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October 28, 2011
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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. HARBOR HAPPENINGS
5. COUNTY CONNECTIONS
6. HEALTH HERALD
7. CRITTER CHRONICLES
8. NOTES FROM THE FIELD
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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| BOARD BULLETIN BOARD |
Orange County Parks Foundation
The Board approved creation of the non-profit Orange County Parks Foundation, the founding of which I have long supported. Our Foundation will follow in the footsteps of such successful examples as the National Parks Foundation and the California State Parks Foundation.
OC Parks already has cooperative partners in various organizations, such as Laguna Canyon Foundation, Newport Bay Conservancy, and Caspers Park Preservation Foundation. However, these organizations focus primarily on providing volunteer and limited financial support to specific OC Parks facilities. As such, there had not been a non-profit philanthropic organization to support the entire OC Parks system and organization.
Creation of an Orange County Parks Foundation provides opportunities for interested people and organizations to become more broadly involved in support of OC Parks and furthers the County’s efforts to make our parks “America’s Best Regional Parks.”
For more information, please click here.
Nonprofit Organization Environmental Education Grants
The Board approved the Nonprofit Organization Public Education and Outreach Grant Program, awarding three outstanding nonprofit groups to assist OC Waste & Recycling with the task of public education and outreach to school-age children, including:
- The Discovery Science Center’s “Eco Challenge Program” (awarded $250,000) will teach sixth grade children to reduce, reuse and recycle in school assemblies and field trips to the recently opened Eco Challenge Exhibit at the Discovery Science Center, which gives children experience with recycling and waste reduction techniques.
- The Orange County Department of Education’s Inside the Outdoors “Project Zero Waste OC” (awarded $172,471) will teach children from kindergarten through high school how to reduce, reuse and recycle at school assemblies and field trips with an emphasis on nature and the environment.
- Pretend City’s “Pretend City Goes Green Initiative” (awarded $77,529) will educate children from toddlers through age ten and their parents in the areas of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling by showing how Pretend City has incorporated recycling into their kid-sized city.
These programs will also assist the County of Orange in meeting the diversion mandates set forth by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery.
For more information, please click here.
Orange County Tourism Council
The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding and Partnership Agreement with the Orange County Tourism Council. The agreement will support promoting the recreational, cultural, and historical activities available at OC Parks facilities to Orange County residents and visitors.
The Orange County Tourism Council is a non-profit agency representing a wide variety of local tourism-related organizations, including convention and visitor bureaus, attractions, arts and cultural venues, and hotels. Its purpose is to promote Orange County as a travel destination and provide advocacy and professional support for Orange County’s tourism industry.
Going forward, this action will support the Orange County Tourism Council’s efforts to enhance its website and develop content that specifically promotes OC Parks activities and facilities. This content will include travel itineraries that highlight the many recreational, cultural and historical activities available at OC Parks facilities.
The content will be available for display on both the County’s website and OC Parks’ website. It will also be highlighted at www.VisittheOC.com, which will be more readily linked from the “Visitor” page of the County’s website.
For more information, please click here.
17th Annual Report on the Conditions of Children
The Orange County Children's Partnership (OCCP) is a 22-member advisory body established by the Orange County Board of Supervisors in 1982 to provide a forum for departments and agencies to disseminate and discuss operational and program problems/issues concerning the Juvenile Justice/Dependency systems.
To that end, the OCCP collectively focuses their efforts to achieve common goals related to improving the conditions of Orange County's children. Since 1993, the OCCP has sponsored the Annual Report on the Conditions of Children in Orange County.
This year, the 17th Annual Report special section focuses on family violence, which encompasses the impact that violence can have in the home, not just for the victim and the perpetrator, but for the children who witness and/or experience the violence.
The discussion topics include mental health of children and youth, workforce development for youth, positive impact of mentoring programs, and collaborative courts.
To learn more about the Annual Report and obtain a copy, you are invited to attend the 10th Annual Community Forum on Wednesday, November 16 from 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the CSUF Titan Student Union. The keynote speaker will be Yvette Verastegui, a Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge and former Orange County foster youth.
For more information, please click here.
Airline Leases
The Board approved leases that will allow the various commercial airlines, cargo carriers and commuter airlines serving John Wayne Airport to continue operations. There were no substantive changes to the language from previous leases.
The new agreements will be for a term of approximately four years, expiring December 31, 2015. The agreements are projected to generate approximately $188,003,623 in revenue during the term of the leases.
For more information, please click here.
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| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
Trip to D.C. in Support of La Pata Ave Gap Closure Project
I travelled this week to Washington, D.C. with San Clemente Mayor Lori Donchak to seek support for the County’s La Pata Avenue Gap Closure Project.
