Irvine Ranch Improvements- The Board awarded a contract to B & T Works, Inc. in the amount of $253,205 for construction of the Irvine Ranch Historic Park entrance improvements. Irvine Ranch Historic Park is located in the city of Irvine at the northeast corner of Irvine Boulevard and Jamboree Road. The park includes both OC Parks Headquarters and OC Public Libraries’ Katie Wheeler Branch Library. Improvements include construction of ADA compliant sidewalks, landscaping, and modifications to the drainage along Irvine Boulevard and the existing traffic signal at Irvine Boulevard and Old Myford Road. B&T Works’ bid amount was $258,105 below the engineer’s estimate of $511,310. To view a rendering of the entrance improvements, click here.

U.S. Coast Guard Lease- The Board approved a supplemental lease agreement with the United States of America which will enable the U.S. Coast Guard to continue providing boating safety and homeland security services along the Orange County coast. Since 1953, under a variety of leases, the County has leased land in Newport Harbor to the United States of America for use by the U.S. Coast Guard in support of its operations serving the Orange County coast. The lease is on the County's Harbor Patrol Facility property and includes a 1,115 sq. ft. office/storage building and an adjoining pier. Coast Guard services include maintaining navigational aids; performing search and rescues; inspecting boats and other watercraft for safety compliance; interdicting shipments of illegal drugs and other contraband; and providing homeland security services. For an aerial photo of the Coast Guard harbor patrol facility, click here.

OPA Storm Drain Projects- The Board approved the project plans and authorized OC Public Works to advertise for bids for construction of the Orange Park Acres Storm Drain-North Reach Project. As part of a two phased project, the Orange Park Acres Storm Drain-North Reach Project includes the installation of new catch basins and a storm drain line, which will connect to an existing storm drain at Amapola Avenue. Also included in the scope of work is pavement rehabilitation and new striping of Orange Park Boulevard. The second phase of the project is referred to as the Orange Park Acres Storm Drain-South Reach Project and will be implemented as soon as the first phase is completed. Construction of this project will eliminate flooding along a portion of Orange Park Boulevard and adjacent private properties, and will improve public safety. For a project location map of the Orange Park Acres Storm Drain-North Reach Project, click here. For a project location map of the Orange Park Acres Storm Drain-South Reach Project, click here.

Orange County Exploring Program- The Board approved a resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Orange County Exploring Program. The Specialty Exploring Program, an affiliate of the Boy Scouts of America, was started in 1959 and was developed by William H. Spurgeon III. The Newport Beach Post 201 was the first specialty Explorer Post in the country. This was followed by Post 449 which was also organized in 1959 by Orange County Sheriff James A. Musick and became the first Explorer law enforcement post in the nation. For the past 50 years these programs have provided young adults with opportunities to gain experience in fields such as medicine and health, law enforcement, aviation, law and government, and engineering. To view the resolution honoring Explorer Post 201, please click here. To view the resolution honoring Explorer Post 449, please click here.

Public Defender Attorney Fellowship Program- The Board approved a resolution ensuring that Public Defender attorneys participating in the Public Defender Attorney Fellowship Program are given the same defense for acts of omission and workers compensation as a regular Public Defender. The one-year fellowship program provides an opportunity for private law firms to provide a stipend, and give their new employees training in criminal law, trial experience, and also provide valuable services at no cost to the County.

Planning Department Presentation- In response to the County’s Performance Audit report of the County’s Planning Department, interim OC Public Works Director Jess Carbajal provided the Board with a presentation on the preliminary changes that have been implemented. For a copy of the presentation, click here.

ReadyOC- In recognition of September as "National Preparedness Month", Chair Bates provided a proclamation and announced the re-launch of ReadyOC.org. ReadyOC is a public service campaign funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) aimed at educating and empowering Orange County residents, businesses and the community to better prepare for any kind of natural, health or man-made threat. For more information on ReadyOC, click here. For pictures from Chair Bates presentation, click here.

H1N1 2009 Influenza- The Board received an oral update from Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) Director Dave Riley on H1N1 Influenza (swine flu). Dave Riley reported that the Agency’s efforts have included coordination and planning with various hospitals, school districts, community clinics, businesses, police and fire departments for vaccinations. H1N1 vaccines will be provided to the County at no supply cost by the Federal Government. Dave Riley announced that HCA will be receiving approximately $2 million from the State to assist the community in staffing support for vaccines at local clinics throughout the county. Additionally, he reported that the County anticipates an additional $500,000 for local clinics and hospitals to coordinate vaccinations. For more information on the vaccine and how to protect yourself, please click here.

