| December 12, 2014 |
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Volume 2 Issue 47 |
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| Supervisor Spitzer at the Santa Ana River Interceptor Line Relocation Ribbon Cutting |
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Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) Director/Tustin Councilman John Nielsen, Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority Chairman Philip Anthony, Orange County Water District Director Cathy Green, David Van Dorpe of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, OCSD Director/Buena Park Councilman Fred Smith, OCSD General Manager Jim Herberg, OC Public Works Director Shane Silsby, Supervisor Todd Spitzer, OCSD Director/Anaheim Councilwoman Lucille Kring, OCSD Chair/La Habra Mayor Tom Beamish, and OCSD Director/Fullerton Mayor Greg Sebourn |
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(Portions courtesy of OC Public Works)
Supervisor Spitzer joined Orange County Public Works at the Santa Ana River Interceptor Line Relocation Ribbon Cutting. The $50 million project began construction in 2011 and its completion marked a major achievement for multiple organizations including OC Public Works and Flood Control District, the Orange County Sanitation District, the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, and the Army Corps of Engineers.
“Increasing flood protection is a great achievement for public safety,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer said. “I’ve always been a huge advocate for public safety and projects that protect our community.”
The Santa Ana River Interceptor Line Relocation was constructed to correct the massive erosion along a four-mile section of the Santa Ana River that had resulted in exposed pipeline. In addition to Orange County, the pipeline also serves communities in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
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Pipeline |
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| The exposed pipeline was at risk of major storm damage. Now, with the successful relocation of the pipeline, Prado Dam and the downstream channel will be able to operate at full capacity, which is the release of 30,000 cubic feet per second, or 13.5 million gallons per minute. |
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| Supervisor Spitzer Delivers Keynote Address at the Crossroads Exchange Club of Orange County |
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(Portions courtesy of Crossroads Exchange Club of OC)
Supervisor Spitzer delivered the keynote address at the Exchange Club Youth of the Year program that was hosted by the Crossroads Exchange Club of Orange County.
The program recognized hard-working high school students who attained high levels of scholastic achievement, community involvement and leadership. The program not only rewards outstanding young people, but also provides an incentive for other young adults to strive for equally high levels of achievement.
The Crossroads Exchange Club partners with four Irvine high schools - University, Woodbridge, Irvine and Northwood. Each high school selects a junior student of the month in October, January, February, March, April and May. The students and their parents are recognized at a breakfast meeting in the month they are selected.
In the following school year, when students are seniors, each school selects a Youth of the Year from its Youth of the Month recipients. The Youth of the Year students are announced at a breakfast event in December honoring all 24 of the students selected for that school year.
Supervisor Todd Spitzer spoke about the core values of the Exchange Club, which are Family, Community and Country. “I too hold those values,” Supervisor Spitzer said as he delivered his remarks that were focused on making the community a better place to live. |
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Irvine Mayor Steve Choi, Northwood High School Student Grant Hibbard, Irvine High School Student Van Ngo, Woodbridge High School Student Eliana Feinerman, University High School Student Melissa Chang, Exchange President Al Hicks and Supervisor Spitzer’s Policy Advisor Carrie O’Malley |
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| Supervisor Spitzer Tours Juvenile Hall |
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Supervisor Spitzer with Chief Deputy Probation Officer Sean Barry, Chief Probation Officer Steve Sentman and Probation staff |
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(Portions courtesy of OC Probation)
This week, the Board of Supervisors approved a grant application on behalf of Orange County Probation requesting $17,500,000 from the Board of State and Community Corrections for construction of a Multipurpose Rehabilitation Center, consisting of a visitation facility, program space and a gymnasium.
To gain a better understanding for the need of this grant and the conditions of Juvenile Hall, Supervisor Spitzer and his staff toured Juvenile Hall.
A successful grant application award would be used to fund a Multipurpose Rehabilitation Center at the Juvenile Hall and Youth Leadership Academy campus, consisting of a new visitation facility, program space and a gymnasium. The total project cost is estimated to be $23,334,000, with $17,500,000 coming from the State and the remaining portion of $5,834,000 provided by the County in the form of matching resources. |
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| Supervisor Spitzer Thanks OC Public Works for Service to the Canyons |
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OC Public Works Director Shane Silsby and Supervisor Todd Spitzer |
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(Portions courtesy of OC Public Works)
Supervisor Todd Spitzer presented OC Public Works employees with certificates of recognition for their dedicated service to the canyons. With the recent rain, the Silverado Canyon burn area in the Third District was placed under a voluntary evacuation order.