Completion of this four mile gap is vital, as it would provide a critical local alternative route to the already congested I-5 Freeway. In addition, it would serve as a north/south inland alternative evacuation route for more than 100,000 South County residents in the event of a nuclear emergency from the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, wildfire, as well as other natural disasters or major emergencies.
While in D.C., we met with staff of Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein and with Congressman Darrell Issa. We also met with a senior staff member for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which is responsible for drafting the next federal highway funding bill.
To that end, we discussed opportunities to include consideration of evacuation routes when spending federal dollars for transportation projects as part of the transportation reauthorization bill. Discussion and a decision on the reauthorization bill are currently scheduled for December.
2011 OCTA Small Business Conference
This week, I attended the 2011 Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Small Business Conference. The conference and workshops provided information to help small businesses “do business” with OCTA and other government and public agencies.
Small business owners learned about the different certification programs, bonding, and insurance that is necessary, as well as received information on business opportunities, including upcoming projects and contracts.
OCTA is proud to work with many Orange County small and minority business organizations. In fact, over the last six months, OCTA has awarded contracts to 321 small businesses, amounting to $6 million (or 22 percent) of OCTA’s total business. In addition, OCTA offers a monthly training program titled, “How to do business with OCTA.”
For more information, please click here.
Public Invited To Share Thoughts on I-5 Improvements
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and Caltrans are seeking public input on proposals to relieve congestion, eliminate bottlenecks and improve traffic operations on the Santa Ana Freeway (I-5) between the Costa Mesa Freeway (SR-55) and Orange Freeway (SR-57) in Santa Ana.
The project alternatives being studied include, but are not limited to, adding one carpool lane in each direction, ramp realignments, retaining walls and sound walls, closure of the Main Street carpool on-ramps and off-ramps, restriping, construction and/or relocation of concrete barriers, drainage modification and replanting. All improvements are expected to occur within the existing freeway right-of-way.
The purpose of the public scoping meeting is to provide information regarding the proposed project and the issues to be studied in the Initial Study/Environmental Assessment. Any suggestions regarding the project and any comments or suggestions on significant social, economic and environmental factors are welcome and encouraged.
The meeting will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, November 2, with a presentation planned for 6:30 PM in the multi-purpose room at Hoover Elementary School, 408 E. Santa Clara Ave., Santa Ana, 92706.
This project is part of the Measure M2 transportation improvement program approved by voters in 2006. The half-cent sales tax is expected to generate $15 billion through 2041 to improve freeways, streets, roads and transit throughout Orange County.
For more information about this study, please call Julie Toledo at (714) 560-5573 or click here.
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| SOUTH COUNTY NEWS |
Free Health and Social Services for South County's Homeless
The Illumination Foundation is coordinating the second annual Sun Fair Health and Fitness Expo at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in San Clemente to provide FREE medical care, eye exams and glasses, dental screenings and social services to South County’s underserved, homeless community.
The health fair Sunday, November 13 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM is FREE and open to the public. For more information, please click here and here.
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| HARBOR HAPPENINGS |
Notice of Availability: SEIR Extended Public Review Period
The Public Review Period to adopt a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) for the Dana Point Harbor Marina Improvement Project has been extended through November 21.
The purpose of this notice is to inform local residents, institutions, agencies, and other interested parties about the availability of the Draft SEIR for an extended public review period due to unusual circumstances, including stakeholder requests.
For more information, please click here.
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| COUNTY CONNECTIONS |
OC Veterans Celebration
The public is cordially invited to attend the OC Veterans Celebration on Thursday, November 3, being held at the Old Orange County Courthouse, 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana.
Come hear their stories of coming home and the challenges they have faced. Light refreshments will be served and covered seating provided.
To RSVP, please contact Center of Excellence at (714) 667-5600 or hcacenterofexcellence@ochca.com. For more information, please click here and here.
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| HEALTH HERALD |
Get Your Flu Vaccination!
Flu season is here and the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) reminds everyone that getting a flu vaccination each year is the best way to prevent the flu. The flu vaccination is recommended for persons 6 months of age and older, and is now available through many physicians, pharmacies and clinics in Orange County.
People who do not have a medical provider or do not have health insurance coverage may obtain a flu vaccination FREE of charge from HCA’s Public Health Clinic every Tuesday from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM; and from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM beginning November 1.
It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop an immune response, so please get vaccinated now so you’ll be protected all season long. The 2011 seasonal flu vaccine protects against three separate influenza viruses (H3N2 virus, influenza B and 2009 H1N1).
Also, please don't forget to wash your hands frequently & cover your cough with your elbow! To learn more about the flu and vaccination locations, please click here.
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
The Orange County Health Care Agency, local law enforcement and community partners will collaborate with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to collect expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs on National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 29 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
In an effort to help reduce and prevent prescription drug abuse and theft, there will be more than 20 collection sites in Orange County to take back unwanted prescription drugs. The service is FREE and anonymous – no questions asked.
