Header image with Photo of Supervisor Pat Bates. Followed by office information
April 6, 2012

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. PAT’S PERSPECTIVE

2. BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

3. TAX COLLECTOR COLLECTIBLES

4. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

5. HEALTH HERALD

6. NOTES FROM THE FIELD

7. CRITTER CHRONICLES

8. LIBRARY LESSONS & SESSIONS

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

Ruth Strachan:
Office Manager

Click here to subscribe.

Click here to unsubscribe


Volume 6 Issue 13
PAT’S PERSPECTIVE

Redevelopment Projects

Last year, the legislature passed AB 1X 26, which effectively eliminated redevelopment agencies statewide. As a result of the legislation, the County must now identify the known financial obligations of those projects defined as enforceable obligations. To view the list of identified enforceable obligations, please click here.

On Tuesday, I joined the Board majority in approving the identified obligations. However, approval of those projects depends on reviews by the County's Auditor/Controller, the County's Redevelopment Oversight Board, with a final decision to be rendered by the State Department of Finance.

The full obligations of these projects total $680.2 million of property tax dollars. The uses of redevelopment dollars for these projects were not predicated on the use of eminent domain, one of the primary abuses associated with redevelopment law. These projects include funding for public works projects, public safety programs and state required affordable housing.

If these projects are not approved, the County will be required to send these local property tax dollars back to Sacramento. Retaining funding for these projects is one way to ensure our tax dollars stay local.

BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

2012 Orange County Community Indicators Report

The Board received a presentation on the 2012 Orange County Community Indicators report. Released annually since 2000, the Orange County Community Indicators report tracks countywide trends related to the economy, environment, and populace. The data in the report allows stakeholders to ask whether a certain practice or trend is sustainable.

Published by the County of Orange, Children and Families Commission of Orange County, and the Orange County Business Council, the report allows a broad range of indicators to be presented, which are used by many public and private organizations to prepare their own internal strategic plans and policies.

The 2012 Orange County Community Indicators report shows that Orange County’s high-tech sector is diverse and sizable, our trade with other parts of the world is rebounding, suggesting markets are bouncing back, and employment is on an upward swing. At the same time, per capita income is rising and housing prices are slowly stabilizing. Several indicators of residents’ health show improvement, from prenatal care to childhood safety to adult disease.

The report also indicates between 2000 and 2010, the largest population growth in Orange County occurred in cities that annexed areas with existing development. As a result, the City of Irvine experienced the greatest population growth at 48.4%, followed by Lake Forest (31.6%), San Clemente (27.2%), Newport Beach (21.6%) and Aliso Viejo (19.2%).

To view the entire 2012 Orange County Community Indicators report and the PowerPoint presentation received by the Board, please click here.

Aliso Viejo Library Food and Beverage Concession

The Aliso Viejo Branch Library contains a small food and beverage lease concession within the premises for library patrons, which generates revenue for OC Public Libraries. On Tuesday, the Board approved a Consent to Assignment Agreement, transferring the Lease to Match Point Co., Inc., to continue to operate the food and beverage concession for the benefit of patrons of the Aliso Viejo Library.

For more information, please click here.

TAX COLLECTOR COLLECTIBLES

Reminder on 2nd Secured Property Tax Installment

The Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector reminds the public that the last day to pay the second installment of secured property taxes without penalties is Tuesday, April 10. For more information, please click here.

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

Traffic Signal Synchronization Program Contracts Approved

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) will act as the lead agency for seven of 18 traffic signal synchronization projects that were recently awarded funding as part of the Measure M2 Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program call for projects.

The seven projects include Crown Valley Parkway, Golden West Street, MacArthur Blvd/Talbert Ave, Marguerite Parkway, Tustin Ave/Rose Ave, Warner Ave, and Magnolia Street. In total, 268 signals spanning 69.9 miles will be synchronized as part of these seven projects.

