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. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

5. SAFETY SENTINEL

6. CRITTER CHRONICLES

7. NOTES FROM THE FIELD

8. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

9. 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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Fiscal Year 2010-11 Budget Hearings

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Board of Supervisors conducted our annual two-day budget hearing to review and discuss the proposed budget for next Fiscal Year - which we will be voting on later this month. My objective in reviewing the budget plan is to maintain core County functions and prioritize needs over wants.

The CEO has recommended a budget plan that totals $5.4 billion for next fiscal year. To put that into perspective, that is more than $1.3 billion, or 20%, less than the County budget that was passed just two years ago for Fiscal Year 2008-09. While the majority of the reductions were taken last year, the proposed budget for next year reduces the County’s General Fund allocations to departments by an additional $105 million over last year’s budget.

We have accomplished these significant cost-savings by utilizing across-the-board department cuts; furloughs; hiring freezes; financial restructuring; and deferring expensive, non-critical IT project upgrades. It is important to emphasize that our spending cuts have been targeted to administrative reductions first in order to protect our frontline services because that is what our residents pay for and expect.

During this budget cycle, our public safety budgets were most at risk due to the fact that funding for our Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s Office is heavily reliant on sales tax revenue which has been impacted by the poor economy. To address this issue, in late 2009 I formed a Public Safety Budget Working Group comprised of the Sheriff, District Attorney, County CEO, Supervisor Campbell and myself to establish recommendations for the Board’s consideration on how best to maintain a budget that would protect our core public safety services.

To that end, the CEO’s proposed 2010-2011 County budget incorporates the recommendations made by the working group which includes a combination of targeted reductions in those departments and the use of reserves. The working group, with the CEO’s concurrence, feels that the use of reserves is needed as a short term remedy to preserve frontline services; however, it is not a sustainable strategy for addressing long term budget shortfalls.

As the Board considers the proposed budget through the end of this month, I will continue to look for ways to reduce non-core service programs. Additionally, I will continue to work with my colleagues in addressing the unsustainable pension system in order to ensure future County budgets are financially responsible and meet the needs of our residents.

To view the County CEO’s budget presentation, please click here. For the Sheriff’s budget presentation, click here and for the District Attorney’s budget presentation, click here.

West County Connectors Groundbreaking

The Orange County Transportation Authority is proud to announce that the West County Connectors construction has begun! This exciting project will deliver congestion relief where the 405, 605 and 22 freeways meet. The project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2014 and will help ease traffic tension in the area by creating a connection from the carpool lane on the 405 to those on the 22 and 605. This will assist all 5th District drivers who regularly use these freeways to get to northern Orange County or Los Angeles.

5-1-1 Traffic Information

Driving around Southern California can be difficult, but help is on the way! Traffic officials from Orange, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, including OCTA, have joined with Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol to launch a new phone service and website that will provide commuters with updated traffic information to help find the best routes for each day. The website, go511.com, provides traffic maps, up-to-the-minute traffic alerts, route planners, and information on public transportation options. The phone service can be accessed through calling 5-1-1 on your phone (remember to use a hands-free device if you are driving) and will provide voice automated up-to-the-minute traffic information.

2-1-1 Orange County Launches New Website

Residents and service providers can now access pertinent information and stay informed through the new 2-1-1 Orange County website, 211oc.org! The interactive website directly connects residents to the services they need including information about available shelter and food, disaster preparedness, road closures and more. The website also offers information for residents about how they can get involved in their community. Check out the new website at www.211oc.org.

Dana Hills Students Raise $13,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation

Students at Dana Hills High School recently organized a dance to benefit the Make-A-Wish foundation and raised over $13,000. Over 900 students attended the dance in support of the nonprofit which grants wishes to 2-18 year old children with life-threatening medical conditions. Three local children have already been granted their wishes to be farmer for a day, visit Disneyland, and meet a famous soccer player with the money Dana Hills High School collected. For more information about the Orange County Make-A-Wish Foundation, please click here.

