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. DISASTER READINESS, RESPONSE & RECOVERY

4. COUNTY CONNECTIONS

5. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

6. HARBOR HAPPENINGS

7. CRITTER CHRONICLES

8. HEALTH HERALD

9. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS

10. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

11. 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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County to Accept 20,000 Acres of Open Space

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors unanimously supported proceeding with a 20,000 acre open space acquisition, which will transfer the Irvine Company’s remaining open space lands to the County of Orange. The lands, ranging from Gypsum Canyon in the north to Laguna Laurel in the south, will more than double the County’s open space lands which are managed by OC Parks.

To ensure a seamless transition, an agreement between the County and the Irvine Ranch Conservancy is proposed as part of the transaction. If approved, the final agreement, for a period of up to three years, will enable the Conservancy to continue its stewardship activities and public programs uninterrupted while OC Parks evaluates the most effective ways to manage the lands over the long-term.

Additionally, the Nature Conservancy, which currently manages an endowment for stewardship activities for a large portion of the lands, will also take part in the negotiation process. Members of the public and the environmental community will have an opportunity to provide input throughout this process as it will be on both the OC Parks and Board of Supervisors monthly agenda for status reports and opportunities for discussion. The Board has tentatively set March 31, 2010 as the deadline to complete this transaction.

The Irvine Company’s offer to transfer over a large portion of its privately owned lands to a public agency represents a very significant gift to Orange County residents as it guarantees these lands will be held in permanent trust for future generations to enjoy. To view a map of the proposed new County open space lands, please click here.

State Budget Impacts

The Board received a presentation by the County’s budget staff on what the impacts will be to Orange County as a result of the recently adopted California State Budget. In order to address its $41.6 billion budget deficit, the State’s adopted budget for FY 2009-10 includes significant reductions to most of its state programs as well as its funding to local jurisdictions.

On Tuesday, the Board was told that the State will reduce its 2009-10 funding to the County of Orange by an estimated $95.5 million. These reductions will impact the County’s Probation Department, District Attorney, Public Defender, Health Care Agency, Social Services Agency, OC Community Resources and General Fund.

A representative from the Sheriff’s Department also presented the Sheriff-Coroner’s revised budget reduction plan. The revised plan achieves a savings of $28 million for FY 2009-10 resulting in part from the deletion of 99 positions within the department.

To view the power point presentation from the County’s budget staff, please click here. To view the Sheriff-Coroner’s revised budget reduction plan, please click here.

Two New Appointments to CalOptima Board of Directors

CalOptima is Orange County’s public health care system, which administers the County’s Medi-Cal, Medicare and Healthy Families programs. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors selected two new members to serve on CalOptima’s Board of Directors to fill the seats of members whose terms expired this week. Both expiring seats were designated specifically for health care providers with and at least one of the openings required to be filled by a physician.

After a thorough recruitment, application and interview process, the Board selected Margarita Pereyda, MD and Chung The Bui, MD as the newest members of the CalOptima Board of Directors. For more information about their qualifications, please click here. For information about CalOptima, visit http://www.caloptima.org.

I-5/Oso Parkway On-Ramp Update

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is expected to reopen the northbound I-5 on-ramp at Oso Parkway in the City of Mission Viejo on Tuesday, October 13.

The closure, which went into effect September 14, is part of the ongoing $14.3 million Oso Parkway Interchange Project that began last September. Signs are currently displayed to advise motorists of detours around the temporary closure. The project is expected to be finished by March 2010.

To ensure the safety of the public and workers in a construction zone, officials are reminding motorists to remember to “slow for the cone zone,” be alert and proceed with caution. For information about this project or any other freeway project in Orange County, call 1(800) 724-0353 or visit www.dot.ca.gov/dist12.

91 Express Lanes Toll Decrease

A decline in traffic volume on the eastbound 91 Express Lanes during specified peak hours has triggered an automatic toll decrease effective October 1, 2009. The toll rates will be reduced by fifty cents for seven peak hours during the week. For more information on the adjusted rates and which hours during the week are affected, please click here. For a complete list of the 91 Express Lanes Toll Schedule, please click here.

