NELSON TEAM
Denis Bilodeau
Chief of Staff

Audra Adams
Policy Advisor /
Communications Director

Steve Spernak
Policy Advisor

David Zenger
Policy Advisor

Scott Carpenter
Policy Advisor

Mark Lopez
Policy Advisor

Neha Sata
Executive Aide

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Welcome to Nelson's E-News!

This is my last newsletter of FY 2011-12. As we look forward to the coming year, I would like to reassure you that on Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors adopted a balanced budget that will ensure we can all enjoy both a high quality of life and continue to live within our means. In fact, as just one example, the Board voted to save $50,000 of your tax dollars on one item at Tuesday’s meeting. Details of this can be found below. Although the savings could have been higher, hopefully this is a trend that continues.

There is a lot of other good news to report. In this edition and during this tough economic time, I want to draw your attention to some positive news as you continue reading. My office recently participated in welcoming a new business, Goodrich Systems, to the City of Brea. There are also many opportunities for you to get involved in the community. Among these is tomorrow’s 2012 Pet Fair “California Dreamin’” hosted by OC Animal Care.

Of course, there remain many challenges as various issues remain unresolved. Perhaps the most pressing is the ongoing lawsuit with the State over the County’s $73.5 million VLF dollars. Should the State successfully take this revenue, the County’s budget and residents will be severely impacted. However, with your participation, I look forward to continuing to serve our communities.

As a reminder, the County will be closed in observance of Independence Day this Wednesday. The Board of Supervisors will be dark on Tuesday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 10. Its next meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 17 at 9:30am, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana 92701. Please have a fun and safe Fourth of July!

Sincerely,
Shawn Nelson.

The County’s Crosswalk Warning Light System and Radar Speed Feedback Sign Project will construct “in-pavement” flashing crosswalk lights at the intersection of Gilbert St. and Guinida Lane, similar to one recently constructed at the intersection of Gilbert Street and Banta Ave. This project will include a new street light on the west side of the intersection as well as an electronic radar feedback sign in the northbound direction of Gilbert Street just north of Cerritos Ave. The project was developed with input and concurrence from the City of Anaheim and will be coordinated to expedite the permitting process. The estimated project cost is $80,000.00. The anticipated construction start date is September 12, 2012 and work is scheduled for a total of 21 days.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the Board decided its funding level for the Human Relations Council (HRC), a non-profit created 20 years ago meant for “developing and implementing proactive human relations programs in partnership with schools, corporations, cities, foundations and individuals.”

Ultimately, Supervisors approved a $50,000 reduction to the council’s proposed budget of $302,000 in FY 2012-13. This 17% decrease was followed by a direction that staff to return next year with options to further phase down subsidizing the HRC over the next four years and provide clarification on the council’s role and the services it provides.

However, detailing a palpable absence during last year’s turmoil in the Fullerton community following the death of Kelly Thomas, Supervisor Nelson urged defunding the council by $203,000.

Read more about the Human Relations Council reduction in the news.

With more than 850,000 riders boarding Metrolink and Amtrak trains every year, Fullerton is one of the busiest stations in the county.

The four-level structure features a pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard to provide direct access to the train platforms, an open design to promote safety and aesthetic elements that integrate with the existing SOCO development.

Construction began on the structure in March 2011 as part of OCTA’s Metrolink Service Expansion Program, which added additional train service between Fullerton and Laguna Niguel. The new structure will augment the current 510 parking spaces available at the station.

The $33 million project is funded with $10.5 million from Measure M, the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, $10.5 million from Proposition 116 and additional state and local funds.

The structure is located on the corner of Harbor Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue and was built by Bomel Construction Company.

As you may have noticed while traveling on Placentia Avenue over the past week, a portion has been closed to allow construction crews to shift the railroad tracks and prepare for the opening of a new bypass road. This closure will continue through the weekend. Once Placentia Avenue reopens, drivers will use the temporary road while work continues on the undercrossing project.

The full closure will end at 6 a.m. on Monday, July 2. Detour signs are posted and the suggested route is as follows:

• Traveling southbound on Placentia Avenue, turn right at Chapman Avenue, left at State College Boulevard and left at Orangethorpe Avenue
• Traveling northbound on Placentia Avenue, turn left at Orangethorpe Avenue, right at State College Boulevard and right at Chapman Avenue

During its meeting yesterday, the Orange County Council of Governments adopted its FY 2012-13 budget, which included three major areas.

