Header image with Photo of Supervisor Pat Bates. Followed by office information
September 30, 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. HEALTH HERALD

4. SENIOR SENTINEL

5. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS

6. CRITTER CHRONICLES

7. NOTES FROM THE FIELD

8. LIBRARY LAUREATE

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 38
BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

No Board Meeting This Week

There was not a 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, October 4. 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

OCTA Appoints New Public Board Member

Michael Hennessey was sworn in this week as a new public member on the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors, beginning a four-year term. Hennessey replaces former OCTA Director Peter Buffa, who left the board in May after more than five years as a director.

Hennessey has more than 20 years of experience in the Southern California real estate industry, working in housing and development for public agencies, as well as commercial and residential development companies. He is currently the principal of Hennessey Group, a real estate development and consulting firm.

I’m very pleased to welcome Michael Hennessey to the Board of Directors. Director Hennessey’s blend of private and public sector experience, as well as his dedication, will be of great service to the residents of Orange County.

For more information, please click here.

SR-74 Interchange Funding

At the California Transportation Commission (CTC) meeting September 15, the CTC approved the Orange County Transportation Authority’s request to amend the Proposition 1B Corridor Mobility Improvement Account (CMIA) to reprogram $15.9 million in CMIA funds to the I-5/SR-74 interchange project.

This CTC action makes available County developer fee funding previously committed to the project that can now be used for transportation projects in South County, such as the extension of La Pata Avenue. The improvements at the I-5/SR-74 interchange, scheduled to start construction in the late fall of 2012, will:
  • Create a total of 700 jobs, producing $30 million in wages
  • Improve safety at the interchange and significantly reduce congestion-related accidents
  • Reduce queued traffic leading to improved travel time through southern Orange County
  • Improve access to jobs, housing, markets, and commerce
  • Provide quantifiable emission reductions for Reactive Organic Gases, Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxide and Particulate Matter
  • Improve southbound I-5 traffic flow by reducing vehicle queues that spill back on the freeway
Rideshare Week Kicking Off In Orange County

It’s time for commuters to get their share of the savings by giving up driving solo and taking part in this year’s Rideshare Week, October 3 to 7.

Commuters can pledge to take the bus or train, vanpool, carpool, ride a bike or walk for a chance to win a variety of prizes, including iPads, gift certificates, Disneyland tickets and a bike gift basket.

It is hoped Rideshare Week gives Orange County residents the motivation to explore transportation options that can save time and money while also helping the environment.

Participants may enter online at www.octa.net/prizes before October 17 for a chance to win prizes. Winners will be announced and notified October 24.

For more information, please click here.

HEALTH HERALD

Complications of Pregnancy & Childbirth in Orange County

A new study by the County of Orange Health Care Agency examines the risk factors and complications of pregnancy and childbirth in Orange County. The study found that increasing rates of major complications of labor and delivery are occurring parallel with the increasing rates of cesarean delivery, which has reached 1 in 3 deliveries in Orange County.

Sixteen percent of mothers experienced a serious prenatal condition, such as gestational diabetes, early onset of labor, or preeclampsia, that can endanger the health of both the mother and her baby. Mothers who had a prenatal condition and delivered by cesarean are seven times more likely to have a major complication associated with delivery.

Prenatal care and a healthy lifestyle can prevent or lessen the severity of prenatal conditions. To view the full report titled “Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth in Orange County,” please click here.

SENIOR SENTINEL

Attention Older Adults: Are You Ready for Flu Season?

Cooler weather is starting to set in, which often means the beginning of cold and flu season. For people over 65 years of age, influenza (flu) is the 6th leading cause of death, so it is not something to take lightly. There are several things older adults can do to reduce the chance of getting sick from the seasonal flu and spreading any respiratory illnesses to others.

In addition, the Orange County Office on Aging maintains an updated schedule of area flu shot clinics. Please call the Office on Aging at (800) 510-2020 and ask the friendly, knowledgeable Information Specialists for the flu shot clinic nearest you.

For more information, please click here and here.

ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS

Orange County Coastal Coalition

The Orange County Coastal Coalition, which I am pleased to Chair, provides an opportunity to learn about and collaborate on current topics affecting not only our coastal cities, but inland areas as well. As such, our September 22 meeting provided a forum to hear from OC Watersheds, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project and the County of Orange Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Environmental Health Division on the quality of waters within the region.

Mr. Theodore von Bitner, OC Watersheds Monitoring Programs Chief, and Ms. Donna Ferguson, Microbiologist with Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, shared their study using scientific methods and approaches which determine our ocean’s water quality at Doheny State Beach.

Conclusions drawn from this study found that raw sewage historically is not the prominent factor contaminating Doheny Beach. Rather, bird populations are the factor during varying seasons of the year contaminating a pond, which has been determined as the main source of poor ocean water quality at Doheny.

The prominent contaminates, bird droppings, are evaluated on a microscopic level and measured in order to provide conclusive information regarding bacteria and viruses. The evaluation process assists not only the County of Orange, but also beach Cities in determining what contaminates are the cause pollutants so that a solution can be determined. Ongoing evaluations continue annually to measure the efforts being made to keep our beaches clean and safe.

Mr. Larry Honeybourne, HCA’s Environmental Health Division Program Manager, shared the County of Orange 2010 Annual Ocean, Harbor, and Bay water quality report.

The primary reason for ocean water closures are pipeline blockages, which results in hazardous spills. The County of Orange utilizes a multi-agency collaboration with HCA, OC Public Works, OC Sanitation District, and South OC Wastewater Authority for creating the annual report.

There are several methods used to provide the public information regarding risk communication, including beach signs, a telephone hotline, website, e-mail updates, and most recently the social media forum Twitter.

Highlights reported in the 2010 report include:
  • From April 1 through October 31, County of Orange beaches reached a 97% compliance rate with State Standards, receiving either an “A” or “B” grade, with 13 “Honor Roll” Beaches in the County;
  • Sewage Spill Closure Events represented 64% of the total Beach Mile Days of closure;
  • Rain Advisories reached the highest number of Rain Advisory Warnings and Days ever issued; and
  • Statewide, 90% of our beaches received either an “A” or “B”.
Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency is developing new standards for Recreational Water Quality Criteria, and the County is conducting studies with Southern California Coastal Water Research Project.

For more information, please click here. To be placed on the email distribution list for future Coastal Coalition meetings, please send your email address to andrea.toscano@ocpw.ocgov.com.

CRITTER CHRONICLES

Sick Ducks Reported in South County

OC Animal Care has responded to numerous calls of sick and deceased ducks at several different small lakes in the City of Lake Forest. At this point, Botulism is suspected but has not been confirmed, as tests are being done to make the determination. Many of the sick ducks are being taken to the Wetlands and Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Huntington Beach.

Residents are encouraged to call OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848 if they see any deceased or sick ducks, as these animals can perpetuate the disease if not impounded. The public is also asked to not feed the ducks, as excess material in the lake can contribute to this disease in the birds.

OC Animal Care: “Choose a Chihuahua”

Fall in love with OC Animal Care’s tiniest residents at their 2nd annual “Choose a Chihuahua” event on Saturday, October 15 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Adopters will receive a free spay/neuter and flea treatment when they find their perfect pint-sized pet. Be sure to stay for the Chihuahua parade and watch these miniature models strut their stuff in the finest doggie couture!

For more information, please click here.

NOTES FROM THE FIELD

OC Parks Ranger Academy Recruitment Now Open

The OC Parks Ranger Academy is a 16-week, 240-hour training academy that teaches skills to be a park ranger in Southern California, including nature interpretation, laws of arrest, basic fire suppression, first aid and customer service.

Recruitment for the academy is now open through November 15. Completing the academy is not a guarantee of employment, but it does provide foundational skills for becoming a park ranger.

For more information, please click here.

