Welcome to this edition of the Fifth District Report, an electronic newsletter keeping you updated about the events taking place in Orange County and in the Fifth District. It is my hope that you find this distribution informative and I would encourage you to contact me regarding any thoughts, comments, or concerns you may have.

PatBates@ocgov.com

IN THIS ISSUE...

1. BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

2. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

3. SOUTH COUNTY NEWS

4. COUNTY CONNECTIONS

5. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

6. HARBOR HAPPENINGS

7. CRITTER CHRONICLES

8. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS

9. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

10. FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP

OUR STAFF...

Chip Monaco:
Chief of Staff

Sergio Prince:
Executive Director of Public Affairs

Don Hughes:
Executive Policy Advisor

Kristen Thornton:
Executive Policy Advisor

Ray Grangoff:
Executive Policy Advisor

Ruth Strachan:
Office Manager

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Thank You Assistant Sheriff Jack Anderson

Assistant Sheriff Jack Anderson has announced he will be leaving the Department next month, creating a significant loss for the Sheriff’s Department. Over the course of his 23 year career with OCSD, Jack has provided the Department with steady leadership. His passion for law enforcement and dedication to public service is evident by the enthusiastic manner in which he has carried out his duties on a daily basis.

Perhaps most notable in his service to Orange County was his tenure as Acting Sheriff for five months in 2008. Taking on the task of Acting Sheriff was a challenge, and Jack met that challenge well. At a time when the Department’s reputation had been damaged by the previous administration, Jack took important first steps towards restoring the community’s trust. He initiated significant changes including introducing the concept of staffing our jails with professional correctional officers other than sworn deputies. This is a reform that will ultimately save the taxpayers millions of dollars and has been used successfully in many other agencies. It is with much appreciation that I ask the public to join me in thanking Jack for his dedicated service to protecting public safety in Orange County. He is truly one of OCSD’s finest.

SONGS Exercise

This week, I participated in a training drill at the County’s Emergency Operations Center designed to prepare the County in responding to a potential disaster at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). The event was a dress rehearsal for a federally graded drill that will take place next month. The SONGS exercise is particularly significant to the 5th District because of our close proximity to the nuclear plant. Virtually every department in the County, as well as local cities, the Orange County Fire Authority, the Orange County Transportation Authority, and local school districts were involved in the extensive drill. I am extremely impressed by the professionalism and diligence of all those who participated. Not only as an elected official but as a resident of Orange County, I am comforted in knowing that we truly have a first-rate team that is well-prepared to handle any emergency or natural disaster.

Improving the I-405 Freeway

As you know, the San Diego Freeway (I-405) is one of the most congested freeways in Orange County, with more than 300,000 vehicle trips in some sections. As Orange County’s population and transportation demands grow, significant improvements to the I-405 are needed to reduce the congestion and improve mobility.

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is pleased to announce the start of the environmental review process for the I-405 improvement project. This environmental review process will consider transportation alternatives to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion along the 14-mile stretch of freeway between the San Joaquin Toll Road (SR-73) and the San Gabriel River Freeway (I-605).

The environmental review process includes extensive technical studies and a comprehensive public involvement program. OCTA is currently seeking your feedback to help shape the future of the project.

Please take a few minutes to provide your thoughts for the I-405 project as well as how you would like to receive information and updates. Your feedback is essential. Just log onto www.octa.net/405improvement to complete the short survey. For more information, please call the hotline at (877) 943-3640.

John Wayne Airport Construction Alert

As part of the John Wayne Airport Improvement Program, preliminary pile driving activity will began on the construction sites of Terminal C and Parking Structure C on Wednesday, August 19 and will continue on weekdays through August 28, 2009.

Pile driving is the first step in creating the foundation for the new facilities. Over the next few days, 20 “test” piles will be driven to allow the Airport to analyze the equipment being used and to confirm the depth the piles will need to be driven for the foundations. After the analysis is complete, construction pile driving will begin on the site in late September. During the pile driving activity, noise and vibration is expected at and in the vicinity of the Airport. Pile driving may occur between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A Construction Hotline – (949) 252-5273 – has been set up for the general public to leave comments or questions about the Airport Improvement Program. Emails about the project may be sent to improvements@ocair.com. For information about the Airport Improvement Program, please visit: www.ocair.com/improvements

Turnstile installation at Metro Rail stations

Metro is currently implementing an automated fare collection system that will replace paper tickets with an electronic smart “TAP” card. Over the next year, Metro will also be installing turnstiles at most Metro stations. Until June 2010, all customers, including Metrolink, riders can enter through all gates that have been placed into “free spin” mode to help passengers become accustomed to entering and exiting the stations through these new barriers. For more information about the TAP card program and the turnstiles, please visit www.metrolinktrains.com or call (800) 371-LINK (5465).

