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January 13, 2012
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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. AIRPORT ARRIVALS
4. COUNTY CONNECTIONS
5. SAFETY SENTRY
6. HEALTH HERALD
7. AUDITOR AUDIBLE
8. RECORDER RECORD
9. NOTES FROM THE FIELD
10. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS
11. CRITTER CHRONICLES
12. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT
13. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR
15. 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 |
The following two important projects to provide Orange County with adequate water supply well into the future received Board of Supervisors support at Tuesday’s meeting:
Prado Basin Feasibility Study
The Board of Supervisors approved a resolution supporting the Prado Basin, CA Feasibility Study. The Prado Dam and Basin is located where the borders of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties meet near the 91 Freeway. The Orange County Flood Control District maintains and operates the Santa Ana River within Orange County for flood control purposes.
The Study will investigate opportunities for wetland pond creation, habitat restoration, new nature trails and recreational facilities. The wetlands will also provide water quality enhancements.
In addition, the Study will evaluate increasing the amount of storm water that can be captured at Prado Dam. Increasing storm water capture at Prado can provide up to an additional 30,000 acre-feet of water annually, enough water for nearly 250,000 people. If feasible, this will help save ratepayers in the region up to $24 million annually by avoiding the high cost of importing water through the fragile Bay-Delta or from the oversubscribed Colorado River, while also reducing our dependence on those sources.
For more information, please click here.
Groundwater Replenishment System Support
The Board also approved a Resolution supporting the Groundwater Replenishment System Initial Expansion. The Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) facility currently purifies nearly 72,000 acre-feet per year of highly-treated wastewater, enough for 600,000 people.
The GWRS Initial Expansion is also expected to provide an additional of 31,000 acre feet of new water, bringing the total production of the GWRS facility to 103,000 acre feet per year, enough to meet the needs of nearly 850,000 people.
To that end, the GWRS Initial Expansion will produce ultra-pure water at a cost that is competitive to that of importing water. As imported water supplies are declining and the demand and price are rising significantly, the more Orange County invests in water recycling, the less it becomes subject to supply shortages and price increases.
In addition to the environmental and water supply benefits this project will bring to our County, the GWRS Initial Expansion will also create hundreds of local jobs through development, construction and operation of the project.
For more information, please click here.
Proposition 1B First Allocation Status and Revisions
In 2006, California voters approved the statewide Proposition 1B Local Streets and Roads funding ballot initiative to address critical transportation needs throughout the state. Orange County received its first allocation of Proposition 1B funds in 2008 in the amount of $24,683,910, which the Board divided equally among each of the five supervisorial districts for eligible projects.
The City of Garden Grove realized savings of $218,246 on one of its projects funded by the Proposition 1B First Allocation, so the Board of Supervisors this week approved transferring the savings to three other projects within the First District.
As part of the Proposition 1B First Allocation, there was also $4.9 million allocated to projects in the Fifth District. To view the Proposition 1B Orange County Project List, please click here. For more information, please click here.
Pediatric Immunization Project
Since 1975, the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) has been granted Federal funding to support immunization activities focused on children from birth to 17 years of age. This project enables HCA staff to work with physicians and clinics to promote immunizations that reduce incidents of preventable diseases, such as pertussis (whopping cough), measles, and influenza.
Under this program in 2011, the County was able to distribute approximately 45,000 doses of flu vaccine, help 8,600 preschool and kindergarten children get ready to start school, and coordinated the vaccination of 200,000 middle and high school students to receive mandatory Tdap vaccinations to be able to start school in the fall.
For information about immunizations for your child please visit HCA’s website by clicking here. For more information, please click here.
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| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
OCTA Chair and Vice-Chair
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors selected Laguna Niguel Mayor Paul Glaab as the new Board Chairman for 2012, succeeding me as the outgoing Board Chair for 2011. Mayor Glaab served as Vice Chair last year. The OCTA Board also elected Director Greg Winterbottom as the new Vice Chair.
OCTA/Metrolink Takes Fans to Lunar New Year Festivities
On Saturday, January 28, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and Metrolink are teaming up to invite people to take Metrolink trains to the 113th annual Golden Dragon Parade in Chinatown near downtown Los Angeles.
Both agencies will host an event at the Irvine Station, where the first 100 people will receive free roundtrip Metrolink tickets. The event also includes free entertainment and free food courtesy of Rubio’s.
Visit the event page on the OCTA website for more information on the event, as well as train schedules.
2011 Countywide Attitudinal and Awareness Survey Results
A countywide survey of Orange County residents was recently conducted to gain understanding of current attitudes and awareness of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and its services, projects, and programs. This week, the OCTA Board received a report summarizing results of the 2011 Countywide Attitudinal and Awareness Survey.
To view the report, please click here.
Quarterly Rail and Facilities Program Update
This week, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors received a quarterly report on the status of the Rails and Facilities Program.
To view the PowerPoint presentation, please click here.
Measure M2 Freeway Environmental Mitigation Program
As Chair of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Environmental Oversight Committee, I requested that the OCTA Board of Directors receive an update on the Measure M2 Freeway Environmental Mitigation Program. The update included status of the allocation of $42 million for acquisition of open space properties and $5.5 million for habitat restoration projects.
