| 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 20, 2018 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 attended 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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| County Updates |
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| Conditions of Children Report Forum |
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| On Thursday, February 1, Supervisor Nelson hosted the Conditions of Children Report Forum, along with the Orange County Children’s Partnership, at Cal State Fullerton. Supervisor Nelson welcomed the 200 attendees to engage in a dialogue surrounding children’s mental health and discuss what we are working on together as a community in the school systems, health systems, faith communities and justice systems. Despite the one-year decline between 2014 and 2015, the overall hospitalization rate for serious mental illness and substance abuse conditions among children increased by 33% from 2008 to 2015. By focusing on children, we can work on and identify prevention strategies to help and support families so they can be healthy and thrive. This conversation will need to continue and furthers us along to addressing the important issue of children’s mental health. |
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Supervisor Nelson greeting the crowd
Supervisor Nelson
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| Restaurant Meals Program |
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The pilot phase of the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) officially launched in Orange County on February 1, 2018 in participating restaurants in the cities of Anaheim and Santa Ana. Orange County has now become the ninth county in California to offer this program to eligible participants.
Eligible Restaurant Meals Program Participants
The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows elderly, disabled and homeless CalFresh recipients and their spouse to use their Golden State Advantage (EBT) card to purchase prepared meals from participating restaurants. RMP offers meal options for eligible CalFresh recipients who may not be able to prepare meals, have a place to store and cook meals, and/or have access to a grocery store.
CalFresh clients who are eligible to participate in RMP will be notified prior to February 1, 2018. Should CalWORKs/CalFresh recipients have questions regarding RMP, they are encouraged to contact their worker. CalFresh recipients without CalWORKs benefits should go to http://www.ssa.ocgov.com for more information.
Restaurant Participation in the RMP
Orange County is continuing to recruit restaurants located in the cities of Anaheim and Santa to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) in order to further enhance accessibility to the program.
Restaurant owners in the cities may find out more about how to apply by going to:
http://ssa.ocgov.com/calfresh/calfresh/rmp_owner
Background on the Restaurant Meals Program
On December 14, 2016, the Orange County Board of Supervisors authorized the Social Services Agency (SSA) to submit a proposed plan to the State of California to implement the pilot phase of RMP.
In 2017, SSA worked with the State to obtain approval of the proposed plan. Upon plan approval in April 2017, SSA worked to develop the program, which included the development of a Master Memorandum of Understanding, recruitment of restaurants, review of restaurant applications and staff training. Additionally, SSA has been meeting with stakeholders, including presenting at the Homeless Provider Forum, to ensure that organizations that serve eligible RMP participants are aware of the upcoming program.
To learn more about the Restaurant Meals Program, please visit
http://ssa.ocgov.com/calfresh/calfresh/rmp. |
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| OCTA |
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Mobile Readers Make OCTA Bus Boarding Easier
Bus service changes go into effect Sunday to provide improved service through OC Bus 360° |
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Boarding a bus in Orange County will get easier starting Sunday, Feb. 11 when the Orange County Transportation Authority fully implements mobile ticketing on its fleet systemwide.
Riders who purchase bus fares via the OC Bus app on their smartphone or other mobile device will now be able to call up a QR code and quickly scan it on the onboard reader. Previously, coach operators had to review the screen and validate each boarding, which could slow down the boarding process.
The OC Bus app, which is available on iPhone and Android devices, launched last year and has quickly gained popularity among OC Bus riders, who have downloaded the app more than 76,000 times.
To date, approximately 7 percent of total fare revenue is collected via the OC Bus app, which is more than double the average among the nation’s transit agencies.
For more information on purchasing tickets and using the OC Bus mobile app, visit www.ocbus.com/mobile.
In addition to launching the mobile readers, seven routes will be changed as part of OCTA’s ongoing efforts through OC Bus 360° to provide more efficient and effective service.
These efforts during the past two years have resulted in ridership increases of nearly 20 percent in areas where service improvements have been made. OC Bus 360° OCTA has slowed the trend of declining transit ridership, which has been experienced throughout Southern California. The effort has focused on sustaining ridership and improving productivity by reallocating service to where the demand is heaviest through the core of the county. Riders have seen more frequent service and travel times reduced through limited-stop bus service.
The February changes, which take effect Sunday, will include later service in some areas and increased service that will make it easier for riders to reach important work and entertainment destinations.
