Header image with Photo of Supervisor Pat Bates. Followed by office information
July 15, 2011

Pat Bates's Picture

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. HEALTH HERALD

5. ASSESSOR ASSESSMENT

6. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS

7. NOTES FROM THE FIELD

8. CRITTER CHRONICLES

9. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

10. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

11. 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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Volume 5 Issue 27
BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

No Board Meeting This Week

There was no regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Supervisors this week. To view the Board meeting schedule for 2011, please click here.

Our next Board meeting will be held Tuesday, July 19. For Agenda & Meeting Information, please click here.

Live Internet broadcasts of Board of Supervisors meetings can be viewed online and are archived as video-on-demand. To view live and/or past Board meetings, please click here.

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

91 Freeway Widening Project

On Monday, I joined Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and Caltrans officials in a ceremonial groundbreaking event for a project that will widen a six-mile stretch of the Riverside Freeway (SR-91).

The $84.4 million project will widen a six-mile stretch of SR-91 in both directions by adding a new lane in each direction between the Costa Mesa Freeway (SR-55) and Eastern Toll Road (SR-241).

The project also includes a new soundwall along residential areas near the freeway as well as widened bridges at Imperial Highway and Yorba Linda / Weir Canyon.

This work is the second project for SR-91 since completion of the $65 million eastbound lane widening last December, as workers added a new eastbound lane between the Eastern Toll Road (SR-241) and Chino Valley Freeway (SR-71).

Construction will commence August 2011, with completion scheduled for the end of 2012.

This important project will bolster the local economy and improve the quality of life for our citizens by creating much-needed jobs while helping to increase capacity, enhance operations, and relieve traffic congestion on one of the most congested freeways in the country.

This work is a testament to Orange County’s collective leadership, partnerships, joint planning efforts, strong relationships, and our track record. When it comes to improving our transportation network in Orange County, OCTA, Caltrans and our partners have kept their transportation promises and delivered for the taxpayer.

To view photos of the event, please click here.

I-405 Closure this Weekend

As reported in my newsletter last week, Southern California residents are gearing up for this weekend’s 53-hour closure of the San Diego Freeway (I-405), dubbed "Carmageddon".

The closure is scheduled to take place from late Friday evening through early Monday morning along a 10-mile stretch of the freeway. Construction crews will close the northbound segment between the Hollywood Freeway (U.S. Route 101) and the Santa Monica Freeway (I-10) for demolition of the bridge in the Sepulveda Pass.

Crews also will close four miles of the southbound lanes between the Hollywood Freeway and Getty Center Drive ramps.

While the closure will not affect the portion of the 1-405 in Orange County, residents from Orange County are being asked to plan their weekend trips accordingly to avoid potential region-wide traffic impacts.

For more information on the Sepulveda Pass project and the I-405 closure, please visit Metro’s website. For schedules on Metro bus and rail, please visit the schedules page.

Fairview Park Groundbreaking Ceremony

On Wednesday, I participated on behalf of the Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA) Board of Directors in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Fairview Park Wetlands & Riparian Habitat Project in Costa Mesa.


Fairview Park encompasses 208 acres of open space consisting of bluffs, vernal pools, trails, native plant communities and wildlife. Improvements will include the completion of the constructed wetland ponds and water delivery system, a multipurpose trail, fencing, signage, and twenty three acres of native habitat plantings and an irrigation system.

$2 million of the $3.4 million project is being funded through grants from OCTA’s M2 Environmental Mitigation Fund, which is a pioneering effort to help conserve our natural habitat while planning for current and future transportation needs.

This program exists thanks to Orange County taxpayers who, in 2006, passed Measure M2 – the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements. Under Measure M2, 5 percent, or approximately $150 million, will be allocated over the next 30 years to restore and purchase open space to advance the environmental permitting process for the thirteen Measure M2 freeway improvement projects.

The first round of funding, comprised of approximately $5.5 million dollars, was allocated to five restoration projects throughout the County. Along with Costa Mesa, these restoration projects are located in San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Beach, Irvine and the Irvine Ranch Conservancy.

Fairview Park was one of the selected awardees as it possesses a high potential to support similar vegetative communities lost to freeway projects, and this project will restore vital habitat for species that are considered sensitive.

Saddle Creek South Land Management

The Foothill Eastern Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) Board of Directors approved an agreement with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) to provide management and oversight of the Saddle Creek South Property.

Saddle Creek South is an 84 acre parcel of open space near the Cleveland National Forest that was purchased by OCTA as part of the M2 environmental program. The land is used to mitigate thirteen freeway improvement projects.

