There was no regular Board meeting this week. The next Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 25th at 9:30 am.

Revenue Update- On Monday, the OCTA Board of Directors received a presentation on the Authority’s most recent sales tax revenue projections. OCTA based its Fiscal Year 2009-10 Budget on the State Board of Equalization’s January 2009 sales tax forecast. The January forecast estimated the Fiscal Year 2008-09 decrease in sale tax revenues to be down 8.35%, and estimated the Fiscal Year 2009-10 sale tax revenues as decreasing another -4.3%. Since January, the economic climate has continued to deteriorate. In June, the State Board of Equalization revised its forecast which reported an actual decrease in sales tax revenue in Fiscal Year 2008-09 as -11.02% and predicted the decrease in Fiscal Year 2009-10 as being greater at -6.55%. These decreases will result in $8 million less for bus operations, and significantly less funding for the Measure M and M2 programs. To view the presentation, click here.

Katella Smart Street- The Board received an update on the Katella Smart Street Project. A smart street project seeks to improve the traffic capacity and traffic flow along a major arterial through measures such as traffic signal synchronization, bus turnouts, intersection improvements, and addition of travel lanes by removing on-street parking and consolidating driveways. OCTA’s Smart Street Program was created as part of the original Measure M Program, and provided funding to improve four major arterials in the County. The Katella Smart Street Project will improve Katella Avenue from the San Gabriel Freeway (I-605) to the Costa Mesa Freeway (SR-55). Currently, the improvements from the county-line to the Stanton Channel and the improvements from 9th Street to Interstate 5 have been constructed. The improvements between Stanton Channel to 9th Street are in the process of completion. To view a map of the Katella Smart Street Project, click here. The other three Smart Street projects which have been or are being completed are Beach Boulevard from La Habra to Huntington Beach, Moulton Parkway from Tustin to Dana Point and Imperial Highway from the Los Angeles County line to Santa Ana Canyon Drive. To view a map of the other Smart Street Projects, click here.

Rail Program Update- The Board also received a presentation on OCTA’s Rail Program. The Board received an updated schedule and cost information on the Metrolink Expansion Program, the grade crossing safety and station enhancements approved by the Board, and the Go Local Fixed-Guideway Program. To view the presentation, click here.

91 Express Lane Traffic and Revenue Data- During the month of July, traffic on the 91 Express Lanes increased 7.0% compared to July 2008. The gross potential revenues also increased in July by 6.5% compared to July 2008. This is the first significant increase in over a year.

Annual Strategic Planning Meeting- The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) held its annual strategic planning session on Wednesday, August 12, in place of its regular monthly meeting. The Commission nominated Orange County Commissioner Cheryl Brothers to serve on the city seat of the CALAFCO Board. The Commission also reviewed priorities for the 2009-2010 year including island annexation, a fiscal model study for unincorporated areas, and South County future governance. For the staff report, click here.

Tustin Branch Library- Third District staff toured the new Tustin Library to observe the relocation of books from the old library to the new library. The new library is adjacent to the existing facility and it retains the same address of 345 E. Main Street. Parking lot access for the library will be off Main Street, instead of Centennial Way. The new library is a 32,400 square foot facility to accommodate the 1,200 average-daily visitors. Throughout the facility, 92 computers will be available for the public’s use. For pictures of the new facility during the move, please click here. For more information about the Tustin Library, please click here. Currently, there is no Library access at either location. The new Library will be open to the public on Wednesday, August 19th at 10 am. During the time of closure, visitors are encouraged to attend the Katie Wheeler Library, located off Irvine Boulevard and Jamboree at 13109 Old Myford Road. For more information about Katie Wheeler Library, please click here.

Silverado Branch Library Closure- The Silverado Branch Library will be closed from Monday, August 17, 2009, to Monday, September 21, 2009. The closure is necessary to provide for ADA upgrades to the restroom. Library materials can be returned to the outside book drop or to any Orange County branch library. Books on hold and inter-library loans can be picked up at the Villa Park Library. For the location of the Villa Park Library, please click here.

