Last Friday, I took a tour with Julie Poulson, Health Care Agency Director, Dr. Eric Handler, County Health Officer, Holly Veale, Health Care Agency Manager, and Paul Leon, Public Health Nurse. We shadowed Paul Leon as he visited three of his client’s homes to ensure that they continue to be in good health, they attend their follow up doctor appointments, are taking the proper medications, and making sure they stay connected to health access organizations.

We also had the opportunity to visit KidWorks in Santa Ana and meet with Bill Kauble, Chief Operating Officer. KidWorks is an organization dedicated to assisting poor families lead better lives by offering services that include parent education, computer training, financial literacy classes, resource referral, and English classes through the centers preschool, homework club and library, youth programs, summer programs, and health care clinic. To learn more about KidWorks, click here.

At the last stop of the tour we met Daniel Figueroa, Human Services Representative for the Placentia Human Services. This center, which opened in 1974, helps to assess community needs, coordinate the activities of public and private agencies, and assist in the development of services directed toward the low-income population. Assistance is available in areas including immigration, food programs, enrichment classes, counseling, and emergency assistance. Click here to view photos.

CARPOOL LANE UPDATE- The OCTA Board of Directors approved a cooperative agreement with Caltrans for the SR-22 HOV Pilot Program. This agreement formalizes the pilot project that will allow Caltrans to evaluate OCTA’s proposed carpool lane changes. Over the last year, OCTA worked with Caltrans to allow continuous ingress/egress into and from carpool lanes and one-passenger vehicles to use the carpool lanes during off-peak hours. Before agreeing to change the entire county’s carpool lane policies, Caltrans wanted to conduct a pilot program along the 22 freeway to determine the impact of OCTA’s proposed changes. The signing of this agreement moves Orange County one step closer to more efficiently using our carpool lanes.

SR-22 UPDATE- At Monday’s OCTA meeting, the Board of Directors approved a $5.3 million change order for the SR-22 Improvement Project. The change order authorizes Granite-Myers-Rados, the contractor on the project, to replace the Magnolia Street bridge. The full replacement of this bridge was not originally part of the project but due to federal funding received by the city of Garden Grove, Magnolia Street bridge was modified from a widening to a full replacement, in order to accommodate the City’s plans to widen the roadway below. By incorporating this modification as part of the SR-22 project, OCTA is saving the taxpayers money and reducing future impacts to the commuters and the surrounding community.

In addition to adding Magnolia Street bridge to the project, the change order moves the completion date of the mainlines and the local streets west of Magnolia to April 30, 2007. The change order continues the $50,000/day liquidated damages charges if this phase is completed after April 30.

BUS STOP MODIFICATIONS- The OCTA Board of Directors approved a construction contract with LH Engineering Company, Inc. in the amount of $787,845 for Phase 3 of the OCTA Bus Stop Accessibility Program. The Bus Stop Accessibility Program was established to address Americans with Disability Act (ADA) deficiencies present at bus stops throughout Orange County. The program includes modifications such as constructing wheelchair ramps at intersections near bus stops, adding sidewalks, and removing obstructions at the bus stop. As part of Phase 3, this contract will bring bus stops in the cities of Tustin and Irvine into compliance.

The San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency (SJHTCA) Board of Directors voted to cancel the SJHTCA Operations and Finance Committee’s monthly meetings. As a result, the only meeting of the SJHTCA will be the Board meeting held on the second Thursday of the month.

I voted in favor of eliminating the Operations and Finance Committee meetings because of the duplication that existed between the Committee business and the Board meeting. Because the SJHTCA is no longer in design or construction of its tollroad, there is less need for the Committee. Having both a committee meeting of the whole and a Board meeting to review the same maintenance and management items is unnecessary given the routine business items that come before the SJHTCA. By eliminating this committee, the SJHTCA will operate more efficiently.

Commissioners approved a clarification to the LAFCO fee schedule and received a quarterly update on the LAFCO budget. Overall expenditures between July 2006 and December 2006 are at 44.6% of the budgeted totals.

Allan Roeder, City Manager of Costa Mesa, and Dave Kiff, Assistant City Manager of Newport Beach, addressed the Commission on the status of the two cities working collaboratively with the County regarding the competing sphere of influence amendment and annexation proposals for the area’s unincorporated islands.

I presented a proclamation at St. John’s Lutheran Church's 125th anniversary celebration. Click here to view photos from the event.

I was interviewed by San Bernardino public television regarding the development of the Santa Ana River Trail and Parkway.

I met with members of the Foothill Community Association to discuss a variety of issues.

I met with a Third District constituent who is interested in being appointed to the Foothill Trabuco Specific Plan Review Board.

Mary and I toured the City of Orange Public Library & History Center. This facility is scheduled to re-open on April 21, 2007. Click here for more information on the library. Click here to view photos from the tour.

I attended an open house at the Marquee Park Place in Irvine. Sarah Catz, a member of the homeowners’ association board, gave me a tour of the facility. This facility along with others in the design stage are bringing high-rise living to Orange County. Click here to view photos.

I presented Board resolutions to the American Society of Civil Engineers, Orange County Branch recognizing Engineers Week. Click here to view photos from the event.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Bob’s Old Fashion Ice Cream
This Saturday and Sunday, February 17 and 18, 2007, Bob’s Old Fashion Ice Cream at the Orange County Market Place/Swap Meeting at the Orange County Fair Ground, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, will donate all proceeds to the Crime Survivors to benefit victims of crime.

Coffee with Congressman Campbell
Congressman John Campbell will be at Peet’s Coffee in Tustin this coming Monday, February 19, 2007, to share the latest news from Washington and to take your questions. Feel free to stop by anytime between 9:00am and 11:00am. For more information, click here.

Shadybrook Memorial Event
On Tuesday, February 20, 2007, at 7:00pm, a memorial plaque will be unveiled in honor of Caitlin Oto, at the Shadybrook Market in Silverado Canyon. As you may recall, Caitlin was killed in 2005 as a result of a rockslide in Silverado Canyon. Click here to view the invitation to this event.

Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year begins Sunday, February 18, 2007, which is the year of the pig. Happy New Year!

It is a pleasure to serve the constituents of the Third District.

Please pray for our armed forces and our foreign services personnel.