Header image with Photo of Supervisor Pat Bates. Followed by office information
April 16, 2010

Pat Bates's Picture


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. COUNTY CONNECTIONS

4. SOUTH COUNTY NEWS

5. HEALTH HERALD

6. CRITTER CHRONICLES

7. NOTES FROM THE FIELD

8. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS

9. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

10. FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP


OUR STAFF...

Chip Monaco:
Chief of Staff

Don Hughes:
Policy Advisor

Sergio Prince:
Policy Advisor

Kristen Thornton:
Policy Advisor

Ray Grangoff:
Policy Advisor

Sabrina Ross:
Policy Advisor

Katie Angotti:
Policy Assistant

Ruth Strachan:
Office Manager

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Volume 4 Issue 15
BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

No Board Meeting this week

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

Our next Board meeting will be held Tuesday, April 20. 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.

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

I-5/Oso Parkway Interchange Update

The concrete barriers closing off the new auxiliary lane on the southbound Oso Parkway off-ramp have been removed, so drivers now have two lanes from which to exit the I-5 onto Oso Parkway.

The work is part of a $14.3 million project which includes the addition of the southbound off-ramp auxiliary lane and a lane addition to the southbound off-ramp going over the bridge leading to Cabot Road in Laguna Hills. Additionally, northbound on-ramps will be realigned and the northbound off-ramp will be widened to accommodate a dedicated right turn lane.

The project, which began in September 2008 and was scheduled for completion in March, has been delayed for at least one year because Southern California Gas Company must relocate about 160 feet of 30-inch diameter gas company pipeline which supplies natural gas to homes and businesses in central and south Orange County. Original plans left the gas line untouched, but the need to use bigger support pillars to the bridge called for the change.

To that end, all freeway ramp improvements are scheduled for completion in May 2010. However, the westbound Oso Parkway bridge improvements are now expected to be completed by August 2011.

Measure M Progress Report

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has prepared the 2009 Progress Report for Measure M and it is now available online. Measure M was passed in 1990 and has helped provide for incredible improvements in our transportation systems in Orange County. Each year, OCTA prepares a report updating the public on the projects that are funded by Measure M so the people can remain informed and see that the funds are being put to good use. To view this year’s report, please click here.

Measure M Taxpayers Oversight Committee

OCTA is seeking qualified volunteers to serve on the Measure M Taxpayers Oversight Committee (TOC). The eleven-member independent, committee monitors OCTA’s use of Measure M funds and ensures that all revenue collected from Measure M is spent on voter-approved transportation projects.

Applications for the 2010-2013 term will be accepted through May 3, 2010 to fill four positions; one each in the First, Third, Fourth and Fifth Supervisorial Districts. Orange County residents residing in these areas are eligible to apply. For additional information or to request an application, please call the selection panel at (714) 970-9329 or click here to visit OCTA’s website for the committee.

COUNTY CONNECTIONS

Essentials for Young Lives

The Children and Families Commission has partnered with HomeAid Orange County for the annual "Essentials for Young Lives" week-long campaign. “Essentials for Young Lives” is a community-wide effort to collect "essential" baby items for homeless mothers and their infants. The public is invited to bring donations of diapers, baby wipes, baby food, and baby hygiene products to the Giant Wheel Court in the Irvine Spectrum from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the April 24 campaign kickoff. Donations will be delivered to 16 of HomeAid's service provider partners that give aid and shelter to homeless families. At the event, there will also be a YMCA arts and crafts table for children, an opportunity drawing for everyone who donates, and a coupon for a free taco from Wahoo’s Fish Taco for the first 200 people to donate a box of diapers, one of the most needed items. For more information about the “Essentials for Young Lives” campaign, please click here.

If you are not able to attend the kickoff event, you can donate to more than 40 participating companies, community organizations, and churches serving as donation sites from April 26 to April 29. For a list donation sites, please click here.

Stay Connected with New Registrar of Voters’ Web Feature

Orange County Registrar of Voters staff has worked diligently to redesign the office’s Stay Connected web site section in time for the 2010 election cycle. The section, which can be seen here, offers visitors a unique, behind-the-scenes look at elections operations. With some incredibly important elections quickly approaching, this will be an excellent resource for all residents to follow the action and stay informed.