On Monday, OCTA’s Regional Planning and Highways Committee approved the selection of seven engineering firms to provide on-call traffic engineering support for the projects. The OCTA Board of Directors will vote on this item next week.

M2 Environmental Mitigation Program Update

On Monday, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Regional Planning and Highways Committee approved an Interim Land Management Agreement with the County of Orange to maintain the biological resources of the O’Neill Oaks property, which was purchased as part of the M2 Environmental Mitigation Program.

The 119-acre O’Neill Oaks property is located northwest of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita in Trabuco Canyon. There is a wildlife movement corridor along the western edge of the property providing connectivity to the Cleveland National Forest.

Per the agreement, OC Parks will manage the O’Neill Oaks property on an interim basis while the OCTA Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP/HCP) is being prepared. OCTA will identify a permanent land manager once the NCCP/HCP process nears completion.

OC Parks staff will provide the day-to-day management of the property, including some of the required biological support services, maintenance activities, and patrol and enforcement services. These include, but are not limited to, trash removal, maintaining trails and fences, erecting and maintaining signage, fencing as necessary to control unauthorized access/use, and other strategies to maintain and protect the biological resources of the property.

The NCCP/HCP will outline a long-term management/maintenance scheme that will dictate allowable uses for each of the OCTA acquired properties that are part the M2 Environmental Mitigation Program.

In a related item, the Committee also approved the selection of a consultant for the preparation of Baseline Biological Surveys for the acquired properties as part the M2 Environmental Mitigation Program.

As part of the NCCP/HCP effort, consultant services are needed to prepare baseline biological surveys for the five properties OCTA has acquired (and any others in the future), currently totaling approximately 950 acres. The baseline biological surveys will ascertain the exact type of habitats and the presence of species on the properties. The results of the surveys will be used to account for the overall mitigation commitment in the NCCP/HCP.

As part of a master agreement between OCTA, Caltrans and state and federal resource agencies, the conservation plan outlined in the NCCP/HCP will provide mitigation credit toward the streamlined project approvals for the 13 Measure M2 freeway projects. All of these agreements will be submitted to the OCTA Board for their review and concurrence.

For more information about the M2 Freeway Mitigation Program, please click here.

HEALTH HERALD

Food Establishments Receive Awards of Excellence

The Health Care Agency’s Environmental Health Division has issued 3,247 Award of Excellence certificates to local Orange County food facilities, representing an increase of almost 60 additional food facilities from the previous year. From a qualifying group of 9,693 food facilities throughout the County, these establishments were recognized by Environmental Health’s Food Protection Program for their outstanding food safety and sanitation practices during 2011.

For more information, please click here.

Public Health Week: April 2-8

Since 1995, when the first full week of April was declared National Public Health Week (NPHW), communities across the country have celebrated NPHW to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving public health. The theme for 2012 is “A Healthier America Begins Today: Join the Movement,” being celebrated April 2-8.

For more information, please click here.

NOTES FROM THE FIELD

Caspers Wilderness Park: Adventure Day

OC Parks invites the public to enjoy Adventure Day at Caspers Wilderness Park – a FREE fun-filled day of musical entertainment, guided hikes, raffles, hiking and camping clinics, OC Register Wildflower Photo Contest, and more.

From 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, families and friends of all ages can partake in numerous activities, including wildlife inspired games of ring toss and cowboy lasso. Learn about native wildlife, wildlflowers, bugs, raptors, conservation, navigation, and Native American and Orange County History, too.

For more information, please click here and here.

Canyon Views

As it’s shaping up to be a wonderful spring in the canyons, the Laguna Canyon Foundation is pleased to share several exciting happenings it their April edition of Canyon Views.

Doheny Update

The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association (DSBIA) has issued the latest edition of DOHENY UPDATE to be better informed the public about events in the State Park. To view the DSBIA April newsletter, please click here.

CRITTER CHRONICLES

America’s Family Pet Expo

Please visit OC Animal Care at Booth 1572 at America’s Family Pet Expo on April 20–22, as they will be bringing lots of adorable animals for adoption. For more information, please click here.