July 2009 Statistics- John Wayne Airport (JWA) has released its statistics for airline passenger traffic and aircraft operations. Total aircraft operations decreased in July 2009 as compared to the same month in 2008. In July 2009, there were 20,016 total aircraft operations (take-offs and landings), a decrease of 8.6% when compared to 21,894 total aircraft operations in July 2008. Traffic decreased in July 2009 as compared to July 2008. In July 2009, the Airport served 821,905 passengers, a decrease of 0.2% when compared to the July 2008 passenger traffic count of 823,922. For a table with the statistics, please click here.

I attended the First Friday Friars luncheon at the Phoenix Club.

Mary and I attended a book signing at the Richard Nixon Library featuring television commentator and author Dick Morris. Mr. Morris’ latest book is Catastrophe. For pictures, click here.

I met with Bill Steiner, Tim Paone and Susan Cunningham of the Community Foundation of Orange to talk about an upcoming event supporting the Foundation’s mission of serving the greater Orange community.

I joined former State Senator Joe Dunn, Irvine Mayor Suhkee Kang, Irvine Councilwoman Beth Krom, Irvine Councilman Steven Choi, Nick Berardino, and former Anaheim City Manager Dave Morgan on a tour of Brandman University, formerly Chapman University College, the new Irvine campus. To view pictures, click here.

Orange Mayor Carolyn Cavecche, Tustin Mayor pro Tem Jerry Amante, OCTA Public Member Greg Winterbottom, and I met with council members Bill MacAloney and Deborah Pauley of the Villa Park City Council and the Villa Park City Manager to discuss OCTA's Measure M Program and the transportation challenges facing Villa Park.

I met with Dr. Steven Handel of the Great Park Design Studio and representatives from the Orange County Great Park to discuss the wildlife corridor at the Great Park.

I met with Damon Dunn to discuss his interest in involvement in public service.

I met with California Coastal Commissioner Larry Clark to discuss alternatives for the Foothill South Extension to the SR-241 toll road.

Third District staff joined Assistant Sheriff Mike Hillman on a tour of harbor patrol operations in Orange County.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OC Traffic Committee- On Thursday, August 20, at 9 am, the OC Traffic Committee is holding a public hearing to discuss the findings and recommendations of the recent Live Oak Canyon Road traffic study. For the agenda and staff report, please click here.

Superior Court Closure on August 19th- The Superior Court of Orange County will close most courthouses and furlough employees on August 19, 2009. Only the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana and the Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange will be open on August 19 to handle urgent matters. If a document must be filed or a payment must be made by August 19, the deadline still applies and drop boxes or door slots are available at every courthouse. For more information on the closures, please click here.

Irvine Lake 4th Annual Woodstock ’69 Music Festival- On Saturday, August 15, from 1 pm to 9 pm, Irvine Lake is hosting its annual Woodstock ’69 concert. For more information, please click here.

Brea Fest- On Friday, August 14 from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm, the City of Brea will feature its 23rd annual Brea Fest. For more information, click here.

2009 Broadway in the Park- From Tuesday, August 18, through Saturday, August 22, the Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts (TACFA) is hosting its annual Broadway in the Park production at Peppertree Park in Old Town Tustin. This year’s production is Anything Goes. For more information, please click here.

Villa Park Library Puppet Show- On Tuesday, August 18, at 3:30 pm, St. Joseph's Hospital will present "Kids on the Block," a special puppet show addressing bullying and friendship. For more information, please call the Villa Park Library at 714-998-0861.

Congratulations to the Tustin Area Senior Center for celebrating its 20th Anniversary of service on Monday, August 10th. To read my proclamation, please click here.

Congratulations to Lou Bronstein of my staff and his wife, Carin, on the birth of their first child, Avery Elizabeth Bronstein.

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

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