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June 8, 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. COUNTY CONNECTIONS
4. HARBOR HAPPENINGS
5. SAFETY SENTRY
6. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS
7. CONSERVATION CONSERVATORY
8. NOTES FROM THE FIELD
9. CRITTER CHRONICLES
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.
The County Budget hearings will be held June 12 & 13. 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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| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
OCTA Jobs Now Progress Report
A new report shows that the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) invested $652 million in Orange County transportation improvement projects since 2009, creating or sustaining approximately 11,736 jobs in the process.
According to OCTA’s most recent Orange County Jobs Now Progress Report, OCTA awarded approximately $164.4 million in construction contracts, with 2,960 jobs created through the third quarter of fiscal year 2011-2012.
In 2007, following voter approval to extend Measure M, OCTA began efforts to expedite many of the improvement projects in the M2 Investment Plan, well in advance of the April 1, 2011 sales tax collection start date.
With the outlook set on enhancing mobility, creating jobs and improving the local economy, OCTA partnered with Caltrans and local agencies to accelerate transportation infrastructure projects and began awarding contracts in fiscal year 2009-2010.
For more information, please click here.
News from The Toll Roads
The Finance and Operations Committees of both the San Joaquin Hills (SJHTCA) and Foothill/Eastern (F/ETCA) Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) reviewed the proposed Fiscal Year 2013 budgets for their respective agencies.
Both the SJHTCA and the F/E TCA budgets include allocations for the conversion to All Electronic Tolling (AET). Converting to AET is a major capital improvement that will provide more efficient and cost effective service for toll road customers. The F/E TCA specifically includes allocations to fund the necessary work to continue to move forward with the Tesoro Extension.
The TCA Committees also received an update on the marketing plan for FY 2013. The marketing program seeks to increase ridership on The Toll Roads and encourage customers’ use of the FasTrak system for paying tolls. The outreach plan includes TV, radio, on-line and print media advertisements.
For more information, please click here.
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| AIRPORT ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES |
John Wayne Airport Offers Flights to Mexico
This week made history for John Wayne Airport, as the first flights from Orange County embarked to destinations in Mexico. The new service by AirTran, a subsidiary of Southwest Airlines offering flights to Cabo San Lucas and Mexico City, began June 3, marking the beginning of a new phase of international service at the airport.
AirTran passengers from Mexico are the first to pass through the new Immigration and Customs Enforcement area that was recently built as part of the new Terminal C. While WestJet currently provides service to and from Vancouver and Calgary, Canada, under an innovative agreement between Canada and the U.S., passengers are “pre-screened” through U.S. Customs in Canada and go through the normal arrival process as domestic flights when they arrive in Orange County.
For more information, please click here.
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| COUNTY CONNECTIONS |
50 Things We Have Done For You Lately
Learn about the ways the County of Orange is making OC a more safe, healthy, and fulfilling place to live, work and play with our "50 Things We Have Done For You Lately" brochure. For more information, please click here.
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| HARBOR HAPPENINGS |
Coastal Development Permit for New Median Signs
OC Dana Point Harbor is requesting a Coastal Development Permit be issued from the City of Dana Point for the construction and installation of new median signs as part of the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Plan.
The City of Dana Point has scheduled a Planning Commission Public Hearing for discussion of this application June 11 at 6:00 PM. For more information, please click here and here.
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| SAFETY SENTRY |
South County DUI Roving Patrols
The “Avoid the 12” DUI Task Force of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting DUI roving patrols in the South County cities of Lake Forest, Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita on Friday, June 8. These multi-city DUI teams will target areas that have a high incidence of DUI related arrests and collisions.
For more information, please click here.
Tale of Heroism from Medal of Valor Luncheon
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department presented awards to honorees for their courage, merit, and distinguished achievements at its 24th Annual Medal of Valor Luncheon, held April 26 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine hotel.