The Silverado Fire in September left a sizeable burn scar along the hills above homes in Silverado Canyon. Now that the annual storm season has begun there is potential for debris flows and mud slides in the event of heavy rainfall.
Since the September fire, OC Public Works prepared for the storm by placing thousands of feet of K-rail barriers and wood fencing in the canyon and preparing thousands of sandbags for Silverado residents. Crews continue to monitor hillsides and conditions of county roads and bridges in the area to identify any potential risks and take preventative steps as needed.
Additionally, on November 15, OC Public Works Operations & Maintenance staff conducted a workshop for Silverado Canyon residents on how to effectively place sandbags and rice bales in advance of severe storms. Staff answered questions and provided literature about helpful tips for flood, debris and erosion control guidelines for precautionary measures to help protect property during heavy rainfall.
Most recently, the County of Orange in conjunction with OC Sheriff’s Department, OC Public Works and the Orange County Fire Authority activated the Emergency Operations Center in an effort to pre-stage for a possible event.
OC Public Works provided hay bales and K-rails at the Orange County Fire Authority's Station 14 and the OC Public Works' Maintenance Yard to prevent mud flows and property damage. They also placed heavy equipment on scene for the possible need to move debris.
Residents with questions regarding sandbags or seeking additional information can contact OC Public Works at (714) 955-0200. |
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| Supervisor Spitzer Gives Lecture on Media vs. the Political Right at Chapman Univeristy |
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Supervisor Spitzer speaking to a Chapman University class |
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| Supervisor Spitzer was invited to teach a class as a guest lecturer at Chapman University in Orange. Supervisor Spitzer provided an overview of his career in local and state government and answered questions about the role of government and the media. |
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| Anaheim, Irvine, and Villa Park Councilmembers Sworn in to New Terms |
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Supervisor Todd Spitzer addresses the Irvine City Council after the oaths of office were administered |
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On Tuesday evening, oaths of office were administered to new and re-elected Councilmembers in the Cities of Anaheim, Irvine, and Villa Park.
In Anaheim, Councilwoman Gail Eastman attended her final meeting. Mayor Tom Tait and Councilwoman Kris Murray were each sworn in to a second term in their respective offices while Councilman James Vanderbilt joined the Council for the first time. Anaheim will select a new Mayor Pro Tem on December 23 to succeed Murray.
In Irvine, Councilman Larry Agran was defeated for re-election. Mayor Steven Choi and Councilman Jeff Lalloway were each sworn in to a second term in their respective offices while Councilwoman Lynn Schott joined the Council for the first time. Lalloway was selected to serve a third consecutive year as Mayor Pro Tem.
With Schott’s election, the Irvine City Council has its first-ever female majority. Schott is the eighth woman to serve on the Irvine City Council. Current Councilwomen Christina Shea and Beth Krom are the sixth and seventh women to serve on the Irvine City Council. Shea and Krom were also the third and fourth women to serve as Mayor.
In Villa Park, Councilman Brad Reese and Councilwoman Deborah Pauly were termed out of office. Councilwoman Diana Fascenelli was each sworn in to a second term while Councilmen Bill Nelson and Robert Collacott joined the Council for the first time. Rick Barnett completed his year as Mayor and was replaced by Fascenelli, who herself was succeeded as Mayor Pro Tem by Greg Mills. |
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Anaheim Councilwoman Gail Eastman |
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Outgoing Councilmembers Eastman of Anaheim and Reese of Villa Park received County proclamations from Supervisor Spitzer. New Councilmembers Vanderbilt of Anaheim, Schott of Irvine, and Nelson and Collacott of Villa Park received County certificates from Supervisor Spitzer, as did returning Mayor Tait of Anaheim, Mayor Choi of Irvine, and Councilmembers Murray of Anaheim, Lalloway of Irvine, and Fascenelli of Villa Park.
The Mayor of Anaheim is elected by voters every four years. The Mayor of Irvine is elected by voters every two years. The Mayor of Villa Park is selected on an annual basis by the members of the City Council. In all three cities, the Council selects the Mayor Pro Tem on an annual basis. |
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Villa Park City Council Members: Robert Collacott, Diana Fascenelli, Rick Barnett, Bill Nelson, and Greg Mills |
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| Orange and Tustin Tree Lightings |
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Orange Tree Lighting and the Orange Community Master Chorale |
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Supervisor Spitzer attended the 20th Annual City of Orange Tree Lighting and Candlelight Choir Procession that was held in the historic Old Towne Orange Plaza, located at the intersection of Chapman Avenue and Glassell Street.
