No Board Meeting

There was no regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Supervisors this week.

Our next Board meeting will be held Tuesday, January 27. For Agenda & Meeting Information, please click here.

Live Internet broadcasts of Board of Supervisors meetings are available and archived as video-on-demand. To view live and/or past Board meetings, please click here.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Security

Over the past week, much attention has focused on the security measures taken by Sheriff’s Department deputies at the January 13, 2008 Board of Supervisors meeting.

It came to light that security surveillance cameras, used in the Board room during last Tuesday’s meeting, were found to have filmed confidential images of hand-written notes of two of my Board colleagues. While it is possible that filming may have been accidental, it was inappropriate nonetheless.

While I generally believe security at Board meetings is adequate, recent occurrences make it necessary to review some of our procedures. As Chair, I will be working with the CEO, County Counsel, and the Sheriff's Department to examine our current security policies and request recommendations for improvements. Additionally, I will be asking the newly created Office of Independent Review to participate in the investigation of the surveillance camera incident and report its findings back to the Board.

It is imperative that our Board meetings are kept safe for the public, county staff and elected officials to gather and conduct business. That safety, however, must be provided for in a manner that protects individuals, their privacy and their right to exercise free speech. As your Supervisor, I believe it is my highest obligation to ensure our county government is open, transparent, and accountable and our security procedures must reflect that value.

County Budget Issues

Scheduled layoffs in the Social Services Agency (SSA) began taking effect this week. As we work to minimize future layoffs in SSA, Probation, Health Care Agency and other County departments, in addition to furloughs, one strategy available to us is to identify vacant positions in other departments that have more secure funding sources and move qualified employees who would otherwise be subject to layoffs to those positions. Every position in the County of Orange is important and the goal is to continue to provide quality public services in a cost effective manner and prevent future layoffs.

Orange County Transportation Authority

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) continues to monitor the Federal Economic Stimulus Package proposals and is working diligently to ensure Orange County remains competitive and receives its fair share of stimulus dollars.

OCTA/Metrolink Opportunity

Celebrate the Lunar New Year Festival Saturday, January 31 with a quick OCTA/Metrolink train ride from Orange County to Chinatown in Los Angeles. Enjoy delicious food, arts and crafts, and ring in the Chinese New Year. While there, be sure to see the 110th Annual Golden Dragon Parade from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. This colorful parade will entertain the whole family with marching bands from all over the world, extravagant floats, governmental officials and dancing dragons and lions. The Golden Dragon Parade is noted for teaching people from all cultures about Chinese history. With 110,000 people marching in the parade, it is one of the largest Asian-American events in southern California.

For Metrolink Weekend train schedules and fares, please visit www.metrolinktrains.com and for more information about the Golden Dragon Parade, please visit http://www.lagoldendragonparade.com.

Aviation Sea Disaster Strategic Planning Meeting

In light of the recent plane crash into New York’s Hudson River, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department this week conducted a strategic planning meeting to discuss Orange County aviation disaster response plans. The meeting, which my staff attended, included representatives from various local agencies that would be involved in the response to any aviation disaster including John Wayne Airport, Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County Health Care Agency, and Newport Beach Police among others. Participants were charged with fine tuning current disaster plans taking into consideration lessons learned from the New York incident. Orange County is very fortunate to have many experienced and capable emergency response leaders.

The Orange County Community Foundation

I am proud to announce that the Orange County Community Foundation, in partnership with generous local philanthropists, awarded $11.3 million in grants to nonprofit agencies from July 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008; a 47 percent increase from the same period in 2007.

Fifth District recipients included the Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach which received $58,000, the Laguna Beach Community Clinic which received $20,000 to provide urgent care for first-time female patients and Shanti Orange County, located in Lake Forest, which received $9,000 to support the Circle of Women for low-to-moderate income women living with HIV/AIDS.

Additional grants worth noting include $4.9 million to support human services work, including $67,000 to KidWorks in Santa Ana and $30,000 to Orange County Community Housing Corporation. The Margaret E. Oser Fund for Women also awarded $300,000 to support 18 agencies that provide direct mental and physical health services to needy women in Orange County.

