| Board of Supervisors |
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| Welcome to Nelson's E-News! |
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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 next board meeting will be Tuesday, February 23 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 |
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| Board Updates |
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| Supervisors Will Discuss Potential for New 20-Year Orange County Civic Center Master Plan |
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An ambitious 20-year master plan that proposes to revamp and reorganize County government services within the Orange County Civic Center in Santa Ana will be presented for review on Tuesday, February 23, during a special study session before the Board of Supervisors.
The proposal was developed by a working group that includes Supervisor Andrew Do, First District, and Supervisor Shawn Nelson, Fourth District, as well as County Executive Officer Frank Kim and members of his executive team. Representatives from consultant Griffin Structures (Griffin) also participated.
Griffin was chosen by the Board in August 2012 to design, develop and construct a new Building 16, which was built in the 1950s for a welfare office but is currently unused. The Board also asked Griffin to examine and address the County’s future real-estate needs in the Civic Center, including the condition of 22 County owned and leased buildings with an average age of 46 years, as well as space plans, parking, occupancy costs and energy use.
Among the issues to be discussed by the Board at the February 23 study session are results from the multiple studies conducted by Griffin, whether to proceed with the plan as envisioned by the working group and how the plan would be financed—with County financing or structured through a public-private partnership.
The first phase of the plan proposes concentrating core County agencies and staff within a new “super block” of County facilities between Broadway and Ross streets, and Civic Center Drive and Santa Ana Boulevard. The area currently houses Building 10 (Hall of Administration—Board of Supervisors, County Counsel and County Executive Office), Building 11 (Hall of Records—Clerk-Recorder), Building 12 (Hall of Finance—Assessor, Auditor-Controller and Treasurer-Tax Collector), Building 14 (Public Defender) and Building 16 (empty).
If ultimately approved, the 20-year master plan recommends demolishing several aging County buildings in the Civic Center while constructing some new buildings and renovating others.
The goals of the restructuring proposal include:
- Improve the delivery of services to the public with a “one-stop” counter in a new six story
Building 16 along Ross Street;
- Improve space use by reducing per-employee square footage from 375 feet to 260 feet, resulting in lower operating costs;
- Improve efficiency by moving affiliated agencies adjacent or near each other, to be accomplished over four phases to create Public Safety, Judicial, Administration and
Public Health “neighborhoods”;
- Capitalize on the use of the County’s Central Utility Facility in the Civic Center for reduced energy costs;
- Focus on owned versus leased space to achieve savings, as County owned buildings cost $1 per space foot compared to $1.50 per square foot for leased facilities;
- Improve and replace aging infrastructure, reducing the average age of the County’s overall real-estate portfolio from 66 years to 30 years.
Among the new occupants of Building 16 as proposed would be OC Public Works, OC Waste & Recycling and Treasurer-Tax Collector, as well as a public counter for one-stop access for many public needs. The building would be six stories with two levels of subterranean parking and about 251,000 gross square feet. The approximate construction and affiliated costs are estimated at $150 million.
Phase 1 of the plan also contemplates renovating the current OC Public Works building at 300 N. Flower Street to house the District Attorney, a new wellness center and eventually the Public Defender. Renovation and affiliated costs have not yet been determined.
The Board meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 23, in the Board Hearing Room at the Hall of Administration, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., in Santa Ana. The Civic Center Master Plan study session will be one of many items to be discussed on the public agenda. For more information, click here for copies of agenda materials. The Civic Center Master Plan will be discussed as Item 26 on the February 23, 2016, agenda: http://cams.ocgov.com/Web_Publisher/agenda02_23_2016.htm |
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| Metrolink |
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| Metrolink to double weekend service during 91 full closure |
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Metrolink will double its service and provide a "2-for-1" special on both the 91 Line and the Inland Empire-Orange County Line Saturday and Sunday to support the full closure of the 91 in Corona.
To encourage train ridership during the full weekend closure, Metrolink is offering a "2 for the price of 1" promotion where those with a valid ticket or pass can have one additional person on the train for free. The promotion is only available on Saturday and Sunday.
The Riverside County Transportation Commission, which is managing the $1.4 billion "Fast Forward" 91 Project, is funding the added trains and promotion.
The 91 will be closed from the 71 to I-15, beginning tomorrow at 9 p.m. through Monday at 4 a.m. to allow the consolidation of several construction activities. Metrolink's North Main Corona Station and West Corona Station will be open during the closure via local service streets, however Metrolink passengers should allow extra travel time to reach these stations.
Due to the road closure's impact, motorists are urged to "steer clear" of the area during this project. To minimize major travel delays during the closure, transportation officials recommend motorists avoid travel in the area or use public transportation. Motorists traveling on the 91, the 71 or I-15 near the closure can expect travel delays of three to four hours.
Metrolink's regular weekend service offers two round trips on both the Inland Empire-Orange County Line and the 91 Line. Saturday and Sunday however, Metrolink will offer two additional round trips on each rail line for a total of 16 trains to assist people avoiding the 91.