California Rideshare Week

It’s time to give up driving alone and share the ride! California Rideshare Week, an annual statewide campaign to promote alternatives to driving alone, is taking place next week, October 5 - 9. Walking, bicycling, riding the bus, carpooling and using Metrolink are all ways to improve your commute by saving money and time, and in some cases even helping burn calories.

During California Rideshare Week, choosing these alternative modes of transportation can also help you win great prizes from the Orange County Transportation Authority. For more information about California Rideshare Week and OCTA’s Rideshare contest, please click here.

Fire Prevention Week

At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, I presented a resolution to Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Chief Keith Richter declaring October 3 through 10 "Fire Prevention Week" in the County of Orange.

Fire Prevention Week is a national campaign promoted by the National Fire Protection Association and the International Association of Fire Chiefs to increase community awareness of fire prevention community education programs that are available. This year’s theme is “Ready! Set! Go!” which focuses on providing residents with vital information on how to protect their homes from wildfires.

In honor of Fire Prevention Week, OCFA is hosting an Open House at its headquarters in Irvine on Saturday, October 3. Many of OCFA’s local fire stations are also hosting similar open houses Saturday, October 10. For a list of South County fire stations with open houses scheduled, please click here.

TSA Awards $8.8 Million to John Wayne Airport

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced it will award approximately $8.8 million to John Wayne Airport for the construction of an in-line baggage handling system at the new Terminal C which is currently under construction.

Similar to the baggage handling systems that are already in place for Terminals A and B, this system will use state-of-the-art technology to quickly screen baggage for explosives while streamlining the ticketing and boarding process for passengers, eliminating the need for passengers to walk checked baggage to a screening location before proceeding to the security checkpoint. The system will come on-line in late 2011 in conjunction with the completion of Terminal C. For more information, please click here.

San Juan Capistrano Supports Adopted Marines

San Juan Capistrano residents were successful in raising nearly $10,000 in the month of September during two community events to benefit members of the City's adopted 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment (1/11).

On September 24, about 130 people, including 35 members of the 1/11 Marines, attended the semi-formal Marine Corps Mess Night at the Marbella Country Club which raised $7,000 to benefit the 1/11 Marines and their families while the unit serves overseas. Additionally, on September 26, the community rallied behind its adopted Marines by helping to raise $2,700 during a car wash fundraiser in the parking lot at the corner of Ortega Highway and El Camino Real.

As the holidays approach, we’re reminded of the importance of showing appreciation to our U.S. Military men and women for their sacrifice, dedication, and service to our country. All residents are encouraged to show support by sending letters, emails, greeting cards, care packages and prayers. Click here for a list of non-profit organizations that are recommended by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Coastal Commission to Vote on Harbor Revitalization Plan

The Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Plan, also referred to as the Dana Point Local Coastal Plan Amendment (LCPA), has been approved by the County of Orange and the City Council of Dana Point. In June, California Coastal Commission (CCC) was scheduled to consider approving the plan but due to time constraints and a potential loss of quorum, the agenda item was pushed back to CCC’s October hearing. That hearing is set to take place on Thursday, October 8 in Oceanside.

Anyone interested in offering input on the Harbor Revitalization Plan is encouraged to write letters or attend the CCC meeting. For more information about how to get involved, please click here. Click here to view the full CCC agenda. For more information about the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Plan, please click here.

Underwater Cleanup

OC Dana Point Harbor is planning a second underwater clean-up event on Saturday, October 17 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the East Basin Marina. The Harbor is seeking certified volunteer scuba divers to search the harbor bottom and recover dropped objects, and kayakers to act as support and safety vessels. For their entry fee and volunteer efforts, participants will receive a continental breakfast, lunch, and an event T-shirt.

The kick-off event in May of this year recovered miscellaneous debris which included cell phones, tools, chairs, keys, a marine head and even two bicycles. A significant amount of recovered debris was hauled away for proper recycling or disposal.

This effort is part of OC Dana Point Harbor’s continuing water quality improvement program; the semi-annual event will move throughout the east and west marinas on a multi-year cycle. Certified divers and kayakers can register and obtain more information by contacting the Dana Point Marina Company at (949)496-6137.

