Planned Parenthood TSR Subcontract- At Tuesday’s meeting, the Board unanimously voted to provide a 30-day notice of intent to suspend funding to the Coalition of Orange County Community Clinics for the provision of Planned Parenthood services. The Board directed Health Care Agency (HCA) staff to return to the Board with recommendations for alternative providers. In June of the last year, the Board approved the FY 2008-09 Agreement with the Coalition of Orange County Community Clinics (Coalition) for the provision of Community Clinic Services funded with Tobacco Settlement Revenue (TSR) funding. In accordance with state law, and through its agreement with the Coalition, 20% of TSR funding is distributed to community clinics to support programs that directly provide medical, dental, or mental health services, health promotion, and health education to low–income adults or children in Orange County. Unbeknownst to the Board at the time of approval of the contract with the Coalition, one of the community clinics which the Coalition subcontracted with to provide these services was Planned Parenthood. My reason for voting to suspend the funding to Planned Parenthood is in line with the fact the when the County votes to fund something, it is akin to putting the "good housekeeping" stamp of approval on that organization. I do not believe that government funds should be provided to an organization that advocates for abortions.

Equestrian Center at OC Fairgrounds- The Board unanimously approved a Resolution supporting the preservation of the Equestrian Center facilities at the Orange County Fairgrounds and opposed any action that would reduce the number of available stables. Over the last ten years, the county has lost more than 1,400 stalls, and in the past 20 years, the county has seen a 78% reduction in agricultural lands. Because of this, I believe the preservation of the existing stables represents a significant public benefit. The Board heard from numerous citizens throughout the county, including Third District Residents: Jeffery Kelly of Trabuco Canyon, Tom Davidson of Orange Park Acres, and Laura Thomas of Orange Park Acres. To view a copy of the Board’s Resolution, please click here.

Irvine University Park Branch Library- The Board awarded a construction contract to Thomco Construction, Inc. for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Restroom Upgrade and Interior Branch Modification Project for the Irvine/University Park Branch Library. These upgrades will support compliance with the ADA, provide more efficient use of space for the library work areas, expand the Friends of the Library Bookstore by creating a new work room, and upgrade the interior of the Library. Funding for this project was committed through the use of revenues as a result of the Laguna Niguel Library sale.

Irvine Police Training- The Board approved an Agreement between the City of Irvine Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for use of the County owned training facility. The agreement allows the Irvine Police Department to utilize the shooting ranges, tactical training villages, driving and force option simulators, and classrooms. The City of Irvine will pay for all costs and rental fees associated with use of the property.

Results of the County Employee Food Drive- The Board received a presentation from OC Community Services staff on the results of the Annual County Employees Food Drive. This year’s theme was "Food for Love". The two Food Bank partners were the Second Harvest Food Bank and Community Action Partnership. The top three County agencies that collected the most food were OC Public Libraries, Social Services Agency, and the Health Care Agency. County employees collected 15,820 of the 18,765 pounds, or nearly 10 tons of food. The remaining food was collected by Federal, State, City of Santa Ana employees, and the Office of Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. The total number of meals resulting from the food drive efforts was 38,000. The number of organizations that were served was over 400. The types of organizations that were served were homeless shelters, homeless outreach programs, kid's cafes, church food pantries, senior meals, seniors brown bag lunch programs, recovery homes, and other social service programs. The total number of collection locations was 115.

June 2009 Bus Service Reductions- On Monday, the OCTA Board of Directors received a presentation on the bus service being proposed for reduction in June. The service changes will increase the time between buses, eliminate some trips, reduce service hours, and shorten Route 60 which travels into the City of Long Beach. These changes in service are needed to reduce OCTA operating expenses. With the elimination and reduction of state and local transportation funding, OCTA must reduce its bus service to ensure a balance between operating costs and revenues. To view a summary of the June 2009 service changes, click here.

91 Express Lanes Toll Adjustment- In July 2003, OCTA adopted a toll policy for the 91 Express Lanes which bases toll prices on congestion management pricing. The policy is designed to optimize 91 Express Lanes traffic flow at free-flow speeds. To accomplish this, hourly traffic volumes in the 91 Express Lanes are continually monitored. Once the hourly traffic volumes are consistently too high and there is the potential for traffic congestion, an increase in the rate is made. If hourly traffic volumes drop below optimal levels, a decrease in the toll rate is made. Last October, the first decrease in the toll rate was implemented. On Monday, the Board of Directors received a presentation on how traffic has responded to the toll reductions. While traffic year-to-date is down, the reduction has resulted in an 8.90% increase in traffic during the 14 hours per week in which the toll rate was lowered. Click here to view the presentation.

