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. COUNTY CONNECTIONS

3. SOUTH COUNTY NEWS

4. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

5. SAFETY SENTINEL

6. HEALTH HERALD

7. HARBOR HAPPENINGS

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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Widening of Avenida de La Carlota and El Toro

During Tuesday’s Board meeting, the Board approved an agreement that will allow the City of Laguna Hills to move forward on the widening of the northwest corner of Avenida de La Carlota at the El Toro Road intersection.

The agreement allows the County to designate $1.275 million from the Foothill Circulation Phasing Plan (FCPP), a $250 million public-private program that includes the improvement of 40 intersections, to the City for the construction of the project.

Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Contracts Renewed

On Tuesday, the Board approved the renewal of two contracts that will provide funding to continue ocean water quality monitoring through October.

Utilizing available Federal and State funds, the Health Care Agency is also testing a new rapid response test, which would decrease the wait time for ocean water quality test results from 24 hours to 4 hours. This new test, used in conjunction with established testing procedures, will allow the County to reduce the risk of public exposure to disease-causing microorganisms in the water at beaches.

To learn more about the County’s Ocean Water Protection Program, please click here.

County and Cities Partner to Improve Disaster Preparedness

Since 2005, the California Department of Public Health has passed on federal funds to the Health Care Agency (HCA) to support city and county planning activities related to mass medication dispensing and mass vaccination services in order to effectively respond to a large scale public health incident in Orange County.

HCA has worked with cities throughout the County to identify, plan and exercise the mechanism to dispense pharmaceuticals and vaccines to a large population in a short period of time. This mechanism is known as a POD, or Point of Dispensing, site. Establishing these PODs and conducting full-scale exercises is the strategy employed to help Orange County be prepared in the event of a health disaster.

To that end, on Tuesday, the Board approved Master agreements for the provision of planning services, site equipment and exercise services, which will allow HCA to dispense funds to participating cities for their approved POD site plans. For more information about Point of Dispensing site services, please click here.

Special Board Meeting to Consider 20,000 Acre Gift

The Board of Supervisors will discuss an historic 20,000 acre open space gift at a special meeting on Tuesday, June 29 at 8:30 a.m. The Irvine Company is donating the land for its continued preservation and recreation. If approved by the Board, the dedication will increase OC Parks’ parkland and open space by 50%, to nearly 60,000 acres. This proposal represents the largest single land donation ever gifted to the County.

On September 29, 2009 the Board of Supervisors approved a Letter of Intent, informing the Irvine Company of the County’s intention to accept the land and establishing the criteria for acceptance. The OC Parks Commission considered and approved the acceptance of the property on June 17.

The Board will hold its regularly scheduled meeting beginning at 9:30 a.m. to consider the adoption of the proposed budget for FY 2010-2011.

The Board of Supervisors meets in the Hall of Administration at 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd. in Santa Ana. To view meeting agendas and watch the special and regularly scheduled meetings streamed live, visit www.ocgov.com. All documents related to the land donation are available on the OC Parks web site at www.ocparks.com.

Orange County Fire Authority Report

On June 24, the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Board approved the 2010-11 annual budget, required to be approved by June 30, 2010 to allow OCFA to meet its expenses with the new fiscal year starting July 1, 2010. The budget was originally scheduled for adoption at the May meeting; however, it was continued a month to enable discussion on how to balance the budget without increasing fees for some services.

The final budget was approved with cost-of-living salary increases as mandated by previous employee contracts. However, fees to support these were deferred and a requirement to reduce expenditures by $5,000,000 was required as part of the budget approval. The budget will be brought back to the Board within the next 120 days to review and approve the necessary reductions. I abstained on the vote, awaiting the proposed $5,000,000 in reductions that will balance the budget to ensure that fees will not be needed and will be eliminated.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Vaccination Available

As you may know, California is experiencing a peak year for pertussis, or “whooping cough.” This is a highly contagious disease that is spread by coughing. Thus far in 2010, 910 cases of pertussis have been reported in the state, including five infant deaths.

Pertussis is a vaccine-preventable illness; therefore, the Health Care Agency is urging everyone to make sure they are appropriately vaccinated against this disease (particularly those who have contact with infants). Parents should ask their doctor for the new Tdap vaccine which includes a tetanus and diphtheria booster and also protects against whooping cough. This vaccination should be available through your physician. Additionally, the vaccination is available at County clinics. Please call our Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448 for more information about services and clinic location and hours.

For more information about pertussis, please click here.

Orange County Public Libraries Summer Reading Program

Summer is a great time for kids to kick back and have fun. But families should make sure their children’s reading skills are not lost. One of the best ways is to take them to the library!

OC Public Libraries sponsors a summer reading program to encourage kids to read for fun. It's easy to sign up at your local library— and it's free! Children and teens of all ages can read for fun and win prizes. Libraries also offer special events during the summer, from puppets to magic to storytelling! Your favorite branch library may also sponsor a reading program for adults, so you can be in on the fun too!

For a schedule of events, check out the OC Public Libraries’ website at http://web.ocpl.org/events/.

Best Friend’s Build Day

Grab your best buddy and your hardhat and come to Habitat for Humanity’s “Best Friend’s Build Day” this Saturday, June 26. The San Juan Capistrano site is dedicated to providing affordable housing for disabled veterans, active duty service members, and military families. For a $100 donation that will be used toward building another hero’s home, you and your best friend will get two t-shirts, two tool belts, two lunches, and onsite construction training. For more information about Habitat for Heroes, please click here. For more information and to sign up for “Best Friend’s Build Day”, please click here.