Bus Service Change Update- At Monday’s Board meeting, the OCTA Board of Directors received more information on the three approaches being examined by staff to reduce OCTA bus operations by 300,000 more service hours in March 2010. The three approaches being examined are to reduce service on the routes with the least number of riders, to reduce service proportionally through the system, and to reduce service by modifying days and/or hours of operations. OCTA staff continues to examine the ridership and bus route data to identify the bus service which will be proposed for reduction. As OCTA develops a reduction proposal, it is seeking public comment on the alternatives and approaches for reducing service. Public comment and input is being sought at three community meetings, a public hearing and at Board of Directors meetings. The three community meetings will be held on September 24, September 29, and October 1. The public hearing will be held on October 26. For more information on the community meetings, click here. For more information on the public hearing, click here, and for more information on the March reductions, click here. To view the presentation given to the Board on Monday, click here.

Go Local Agreement- The OCTA Board of Directors approved cooperative agreements with the City of Tustin for Step Two of the Go Local Program. Since cities are most familiar with the travel patterns within their communities, the Go Local Program allows for transit connections to match those patterns. Step One of the Go Local Program provided cities a $100,000 grant to identify and plan for increased transit access to Metrolink. Step Two of the program provides funding for the design and service plans for the proposed transit connections in Step One. In Tustin, the agreement allows for the planning of bus/shuttle service between the Tustin Metrolink station, City Hall and other locations in Downtown Tustin. OCTA will work with the City to assess the feasibility of their transit proposal, cost, hours, and ridership projects.

Workers’ Compensation Program- The Board of Directors also received a report on OCTA’s Workers’ Compensation Program. Over the last five years, OCTA has worked to reduce worker injury claims and to control workers’ compensation costs. These efforts have resulted in a 50.3% reduction in claims and a 52% reduction in costs since 2004. Over the last year, OCTA’s Workers’ Compensation Program has continued to perform well despite a slight increase in the number of worker injuries. OCTA has been able to control costs through a cooperative working relationship with labor and by implementing a stronger workplace safety program. Staff and labor are to be commended for their efforts on this program. To view a chart summarizing OCTA’s workers’ compensation costs and risk, click here.

Fare Integration Study- OCTA has conducted a fare integration study which examined the various fare collection technologies being used by surrounding transit agencies and in the transportation industry. The study also explored strategies for integrating the methods of fare collection being used by OCTA and our neighboring transit systems. As a result of changes in technology and new collection methods being implemented by our surrounding transit systems, OCTA’s study was necessary to ensure better collection of fares on our intra-county bus system and to ensure better integration of inter-county systems. To view the presentation, click here.

Metrolink Ridership- During the fourth quarter of FY 2008-09, Metrolink ridership decreased. Weekday ridership on the Orange County lines decreased 7.4% compared to the fourth quarter of last year. Ridership was down 5.5% on the OC Line, 3.5% on the 91 Line, and 19.73% on the Inland Empire/OC line. Ridership has also decreased on the weekends. Compared to the same quarter last year, weekend ridership is down 13.7%. The decrease in ridership reflects the economic impact that the recession has had on the Inland Empire and Orange County.

Diesel Truck Upgrades- The AQMD Board of Directors voted to work with the California Air Resources Board to approve the issuance of a program to fund truck replacements in the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. The program is funded through the Proposition 1B Goods Movement Program, the two ports, and the South Coast AQMD. The program is designed to replace or retrofit pre-2004 heavy duty diesel trucks with 2007 certified diesel and natural gas trucks serving intermodal rail yards. To view the staff presentation, please click here.

VOC Update- The AQMD Board voted to add several compounds to the list of exempt compounds under Rule 102. The U.S. EPA has de-listed these compounds from their list of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) because of their minimal photochemical reactivity. VOCs are defined by the EPA for purposes of preparing statewide implementation plans to achieve national ambient air quality standards as part of the Agency’s work to cut down on ozone pollution and meet provisions directed by the Clean Air Act. To view the staff presentation, please click here.

