New Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs- The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs (AOCDS). The new agreement calls for current deputies to begin paying for a portion of their pension costs. By the third year of the agreement, they will contribute 5% of their pay towards the pension costs. This MOU includes a new lower tier pension formula of 3% at 55 for any new deputy sheriffs including pension contributions of 6.5%. In addition, the MOU reforms overtime pay rules and provides no general salary increases for the duration of the contract. It is estimated that this new agreement with AOCDS will save $6.8 million annually.

2nd Quarter Budget Report- The Board received the 2nd Quarter Budget Report from County Budget Director Frank Kim. The report continued to highlight stress on the County’s Budget due to the prolonged national recession, state budget imbalances, effects of declining housing prices, lower spending by the consumer, and high unemployment in the county. There seems to be a leveling-off from the economic collapse of FY 2008-2009 and the early data is showing signs of stabilization of county home values and retail sales activity. Overall, the County’s expenses are 20% below projections; General Fund Reserves are at $279 million. The steep decline in Proposition 172 revenues has leveled-off better than expected from November, and the County has reduced the total number of authorized positions to its lowest level in five years. To view the Budget Director’s presentation to the Board, please click here.

CAPS+/HR Payroll Update- The Board received an update on the CAPS+/HR Payroll system project from Orange County Auditor Controller David Sundstrom. The CAPS+ /HR payroll is a major systems update of the County’s payroll automation system which is scheduled to be complete in January 2011. To view the report, please click here.

Tustin Unified School District School Facilities Improvement Bonds- The Board approved a revised resolution for the issuance of School Facilities Improvement Bonds for the Tustin Unified School District. This revised resolution will allow for the inclusion of Recovery Act Bonds and Convertible Capital Appreciation Bonds as part of the series issuance which have become available since the Board’s original resolution in June 2009.

Browning Avenue Sidewalk Gap Closure Project- The Board approved plans and authorized bids for the Browning Avenue Sidewalk Gap Closure Project. This project will construct approximately 1,270 feet of new sidewalk along the west side of Browning Avenue in North Tustin, from 120 feet north of Riverford Road to Irvine Boulevard. This project will provide a gap closure between existing sections of sidewalk used by students at C.E. Utt Middle School and nearby residents. The project will include construction of a concrete sidewalk behind the existing curb, reconstruction of curb ramps, minor grading on private property to match new elevations, and/or installation of small retaining walls, and reconstruction of an alleyway entrance. For a project location map, click here.

Grove Oak Drive Storm Drain Improvement Project- The Board awarded a contract to Ted Company in the amount of $66,085 for the Grove Oak Drive Storm Drain Improvement project in North Tustin. The purpose of the Grove Oak Drive Storm Drain project is to relieve existing flooding problems from the intersection of Grove Oak Drive and Calm Hill Circle to approximately 180 feet to the northwest. Project improvements consist of installing 200 linear feet of 18-inch reinforced concrete pipe along Grove Oak Drive, removal and replacement of asphalt concrete pavement, construction of curb and gutter, inlet, and junction structures. To view a project location map, click here.

Santa Ana River Interceptor Line- The Board approved a resolution acknowledging the County’s willingness to accept fee title to the right-of-way proposed to be relinquished by Caltrans for the Santa Ana River Interceptor Line relocation and other flood control purposes. Caltrans plans to convey to the County fee title to a portion of the right-of-way along the westbound SR-91 between Weir Canyon Road and the Green River Golf Club entrance bridge for utility relocation and for construction of flood control improvements to the Santa Ana River. The proposed pipeline relocation will begin on the Green River Golf Club property at the existing metering station on the north side of the river and will cross the golf course to the south bank of the river. The remainder of the alignment will continue along the south bank of the river to SAVI Ranch near Weir Canyon Road. For a project location map, click here.

Inside the Outdoors Program- The Board approved an agreement with the Orange County Superintendent of Schools for the Inside the Outdoors Program. First established in 1974, the Inside the Outdoors program has featured a partnership between the Orange County Department of Education and the County at OC Parks regional and wilderness park facilities. The program is designed to offer student experiences in the natural world. To learn more about the Inside the Outdoors Program, click here.