It is heartwarming to see that as the financial needs of nonprofit agencies increase as a result of the current economic situation, the Orange County Community Foundation’s donors have responded with increasing generosity.

For more information about the Orange County Community Foundation, please click here.

Old Courthouse Museum

Come experience California Native American Culture as the Old Courthouse Museum presents "Sing Me Your Story, Dance Me Home: Art and Poetry from Native California", an exhibition in which California Native American stories, songs and dance take form in poetry, painting, basketry, jewelry, printmaking, photography and sculpture. The exhibition will run at the Old Courthouse Museum, which is located at 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd. in downtown Santa Ana, from February 9, 2009 to March 27, 2009. For more information, please click here.

Dana Point Fuel Dock Prices

The County’s collaboration with the Dana Point Harbor Fuel Dock operator, KDL Services, Inc., along with a sizable drop in the price of crude oil, has resulted in Dana Point Harbor achieving fuel prices that are in line with current market prices. Boaters are encouraged to check with their local fuel dock first when planning their next trip. For more information, please contact the OC Dana Point Harbor Department at 949-923-2236.

Festival of Whales Parade

The City of Dana Point and the Dana Point Youth Board invite you to participate in the 2009 Festival of Whales Parade. The parade will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. The theme of this year's parade is "Magical Migration." Participants are encouraged to use the theme creatively when designing floats, costumes, and decorations. Trophies will be awarded to the best float, best musical unit, best use of the theme, and best local entry. All parade participant applications are due by Friday, February 20 but will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

For more information on how to participate in the Festival of Whales parade, please visit www.festivalofwhales.com, or contact Jennifer Anderson at (949) 248-3593.

California’s Economic Future, Moving Forward

The Legislative Alliance of Southern Orange County, in participation with the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, is presenting “California’s Economic Future, Moving Forward,” a conference on advancing California’s economic future. This informative discussion will feature renowned panelists John Chiang, California State Controller, Dr. Wallace Walrod, Ph.D, Orange County Business Council, and Professor Linda Cohen, Professor of Economics and Law at University of California, Irvine. The event will take place Friday, January 30 from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point. The cost is $45 per person. For more information, please call (949) 496-1555 or click here.

San Juan Capistrano 6th Annual CARe Show

Mark your calendar for Saturday, January 31 for the 6th Annual CARe SHOW benefiting the Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort (CARE). Custom, antique and personalized hot rods, trucks, muscle cars and classics will be showcased. Bring your entire family and enjoy food and live bands as you help CARE pay for much needed medications, microchips , spay/neuter, and emergency surgeries for needy animals. The event will take place at San Juan Capistrano Sports Park from 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The cost of the event varies based on age and ticket purchase date. Click here for more information.

Black American Contribution to American Popular Music

The City of Mission Viejo is hosting a concert featuring African work songs, spirituals, ragtime, blues and jazz at the Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center on February 1 from 4:00 – 5:00 PM. Timeless Melodies with Larry Maurer will include all-time greats like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, The Nicholas Bros, and Bill Bo Jangles Robinson. The cost is $10. Please call (949) 470-3062 for more information.

San Juan Capistrano State of the City Breakfast

Be among the 200 business leaders and residents attending the San Juan Capistrano State of the City breakfast where you will hear the new Mayor, Mark Nielsen, speak on the city’s accomplishments and plans for the coming year. The event will take place on Thursday, February 5 from 7:15 - 9:00 AM at El Adobe de Capistrano. The cost of the event is $30 and pre-reservations are required. Please call (949) 493-4700 for more information.

• Attended a Women in Transportation Luncheon featuring a discussion on the state of the economy
• Attended a Sheriff’s Department strategic planning meeting on Orange County aviation disaster response plans
• Presented an update at the South Orange County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Action Committee meeting
• Met with newly elected Orange County State Legislators
• Met with the Sheriff’s Department to discuss police services to Fifth District contract cities