Weekend at the Nix Center: Amazing Raptors

Join OC Parks and the Laguna Canyon Foundation on Saturday, October 8 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM for a special Weekend at the Nix Center - Amazing Raptors: Hawks, Owls & Falcons. Meet the hawks, owls, and falcons from the Orange County Birds of Prey Center. A live raptor presentation by Peggy Chase of Birds of Prey for ages 8 and up will be held at 2:00 PM.

For more information, please click here.

LIBRARY LAUREATE

Monthly Teen Contest: OC Voices & Visions

Orange County teens (ages 12 to 18) have been entering their creative works in OC Public Libraries’ (OCPL) Voices & Visions contest for the past year. Now it is time to showcase the year’s best works of prose, poetry, art and film.

All Orange County teens are invited to review the winning entries for the past year and vote on their favorites. Winning entries from each month and the voting survey can be found by clicking here.

The theme for the month of October is “Best Of.” All entries must relate to the theme and will be judged in part on the teen’s interpretation. Teens may enter only one work per category each month but may enter in more than one category. They must also have a valid OCPL card to enter.

The selected “Best Of” winners will be displayed on the Voices & Visions website in December. For more information, please click here.

FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

South County Resident Wins World AQHYA Championship

19-year-old Theresa Moran of Laguna Hills took first place in the Western Riding Class at the 2011 Built Ford Tough American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQHYA) World Championship Show in Oklahoma City last month. 2,350 entries at this year’s event represented competitors from the United States, Canada, Venezuela, Germany, New Zealand and Australia.

The Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show is the world’s largest single-breed youth world championship horse show. This is the pinnacle for youth around the world, who must qualify for the event by earning a predetermined number of points to compete in each of the 33 classes, representing halter, English and western disciplines.

For more information, please click here.

SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

San Juan Capistrano: Open Space Ridge Events

The San Juan Capistrano Rotary Club's 5K & 10K Trail Run and Mountain Bike Poker Ride on Saturday, October 1, kicks off at 7:30 AM with the 5K & 10K Trail Run and continues at 9:30 AM with the 2nd Annual Mountain Bike Poker event. For more information, please click here and here.

Laguna Beach: First Sundays at Laguna College of Art

The public is invited the first Sunday of the month to enjoy a FREE afternoon of music and art at Laguna College of Art & Design, 2222 Laguna Canyon Rd. The concert on October 2, featuring Lauren Smith (soprano) and Chris Woods (violinist), is from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM in Studio 1 and the College Art Gallery opens at 2:00 PM. For more information, please click here and here.

San Clemente: Seafest

The Seafest in San Clemente on Sunday, October 9 features a Chowder Cook-off with citizens, restaurants, and businesses competing for the best chowder. The event also includes an Arts & Crafts Show, Surf Contest, Business Expo, fun for the whole family and much more! For more information, please click here.

Aliso Viejo: Founders Day Fair

Celebrate the City of Aliso Viejo's 10th anniversary at its annual Founders Day Fair on Saturday, October 15. This spectacular "Day at the Ranch" is from noon to 6:00 PM at 100 Park Ave and will feature free rides and attractions and much more! For more information, please click here.

Laguna Niguel: City Hall Grand Opening

Please join the City of Laguna Niguel on Saturday, October 15, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM to celebrate the grand opening and dedication of the new City Hall at 30111 Crown Valley Parkway. Guests will be treated to a variety of music and entertainment, exhibits, desserts, giveaways, tours of City Hall and much more! For more information, please click here.

FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP

In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:
  • Hosted my inaugural Children and Youth Summit in the City of Rancho Santa Margarita.
  • Chaired the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors meeting.
  • Was interviewed by KSBR Radio regarding Rideshare Week (October 3-7) to encourage commuters to participate in the OCTA sponsored event.
  • Attended the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Executive Committee meeting and Board of Directors meeting.
  • Attended the South Orange County Association of Mayors meeting in the City of Lake Forest.
Sundown this past Wednesday, September 28, marked the beginning of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and the start of the High Holidays, which concludes with Yom Kippur on Friday, October 7. I want to wish the Orange County Jewish community Shana Tova (a good year)!

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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