BOARD MEETING DATE: September 10, 2010
AGENDA NO. 16

PROPOSAL:

Legislative and Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights June and July 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 ACTION:

Receive and file.
 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

This report summarizes the activities of Legislative and Public Affairs for June and July 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 June and July 2010. These events involved communities which suffer disproportionately from adverse air quality impacts.

• On June 3, staff attended the San Bernardino Healthy Communities coalition held at the San Bernardino Community Hospital. Staff made a presentation on AQMD’s programs and services and the Clean Communities Plan to approximately thirty representatives from community groups.

• On June 7 and June 9, staff attended the CARB hearings in Commerce and San Bernardino, respectively, regarding the proposed commitments to reduce emissions at rail yards in Southern California. Over 100 community members attended each hearing and provided testimony regarding the railyards in their community. Staff provided air quality information and demonstrated the Balqon electric drayage truck and the Vision hydrogen-fueled yard hostler at the hearing locations.

• On June 19, staff met with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Creation Sustainability Committee in South Pasadena and presented air quality information including the Lawn Mower Exchange program, AQMD’s i phone app, and ‘How To Make An Air Quality Complaint’ video. The group discussed many topics, including ways to reach out to communities of faith in environmental justice communities within the Archdiocese’s region.

• On June 22, staff made a presentation regarding air quality and the African-American News Media Outreach at the monthly meeting of the Los Angeles Pan Hellenic Council in Leimert Park.  The major concerns discussed were educating the African-American Community on air quality issues and how to better engage and educate the community on the health effects of poor air quality.

• On June 26, staff participated in the Watts Men’s Health Fair.  Approximately 300 people, mostly from impacted communities, attended the event.  Staff provided information on the health impacts of poor air quality and promoted the Clean Air Congress.

• On July 24, staff met with the President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Long Beach Branch.  This was a follow up meeting from the June 2010 AQMD presentation to African-American stakeholders in the Long Beach area. Major concerns expressed were poor air quality in low income communities, and the health impacts of air pollution near freeways and in urban areas.  

• On July 24, staff attended the 3^rd Annual Vietnamese Family Fun Day: Health & Resource Fair “Building a Brighter, Healthier Future,” in Westminster. Staff spoke with representatives of approximately 12 local Vietnamese organizations. 

• On July 29, staff conducted a follow-up meeting with the Black Barbershop Association located in Los Angeles, regarding AQMD’s participation in the “First Saturdays Program” which will consist of health outreach and information to ten selected barbershops in Los Angeles.  

• During July, staff contacted various community groups and communities of faith in the San Bernardino area with the goal of educating them about the AQMD Clean Communities Plan and invited them to the August 11 town hall meeting in San Bernardino.

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:

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 June 4, staff provided an AQMD briefing and a tour of AQMD’s facility and laboratory to 32 students and 4 adults from South Pasadena High School.  

On June 11, staff provided a presentation on air quality information and exhibited a fuel cell vehicle for 200 students at Downey High School.

On June 17, staff provided an AQMD overview, tour, and alternative fuel vehicle demonstration for 20 students from an automotive design class from Carlab in Orange.

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 months of June and July 2010 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 months of June and July 2010 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 seven free on-site consultations

• Provided assistance in filing for four requests for variance

• Provided permit application assistance to 422 companies

• Issued 44 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: 

