There was no regular Board meeting this week. The Board met in a Special Closed Session. The next Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 7th at 9:30 am.

Amended Pension Litigation Complaint- As a result of a special closed session meeting held on Monday, the Board authorized the filing of the Second Amended Complaint in the litigation pertaining to the County’s decision to challenge the constitutionality of the retroactive component of the 3% at 50 pension for public safety employees. This retroactive pension for public safety employees was originally approved by a prior Board in 2001. Should the courts rule in the County’s favor, an independent analysis has projected an estimated savings to the taxpayers in excess of $100,000,000. For a copy of the Second Amended Complaint, click here.

Selection of New County Counsel – Also, in a Special Closed Session, the Board conducted final interviews of the candidates for the position of County Counsel. After interviewing the final two candidates the Board selected Senior Deputy County Counsel Nick Chrisos. Nick has served with the County for over twenty years and will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the position. To learn more about Nick, click here.

91 Express Lanes Toll Rate Decrease- It is no April Fools’ joke. The 91 Express Lanes reduced tolls in more than seven time slots this past Wednesday as a result of declining transactions. Tolls were reduced by $0.50 in the eastbound direction during the 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm hours on Mondays, the 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm, and 6:00 pm hours on Tuesdays, the 6:00 pm hour on Wednesdays, and the 2:00 pm hour on Fridays. To view the new toll schedule effective October 1, click here.

Preliminary Tax Rolls of Value for 2008-2009- Orange County Assessor Webster J. Guillory released the estimated valuation of the Preliminary Rolls of Value for the 2008 – 2009 assessment roll year. The Preliminary Roll is of secured property only and is valued at $424 Billion which represents a 3.7% increase over the 2007-2008 Actual Assessed Roll. In addition, the Assessor estimated the 2009-2010 Assessed Roll.

The Children and Families Commission held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 1. The Commission received a presentation from Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County. The executive director reported that a cut in the Commission’s program funding as a result of the May 19th ballot initiative, could impact up to 30,000 children receiving care in Orange County. To learn more about Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County, click here. The Commission also received a presentation on its Long Term Financial Plan. To read the report, including the presentation, please click here.

Last week, I attended the Local Agency Formation Commission’s (LAFCO) "Best Practices" summit. I was joined by my colleague, Commissioner and Supervisor John Moorlach, keynote speakers Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle and OCBC President Lucy Dunn. For pictures from the summit, click here.

Last week, Mary and I joined UCI Extension researcher John Kabashima and his wife, Janet, at the annual "Proven Winners" garden nursery open house, showing flowers for introduction in 2010. The propagator/grower is in Bonsall, which is in San Diego County. We saw many beautiful flowers. I was most interested to see the line of low water use plants, many of which were originally native to Australia. Click here for pictures.

I met with Jeremy Yang, Consular Officer for Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles and Joanne C. Sokolski, Chief of Protocol for the County of Orange. Click here for a picture.

I met with Brea resident Robert Lauten to discuss the national home mortgage crisis.

Mary and I joined OC Parks director Mark Denny and Irvine Ranch Conservancy executive director Michael O’Connell for a tour of the Conservancy’s property in Weir and Fremont Canyons. For pictures, click here.

Orange Mayor Carolyn Cavecche and I traveled to Sacramento to meet with Caltrans Director Will Kempton to discuss issues affecting transportation.

I met with Superior Court Presiding Judge Kim Dunning to discuss budget issues concerning the courts Alternative Defender program cost.

I attended the retirement party for former County Counsel Ben de Mayo. Ben has been a great asset to the County and will be missed. For a copy of the Board’s resolution recognizing his service to the County, click here. For pictures, click here.

I attended Pacifica Institute’s first Anatolian Cultures and Food Festival at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. The Festival will be held from April 2nd to April 5th, from 10 am to 10 pm. I highly recommend attending this interesting event. For more information about the Festival, please click here. Click here for pictures from the ceremony and the festival. To read the Board Resolution, please click here.

Last Saturday, the Angels Baseball Foundation sponsored a pet adoption fair at the OC Animal Care Shelter. The Shelter reported its most successful adoption in history, with 127 dogs, cats, and rabbits adopted. To read the press release, please click here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Spring Bird Fair and Art Show- The Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary in Modjeska Canyon is hosting their Spring Bird Fair and Art Show this Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The show will feature children’s activities, craft demonstrations, live entertainment, art exhibitions, and plant exhibits. For more information, please click here.

The Way of the Cross- Each year, on Good Friday, the Diane and Daniel Dulac family host an outdoor "Stations of the Cross" hike on his property in Baker Canyon. The walk starts at 1:00 pm and covers approximately one mile. For more information, including a map to the location, please click here.

Easter Egg Hunt in Anaheim Hills- Light of the Canyon Church in Anaheim Hills will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt and Picnic on Sunday, April 5 from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm at Toyon Park, located at 945 S. Weir Canyon Road in Anaheim Hills. The Annual Easter Egg Hunt includes pictures with the Easter Bunny, In-N-Out truck, games, prizes and a special presentation to Anaheim Hills firefighters. For more information, click here.

Irvine Park Railroad- The Irvine Park Railroad is currently featuring the 2nd annual Easter Eggstravaganza at Irvine Regional Park. The Easter Eggstravaganza includes train rides, photos with the Easter bunny, Easter egg hunts, carnival games, face painting, hay rides, and more. For more information, click here.

Brea Fire Department Workshop- The Brea Fire Department and the City of Breawill host a two-part Community outreach workshop to discuss a Fire Department Proposal, which includes a new way to deploy fire services in the Carbon Canyon area at 7:00 pm, April 8 and April 15 at Olinda Elementary School located at 109 Lilac Lane in Brea. For more information, click here.

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

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