Following South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD) findings of high hexavalent chromium levels in Paramount and ongoing investigations, the City of Paramount has announced the formation of a new City Council Air Quality Sub Committee with two council members: Daryl Hofmeyer and Diane Martinez. Addition Sub Committee participants include two planning commissioners and city senior staff members. The goal of the Sub Committee will be to act as a bridge between SCAQMD and the Paramount community and to provide policy response ideas and information analysis to a dedicated group. The Sub Committee can quickly respond to any and all new developments and provide recommendations to the full Paramount City Council. The first City Council Air Quality Sub Committee meeting will be held at Progress Park Plaza on Saturday, December 10 at 1:00PM.
Along with the formation of this Sub Committee, the City has implemented other actions to aid the SCAQMD. In the interest of transparency and speed, city staff have provided a comprehensive list of all metal-related businesses within Paramount’s business license database directly to the District. The city has 88 recorded licenses, which make up fewer than 3% of the overall number of businesses in Paramount. Simultaneously, the city attorney has been in communication with the SCAQMD’s counsel to determine what, if anything, the city can consider changing or adding within its municipal code to assist with the effort.
The city staff have made this matter a top priority. Mr. Moreno stated that the city is discussing with SCAQMD the possibility of purchasing air monitors and entering into an MOU with the District for SCAQMD staff to remove and test samples. Further, for the weekly conference calls, Paramount will provide a Spanish language interpreter for greater reach and potential spread of information throughout the community.
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