As Chair of OCTA’s Environmental Oversight Committee, I suggested OCTA pursue an agreement with TCA for management of these lands, as TCA is renowned for their environmental land management. This work is another important partnership between Orange County’s two regional transportation agencies.

Wildlife Undercrossing Study

An agreement with the UC Davis Wildlife Health Center was approved by the Foothill Eastern TCA Board of Directors. The agreement will result in a study and recommendations on how to improve wildlife use of the freeway undercrossings and help reduce animal-vehicle collisions. This work will also help TCA meet permit obligations for construction of the 241 Toll Road.

FasTrak Transponders for Rental Cars

The Foothill Eastern and San Joaquin Hills TCA Boards approved an agreement to place 15,000 FasTrak transponders in Budget and Avis rental cars. This agreement will help to reduce the number of toll violations by rental car drivers and result in a more efficient collection of tolls.

San Clemente Resident Wins $1,000 in FREE Tolls

Brian Young of San Clemente was randomly selected as the winner of The Toll Roads’ most recent monthly drawing for $1,000 in FREE tolls.

Brian takes The Toll Roads from his home in San Clemente to the Santa Ana offices of Ambig Clothing – a clothing line inspired by art, music, and street culture – where he serves as Marketing Director. He makes the commute five days per week and has been a FasTrak® user since October 2010.

For more information, please click here.

Thank You Chairman Peter Herzog and Chairman Bert Hack

On Tuesday, the Foothill Eastern TCA Board of Directors recognized outgoing Chairman Peter Herzog. Additionally, the San Joaquin Hills TCA Board of Directors recognized outgoing Chairman Bert Hack.

Both these men have provided TCA with exceptional leadership during their tenures. While Peter and Bert will no longer be serving as Chairmen, we are fortunate that both will remain members of their respective TCA Boards.

SOUTH COUNTY NEWS

Prime Minister of Latvia Comes to Rancho Santa Margarita

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita will welcome the Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, Valdis Dombrovskis, and his delegation in the City Council Chambers on Sunday, July 17 at 4:00 PM. The purpose of this ceremonial event is to host dignitaries, promote political dialogue and develop economic cooperation between business communities.

A key element of the Prime Minister’s visit will be to discuss the newly established Honorary Consulate in Rancho Santa Margarita, serving the entire southern California region. The event is FREE and open to the public. Please note that seating is limited in the City Council Chambers.

For more information, please click here.

HEALTH HERALD

Pertussis Immunization School Requirement

On September 29, 2010, new legislation was passed, requiring a pertussis (Tdap) booster for all California students entering grades 7 through 12 after July 1, 2011 as a condition of entry on the first day of school. To that end, parents are encouraged to have their student visit their healthcare provider as soon as possible to receive the immunization and obtain the required documentation.


If children do not have a medical provider that has the vaccine or medical insurance that covers Tdap, they may obtain the vaccine FREE of charge from Public Health Services’ Tdap specific clinics at 1725 W. 17th Street, Santa Ana 92706.

In addition, the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) website has information on additional FREE Tdap clinics supported by HCA throughout Orange County. For more information, please click here or call HCA’s Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448.

Prevention Connection

The Orange County Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Alcohol and Drug Education and Prevention Team (ADEPT) has released is latest newsletter, Prevention Connection. To view the ADEPT update, please click here.


ASSESSOR ASSESSMENT

Assessor Delivers Local Assessment Roll of Values

The Orange County Assessor has delivered the 2011-2012 Local Assessment Roll of Values, which includes all locally assessable property in Orange County. These are property values as of January 1, 2011.


A property value notice for each property has been mailed to owners of Orange County real estate as of January 1, 2011. If a notice is not received by July 20, owners should contact the Assessor Department at (714) 834-2727 to verify their mailing address or to request a duplicate notice.

Orange County has 34 cities, and every city has some properties that decreased in taxable value. These are properties with a market value that has declined and is less than their Prop. 13 taxable value. For more information, please click here.

Taxpayers seeking to appeal the values on their notice of valuation can find information about the appeals process on the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors’ website.

ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS

Mission Viejo Rated 'Best' Water Saver

Mission Viejo is one of only two Orange County cities to be rated as a "best" water saver by the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter. With water conservation, recycling, public education and outreach and other innovative programs and services, the City has long been a leader on the environmental front.


For more information, please click here.

NOTES FROM THE FIELD

Salt Creek Beach Food Concession & Shuttle Service

The food concession at Salt Creek Beach reopened this week, completely upgraded and remodeled. "John's at Salt Creek Beach" now features a remodeled kitchen, new signage and décor, and additional patio seating.

