There was no regular Board meeting this week. The next Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 14th at 9:30 am.

91 Express Lane Traffic and Revenue Data- During the month of June, traffic on the 91 Express Lanes increased 3.99% compared to June 2008. This figure follows a decline of .04% in May. The gross potential revenues also increased in June by 4.55% compared to June 2008. Over the past several months, traffic volumes on the Express Lanes have been leveling off. OCTA believes that the transactions have increased in part because of the toll rate reductions implemented in October 2008, January 2009, and April 2009.

Revenue and Transaction Update- At the Foothill/Eastern and the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agencies Board of Directors meetings this week, the Boards received the revenue and transaction reports for the month of June. The SJHTCA reported toll revenues of $7,012,997 and transactions of 2,172,650 for the month. Revenues were down 2.7% and transactions were down 9.1%, as compared to June 2008. The F/ETCA reported toll revenues of $7,871,723 and transactions of 4,996,601 for the month. Revenues and transactions were down 4.1 % and 3.6% respectively, as compared to June 2008.

Violation Camera Upgrade- Both the Foothill/Eastern (F/ETCA) and the San Joaquin Hills (SJHTCA) Transportation Corridor Agency Board of Directors received a presentation updating the Boards on the TCA’s installation of new violation cameras. To view the presentation given to the Board, click here.

SR-241 and SR 73 Widening Projects Update- Both Boards received presentations on the widening projects being constructed on their toll roads. The F/ETCA is adding an additional lane to the SR-241 toll road between the Windy Ridge Toll Plaza and the SR-91 freeway. Last month, the contractor installed more bridge work and poured several bridge formations. The project is scheduled for completion in October 2009. To view the presentation given to the Board, click here.

The SJHTCA is adding a fourth northbound lane on the SR-73 toll road between Aliso Creek Drive and Bison Avenue. Preparation has been underway for the installation of bridge foundation piles at the Newport Coast and wildlife crossing bridges. Last month, the contractor installed water collection drains and additional bridge work. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2009. To view the presentation given to the Board, click here. For more information on these two projects, please click here.

Road Closures SR 241- On Friday, July 10, 2009, Caltrans will be closing the northbound SR-133 to northbound SR-241 connector and the entire SR-241 between Portola Parkway and SR 261 to continue work on a pavement overlay project started last month. The road will be closed from 10 pm Friday evening to 6 am on Saturday, July 11. Detour signs will be posted to direct travelers along the detour routes.

Road Closures on SR 133 to I-5- On Friday, July 10, 2009, and Saturday, July 11, 2009, Caltrans has also scheduled a closure of the northbound SR 133 to northbound I-5 connector ramp. The road will be closed from 10 pm to 5 am on Friday evening and from 10 pm to 8 am on Saturday evening. Detour signs will also be posted to direct travelers.

Outgoing Chairmen Honored- Both the F/ETCA and the SJHTCA Board of Directors honored their out-going chairmen at this month’s meeting. The Foothill-Eastern Board of Directors honored Jerry Amante of Tustin for his service as chairman this past year while the San Joaquin Hills Board of Directors honored Joel Lautenscheger of Laguna Hills. Both men served their respective agencies well over the past year and deserved this recognition. To view pictures, click here.

Bond Issuance- The Board was informed by John Wayne Airport Director Alan Murphy that the bond issuance approved by the Board for the John Wayne Airport Capital Improvement Project was very successful. The total bond issuance was $233,115,000 with a total interest cost of 5.18%. The bonds were issued in two series with various maturity dates extending out to 2039. The sale of these bonds with their favorable interest rates reflects the outstanding management and the strong credit rating of the Airport.

July Commission Meeting- The Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 7th. The two discussion items on the agenda were both related to the unincorporated County island known as Sunset Beach. The Commission heard from several Sunset Beach residents regarding the Sunset Beach Sanitary District and the Sunset Beach sphere of influence (SOI).

Sunset Beach Sanitary District- On the item related to the Sunset Beach Sanitary District, the Commission voted to reaffirm the District’s existing sphere which is codeterminous with the District’s current boundary.

Sunset Beach Sphere of Influence- The Commission then heard from residents regarding the SOI for Sunset Beach. Residents voiced opposition to the LAFCO staff recommendation to include Sunset Beach in the SOI for the City of Huntington Beach, suggesting they would prefer to be in the SOI of the City of Seal Beach. I supported my colleague Supervisor John Moorlach’s motion to provide a 90-day extension to allow the residents of Sunset Beach to establish a pre-annexation agreement with the City of Seal Beach, with the understanding that if no agreement could be reached, the Commission would include them in the City of Huntington Beach’s SOI. Ultimately, the motion did not pass and the Commission voted, 4 to 3, to include Sunset Beach in the SOI for the City of Huntington Beach.