To view the PowerPoint presentation, please click here.
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| AIRPORT ARRIVALS |
South County Artist's Paintings Featured at JWA
A selection of paintings by Laguna Beach artist Mark Jacobucci will be on display through January 30 in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal as part of John Wayne Airport's (JWA) Community Focus Space Program. The JWA exhibition will feature seven oil paintings depicting playing, working and driving around in Orange County.
For more information, please click here.
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| COUNTY CONNECTIONS |
Children and Families Commission of Orange County
The Orange County Board of Supervisors has launched a countywide recruitment to fill three positions for 2012 on the Children and Families Commission of Orange County. The recruitment is open to new applicants and current members.
Founded in 1999, the Commission is responsible for allocating Orange County’s share of Proposition 10 tobacco tax funds, which help pay for education, health and child development programs for children from the prenatal stage to age 5 and their families.
For more information, please click here.
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| SAFETY SENTRY |
Safety around Downed Power lines
In light of recent wind storms that toppled trees and downed power lines, Southern California Edison issued a public service announcement to remind customers of the importance of exercising good safety measures around downed power lines.
If a person or piece of equipment comes in contact with an energized power line, or if a power line has fallen to the ground:
- Do not approach or touch the line or anything in contact with the line.
- Call 911 and inform the operator that it’s an electrical emergency.
- ALWAYS assume that all wires are energized.
For more information, please click here.
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| HEALTH HERALD |
CalOptima Keeps $75 Million in Local Health Care System
CalOptima’s Board of Directors approved an operating budget that protects Orange County’s health care providers and low-income Medi-Cal members from the financial impact of California’s budget reductions and keeps an estimated $75 million in the local health care system through June 2012.
The approved plan to not implement cuts and co-payments was paired with an agreement that CalOptima reduce its own administrative budget by $2.2 million, which it has done. These efforts maximize revenue available for health care services.
For more information, please click here.
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| AUDITOR AUDIBLE |
Auditor-Controller Releases the OC Citizens’ Report
The Auditor-Controller’s office has released its annual OC Citizens’ Report. This is the eighth year the report has been published. The report presents financial highlights for the County of Orange for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 and provides a high-level summary of information contained in the County’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
For more information, please click here and here.
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| RECORDER RECORD |
Top Orange County Baby Names in 2011
The Orange County Clerk Recorder’s office reports the most popular names for babies born in Orange County last year had a familiar ring – they were the same names chosen by parents in 2010: Jacob and Sophia.
For more information, please click here.
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| NOTES FROM THE FIELD |
Doheny State Beach Update
The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association (DSBIA) has released its first DOHENY UPDATE of 2012 to better inform the public about special events and current conditions at the State Park.
To view the DSBIA January newsletter, please click here.
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| ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS |
Orange County Marine Protected Areas
Orange County Marine Protected Areas (MPA) became effective January 1. MPA designations include State Marine Reserve, No-Take State Marine Conservation Area, and State Marine Conservation Area. Please note there are no fishing areas off the coast of Laguna Beach.
For more information, including complete regulations and boundaries, please click here and here.
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| CRITTER CHRONICLES |
January is Adopt a Shelter Rabbit Month
Hop on down to OC Animal Care during the month of January to celebrate Adopt a Shelter Rabbit Month. All adopters who find their forever bunny will receive a free spay/neuter and a gift bag filled with rabbit goodies.
For more information, please click here.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT |
South County Home to OC's Best Family Neighborhoods
In their 7th annual survey of Orange County's best family neighborhoods, ParentingOC recently recognized Lake Forest as the best family neighborhood for mid-size cities. Additionally, second and third place in the category of mid-size cities went to Laguna Niguel and Mission Viejo, respectively.
Not to be outdone, the South County cities of Rancho Santa Margarita, Aliso Viejo and San Juan Capistrano took first, second and third place, respectively, in the category of small cities. Factors considered included population, quality of schools, crime rates, and access to parks, pools and kid-friendly enrichment opportunities.
For more information, please click here.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP |
In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:
- Met with the Director of OC Community Resources and the County Librarian to discuss issues concerning misuse of Internet access on computers at Orange County Public Libraries.
- Attended the Local Agency Formation Commission meeting.
- Attended the City of Lake Forest Council meeting to present a proclamation in honor of the City’s 20th anniversary of cityhood.
- Attended the City of Aliso Viejo Council meeting to present a certificate of recognition to outgoing Mayor Carmen Cave.
- Attended the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting to present a proclamation to outgoing Chairman Kirk Lapple.
- Participated in a Tree Planting Ceremony at Laguna Niguel Regional Park in honor of recently retired Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Darlene Bloom.
- Adjourned the Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of Jessica Joy Rees of Rancho Santa Margarita and William Morton Harcum of Laguna Beach.
My office also:
- Attended the Senior Citizens Advisory Council meeting in Aliso Viejo.
- Toured John Wayne Airport to view the airport’s latest renovations and improvements.
- Attended the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee meeting.
- Attended the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce Installation and Awards Ceremony to present certificates of recognition in honor their 2011 award recipients.
- Provided certificates of recognition to the Historical Society of Laguna Woods for their Honorees of the Month.
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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