The choir and candlelight procession into the Plaza was backed by a full orchestra led by musical director Michael Short. This year's story narrator was retired Orange Police Department Lieutenant Dave Hill. |
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Tustin Family & Youth Center Kids Corner Preschool |
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| The City of Tustin held their 30th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at the Tustin Library Outdoor Courtyard. The event features a reading of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by the Tustin Mayor performances by the Tustin Family & Youth Center Kids Corner Preschool, the Tustin Dance Center, Miss Tustin and HBP Dance Extreme. |
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| Supervisors Approve Grant Application for Chapman Ave Signal Synchronization |
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(Portions courtesy of OC Public Works)
Supervisor Spitzer and the Board of Supervisors approved a grant application for the Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program. The cost of the Chapman Avenue Corridor Traffic Signal Synchronization Project is $142,072.
The Chapman Avenue corridor from Valley View Street in the City of Garden Grove to Cliffway Drive in the City of Orange is being proposed for traffic signal synchronization. The project limits are approximately 14.2 miles and will have inter-agency coordination among four jurisdictions: the City of Orange, the City of Garden Grove, the California Department of Transportation and the County of Orange.
55 signalized intersections are within the project limits that are proposed to be synchronized. Orange County’s involvement will be for the signalized intersection at Chapman Avenue and Nearing Drive.
This traffic signal synchronization project will improve the signal coordination along this heavily traveled corridor. The grant awards are anticipated to be determined by May 2015. Project implementation is scheduled for July 1, 2015 with an end date of July 1, 2018. |
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| Board of Supervisors Renew Military Supplemental Pay |
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(Portions courtesy of OC Human Resource Services)
Supervisor Todd Spitzer and the Board of Supervisors authorized the continuation of military supplemental pay and the provision of benefits to County employees who are ordered to active or training duty.
“County staff who serve our country, defending the United States from our nation’s enemies, should not have to sacrifice their families’ financial well-being when they are already sacrificing so much already,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer said. “I was proud to have authored the original policy with Jim Silva in 2001, and I am proud that my current colleagues have renewed it, as a token of our appreciation to our fighting men and women.”
On October 16, 2001, the Board approved a Resolution to provide supplemental pay and benefits to assist employees serving in support of the national emergency declared by the President as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. On October 22, 2013, the Board reaffirmed the continuance of Resolution 05-225, which included the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts and remains in effect until either the national emergency ends, or until the supplemental pay and benefits are terminated by the Board.
The Resolution applies to employees whose military base pay is less than their County base pay. The amount of supplemental pay to be paid by the County is difference between the employee’s base pay and the employee’s military base pay.
County employees continue to be called to military and training duty. Some have been activated for indefinite periods of time. The supplemental pay and benefits allow these County employees to serve the country in the U.S. military without experiencing negative financial impact on them and their families. Last year, 15 employees received supplemental pay. Currently, there are 5 employees receiving this benefit. |
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| Pet of the Week |
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Click on the image above to view a PDF version. |
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| Events Around the District |
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Anaheim
Santa’s Ornament Workshop
Saturday, December 13, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Canyon Hills Branch Library, 400 Scout Trail
Irvine
Clinic in the Park
Sunday, December 14, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Orange County Great Park
Certified Farmers Market
Sunday, December 14, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Orange County Great Park
Orange
Crafts with Miss Grace 2014
Monday, December 15, 6:00 PM
Orange Public Library & History Center, 407 E. Chapman
Tustin
Farmers Market
Wednesday, December 17, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
El Camino Real & 3rd St.
Villa Park
Parade of Holiday D’Lights and Holiday Celebration
Sunday, December 14, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Starts at Villa Park High School on Taft Ave. and ends in the Villa Park Towne Centre
Silverado
Silverado Country-Style Christmas
Saturday, December 13, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Silverado Community Center, 26741 Silverado Canyon Road
Yorba Linda
Nixon Library Concert, Kid Singers with Conductor Paul McNeff
Sunday, December 14, 6:30 PM
Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd.
Holiday Follies
Thursday, December 18, 6:30 PM
Yorba Linda Public Library, 18181 Imperial Hwy.
For questions or comments regarding Spitzer’s E-Newsletter
please contact the Supervisor's office staff at: (714) 834-3330 or Melanie.Eustice@ocgov.com
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