AD 72 Update- Orange County Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley has added information to the ROV website regarding the pending 72nd Assembly District special election. Although the special election has yet to be officially called by the Governor, it provides useful information on the election as it currently stands. As soon as the election is called, the ROV will launch a candidate handbook, detailed "stay connected" page and campaign finance information. You can access the page directly by clicking here.

I adjourned this week’s Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of Riverside County Supervisor Roy Wilson, Trabuco Canyon resident Leonard Schwendeman, and Fountain Valley resident Benita Nichols. To read my adjournments, please click here. I ask that you keep Supervisor Wilson, Leonard Schwendeman, Benita Nichols and their families, in your thoughts and prayers.

I traveled to Camp Pendleton with Supervisor Bates and Lake Forest Mayor Pro Tem Peter Herzog to meet with the new base commander, Colonel Nicholas F. Marano. To read more about Col. Marano, click here. For pictures, click here.

I toured the County’s newly constructed Tustin Family Campus (TFC) with Social Services Agency Director Ingrid Harita, Children and Family Services Division Director Mike Ryan, Program Manager David Zietz, Children and Families Commission Assistant Director Kelly Pijl, and Kathleen Freed, a consultant to the Commission. The TFC is located on the former Tustin MCAS, adjacent to the Advanced Technology & Education Park campus. The housing is designed to serve four different populations including the Mother-Child Residential Homes for up to 15 mothers and their children in a sober living environment; Specialized Youth Homes for Orange County dependent youth ages 12 to 18; Transitional Homes for young adults exiting the foster care system; and Early Development Residential Homes for siblings up to six years of age. The Social Services Agency has contracted out the program operations to different specialty care providers based on the populations being served. Mothers, children and young adults are expected to begin moving into TFC in October. For pictures from my tour, please click here.

I met with representatives from the Orange County Council of the Boy Scouts of America. For a picture, click here. During our meeting, I was informed that the Boy Scouts’ new Outdoor Education Center has hosted over 6,000 visitors since the beginning of this year. For a list of groups who have visited the Outdoor Education Center, click here. For more information about the Outdoor Education Center, click here.

Mary and I attended a post-fast dinner (iftar) at the home of Betul and Nazim Birkent in the city of Tustin in observance of Ramadan. We were joined by Tezcan and Sibel Inanlar, and Savas and Gulen Yilmaz. We were served marvelous Turkish dishes and experienced wonderful hospitality. To those in observance of Ramadan, may you be well throughout the year. Eid Mubarak! For pictures, click here. For information on Ramadan, click here.

I attended the 2009 United Way Leadership Breakfast which was chaired by Orange County Probation Chief Colleene Preciado. During the program, OC Probation Department employees Ray Green, Chelsea Huls, Nick Titus and Nelson Tuiolosega sang "The Star Spangled Banner". The special guest speaker was George Willis, Vice President of Southern California District of UPS who discussed the Annie E. Casey Foundation which supports juvenile diversion from correctional facilities. For pictures, click here.

I attended an event to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Families Forward at the home of Cinda and Steve Churm in the city of Irvine. I was joined by my Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang. For pictures, click here. For more information on Families Forward, please click here.

On sundown Friday begins Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and the start of the High Holidays which concludes with Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah is observed as a day of rest, prayer, and reflection on God’s final judgment. I want to wish all of the Orange County Jewish community Shana Tova! (A good year)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Irvine Lake’s First Annual Legends of Rock Concert- On Saturday, September 19 from 1 pm to 9 pm, Irvine Lake is hosting its first annual Legends of Rock Concert. For more information, please click here.

All Canyons Clean-Up- The Inter-Canyon League, Fire Safe Council, Ware Disposal, Canyon Septic, and Trails4all are requesting volunteers for their annual trash clean up. The event is scheduled for September 19 from 9 am to 4 pm at the intersection of Modjeska Canyon Road and Santiago Canyon Road. For more information, please 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.

Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch- On Saturday, September 19, the Irvine Park Railroad pumpkin patch opens for the public. The pumpkin patch will be open on weekdays from 10 am to 5 pm, and from 10 am to 6 pm on weekends. For more information, please click here.

Brea Wellness Festival- On Saturday, September 26, the City of Brea will feature a special Wellness Festival at the Brea Community Center. For more information, 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.

Tustin MCAS- On Monday, September 21 at 5:30 pm, the City of Tustin is showing a video documentary on the history of the MCAS Tustin Hangars at the Clifton C. Miller Community Center. 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.