BOARD MEETING DATE: November 5, 2010
AGENDA NO. 25

REPORT:

Administrative Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Administrative Committee met on Friday, October 8, 2010. The Committee discussed various issues detailed in the Committee report. The next Administrative Committee meeting is scheduled for Friday, November 12, at 10:00 a.m. in Conference Room CC-8. 

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Receive and file.
 

Dennis Yates, Vice Chair
Administrative Committee

Attendance: Attending the October 8, 2010 meeting were Committee Members Mayor Dennis Yates, Jane Carney, and Supervisor Josie Gonzales. Chair William A. Burke and Mayor Ron Loveridge were absent due to conflicts in schedules.  

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Board Members’ Concerns: None.
   
   
2. Chairman’s Report of Approved Travel: Dr. Wallerstein stated that Dr. Joe Lyou participated on a panel at WSPA’s 2010 Issues conference held in Rancho Bernardo, and Supervisor Josie Gonzales will be attending the California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team meeting on October 19-20, 2010.
   
   
3. Approval of Compensation for Board Member Assistant(s)/Consultant(s): None.
   
   
4. Report of Approved Out-of-Country Travel: None.
   
   
   NOVEMBER AGENDA ITEMS:
   
   
5. Establish Board Meeting Schedule for Calendar Year 2011
   
   Moved by Carney; seconded by Gonzales; unanimously approved. 
   
   
6. Appropriate Funds from Designation for Litigation and Enforcement and Authorize Amending/Initiating Contracts with Outside Counsel: Barbara Baird, District Counsel, stated that staff is requesting authorization from the Board for an additional $425,000 to pursue pending litigation in the environmental arena, including architectural coating rules, Rule 1143 related to consumer coatings products, and challenging AQMD’s Rule 433 – Natural Gas Quality. She continued that since some of these are high-profile cases, outside counsel has been used. Mrs. Carney suggested that staff evaluate and report on the possibility of hiring one to two litigation attorneys to reduce the cost and provide the same quality of representation. Ms. Baird responded that two new attorneys have recently been hired, one of which has heavy experience in CEQA litigation and is assisting in these issues. Nonetheless, the requested evaluation will be undertaken.
   
   Moved by Gonzales; seconded by Carney; unanimously approved.
   
   
7. Appropriate Funds for PAMS and Lead Monitoring Programs from U.S. EPA Section 105, Recognize and Appropriate Funds for Section 103 Monitoring Programs, and Authorize Purchases and Release of RFQ Under These Programs
   
   Moved by Carney; seconded by Gonzales; unanimously approved.  
   
   
8. Execute Contract for Biennial Audit of Motor Vehicle Registration Revenues for FYs 2007-08 and 2008-09: Michael O’Kelly, Chief Financial Officer, explained that this is the eighth biennial audit, which is paid by local governments, the MSRC and AQMD. An RFP was approved by the Board and the firm of Thompson, Cobb, Bazilio and Associates, PC was selected. Committee member Gonzales asked how staff arrived at the recommendation, and Mr. O’Kelly responded that the cost, technical scores, and additional points determined the winner, and Dr. Wallerstein added that the recommended firm was also the lowest bidder.
   
   Moved by Carney; seconded by Gonzales; unanimously approved.
   
   There was a discussion on the status of Dr. Burke’s e-mail database, where Chris Marlia, Asst. DEO/Information Management, explained that efforts are being continued to procure lists and AQMD released an RFP to bring in a firm with expertise in assisting in managing the mailing list to be efficient in sending out e-mail blasts. He stated that AQMD currently has mailing lists with 40,000 to 50,000 contacts, but it still is not the magnitude requested by the Chairman. Dr. Wallerstein added that Public Affairs and Information Management have been working on this project together, but have not been able to locate the lists for a low cost; and that this item will be brought to this Committee later this year for consideration. Staff may have a lead on a supplier of the desired list.
   
   
9. Authorize Purchase of Desktop Computer Hardware Upgrades
   
   Moved by Carney; seconded by Gonzales; unanimously approved.
   
   
10. Authorize Purchase of Ingres Relational Database Management System Software Support
    
    Moved by Carney; seconded by Gonzales; unanimously approved.
    
    
11. Execute Contract for Security Guard Services at Diamond Bar Headquarters: Bill Johnson, Asst. DEO/Administrative & Human Resources, stated that staff is recommending going with the current contractor who has been with AQMD since 2001. Their services have been very good, but most importantly their retention of guards on the premises have been for a long period. Current retention at AQMD is 6% turnover, whereas the general industry is 10-15%. Mr. Johnson continued that staff would recommend option 2 as it provides for a pay increase of $.25 per hour each six months over the contract term. There is an option to provide health insurance benefits but this would increase the cost by $230,000 for the life of the contract, which staff feels is not appropriate at this time. Mrs. Carney asked if the Committee has the latitude to approve a two-year contract in order to determine how the federal government’s health reform legislation would impact the contract, and Mr. Johnson agreed.
    
