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Chairman Shawn Nelson - 4th District Update
In This Issue
orange arrow Board Updates
orange arrow OCTA
orange arrow In The Community
orange arrow City of Anaheim Announcement
orange arrow General Announcements
orange arrow County Commissions and Committees
orange arrow OC Animal Care
orange arrow Events
May 22, 2015
Volume 6 Issue 10
Board of Supervisors
Welcome to Nelson's E-News!
Thank you for reading this edition of my newsletter. I hope you find the information below very helpful. As always, I appreciate and look forward to your feedback.

The Board of Supervisors held a meeting this week. Please see below for highlights. The next meeting will be Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at 9:30am in the Hall of Administration – 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana 92701.

Please see photos and descriptions below of some of the events our office was able to attend in the community this week. If you were unable to attend, there are other events listed at the end of this newsletter.

Sincerely,
Shawn Nelson
 
 
Board Updates
County Seal
Budget Released
Orange County Unveils FY 2015-16 Recommended Budget Orange County’s Fiscal Year 2015-16 Recommended Budget has been released for review by the Board of Supervisors and the public.

Public budget hearings will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9, and Wednesday, June 10 at the Hall of Administration Board Hearing Room, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana. The budget is divided into seven sections, or programs: I Public Protection; II Community Services; III Infrastructure and Environmental Resources; IV General Government Services; V Capital Improvements; VI Debt Service; and VII Insurance, Reserves and Miscellaneous.

During the hearings, budget staff will provide highlights of the County’s spending plan and discuss specific budget requests for augmentations, as well as answer questions from Board members and the public. Budget documents are available online at http://ocgov.com/gov/ceo/deputy/finance/budget.

Over the last several years and continuing into FY 2015-16, the County has focused on stabilizing the budget, preparing for contingencies, and funding infrastructure needs that were deferred during the Great Recession. Actual revenues and expenses are monitored during the year and reported quarterly to the Board of Supervisors.

FY 2015-16 Recommended Budget Highlights:
  • Total budget is $5.8 billion, of which $3.2 billion is the General Fund Budget.
  • Of the $3.2 billion General Fund, $723.1 million is the General Purpose Revenue portion. Last year’s General Purpose Revenues were $672 million.
  • The $723.1 million includes a $15 million payment to the State. This is the second of five escalating payments totaling $150 million ordered as the result of a lawsuit over the distribution of vehicle license fees.
  • Reflects revenue growth assumptions of 4% in property tax revenues and 3% in Public Safety Sales Tax (Prop. 172) revenues.
  • Includes $32.3 million to restore and maintain current levels of service, including $29.6 million for Public Safety.
  • Total budgeted positions are 17,988, a reduction of 65 positions from the current year adopted budget.
  • The recommended capital improvement budget includes $2.1 million to begin work on a new juvenile multipurpose rehabilitation center funded primarily through a State grant.
 
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La Habra receives $380,000
The Board of Supervisors approved the reallocation of $380,000 to the City of La Habra for the operational implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act youth program. The WIOA requires Youth Providers to offer eligible In-School Youth and Out-of-School Youth ages 16 to 24 access to many programmatic activities. Some of these activities include academic skills improvement, occupational skills training, financial literacy and comprehensive guidance counseling.

The primary goal of the WIOA is to provide integrated year-round services to connect students successfully to the labor market, help them reach program goals and achieve positive outcomes. Supervisor Nelson is very proud to have this program offered in the City of La Habra and throughout the County. Other Youth Providers who participate in the WIOA program are Irvine Unified School District, OC Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance and OC Conservation Corps.
 
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Board Approves Fourth District Traffic Improvements
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an improvement project along Gilbert Street, between Katella Avenue and Ball Road in unincorporated West Anaheim.

The project will enhance safety by reducing the north-south lanes of Gilbert Street from two in each direction (total of four lanes) to one in each direction (total of two lanes), and converting the two center lanes into a left turn pocket for both directions of travel.

