BOARD MEETING DATE: July 9, 2010
AGENDA NO. 19
PROPOSAL:
Legislative and Public Affairs Report
SYNOPSIS:
This report highlights May 2010 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 ACTIONS:
Receive and file.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
This report summarizes the activities of Legislative and Public Affairs for May 2010. 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 Governments.
Environmental Justice Update
The following are key environmental justice-related activities in which staff participated during May 2010. These events involved communities which suffer disproportionately from adverse air quality impacts.
On May 15, AQMD staffed a booth and provided air quality information at the 12th Annual Omega Psi Phi Youth Leadership Conference held in Torrance. Staff also represented AQMD on a panel discussion dealing with air quality, green technology, green jobs and environmental justice issues. The focus of the conference was on green technology and green jobs. Approximately 1,000 people attended the conference.
On May 19, staff met with the First Vice President of the 100 Black Men organization regarding the African-American Community News Media Outreach at the True Vine Baptist Church in Inglewood. The major concerns discussed were air quality in low income communities and health impacts of air pollution near freeways and in urban areas.
On May 20, a Town Hall meeting was held in Inglewood at the request of the Mayor Pro Tempore. The public discussed a variety of issues including questions related to emissions from aircraft at Los Angeles International Airport.
On May 24, staff spoke with the Grad Chapter representative for the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority regarding the African-American Community News Media Outreach. The major concerns discussed were air quality in low income communities and the health impacts resulting from air pollution near freeways and in urban areas.
On May 26, staff provided a presentation on air quality and transportation to 150 environmental justice representatives and local elected officials in San Bernardino.
During May 28-30, staff participated in the Maywood “Fiesta Del Verano” event. Approximately 10,000 people attended throughout the weekend.
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. The events that AQMD staff attended and provided information and updates include:
May 4 |
Southern California Association of Governments Regional Conference & General Assembly, La Quinta |
May 7 |
San Bernardino Unified School District Health and Safety Fair, San Bernardino |
May 12 |
Inglewood Area Minister’s Association |
May 12 |
Air Quality Briefing sponsored by Inland Action, the Monday Morning Group and the Valley Group, Riverside |
May 14-16 |
California Contract Cities Association Municipal Seminar, Indian Wells |
May 15 |
Watts Health Women’s Health Fair, Los Angeles |
May 20 |
Orange County Green Fair, Santa Ana |
May 20 |
Global Water and Technology Forum, Hemet |
May 20 |
Pomona Public Works Week, Pomona |
May 21 |
California State University, San Bernardino Green Alliance Community Visioning Conference |
May 27 |
“A World We Can Change” High School Conference, Los Angeles |
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.
On May 14, staff provided a presentation on career opportunities at AQMD to approximately 150 students at Crescent Elementary Career Day in Anaheim.
On May 20, staff provided a presentation on air quality information for 900 sixth graders at Thompson Middle School in Murrieta.
On May 21, staff provided a presentation on AQMD to 80 students at Liberty Elementary School in Riverside.
On May 25, staff provided an AQMD overview, including emissions standards for transportation, and an AQMD tour for four visitors from Syria, Libya and the United Arab Emirates.
May 28, staff provided a presentation on air quality and the health impacts of air pollution to70 students at Huntington Beach High School.
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 May 2010 are summarized below:
Main Line Calls |
3,386 |
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1-800-CUT-SMOG® Line |
2,089 |
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After Hours Calls* |
465 |
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Spanish Line Calls |
33
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Clean Air Congress |
35 |
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Total Phone Calls |
6,008 |
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*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 May 2010 is summarized below:
Visitor Transactions |
187 |
|
Packages Mailed Out |
0 |
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Calls Received by PIC Staff |
34 |
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Calls to Automated System |
1,740 |
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Total Phone Calls |
1,774 |
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E-mail Advisories Sent |
40 |
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 8 free on-site consultations
Provided assistance in filing one request for variance
Provided permit application assistance to 164 companies
Issued 25 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:
Alhambra, Aliso Viejo, Arcadia, Artesia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bell, Bellflower, Bell Gardens, Big Bear Lake, Buena Park, Burbank, Calabasas, Carson, Cerritos, Chino, Claremont, Commerce, Compton, Corona, Covina, Cudahy, Dana Point, Desert Hot Springs, Diamond Bar, Downey, Duarte, El Monte, Fontana, Garden Grove, Gardena, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Huntington Beach, Huntington Park, Industry, Inglewood, Irvine, Irwindale, La Canada Flintridge, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Lakewood, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, La Puente, Lawndale, Loma Linda, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Maywood, Mission Viejo, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Murrieta, Newport Beach, Norwalk, Orange, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Paramount, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Redondo Beach, Riverside, Rolling Hills Estates, Rosemead, San Bernardino, San Clemente, San Dimas, San Juan Capistrano, San Gabriel, Santa Ana, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Monica, Seal Beach, Sierra Madre, Signal Hill, South Gate, South El Monte, South Pasadena, Temple City, Walnut, West Hollywood, Westminster and Whittier.
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
Arcadia Unified School District
Beach Cities Health District
Big Bear Chamber of Commerce
Buena Park Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs
California Black Women’s Health Project
California Manufacturing Technology Center
Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles
Coachella Valley Economic Partnership
Corona Legislative and Government Affairs Committee
Downey High School
Friends of the Madrona Marsh Preserve
Gateway Cities Council of Governments
Inglewood Chamber of Commerce
Inglewood Interfaith Council
Inland Empire Air Quality Committee
Irvine Ranch Water District
Irwindale Chamber Environmental Committee
Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce Government and Legislative Committee
LAX Coastal Area Chamber of Commerce
League of California Cities, Inland Empire Division
League of California Cities, Los Angeles Division
Lomita Chamber of Commerce Government and Legislative Committee
Loma Linda City/Chamber of Commerce Government and Legislative Committee
Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation
Los Angeles Medical Association
Los Angeles Sparks
Los Angeles World Airports
Municipal Water District of Orange County
100 Black Men
Orange/Tustin Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs
Orange County Business Council
Orange County Transportation Authority
Orange County Workforce Investment Board
Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce
Paramount Chamber of Commerce
Rancho Cucamonga Green Team
Resurrection Church, Los Angeles
Riverside County Asthma Coalition
Riverside County Economic Development
San Bernardino Associated Governments
San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership Legislative Action Committee
South Orange County Regional Chambers of Commerce Legislation Affairs Committee
South Pasadena High School
Southern California Association of Governments
Transportation Corridor Agency
Upland Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs and Legislative Committee
Watts Healthcare