    Two-year contract moved by Carney; seconded by Gonzales with the amendment; unanimously approved.
    
    
12. Advertising and Public Outreach Initiative to Chinese-American Communities to Increase Awareness of the Impacts of Air Pollution: Sam Atwood, Media Office Manager, presented this item stating that this outreach is targeted toward the Mandarin and Cantonese population in the Southland to raise awareness of AQMD, the health efforts of air pollution, inform the communities of what AQMD is doing to improve the air they breathe, and try to encourage and solicit their increased involvement. Mr. Atwood continued that this is a 26-week program which has been budgeted for up to $400,000 to include newspapers, radio, TV, and on-line advertising. Another aspect of this program is to become involved in sponsorships for festivals with media outlets for the Chinese New Year (February 3, 2011) or home and garden shows. Also, 30-second TV commercials will be prepared in both languages at prime time markets with interviews with Board Members or AQMD staff, where Mrs. Carney asked why real individuals could not be interviewed, and Mr. Atwood agreed. Staff is seeking discounts for TV advertising where the story boards, scripts, and graphics are prepared by staff and the studio is provided by the TV station, along with Mandarin-speaking actors.
    
    Mr. Atwood explained that the development and testing of messages would occur in November, with a soft launch in December, and the full launch in January 2011. Vice Chair Yates asked whether the full launch should occur on the actual date of the Chinese New Year.
    
    Dr. Wallerstein stated that Dr. Burke has requested Supervisor Antonovich to take a lead on this project, who is supporting this current proposal, with funding coming from a settlement from Wal-Mart to be used for public outreach and education. He added that the Supervisor recently hosted a luncheon with the Chinese media, which was well received and supportive feedback was received. This project is a joint effort with Media, Public Affairs and Media’s current contractor, Valencia, who has a subcontractor that specializes in outreach and media relations with the Asian community.
    
    Committee member Gonzales suggested that this project should create a long-term return in outreach towards the Chinese and Mandarin elementary, middle and high school students due to their strong culture and gravitational pull in relationships in building businesses. She believes it is essential to include youth as this will allow them to become leaders in clean air transformation so they begin to own it over the years, have familiarity with the issues, and interest in AQMD’s mission. She continued that their faith-based organizations, culture, and lifestyle should be incorporated into our approach with their holidays and other celebrations.
    
    Dr. Wallerstein stated that Public Affairs currently has a faith-based outreach that can now be tied into this project. He stated that Dr. Burke has requested a package (previously produced by Think Earth) to be updated, produced and provided to schools, churches and temples to provide air quality information to children. It was then discussed that some type of contest and award be provided to the child who participates and motivates others.
    
    Debra Mendelsohn, Board Consultant to Supervisor Antonovich, stated that the Supervisor supports this project and that their office is ready to assist staff in any way possible. She also mentioned that Chinese New Year falls on February 3, 2011 and is the year of the rabbit.
    
    Moved by Gonzales; seconded by Carney; unanimously approved.  
13. Recommendation to Approve Nomination for Local Government & Small Business Advisory Group: Vice Chair Yates stated that Sergio Carrillo is being nominated by Councilmember Mitchell as a member of Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group.
    
    Moved by Carney; seconded by Gonzales; unanimously approved.  
    
    
14. Local Government & Small Business Advisory Group Minutes for the
    July 16, 2010 Meeting: Attached for information only are the Local Government & Small Business Advisory Group Minutes of the July 16, 2010 meeting.
    
    
15. Review November 5, 2010 Governing Board Agenda: Dr. Wallerstein stated that there are several items on the agenda, such as the continued item Adopt Proposed Rule 1420.1 (Emissions Standard for Lead From Large Lead-acid Battery Recycling Facilities); Approve the Revised Draft Clean Communities Plan; Amend Regulations XVII (Prevention of Significant Deterioration) and XXX (Title V Permits); Amend Regulation XX (RECLAIM Program); and Amend Rule 1175 (Control of Emissions from the Manufacture of Polymeric Cellular (Foam) Products).
    
    
16. Other Business: None.
    
    
17. Public Comment: None.

Meeting adjourned at 10:44 a.m. 

Attachment (DOC, 97k)

• Minutes from the July 16, 2010 Local Government & Small Business Assistance Advisory Group Meeting