Ladera Ranch student Wins Water Conservation Contest

Congratulations to Ladera Ranch Middle School student Calvin Jones who was named a winner of the Orange County Department of Education’s WIN (Water Innovation Now) contest to promote water conservation.

Students from kindergarten through 12th-grade submitted ideas on how to promote water conservation in the following categories: ad campaigns, public service announcements, scientific innovations and water policies. Calvin’s winning entry was a public service announcement entitled “Turn On – Turn Off – Conserve.”

Calvin and the winners of the other categories received a variety of prizes including gift certificates, clothing, surfboards, and more. Calvin’s submission, as well as the other winning entries, can be viewed at win.ocde.us.

OCFA Reminds Residents to Check Fire Alarms

On May 26, Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) firefighters responded to a fire at a home in Dana Point that resulted in the death of an 84-year old woman. During the investigation of the home, it appeared that there were no smoke alarms and an excessive amount of debris throughout the residence that prevented a quick escape.

This Saturday, June 26 at 9:00 a.m., local firefighters will be canvassing the area where the fire occurred, in particular the streets of Camino El Molino, Via Velez, Calle Velez, and Calle Naranja to distribute information regarding smoke alarms, how and when to change smoke alarm batteries, as well as to install working smoke alarms in homes that do not have them.

As we enter the hottest months of the year, residents should be aware that now is the time to check your smoke alarms and change the batteries. According to OCFA, hard-wired and battery operated smoke alarms should be checked every month, batteries should be changed twice a year and the entire unit should be replaced every ten years. For other important safety information, you can call (714) 573-6200 or go to www.ocfa.org.

‘Take the Test, Take Control’

On June 27, thousands of Americans will take control of their health and get tested for HIV. National HIV Testing Day promotes testing and early diagnosis of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. HIV testing is a routine part of general healthcare and is a critical step in reducing HIV infections. In Orange County, over 300 people are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS each year. Knowing one’s HIV status enables them to protect their own health as well as prevent the spread of the disease. For more information and a list of agencies that offer confidential and anonymous free or low-cost testing, please click here.

Dana Point Harbor 4th of July Parking

Due to increased traffic for the 4th of July holiday, the area surrounding Dana Point Harbor will be employing special parking rules from July 1 to July 5. Some roads in the area will be closed and there will be restrictions on parking. If you are planning on being in this area at anytime during this period please review the parking regulations found here, and the map of closures and parking here.

Saturday Morning Family Bike Ride

Start your Saturday morning with a family bike ride through the beautiful Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. The ride will take place this Saturday, June 26. It will be led by a Park Ranger and over six easy miles of trails with spectacular canyon views. The two-hour program will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Ranger Headquarters. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (949) 923-2235. The cost is $2 per person. For more information, please click here.

Laguna Niguel Kids Kampout

On Saturday July 10, the City of Laguna Niguel’s Parks and Recreation Department will be holding a Kids Kampout at Crown Valley Community Park. Children ages 7-13 can join in the fun from Saturday at 6:00 p.m. to Sunday at 8:00 a.m. Activities will include eating s’more, making crafts, performing campfire skits and songs, and going on a night hike. The program cost is $45 per child, which includes breakfast, dinner, and snacks, and the use of a tent. For more information and to register, please click here.

Sawdust Art Festival

The Sawdust Art Festival will be holding its 44th annual summer show starting June 25, 2010. The event will run from June 25 to August 29, and it is open 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Hundreds of artists from Laguna Beach will gather to showcase their arts and crafts, and attendees will be able to watch them create their work as well as purchase some, too. There will also be live music, food and beverages at the festival. For more information, please click here.

44th Annual Laguna Beach Art-A-Fair

The 44th annual Art-A-Fair will take place Friday, June 25 through August 29 in Laguna Beach. The art festival will feature 125 international, national, and local artists demonstrating their craft and selling their works. Exhibits will be open Sunday-Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.; and Friday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Season ticket prices are $7 for adults; and $4 for seniors, military and students. Special unlimited admission is available to Art-A-Fair, Festival of the Arts, and Sawdust Festival for $19. Admission for children under 12 and Laguna Beach residents is free. For more information, please click here.

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

• Met with the Director of OC Parks to discuss upcoming open space land acquisitions and management strategies.
• Met with representatives from OC Public Works to discuss Fifth District roads and infrastructure projects.
• Met with the Sheriff to discuss the “Beds for Feds” proposal the department is working on with US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.
• Attended the Orange County Fire Authority Board meeting.
• Met with the Director of the Office of Independent Review to discuss budget issues.
• Met with representatives of the Orange County Ambulance Association of Orange County regarding proposed rate increases.
• Provided certificates recognizing the ribbon cutting ceremonies of the following Fifth District businesses: Sylvan Learning Center in Laguna Niguel, Morro Cove Outlook in Crystal Cove State Park and Cottage Home, Regency Franciscan Plaza Theater, Ruby’s Sky Ranch Patio, and W Salon Studio in the City of San Juan Capistrano.
• Adjourned the Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of Laguna Niguel resident Bonnie Kotzbach.