flintridge, La Mirada, La Verne, Loma Linda, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Moreno Valley, Orange, Palm Desert, Pasadena, Pomona, Rialto, Riverside, Rolling Hills Estates, Rosemead, San Bernardino, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Marino, South El Monte, South Gate, South Pasadena, Torrance, Walnut, West Covina, Whittier, and Wildomar.
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:
- American Lung Association
- Board of Rabbis of Southern California
- Black Voice News
- Bloomington Municipal Advisory Committee
- Breathe LA
- California Hospital Association
- California Nurses Association
- California Transit Association
- Claremont School of Theology
- Clean Cities
- Coachella Valley Council of Governments Energy & Environmental Committee
- Corona Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
- Eco Family News
- Environmental Defense Fund
- Friends of the Earth
- Gateway Cities Council of Governments
- Green Valley Initiative
- Laborer’s Union
- League of California Cities
- Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce
- Loma Linda Government Affairs Committee
- Los Angeles County Asthma Coalition Steering Committee
- Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce Legislative Action Committee
- National Association of Regional Councils
- North Shore Community Council
- Orange County Council of Governments
- Port of Long Beach
- Port of Los Angeles
- Progressive Christians Uniting
- Riverside League of Cities
- San Bernardino Associated Governments Plans and Programs Committee
- San Bernardino County Asthma Coalition
- San Fernando Valley Green Team
- San Gabriel Valley City Managers Association
- San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
- San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership Legislative Committee
- San Gabriel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee
- San Gorgonio Pass Economic Development Agency Legislative Committee
- South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
- Southern California Legislative Roundtable
- Transportation for America
- Transportation NOW
- Union of Concerned Scientists
- United Teachers Los Angeles
- U.S. Department of Energy
- U.S. EPA – Office of Transportation and Air Quality
- U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
- Valley Economic Development Center’s Green Team
- Valley Industry and Commerce Association
- Valley Interfaith Council
- West Covina Chamber of Commerce - Legislative Committee