Sheriff Training- The Board approved an agreement with the University of California, Irvine (UCI) for the continuation of a collaborative project with the Sheriff-Coroner Department for residency training and medical student externships for pathology students. The agreement is mutually beneficial, and there is no cost to the County.

Imperial Highway (State Route 90) and Associated Road Smart Street Brea Project- Last year, Assembly Bill 672 authorized the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to approve a Letter of No Prejudice for transportation projects funded by Proposition 1B. Prop. 1B provided $1 billion for transportation improvements throughout the state but due to financial problems, the State has not been able to sell bonds to fund the improvements. Obtaining a Letter of No Prejudice for a project allows local agencies to spend local funds in advance of an allocation of Prop. 1B funds, and allows for reimbursement by the State at a later date. The Imperial Highway (State Route 90) and Associate Road Smart Street Brea Project is one of the projects to be funded by Prop. 1B. The project will add a fourth westbound lane on Imperial Highway and improve connecting roadways in the Brea area. The OCTA Board of Directors authorized staff to obtain a Letter of No Prejudice for the Imperial Highway project from the CTC. Obtaining a Letter of No Prejudice will allow OCTA to keep the project on schedule, and the Authority to take advantage of the favorable construction market.

I-405 HOT Lane Study- The Board of Directors voted to continue studying the addition of high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on the I-405 as one alternative under study for reducing traffic congestion on the I-405. To view the presentation given to the OCTA Board of Directors, click here.

Jobs for Main Street Act- This past December, the House of Representatives passed the Jobs for Main Street Act. The act is a second economic stimulus bill, which if approved by the United States Senate, will provide additional funding for transportation improvements. If the House version of the bill is approved, California expects to receive $2.6 billion for freeway, street and road projects. Due to criticism that the first economic stimulus bill did not create new jobs fast enough, this bill requires that 50 percent of the stimulus funding must be under contract within 90 days of the bill’s enactment. OCTA has been working with local agencies and the state to develop a preliminary list of potential projects that can meet this readiness requirement. To meet the requirement, projects must have environmental clearance, be fully designed, and meet the requirements of the State Transportation Improvement Program.

Peer Review Audit Update- Last week, I reported that I had met with the peer review audit team which was performing an independent audit of OCTA’s Internal Audit Department. The purpose of the audit was to evaluate the department’s internal quality control systems. The peer review auditors completed their audit. The audit team found that the Internal Audit Department’s internal quality control systems are suitably designed and operating effectively to ensure compliance with the Government Accounting Standards. To read the letter issued by the audit team, click here.

Employees of the Year- On Monday, the OCTA Board of Directors recognized OCTA’s Employees of the Year for 2009. I would like to congratulate Coach Operator of the Year James Da Vanzo, Maintenance Employee of the Year Joel Rule, and the Administrative Employee of the Year Andy Oftelie, on receiving this honor.

Traffic and Revenue Update- The Foothill Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) reported toll revenues of $7,691,199 and transactions of 4,395,545 for the month of January. Revenues were up 2.2% and transactions were down 9.0% over the January 2009 figures. The San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency (SJHTCA) reported toll revenues of $6,663,040 a 2.4% decrease from January 2009. The SJHTCA transactions were 1,957,541 for the month of January which represented an 8.2% decrease over January 2009.

Mary and I attended the Legatus 2010 Annual Summit Conference at the St. Regis Hotel in Dana Point. The theme was "Challenging the Culture." We heard many great speakers and attended religious services at St. Edwards Church in Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano Basilica. Some of the speakers included former President George W. Bush, Callista and Newt Gingrich, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas J. Donohue, Francis Cardinal George of Chicago, TV star Patricia Heaton, former Comptroller General of U.S. David Walker, TV host of Grace before Meals Fr. Leo Pataligua, and Eduardo Verastegui, star of Bella. Eduardo showed us a recently produced 30 minute video entitled Butterfly Circus which can be viewed on YouTube. To see pictures from the event, click here.