Although the speed limit will remain at 35 mph, this improvement introduces a so-called “road diet,” a concept whereby traffic is concentrated into less lanes, naturally reducing the vehicles’ speed. This also allows vehicles to turn left with a lower risk of experiencing a traffic collision. The curb to curb distance will also be decreased by three feet, reducing the distance that pedestrians must walk to cross the street and allows for a widening of the existing narrow sidewalk on the east side of Gilbert to become more ADA compliant. A bike lane striping is also planned along Gilbert Street.

The cost is expected to run at just below $2.3 million, which is nearly $500,000 below the initial engineering estimate. State and federal grants will fund approximately $1.4 million of this cost with a further $15,200 coming from the Garden Grove Sanitary District for moving utilities. The project is slated to begin construction in June with completion estimated in December. In collaboration with the school district, it was concluded that most of the construction should take place adjacent to Salk Elementary during the summer in order to minimize impacts to the students.
 

Click on the image above to view a larger version.
 
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Southwest Airlines Announces New Nonstop Routes from John Wayne Airport
Southwest Airlines announced new nonstop service from John Wayne Airport (JWA) to St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri. Southwest routed their specialty plane, Missouri One, through John Wayne Airport on May 14 to introduce the new destinations. Service to Kansas City (MCI) and St. Louis (STL), Missouri, will begin on November 22, 2015. Todd Spitzer, Chairman, Orange County Board of Supervisors; Dave Harvey, Southwest Airlines' Senior Director of Network Planning and Performance; and Laura DeSoto, Chair, Orange County Business Council Board of Directors shared their excitement for these new routes during a media event overlooking John Wayne Airport’s Thomas F. Riley Terminal and airfield.
 
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Fourth District Staff Changes
Congratulations to Scott Carpenter of Supervisor Nelson’s office, who has taken a position with State Senator Moorlach’s District Office as Deputy District Director. Scott contributed critical assistance and guidance in his last four years of service to the Fourth District. You can now reach Scott at Senator Moorlach’s District office by calling 949-223-5037. Scott will be greatly missed, but we are excited to announce Natalie Wieckert of our Fourth District office has recently been promoted to Policy Advisor. She will be overseeing the following policy items:
  • Child Support Services
  • Health Care Agency
  • Legislative Bulletin
  • OC Community Services (Housing and Veterans)
  • Probation
  • Social Services Agency
Natalie graduated from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and Political Science. She has served two years with Supervisor Nelson’s Office and is enthusiastic to continue as Policy Advisor for the Fourth District.
 
 
OCTA Update
OCTA Logo
Future is on track for OC Streetcar Project
(Courtesy of OCTA) Transportation, city and community leaders gathered at the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center on Monday afternoon to mark a number milestones toward the construction of Orange County’s first modern streetcar.

The OC Streetcar project, planned to travel through the cities of Santa Ana and Garden Grove, has advanced significantly in recent weeks. Plans for the streetcar project have been approved by city councils in both cities and received environmental clearances from the Federal Transit Administration.

The OC Streetcar, expected to be partly funded by Measure M – the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements – was recently accepted into the project development phase of the New Starts federal grant program, making it a candidate for future funding.

The Orange County Transportation Authority has taken over as the lead agency to design, build and operate the OC Streetcar.

The streetcar is intended to provide easy connections for people traveling from trains and buses to employment, retail and recreational areas in the heart of Orange County.

The OC Streetcar is planned to operate along a route just more than 4 miles, from the Santa Ana train station, through Downtown Santa Ana and the Civic Center. It would run along 4th Street and Santa Ana Boulevard. The route would continue along the Pacific Electric right of way and connect to a new multimodal transit hub at Harbor Boulevard and Westminster Avenue in Garden Grove.

Up to seven streetcars are planned to run along the route, stopping at 12 stations. It’s expected that by 2035, the streetcar would carry more than 6,000 riders a day. Initial estimates put the cost of the project at $250 million and it will be jointly funded with OCTA pursuing local, state and federal dollars.

It’s expected the project will move into the design phase later this year with construction planned to begin in 2017. On the current schedule, the streetcar would begin operating in 2019.
 
