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April 27, 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. SOUTH COUNTY NEWS
3. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
4. SAFETY SENTRY
5. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS
6. COUNTY CONNECTIONS
7. REGISTRAR REGISTER
8. SENIOR SENTINEL
9. NOTES FROM THE FIELD
10. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT
11. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR
12. 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
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| 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 2012, please click here.
Our next Board meeting will be held Tuesday, May 1. Regular Board meetings begin at 9:30 AM in the Hall of Administration. 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.
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| SOUTH COUNTY NEWS |
2012 South County Job Fair
Is your company looking for talent? Are YOU looking for a new and fulfilling job?
If so, please attend our second annual South County Job Fair on Thursday, May 10 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. I’m pleased to host the 2012 South County Job Fair in partnership with the Orange County Workforce Investment Board and the City of Mission Viejo.
This is a FREE event for jobseekers and recruiters. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, bring copies of their resume, and visit with a recruiter on-site from the Orange County Business Services Center to receive one-on-one resume critique service. Parking is also FREE.
For more information, please click here and here or call (714) 670-0100.
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| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
OCTA Awards $44.7 Million for Transportation Projects
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors awarded a combination of Measure M2 and state Proposition 1B funding to 31 projects, totaling $44.7 million, as part of the 2011-12 Call for Projects for the Regional Capacity Program (RCP) and the Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program (RTSSP).
The RCP provides funding for capital improvements to congested streets, roads, intersections, and interchanges. Projects funded through this program have a deficient level of service and will benefit from capacity improvements.
Of the 40 project applications submitted from local jurisdictions, the OCTA Board awarded funding for seven projects, totaling $35 million, including $9.6 million in Proposition 1B State-Local Partnership Program funds (SLPP).
One of the projects awarded RCP funding is the County’s La Pata Avenue Gap Closure Project, which received $10.2 million for construction of the Project’s Phase 1, a 4.1-mile extension of La Pata Avenue from north of the County’s Prima Deshecha Landfill boundary to Calle Saluda in San Clemente. The Project also includes a 1,500-foot extension of Camino del Rio from San Clemente's Forster Ranch community to La Pata Avenue. Both extensions are over rugged terrain, and construction is expected to cost about $65 million.
In addition, a total of 24 corridor-based signal synchronization projects, totaling $9.7 million, were funded through the RTSSP. In total, these projects coordinate over 500 signals along approximately 140 miles of Orange County roadways. All projects, except one, are expected for implementation in FY 2012-13.
In South County, the corridors to receive signal synchronization improvements include:
- Antonio Parkway
- Avenida Vista Hermosa
- Camino de los Mares
- Jeffrey Road
- Lake Forest Drive
- Los Alisos Boulevard
- Pacific Park Drive/Oso Parkway
- Paseo de Valencia
- Santa Margarita Parkway
To view the staff report, which includes the lists of projects to be funded, please click here.
2011 Bus Customer Satisfaction Survey Results
As part of the Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA) ongoing efforts to deliver quality customer service to bus and ACCESS riders, bus customer satisfaction surveys were conducted in 2011. Results from the surveys help OCTA better understand the needs and perceptions of its bus customers, as well as provide insight to continuously improve services.
On Monday, the OCTA Board of Directors was presented the survey results. To view the staff report, please click here.
Let’s Bike!
May is National Bike Month and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is enthusiastically encouraging people to get out of their cars and onto their bikes, as OCTA has several exciting events and promotions beginning Sunday, April 29 through Bike to Work Week (May 14 – 18).
The more you bike, the better you'll feel! There's no better time to start than now, as everyone who pledges to participate and track their biking miles online is automatically entered into a countywide raffle to win great prizes!
For more information, please click here.
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| SAFETY SENTRY |
South County Earthquake
Thankfully, no reports of damage or injuries were received as a result of the 3.9-magnitude earthquake that struck South County, just east of San Juan Capistrano, Monday at 10:37 AM. However, the tremor served as an important reminder of our need to be prepared for a larger magnitude earthquake or any major emergency.
For more information, including important earthquake/emergency preparedness tips, please click here and here.
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| ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS |
Prima Deshecha Landfill
Prima Deshecha Landfill began operations in 1976 to service South County. The landfill was named for the canyon in which it is located, the Prima Deshecha Cañada (Spanish translation for "First Rough Canyon").
Approximately 200 acres are currently under biological pre-mitigation to offset future land disturbance. In addition, Prima Deshecha Landfill installs and maintains environmental protection technology to protect the water, air and habitat from the effects of landfill waste disposal.
For more information, please click here.
OC Green Fair 2012
Please join us at our third annual OC Green Fair on Thursday, May 17 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Civic Center Plaza in Santa Ana, as we continue the exciting momentum in raising public awareness of environmental concern.
The County's mission is to raise awareness regarding environmental concerns on how consumers can reduce their impact on the earth by selecting sustainable, eco-friendly products and services, reducing energy consumption, conserving water, and limiting their dependence on fossil fuels.
The Green Fair is FREE to the public and will feature green products and services from approximately 100 vendors, FREE vendor giveaways, door prizes, networking, food, and much more!
For more information, please click here.
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| COUNTY CONNECTIONS |
Fitch Ratings Gives County of Orange ‘AA+’
Fitch Ratings, a global financial rating agency, has assigned the County of Orange an implied unlimited tax general obligation bond rating of ‘AA+.’
In its rating issued April 18, Fitch stated, “The County’s financial position remains strong despite four consecutive years of general fund deficits, and is supported by sound fund balance levels.” The rating information continues, “Debt levels are very low, resulting from strong levels of pay-as-you-go capital spending and rapid amortization.”
