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

3. SOUTH COUNTY NEWS

4. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

5. HARBOR HAPPENINGS

6. CRITTER CHRONICLES

7. NOTES FROM THE FIELD

8. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

9. SAFETY SENTINEL

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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Police Community Reconciliation Program Presentation

The Board of Supervisors received a presentation Tuesday on the first year of operations for the Police Community Reconciliation Program (PCRP). The PCRP, which was developed under my direction, is a program designed to assist community members in navigating and understanding the OC Sheriff's Department’s complaint process by providing an opportunity for deputies and community members to come together, with the guidance of a mediator, to resolve complaints. The presentation highlighted the number of cases handled and the work that has been done to get the word out about the program among law enforcement and throughout the community. Of the cases handled in the first year, 97% of the participants reported they were satisfied with their outcome. To view a copy of the report, please click here.

Privacy and Piracy Award

The Board authorized the District Attorney to accept $35,950 in state funds to assist in the prosecution of identity theft and piracy. These funds will be used to purchase computer forensic equipment, trial presentation equipment, and specialized investigative software. The equipment and software will be useful tools for prosecutors and investigators working on cases involving identity theft rings and piracy operations.

Measure M Taxpayers Oversight Committee

The Measure M Taxpayers Oversight Committee is conducting its 19th annual public hearing. The Taxpayers Oversight Committee will review the Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA’s) administration of Measure M, the one-half percent transportation sales tax, activities during the past year. The 11-member committee, comprised of Orange County community members representing each of the five Supervisorial Districts, was selected through a process conducted by the independent Grand Jurors Association of Orange County.

With the passage of Measure M in 1990 and its renewal in 2006, the Taxpayers Oversight Committee was empowered by the Orange County electorate to act as a watchdog over all transportation funds generated by the one-half percent sales tax.

The public is invited to attend the hearing, which is taking place on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the OCTA Headquarters located at 600 S. Main St., Orange, in room 103. Public testimony is welcome. Please call Alice Rogan at (714) 560-5577 with any questions.

Laguna Hills to Widen Intersection

The Laguna Hills City Council approved an agreement with the County of Orange to take over a widening project planned to add an additional southbound lane on Avenida de la Carlotta at El Toro Road.

The $2 million-plus widening project will ease congestion at one of the city's busiest intersections. The additional lanes will give motorists a third left turn lane from the El Toro Road freeway off ramp onto Avenida de la Carlota and a third left turn lane from Avenida de la Carlotta to eastbound El Toro.

The project will undergo environmental and design reviews and construction is anticipated to begin by early 2011.

Toll Roads Offer Snow Valley Tickets

Throughout the month of February, The Toll Roads is thanking customers with a special offer from Snow Valley Mountain Resort. Customers are being given a coupon to receive a 50% discount on an all day lift ticket. The coupons will be given out to cash customers at all mainline toll plazas each Tuesday in February. Additionally, a coupon was e-mailed to all FasTrak customers on Tuesday, February 2. The discount is valid for up to six guests and expires at the end of the 2009-2010 ski season. For more information, call The Toll Roads at 800-378-TRAK (8725).

Valentine’s Day Wedding Ceremonies Offered

Valentine’s Day is the most popular day of the year for weddings. For the Office of Orange County’s Clerk-Recorder, who is also the County’s commissioner of marriage, it’s no different. In fact, fifty couples tied the knot on Valentine’s Day last year, which fell on a Saturday. In 2008, 141 couples jammed Clerk-Recorder offices to be married.

This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday, a day the office typically closed. However, to accommodate Orange County couples, the department staff has volunteered to work on Sunday to keep the Fullerton office open for wedding ceremonies - all in the name of romance. Staff members working that day will take compensatory time off during the regular work week. Orange County is the only county in California to do this.

Couples can reserve space for their marriage ceremony in advance. Office hours for Sunday, February 14 will be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., accommodating up to 42 wedding ceremonies.

Orange County Local News Network

South Orange County has a new source for news! The Orange County Local News Network (OCLNN) launched its new web-based news service this week. The website will feature local Orange County news with a particular focus on happenings in South County. Check out OCLNN at http://oclnn.com/.

