BOARD MEETING DATE: January 8, 2010
AGENDA NO. 13

PROPOSAL:

Legislative and Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights November 2009 outreach activities of Legislative and 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 Legislative and Public Affairs for November 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 the Federal, State, and Local Governments. 

Environmental Justice Update

The following are key environmental justice-related activities in which staff participated during November 2009. These events involved communities which suffer disproportionately from adverse air quality impacts. 

• On November 5, staff attended and gave a presentation on AQMD programs at the City of Carson's Environmental Educational Workshop in the Juanita Millender McDonald Community Center. Approximately 100 community members attended.

• On November 18, staff held a town hall meeting in the City of Maywood at the City of Maywood Activity Center. Staff provided an overview of the AQMD as well as an update on monitoring, regulatory issues, and legal activity surrounding the Exide Technologies facility. Approximately 50 community members attended.

• On November 20, staff provided outreach material for the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church Thanksgiving, Sharing, & Caring Day, “Feeding the Whole Person” event in San Bernardino. Collaterals were distributed at the Green Living Pavilion that included information on environmental justice, how to file complaints to AQMD, energy efficiency, green jobs, water conservation, air quality, green chemistry, (toxic household products) and related programs.

• On November 21, staff attended the Magic Johnson Free Health Screening to the Community, at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center.  There were over 500 people in attendance, including primarily healthcare providers and clinic staff. Staff gave a brief presentation on AQMD services and distributed information on environmental justice, Clean Air Congress, how to file a complaint and other relevant information at the information booth. 

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 November 2009 include the following:

Communication Center Statistics

The Communication Center handles calls on the AQMD main line, 1-800-CUT-SMOG^® line and Spanish line. Calls received in the month of November 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 November 2009 is summarized below:

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

AQMD assists businesses by notifying them of proposed regulations so they can participate in the development of these rules. 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 10 free on-site consultations

• Provided permit application assistance to 146 companies

• Issued 19 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: 

Anaheim, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Big Bear Lake, Bradbury, Burbank, Calimesa, Carson, Chino, Claremont, Commerce, Diamond Bar, Duarte, El Monte, Industry, Irwindale, La Canada Flintridge, La Habra Heights, Lake Elsinore, Lake Forest, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Maywood, Mission Viejo, Monrovia, Montclair, Monterey Park, Ontario, Palm Desert, Pasadena, Pomona, Rancho Mirage, Rancho Santa Margarita, Redondo Beach, Riverside, Rolling Hills Estates, Rosemead, San Bernardino, San Dimas, Santa Ana, Santa Monica, Signal Hill, South El Monte, South Pasadena, Torrance, Upland, Walnut, West Covina, 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:

• American Cancer Society
• American Jewish Committee
• American Lung Association
• American Lung Association, Inland Empire Air Quality Committee
• Anthem Blue Cross
• Arizona Transit Association
• AstraZeneca
• Beach Cities Health District
• Big Bear Chamber of Commerce, Legislative and Government Affairs Committee
• Burbank Water and Power
• California Latino Legislative Caucus Institute for Public Policy
• California Medical Association
• California Nurses Association
• California School Nurses Organization
• Cal Poly Pomona
• Center for Neighborhood Technology
• Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Clean Air Task Force
• Coachella Valley Association of Governments, Technical Advisory Committee
• Coachella Valley Desert Contractors Association, Legislative Committee
• Coachella Valley Economic Partnership
• Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, Legislative Committee
• Five Mountain Communities Chamber of Commerce
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Harvey Mudd College Science Bus
• Health Network for Clean Air
• Inglewood/Airport Area Chamber of Commerce
• Inland Empire Asthma Coalition
• Inland Empire Economic Partnership
• Korean Churches for Community Development
• Lake Arrowhead Chamber of Commerce
• LAX Coastal Area Chamber of Commerce
• League of California Cities, Los Angeles Division
• Los Angeles County, Department of Public Health
• Los Angeles District United Methodist Church
• Los Angeles Unified School District, Nursing Services
• Madrona Marsh Preserve (Torrance, CA)
• Metropolitan Transportation Commission
• Mountain Area Transportation Committee
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
• National Association of School Nurses
• Orange County Asthma Coalition
• Orange County Health Care Agency
• Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Government Affairs Committee
• Pass Area Legislative Committee
• Promotoras/Community Health Worker Network
• Regional Asthma Management and Prevention
• Riverside County Community Health Agency
• San Bernardino Associated Governments
• San Bernardino Asthma Coalition
• San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Committee
• San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce, Legislative Committee
• San Bernardino City Unified School District
• San Bernardino County Asthma Coalition
• San Fernando Valley Council of Governments
• San Gabriel Valley City Managers Association
• San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
• San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership, Legislative Action Committee
• Santa Margarita Water District
• Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
• Santee High School
• South Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
• Southern California Association of Governments
• Southern California Edison
• St. Rosa de Lima Parish
• Upland Chamber of Commerce, Legislative and Government Affairs Committee
• Western Riverside Council of Governments
• Westside Cities Council of Governments