NELSON TEAM
Denis Bilodeau
Chief of Staff

Audra Fishel
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!

There are many improvements continually being made in Orange County. As your County Supervisor, I hope to help deliver them with the greatest cost-effectiveness to taxpayers. Below, I have highlighted a few recent decisions made by the Board of Supervisors and the Orange County Transportation Authority on which I also sit. I had the opportunity to update the Chamber of Commerce in the Fourth District’s newest city, Brea, on many of these issues, including the County budget, staffing levels and transportation. Please continue reading to view the presentation.

As we begin to wind down the summer season, there have been many wonderful events occurring in the Fourth District. It is a pleasure to attend or have my staff attend these occasions to showcase the pride in our communities. Below are some of the events in which I have participated. If you were unable to attend any of these, there are many more opportunities to get involved. I hope you will consider joining some of the local library and OC Parks-sponsored events described below.

Although there will be a special closed session meeting on Monday, August 27, the next regular Board of Supervisors meeting will occur on Tuesday, September 11 at 9:30 am at the Hall of Administration, 333 West Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana 92701.

Sincerely,
Shawn Nelson

The Board approved a response to the June 22 release of the Grand Jury report “The Dissolution of Redevelopment” update. The County agreed with the finding that its role is and will continue to be vital as redevelopment agencies are eliminated, including consolidation of the multiple oversight boards into a single body and approval of audit contracts. However, the County disagreed with the assertion that a substitute redevelopment agency will eventually replace the former program.

In approving the response, Supervisor Nelson reiterated there is a legal definition for blight, which was, unfortunately, rarely present in the real-world application of redevelopment agency initiatives.

Attached are the full Grand Jury Report and the County’s response.

To view the Grand Jury Report, click here.
To view the County Response document, click here.

The Board selected RELATED/Griffin to contract with as the primary developer for the long-vacant Building 16 in the Santa Ana Civic Center located on Ross Street and Santa Ana Boulevard. The contract will address, among other issues, the project design, financing plan, lease agreement and County participation responsibilities. Birtcher Garfield Traub is the alternate firm.

To view the presentation delivered to the Board, please click here.

OCTA’s Chief Executive Officer presented his Second Quarter Report initiative and action plan update from April to June of this calendar year. The report plan is comprised of 14 initiatives, supported by 54 strategies and measured by 73 milestones. During the Second Quarter, six of the sixteen milestones were accomplished, bringing the total for the year to 26 of 32 milestones completed. The detailed status report list is available in its entirety here. The CEO’s 2012 initiatives can be found here.

Some of the major accomplishments made during the three-month period include many benefits to the Fourth District. Noteworthy are the new parking structure opening in the downtown area of Fullerton; the Angels Express that transports fans to and from games at the stadium; and completing a series of workshops to decide on the future use of the Pacific Electric railway spanning from Paramount to Santa Ana, passing through Buena Park and Anaheim.

To view the OCTA attachment 1, click here.
To view the OCTA attachment 2, click here.

On Wednesday, August 15, the Chamber of Commerce for the Fourth District’s newest city welcomed Supervisor Shawn Nelson to its monthly business breakfast as the keynote speaker. Supervisor Nelson presented a State of the County address to the audience of fifty, touching on a variety of positive changes through difficult times and how the Board is taking action in the interest of taxpayers.

Among the topics discussed by Supervisor Nelson were the challenges presented by the recession during the past five years. Given Orange County’s large reliance on property tax as a source of its discretionary revenue (80%), the Board of Supervisors has continued to devise and implement solutions to reduce expenses. For example, the County’s overall workforce has decreased from more than 18,000 employees to about 17,000 employees over that time. Among urban counties within the state, the County now has the third lowest number of employees per capita. Adapting to economic circumstances is important and Supervisor Nelson reaffirmed his commitment to use taxpayer money efficiently.

As a member of the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors, Supervisor Nelson also addressed transportation issues currently affecting North Orange County. One major highlight is the OC Bridges program, which will improve seven railroad crossings in the Fourth District. Rebuilding the roads either over or under the tracks at these intersections will eventually improve safety, eliminate driver wait times and reduce pollution. The project results in the County paying about 30% of the $590 million project, with matching funds coming from state and federal sources.

To view the entire presentation, click here.

Fourth District Policy Advisor Steve Spernak presented a well-deserved Certificate of Recognition to Rosalina Davis, past-president of the Placentia Chamber of Commerce, during lunchtime ceremonies at Tlaquepaque Restaurant. Under her leadership the chamber recruited new membership, upgraded the computer systems and advanced community recognition programs for outstanding businesses in Placentia.

This year’s La Habra Corn Festival was a success! Along with a two-hour parade, the festival also featured a 5K run, carnival rides and games, corn-eating competitions, an apple-pie-baking competition, a raffle with a grand prize of a 1979 Volkswagen convertible, and Miss La Habra Lizette Duarte and her court. Supervisor Nelson’s office delivered county services directories, Senior Guides and answered questions about jobs, adoption-foster care programs and resources available to residents in the 4th District.

• Development Processing Review committee
• Assessment Appeals Board No. 1

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Hug-a-Tree Program
Saturday, August 25th
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert: Cold Duck
Wednesday, August 29th
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

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Are you interested in keeping up with the Anaheim Marine Expeditionary Unit?

If so, please click here to view their August newsletter!

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Fullerton

What: 39th Annual Kids Auction Gala
Where: Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave.
When: Friday, August 24th, 2012
Time: 5:00 PM

What: Big Brothers Big Sisters of OC – “Big Night”
Where: Bourbon Street – 110 E. Commonwealth Avenue
When: Wednesday, August 29th, 2012
Time: 6:30 PM-8:30 PM

Anaheim

What: Harvest America
Where: Angel Stadium
When: Saturday, August 25th, 2012
Time: 7:00 PM

Buena Park

What: Super Senior Saturday “Giddy Up”
Where: 8150 Knott Ave.
When: Saturday, August 25th, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM

Placentia

What: Movies in the Park
Where: Placentia Champions Sports Complex
When: Friday, August 24th, 2012
Time: 7:40 PM-9:40 PM