Alhambra, Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Arcadia, Artesia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Banning, Beaumont, Bell, Bellflower, Bell Gardens, Big Bear Lake, Brea, Buena Park, Burbank, Calimesa, Canyon Lake, Cerritos, Chino, Chino Hills, Claremont, Colton, Commerce, Compton, Corona, Covina, Diamond Bar, Downey, Duarte, El Monte, El Segundo, Fontana, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Gardena, Grand Terrace, Hawthorne, Huntington Beach, Huntington Park, Industry, Inglewood, Irvine, Irwindale, La Canada Flintridge, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Lakewood, La Palma, La Puente, Lawndale, Loma Linda, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Manhattan Beach, Maywood, Mission Viejo, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Moreno Valley, Newport Beach, Ontario, Orange, Palos Verdes Estates, Paramount, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Santa Margarita, Redondo Beach, Riverside, Rosemead, San Bernardino, San Clemente, San Dimas, San Fernando , San Juan Capistrano, San Gabriel, San Marino, Santa Ana, Santa Clarita, Sierra Madre, Signal Hill, South El Monte, South Gate, South Pasadena, Temecula, Temple City, Torrance, Tustin, Upland, Vernon, Walnut, West Covina, Westminster 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 Jewish Committee
• American Lung Association
• Arcadia Unified School District
• Archdiocese of Los Angeles Creation Sustainability Committee
• Asthma Coalition of Los Angeles County
• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
• Banning Chamber of Commerce
• Beach Cities Health District
• Bear Valley Government Affairs Committee
• Beaumont Chamber of Commerce
• Big Bear Chamber of Commerce
• Big Bear Municipal Water District
• Black Barbershop Association
• Brotherhood Crusade
• Buena Park Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs
• Building Industry Association
• California High Speed Rail Authority
• California Manufacturing Technology Center
• California School Nurses Organization
• California State University, San Bernardino
• Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce
• Cedars-Sinai Hospital
• Charles W. Barrett Elementary School
• Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles
• Claremont Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee
• Coachella Valley Association of Governments
• Community Hospital of San Bernardino
• Delta Sigma Theta
• Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
• Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, Good Morning Riverside
• Independent Cities Association
• Industry Kiwanis Club
• Inland Congregations United for Change
• Inland Empire Resource Conservation District
• Irwindale Chamber of Commerce Environmental Committee
• Kaiser Permanente
• Kohl’s
• Korean Churches for Community Development
• League of California Cities, Inland Empire Division, Legislative Committee
• League of California Cities, Los Angeles Division
• Legislative Alliance of Southern Orange County
• Loma Linda City/Chamber of Commerce Government and Legislative Committee
• Loma Linda Loper Running Club
• Loma Linda Medical Center
• Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma
• Long Beach Memorial Hospital
• Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation
• Los Angeles County Medical Association
• Los Angeles Sparks
• Los Angeles Unified School District
• Los Angeles World Airports
• Manchester Avenue Elementary School
• Metropolitan Water District
• Morongo Band of Mission Indians
• Mount San Jacinto College
• Mountain Area Regional Transit Authority
• Mountain Communities Transportation Committee
• National Medical Society
• Orange/Tustin Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs
• Orange County Council of Governments
• Orange County Transportation Authority
• Paramount Chamber of Commerce
• Pass Area Legislative Council
• Ritter Elementary School
• Riverside County Economic Development Agency
• Riverside Transit Agency
• San Bernardino Associated Governments
• San Bernardino County Asthma Coalition
• San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
• San Bernardino Community College District
• San Bernardino Unified School District
• San Gabriel Valley Chamber of Commerce Legislative Coalition
• San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
• San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership Legislative Action Committee
• San Gorgonio Pass Area Transportation NOW
• Saints Peter and Paul Church, Wilmington
• 61^st Street Elementary School
• Soka University
• South Bay Area Chambers of Commerce
• South Orange County Community College District
• South Orange County Regional Chambers of Commerce
• Southeast Middle School
• Southern California Association of Governments
• Southern Christian Leadership
• Stater Brothers
• Sunnyslope Community Church, Riverside
• Temecula Chamber of Commerce
• The Gas Company
• Torrance Memorial Hospital
• Transportation Corridor Agency
• Union Pacific Railroad
• United States Geological Survey
• University of California, Irvine
• University of California, Los Angeles
• University of Southern California
• Upland Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs and Legislative Committee
• Valley Industry and Commerce Association
• Watts Healthcare
• Western Riverside Council of Governments
• West Vernon Avenue Elementary School
• Wyland Foundation