Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District Board Meeting - August 29, 2024

Note: The transcript indicates the meeting was held on August 22, 2024, but the provided date for this summary is August 29, 2024. This discrepancy is noted.

The board meeting of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District convened on August 29, 2024, at 12:20 PM UTC. The meeting began with roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance, and board clerk announcements. Quorum was initially lacking, but the board waited approximately 10 minutes for Director Vang to arrive before proceeding with votes. The meeting covered an off-agenda introduction, a consent calendar, a public hearing, and two discussion items.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1 through 4 were approved unanimously. The consent calendar passed with a motion and second, and a roll call vote showed all directors present voting in favor.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the meeting. The board clerk noted that no members of the public wished to speak on any item.

Discussion Items

1. Introduction of New Hearing Board Member

• Kathy Pettard introduced Dr. Kelter, a new member of the hearing board. Dr. Kelter has a 30-year career in public health, including work at the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control. He expressed delight in joining the board after 16 years of retirement. The appointment was expected to be approved after the consent calendar.

2. Community Air Protection Program Update – South Sacramento Florin

• Leah Collin, an air quality specialist, presented results from the community air monitoring program. Key findings:
  • Phase 2 monitoring (August 2020 – December 2021) at six locations found black carbon levels highest at a site in the northwest corner of the community, near a truck route, distribution centers, and Highway 99. This site had levels similar to the Sacramento region's near-road site (Burcut Drive, 70 feet from I-5).
  • PM10 levels were also highest at that site but lower than the county's peak site.
  • PM2.5 levels at South Sacramento Florin sites were higher than the county's peak site, though equipment differences may account for some variation.
  • Of 59 toxic air contaminants measured, only acrolein exceeded California's non-cancer health thresholds, but it remained below the statewide average. Acrolein can cause respiratory and eye irritation.
  • Phase 3 monitoring (April – December 2023) at Fern Bacon Middle School using a portable lab showed ozone levels exceeded the 2015 standard on six days, and PM2.5 exceeded the 24-hour standard on one day (likely due to wildfire smoke). The average PM2.5 was below the annual standard, but winter data were incomplete.
  • The South Sacramento Florin Community Steering Committee re-evaluated boundaries and expanded them (shown as red hatch), incorporating adjacent communities. The district will recruit new steering committee members for the expanded area.
• Director Maple expressed support and offered to partner on outreach. Director Geta thanked staff for their work at the CARB hearing and praised community engagement.

3. District Headquarters Relocation Status Update

• Megan Shepherd, Director of Administrative Services, presented an update. Key points:
  • Current downtown Sacramento office market: 14.2% vacancy rate, low demand for large spaces, limited financing for office building buyers.
  • Only one offer was received on the current headquarters building, and no other interest has emerged. The building debt will be paid off in 2027; annual operating costs are ~$500,000.
  • The district plans to maintain a patient approach, waiting 2–3 years before reassessing. Short-term (next year): continue hybrid work with one in-office day per week. Long-term (2–3 years): possibly seek new tenants, remodel, or move to a smaller space (15,000–18,000 sq ft) with shared workspaces.
  • Director Maple suggested exploring adaptive reuse of the building for housing, as other downtown buildings are being converted. Staff agreed to look into that.

4. Board Comments – Clean Air Day

• Vice Chair Aquino inquired about Clean Air Day activities. Dr. Ayala confirmed the district is a co-sponsor and will provide details at the next meeting. Director Geta, chair of the regional Clean Air Day, noted that grants of $500–$1,000 were awarded for events on or near October 2, 2024 (first Wednesday of October). Activities include tree planting, bike education, traffic calming, and free RT rides.

Public Hearing

• Item 4: Amendments to Rule 101 – General Provisions and Definitions
  • Diana Calazzo presented the amendments. The rule is being updated to: (1) bifurcate the definition of volatile organic compounds (VOC) into a district-specific list (for toxicity and public health) and a federal list (for emission reduction credits), (2) add 11 compounds to the exempt compound list (backdated from EPA additions), and (3) clarify disclosure of air pollution data by removing notice requirements for non-trade-secret information. The amendments have no practical impact on regulated sources and received no public comments. The resolution was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar (Items 1–4): Approved unanimously.
• Rule 101 Amendments: Adopted by a unanimous vote; staff directed to forward the rule to CARB and EPA.
• Community Air Program: The presentation was received; the steering committee boundaries were expanded; staff will recruit new members.
• Headquarters Relocation: The district will continue to market the building, maintain a hybrid workplace, and reassess in 2–3 years. Adaptive reuse for housing will be explored.
• Clean Air Day: The board will receive a detailed update at the next meeting in September 2024.
• The meeting adjourned after the public hearing, with no further business requiring a quorum.