To find a collection site in your community, please visit the DEA website. For more information, please click here.
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| CRITTER CHRONICLES |
Halloween Safety Tips for Pets
Halloween is a favorite for many children and adults, but it can also be frightening and even dangerous for animals. With a little caution and common sense, Halloween can be a fun time for kids and pets alike.
For tips to help keep our furry friends safe and sound this Halloween season, please click here and here.
Meet Your Mature Match at OC Animal Care
Visit OC Animal Care on Saturday, November 5 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM for the 3rd Annual "Meet Your Mature Match" event. Adoption fees will be reduced if you take home a forever friend aged 3 years or older.
For more information, please click here.
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| NOTES FROM THE FIELD |
2012 Ranger Academy
OC Parks is now accepting applications for its 2012 Ranger Academy. This challenging, 17-week academy provides educational and vocational training for recruits who desire to pursue a career as a park ranger.
Training includes customer service, presentation skills, natural resource management, emergency response, first aid, CPR, AED, off-highway vehicle operations, Laws of Arrest, and more.
For more information, please click here.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT |
Fourth Annual South County Disaster Preparedness Expo
Last weekend, I was pleased to host our 4th annual South County Disaster Preparedness Expo, which was once again held in partnership with the City of Mission Viejo and generous support from Southern California Edison / San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS).
By all accounts, this year’s Expo was the biggest and best yet, with an estimated 7,000 people in attendance, all of whom were treated to a vast array of state-of-the-art emergency preparedness/response vehicles and equipment on display, as well as a ride on the always popular “Quake Cottage.”
In addition, Expo attendees received a wealth of valuable information and materials provided by many key public agencies and nonprofit organizations, including the Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, AlertOC, ReadyOC, American Red Cross, and many others.
I wish to thank everyone who helped make the 2011 South County Disaster Preparedness Expo another resounding success!
For more information, click here.
Laguna Niguel Celebrates New City Hall
I recently joined over 1500 people in celebrating the grand opening of the new Laguna Niguel City Hall.
Excitement filled the air as visitors made their way through the new building, stopping here and there to take in the various displays and features of the new facility.
The City Hall was completed on an all-cash, no debt basis and will save the City $600,000 annually in rent that can be used for other projects.
Mission Viejo Celebrates New Chamber of Commerce
I joined nearly 300 community members and business owners who came together recently to celebrate Mission Viejo’s new Chamber of Commerce.
It truly was a great day for Mission Viejo, as without a Chamber of Commerce, businesses don't thrive; and without businesses, the community doesn't thrive.
For more information, please click here, here and here.
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| SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR |
Laguna Niguel: Haunted Trails
The City of Laguna Niguel invites you to Crown Valley Community Park to take a journey through the dark and "MAD World" of Haunted Trails 2011. This VERY SCARY event Friday & Saturday, October 28 & 29, is not recommended for children under 8 years of age. For more information, please click here.
Laguna Beach: Boo Blast
Families are invited to Laguna Beach to attend El Morro Elementary School’s annual Halloween carnival – The Boo Blast – on Friday, October 28 from 2:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Please, no scary costumes, as this event is geared toward elementary school age kids and younger. For more information, please click here.
Mission Viejo: Hometown Halloween
Mark your calendar for the City of Mission Viejo’s Hometown Halloween, a festive community celebration that caters to all ages, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Saturday, October 29 at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way. For more information, please click here.
Capistrano Valley High School: Marching Band Competition
The public is invited to the 34th annual marching band competition at Capistrano Valley High School on Saturday, October 29. The event will feature 25 marching bands from across Southern California. Come out and show your support for the back-to-back state champion Capistrano Valley Black and Gold Brigade! For more information, please click here.
Dana Point: 34th Annual Turkey Trot
The 34th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 24 is fast approaching. Named one of America’s best Thanksgiving Day runs, the 2011 Dana Point Turkey Trot will unveil a wide array of race enhancements and is expected to be the biggest and best race to date! For more information, please click here and here.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP |
In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:
- Hosted the 4th annual South County Disaster Preparedness Expo in partnership with the City of Mission Viejo.
- Travelled to Washington, D.C. with San Clemente Mayor Lori Donchak to seek support for the County’s La Pata Avenue Gap Closure Project.
My office also:
- Met with Health Care Agency officials and the CEO of Illumination Foundation to discuss the provision of services and assistance to the homeless population at the Alternative Sleeping Location (ASL) in Laguna Beach.
- Attended the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee meeting.
- Attended the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Finance and Administration Committee meeting.
- Provided a certificate of recognition in honor of Janine Heft upon her retirement as President of Aliso Viejo Republican Women, Federated.
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.
For an ADA version of our newsletter, click here.
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