Aliso Viejo Library Repainting

Please be advised that the exterior of the Aliso Viejo Library is scheduled to be repainted from Friday, August 21 through Tuesday, August 31. During this time, the covered atrium public seating area will be closed. For more information, please call (949) 360-1730.

Applications Available for Community Services Funding

The City of Mission Viejo is currently accepting applications for its Community Services Funding Program. Funding is available for nonprofit organizations that serve the residents of Mission Viejo. Organizations must submit an application by 5:00 p.m. September 1, 2009 to the Recreation and Community Services Department at 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo, CA 92691. Applications are available by calling the Recreation and Community Services Department at (949) 470-3061 or by downloading a form from the City’s Web site at www.cityofmissionviejo.org (Forms/Recreation and Community Services/Community Services Funding Request Application).

Director of Internal Audit Wins Prestigious Ethics Award

Orange County’s Director of Internal Audit, Dr. Peter Hughes, CPA, has been selected to receive the Hubbard Outstanding Achievement Award from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).

The award is presented annually to the author of an article published in the organization's Fraud Magazine and is named in honor of Dr. Thomas Hubbard, a former Regent and Professor of Accountancy at the University of Nebraska. Dr. Hughes was selected to receive the award for an article he co-authored entitled, “Ethics Programs: Ethics Pays in So Many Ways.” The article appeared in the magazine’s July/August 2008 edition and demonstrated that sound ethics programs can strongly influence the decisions of consumers, prospective employees and investors. The award was presented July 14, 2009 during ACFE’s 20th annual Fraud Conference and Exhibition.

Dr. Hughes has served as the County’s Director of Internal Audit since July 1999, when he was appointed to the position by the Board of Supervisors.

Orange County Ranks 4th in 2009 Digital Survey

The 2009 Digital Counties Survey is an annual study by the Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties (NACo) that identifies best practices and recognizes counties throughout the nation for exemplary digital service to their citizens. This year, Orange County ranked fourth among counties with populations of 500,000 or more for outstanding County Information Technology (IT) services and applications. This achievement was made possible by the efforts of County staff to improve IT governance, business collaboration, strategic planning, and technology implementation.

Pretend City Children’s Museum

Pretend City Children's Museum will hold its grand opening on Sunday, August 30, 2009. Located in Irvine, the 28,000-square-foot museum will be the first educational facility in Orange County to represent a miniature city, empowering young children and families to meaningfully connect with and expand their world in a hands-on learning environment. The grand opening culminates years of design, program and construction work by prominent business and community leaders, educators, and philanthropists.

Pretend City Children's Museum is an interconnected city designed for children ranging from infants to eight years old. The city comprises a grocery store, farm, doctor's office, art studio, amphitheater, beach, marina, construction site and many other exhibits. Children will learn through role play based on real-world experiences as they dress up as a police officer, deliver the mail, create art, compose music or put out a fire. Pretend City will also feature an observation room to facilitate educational research and private event facilities for up to 400 adults. Classrooms for teacher and parent training and school field trip orientation are available. For more information on Orange County’s newest Children’s Museum, please visit www.pretendcity.org.

Aliso Viejo’s Top Citizens Honored

Last Friday, Aliso Viejo Mayor Donald Garcia honored Aliso Viejo's 2009 Citizens, Senior and Youth of the Year during his "State of the City" address at the Aliso Viejo Conference Center.

Robin Colton and Debra Morris were named Aliso Viejo's Citizens of the Year for their outstanding individual contributions to the community. Colton has been an active volunteer in the Aliso Viejo Police Assistance Liaison Services (PALS) program since 2008, donating more than 178.5 hours of service. Morris has played an integral role for the past six years in Aliso Viejo’s Relay for Life event supporting the American Cancer Society.

Also honored at the event was Edwin Shandrew as the City's Senior of the Year for striving to make a difference in the lives of others through his participation in the PALS program and Alexis Moore as Youth of the Year for serving as a shining example to her peers through her participation in Girl Scouts. Congratulations to all of Aliso Viejo’s Top Citizens of 2009.