I met with Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and members of her command staff to discuss the status of the Sheriff’s proposal to house Federal immigration prisoners in Orange County jails.

I met with George Basye from Aera Energy to discuss the status of the Aera property north of the city of Brea.

Mary and I had dinner with former OCTA Chief Executive Officer and current Los Angeles METRO Chief Executive Officer Art Leahy and his wife.

Mary and I toured the Santa Ana Armory for the homeless and met with Larry Haynes, Executive Director of Mercy House, the program operator. The Orange County Cold Weather Armory Emergency Shelter program provides up to 400 beds per night for the homeless at the National Guard Armories in Fullerton and Santa Ana. The homeless receive a nutritious meal, a warm shower, and a safe place to sleep. Volunteers and local service providers are onsite to pass out donations and provide access to services. For pictures, click here. For information on the Mercy House program and how to volunteer, please click here.

I met with Orange County Auditor-Controller David Sundstrom and received an update on the CAPS+ Human Resources Payroll upgrade and the new Property Tax Management System (PTMS) project under development by his department.

Third District staff attended the Orange Chamber of Commerce’s “State of the City” luncheon and provided proclamations honoring Dr. Michael and Jean Abdulla for the 2009 Citizens of the Year award, and Care Ambulance Service and Conca D'Oro Italian Restaurant for the 2009 Business of the Year awards. For pictures, click here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Valentine’s Day Wedding Ceremonies- Orange County Clerk-Recorder Tom Daly will open the Fullerton office for wedding ceremonies on Valentine’s Day even though it falls on a Sunday. Department staff have volunteered to work on Valentine’s Day and will take compensatory time off during the regular work week. Couples must reserve space for their marriage ceremony in advance. Office hours for Sunday, February 14, will be from 9 am to 4 pm, accommodating up to 42 wedding ceremonies. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (714) 834-2588. Fifty couples tied the knot on Valentine’s Day last year, which fell on a Saturday. In 2008, 141 couples were married in the offices of the Clerk-Recorder. An average of 28 couples are married on a typical weekday. For more information, please click here.

Irvine’s Sweetheart’s Ball- On Friday, February 12 from 7 pm to 9 pm, the City of Irvine is hosting a sweetheart dance for ages 14 and older at the Lakeview Senior Center. For more information, click here.

Parent’s Valentine’s Night Out- On Friday, February 12 from 6 pm to 10 pm, the City of Tustin is hosting babysitting for children ages 5 to 12 at the Tustin Family Youth Center. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. For more information, call (714) 573-3370, or click here.

Valentine’s Dance in Yorba Linda- On Sunday, February 14, from 1 pm to 5 pm, enjoy dancing to polka music by Roger and The Villager's at the annual Pope John Paul II Polish Center's Paczki & Valentine's Dance. Traditional Polish food will be available for purchase along with Paczki, a traditional confectioned donut. This fund raising event is a pre-Lenten celebration hosted by the Ladies Guild to help with various community organizations. The Pope John Paul II Polish Center is located at 3999 Rose Dr., Yorba Linda. For more information, call (714) 996-8161.

Pajama Story Time at El Modena Library- On Monday, February 15 from 6 pm to 6:30 pm, the El Modena Branch Library is hosting a pajama story time for children ages 3 to 6. For more information, click here.

Wildlife Cartooning- On Sunday, February 21 from 1 pm to 4 pm, Inside the Outdoors is hosting wildlife cartooning and a live animal sketching family workshop. Advanced registration is required and space is limited. For reservations please call (714) 708-3885, or click here.

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is hosting a multi-agency night waterpoint exercise in the Irvine Lake area during the first week in March. In preparation for this event, OCFA will conduct two small scale drills with a single helicopter the evenings of February 12th and February 19th.

County offices will be closed on Friday, February 12 and Monday, February 15 in observance of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday and U.S. President’s Day.

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

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