BOARD MEETING DATE: May 7, 2010
AGENDA NO. 21
REPORT:
Administrative Committee
SYNOPSIS:
The Administrative Committee met on Friday, April 9, 2010. The Committee discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 14, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. in Conference Room CC-8.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file.
Dr. William A. Burke, Chair
Administrative Committee
Attendance: Attending the April 9, 2010 meeting via videoconference was Committee Chair William Burke. Present at AQMD were Committee Members Dennis Yates, Jane Carney, Josie Gonzales and Ronald Loveridge. Supervisor Ashley was absent due to a conflict in 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 introduced the proposal of Marisa Perez, the proposed Board Consultant to Councilmember Judith Mitchell, and advised that staff had reviewed Ms. Perez’ qualifications and recommends approval.
Moved by Yates; seconded by Carney; unanimously approved.
4. Report of Approved Out-of-Country Travel: The Committee approved the travel for Dr. Laki Tisopulos and Dr. Sang-Mi Lee, of the Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources staff, to attend the Air & Waste Management Association Conference in Calgary, Canada on June 22-25, 2010, where they will present several papers.
Moved by Gonzales; seconded by Carney; unanimously approved.
MAY AGENDA ITEMS:
5. Adopt Executive Officer’s FY 2010-11 AQMD Budget and Work Program: Upon recommendation by Dr. Wallerstein, this item was deferred until the Governing Board’s annual Retreat for consideration during the Board Budget Workshop.
6. Report of RFPs and RFQs Scheduled for Release in May: Procurement Manager Dean Hughbanks, introduced the single item to be advertised subject to Board approval. Regarding this item, Ms. Carney questioned the District’s practice of contracting out its janitorial services and inquired whether the Committee would agree to request staff perform an analysis of the costs and benefits of bringing this service in-house. Ms. Carney commented that, considering the recognition recently given to the retiring Building Maintenance Manager, these positions would represent entry-level employment with good benefits and opportunities for advancement, much like the career path for which the retiring Building Maintenance Manager was commended. Chairman Burke commented that the opportunity to promote from within could also improve morale among staff. Dr. Wallerstein offered to report to the Committee next month, advising of the implications of the proposal.
7. Amend Regulation III – Fees: Based upon the deferral of the Budget and Work Program item above, this matter was also deferred for consideration until the Governing Board’s Retreat and Board Budget Workshop.
8. Designate Funds from Interest Earned in Rule 1309.1 Priority Reserve Fund and Execute Contract for Coachella Valley PM10 Clean Streets Management Program: Director of Strategic Initiatives Jill Whynot reported that the Coachella Valley region has been running a street sweeping program as part of its PM10 implementation plan; however, CVAG has had a difficult time finding a permanent funding source for the program and has asked for bridge funding from the District, for which staff recommends $400,000 designated from interest earned from the Priority Reserve Fund. Staff further recommends making this award contingent on CVAG receiving commitment for permanent, long-term funding. Upon inquiry, Ms. Whynot confirmed that the program covers the region’s major heavily trafficked roads, rather than residential streets. Dr. Wallerstein further commented that the program is critical to the region’s attainment and part of the maintenance plan recently submitted to U.S. EPA. At Mayor Loveridge’s request, Dr. Wallerstein offered to amend the Board Letter to include additional information on the street sweeping program, e.g., number of streets and program effectiveness. Chairman Burke inquired on the nature of the bridge financing and the likelihood of CVAG securing the permanent financing for the program’s success in the long term. Dr. Wallerstein replied that CVAG’s members are being requested to consider their AB 2766 funds if at all possible; in addition, the program may qualify for AB 1318 mitigation funds in the event the Sentinel Power Plant is approved. Therefore, there are opportunities for funding moving forward, according to Dr. Wallerstein. Nevertheless, he reported, CVAG has been advised that AQMD staff would not recommend this bridge funding unless a solid funding plan was developed to ensure the program’s success. Dr. Wallerstein confirmed that staff has the attention of the city managers and elected officials of the Coachella Valley in regard to this matter and the need for permanent funding for this program. Upon inquiry by Chairman Burke, Dr. Wallerstein noted that absent the program funding the resulting problem with the Coachella Valley maintenance plan would have to be addressed. Dr. Wallerstein noted that staff recommends the $400,000 bridge funding be contingent upon CVAG developing a firm plan for continued funding for the program. In conclusion, Mayor Yates recommended that the street sweepers in this program be CNG in compliance with the fleet rules. Ms. Whynot confirmed that a large portion are CNG street sweepers and that CVAG is receiving federal grants to purchase additional CNG street sweepers. Mayor Yates recommended that the funds be further contingent on the use of alternative-fueled street sweepers.
Moved by Loveridge, seconded by Carney; unanimously approved.
9. Execute Sole Source Contract for Sponsorship of CAPCOA Climate Change Forum: DEO of Science & Technology Advancement Chung Liu requested Committee support of staff’s proposal to cosponsor the CAPCOA Climate Change Forum in the sum of $50,000 from the Clean Fuels Program. Dr. Wallerstein added that the conference will focus on the integration of federal, state and local efforts on climate change, particularly in view of AB 32 and recent federal mandates. He advised that a proper, efficient integration of policy and activities must be developed, and this conference represents an opportunity to foster that dialog, along with the display and discussion of advanced technologies. Upon inquiry of Supervisor Gonzales of the levels of co-sponsorship by other agencies, Dr. Wallerstein advised that the Bay Area will provide $50,000, CAPCOA plans to provide up to $100,000 with the potential for reduction via corporate sponsors, and several smaller air districts will each add between $5,000 - $15,000. The Bay Area will secure most of the outside sponsors to offset the conference costs, since they are the host agency this year. Dr. Wallerstein further advised that it would be a very good event for Board Member attendance because of the type of discussions that will be occurring; therefore, staff will ensure that the agenda is provided for Board Members’ consideration and possible attendance.
Moved by Carney; seconded by Gonzales; unanimously approved.
10. Appropriate Funds from Designation for Litigation and Enforcement and Authorize Amending/Initiating Contracts with Outside Counsel: General Counsel Kurt Wiese briefly updated the Committee on the background of this litigation-related item. Discussion followed and Mayor Yates recommended the item be agendized for further discussion in a future closed session, whereupon the matter was recommended for approval.
Moved by Yates; seconded by Loveridge; approved with Carney abstaining.
11. Local Government & Small Business Advisory Group Minutes for February 12, 2010 Meeting: Public Advisor Anupom Ganguli advised that the item was an informational item only; there were no questions by the Committee.
12. Review May 7, 2010 Governing Board Agenda: There was no comment on the April Board Agenda.
13. Other Business: None.
14. Public Comment: Nicole Nishimura, Board Assistant to Dr. Joseph Lyou, conveyed his suggestion regarding the May Board Agenda, on page eight under public hearings for Reg III Fees and Rule 317, that the summary be revised to reflect that these items relate to each other so that people commenting on these items are aware that they pertain to one another. Dr. Wallerstein advised that he would discuss the proposal with Chairman Burke, as he had a concern with taking all three items together, i.e., Budget, Reg III and Rule 317.
Meeting adjourned at 10:38 a.m.
Attachment (DOC, 63k)
Minutes from the February 12, 2010 Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group meeting