The February service changes include:
- Improved weekday frequencies during peak hours with buses arriving every 30 minutes on Routes 56, 89, 90 and 91
- Improved weekday evening frequencies on Routes 29, 50, 53, and 60.
- Extended weekend evening service on Route 46, which runs from Los Alamitos to Orange along Ball Road, with stops near Disneyland
- Extended weekend service on Route 59, which runs from Anaheim to Irvine and will continue on to The District at Tustin Legacy, a popular shopping and entertainment destination.
Minor adjustments also are being made to 33 other bus routes.
To make more efficient use of existing resources, three bus routes are being eliminated due to low ridership: Routes 212, 216 and 454. Sunday service is being eliminated on Route 177. Current riders are being notified of suggested alternatives.
In addition, OCTA is introducing separate passes for senior and disabled passengers (which previously had been combined as a single pass) to better serve the distinct rider groups.
These changes were approved by the OCTA board following extensive outreach to riders and the larger community, including four public meetings to discuss the proposed changes and responding to public input.
For more information on the bus service plan, please visit www.octa.net and click on “Bus Service Plan.” |
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| In the Community |
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| StayConnectedOC and Ruben Alvarez Honored |
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Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson is proud to recognize Ruben Alvarez, Editor and Publisher of the media Stayconnected OC and celebrate the 18 years of success and enterprise he had brought to the Hispanic community. His efforts to promote local personalities, public administration, civic events and cultural venues is unmatched and compliments his personal commitment to promote Orange County and showcase the magic of diversity, communications, education and commerce.
Policy Advisor Steve Spernak presented Ruben Alvarez, Jr., president and publisher of Stay Connected OC~ Emerging Markets Network, with a proclamation of appreciation showcasing his decades of producing the premier communications media in the Hispanic community for his 18th year in Orange County.
Alvarez has been a lifelong resident of Santa Ana, having attended McKinley Elementary School and was ASB President of both Lathrop Intermediate and Saddleback High School, where he learned cooperation, partnerships, alliances and balancing concessions to accomplish the priorities and agendas of student-leadership.
Those same talents carried into his professional performances where he was also a nationally recognized member of the Boys & Girls Club on Highland and was the lead site- liaison for the Presidential visit of Bill Clinton to the clubhouse in 1996. His personality and professional performance allowed him to meet t 4 Presidents, including a visit to be honored at the White House.
Ruben personifies the success and independent spirit of OC where he started with 500 email addresses ,and, in 18 years, he expanded his reach to over 21,000 persons, businesses, and organizations, that reached hi-profile executives, directors, educational and business specialists and a rainbow of electeds from all parties, having sent out over 8 million emails during this time.
Supervisor Nelson extended his appreciations for all the media he provided to the Fourth District, including Placentia ‘s Las Posadas, Tamale Festivals, the Cinco de Mayo Anaheim, community parades and civic events in La Habra and charity foundations like the Anaheim “ We Give Thanks “, VFW Christmas Dinner and Toy Drive in Buena Park and the KFI Pastathon for Bruno Serrano. |
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Policy Advisor Steve Spernak presents Ruben Alvarez with a commendation from Supervisor Nelson |
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| Anaheim State of the City |
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Congratulations to Mayor Tom Tait, the City staff and the 800 residents and business leaders who attended the 2018 Anaheim State of the City luncheon at the Grove this week.
Mayor Tait, completing his 8th and final year as Mayor, walked the crowd thru a 30 minute power-point presentation that showcased the incredible accomplishments his Council and City departments delivered to this world-class destination city.
After introducing 104 year old Elmer Phil, his family and wife, Julie, whom he delighted by calling her the true embodiment of ‘the first lady of Anaheim’, Tait said the years of teaching kindness paid off with new trusts and alliances to promote the very best of Anaheim.
Tait said it hadn’t been all rainbows, especially with the riots and confrontations with police after 2 shootings on Anna Drive. Tait said the city went right to the heart of the situation and in a 6 minute video, interim Police Chief Julian Harvey told the audience how they met with community leaders to talk thru the issues, deployed more gang units to remove the causes of gunfire and drug sales and brought in Public Works to re-hab roads, sidewalks, parks and attitudes that changed to trust and transparency.
Tait praised each of the council members, even citing the new website by Councilman James Vanderbilt that helps homeless, hungry and low-income survival benefits at www.anaheimcare.com
Joe Baldo, director of Higher Ground youth and family services got an ovation for his work with police, parents, businesses and the city to keep kids on the straight path to success.