17th Street Improvements- I have received several inquiries regarding the progress of the scheduled improvements on 17th Street between Gimbert and Esplanade. The project consists of constructing approximately 2,320 lineal feet of street improvements on the south side of 17th Street from Esplanade Avenue to Gimbert, 130 lineal feet off the shoulder west of Gimbert Lane and storm drain improvements and traffic signal modifications. Construction has been delayed due to the discovery of an abandoned Southern California Edison vault and an underground AT&T communication line which were not identified in the original construction drawings. Construction is scheduled to resume in August. For a summary and schedule of work, please click here. For any questions, please call OC Public Works Project Manager Victor Valdovinos at (714) 567-7801.

Local Assessment Roles of Value- Orange County Assessor Webster Guillory completed the 2009-2010 Local Assessment Roles of Value for all secured and unsecured property in the county. This year’s assessed Roll has a total taxable value of over $418 billion, which is 1.2% or $5.2 billion lower than last year’s role. This is the third time in Orange County’s history in which the assessment roll has decreased. For more information on the area values and comparisons, please click here.

2009-2010 Property Values Notices- The Assessor has mailed out the 2009-2010 Property Values Notices. Property owners will be receiving either a notice of increased assessment due to Proposition 13 or a notice for property that has declined in market value. If you should have any questions, please contact the Office of the Assessor at (714) 834-2727.

Mary and I, along with our son Chris, daughters-in-law Daniela and Szilvia, grandchildren Kassidy, Adrian, and Diego enjoyed the City of Orange’s annual 3rd of July celebration at Fred Kelly Stadium. The evening was showcased by the Orange Community Master Chorale of Santiago Canyon College and a magnificent fireworks display. For pictures, please click here.

Mary and I, along with our three grandchildren rode in the annual July 4th Orange Park Acres parade. For pictures, please click here.

I participated in the Anaheim Hills Fourth of July parade. For pictures, please click here.

Each year the residents of Modjeska Canyon host their annual 4th of July Parade. Please here here to view pictures taken by Modjeska Canyon resident Paula LaBar.

I was the officiant at Christopher Townsend and Michele Myska’s wedding. I wish them love and happiness in their new life together. To view pictures, click here.

I toured the Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center located at the Fairgrounds. I also had the opportunity to observe various staff and crew as they prepared for the opening day of the Fair, Friday, July 10. For more information on the Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center, click here. For more information on this year’s OC Fair, click here. For pictures, click here.

Mary and I, along with our grandchildren, Kassidy and Adrian, and daughter-in-law Szilvia enjoyed the first concert of this summer’s Orange Concerts in the Park series, featuring the Big Band and swing music of The Wise Guys Big Band Machine. For pictures, please click here.

I met with representatives from the Mesa Consolidated Water District to discuss the district’s deep aquifer Water Treatment Facility.

I spoke to the Kiwanis Club of Orange regarding OCTA's use of economic stimulus funds and transportation in Orange County. Click here for a picture.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Orange Concerts in the Park Series- The City of Orange is hosting its summer Concerts in the Park series every Wednesday from July 8 through August 26. Concerts will be held at the Hart Park band shell at 7 pm. For more information, please click here.

Tustin Concerts in the Park Series- The City of Tustin is hosting its annual Concerts in the Park series every Wednesday until August 12. Concerts will be held at Peppertree Park from 6 to 8 pm. For more information, please click here.

Concerts on the Green- Concordia University is hosting its Concerts on the Green series this Sunday, July 12. The concerts are free and will be held on the University’s campus in Irvine from 4 to 6 pm. In addition to this Sunday, the series will continue on July 19th and July 26th. For more information on this event, click here.

Yorba Linda Concerts in the Park- On Sunday, July 12, the City of Yorba Linda’s Concerts in the Park series will feature “Hot August Nights”, a tribute to Neil Diamond. Concerts begin at 5:30 pm at Hurless Barton Park. For more information call (714) 961-7100.

Brea’s Concerts in the Park- On Wednesday, July 15, the City of Brea’s Concerts in the Park Series will feature “Cold Duck”, a top 40 band. Concerts begin at 6:30 pm at City Hall Park. For more information call (714) 990-7733.

Dental Clinic for Senior Citizens- The Tustin Area Senior Center and the Tustin-Santa Ana Rotary Club are hosting a free dental clinic for senior citizens on Saturday, July 11, from 8 am to 12 pm. Click here for more information. Appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, please call (714) 573-3340.

Growing the Orange County Great Park- This Saturday, July 11, the Orange County Great Park will celebrate its 4th anniversary. The Orange County Great Park invites family and friends to the “Growing the Park” festival which will highlight the past, present, and future of the Great Park. The event is free and will take place from 10 am to 4 pm at the Great Park. In addition to the various exhibits, there will be a wingwalker show, petting zoo, live music, kite flying, vintage aircraft, food, hands-on activities, and appearances by the LA Galaxy Street Team and the Anaheim Ducks Street Team. For more information, click here.

OC Public Libraries Summer Events- OC Public Libraries is encouraging children of all ages to continue reading in the summer. Each branch within OC Public Libraries is hosting its own range of library events for all ages. To view the summer activities calendar for the branch near you, please 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.