Project Labor Agreement- The Board held a second hearing on an Ordinance which would bar Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on County Public Works projects. The Board approved the Ordinance authored by Supervisor Moorlach which would bar the County from entering into a PLA on public works projects. PLAs require contractors bidding on public works contracts to enter into agreements that set forth the terms and conditions of working on a construction project to which the employer, construction unions, and contractor are signatories. By essentially requiring the utilization of union labor on public works projects, PLAs reduce the number of contractors willing to bid on public works projects to those who are willing to incur the higher costs of union labor; costs which are ultimately borne by the taxpayers. In 2004, I voted to eliminate a PLA which had been in place at the County since 2000. For a copy of the Ordinance, click here.

Santa Ana River Bikeway Trail- The Board voted to select RBF Consulting as the primary Architect-Engineer firm and URS Corporation and Moffatt and Nichol as first and second alternates respectively to perform an engineer’s report and alignment study for the completion of the County’s portion of the Santa Ana River Regional Class I Bikeway and Regional Riding and Hiking Trail from Gypsum Canyon Road to the County boundary. In December of 2007, the State Coastal Conservancy awarded $500,000 to the County for preparation of an engineer's report and alignment study for the Santa Ana River Trail and Bikeway. The award was made in response to a grant application submitted to the Coastal Conservancy on behalf of the Santa Ana River Trail and Parkway Partnership, of which the County is a member. In December of 2008, the County received written notice from the Coastal Conservancy stating that funding for the study was suspended due to the State budget crisis. Seven months later, on July 14, 2009, the County received a second written notice from the Coastal Conservancy stating that funds were available due to the regional significance of the project and the sale of bonds. Once the alignment study is completed, the County will be able to pursue an additional $10 million in funding to prepare environmental documents, design, and construct the remaining Santa Ana River Parkway Trail and Bikeway to the County boundary. For a map of the trail from Gypsum Canyon Road to the County boundary, click here.

SONGS- The Sheriff Department’s Emergency Manager Donna Boston made a presentation to the Board regarding the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) 2009 Emergency Exercise. The exercise resulted in a determination that no corrective action was necessary. Congratulations to all those who participated in this important effort. To view the presentation, please click here.

November Commission Meeting- The Commission received a presentation from The Bridgespan Group consultant, Mike Pergio, on the Long Term Financial Plan. The Commission revisited the key principals and recommendations from the 2008 Bridgespan Group Strategic Assessment, and discussed updated financial assumptions and alternative scenarios for funding allocation by program area. The Commission also approved a capital investment for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley (Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley) Child Development Center.

I attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Science Building at Foothill High School. Classes are scheduled to begin at 7 am on Monday, November 30, 2009. An open house for the community will be held on Monday, November 30 from 7 to 9 pm. For pictures from the ceremony and the new building and classrooms, please click here. Click here for a copy of the program.

Third District staff attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the SR-91 Eastbound Lane Addition Project. This event conflicted with the Board of Supervisors meeting. I was disappointed that I could not attend the ceremony because I chaired the OCTA SR-91 MIS Study which highlighted the need for this additional lane between the SR-241 and the SR-71 (Corona Expressway). To view pictures from the event, click here. For more information about the project, please click here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

John Benoit Appointed to Riverside Board of Supervisors- Governor Schwarzenegger announced this week the appointment of State Senator John Benoit to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors to fill the seat vacated by former Supervisor Roy Wilson. Supervisor Wilson resigned from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors in August of this year, and sadly passed away a few days later. I had the pleasure of serving with Supervisor Wilson on the South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing Board. I look forward to working with Senator Benoit in his new role.

H1N1 Community Clinics- On Saturday, November 7, from 10 am to 2 pm, the County’s Health Care Agency is hosting three community clinics for children ages 2 to 9 to receive free H1N1 nasal vaccines. The clinics will be held at Cox Communications in Rancho Santa Margarita, Cypress City Hall, and Fullerton College, Building 840. For more information about each clinic, please click here, or call Health Care Agency's Health Referral Line at (800)564-8448.

Yorba Linda/Placentia Veterans Association- On Monday, November 9, join the V.F.W. Post 9030 Yorba Linda/Placentia, Vietnam Veteran Association and Yorba Linda Masonic Lodge #469 as they hold a celebration event in honor of the United States Veterans. The event will take place at 12 pm at the Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial located at 4756 Valley View Avenue, Yorba Linda, CA 92885.

Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial Association- On Wednesday, November 11 the Yorba Linda Veteran's Memorial Association will host a Memorial Service to honor our Veterans on Veterans Day. This will be held at the Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial at 3 pm and there will be an Honor Guard from the Nixon Library American Legion Post. This is open to the general public, so everyone is welcome. Veterans Park is located north of Yorba Linda Boulevard on Valley View Avenue, one-half mile east of the Richard Nixon Library.

Irvine’s Veterans Tribute- On Wednesday, November 11, from 10 to 11:30 am, the City of Irvine is hosting a tribute to Veterans at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park. For more information, please click here.

Orange’s Veterans Memorial- On Wednesday, November 11, at 2pm, the City of Orange is hosting a Veterans memorial at Depot Park. For more information, please click here.

Fire Drill in Cowan Heights- As a result of the Orange County Fire Authority’s (OCFA) "Ready, Set, Go" program initiated last fall throughout certain areas in North Tustin, many residents in Cowan Heights identified concerns about the ability to safely evacuateas fire crews are entering the area,in the event of a fire, or disaster. Since that time, OCFA has been working collaboratively with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the Orange Fire Department, Tustin Police Department and the Foothill Communities Association to plan for an evacuation drillin late Springfor the 1,300 residents of Cowan Heights. The success of this drill will be dependent upon the number of residents interested in participating. If you or your neighbors are interested in participating, pleasewatch for additional information and future sign-ups. You will be updated as the planning process moves forward.

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

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

In light of the tragic shooting at Fort Hood, I have asked that the flags in the Civic Center Plaza be lowered to half staff. Please keep the families and friends of our brave soldiers in your thoughts and prayers.