Metrolink will operate its regular schedule both tomorrow and Monday.
In case of rainstorms or inclement weather, the closure and extra train service will be postponed to the next weekend, weather permitting.
For more information regarding Metrolink service and the extra trains during the road closure go to www.metrolinktrains.com. For more information about the closure go to www.sr91project.info/91-steer-clear, call the helpline at 877-770-9191 or email sr91project@rctc.org. |
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| In the Community |
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| PBS So Cal Interview: Public Transportation |
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| Last week Supervisor Nelson was the special guest on PBS’s SoCal show with traffic reporter Kayjon Cermak and hosts Elizabeth Espinosa and Rick Reiff. The main topic of discussion was the past, present and future of public transportation in Southern California. It ran several times on KOCE, please click the link below to watch if you missed it: http://video.pbssocal.org/video/2365665986/ |
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Supervisor Nelson, Kayjon Cermak, Rick Reiff and Elizabeth Espinosa |
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| Supervisor Honors 35 Years with CHP |
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Supervisor Shawn Nelson was honored to deliver a Board Proclamation for Lifetime Achievement honoring Chief John Antillon for his 35 years of service as a member of the California Highway Patrol.
Antillon started his career in 1980 in Patrol-Operations and promoted to Investigator with special assignments in Cargo Theft Task Force working out of the L. A. Harbor division. Later to promoted to Sergeant and later Lt., Antillon was elevated to Captain and took over the Westminster Division headquarters where he oversaw operations and investigations.
Supervisor Nelson personally met Antillon in 2012 at a press conference hosted in front of the Westminster CHP headquarters. Partnering with Anaheim Mayor Tait and then Senator Lou Correa, each dedicated $1,000 toward the $8,000 reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver who killed 3 year old Miranda Palacios on Gilbert near Magnolia High School at 6 pm on Feb 12, 2012.
Antillon brought his 30 years of service and investigative networking to bear on the Palacios case by bringing in an elite team of specialized CHP investigators who tracked the suspect vehicle back to its owner and his girlfriend and her cell phone communications to cover-up the crime.
Antillon’s team arrested and convicted Carlos Parra for felony hit and run with Parra getting 9 years in prison. Parra’s girlfriend was sentenced to 1 year in jail for lying and obstruction of justice with the felony that took the life of 3 year Palacios.
Antillon finished his 35 year career as Assistant Chief in charge of the Border Division covering 4 counties and over 1400 CHP personnel.
Policy Advisor Steve Spernak delivered the proclamation on behalf of the Board of Supervisors and expressed the thanks and appreciation of Supervisor Nelson and people of Orange County to the retirement reception attended by 200 friends and CHP in Seal Beach. |
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Policy Advisor Steve Spernak delivered a Board Proclamation honoring Chief Antillon |
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| Anaheim’s State of the City 2016 |
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Congratulations to Mayor Tom Tait, city staff and the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce for putting together another terrific event as hosts of the 2016 Anaheim State of the City Luncheon.
Over 800 friends and residents of Anaheim attended the gala at the City National Grove of Anaheim to hear about the magic of accomplishments and community success stories outlined by the 30 minute power-point presentation by the Mayor.
Highlights included the dynamic success of ACT, known at Accelerate Change Together that impacts residents with grants and programs like the Anaheim Family YMCA, Tiger Woods Foundation, GOALS and the OC Community Foundation with over $3.5 million in corporate donations the last 2 years.
Success stories included the Human Trafficking Task Force, Beach Blvd Coalition and the new Beach at Lincoln Shopping Complex development that will improve the quality of life in west Anaheim.
Also recognized was Chef Bruno Serrato who cooks and donates 1600 pasta meals nightly out of his restaurant a part of Catarina’s Club Foundation to feed the hungry and homeless while honoring his mother.
Mayor Tait also covered city support for the coming Homeless Resource Center on Kraemer, the new Bark Park at La Palma Park, his “Kindness Matters” success project and hosting the Dali Lama on his 80th birthday in Anaheim after the update on the housing expansion at the Platinum Triangle.
Mayor Tait was genuinely proud to announce the city now has 10 active beer breweries downtown, issued 60 movie- filming permits, thrilled the audience with news on the Ducks and Angels, thanked Disneyland for the 22 million guests who visit annually and closed with the new efforts for a Drug-free Anaheim.
The concept involves Police partnering with civic groups and drug-addict treatment groups to where a person addicted to drugs can literally walk into any Police station and ask for help. Police will assist in delivering that person to care and counseling in an all-out effort to get them off drugs and into a sober life.
Again, Supervisor Nelson sends his congratulations to the City of Anaheim, Mayor Tait and the residents of Anaheim for all their work in making Anaheim such a world-class destination. |
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Policy Advisor Steve Spernak joins the Care Ambulance management team at the Grove |
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| Lunar New Year 2016 |
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Supervisor Nelson extended his best wishes and a happy New Year to over 100,000 visitors who enjoyed celebrating their first Lunar New Year at Mile Square Park.