First, Board members approved the $320,000 budget by a 13-1 vote, which also increased funding through higher member dues in the coming year. For the County of Orange, this equates to a membership assessment increase from $5,000 in the current fiscal year ending June 30 to $9,000 in the next fiscal year beginning July 1.

Following an amendment to one of the 23 major focus areas contained in the proposed FY 2012-13 work plan, the Board supported its adoption by the same margin. Instead of calling for a discussion on Orange County’s designation as its own Metropolitan Planning Organization, separate from Los Angeles, the seventh listed item was restated to more generally discuss and explore the purpose of an MPO and what role OCCOG might have.

Finally, the decision to recruit a permanent Executive Director for OCCOG passed 12-1 with one abstention. The necessity of this hinges on the ultimate future of OCCOG during this upcoming “transition” year in which the Board will discuss more in-depth how active the organization should be.

The OCCOG is a joint powers agency comprised of a voluntary association of member local governments and agencies in Orange County. This organization was intended to establish a unified Orange County position in performing its charge as an official sub region of the Southern California Association of Governments, the federally designated MPO. Its responsibilities include protecting Orange County interests in SCAG’s development of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation to local jurisdictions in the six-county SCAG region and providing input and recommendations on new requirements relating to SB 375.

Below are the adopted membership dues for FY 2012-13 and estimated dues for FY 2013-14, forming approximately 75% of OCCOG’s budget. To view the entire agenda, including the budget item, click here. For more information about OCCOG’s role, its members and meeting times, visit OCCOG online.

The 4th District has vacant appointments on the following commissions or committees:

Fourth District representative, George Gabriel (left), presents a certificate to United Dental Group in recognition of their grand opening. The ribbon cutting ceremony welcomed United Dental Group into the Fullerton business community and thanked them for choosing Fullerton as its location. United Dental Group is a dental corporation based in Korea that is expanding into various southern California locations. The dental office offers state of the art technology and a modern presentation to its customers. With the support of the Fullerton community, United Dental Group will allow all Fullerton residents to smile bright! The Fourth District is proud to recognize this wonderful addition to the Fullerton community!

Supervisor Nelson was honored to welcome Goodrich Sensors and Integrated Systems to Brea with their grand opening and ribbon cutting this week. Hosted by the Brea Chamber of Commerce, the event kicked off their new operations center in Orange County for 280 employees who design, engineer, fabricate, performance test and ship worldwide their search and rescue winches, in-flight data recorders, and technical air-data aviation software. The Orange County operation, located at Imperial Hwy at Kraemer, will infuse a projected $8 million in positive economics into OC and offer technical jobs and supply-side subcontractors with unprecedented growth and opportunities as military and civilian vendors.

Free Summer Concert Series

Angels' Bobby Wilson at the Zoo!

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Buena Park – One Stop Center

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OC Used Oil Recycling on Facebook

Fun Programs for Preschool Kids – Brea

Fullerton
What: Fullerton Recreational Riders Gymkhana Show
Where: Fullerton Recreational Arena, 2900 Lakeview Way
When: Saturday, July 14th, 2012
Time: 9 a.m.

Anaheim
What: The Orange County Fire Services Association Annual Summer Show
Where: Anaheim Convention Center
When: Sunday, July 8th, 2012
Time: 10 a.m.

Buena Park
What: Rail Road Exhibit
Where: California Welcome Center, 6601 Beach Blvd Buena Park, CA 90621
When: Saturday, July 7th, 2012
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

La Habra
What: “How to Thwart Identity Theft”
Where: La Habra Branch Library, 221 E La Habra Blvd, La Habra
When: Sunday, July 4th, 2012
Time: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Brea
What: Movies in the Park (Dolphin Tale)
Where: City Hall Park, 401 S. Brea Blvd.
When: Friday, July 6th, 2012
Time: 8 p.m.

Placentia
What: Muckenthaler Luau
Where: 1201 West Malvern, Fullerton
When: Thursday, July 12th, 2012
Time: 6 p.m.