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. PAT’S PERSPECTIVE

2. BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

3. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

4. LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION

5. COUNTY CONNECTIONS

6. SOUTH COUNTY NEWS

7. SAFETY SENTINEL

8. NOTES FROM THE FIELD

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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Thank you Fifth District

I would take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the voters of the Fifth District for allowing me the opportunity to continue serving as your County Supervisor.

In the next four years I will continue to advocate for the values of limited government and fiscal responsibility. Abraham Lincoln, one of my political heroes, is remembered for numerous words of wisdom, but his most important is his reminder that in this nation we have a “government of, by and for the people.” It remains my commitment to you to keep the County of Orange a government of, by and for the people. It is the responsibility of the Board of Supervisors to ensure that your County government serves the people and not itself. As I work to keep county government transparent, open, and responsive to the needs to the people, you can help by providing me with feedback. Please do not hesitate to contact my office to share your thoughts and concerns.

County Moves Closer to Accepting 20,000 Acres

On June 17, the OC Parks Commission will consider the Irvine Company’s proposal to provide a gift of historic proportions to the County of Orange – 20,000 acres of open space for preservation and recreation.

The 20,000 acres of land was part of the original Irvine Ranch, a sprawling agricultural operation that encompassed much of central Orange County. If accepted, the gift will increase OC Parks’ parkland and open space by 50%, to nearly 60,000 acres. It would represent the largest single donation of land to the County in its history.

The basis for the gift is a Letter of Intent between the Irvine Company and the County. The letter was approved by the Orange County Board of Supervisors on September 29, 2009. It acknowledged the County’s willingness to accept the property and established the criteria for doing so.

The OC Parks Commission will consider the proposal at a special meeting on Thursday, June 17 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will take place on the third floor of the Old Orange County Courthouse at 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd. in downtown Santa Ana. If approved, the proposal is scheduled to be considered by the Board of Supervisors at our June 29 meeting.

All of the documents related to the gift are currently available on OC Parks’ website and prior to the Commission meeting, an agenda and staff report will be made available. To visit the website, please click here.

Transportation Corridor Agencies Approve Budgets

The Boards of the San Joaquin Hills and Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agencies this week approved their Fiscal Year 2010-11 budgets with expenditure cuts that put them below last year’s budgets. The budgets total $322.1 million, ($144.1 million for the San Joaquin Hills Agency and $178 million for the Foothill/Eastern Agency). With approval of the budgets, both Boards of Directors opted not to raise any toll rates or fees in the next year.

Operations, administration and capital improvement expenditures for the San Joaquin Hills Agency have been reduced 36.9 percent as compared with the FY10 amended budget. The operations, administration and capital improvement expenditures for the Foothill/Eastern budget have been reduced 16.4 percent as compared with the FY10 amended budget. Savings are primarily related to the completion of widening projects on the 73 and 241 Toll Roads and reduced administrative costs. Six employees voluntarily resigned their positions as part of an incentive-based program and TCA’s adopted policy prevents re-staffing of these positions until Board approval.

Rancho Santa Margarita Sphere of Influence Update

At last month’s Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) meeting, the proposed Rancho Santa Margarita Sphere of Influence (SOI) Update was delayed until June 9 to allow the City of Rancho Santa Margarita City Council additional time for discussion on the matter and to accommodate participation by a previously absent council member.

As a result, at its May 26 meeting, the Rancho Santa Margarita City Council reconsidered its April 14 action to oppose the proposed amendment to the City’s SOI and, by a 3-1 vote, rescinded the Council’s earlier action.

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita SOI amendment was originally scheduled for LAFCO consideration a year ago, in June 2009, with this week’s hearing being the item’s fifth continuation. At that time a working group comprised of representatives from the City of Rancho Santa Margarita, the County, LAFCO staff and the surrounding unincorporated communities began a year-long study on the fiscal issues related to the city and the unincorporated neighboring communities. This year-long collaborative effort resulted in the completion of a credible, consultant-prepared fiscal study of long-term governance options for the area.