Deputies Manny Ramirez and Dustin Fike were presented with the Medal of Lifesaving for saving the life of a two-year-old girl who nearly drowned. One Saturday afternoon in April 2011, Deputy Ramirez was working patrol in the South County community of Ladera Ranch with his new patrol trainee, Deputy Dustin Fike. At about 4:25 p.m., they were dispatched to one of the most dreaded calls a patrol deputy can receive, a “child not breathing.”
The Deputies arrived on scene within a few minutes and met the child’s mother at the door of the residence. She directed them to the backyard, where the little girl was lying by the pool spa not breathing and without a pulse. Surrounded by the child’s hysterical family and friends, both Deputies immediately went into action – calmly and professional administering CPR. After completing eight to ten cycles, the girl began to take short, gasping breaths on her own.
The Deputies continued to monitor her condition until fire department personnel arrived and transported the victim to the hospital. Because of the highly emotional nature of the incident, the Deputies accompanied the family to the hospital and also ensured that Trauma Intervention Program personnel were on site to provide counseling and comfort to the relatives. The little girl was later released and suffered no apparent ill effects from the near drowning.
To learn more about the ceremony and the Medal of Valor recipients, please click here.
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| ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS |
OC Green Fair Draws Thousands
The 3rd annual OC Green Fair drew over 3,000 people to the Civic Center area on May 17, offering an opportunity to look at the latest trends and technology designed to protect the environment.
A highlight of this year’s Green Fair was the participation of the Wyland Foundation, which provided its Clean Water Challenge mobile classroom exhibit to teach visitors about the importance of watersheds and provide a broader understanding of the impact that communities have on these systems and our ocean. Many student groups from area schools enjoyed the interactive displays and 4-D theater experience throughout the day.
Lining the Civic Center Plaza were booths from approximately 90 organizations and vendors featuring green products or technology. The OC Green Fair helps to reinforce the County’s own environmentally preferable purchasing policy through educating County staff about the options available when purchasing products and services. It also helps consumers through easy access to information about ways they can reuse, reduce or recycle in their daily lives.
Several Orange County agencies participated in this year’s Green Fair, including OC Waste & Recycling, which sponsors the EcoChallenge exhibit at the Discovery Science Center, OC Parks and OC Public Works. Each agency has a unique role in preserving our natural environment and enhancing the public’s enjoyment of Orange County’s diverse landscape.
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| CONSERVATION CONSERVATORY |
Summer Irrigation Tips
With the unofficial start to summer underway, now's the time to remember the importance of saving water and tips that will also help save you money. For more information, please click here.
Power Outage Preparedness Tips
With higher temperatures just around the corner, now is also the time to start preparing for the possibility of power outages. For tips to prepare you and your family for what to do if the power goes out, please click here.
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| NOTES FROM THE FIELD |
Doheny Update
The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association (DSBIA) has issued the latest edition of DOHENY UPDATE to better inform the public about events and conditions in the State Park.
To view the DSBIA June newsletter, please click here.
Winning Names Announced for OC Zoo’s Lion Cubs
A pair of young, orphaned mountain lions at the OC Zoo has new names, thanks to Facebook fans of OC Parks. OC Zoo staff selected the winning names of Modjeska (for the female) and Santiago (for the male).
The cubs are now named for two local canyons – not far from the zoo – where mountain lions can be found in the wild. The cubs came to the OC Zoo after they were found malnourished and orphaned in Oregon when they were just two months old, far too young to survive on their own.
The brother and sister, now 9 months old, went on display March 31.
OC Parks’ Facebook fans submitted more than 100 suggested name pairs for the cougars. After the submission period ended, the public had one week to vote for their favorites. OC Zoo staff chose the winning names from the top 10 vote-getters. The nine runners-up were: Tia and Tango, Butch and Betty, Bonnie and Clyde, Freddie and Zoe, Max and Lola, Matilija and Cholla, Makenna and Monty, Kimi and Takoda, and Rusty and Maxine.
The OC Zoo is inside Irvine Regional Park and open weekdays from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM, and weekends from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Zoo entry is $2 per person for ages 3 and over; ages 2 and under enter free. For more information on the OC Zoo, please call (714) 973-6847 or click here.