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Public Agencies Making Every Drop Count
 
(Courtesy of OCTA)

Elected officials, along with transportation and water-district leaders, gathered this morning to launch a multi-agency water conservation campaign in Orange County with the message, “Every Drop Counts,” to help raise awareness and address California’s severe drought.

A bus wrapped with the conservation messages was unveiled with the help of the Orange County Transportation Authority board of directors outside OCTA’s headquarters. Other public agencies participating in the campaign include Caltrans, the County of Orange, Irvine Ranch Water District, Municipal Water District of Orange County and the Transportation Corridor Agencies.

Along with wrapped buses, the campaign will include printing and distributing window clings with the conservation message at public events that agencies also will use on their fleets.

Internally, OCTA has embraced the message that every drop counts for many years. The agency has cut back by 21 percent on its water usage by washing buses less frequently, installing drought-resistant landscaping and installing low-flow faucets and toilets at all bases and transit centers.

Prior to 2005, OCTA washed its buses daily. That year, the number was cut to three times a week and was further cut to twice a week. In addition, a treatment system was installed to reclaim and filter the water for reuse, saving about 30 gallons each wash.

Low-water vegetation and artificial turf will continue to be planted when possible and low-flow toilets and faucets will continue to replace the older models on OCTA’s properties.

OCTA’s partnering agencies are also leading their own efforts to cut back on water use and encourage others to save every drop possible.

The 51-mile toll road system, built by the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA), uses almost no water on The Toll Roads through a combination of native and drought resistant landscaping. Within the existing 2,000 acres of slopes along The Toll Roads, nearly 85 percent requires no irrigation and most of the remaining 15 percent is irrigated with recycled water. TCA also is 30 percent below its water conservation allocation due to drip irrigation and low-flow faucets and toilets at five toll plazas and its main office building.

The County of Orange has been leading a collaborative water quality and conservation effort for the past several years through the OC Stormwater Program “Overwatering is Out” campaign, developed in coordination with cities and water districts throughout the county. In addition, millions of dollars in drought relief funding has been garnered for projects through integrated regional water management. The new OCTA water conservation effort is a natural fit for collaboration with the county and other agencies as they manage regional strategies to preserve, protect and enhance water resources.

The Department of Transportation (Caltrans) values California’s limited water resources and is currently exceeding the water reduction goals set by the governor. While the governor has called for a 25 percent reduction, Caltrans is at 30 percent and has set an ambitious goal of a 50 percent reduction. Caltrans has implemented night-watering between 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., upgraded irrigation controllers to SMART technology, replaced plumbing fixtures in maintenance stations, and is converting irrigation systems to recycled water use where available.

Caltrans is also asking, via its freeway changeable message signs, for the public’s help with water-saving efforts. Motorists are encouraged to report any water waste they may see along the state highway, such as broken water pipes or leaking irrigation systems, by going to the Caltrans website, dot.ca.gov, and clicking the “Be a Water Watcher” icon to submit a maintenance service request.
 
 
In the Community
Supervisor Speaks at Clerk-Recorder Industry Forum
Supervisor Shawn Nelson was proud to be a special guest speaker at the Clerk-Recorder “Industry Forum” on the morning of May 14. Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen invited title, mortgage, realtor, and banking executives to the forum to share their input and ask questions. The Supervisor welcomed the attendees and encouraged them to engage in conversation with Nguyen, citing his long-time experience as Clerk-Recorder.

Following the Supervisor’s greeting, Nguyen shared departmental goals for the year and new regulations. The forum ended with a tour of the department. This is Nguyen’s 15th year as the county’s Clerk-Recorder, and just began a new four-year term in January.

For more information on the Clerk-Recorders office, please visit: http://ocrecorder.com/
 

Supervisor Nelson addressing the forum audience
 
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Supervisor Dedicates New Mission at Western Medical Center Anaheim
News flash: 11,000 American Baby Boomers will turn 65 every day for the next 15 years.

Those statistics may seem startling, along with medical and psychological demands they’ll need, but the answer already in place and operational for the 3.2 million residents in Orange County.