To that end, the Commission this week amended the Sphere of Influence for the City of Rancho Santa Margarita to include the unincorporated communities of Coto de Caza, Las Flores, Wagon Wheel and Stonecliffe. However, because LAFCO has the authority to amend city spheres and can schedule an update at any time, the action taken this week by the Commission does not preclude the City from requesting a future SOI review and an amendment.

This issue has spirited a public debate, which is an essential part of our political process. I always welcome a healthy dialogue on issues of regional significance. As your Supervisor, my goal continues to be working to improve the way in which the County provides services, and I will continue working diligently with the City and the unincorporated communities on all matters that help achieve this goal. For more information on this issue, click here and here.

LAFCO Public Member Selected

State law establishes a 4-year term for the regular public member seat on the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). With the term of the incumbent regular public member set to expire June 30, LAFCO advertised the impending vacancy to recruit interested parties from Orange County, as reported in my March 26 newsletter. As a result, LAFCO received applications from 6 individuals interested in filling the public member seat.

At the June 9 LAFCO meeting, after interviewing each of the applicants, the Commission voted to reappoint Susan Wilson, a resident of Mission Viejo and a Fifth District constituent, to continue her service as the regular public member for an additional term. For more information about LAFCO, please click here.

Primary Election Results

As you know, Tuesday was Election Day in California. On June 8, the party nominees for statewide office were selected and Californians also voted on a number of statewide and local ballot initiatives.

Closer to home, there were elections for six countywide offices. Deputy Treasurer Keith Rodenhuis and Huntington Beach Treasurer Shari Freidenrich were the top two vote getters in the race for Treasurer-Tax Collector; the two candidates will face each other in a November run-off election. District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, Public Guardian/Administrator John Williams, Assessor Webster Guillory, and Auditor-Controller David Sundstrom were all re-elected. Appointed Sheriff Sandra Hutchens was elected to a full four-year term. I congratulate all of these County officers on their elections and look forward to working with them in the coming years.

The election also included the office of County Supervisor for the Second and Fifth Districts as well as a Special Election to fill the vacant Fourth District office. My colleague John Moorlach and I were both re-elected to the Board of Supervisors. In the Fourth District, Fullerton City Councilman Shawn Nelson was elected to complete former Supervisor Norby’s term which terminates in December 2010. Supervisor-Elect Nelson will face a run-off election in November 2010 against Anaheim Councilman Harry Sidhu, the second highest vote getter in the Primary. The winner in that contest will be seated as the Fourth District Supervisor for a term beginning January 2011.

I look forward to serving another term alongside my Board colleagues Supervisor Nguyen, Supervisor Moorlach and Supervisor Campbell, all who have been important partners in leading our County government. I welcome Shawn Nelson to the Board of Supervisors for the remainder of 2010 and am confident he will be an able team member as the Board works together to meet challenges and serve our residents.

Bear In Mind: “The Story of the California Grizzly”

OC Parks has launched an exciting exhibit featuring the “Story of the California Grizzly” which is on display though October at the Old Orange County Courthouse. Residents are invited to come learn all about the history of these ferocious and magnificent beasts and the relationships Californians have shared with them through history.

On Friday, June 11 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. an Opening Reception will be held with featuring a lecture with author Susan Snyder. This event is free and open to people of all ages who want to learn about grizzlies! For more information please, click here.

Dana Point Walking Tour

The Dana Point Historical Society recently published a brochure that provides a self-guided driving tour of historical sites throughout Dana Point. The Historical Society is so pleased with the public’s positive reaction that it has now created a new version for those who prefer to walk! The new walking tour brochure is available through the Historical Society by calling (949) 248-8121. The tour takes residents and visitors through the harbor and the headlands and stops at 18 different local historical sites. For more information, please click here.

El Toro Water District Potential Rate Increases

The El Toro Water District is inviting the public to provide comments on a proposed water usage rate increase and a new tiered rate structure for customers. The issue will be taken up at the ETWD’s next Board meeting on June 24 at 4:00 p.m. (24251 Los Alisos Blvd, Lake Forest). If approved, the increased rates and new rate structure will take effect in July.