LIBRARY LESSONS & SESSIONS

OC Public Libraries to Co-Host Sixth Annual Literary Orange

On Saturday, April 14 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, OC Public Libraries and UC Irvine Libraries will co-host the sixth annual Literary Orange at the UC Irvine Student Center. Orange County’s premier literary event, Literary Orange brings authors, readers and libraries together for a celebration of literature.

Literary Orange offers attendees and fans the opportunity to engage with an exciting array of authors, purchase books and have them signed, ask questions, and learn about the writing process. Popular best-selling authors Paula McLain and Lisa See will serve as keynote speakers, along with over 40 authors of various genres.

For more information, please click here.

FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

South County Soccer Players Earn State Honors

After winning the Southern California Regional Championship and a No. 1 National Ranking, the awards keep rolling-in for the Aliso Niguel High School girls soccer team. Senior goalkeeper Sammy Prud'homme was named the All-CIF Southern Section Player of the Year and Coach Randy Dodge was named the All-CIF Southern Section Coach of the Year. In addition, three other Wolverines were selected to the All-CIF Southern Section First Team.

For more information, please click here.

South County Dancers Capture Three State Titles

The top high school dance teams in the State of California could not stop San Clemente High School (SCHS) from capturing state titles recently in three events at the California Association of Dance/Drill Team Directors State Championship in Fullerton, as the SCHS Dance Team was named State Champions in Intermediate Dance, Medium Lyrical, and Character.

South County Orchestra Wins Award at Carnegie Hall

Last month, 75 students from the Aliso Niguel High School string orchestra participated in the New York International Music Festival, a four-day event, culminating in their performance on stage at Carnegie Hall on March 20. They were the only ensemble that evening to receive a gold award, the highest possible award of the festival.

SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

Laguna Hills: Late Night Flashlight Egg Hunt

The City of Laguna Hills invites families to bring their flashlight and prize bag for an eventful evening of annual egg hunting on Friday, April 6 from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Laguna Hills Community Center soccer fields; then return to the Community Center on Saturday, April 7 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a morning of fun and adventure with Mr. Bunny and friends. For more information, please click here and here.

Laguna Niguel: Bunny Blast

The City of Laguna Niguel invites you to Bunny Blast to make crafts, get your face painted, play games, jump in the bounce house, see the Easter Bunny, visit animals at the petting zoo and watch a fun show on Saturday, April 7 from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Chapparosa Park. For more information, please click here.

Mission Viejo: Bunny Days

Make plans to attend Bunny Days, a time-honored family event, featuring carnival game booths, spring crafts, face painting, pony rides and much more, taking place from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 7 on the Village Green at Oso Viejo Park, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. For more information, please click here.

San Clemente: Big Egg Hunt and Springtime Puppet Show

The City of San Clemente invites you to the great big FREE event you’ve been waiting for and don’t want to miss Saturday morning, April 7 at Vista Hermosa Park. For more information, please click here.

FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP

In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:
  • Met with Richard Reisman, Publisher and CEO of the Orange County Business Journal.
  • Met with Dr. Standiford Helm, Orange County Medical Association (OCMA) President-Elect, and Robert McCann, OCMA Interim Executive Director and CEO.
  • Delivered a County Update at a meeting of the Laguna Canyon Conservancy.
  • Adjourned the Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of Gordon “Gordy” Lee, the grandfather of my Chief of Staff, Don Hughes; and Col. Dallas A. Pilliod of Mission Viejo.
My office also:
  • Provided a certificate of recognition for Chalone Warman of the San Clemente Area Republican Women Federated in honor of being name Worker of the Month for April by the Orange County Federation of Republican Women.
  • Provided a certificate of recognition for San Clemente Wine Company in honor of their ribbon cutting ceremony in the City of San Clemente.
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.

Follow me on Facebook!