2-1-1 Open House

2-1-1 Orange County, a nonprofit organization, provides a comprehensive information and referral system that links Orange County residents to community health and human services support. On Thursday, February 11, 2-1-1 Orange County will host an Open House for members of the public to join in celebrating 2-1-1’s new location and partnership with Orange County United Way as well as hear from County leaders and tour the call center. The event will run from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. To receive more information and to RSVP, please email getconnected@211oc.org.

Aliso Viejo Emergency Preparedness Academy

The City of Aliso Viejo is inviting adult residents and teenagers accompanied by an adult to learn how to respond in the wake of a major emergency at the Community Emergency Preparedness Academy. Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. through May 4 at City Hall, (12 Journey, Suite 100). Food will be provided before each class. For more information please contact Steve Rhyner at (949) 635-1809 or srhyner@ocsd.org.

SOCSA Grammy School Finalist

The South Orange County School of the Arts is a finalist in the running to be named a Grammy Signature School. The Grammy Foundation’s “Grammy in the Schools” program is designed to promote and recognize excellence in music education programs in schools throughout the nation. Grammy Signature School award recipients will receive between $1,000 and $10,000 for their music department budgets. Congratulations and good luck to SOCSA! For more information about the South Orange County School of the Arts, please click here.

$86,000 Grant for Water Emergency Response

The Water Emergency Repose Organization of Orange County (WEROC) has received a grant of $86,000 to upgrade its emergency operations centers. This money will allow Orange County’s water supply to be more secure in the case of an emergency. For more information on the grant please click here.

OC Women Head to France for Skating Competition

18 women from California will be representing the U.S. Figure Skating Association 5,588 miles away from home in Rouen, France vying for the French Cup in the synchronized ice skating championships. The very accomplished team, six of whom are from Orange County, has competed in many championship events in the past and has even been featured at the closing ceremony at the US National Figure Skating Championships. The Orange County Members of the Team, including two from the 5th District, are:

• Eve Traylor of Aliso Viejo
• Megan Hill of Lake Forest
• Taylor Holz of Fullerton
• Annaleigh Yahata of Yorba Linda
• Chelsea Wagstaff of Yorba Linda
• Caitlin Harriet of Orange

No Slip Fee Increases

On Tuesday, February 2, Orange County’s Dana Point Harbor Department (OC Dana Point Harbor) announced an unprecedented move by calling for no slip fee increase for the second year in a row. This decision was made in response to the slow economy and hardships being experienced by everyone. The County appreciates all users of the Harbor and its facilities and is pleased to provide this offer to assist during these difficult economic times.

Next Step for the Dana Point Harbor Plan

On February 8, 2010, the Dana Point City Council will consider the California Coastal Commission’s suggested modifications to the County’s Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Plan. As you will recall, the California Coastal Commission unanimously approved the County’s plan but offered a few suggested modifications which have since been incorporated in the current plan.

There are two steps for full approval of the County’s plan. The approval of the Land Use Plan for the revitalization effort is the first step and is what is being considered at Monday’s hearing. The second and final step consists of the subsequent approval of the County’s Implementation Plan which identifies the process in which the Land Use Plan will be carried out.

Once these key approvals are in place, the County will be able to proceed with the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Plan including further refinements to conceptual designs, finalizing the Supplemental Environmental Impact Report for the waterside, and Coastal Development Permit applications for both the landside and waterside phases of the plan. For updates on the Harbor Revitalization Plan, please visit www.ocdph.com.

Valentine's Day Pet Dangers

Valentine's Day is a wonderful time to celebrate the ones we love but it can also provide a few dangers for pets. To ensure your dogs and cats are safe this holiday, remember the following tips.

• Roses - Keep roses out of reach of your pet. Roses have thorns that can get caught in paws and can be harmful if swallowed. Remember to keep plenty of fresh water available to your dog or cat so water kept in vases won't become tempting.
• Lilies - Some lilies contain a toxic chemical which can be poisonous to your pet.
• Chocolates – Keep chocolate away from pets as it considered poisonous.
• Gift-Wrap and Candy Wrappers – These may smell of sweets, candy, and chocolate which are tempting to pets but can be very harmful if ingested.

