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. SOUTH COUNTY NEWS

4. COUNTY CONNECTIONS

5. ASSESSOR ASSESSMENT

6. RECORDER RECORD

7. HEALTH HERALD

8. CRITTER CHRONICLES

9. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS

10. NOTES FROM THE FIELD

11. LIBRARY LESSONS & SESSIONS

12. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

13. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

14. FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP

OUR STAFF...

Don Hughes:
Chief of Staff

Kristen Thornton:
Deputy Chief of Staff

Ray Grangoff:
Deputy Chief of Staff

Sergio Prince:
Policy Advisor

Sabrina Ross:
Policy Advisor

Brian Probolsky:
Policy Advisor

Ruth Strachan:
Office Manager

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Swearing-in Ceremony

At the start of Tuesday’s Board meeting, the first of 2011, I was honored to be sworn-in for my second term as Fifth District Supervisor. The Oath of Office was administered by Orange County Superior Court Judge James Rogan.

The oath taken by elected officials is not merely a set of words, it is a solemn obligation to adhere to the constitution, uphold the rule of law, and defend the principles of our republic. It is an oath I have taken many times, and one I keep in mind with each decision I make on your behalf.

For over twenty years, I have been fortunate to serve the residents of South County in one capacity or another. It continues to be my honor to serve the people of the Fifth District, and I look forward to carrying out the will of the people over the next four years.

Congratulations to Supervisor Moorlach, who was also sworn in for a second term, and Supervisor Nelson, who was sworn in for his first full four year term! To view photos of Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony, please click here.

2011 Election of Officers

The Board of Supervisors held its annual election of officers to select the Chair and Vice-Chair for 2011. I nominated Supervisor Bill Campbell to serve as Chair and Supervisor John Moorlach to serve as Vice-Chair, receiving unanimous support from my Board colleagues.

Supervisor Campbell represents the 3rd District of Orange County and Supervisor Moorlach the 2nd District. I look forward to working with Chairman Campbell during the upcoming year, as the Board will face another year of budgetary challenges and tough economic decisions.

Primary Food and Beverage Lease Approved for JWA

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to award a ten-year lease to HMSHost (Host) to serve as the Primary Food and Beverage concessionaire at John Wayne Airport (JWA). The contract will generate a guaranteed minimum of $39 million in revenue for the airport over the term of the ten-year contract.

Host has been the Primary Food and Beverage operator at JWA since 1990. Under the new lease, HMSHost will spend $15.6 million to remodel its existing locations in Terminals A and B and construct new spaces in Terminal C, dramatically improving food and beverage options throughout the airport. Under the agreement, Host will operate the following concessions to the airport:

Rotated Square (located between Terminals A and B)

• Ruby's Diner
• Ruby’s Shake Shack
• The Fresh Market

New Chair of the Orange County Transportation Authority

During Monday’s Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors meeting, I was elected to serve as Chair of the Board for 2011. I am honored to accept the role of heading up the agency, especially during this important year for transportation. For more information, please click here.

As the fate of state and federal funding for transportation remains unknown during these difficult economic times, the OCTA Board will continue to grapple with how best to ensure our public transit operations remain sustainable, as we have a system-wide transit study underway that will guide our efforts in this area.

Meanwhile, our local transportation sales tax, Renewed Measure M, will take effect upon expiration of the original Measure M this year. My goal is to ensure a seamless transition between the two programs. Following in the footsteps of my predecessors, who fulfilled the commitments of Measure M1, I’m committed to moving the peoples’ agenda forward as swiftly as possible through the delivery of projects that M2 promised our residents.

One of the biggest issues facing Orange County continues to be congestion on our roads and freeways. As OCTA Chair, I will support efforts to complete of our arterial roads network so that alternatives to our freeways are in place to aid congestion relief and improve overall regional mobility.

Construction Begins on San Clemente Soundwalls

With much anticipation from local residents, two soundwalls along the I-5 Freeway in San Clemente are moving forward.

Construction work on the Avenida Vaquero soundwall project on the northbound I-5 began January 7 this year. The $2.9 million dollar project will be constructed in two sections, spanning approximately 1,250 feet, just north of the Avenida Vaquero undercrossing.