This week the Western Medical Center of Anaheim celebrated their 40th anniversary and new grand opening to Orange County with ceremonies hosted in the new Senior Mental Health wing.

Located at 1025 S. Anaheim Blvd, about a half mile north of the 5 Freeway, the facility is a revitalized center for professional medical specialists who deliver top-quality expertise in prevention, treatment, cardiac care, Emergency services and surgery, along with behavioral health and physician-directed nutrition –diet technicians.

For the thousands of families now hosting their aging Baby Boomer parents or relatives, the polite and professional staff and administration at Western Medical Anaheim is the ideal starting place for all your medical needs.

For more information on how to access their incredible directory of services and specialists, please call them at (714) 533-6220 or email the hospital at SSAnaheim@IHHIOC.com or contact communications director Jeff Corliss directly at (714) 676-8878.
 

Policy Advisor Steve Spernak presented Interim CEO Suzanne Richards and staff with the Supervisor’s commendation for their professional services.
 
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WAND’s 19th Western BBQ Event
Congratulations to Carol Latham and the planning team in delivering the 19th annual West Anaheim Neighborhood Development Western BBQ this past weekend.

Surviving the morning’s light drizzle and overcast, the WAND team converted Twila Reed Park on Orange Avenue into their traditional western theme event with some 86 vendor booths and 12 food vendors.

The booths and vendors are a combination of civic and high school boosters who raise money and influence to support sports, music, church and community programs, scholarships and operational funding for their members.

The weather held and hundreds of Anaheim residents finished the day listening to live music, enjoying BBQ made at the Western High School Football booth along with fresh Mexican entrees delivered by the Magnolia High School Baseball team.

Policy Advisor Steve Spernak worked the public information booth for Supervisor Nelson’s office and delivered the new County services guides and OC Veterans Benefits brochures.

For more information on how you can be in next year’s event, please go to www.wandcouncil.org
 

Steve Spernak joined Julie and Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait at the West Anaheim BBQ and community festival
 
 
City of Anaheim Announcement
Anaheim Districting Committee Meeting
The City of Anaheim is currently in the process of creating six City Council voting districts that will take effect with the November 2016 election. This is a historic milestone in the City and input from the community is vital.

To determine the boundaries of these voting districts, the City Council appointed an Advisory Committee on Electoral Districts, comprised of five retired Orange County Superior Court judges who will hold a series of meetings for public input. The next meeting of the Advisory Committee on Electoral Districts is scheduled on May 27 in the City Council chambers at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, the City has dedicated a webpage as a tool to use throughout the process: www.anaheim.net/districts. This site allows visitors to sign up for press releases, agendas, notices, etc. related to this process.
 
ECards
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General Announcements

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County Commissions and Committees
The Fourth District has vacant appointments on the following commissions or committees:

  • Waste Management Commission
  • Treasury Oversight Committee
  • Assessment Appeals Board
If you are interested in serving on one of these committees, please call Audra Fishel at (714) 834-3440.
 
 
OC Animal Care
 
OC Animal Care Pet of the Week
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OC Animal Care Pet Tag Awareness Event
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Events
 
Memorial Day Services
 
 
Supervisor Honors America’s Heroes at Loma Vista
 
Supervisor Shawn Nelson will join over 1,000 Veterans and families at the American Veterans Memorial Association of Fullerton presents Memorial Day 2015 at Loma Vista Cemetery, Fullerton.

The Greatest Generation and the US Marines will be the focus of a salute this Monday, May 25th, at the 77th Annual Fullerton Memorial Day program that begins at 10 a.m.

Free to the public, the program is sponsored by the non-profit American Veterans Memorial Association and the City of Fullerton.

Veterans and the families of WWII combatants are especially encouraged to attend and hear from special guest speaker, Lt. General David Berger, commanding officer of the First Marine Expeditionary Force, United State Marine Corps, at Camp Pendleton.

Arriving guests should allow themselves at least an hour advance to park on the cemetery property that is located at 701 E. Bastanchury Road, Fullerton, approximately ½ mile East of Harbor Blvd.