Policy Advisor Steve Spernak, after talks with Chief Harvey and Baldo, was briefed by Bruno Serrano of Caterina’s Club about the coming re-opening of The White House restaurant that was lost to fire last year. Brunos’ daily mission to feed pasta to 3500 hungry and homeless is supported by Supervisor Nelson as part of the KFI Pastathon hosted every year in Anaheim.
Mayor Tait closed by touting how Anaheim is becoming Brew City, with 15 active craft beer labs and restaurants with 6 more coming to make it a national treasure in promoting the pleasure of beer, food, fun and friends who will hopefully cheer on the Angels to a World Series in 2018 !!! |
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Policy Advisor Steve Spernak is briefed by Bruno Serrano about the new White House re-opening in March
Policy Advisor Steve Spernak joined Interim Police Chief Julian Harvey and Higher Ground Director Joe Baldo |
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| Placentia Chamber Honors Top Members of 2018 |
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Congratulations to Placentia Chamber Director Michele Severson for designing and delivering another magical night of fun and recognitions for the top business leaders in the chamber for their work, contributions to civic events, partnerships that develop and inspire commerce and networks of trusted allies in the city.
Presenting commendations at the dinner that was hosted at the Alta Vista Country Club, Policy Advisor Steve Spernak, delivered thanks and appreciation from Supervisor Nelson to not only the honorees but the entire membership who work as a team on events year-round.
At the nights conclusion, Supervisor Nelson was proud to honor Placentia’s finest with certificates to the Citizen and Business of the Year honorees in:
Business of the Year: Kelly’s Korner Tavern
New Business of the Year: Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders
Non-Profit Organization of the Year: H.I.S. House
Woman-Owned Business of the Year: deRose Promos
Family-Owned Business of the Year: El Farolito
Citizen of the Year female: Dottie Rogers
Citizen of the Year male: Dan Chaney
Spernak also delivered thanks and appreciation to Joanne Sowards, director of the Miss Placentia program, while bidding goodbye to the current court in Cheyenne Kotick, Miss Placentia 2017 and Sophie Strobel, Miss Placentia Outstanding Teen 2017. Both students wore the crown with honor and attended city events, chamber luncheons, ribbon cuttings and put up with fun photo ops at the Heritage Day Parade. Supervisor Nelson and the entire city of Placentia send our thanks and blessings for all you did for the City of Placentia! |
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Steve Spernak with Miss Placentia Cheyenne Kotick and Miss Placentia Outstanding Teen Sophie Strobel.
Steve Spernak with City of Placentia Princesses |
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| Black History Parade 2018 |
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In what was the largest cultural faire and parade in the 38th year of celebrating Black Heritage and History in OC, thousands of residents enjoyed the perfect day in downtown Anaheim with smiles and hugs.
With a new parade route staging area at the Walnut Grove Medical Center, Carol Woodard and Gina Glaze, committee chairs, put open space and shade together to keep hundreds of band members, cheerleaders and VIP in convertibles in perfect comfort.
Minutes later, starting at 10 a.m. it was showtime and 80 entrants, ranging from the 100 Black Men of OC float to bands and drill teams from around the southland stepped off for the half mile parade that ended at Lincoln Ave.
The Supervisor’s entry, driven by Policy Advisor Steve Spernak, was a hit with the OC and American flags and a proud entrant for the 7th year in support of this community pageantry to honor African-American history.
Inside the faire, Policy Advisor Spernak delivered hugs and smiles to Doris Starling, the OC Register Top 100 in OC honoree, for her incredible work with the homeless shelter called the Courtyard in the downtown converted bus station. Starling did the startup work and rules for the almost 500 homeless who reside daily at her complex.
Best wishes to Mark Reed and Thomas Parham, directors of 100 Black Men of OC, who received national honors as the finest team in the nation for their mentoring, education and role-model contracts to develop young men into America’s finest. Reed told Spernak the business plan to build men of quality and character is rewarded when they get scholarships or appointments to Stanford, West Point, Harvard and MIT.