Beginning January 17, the regular work schedule on the Avenida Vaquero soundwall project will be 6:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The right shoulder near the Avenida Vaquero undercrossing will be closed for the duration of the project, which is scheduled to conclude in fall 2011. The project is not expected to impact traffic, nor is construction activity expected to create overly excessive noise for residents.

A second project, the $5.3 million El Camino Real soundwall project, is scheduled to begin February 2011. This project consists of four soundwalls along southbound I-5 and the southbound onramp from El Camino Real. The project also includes widening the El Camino Real undercrossing. The project is expected to conclude late 2011.

I will continue to provide more information related to potential traffic impacts from these projects as it becomes available. For more information on these or any other freeway projects in Orange County, you may contact the Caltrans District 12 Public Information Office at (949) 724-2000 or visit the Caltrans website at www.dot.ca.gov.

South County Home to Best Family-Friendly Cities in OC

In its 6th annual survey of Orange County's best family neighborhoods, ParentingOC recognized many of the cities in South County as being among the best places to call home, including the cities of Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, San Clemente, Rancho Santa Margarita, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Hills.

Factors included population, quality of schools, crime rates, recreational amenities and kid-friendly enrichment. For more information, please click here.

50 Things We Have Done For You Lately

To learn how County of Orange departments and agencies are helping to make your county a safe, healthy and fulfilling place to live, work and play, please click here.

FREE Foreclosure Prevention Workshops

The Fair Housing Council of Orange County is conducting FREE foreclosure prevention workshops every Tuesday of the month, with no appointment needed. The Fair Housing Council of Orange County is located at 201 S. Broadway, Santa Ana, 92701.

Meet with HUD certified counselors to discuss your options. Walk-in hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For more information, please click here.

Orange County Grand Jury Applicants Sought

The Orange County Superior Court urges residents to consider applying to serve on the 2011-2012 Grand Jury. The application deadline has been extended to January 21 to encourage additional Orange County residents to apply.

For more information, please click here.

Reassessment of Property Damaged By a Misfortune or Calamity

The Assessor is working with property owners to review property damages caused by the recent rainstorms, and will make value adjustments as appropriate. Damage to land, buildings or other structures totaling ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or more may be eligible.

Property tax law provides for a reduction of property taxes for property damaged by a misfortune or calamity if:

• The owner was not at fault
• The damage was sudden and unexpected
• The damage to the real property is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or more

Birth and Death Certificate Copy Requests Streamlined

The process for obtaining copies of birth and death certificates in Orange County has been streamlined to make it easier for the public to request copies of these vital records. As of January 3 this year, certified copies of birth and death certificates requested 60 days or more after an event will be available through the Clerk-Recorder’s office. Copies requested within the first 60 days of the event will be available through the Health Care Agency.

For more information, please click here and here.

Eye on Influenza: It’s not too late to vaccinate!

Four severe cases (resulting in admission to intensive care) of influenza in persons under 65 years of age, including three children, have been reported in Orange County in the past few weeks. None of these severe cases were vaccinated against influenza this season.

It’s not too late to vaccinate! Reports of influenza and influenza-like illness in OC have increased in the past month, as influenza activity usually peaks between December and March. Influenza vaccine is readily available in the community and is a good match for the influenza strains currently circulating. For vaccination locations, please visit www.ochealthinfo.com/public/flu or www.flu.gov.

For more information, the Orange County Health Care Agency’s (HCA) latest edition of Eye on Influenza is now available for viewing. To see HCA’s most recent Influenza Update, please click here.

Cox Forum to Air Segment on Childhood Obesity

Statistics on obesity and overweight in Orange County are lower than the national average, but still remain extremely high. Although a very challenging, society-wide problem, there are solutions. To that end, Cox Communications, the cable TV station serving South County, is airing a segment on Childhood Obesity (prevention, OC statistics, effects on the health care system, etc.) on its public affairs program, Cox Forum, and will feature Dr. Nancy Bowen, Chief Medical Director of Public Health, County of Orange, as the guest speaker.