Ortega Highway (SR-74) Operational Improvement Study- In December 2005, OCTA and the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) approved a locally preferred strategy for improving mobility between the two counties as part of the Riverside/Orange County Major Investment Study part of the locally preferred strategy. The intent of the study was to evaluate operational improvements along Ortega Highway (SR-74). On Monday, the Board received the Ortega Highway Operation Improvement Study which evaluated traffic flow and movement along the SR-74. To view a copy of the study, click here.

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. We received the revenue and transaction reports for the month of February. The SJHTCA reported toll revenues of $6,384,910 and transactions of 1,976,640 for the month. Revenues were down 10.2% and transactions were down 15.7%, as compared to February 2008. The F/ETCA reported toll revenues of $7,001,945 and transactions of 4,483,286 for the month. Revenues and transactions were down 13.2 % and 12.6% respectively, as compared to February 2008. The numbers are skewed 3.4% worse because in 2008, February had 29 days, while this year, February had 28 days.

SR-241 and SR 73 Widening Projects Update- Both the Foothill/Eastern (F/ETCA) and San Joaquin Hills (SJHTCA) Transportation Corridor Agency Board of Directors 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 installed a new drainage system and constructed a temporary retaining wall which will allow for the construction of the new lane and the new retaining wall. 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. Preparation has been underway for the installation of bridge foundation piles at the Newport Coast and wildlife crossing bridges. Last month, roadway excavation was completed in the southern section of the project, and it begun just north of the Catalina View Toll Plaza. 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.

February Meeting- The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Governing Board held its February meeting at the Riverside County Board of Supervisors Hall of Administration on Friday, March 6. The SCAQMD Governing Board approved two proposed rules effecting emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the basin and amended an existing rule for the reduction of PM10 emissions from cement manufacturing facilities.

Rule 1143- The Board adopted rule 1143 which will reduce emissions by establishing VOC limits and other requirements for consumerpaint thinners and multi-purpose solvents. If you desire to learn about currently available ultra-low volatility solvents, click here. The effect of the rule will be to reduce emissions by 5.94 tons per day, effective January 1, 2010.

Rule 1144– The Board adopted Rule 1144 which will establish limits for vanishing oils and rust inhibitors used at industrial facilities in January 2010. The effect of the rule will be to reduce emissions by 2.71 tons per day.

Rule 1156- The Board amended Rule 1156 which will require additional measures to reduce particulate emissions from cement manufacturing facilities. The amended Rule includes ambient monitoring to measure hexavalent chromium at cement manufacturing facilities.

March Commission Meeting- The Local Agency Formation Commission held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 11. The Commission voted to continue the North Tustin sphere of influence discussion to the June 17th meeting. To read the minutes from the meeting, please click here. The Commission also received an update on its "Best Practices" summit scheduled for Friday, March 27th. For more information on the summit, please call (714) 834-2556.

I attended the Army Corps of Engineers dedication ceremony recognizing the completion of the Prado Dam embankment and outlet works. Attendees also included Congressman Ken Calvert, Supervisor John Moorlach, U.S. Army Corps South Pacific Division Commander Colonel Janice Lembke Dombi, and U.S. Army Corps Los Angeles District Commander Colonel Thomas Magness. For a copy of the event program, click here. For pictures, click here.

I met with residents of Silverado Canyon to discuss various issues related to the Canyon community.

I met with Laer Pearce to discuss issues related to CalOptima.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Yorba Linda Veterans’ Memorial Association Fundraiser- The Yorba Linda Veterans’ Memorial Association will try to reach its final goal for the Veterans’ Memorial by holding a fundraiser from 6 to 8 pm. March 20 at Main Street Restaurant located at 4902 Main St in Yorba Linda. Cost is $25 a person. For more information call (714) 777-4551.

Irvine Public Schools Foundation Raffle- Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF) has launched its Sixth Annual Dream Raffle to support Irvine public schools on March 9th. IPSF is selling raffle tickets to raise funds for the Irvine Unified School District.This year’s Dream Raffle offers a lower ticket price of $150 and more than 75 opportunities to win a cash prize, including a $500,000 cash grand prize. For more information on the raffle, 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.