Supervisor Andrew Do worked in cooperation with the Vietnamese Community of Southern California, OCTA and the County Parks and Recreation staff and personnel to put together an almost-flawless event in Fountain Valley.
After the morning Tet Parade of some 109 participants in Westminster, the thousands of revelers drove or bussed to the Mile Square Park venue in Fountain Valley where 40 community groups and civic organizations joined food servers and vendors to make for a fantastic family adventure as they brought in the Year of the Monkey.
Policy Advisor Steve Spernak attended to take photos, thank County staffers from the Parks department and offer respects at the new monument honoring General Tran Hung Dao.
General Dao is the equivalent to President George Washington and has near-savior status for his leadership from 1226-1300 in defending the freedom of Vietnam from Mongols of the Yuan Dynasty in the 13th Century.
Congratulations to all those involved in delivering the Lunar New Year 2016 in Orange County. |
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Policy Advisor Steve Spernak joined 100,000 visitors who stopped by the monument to honor General Tran Hung Dao at Mile Square Park |
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| City Announcement |
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| Fullerton Fire “CERT” Academy Begins in March |
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A new Academy of the Fullerton Fire Department’s "Community Emergency Response Team” (CERT) program will be held beginning in March.
The Academy, which consists of three, eight-hour classes, will be held from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, 12, and 19, at the City of Fullerton Maintenance Yard, 1580 W. Commonwealth Ave. The training is free, but participants need to pay for LiveScan fingerprinting upon completion of the course.
The CERT Program is designed to train citizens to organize their families and neighborhoods to be prepared to react to emergencies. Based on a model developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, CERT members are trained to provide assistance to disaster victims, as well as assist fire, police and maintenance departments in emergencies when activated by the Fullerton Fire Department.
Class size is limited to 50 persons, and pre-registration is required. Those interested in joining the CERT Academy may contact the Fire Department CERT Office at (714) 773-1316 or visit the Fullerton Fire Department Headquarters at 312 E. Commonwealth Ave. during normal business hours to obtain a registration form. The form may also be downloaded from www.CityofFullerton.com, by searching for “CERT” in the search bar.
Persons requiring special accommodations to participate in the training classes are asked to notify the Fire Department staff at the time of registration. |
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| County Commissions and Committees |
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The Fourth District has vacant appointments on the following commissions or committees:
- Assessment Appeals Board No.1
- OC Historical Commission
If you are interested in serving on one of these committees, please call Audra Fishel at (714) 834-3440. |
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| OC Animal Care |
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| Library Corner |
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Click on the image above to view a larger version. |
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| Events |
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Anaheim Events
What: Anaheim Chamber Leads Lunch
When: February 24, 2016
Where: Anaheim Regional Medical Center 1211 W. La Palma Ave. Anaheim, CA 92801
Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
What: Ribbon Cutting - Anaheim Global Medical Center
When: March 8, 2016
Where: 1025 S Anaheim Blvd Anaheim, CA 92805
Time: 12:00 PM -2:00 PM
Brea Events
What: Find Love in the Library
When: February 20, 2016
Where: Brea Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, CA 92821
Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
What: Parks, Recreation & Human Services Commission
When: February 23, 2016
Where: Civic & Cultural Center Conference & Training Center - Level 2,1 Civic Center Circle, Brea
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Buena Park Events
What: Ribbon Cutting - Orchard Hardware Supply
When: February 20, 2016
Where: 8060 Dale St, Buena Park, CA 90620
Time: 6:30 AM - 8:00 AM
What: Senior Citizens Commission Meeting
When: February 25, 2016
Where: 6650 Beach Blvd. Buena Park, CA 90621
Time: 9:00 AM
Fullerton Events
What: Ribbon Cutting - PostNet Grand Opening
When: March 1, 2016
Where: 1545 S. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92832
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
What: Fullerton Homeless Collaborative Meeting
When: March 2, 2016
Where: 701 S. Lemon in Fullerton-Located in Lemon Park behind Maple School
Time: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
La Habra Events
What: Board of Directors Meeting
When: February 23, 2016
Where: La Habra Chamber of Commerce 321 E. La Habra Blvd, La Habra CA 90631
Time: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
What: State of the Community Address and Breakfast
When: February 24, 2016
Where: Westridge Golf Club 1400 South La Habra Hills Drive La Habra, CA 90631
Time: 7:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Placentia Events
What: Placentia Founders Society Chamber Music Concert
When: February 21, 2016
Where: Bradford House 136 Palm Circle, Placentia CA
Time: 3:00 PM
What: Coffee with A Cop
When: February 23, 2016
Where: Starbucks (located in Ralphs) 710 No. Rose Drive, Placentia CA
Time: 7:00 a. m. - 9:00 a.m.
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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. |
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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
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