The current edition of the OC Dana Point Harbor Report is now available online. The report, which includes information on recently completed Harbor improvements as well as a recently completed breakwater study funded with federal stimulus money, is available by clicking here. For all the latest information on the Harbor, visit www.DPHplan.com.

Avian Botulism Outbreak at Laguna Niguel Regional Park

The lake at Laguna Niguel Regional Park is currently experiencing an outbreak of avian botulism Type C, which has killed and sickened approximately 100 ducks in the past three to four weeks. Avian botulism results from naturally-occurring bacteria and is most common during warm summer months (July to September). The illness is spread when ducks ingest fly larvae from other infected birds. It does not spread from birds to humans.

Adopt-a-Park volunteers and park staff are working together to collect sick and dead birds to help stop the spread of this illness. Fortunately, sick birds are responding positively to treatment for avian botulism.

To help keep waterfowl at Laguna Niguel Regional and other parks healthy, OC Parks is asking the public to refrain from feeding them bread, tortillas and other starchy foods. These are not natural food sources for birds and are unhealthy to their diet. More information about maintaining the quality of life for waterfowl can be found on the OC Parks website by clicking here.

Free E-waste Recycling

On Saturday, August, 22, the public has the opportunity to recycle old computer monitors, televisions, cell phones and more in a free electronic waste recycling drive meant to benefit the environment.

The City of Mission Viejo is teaming up with All Green Electronics Recycling to host the E-waste Recycle Drive from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Mission Viejo Civic Center parking lot at 200 Civic Center. The event is designed to give residents and businesses the opportunity to properly dispose of “e-waste” which includes: computers, laptops, monitors, keyboards, copiers, DVD players, fax machines, cell phones, printers, scanners, hard drives, stereo equipment, cables and cords, shredders, microwaves, and more. Since most electronic goods contain hazardous materials, if they are simply put into a landfill they could have potentially harmful effects to the environment. Recycling these devises will not only save valuable landfill space but will also promote a safer environment. For more information, please call (949) 830-7100, extension 3076.

Rule the Pool Fridays

For just $5, kids ages 9-13 can “Rule the Pool” at the Crown Valley Community Park Pool on Friday, August 21 and Friday, September 4. Enjoy water basketball, inter-tube races, diving board contests and music with DJ Steve from Crusin Tunes from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sorry, adults aren’t invited. For more information, please call (949) 425-5100 or click here.

6th Annual "Speed Demon" Race

The City of Lake Forest is hosting its 6th Annual Skateboard Slalom "Speed Demon" Race at the Etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest on Saturday, August 22 starting at 8:00 p.m. This dual elimination style race will pit riders against each other on a challenging course for the first time held during nightfall. The cost is $10. For more information, please call (949) 916-5870.

Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo

The Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo, taking place August 22-23, provides good old fashioned entertainment for the entire family. The top 30 rodeo contestants in saddle bronc and bareback riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding and team roping will come to San Juan Capistrano for the chance of a lifetime to compete for $200,000. The event will take place at the corner of Ortega Highway and Antonio/La Pata. Gates open at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. Don’t miss your chance to experience the golden age of early California history by participating in the cowboy way of life. For more information, visit www.rmvrodeo.com.

Laguna Beach Music in the Park

The City of Laguna Beach is hosting a free concert in the park Sunday, August 23 at 5:00 p.m. Taking place at Bluebird Park, the concert will feature a performance by Hollywood U2 Tribute Band. Bring a picnic and a low backed chair and enjoy this community event. For more information, call (949) 497-0722.

RSM Labor Day Pancake Breakfast and Healthy Community Expo

Rise and shine to a hearty breakfast including pancakes and sausage from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 7. Sponsored by The Bell Tower Foundation, the breakfast will be presented in conjunction with the 5th Annual Healthy Community Expo and 5k Fun Run/Walk. Following the breakfast, the City of Rancho Santa Margarita and ProSport Physical Therapy invite runners and walkers of all ages to enjoy a healthy day of activity and fitness information. This action packed day combines a 5k walk/run, a mini-run for children, and a Healthy Community Expo featuring health and fitness exhibits. For more information please call Karen Hume at (949) 216-9700 extension 254.

In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:

• Participated in the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) disaster simulation rehearsal
• Met with the Orange County Fire Chiefs Association on issues related to paramedic services
• Delivered the Ladera Ranch State of the Community address
• Met with representatives from the City of Fullerton on issues related to redevelopment