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| CRITTER CHRONICLES |
Pet Fair 2012
Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 30, as OC Animal Care is kicking off summer with their biggest event of the year – Pet Fair 2012! Hundreds of animals will be available for adoption, along with pet-friendly vendors and rescue organizations, an adoptable dog parade, and lots of food and fun!
For more information, please click here.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT |
Laguna Beach Receives Kudos and Positive Report Card
The results of a recent citizen survey of Laguna Beach resident opinions about the community and services provided by local government were extremely positive, as 97% of respondents view Laguna Beach as a great place to live, earning the city a third place ranking (out of 360 cities), when compared to the national benchmark levels typically seen in other communities.
Nearly all survey respondents also rated the quality of life in Laguna Beach as “excellent” or “good”. In particular, Laguna Beach is ranked #1 out of 198 jurisdictions surveyed for preservation of natural areas, such as open space.
City services were rated favorably, with the majority receiving ratings well above the national benchmark. A similar citizen survey was conducted in 2007. The 2012 results demonstrate improvement in every category, including transportation, public safety, environmental and economic sustainability, and public trust.
After making herculean improvements to its sewer and storm drain systems and programs over the past decade, the City was especially gratified to learn recently that the Heal the Bay organization gave Laguna Beach high marks for its water quality. The organization released its annual beach report, which is known for grading beaches, bays, and harbors to summarize water quality testing results recorded over the year.
Letter grades are awarded to summarize summer dry seasons and wet weather seasons. The Laguna Beach grades were favorable along the coast, with mostly A’s and A+ grades for local beaches throughout the year. The following local beaches were recognized on the Heal the Bay 2011-2012 Beach Report Card Honor Roll for California for excellent water quality all year: Victoria Beach; Blue Lagoon; Treasure Island Pier; Treasure Island Sign; Aliso Creek (1000’ north); Table Rock; Laguna Lido Apartments; 9th St.; and 1000 Steps Beach.
Finally, adding to this positive feedback, Coastal Living Magazine has ranked Laguna Beach as No. 6 on its list of America’s Happiest Seaside Towns!
For more information, please click here, here and here.
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| SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR |
Mission Viejo: Summer Leisure Time
The City of Mission Viejo’s Summer Leisure Time publication is now available online, offering detailed information about upcoming special events, programs and classes that benefit the community. For more information, please click here and here.
Laguna Beach: Shakespeare in the Park
The Laguna Beach Arts Commission is presenting a new program, “Shakespeare in the Park.” The weekly performances will be held Fridays through June 22 at 6:30 PM at the Heisler Park amphitheater. For more information, please click here.
Laguna Niguel: Veterans Plaque Unveiling Ceremony
The Laguna Niguel Military Support Committee and Senior Citizens Committee invite you to join them at a ceremony dedicating a plaque in honor of the men and women of Laguna Niguel who served in our Armed Forces. The ceremony will take place Thursday, June 14 at 10:00 AM at the Sea Country Senior & Community Center, 24602 Aliso Creek Road. For more information, please click here.
San Clemente: Welcome Home Marines!
San Clemente’s adopted unit, the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines has returned home from the war in Afghanistan. In honor of their service and sacrifice, the City will welcome them back with a celebration and parade in San Clemente’s historic downtown Thursday, June 14 (Flag Day) from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. 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:
- Attended a briefing with Congressman Dana Rohrabacher regarding mitigation of water pollution in the Aliso Creek watershed.
My office also:
- Provided certificates of recognition for Atria San Juan; Nextage – The Mantelli Group; South County Skin & Body Center; and Opus Bank in honor of their respective ribbon cutting ceremonies in San Juan Capistrano.
- Provided a certificate of recognition for Hobby Lobby in honor of their ribbon cutting ceremony in Laguna Niguel.
- Met with the Executive Director of Families Forward to be briefed on the work the organization is doing in South County.
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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