In assigning the ‘AA+’ rating, Fitch also acknowledged potential negative factors affecting the County, including uncertainty about funding of state programs and the County’s unfunded pension liability. Fitch stated the Rating Outlook is Stable.
For more information, please click here.
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| REGISTRAR REGISTER |
Out-of-Date Voter Registrations
Addressing the issue of voters moving and out-of-date voter registrations has become a priority for the Orange County Registrar of Voters (ROV). In a single test of just 1,000 voters, the ROV found that 281 voters had moved at least five times in a period of only a few years, underscoring the need to be proactive and creative in updating records as well as working to reduce costs.
To that end, the ROV released a report this week, outlining the department's efforts to address this issue. For more information, please click here and here.
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| SENIOR SENTINEL |
OC Animal Care Celebrates Older Americans Month
May is Older Americans Month, and OC Animal Care is celebrating with special adoption incentives for senior citizens adopting new pets from May 1 to May 31. Adopters ages 55 and over will receive a discount on pets ages 3 and over. Don’t miss the Super Senior May kick-off celebration Saturday, May 5!
For more information, please click here.
Legal Aid Society of Orange County
The Legal Aid Society of Orange County (LASOC) fulfills a tremendous need for legal assistance for Orange County’s poor and elderly by providing civil legal services to low-income individuals who may not otherwise have equal access to the justice system.
At LASOC, low-income individuals and seniors are able to access legal expertise in family law, housing, consumer issues, government benefits, and bankruptcy law at no cost. For more information, please click here.
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| NOTES FROM THE FIELD |
2012 Enduro Stuff Cup Tour
OC Parks is pleased to announce the 2012 Enduro Stuff Cup Tours.
Mountain Bike races and clinics are planned at Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Laguna Niguel Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park, O’Neill Regional Park and Caspers Wilderness Park from May through December this year, with cash prizes being awarded to first through third place participants of each race.
May 5 introduces the first-ever mountain bike race through Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park and Laguna Niguel Regional Park. The race will traverse some of the most legendary trails these parks have to offer.
The races will continue at Irvine Regional Park and Santiago Oaks Regional Park on July 14.
On August 25 mountain bikes will race through O’Neill Regional Park on short laps with high elevation gain and great single track climbs and descents.
A fourth race at Caspers Wilderness Park will be held in late fall. The race date and details will be announced soon.
The first 15 racers in each category throughout the race tour will acquire points and overall series winners will receive custom Path Bike Shop prizes at the last race at Caspers Wilderness Park.
For more information, please click here and here.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT |
San Clemente Selects Wall of Recognition Recipient
The City of San Clemente has selected 13-year resident Dr. William “Bill” Thomas as its Wall of Recognition recipient for 2012.
Bill is a founding and current member of the Friends of San Clemente Beaches, Parks and Recreation Foundation, including serving terms as president and vice-president. As a member and past president of the California Association of Parks and Recreation Commissioners and Board Members (CAPRCBM), he has represented San Clemente and the Foundation throughout the state.
Among his many accomplishments and achievements, Bill is also a founding member of the San Clemente Educational Foundation and has had numerous articles about San Clemente and its citizens published in the local San Clemente Journal as well as other publications.
In recognition of his outstanding service to the community, he received the “Citizen of the Year Award” in 2007 from the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce, followed by the “Volunteer of the Year Award” from the City of San Clemente in 2008.
In 2009 and 2010, he successfully spearheaded two citywide Carnival Colossal & Expo events to help fundraise for the recently opened Vista Hermosa Sports Park and Aquatics Center.
For more information, please click here.
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| SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR |
Laguna Niguel: Aquafina Pitch, Hit & Run
Aquafina Pitch, Hit & Run is an exciting baseball and softball skills competition that provides boys and girls, ages 7 to 14, an opportunity to showcase their pitching, hitting and running abilities. This FREE event is Sunday, April 29 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM at Chapparosa Park in Laguna Niguel. For more information, please click here.
Aliso Viejo: Soka University's International Festival
Soka University’s 11th annual International Festival in Aliso Viejo is Saturday, May 5 from 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM, as part of Orange County’s Imagination Celebration. Wear international attire and celebrate your heritage. Admission is FREE. Parking is FREE at the Ziggurat Building with shuttle service every 30 minutes. For more information, please click here.
Mission Viejo: Arts Alive Festival
Celebrate Mission Viejo’s artistic creativity and rich cultural arts at the sixth annual Arts Alive Festival. This fun-filled Festival is from 12:00 noon to 8:00 PM Saturday, May 5; and from 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM Sunday, May 6 at Oso Viejo Park and the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way. For more information, please click here and here.
San Clemente: Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
The 22nd annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta takes place Saturday, May 5 from 12:00 noon to 6:00 PM at Max Berg Plaza Park in San Clemente, 1100 Calle Puente, featuring traditional live entertainment, scrumptious food items, a children’s activities arena, and much more! For more information, please click here.
Laguna Hills: Children’s Spring Concert
Bring your family and friends to Stockport Park in Laguna Hills on Friday, May 18 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM to enjoy the wonderful sounds of the award-winning children’s band, “The Happy Crowd!” For more information about this FREE Children’s Spring Concert, please click here.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP |
In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:
- Presented a proclamation to the Orange County Mental Health Board, commemorating May as Mental Health Awareness Month.
- Participated in the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Housing Ad Hoc Committee meeting.
My office also:
- Attended the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce Legislative & Transportation Committee meeting.
- Attended the South Orange County Economic Coalition meeting.
- Attended the OCTax membership meeting.
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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