Orange County Managers Association Agreement- The Board approved a contract extension agreement with the Orange County Managers Association (OCMA). The extension agreement will continue the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) until January 2011. The agreement includes the elimination of a general 3% pay increase and the reduction and deferment of the merit performance increase which was part of the original OCMA agreement. These actions are estimated to save the County approximately $12 million over the term of the contract extension.

State of the Jails Report- Sheriff Hutchens and Assistant Sheriff Mike James presented a report outlining the status of the Orange County jail system and a forecast of the Department’s anticipated budget shortfall in FY 2010-2011. The Sheriff anticipates a reduction in revenues of $65 million on a total budget of $459.6 million. To view the report, please click here.

Fee for Notarization Services- The Board voted to oppose a $10.00 fee for the Sheriff’s Department to provide a notarized copy of a clearance letter for those seeking to prove they have no criminal history or record of arrest in Orange County. The form and notary service will continue to be provided free-of-charge.

California Commission on Peace Officers Standards Program- Orange County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Mike Mullen was presented with a certificate of recognition in celebration of his completion of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Command College Program. The program is designed to prepare current law enforcement leaders for the challenges of future leadership positions. Lt. Mullen is the first deputy to complete the program since 2002. For pictures, please click here. For information on the Command College Program, please click here.

15th Annual Conditions of Children’s Report- The Board approved the 15th Annual Report on the Conditions of Children in Orange County, and received a presentation from Social Services Agency Chief Deputy Director Dr. Michael Riley. This year’s special section of the report highlighted the impact of the economy on children and families in Orange County. To read the presentation, please click here.

Court Transfer Agreements- As part of the Trial Court Facilities Act, the Board approved two agreements that transfer responsibility of various court facilities to the State of California and relieves the County of its obligation to maintain and operate court infrastructure. Approval of these agreements will result in the transfer of a storage facility located on Armstrong Ave. in Irvine, and the Harbor Justice Center, Laguna Hills Facility, to the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Department of Justice Grant for DNA- The Board approved an agreement between the District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Justice to accept Federal funds up to $500,000 to purchase a Mobile DNA Sample Collection and Emergency Response Command Center Vehicle, and DNA processing equipment. This vehicle will also be available for use as a support vehicle in the event of a major emergency.

Irvine Regional Park Maintenance Agreement- The Board approved an agreement with Landscape Inter-Cal Construction Corporation in an amount not to exceed $129,866 for landscape maintenance services at Irvine Regional Park. Services will include seasonal mechanical and chemical edging; irrigation system maintenance and repair; aeration; minor facility maintenance; landscape maintenance; and trash collection.

Mary and I attended a barbeque at the home of Scott and Jill Richmond, honoring Dr. Mike and Jean Abdalla for their gift to the Orange Public Library Foundation’s 2010 Legacy Campaign. Through their generous gift in support of lifetime literacy, Jean and Mike will have the Dr. and Mrs. Michael Abdalla Fiction area named in their honor at the Orange Public Library. This wonderful evening was made possible with the support of the Orange City Firefighters, Tom Searles and the Tappan Foundation, and the Wine of the Month Club. For pictures, please click here.

I met with Third District constituent and appointee to the Regional Recreational Trails Advisory Committee, Peter Weztel, to discuss County trails and open space issues.

I attended the North Tustin Advisory Committee (NTAC) meeting to thank Rich Wagner for his nearly 12 years of service on NTAC. To read the proclamation I presented Rich, click here. For pictures, click here.

I met with Orange County Superior Court Presiding Judge Kim Dunning, Assistant Presiding Judge Thomas Borris and CEO Alan Carlson to discuss issues relating to the County and the Superior Court.

I hosted members of the North Tustin Advisory Committee and the Foothill/Trabuco Specific Plan Review Board as an opportunity to meet Orange County Planning Director Jess Carbajal. Jess discussed the issues that were identified in the County’s Performance Audit report on the Planning Department and addressed the actions being taken for making improvements to staff development, customer service, business processes, information systems, management, and operations. For pictures, click here.

I met with Sheriff Hutchens to discuss issues related to the Sheriff’s Department.

Third District staff attended the Irvine Valley College dedication of its new Business Sciences Technology and Innovations Center (BSTIC). The new facility is a two story state-of-the-art facility that will house business science and information technology classrooms, computer labs, lecture rooms and a resource library. In honor of the building’s dedication, my office presented a proclamation to IVC. I would like to congratulate the College on adding this additional classroom space to its campus.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Great Park Pumpkin Harvest- On Saturday, October 24, from 1pm to 5 pm, the Orange County Great Park will be hosting the second annual Great Park Pumpkin Harvest. Parking is $8.00, but admission is free. There will be pumpkin picking and decorating, kid activities, a costume parade, and petting zoo. Attendees are asked to bring non-perishable items for the Great Park Pumpkin Harvest food drive. For more information, please click here.

Old Town Tustin Art Walk- On Saturday, October 24, from 10 am to 4 pm, the City of Tustin and the Tustin Area Council on Fine Arts are supporting the second annual Old Town Art Walk on El Camino Real. The event will feature live music and street art. For more information, click here.

John Wayne Airport Improvements- Improvements are underway at John Wayne Airport and include construction of Terminal C, Parking Structure C, a Central Utility Plant, and many other improvements throughout the Airport facility. As a result, the lower/arrival level roadway will be narrowed from three lanes to two near Terminal B. If exiting south toward Campus Drive, the road narrows to one lane. In addition, the upper /departure level roadway will narrow from four lanes to three in the coming weeks. Passengers and visitors to the Airport should plan extra time, and exercise caution specifically in areas south of Terminal B toward Campus Drive. For a map and rendering of the proposed improvements, 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.