For special needs guests, please call the cemetery at (714) 525-1575. WWII guests are welcome to secure VIP seating by calling (714) 871-2412. For detailed information on this event please go www.avmafullerton.org

Each of the 4,000 gravesites at the cemetery will have a white cross and American flags are placed on the markers of American military who are buried there. Flags that were used in formal military funerals that were donated by their families are flown to honor their heroes in what is one of the most majestic displays of American patriotism this side of Arlington National Cemetery.
 

Sharon and Shawn Nelson will again join with 4th District Veterans Council Representative Marilyn Harris (center) at this year’s Memorial Day honors at Loma Vista Cemetery.
 
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Additional sites in the Fourth District to honor Memorial Day 2015:

Anaheim


Memorial Day Services
Monday, May 25th at the Anaheim Cemetery
11 am - Program
1400 E. Sycamore St., Anaheim, CA 92805
More Information

Brea

Veterans Field of Honor “Avenue of the Flags”
Monday, May 25th at Memory Garden Memorial Park
11 am - Program
455 W. Central Ave., Brea, CA 92821
More Information

Buena Park

34th Annual Memorial Day
Monday, May 25th at Bellis Park
8 am - Breakfast • 10 am - Program
7171 8th Street, Buena Park, CA 90621

Fullerton

Honoring the Greatest Generation
Monday, May 25th at Loma Vista
Memorial Park
10 am - Program
701 E. Bastanchury Rd., Fullerton, CA 92835
 
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General Events

What: State of the County with Supervisor Shawn Nelson
When: May 27, 2015
Where: 1535 Deerpark Dr., 2nd Floor, Fullerton, CA 92831
Time: 7:30 AM -9:00 AM

What: Downtown Fullerton Farmers Market
When: May 28, 2015
Where: Downtown Fullerton, Between Harbor Boulevard and Pomona Avenue, adjacent to the Fullerton Museum Center, CA 92831
Time: 4:00 PM -8:30 PM

What: Learn4Life Charter Schools
When: May 26, 2015
Where: 505 N. Euclid St. Anaheim, CA 92801
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

What: Anaheim Chamber Leads Lunch
When: May 27, 2015
Where: Clarion Hotel 616 Convention Way Anaheim, CA 92802
Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

What: Planning Commission
When: May 27, 2015
Where: 6650 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
Time: 7:00 PM

What: Beautification-Environmental Commission Meeting
When: May 28, 2015
Where: 6650 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90621
Time: 6:30 PM

What: The Business Connection Brea
When: May 26, 2015
Where: The Corner Bakery Cafe 103 W Imperial Hwy, Brea, CA 92821
Time: 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

What: Leads Lunch
When: May 27, 2015
Where: 900 E Birch Street Brea, CA 92821
Time: 11:45 AM - 1:15 PM

What: Meet Author, Radio Host and nutritionist Luz Maria Briseño
When: May 23, 2015
Where: La Habra Library 221 E. La Habra Blvd., La Habra, CA 90631
Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

What: Board of Directors Meeting
When: May 26, 2015
Where: 321 E. La Habra Blvd La Habra CA 90631
Time: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

What: Placentia Farmers Market
When: May 26, 2015
Where: Placentia Town Center on the corner of Yorba Linda Blvd and Kraemer, Placentia CA
Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

What: Sunset Social at Camp Bow Wow (dogs optional)
When: May 28, 2015
Where: 1431 No. Daly Street, Anaheim CA 92806
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

 
 
For questions or comments regarding Nelson’s E-News
please contact the Supervisor's office staff:
Audra Fishel – Phone: (714) 834-3440, Email: Audra.Fishel@ocgov.com.
Nelson Team
Denis Bilodeau
Chief of Staff

Mark Lopez
Deputy Chief of Staff

Audra Fishel
Policy Advisor /
Communications Director

Steve Spernak
Policy Advisor

Natalie Wieckert
Policy Advisor

Joy Kim
Staff Aide
 
 
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