On January 30, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to permit the allocation of additional bond proceeds (gained primarily due to positive interest earnings and project cost savings) to transportation projects of benefit to four Ladera Ranch Community Facilities Districts (CFD).

After the regular Board Meeting on January 30, a Public Meeting was held to address the need for a Multi-Service, Public/Private Partnership Center.  Mary Paul (The Paul Company) researched many types of homeless multi-service center models and programs and made a presentation to the Supervisors and members of the public.  During the meeting, we heard from several non-profit organizations and individual citizens concerning who should be the target population served by a multi-service center, what types of services should be provided, and where the center would be located.  We continue to welcome any comments concerning these issues.

At the February 6 Board of Supervisors meeting, my colleagues and I approved the Impact Mitigation Agreement - Ranch Plan Project between Rancho Mission Viejo Community Development LLC and the County in the amount of $4,298,600 for law enforcement vehicles and facilities. On February 27, the Sheriff’s Department will seek Board approval on the selection of a consultant/architectural firm to conduct a needs feasibility study for a new Sheriff’s South County station. South County Stakeholders – including our ten police services contract partners (respective cities), representatives from the unincorporated communities and elected officials – will be invited to participate in the process of determining if a second or consolidated station should be built. For more information, please contact my Executive Policy Advisor, Jeff Corless.

How does Orange County pay for uncompensated emergency medical services (EMS)? Currently, we receive funding from the state for uncompensated EMS through four channels:

1) *Maddy’s Fund – $2 per $10 assessed by the county upon certain penalties and fines such as traffic tickets. For example, a ticket with $50 base is assessed $10, creating a total ticket price of $60.

2) Tobacco Settlement Revenue

3) California Healthcare for Indigents Program

4) Emergency Medical Services Appropriations

*Senate Bill (SB) 1773 augments Maddy’s Fund with an additional $2 per $10 penalty. Under this scenario, a ticket with $50 base would now be assessed $20, creating a total ticket price of $70.

While the County was required to enact Maddy’s Fund and provide services subsidized by the other three programs, we were given a choice about implementing SB 1773. On December 12, my colleagues chose not to enact SB 1773.

At Tuesday’s Board meeting, we deliberated over the issue of increasing EMS subsidies using the County’s general fund. I questioned the rationale of raising local penalty assessments given that uncompensated emergency medical services funding is the State’s responsibility. I supported a motion to continue this item until the February 27 Board meeting to allow sufficient time to evaluate our need and responsibility for increased EMS funding.

At Tuesday’s Board meeting, a motion was made to have the County’s Internal Audit function report to the County Auditor/Controller. I and Supervisor Bill Campbell opposed the motion, causing it not to pass. I was unable to support the elimination of an important check and balance critical to protecting the integrity of county operations. The Internal Audit’s reviews have been vital in identifying operational concerns and areas for improvement. It is essential the Board continue to have the ability to directly audit the validity of information presented by our operational departments.

It's time for a South County Traffic reDesign!

The South Orange County Major Investment Study (MIS) is an 18 month effort by the OCTA to examine South County transportation needs and is part of OCTA’s strategic effort to keep Orange County moving over the next 25 years.

During the first phase of the study, we are identifying the transportation challenges in South County. To this end, I ask you to help us by finishing the phrase, "This I'd Fix..."

Your response, combined with feedback from elected officials, community groups and other stakeholders, will contribute to the development of a Purpose and Need Statement. The Purpose and Need Statement summarizes the transportation challenges in South County to provide a starting point for developing transportation solutions that will help relieve congestion.

I hope you will help us with this Traffic reDesign! Please click here to go to the survey and tell us "This I'd Fix..." or visit www.OCTA.net for more information. I will continue to update you on the study's progress in the months ahead. If you have any questions, please feel free to call our hotline at 1-888-MIS-4-SOC (1-888-647-4762).

A work order had been issued to the County’s Operation and Maintenance Division to install a new crosswalk, additional signage and replace pavement markings at the end of Oso Parkway – intersecting the two entrances to Coto de Caza – adjacent to Wagon Wheel School and Riley Wilderness Park. Many thanks go to our Traffic Engineering Department for conducting a thorough and timely investigation of the issue. For more information, please contact my Executive Policy Advisor, Jeff Corless.

I am very pleased to announce that the next Coastal Coalition meeting will take place on Thursday, February 22, 2007, 9am-11am, Newport Beach Public Library, 1000 Avocado Avenue, Newport Beach, CA 92660. The theme will be “Welcome to the Coast,” with presentations by various coastal Cities and State Parks.

The Orange County Coastal Coalition is a group composed of coastal Cities, the County of Orange, California State Parks, water and sewer agencies, non-profit organizations, and others in Orange County who advocate on behalf of coastal and water quality issues.  While this is a very diverse group, we share common goals associated with the preservation of our critical coastal resources.

These meetings generally take place on the 4th Thursday of each month beginning at 9am at the Newport Beach Public Library. All are welcome to attend!