A Tail of Two Cities "Caribbean Skulldoggery"

The Pet Project Foundation, an organization that benefits the San Clemente – Dana Point Animal Shelter, is hosting its 9th annual “A Tail of Two Cities - Caribbean Skulldoggery” on Saturday, October 3 at the Talega Golf Club in San Clemente beginning at 5:00 p.m. The event promises to be fun-filled with plenty of food, dancing, prizes and some pirates, too. Live music will feature the West Coast Strayz. The foundation pays for medical care, food and other costs associated with homeless pets in the care of the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter. For ticket information, please click here.

Restaurant Inspection Seals Enhanced

The Orange County Health Care Agency has begun posting new and enhanced inspection seals at more than 15,000 retail food facilities in Orange County. The new Inspection Notification Seals can be found at the entrance to retail food facilities throughout the county.

The enhanced inspection seals will include bolder and more distinct wording indicating “Passed,” “Reinspection Due – Pass,” or “Closed.” In addition to providing an “at-a-glance” status of the food facility, each seal offers information about the facility including name, address, date of the last inspection, and a 24-hour telephone hotline number where consumers can contact Environmental Health.

Additional detailed inspection information remains available through the Food Protection Program website at www.ocfoodinfo.com, where copies of the actual inspection report are posted for viewing, or by request at the retail facility. Orange County also conducts the Award of Excellence program which recognizes food facilities that consistently demonstrate the highest standards in food safety and sanitation.

Orange County Coastal Coalition Update

On September 24, the Coastal Coalition heard presentations from the Orange County Sanitation District and the County of Orange Healthcare Agency on beach water quality. Ed Torres, Director of Technical Services for the Orange County Sanitation District, discussed the Huntington Beach Bacterial Contamination that occurred in 1999 and the lessons that we have learned in the past ten years about that event. To view Ed’s presentation, click here.

Larry Honeybourne, Water Quality Program Manager for the County of Orange Health Care Agency, also provided an update on the Ocean Water Protection Program and AB411 Ocean and Bay Bacterial Monitoring Program. To view Larry’s presentation, click here.

Please join me at our next Coastal Coalition meeting to be held on Thursday, December 3 at 9:00 a.m. at the Newport Beach Public Library. To be placed on the email distribution list for Coastal Coalition meetings, please send your email address to betty.martinez@ocpw.ocgov.com.

San Juan Capistrano Ridge Walk

The City of San Juan Capistrano and the San Juan Capistrano Rotary are gearing up for the October 3 community Ridge Walk, which this year also includes a 10K run. This special event celebrates hiking, healthy outdoor living and the ecologically sound lifestyle that helps to distinguish the community. The Saturday trek kicks off at the parking lot at the end of Camino Las Ramblas, just off the I-5 freeway. The 10K starts at 7:30 a.m., and the Ridge Walk trail opens at 9:00 a.m. through noon. To register for the event online visit www.BigBazTrailRaces.com. For more information, please call (949) 493-5911.

Second Saturday Art and Craft Fair

Stroll through historic San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, October 10 to enjoy not only great weather, but also a beautiful art and craft fair. With 50 artists displaying art, jewelry and crafts, live music and face painting, this fair is sure to have something for everyone. Make a day of it with lunch and shopping at the local businesses in San Juan Capistrano. The fair will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the City's downtown area (Camino Capistrano, Verdugo and Yorba Street).For more information, visit www.sjcartfair.org.

Rancho Mission Viejo Little League Registration

The Rancho Mission Viejo Little League is gearing up for its upcoming season with registration kicking off in October. The league will host three walk-in registration dates on October 27, November 3 and November 4 for the 2010 season at the Mission Viejo’s Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way. Registration will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. each day. For more information about the Rancho Mission Viejo Little League, visit http://rmvll.org/.

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

• Met with Sheriff Hutchens to discuss the Sheriff’s Department’s revised budget reduction plan.
• Met with City officials from Laguna Beach to discuss issues affecting LB beaches and the homeless issue.
• Attended a Marconi Foundation for Kids reception at the Marconi Automotive Museum in support of Covenant House California (CHC). The event, which helped raise funds to assist CHC in their mission to serve homeless street youth, featured rousing performances by some of Broadway's biggest stars. For more information, please click here.