Nature Center Grand Opening

The Limestone/Whiting Ranch Park is proud to announce the opening of its new Nature Center on Sunday, February 7. The new center will include interpretive displays and will feature images and artifacts from the 2007 Santiago Fire which burned 90% of the park. The center is located in the McFadden Ranch House adjacent the Aliso Creek Bike Trail (old El Toro road), below the Portola Hills community. For more information, please click here.

7th Annual CARe Show

On Saturday, February 6, join the Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort (CARE) at the Capistrano Sports Park for the 7th Annual CARe Show. Classic cars will be on display from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. along with live entertainment, refreshments and vendor booths. All proceeds will go to support homeless cats and dogs in San Juan Capistrano. For more information and to check updated information regarding potential weather-induced postponements, please click here.

Second Annual Green Valentines Music Festival

If you love music and the Earth, Laguna Beach is the place to be this Valentine’s weekend! Come celebrate Valentine’s Day and learn about the “Green” lifestyle while having tons of fun. The festival kicks off Friday, February 5 at 5:00 p.m. and continues through the weekend. There will be live music, movies about the environment and a whole lot more. The festival will be held at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann's Drive. For more information please call (949) 412-8948.

Mission Viejo E-Waste Recycle Drive

The City of Mission Viejo and the Friends of the Mission Viejo Library are teaming up with All Green Electronics Recycling to host an E-waste Recycle Drive on Saturday, February 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Mission Viejo Civic Center parking lot at 200 Civic Center. The event is designed to give residents and businesses the opportunity to properly dispose of E-waste, which includes computers, laptops, monitors, keyboards, copiers, VCR’s, fax machines, cell phones, printers, scanners, hard drives, stereo equipment, cables and cords, shredders, microwaves, and more. For more information, please click here.

Dana Point Festival of Whales

Mark your calendars for the 39th Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales taking place March 6 through 14. Drawing over 100,000 visitors each year, the Festival of Whales is one of Southern California’s largest seafaring celebrations and reaches out to whale admirers from around the world. Festival highlights include an opening day parade, street fair and farmers market, art exhibits, classic car exhibits, concerts on land and water, environmental activities, educational opportunities, interpretive crafts, kids activities and of course whale watching excursions that are fun for all.

For more information about the Dana Point Festival of Whales and a detailed Calendar of Events, visit www.festivalofwhales.com.

DUI Roving Patrols Planned for Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl Sunday is one of America's biggest and most entertaining national sporting events as friends and families gather to socialize and watch the big game. Yet, it has also become one of the nation's most dangerous days on the roadways due to impaired driving. That's why the Avoid the 38 Orange County DUI Campaign is joining forces with the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to conduct countywide DUI roving patrols on Sunday.

Last year, 11 people died in California due to alcohol-involved collisions. This is three times the daily average. There were another 163 injured, which was over twice the daily average. In 2008 and 2009, more people were killed on Super Bowl Sunday due to alcohol-involved collisions than any other day during the year.

Impaired driving crashes and fatalities can be prevented. Designating a sober driver should be on the top of everyone's Super Bowl party list. The following are ways you can help save lives if you are hosting or attending a Super Bowl party:

• Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
• Serve lots of food-and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
• Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game and begin serving coffee and dessert.
• Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.
• Remember, you can be held liable if someone you served alcohol to ends up in an impaired driving crash.
• Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself-eat enough food, take breaks, and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
• If you don't have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend, or family member to come get you; or stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.
• Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while impaired.
• Always buckle up. It's still your best defense against other impaired drivers.

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

• Met with candidates for various elected positions in Orange County
• Met with the Director of OC Waste & Recycling on Fifth District landfill and recycling issues
• Met with the Director of OC Animal Care to discuss animal shelter issues
• Adjourned the Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of Orange County residents Barbara Hughes and Mary Jane Hynes Hannegan