El Toro Water District provides service to parts of Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills and Mission Viejo and the entire city of Laguna Woods. For more information, please visit www.etwd.com.

Summer Pool Safety & Swim Lessons

The American Red Cross of Orange County is urging residents to pay close attention to water safety this summer. Drowning continues to be the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4 years old in Orange County and throughout California.

The Red Cross provides the following tips to help you and your family enjoy a safe summer at the pool:

• Never leave a child unobserved in a pool; adult supervision is essential.
• If a child is missing, check the pool or water first! Precious time is often wasted looking for a missing child anywhere but in the pool or natural body of water.
• Install a four-sided isolation pool-fence with self-closing and self-latching gates around the pool. Create layers of protection between your child and the pool. The fence should be at least 4 feet tall.
• If your house serves as part of your pool enclosure, protect any doors leading to the pool area with an alarm or a power safety cover over the pool.
• Do not leave pool toys in the water. A child may fall into the water while trying to retrieve a toy.
• Teach children to swim, but know those swimming lessons will not necessarily drown-proof a young child.
• All parents should learn CPR.

The Toll Roads 2010 Spring Habitat Tours

On May 22, hikers were led through The Toll Roads’ Bonita Creek Mitigation Site. The 21-acre site contains wetlands and coastal sage scrub, and is home to more than one hundred various species of birds, including the federally listed California gnatcatcher and least Bell’s vireo. The hike marked the end of the 2010 series of annual spring native habitat tours. Nearly 70 hikers participated in this year’s program, which showcased more than 2,100 acres of open space that TCA has protected with the construction of the toll road system. Tours through Upper Chiquita Canyon and Upper Laurel Canyon were also offered as part of the series. All of the tours, offered in April and May, were free to the public.

Astronomy Night at Riley Wilderness Park

Come out to Riley Wilderness Park (30952 Oso Parkway, Coto de Caza) and explore the Galaxy with the OC Astronomers Club from Sundown (approx. 8pm) to 9:30pm on Saturday, June 19. The astronomers will have telescopes to view the stars, planets and nebulas and will be available to answer questions and share interesting facts about the night sky. There is a parking fee of $3 per car.

Summer Movie and Concerts Series

Kick off your summer fun with a free movie or concert in the park! Don’t miss out on these exciting events that cities in the Fabulous Fifth District have to offer:

Dana Point
Concerts held Sundays from June 27 through August 27 (not on July 4)
Concerts normally begin at 4:30 p.m.
Heritage Park, 34400 Old Golden Lantern
http://www.danapoint.org/index.aspx?page=68

Movies held Fridays in June at 8:00 p.m.
Lantern Bay Park, 25111 Park Lantern Rd
Free admission and free popcorn. Other refreshments for sale.
http://www.danapoint.org/index.aspx?page=131&recordid=2649

Laguna Niguel
Concerts held Fridays from June 25 to August 27 at 6:30pm (special concert on July 4 from 6-8)
Crown Valley Community Park, 29751 Crown Valley Pkwy.
http://www.ci.laguna-niguel.ca.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=1576

Rancho Santa Margarita
Concerts held Sundays from July 18 to August 8 at 6:00 p.m.
Central Park, 30842 La Miranda
http://www.cityofrsm.org/cals/default.asp

San Juan Capistrano
Concerts held third Wednesday of the month from June 16 through September 15 at 6:00 p.m.
Historic Town Center Park, 31852 El Camino Real
http://www.sjc.net/events/summer_nights.html#schedule

San Clemente
Concerts held Thursday, July 29, August 12 and August 26 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
San Clemente Pier, 611 Avenida Victoria
http://san-clemente.org/sc/NewsOnly.aspx?PageID=497

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

• Met with representatives from United Healthcare to discuss healthcare issues affecting Orange County
• Met with representatives from the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association
• Met with representatives from the Orange County Building Industry Association
• Provided a County Update at the annual Ladera Rancho Chamber of Commerce State of the Community