Orange County Registrar of Voters Seeks Volunteers

The Registrar of Voters needs over 6,000 volunteers to assist with the various tasks that are required to conduct the upcoming June 8, 2010 Statewide Primary Election. For information on the various Election Day volunteer opportunities, please visit the Registrar of Voters website at www.ocvote.com and click on the Volunteer icon.

Commuter Assistance Program Receives National Recognition

The County of Orange has been designated as one of the “Best Workplaces for Commuters” throughout the United States thanks to the County’s Commuter Assistance Program. As part of the program, the County provides commute option resources, startup incentives and the Commuter Choice Program to purchase bus, train or vanpool passes through the pretax payroll deduction process. The County is doing its party to not only reduce commuting headaches for its employees, but for all commuters by taking cars off the road and reducing traffic congestion, the major component of smog. For more information about the County’s Commuter Assistance Program, click here.

SOUTH COUNTY NEWS

Can One Person Make a Difference?

If you have helped to make your community, nation, or world, a better place in the past 12 months, then the Rancho Santa Margarita Library would like to showcase your efforts. Citizens young and old who have made a difference are invited to participate in the library’s “Can One Person Make a Difference?” program this June. For more information, contact Adult Services Librarian, Santa Murphy, at (949) 459-6094.

HEALTH HERALD

Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Orange County

The California Health and Human Services Agency awarded CalOptima, in partnership with the County of Orange Office on Aging and the Dayle McIntosh Center, a grant to develop and implement the Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Orange County (ADRC OC). The mission of the ADRC OC is to be a visible, reliable, and trusted resource where people can obtain information and guidance about all available support services for Orange County seniors and people with disabilities.

At this time, the ADRC OC Advisory Committee needs at least one and up to three individuals to serve a two-year term for the following seats:

  • Consumer: A senior, person with disability, or caregiver of a senior or person with disability
  • Organization Representative: Representative from a government or nongovernment organization that provides services to seniors and/or people with disabilities ADRC OC Advisory Committee Members serve on a voluntary basis and receive no salary.
Advisory Committee Members must regularly attend bi-monthly meetings. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 30, 2010. The application is available online at www.caloptima.org (click on “About CalOptima”). For more information, please call (714) 347-5763.

Health and Fitness Fair

In honor of the City of Aliso Viejo's 2010 celebration of the Year of the Youth, the City and Aliso Viejo branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley, will host a Health and Fitness Fair on Saturday, April 24.

The "Be Healthy Be Fit" fair is from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Iglesia Park Community Center, 24671 Via Iglesia. The public is invited to attend this free event that will feature blood pressure screening by Saddleback Memorial Care as well as water safety and earthquake and emergency preparedness information from the Orange County Fire Authority. Visitors will also learn about “eating the right foods” from the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. Information about the City's celebration of the Year of the Youth is available at www.cityofalisoviejo.com.

CRITTER CHRONICLES

Dog and Cat Vaccination Clinic

Have you fallen behind on vaccinations for your cat or vaccinations and licensing on your dog? The City of Rancho Santa Margarita wants you to catch up at its next Dog and Cat Vaccination Clinic!

The clinics are held at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center in Rancho Santa Margarita from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every other month. The next two clinics are scheduled for May 5 and July 7. No appointment is needed; pets are treated on a first-come, first-served basis. Dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in carriers. Owners 18 year of age or older must accompany their pets. For more information, visit www.cityofrsm.org.

NOTES FROM THE FIELD

Laguna Canyon Foundation Leader Celebrated

On May 1, a ceremony will be held at Nix Nature Center honoring Michael Pinto, founder and former Chairman of the Laguna Canyon Foundation, who is retiring.

The Laguna Canyon Foundation preserves, protects, enhances and promotes the 20,000-acre South Coast Wilderness and oversees more than 200 volunteers and coordinates guided hikes and restoration projects in Laguna Coast and Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Under the extraordinary leadership of Michael Pinto, the Foundation was able to establish both the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and Nix Nature Center. His dedication and passion allowed the Foundation to develop countywide elementary school education programs and create interpretive exhibits and signage in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park that the residents of the County of Orange will continue to enjoy for years to come.

The May 1 ceremony honoring Michael Pinto will be held from 1:00 -2:00 p.m., as part of an afternoon celebration from 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. The event is open for the public to come and enjoy the beautiful Nix Nature Center and Wilderness that Michael Pinto’s efforts have preserved.

ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS

Free E-waste, Compost and Shredding Event

The City of San Juan Capistrano is teaming up with Goodwill of Orange County to host a free e-waste collection and document shredding event on Saturday, April 24. Residents and businesses can dispose of electronic waste such as cell phones, computer, small appliances and much more (Large appliances, batteries, oils, solvents, tires and other household hazardous waste will not be accepted).

Folks will also have the opportunity to have their sensitive records securely destroyed for free as Goodwill will have a lock box available that will be transported to a secure facility for shredding from 8:00 a.m.- 12:00p.m. in the parking lot of City Hall.

That’s not all! To commemorate Earth Day, the City of San Juan Capistrano is also teaming up with CR&R and other south county cities to host a Compost giveaway from 7:00 -10:00 a.m. also in the parking lot of City Hall on the same day. To receive your compost, simply print this coupon and bring it with you. For more information on any of these exciting environmental events, click here.

SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

Creatively Fun Family Day

Round up the family and head to the Sawdust Art Festival this Saturday, April 17 for “Creatively Fun Family Day,” a day of fun for children of all ages. The event, which is part of the countywide Imagination Celebration, will feature hands-on-art activities, live entertainment, giveaways, and more. Activities will take place from 11:00am – 3:00pm. For ticket information and a schedule of events, please click here. For more information about Imagination Celebration, please click here.

Art on the Beach

On Sunday April 18, head to the beach to create beautiful paintings of crabs scuttling across the sand and sea urchins resting in the shallows. The Laguna Outreach for Community Arts is offering “Watercolors on the Beach,” art lessons on Treasure Island Beach at the Montage Resort from 10:00 - 11:30 am. For more information about cost and reservations, please call (949) 363-4700 or click here.

Celebrating Education Scholarship Luncheon

The Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce would like the public to come support its academic stars at their annual Celebrating Education Scholarship Luncheon on Friday, April 23 from 11:15am - 1:00pm at Marbella Country Club in San Juan Capistrano. The event will hold a silent & live auction as well to raise additional funds for scholarships. Laguna Niguel’s Mayor Pro Tem Gary Capata will delight attendees with his stand up shtick and CUSD High School Principals, Dr. Robert Nye and Charles Salter will serve as auctioneers for the live auction featuring lunch with local elected officials. Please make your reservations through the Chamber’s website at www.lnchamber.com or by calling the Chamber at (949) 363-0136 by April 19.

Don't miss Mission Viejo's Arts Alive

Arts Alive, the annual intergenerational Spring Arts Festival, is returning to Mission Viejo April 24 and 25. The free weekend festival will meld expression, education and the environment into an interactive community event at Oso Viejo Community Park (24932 Veterans Way). Visitors will enjoy a wide array of cultural, artistic and environmental activities including the 12th Annual Fun with Chalk street painting exhibit and Oso Creek Sense of Place Trail Flag Project.

The festival is from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Free shuttle service is available from the Newhart Middle School parking lot and the Mission Viejo Civic Center from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information, please click here.

Free swimming at Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center

Residents of Aliso Viejo are invited to drop by the Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center on Saturday, May 1 to enjoy free swimming from 9:00am – 7:00pm. Local up-and-coming singing sensation Yazzie Jay will be performing. The celebration also includes fun-filled games and activities for all ages and Oasis Cafe specials. The Aquatic Center is located at 29 Santa Barbara, next to the Aliso Viejo Conference Center. For more information, please click here.

FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP

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

  • Joined OCTA Chairman Amante and the Chairs of the Foothill, Eastern and San Joaquin Hills Toll Roads Boards in a meeting to provide updates on transportation projects and issues of mutual interest
  • Presented a proclamation to Mary R. Burchard of Laguna Niguel recognizing her receipt of the Congressional Gold Medal for her participation in the Women’s Air Service Patrol during World War II
My office also:
  • Toured properties under consideration for acquisition for open space by the OCTA M2 Environmental Oversight Committee
  • Attended a Las Flores HOA meeting on future governance options
  • Toured the Theo Lacy Jail Facility
  • Attended the memorial service for Sgt. Ira Essoe (OCSD Retired)
  • Attended a briefing on Orange County Sheriff Department SAFE Bureau
  • Provided a certificate of recognition for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Smile Again Dental in Laguna Hills
My staff and I look forward to continually providing you updated information in our Fifth District Newsletter and website.

Please feel free to contact my office with your concerns, comments or questions at (714) 834-3550. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your Supervisor for Orange County's Fabulous Fifth District.

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