DNA Lab Presentation- District Attorney Tony Rackauckas provided an update to the Board on the OC Crime Lab which highlighted the reduction in turn-around times achieved as a result of re-structuring the Lab. The District Attorney reported a 15% reduction in process time for violent crime cases, and an 80 % reduction in process time for property crime cases. To view the presentation, please click here.

H1N1 Master Agreement- The Board approved a Master Agreement for the provision of H1N1 Emergency Vaccination Services with various providers. The Orange County Health Care Agency is actively coordinating with local providers to ensure pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccines are available to priority groups identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccines for H1N1 are anticipated to be available to providers beginning in mid-October. For provider access information, please click here.

Santa Ana River Interceptor Line- The Board approved the certification of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report, and the selection of preferred project Alternative OC 3B for the relocation of the Santa Ana River Interceptor Line, also known as the SARI Line. The SARI Line is a regional sanitary sewer pipeline that conveys raw sewage and brine from the Inland Empire and Orange County to the Orange County Sanitation District treatment plant in Fountain Valley.

The SARI Line was originally buried 20 feet below the Santa Ana river bed. Over time, the soil cover over the SARI Line between Weir Canyon Road and Prado Dam has diminished, exposing the pipeline at several locations requiring emergency repairs on a near annual basis. Additional erosion impacts from planned higher Prado Dam releases will further imperil the SARI Line, risking public health and causing environmental impacts and costly cleanup and repair work.

The SARI Line Project is a component of the Santa Ana River Mainstem Project, which is Federally authorized by Congress. Under the terms of the Local Cooperation Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Orange County Flood Control District is the local sponsor of the Santa Ana River Mainstem Project and is responsible to relocate utilities like the SARI Line that are impacted by the project. As part of the item, the Board also authorized OC Public Works to proceed with the Final Design, Construction Design Support Services, Commissioning, and Closeout for the project.

ATS Re-Engineering Update- The Board received an update from Orange County Assessor, Webster J. Guillory on the Assessment Tax System (ATS) software re-engineering project. The project is a major reprogramming of Assessor’s tax database systems for both the secured and unsecured property rolls. The new ATS system is expected to be completed in time to produce the July 2011 property tax rolls. The new system will replace the current system which is 22 years old and will become obsolete and unsupportable in the next few years. To view the Assessor’s report to the Board, please click here.

Drug Use is Life Abuse Donation- The Board accepted a donation of $150,000 from the non-profit organization Drug Use is Life Abuse to fund one deputy sheriff position as part of the Sheriff’s Community Programs and Drug Education Unit. This Unit provides drug education to public and private schools in contract cities and in the unincorporated areas.

MOU with Loma Linda University- The Board approved a non-financial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Social Services Agency (SSA) and Loma Linda University for undergraduate or graduate fieldwork experience. The MOU will allow SSA to offer students majoring in social work an opportunity to complete their required fieldwork in a public government setting.

91 Express Lane Traffic and Revenue Data- During the month of September, traffic on the 91 Express Lanes increased 6.7% compared to September 2008. The revenues also increased in September by 5.4% compared to September 2008. These increases are starkly different from the year-over-year decreases the road experienced last September. In September 2008, the 91 Express Lanes saw a 16.7% decrease in traffic compared to September 2007 and a 9.9% decrease in revenue.

Traffic and Revenue Update- The Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) reported toll revenues of $8,353,912 and transactions of 4,725,891 for the month of September. Revenues were up 5.9% and while transactions were down 4.7% compared to the September 2008 figures. The San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency (SJHTCA) reported toll revenues of $7,213,073, a 1.5% decrease from September 2008. The Agency reported 4,760,702 transactions on the SJHTCA for the month of September. This is a 7.9% decrease compared to September 2008.

Supervisor John Moorlach, Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor and I attended a dinner to celebrate the formation of the Orange County Fair & Event Center Foundation. The stated purpose of the Foundation is to preserve the Orange County Fair in light of the State’s announcement to sell the Fair property. The Foundation expects to have a website up and operating soon. I will provide that link, once available.

On the same day of the formation of the Foundation, the State of California released its Request for Proposal (RFP) for the sale of the Orange County Fairgrounds. There are some troubling elements in the RFP. First, there is no requirement to maintain the operation of the Fair for more than one year. Second, a purchase cannot be contingent on the arranging of financing. And lastly, there is a provision to allow for an auction after the sealed bids are open. These provisions may maximize revenue for the State, but it could risk the continued use of the Orange County Fairgrounds as the Fair. Fortunately, the City of Costa Mesa's General Plan identifies the 150-acre property’s land use as "Fairgrounds" and has it zoned as "Institutional and Recreational". All five Costa Mesa City Councilmembers have gone on record stating they would not vote to change the zoning or amend the General Plan use of the Fairground property. To read the RFP, click here.

October Commission Meeting- On Wednesday, the Orange County Children and Families Commission held its monthly meeting. The Commission reviewed a presentation on the Ten Year Financial Plan and discussed potential allocation scenarios for FY 2010-2011. Staff is expected to return in December, 2009, with updated funding scenarios for the Commission’s review based on the direction provided. For a copy of the presentation, please click here. The Commission also received an update on a study underway to develop a 3.5 acre parcel dedicated by the Orange County Great Park for a community center. For the report including pictures, click here.

Last weekend, Mary and I traveled to Pheonix, Arizona, to attend the annual meeting of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of Holy Sepulchre. During our trip, we visited the Gila River Indian Reservation. We saw St. John’s Mission and grounds. We observed children from the reservation Indian school perform a morning blessing and a traditional quail dance. For pictures from my trip, please click here. For pictures from the reservation, click here.

I met with Orange County Business Council Vice President of Government Affairs, Kate Klimow.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

On a recent visit to Mason Park, park visitor Dee-Dee McGann-Gollwitzer photographed two Golden Eagles flying above the park. For pictures, click here.

John Wayne Airport Service to Honolulu- Continental Airlines has announced new service from Orange County to Honolulu. Continental's new service between Orange County's John Wayne Airport (SNA) and the Honolulu International Airport (HNL) will initially operate four-times weekly, departing Orange County at 5:20 pm and arriving in Honolulu at 8:05 pm. The return flight will depart Honolulu at 11:10 pm and arrive at Orange County at 7:45 am, except on Saturdays when it will depart a half-hour later. Continental will utilize a Boeing 737-700 on the new route with 124 seats, and plans to increase the service every day during the summer. Service will begin March 7, 2010. For more information, please click here.

Brea Olinda High School E-Waste Collection- On Saturday, October 10, from 9 am to 4 pm, Brea Olinda High School will hold a free E-Waste collection fundraiser. People are encouraged to bring in their old TVs, Computers, Printers, Microwaves, Stereos, Phones, Cell Phones, VCRs, DVD players, Car Batteries, etc. Light bulbs will not be accepted. Items too large for transport can be picked up at an individual’s home during the following week for a fee of $10. For more information, call (714) 990-7850.

Movie on the Lawn- On Saturday, October 10, at 8 pm, the Orange County Great Park invites the public join them for the Great Park Movie on the Lawn. The Great Park will be showing The Dark Knight. Admission is free, but parking is $8.00. For more information, please click here.

OCFA Meet Your Local Firefighters- On Saturday, October 10, OCFA is hosting “Meet Your Local Firefighters” event at OCFA Fire Stations located throughout our community. For more information, please click here.

OC Public Libraries Closures- All OC Public Libraries will be closed on October 12, in observance of Columbus Day.

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

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