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. SOUTH COUNTY NEWS

3. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

4. COUNTY CONNECTIONS

5. HEALTH HERALD

6. AIRPORT ARRIVALS

7. HARBOR HAPPENINGS

8. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS

9. NOTES FROM THE FIELD

10. CRITTER CHRONICLES

11. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

12. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

13. 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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U.S. Marshals Service Agreement to House Federal Inmates

The Board approved an agreement with the U.S. Marshals Service regarding the housing of federal inmates in the Central Jails Complex.

This is a three-year agreement with the U.S. Marshals Service to provide housing for up to 282 federal inmates. To that end, the County will receive a rate of $120 daily per inmate and the agreement could generate up to $12.2 million for the County.

The County has housed a small number of U.S. Marshals’ inmates since 1983, all of which were previously County inmates who had federal holds, meaning that upon serving their County sentence, they remained incarcerated pending federal processing.

The County reserves the right to refuse any inmate and can reduce the number of federal inmates if space is needed for our own County inmates. Furthermore, no federal inmates will be released directly from our County Jail into the community.

For more information, please click here.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park: City of Laguna Woods Lease

The Board entered into a 36-year lease agreement with the City of Laguna Woods for management of a 10.6-acre parcel along El Toro Road, adjacent to the 9,478-acre Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.

With this no-cost lease, the County will manage the property consistent with Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Resource Management and General Development Plans as open space that supports the preservation of coastal sage scrub habitat, while providing convenient public access to the park from its densely populated northeast side.

For more information, please click here.

2011 OC Green Fair

The Board approved a formal marketing plan for the 2011 OC Green Fair, which is inspired in part by the County’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program and designed to emphasize the County’s commitment to principles of sustainability while raising public awareness about the importance of environmental stewardship.

At the OC Green Fair, County departments, local cities, special districts, businesses, as well as the public will have a chance to sample environmentally-friendly products and services. Last year’s event was attended by more than 3,000 community members!

This FREE event will be held Thursday, May 19 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Civic Center Plaza in Santa Ana. For more information, please click here.

Contract for Child Abuse Prevention Services

The Board approved a contract with Family Assessment, Counseling & Education Services (FACES) and Korean Community Services to provide parent education classes and therapy services to families affected by child abuse.

In addition, the County contracts with approximately 80 therapists to provide individual therapy services to children affected by child abuse. These programs and therapists seek to assist families who have suffered from child abuse, as well as prevent situations where child abuse could happen.

Over the past year, the Orange County Social Services Agency has been able to serve over 650 families and children; and of that group, successfully reunified 400 families where the child had been placed in temporary foster care.

For more information, please click here.

Safety and Childhood Immunizations

As the safety of routine childhood vaccinations continues to be called into question, the Board requested a presentation from the County’s Public Health Officer, Dr. Eric Handler.

Dr. Handler reported that while some families choose not to vaccinate because they believe vaccines can cause harm, nearly 90% of all children are vaccinated when they enter Kindergarten and 36% of school districts have 95% vaccination levels. To view the PowerPoint presentation received by the Board, please click here.

Due to the growing trend of parents choosing not to vaccinate their children, the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) has created the Immunization Assistance Program to coordinate countywide efforts, educate physicians and the community, and support an immunization registry.

While respecting the rights of every parent to choose, the County hopes individuals will look at the facts and speak with their physicians when considering whether or not to vaccinate their child. I encourage parents to visit HCA’s website for more information.

Additionally, because the majority of low vaccination rate areas fall within the 5th District, I am in the process of planning a Children and Families Summit in September that will discuss this issue, as well as other important issues facing parents, such as internet safety and bullying. Please stay tuned for more information!

South County Job Fair a Success!

Hosted by my office, the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the Orange County Workforce Investment Board, the May 11 South County Job Fair held at the Laguna Hills Mall drew over 3,000 job seekers, as well as 54 participating employers, including Allied Barton, Bloomingdale’s, Cambrian Homecare, Clarient, Doubletree Suites by Hilton, Bal Seal Engineering, Monarch Healthcare, Wells Fargo, AXA Advisors, and Quest Diagnostics.

At the event, recruiters sought candidates to fill 750 available jobs, resulting in over 460 job seekers being offered interviews, some on-the-spot during the event!

Employers and job seekers commented that the venue was very well organized and planned, freeway accessible, and provided plenty of parking, which allowed them to have a most productive day.