For $1 (one-way), you can also enjoy the new shuttle service between the parking lot and the concession, just steps away from the beach. Come to Salt Creek Beach and enjoy one of the jewels of the Fabulous 5th!

No Barbecues on the Beach

OC Parks asks you to please keep in mind that barbecues are not permitted on County beaches at any time. However, fire pits are available at Aliso Beach and Capistrano Beach for your use on a first-come first-served basis, with one member of your party present at all times.

CRITTER CHRONICLES

Help Mission Viejo Win $100,000 for Dog Park!

The City of Mission Viejo has been selected as one of 15 finalist cities in the national "Bark For Your Park" contest. The winner of the competition will be eligible for a $100,000 commercial grant toward building a local dog park.

Mission Viejo is the only Orange County city to become a finalist out of several hundred cities nationwide. You can help a dog park in Mission Viejo come to fruition by voting twice a day until midnight on August 3, as the city with the most online votes wins.

For more information, please click here.

Summer Dangers for Dogs: Water Safety

During hot summer days, a swimming pool can be a wonderful refuge from the heat; but it can also lead to a family tragedy if you’re not careful. In the event something flies into a pool, like a duck or a ball, many dogs will jump right in.

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not true that all dogs can swim. Many dogs, including Basset Hounds, Dachshunds and some Bull Dogs can’t swim. Even if a dog can swim, the obstacle of getting its water-logged body out of the pool can result in an exhausted dog that can’t get out and is later found face down in the pool by a devastated owner.

Pool safety issues for pets are almost synonymous with those for children, and they go far beyond just careful supervision. For important water safety tips for dogs, please click here and here.

FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

South County Resident among Top NBA Draft Picks

The Golden State Warriors drafted Ladera Ranch resident and Santa Margarita High School graduate Klay Thompson with the 11th pick in the NBA draft June 23 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

As a senior for the Eagles, Thompson led Santa Margarita High School to the CIF State Division III championship game, earning First Team All-State and Division III State Player of the Year.

Prior to being selected among the top NBA draft picks last month, the 6-foot 7-inch guard played two seasons at Washington State, leading the Pac-10 in scoring.

However, Klay waited a little longer at the NBA draft than his famous father, Mychal Thompson, who was the No. 1 overall selection in 1978 and later went on to win three championship rings with the Los Angeles Lakers.

South County Soccer Players Named ESPN All-Americans

Five South County soccer players were named to the ESPN RISE Soccer All-American teams. Midfielder Frannie Coxe of San Clemente High School and defender Torey Markowitz of Tesoro High School were named to the ESPN RISE All-American Girls Soccer First Team.

Additionally, Goalkeeper Michael Breslin of Tesoro High School was named to the ESPN RISE Boys Soccer All-American Second Team, while Steve Palacios and Kevin Gould of San Clemente High School were ESPN Third Team selections.

For more information, please click here and here.

SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

San Clemente: Ocean Festival

The San Clemente Ocean Festival is celebrating 35 years of “The Greatest Show on Surf!” Come join the fun on Saturday & Sunday, July 16 & 17 at the San Clemente Pier. For more information, please click here.

Mission Viejo: Movie of Character

The public is invited to enjoy the second part of the critically acclaimed mini-series “John Adams” on Sunday, July 17 at Mission Viejo City Hall. The PG-13 film airs at 2:00 PM. For more information, please click here.

Dana Point: Summer Concerts in the Park

As part of their FREE Summer Concerts in the Park, the City of Dana Point is pleased to present "The Whiskey Jack Band" performing Classic Rock on Sunday, July 17 from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM at Lantern Bay Park. For more information, please click here.

Rancho Santa Margarita: Summer Concert Series

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita’s Summer Concert Series takes place from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday evenings, beginning July 17 with Mark Wood & The Parrot Head Band – a tribute to Jimmy Buffet. For more information, please click here.

FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP

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

  • Participated in the Orange County Transportation Authority groundbreaking ceremony for the 91 Freeway Widening Project.
  • Met with representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Trout Unlimited, the City of San Juan Capistrano and others to discuss the I-5 Fish Ladder Project.
  • Participated in the Fairview Park Restoration Project groundbreaking ceremony in Costa Mesa.
  • Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the grand re-opening of Walmart in Laguna Niguel.
  • Met with OC Dana Point Harbor Department to discuss various Harbor issues.
My office also:
  • Presented certificates of recognition at the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Installation and Awards Dinner.
My staff and I look forward to continually providing you updated information in our Fifth District Newsletter and website.

Please feel free to contact my office with your concerns, comments or questions at (714) 834-3550. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your Supervisor for Orange County's Fabulous Fifth District.

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