There was no regular Board meeting this week. The next Board meeting is Tuesday, September 15, at 9:30 am.

Revenue and Transaction Update- I attended the Foothill/Eastern (SR-241, 261,133) and the San Joaquin Hills (SR-73) Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) Board of Directors meetings. The Boards received the revenue and transaction reports for the month of August. The San Joaquin Hills (SJHTCA) Transportation Corridor Agency Board of Directors reported toll revenues of $7,611,250 and transactions of 2,196,028 for the month. Revenues were down 2.2% and transactions were down 9.8%, as compared to August 2008. The Foothill/Eastern (F/ETCA) reported toll revenues of $8,608,993 and transactions of 4,841,009 for the month. Revenues were up 4.8 % and transactions were down 6.9% as compared to August 2008.

TCA Advertising Campaign- Both the F/ETCA and SJHTCA Board of Directors received a presentation on the new advertising and promotion campaigns for the SR-73, 133, 241 and 261 toll roads. The campaign focuses on saving time and reducing stress by using the toll roads, and revives the cardboard cut-out used previously by TCA in its advertising campaign several years ago. To view the new TCA commercials, click here. For more information on TCA’s promotions for using the toll roads, click here.

SR-241 and SR 73 Widening Projects Update- Both the F/ETCA and SJHTCA 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 completed a substantial portion of the bridge work, and began to place aggregate and asphalt over portions of the roadway. 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. Last month, more work was completed on the bridge structures. 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.

Cell Tower Installation Update on the SR-241- The F/ETCA Board of Directors received an update on the construction of cell towers along the SR-241 between the SR-91 and the SR-133. Over the past month, Sprint has begun construction on four permanent cell towers along the toll road. Construction of one of the towers is expected to be completed by next month with the other tower being completed between October and the first part of next year. To view pictures of the towers’ construction, click here. To view a map of where the new towers are being placed, click here. Each new tower will have space to hold eight carriers.

Toll Attendant Recognition- Both the San Joaquin Hills and the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agencies recognized toll attendants and customer service representatives for their hard work on behalf of the Agencies. Congratulations to the three toll attendants and four customer service representatives who were recognized to for their service. The Agencies also honored Lisa Gable, a TCA employee, for aiding a patron with dementia who had been missing from her home for two days. Lisa worked with CHP and the patron’s family to ensure that the patron returned home safely.

September Meeting- The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 9, 2009. The Commission voted to receive and file the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) Governance Study. The Commission also adopted a work plan for the 2009-2010 year. Click here to read the MWDOC Governance Study and the work plan.

Summer Reading Program Results- The County Librarian released the results of the summer reading programs offered throughout the county this summer. Over the eight-week program, 22,887 children and 3,022 teens participated. This year’s results reflect an increase in participation by 2%. A total of 1,484 teen volunteers gave 20,440 hours of service to implement the summer reading program. In addition, the "Friends of the Library" groups donated over $92,000 to support summer reading. For a full summary of program results for toddlers to teens, please click here.

2009 Supplemental Roll- The Orange County Assessor delivered the Supplemental Roll to the Orange County Auditor-Controller for assessments through July 30, 2009. The Supplemental Roll has an assessed value of approximately $2.7 billion. The value of this Roll compared to last year is about 64% lower. The downward trend started in 2006-07 and is expected to continue through 2009-10. For additional information, click here.

72nd Assembly District Special Election- As a result of the resignation of Assemblyman Michael Duvall, the Governor is expected to call a special election. In anticipation of the Governor’s announcement, the Orange County Registrar of Voters released a memo with possible dates for the special election. To read the memo, click here.

Red Hill Beautification Project- I met with OC Public Works Chief Engineer Ignacio Ochoa and the Assistant Director of OC Engineering Nadeem Majaj to discuss a landscaping improvement and beautification project along Red Hill Avenue in North Tustin. The project was brought to the County by the Foothill Communities Association in partnership with the Boy Scouts. The County has agreed to support all water costs and on-going maintenance of this project.

Irvine Boulevard Re-Striping- The County re-striped the intersection of Irvine Boulevard at Red Hill to three lanes in each direction. The partial re-striping will alleviate congestion points at the intersection while not impacting parking or encroaching on the residences fronting Irvine Boulevard. The #3 westbound lane (curb lane) begins beyond the residential area, and the #3 eastbound (curb lane) ends just prior to the residential areas. The work was coordinated with the City of Tustin to meet the Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA) Master Plan of Arterial Highways.

Last Friday, I attended the First Friday Friars luncheon. For a picture, click here.

Over the weekend, Mary and I attended the Orange International Street Fair with our son Chris, daughter-in-law Daniela, and grandson Diego. For pictures, please click here.

I attended the Irvine City Council meeting to introduce OCTA’s new CEO Will Kempton to the Council. For pictures, click here.

I met with South Orange County Community College District Chancellor Raghu Mathur and Tustin City Manager Bill Huston to discuss the District’s Advanced Technology Education Park.

I attended a dinner to welcome former Gonzaga University President Father Robert Spitzer, S.J, to the Magis Institute where he will serve as Chairman effective this month. For pictures, please click here.

I joined Dr. Warren Fox for an Orange County Modelers Association radio controlled aircraft event near Irvine Lake. For pictures, click here.

Mary and I attended a Legatus of Orange County dinner at the Newport Sports Museum. For pictures, please click here.

I was honored to swear-in the new Board (2009-2010) for the Orange County Division of the California League of Cities. Congratulations to outgoing President and Laguna Hills Councilman Allan Songstad, Jr. on a successful year and congratulations to incoming President, Tustin Mayor Pro-Tem Jerry Amante. For pictures, click here. For a list of Board Members, click here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Wilderness Access Day in Limestone Canyon- The Irvine Ranch Conservancy is hosting a wilderness access day in Limestone Canyon on Saturday, September 12. Designated trails will be accessible for self-guided tours. For more information, please click here or call (714) 508-4757.

Silverado Stargazing Family Hike- On Saturday, September 12, from 7 pm to 9 pm, Inside the Outdoor and the Orange County Astronomy Club are hosting a hike at Rancho Sonado in Silverado. For more information, click here.

Orange Park Acres Annual BBQ- The 2009 Western BBQ and Dance will be held in Orange Park Acres on Saturday, September 19, at 5:30 pm at the Davidson residence. For ticket information, please click here.

2009 California Coastal Cleanup Day- On Saturday, September 19, from 9 am to 12 pm, volunteers can help celebrate California Coastal Cleanup Day’s 25th anniversary by helping to preserve more than 60 sites throughout Orange County. For a directory of sites and more information, please click here.

Preschool Pajama Story Time- On Tuesdays at 7pm from September 8 to October 27, the Tustin Tellers is hosting an eveningstory time for children ages 3 to 6. For more information, please click here. For a list of Orange County Public Library events by location or branch, please click here.

Today marks the 8 anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks upon our nation. We remember all those lost during this tragedy and their affected families, while honoring the sacrifice our troops have made across the world to keep our country safe.

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

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