Additionally, more than 280 job seekers attended various Job Fair workshops, such as resume writing, interviewing skills, and Get to Your One-Stop Center, as well as 200+ attending the resume critique workshop.

To view photos of the South County Job Fair, please click here.

OCTA Purchases Property to Preserve Open Space

I joined Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) officials today at a press conference commemorating the first property purchased as part of a $240 million program to preserve and restore open space in Orange County.

OCTA’s Mitigation and Resource Protection Program, which was approved by Orange County voters under the Renewed Measure M (M2) half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in 2006, provides for the allocation of at least five percent of the total M2 freeway budget for comprehensive environmental mitigation for impacts from 13 planned freeway improvement projects to be funded by M2.

The purchase of the Saddle Creek South property was finalized Friday, April 29. This 84-acre property was purchased for approximately $3.2 million and is located in Trabuco Canyon off Live Oak Canyon, about a half mile from the intersection of Santiago Canyon Road and Live Oak Canyon Road. The property is unique in that it bridges the gap between the O’Neill Regional Park and the Cleveland National Forest.

Last year, the OCTA Board approved $42 million for the first round of funding for the acquisition of properties for open space preservation. All candidate properties were evaluated and prioritized based on their biological values and potential for mitigation credits from permitting resource agencies.

I have worked with land owners, resource agencies and the Orange County Environmental Coalition in making recommendations to the OCTA Board on the prioritization of funding for acquisition properties. This has been a model collaborative process over the past 4 years. In addition to the Saddle Creek South property, other property acquisitions are underway, with more purchase announcements expected through the summer.

For more information, please click here.

OCTA Seeks Volunteers To Serve On Citizens Committee

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is recruiting community leaders to fill openings on the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), a 34-member group that provides input on a broad spectrum of transportation projects, studies and outreach activities.

Appointed by the OCTA Board of Directors, the CAC’s responsibilities include identifying opportunities for community input, serving as a liaison between the public and OCTA, and participating in roundtable discussions.

OCTA is seeking individuals with a demonstrated interest in community activities and transportation issues who are willing to dedicate at least 20 hours per year to meetings and activities. This is an unpaid volunteer position and CAC members are asked to commit to a two-year term.

Applications must be received by May 31. The OCTA Board is expected to select the CAC members by the end of June. For more information, please click here.

Orange County Gears Up for Bike to Work Week

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is teaming up with cyclists to kick-off Bike to Work Week, encouraging people to ditch their cars and hop on a bike as part of their daily commute. This week-long campaign aims to promote bicycling as a viable transportation option for residents and workers in Orange County.

Employers from 41 Orange County companies, representing more than 33,000 employees, are partnering with OCTA to help promote this alternative form of commuting to their employees.

Bike to Work Week will run May 16–20 and is part of OCTA’s Share the Ride program, providing employers and employees with efficient and economical ways to get to work on time.

Pledge to ride and get a $25 discount coupon to Jax Bicycle Center and enter to win great prizes! For more information, please click here.

LAFCO: Shared Services Program

The Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) is developing a web-based program for local agencies that will provide them the opportunity to exchange services and goods.

As local governments within Orange County try to balance rising costs and dwindling revenues, the sharing of services can help reduce costs. The program allows cities, special districts, home owners’ associations, and the County to list what services they can share and what services they need. If a match is found, the program will send an email to the agencies involved.

Eventually, LAFCO hopes to add private business and school districts to the matching service. The Shared Services Website is expected to go live by the end of next month.

Important Date in County Redistricting Effort

The final date to submit a complete Redistricting plan for consideration is Wednesday, May 18 at 5:00 PM. For more information, please click here and here.

Shots for School: New School Immunization Law

As reported in my newsletter last week, a new California school immunization law requires that all students entering 7th through 12th grades in the 2011-12 school year be immunized with a pertussis vaccine booster called Tdap. Don't wait! Get your child vaccinated today!

For more information, please click here and here.

John Wayne Airport Gates To Be Renumbered

Passenger gates and baggage carousels in John Wayne Airport's Thomas F. Riley Terminal will be renumbered, effective Tuesday, May 17, in preparation for the opening of Terminal C in November. Existing gates and baggage carousels are being renumbered now to prepare for the addition of six new gates, three new baggage carousels and two new commuter terminals.

For more information, please click here.