Supervisor Nelson sent his prayers to the family of Helen M. Shipp, founding member of the OC Black History Parade, who passed away just days prior to her final celebrations. Her words..” Honoring our Heritage, Praising our Present, Fortifying our Future” will live on in the thousands and generations she inspired ! |
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Policy Advisor Steve Spernak congratulates Doris Starling as OC Top 100 Most Influential honoree. |
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| County Commissions and Committees |
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The Fourth District has vacant appointments on the following commissions or committees:
- Audit Oversight Committee
- Assessment Appeals Board No.1
- Orange County Visitors Association
If you are interested in serving on one of these committees, please call Audra Fishel at (714) 834-3440. |
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| Anaheim District Community Meetings |
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| Anaheim District Community Meetings |
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Meet your neighbors and city staff to work together to improve neighborhoods. Your participation is instrumental in focusing on the needs of your community! Neighborhood Services Community Meetings are part of the Anaheim Neighborhood Improvement Program that uses an inter-departmental approach to improve the livability of Anaheim’s neighborhoods. Neighborhood improvement is accomplished by creating partnerships between stakeholders to work on issues of concern and identify actions to address them. These occur quarterly, with the remaining meetings in February being:
District 4 – Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Ball Junior High School
1500 W. Ball Rd.
District 5 – Thursday, February 15, 2018
Rio Vista Elementary School
310 N. Rio Vista St.
District 6 – Wednesday, February 21, 2018
East Anaheim Community Center
8201 Santa Ana Canyon Rd.
All meetings begin at 7:00pm
More information is available here. |
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| Waste & Recycling Announcement |
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| OC Waste & Recycling Speakers Bureau brings you answers—Everything You Wanted to Know About Waste Disposal and Recycling |
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Where does your trash go once it leaves your curbside?
What kinds of waste should be kept out of landfills?
What environmental controls are in place at landfills?
These questions and hundreds more are related to the management and disposal of solid waste, an essential public service and critical environmental utility provided by the County through OC Waste & Recycling.
The people of OCWR play many different roles in delivering this essential public service to the residents and businesses in Orange County. They are skilled and talented professionals with expertise in a range of fields.
And they are public servants eager to share their knowledge and expertise, which is why the agency has launched a Speakers Bureau. If your HOA, community group or business is interested in learning about any aspect of waste management in OC, speakers are available free of charge.
It’s easy – just look through the OCWR Speakers Bureau Directory, choose a topic and speaker, set a date and that’s it.
Want to know more? Contact Ruth Wardwell, OCWR strategic communications manager, at Ruth.Wardwell@ocwr.ocgov.com. |
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| OC Animal Care |
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Click on the image above to view a larger version. |
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| Events |
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City of Anaheim Events
What: Government Affairs Committee Meeting
When: February 16
Where: Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, 2099 S State College Blvd Suite 650, Anaheim
Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm
What: Anaheim Chamber After Hours Mixer
When: February 22
Where: Great Wolf Lodge, 12681 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove
Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
City of Brea Events
What: Centennial Door/Dedication Ceremony
When: February 10
Where: Laurel Elementary Magnet School/Lagos De Moreno Park(Corner of Birch st & Flower)
Time: 10:00am-11:00am
What: Kiwanis Club of Brea
When: February 15
Where: Embassy Suites, 900 E Birch St, Brea
Time: 7:15am-8:30am
City of Buena Park Events
What: Planning Commission
When: February 14
Where: Buena Park City Hall, 6650 Beach Blvd, Buena Park
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm
What: Senior Citizens Commission Meeting
When: February 22
Where: Buena Park City Hall, 6650 Beach Blvd, Buena Park
Time: 9:00am
City of Fullerton Events
What: Sweetheart Stroll Through out the Garden
When: February 14
Where: Fullerton Arboretum Nature Center, 1900 Associated Rd, Fullerton
Time: 5:00pm-7:30pm
What: Free Thursday Matinees at Fullerton Public Library-A Monster Calls
When: February 22
Where: Fullerton Public Library, Osborne Auditorium, 353 W Commonwealth Ave, Fullerton
Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm
City of La Habra Events
What: Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting
When: February 13
Where: Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, 1050 S Beach Blvd, La Habra
Time: 8:15am-9:00am
What: Prestige Martial Arts & Mentorship
When: February 17
Where: Prestige Martial Arts & Mentorship, 1515 W Whittier Blvd, La Habra
Time: 12:00pm-12:50pm
City of Placentia Events
What: Certified Farmers Market
When: February 13
Where: SW Corner of Yorba Linda & Kraemer Blvds, Placentia
Time: 4:00pm-8:00pm
What: Happy Hour Networking
When: February 16
Where: Salt & Ash, 1390 N Kraemer Blvd, Placentia
Time: 4:00pm-6:00pm
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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
George Cardenas
Policy Advisor
Audra Fishel
Policy Advisor /
Communications Director
Steve Spernak
Policy Advisor
Natalie Wieckert
Policy Advisor
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| Stay Connected! |
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