On the program, Dr. Bowen will also discuss health consequences of childhood obesity, including social isolation and learning problems, and provide an overview of local efforts to help reduce childhood obesity.

The Cox Forum segment on Childhood Obesity will air on Cox Channel 3:

• Friday, January 14 at 6:00 PM
• Saturday, January 15 at 7:00 PM
• Tuesday, January 18 at 7:00 PM
• Wednesday, January 19 at 6:30 PM

Help Keep OC Animals Warm this Winter

To provide dogs housed at the OC Animal Care shelter a warm place to sleep during the winter season, hot water is pumped through the concrete in each kennel. In addition, donations of used and new blankets, towels and beds are also gladly accepted. For more information, please click here.

Surf Over To OC Watersheds’ Website

OC Watersheds, part of OC Public Works, celebrated 10 years of water quality protection on January 11 with release of the latest improvements to its website. To that end, OC Watersheds and the Orange County Stormwater Program have an enhanced website at www.ocwatersheds.com to provide the public with information about water pollution prevention.

Intended as a resource for residents and visitors to Orange County alike, the website contains information on how to report a water pollution issue, watershed management projects, storm data, documents available for public review, and much more. For more information, please click here.

OC Parks Special Report: Storm Damage Update

Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park sustained significant damage during the recent storms, as over 15 inches of rain fell in just one week - three inches more than the annual average! As a result, both parks are closed until further notice.

Park Rangers and volunteers are working hard to reopen the trails and appreciate your patience during this process, as hiking while trails are wet (even on sunny days) can cause significant damage. Please help inform those considering hiking illegally that these and other parks are closed for their safety and to prevent further trail erosion and damage.

For more information, please click here and here.

Doheny State Beach Update

The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association (DSBIA) has released its monthly DOHENY UPDATE to better inform the public about current events and conditions in the State Park. To view the DSBIA January 2011 newsletter, please click here.

Teen Contest: Voices & Visions

Sponsored by OC Public Libraries (OCPL), Voices & Visions is a monthly contest for Orange County teens to showcase their creative talents in prose, poetry, art and film. A new theme is announced the beginning of each month, with entries due by the last day of the month.

The theme for the month of January is “Humor”. Winners will be notified by the end of the month following their entry and later displayed on the OCPL website. For more information, please click here and here. To view winning entries from previous months, please click here.

Holiday Hours

All OC Public Libraries will be closed Monday, January 17 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For more information, please click here.

San Clemente Man Named Top State Parks & Rec Commissioner

Bill Thomas, a retired educator who serves on San Clemente's Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission, is California's 2011 Parks and Recreation Commissioner of the Year. The award will be presented March 10 in Sacramento by the California Association of Park and Recreation Commissioners and Board Members.

Thomas, a former professor and college dean and president, still teaches at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo and does freelance writing. For more information, please click here.

San Juan Capistrano: 50th Birthday Kick-Off

The San Juan Capistrano Celebration Committee this month will honor the incorporation of the City with a two-part talk and exhibit on the Alfonso Yorba photographic collection, a kick-off to a year-long celebration of San Juan Capistrano's 50th birthday. The City of San Juan Capistrano incorporated April 19, 1961 and celebrates its 50th milestone this year.

This FREE event takes place at 7:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, January 14 & 15 at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center, 25925 Camino del Avion. For more information about this and other celebratory events, please click here and here.

Mission Viejo: “My Fair Lady”

The public is invited Sunday, January 23 to enjoy “My Fair Lady” starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison in his Academy Award winning role. The G-rated film, which airs at 2:00 PM in the Mission Viejo Council Chamber at City Hall, is part of a FREE movie series sponsored by the City’s Community of Character Committee.

For more information, please click here.

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

• Received the Oath of Office for my second term as Fifth District Supervisor.
• Was selected to serve as Chair of the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors.
• Attended a Special Meeting of the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Board of Directors.
• Attended the Swearing-In Ceremony for Sheriff Sandra Hutchens.
• Adjourned the Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of Carlo Matero of Laguna Niguel.