Dana Point Harbor: 40th Anniversary Celebration

On Friday, May 13, Dana Point Harbor will host a 40th Anniversary Open House from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the retail and restaurant area of the Harbor. Merchants will feature a sidewalk sale and restaurants will offer specials and extended happy hours, while live music serenades Harbor visitors throughout the evening.

On Saturday and Sunday, May 14 & 15 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the sidewalk sale and restaurant specials continue as you enjoy a Dockside Art Show & Sale and tour history through the Dana Point Historical Society’s Mobile History in Public Places Walk. You can also visit the Ocean Institute’s Open House.

On Sunday, local radio station KSBR will broadcast live during their Blues segment; and from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, the Harbor will share its anniversary excitement with a Cupcake Celebration, providing over 1,000 FREE mini-cupcakes to attendees!

But wait, there’s more! In appreciation of the community’s support over the last 40 years, forty $25 Dana Point Harbor Gift Certificates will also be given away. Just visit any Harbor merchant to pick up and drop off your entry, or simply visit www.danapointharbor.com.

For more information, please click here and here.

Environmental Education Competitive Grant Program

As reported in my newsletter last month, OC Waste & Recycling announced a competitive grant opportunity for nonprofit organizations. Utilizing AB 939 surcharge funds, the grant program is designed to increase student counts and encourage them to practice better environmental habits, such as recycling, reuse, and waste reduction.

The program also aims to increase environmental literacy by aligning state-standard, curriculum-based environmental education that engages students to make informed waste-prevention choices. Applications are due by Monday, May 16.

For more information, please click here.

Open Space Prevails at Big Bend in Laguna Canyon

The City of Laguna Beach recently accepted a Laguna Canyon Foundation proposal to preserve a 3.7-acre City parcel as open space. This unique property is located in the Big Bend area of Laguna Canyon and serves as the primary wildlife corridor between Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.

The task now is to restore the parcel to native habitat aided by a $100,000 grant the Laguna Canyon Foundation received from the Orange County Transportation Authority, as Laguna Canyon Foundation hopes to engage local groups, businesses and individuals to join their volunteer ranks to help restore this land.

For more information, please click here and here.

Forever Friends for FREE!

Please visit OC Animal Care on Saturday, May 14 for FOREVER FRIENDS FOR FREE sponsored by the Angels Baseball Foundation, as hundreds of adorable animals will be available for adoption, plus the price of adoption will be FREE! Limit two animals per household.

For more information, please click here and here.

Sheriff’s Department Honors Medal of Valor Medal Recipients

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department commended a number of law enforcement personnel for tremendous acts of courage, merit, and lifesaving at the 23rd Medal of Valor Presentation Luncheon last month, including several honorees from the 5th District.

Rancho Santa Margarita Deputies David Lee and Dave Purser responded to a “baby not breathing” call on July 27, 2010. They performed CPR on the infant and saved the life of the tiny two-month-old.

On August 22, 2010, Lake Forest Deputy Mihaela Mihai responded to a call in an apartment complex involving a distraught 30-year-old woman and prevented the woman from leaping off a third story balcony.

Throughout his career, Investigator Steve Swiderski, a resident of Laguna Niguel who recently passed away, distinguished himself as an outstanding member of the Orange County Sheriff's Department and the entire law enforcement community.

For more information on these and other Medal of Valor recipients, please click here and here.

Laguna Beach: Sunset Serenades

The City of Laguna Beach presents Sunset Serenades every Friday in May from 6:30 PM to sunset in Heisler Park, at the entrance to Picnic Beach. The events are FREE and if you plan to attend, bring a low backed chair and picnic for the following performances:

• May 13 – Beth Wood (Singer/Songwriter)
• May 20 – The Berkley Hunts (Eclectic Folk)
• May 27 – Matt Politrano Trio (Piano Jazz)

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

• Hosted the inaugural South Orange County Job Fair (see article above).
• Attended the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) hearing, serving as the Commissioner representing the Board of Supervisors.
• Presented a proclamation and bronze plaque in honor of Don Hanson, owner of Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, which for the past 40 years has had the distinction of being the first business to operate out of Dana Point Harbor. To view photos of the occasion, please click here.
• Participated in the Correctional Standards Authority (CSA) Board of Directors meeting in Sacramento.
• Participated in the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) commemoration event for the Environmental Mitigation Program property purchase of Saddle Creek South (see article above).
• Adjourned the Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of Philip E. Polk of Laguna Beach.