Habitat for Humanity of Orange County will be starting a new neighborhood in San Juan Capistrano. Fourteen of the 27 affordable homes will be targeted to veterans with combat-related injuries and/or surviving families of deceased veterans. Homes for Heroes is a pilot program of Habitat for Humanity of Orange County and is intended to provide affordable housing for an underserved demographic within Orange County. This new community will offer veterans a wonderful area in which to live, and a helping hand to achieve the American Dream of homeownership. For more information, please click here and here.

For upcoming meetings about homeownership opportunities, please click here.

The Orange County Animal Care Center will host its annual “Adopt A Valentine” Day on Saturday, February 10, 2007, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Animal Care Center located at 561 The City Drive South in Orange.  The event will feature hundreds of animals available for adoption and offer free spay/neuters for animals adopted during the event. “Adopt A Valentine” Day will also offer free photo opportunities for adopting owners and their new pets, Valentine’s Day treats and responsible pet ownership booklets and information for kids of all ages. For more information about the event, contact Ryan Drabek at (714) 935-6427.

I am extremely pleased to announce that Thomas G. Mauk, Chief Executive Officer, is staying with the County of Orange County as CEO after being courted by the County of Los Angeles recently.

“The support of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and staff of the County was key to my decision,” said Mauk.

Mr. Mauk indicated there is much to do in Orange County under the direction of the Board of Supervisors including:

• Strategic plan process
• Labor negotiations with the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs
• Retiree medical reform implementation
• Public facilities study and master plan
• 2007-08 budget and business plans
• Expand open space and recreation opportunities in North Orange County
• Implementation of Dana Point Harbor revitalization

The Auditor-Controller Department is proud to present its 4th annual OC Citizens’ Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006. This report provides an overview of the County’s financial condition and a brief analysis of where the County revenues come from and where those dollars are spent. It also provides an outline of trends in the local economy and how our economy compares to neighboring counties, the state and the nation. To view the OC Citizens’ Report, please click here.

Carolyn Cavecche, Chair of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors, appointed me to serve as Chair of the Legislative and Government Affairs Committee of OCTA. At the first meeting of the year, we were given a detailed overviewed from our legislative advocate on how the Governor’s proposed budget will impact funding for transportation projects. The proposal includes shifting $1.1 billion of state transportation dollars to fulfill General Fund obligations and recommends a permanent postponement of the $9.95 billion high-speed rail bond. To see a complete overview of the 2007-08 transportation budget from the State Senate Budget Committee, please click here.

Congratulations to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Employees of the Year for 2006:

Christine Byrne for Administration

Leo Diza for Maintenance

Mary Blum for Coach Operations

To see OCTA’s Employees of the Year, please click here.

I also wish to acknowledge all OCTA Employees of the Month for 2006. To view their photos, please click here (Administration), here (Maintenance) and here (Coach Operations). 

Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to Orange County’s transportation projects!

Among my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also met with:

• The San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce to introduce Mayor Sam Allevato who delivered the State of the City.

• Mike Ruane and Michelle Hart of the Orange County Children and Families Commission. I will be serving as the Board’s alternate member on the Commission and was pleased to learn about their 2007 Capacity Building Grant Program. The Children and Families Commission is requesting applications from organizations interested in applying for grants (up to $75,000) to support programs benefiting the health and early education of children from the prenatal stage through age five. Grantees will receive technical assistance in completing an application and developing a Business Plan. For more information, please contact my Executive Policy Advisor, Elise Lampe.

• Members of the Human Relations Commission including our Fifth District representative Pat Krone. The purpose of the Commission is to foster mutual understanding among residents and eliminate prejudice, intolerance and discrimination; to make Orange County a better place for ALL people to live, work, and do business. I was given an overview of the Commission’s key accomplishments for 2005-2006 in the Fifth District including conducting BRIDGES youth inter-ethnic violence prevention programs at Laguna Hills High School and Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate School, mediating 217 disputes such as landlord/tenant, barking dogs, neighbor/neighbor, employer/employee and consumer/merchant, and holding “Walk in My Shoes” Symposiums with students and teachers from Laguna Beach High School, Laguna Hills High School, La Paz Middle School, and Rancho Santa Margarita Middle School.

• Mary Loquvan and Jean Watt of the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project (WRP). WRP is dedicated to funding community-based restoration projects. WRP promotes partnerships between local non-profit organizations, county, state and federal agencies. Funded projects in the Fifth District include:
  • Trabuco Creek Fish Passage
  • San Juan Creek Non-Native Species Eradication
  • Laguna Canyon Creek Restoration
  • Serrano Creek Restoration

Note: WRP is currently accepting grant proposals under their Small Grants Program for wetlands restoration and education projects up to $30,000. For more information about the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project, please visit www.sccwrp.org.

My staff and I look forward to continually providing you with updated information in our newsletter. Please stay tuned as we will soon be launching our new website. I hope you will find them both useful.

Please feel free to contact my office with your comments or questions at (714) 834-3550.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your Supervisor for Orange County's beautiful Fifth District. Thank you so much for your support!

As always,

Pat