Tesoro High School Benefit Concert to Fight Leukemia

On June 5, Tesoro High School’s Rock for the Cure Club musical fundraiser collected $10,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Founded by Evan Goldman and Connor Cushman, Rock for the Cure is a group of almost 200 students who worked throughout the school year to plan, organize, and run the benefit. The event featured five live bands, food and t-shirts for sale, raffle contest, and special guest speakers shared stories about their battles with leukemia. For more information about Rock for the Cure, please click here.

Mission Viejo Childhood Watch

The City of Mission Viejo has launched a program designed to help keep kids safe. Childhood Watch, a component of the Neighborhood Watch program, is a four-part program led by Orange County Sheriff’s personnel for children ages 6 to 12.

Classes will focus on using 911, Child Safe ID cards, personal safety, the buddy system, front-door safety, traffic smarts, bicycle registration, scooters and skateboards, good and bad touches, and Internet safety. The program will run Tuesday July 6, 13, 20 and July 27 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Registration is due by June 25. Class size is limited so please hurry. For more information or to register, call Mission Viejo Police Services at (949) 470-8433 or click here.

16th Annual Dawg Walk and Pet Faire

On Saturday June 26, bring your pet to the 16th Annual Dawg Walk and Pet Faire in Mission Viejo. The pet-filled fun will include dog adoptions, canine contests, Incredible K9 Athletes in Action, pet wildlife exhibits, and a Dawg Walk along Oso Creek Trail. All regular activities are free. The faire will take place on the Village Green at the Norman P. Murray Senior and Community Center from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with registration opening at 7:00 a.m. For more information about the event, please click here. To register online for the Dawg Walk, please click here.

OC Parks Father’s Day Hike in Laguna Beach

This Father’s Day, celebrate in the sunshine and the great outdoors. Join O.C. Resource Specialist Laura Cohen on a family friendly 2-mile hike up and down Laurel Canyon this Sunday June 20 from 4-7:00 p.m. Pack a picnic dinner with all Dad’s favorites to enjoy overlooking the beautiful canyon in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Reservations are required by calling (949) 923-2235. The program cost is $5 per person and $3 for parking. For more information, please click here.

World Championship of Skimboarding at Aliso Beach

Aliso Beach Park in Laguna Beach will host the World Championship of Skimboarding this weekend. This year’s events will feature the first ever professional women’s division, including San Clemente native Shonna Cobb, and the first live video webcast of the annual event. Both the amateur and professional divisions will be running heats from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please click here.

9th Annual Paint San Clemente Plein Air Competition

On Saturday, June 19 the San Clemente Art Association will open its 9th Annual Paint San Clemente Plein Air Competition. The event will run from Saturday, June 19 through Saturday, June 26 with art competitions for over $13,000 in cash prizes, exhibits on display, and art for sale. Opening Day will feature a plein air or “open air” quick draw competition and art sale. All quick draw works that are not sold will be placed on display in the San Clemente Art Gallery through June 25. For more information and a list of events, please click here.

Laguna Niguel Summer Drop-In Sports

This summer from June 28 through August 26, the City of Laguna Niguel will offer drop-in sports for children ages 6 to 11. Every Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Charpparosa Park’s basketball courts your little one can join other kids and City Recreation Staff in fun activities like dodge ball, frisbee football, and more. For more information, please click here.

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

• Attended the Orange County Republican Annual Flag Day Salute
• Met with representatives of the OC Human Relations Commission
• Participated in the County of Orange Budget Hearings
• Met with representatives from OC Public Works to discuss progress of Fifth District roads projects
• Met with constituents to discuss green energy proposals
• Met with Hospital administrators regarding Medical Services for Indigents (MSI) funding
• Toured the former South Court Justice Center site in Laguna Niguel
• Met with representatives from OC Dana Point Harbor to receive an update