|
August 17, 2012 |
|
|
|
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. SAFETY SENTRY
5. COUNTY CONNECTIONS
6. HEALTH HERALD
7. HARBOR HAPPENINGS
8. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS
9. NOTES FROM THE FIELD
10. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT
11. CRITTER CHRONICLES
12. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR
13. 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
|
|
| BOARD BULLETIN BOARD |
Grand Jury: Elder Abuse - The Perfect Storm
In June 2012, the Orange County Grand Jury released a report titled "Elder Abuse - The Perfect Storm." This report directed Findings and Recommendations to the Orange County Health Care Agency, Social Services Agency, Board of Supervisors, County Executive Officer, OC Community Resources, and the Public Administrator/Public Guardian. To that end, the Board approved the County’s response to the Grand Jury Report.
One purpose of the report is to show the human side of elder abuse. Orange County Adult Protective Services (APS) receives more than 600 reports of abuse each month and national experts estimate that for every report of abuse, 23 go unreported. Furthermore, upcoming baby boomers will further strain an already strained system.
As noted in the Grand Jury Report, APS has experienced a steep increase in reported incidents of elder abuse in recent years that may stem from actual expansion of abuse or improvement in reporting methods. The Grand Jury also acknowledged the high quality and variety of resources as well as the commitment of both professionals and volunteers in Orange County.
For more information, please click here.
Grand Jury: Transparency Breaking Up Compensation Fog
The Board approved a response to the FY 2011-2012 Grand Jury Report titled “Transparency Break Up Compensation Fog – But Why Hide Pension Costs?” The report was a review of local governments and how they publicize the costs of employee salaries/benefits/pensions.
The Grand Jury graded each agency on how well they provided information to the public. The County was rated high for accessibility and reporting of executive salaries/benefits but rated lower on how it reported on general employee salary/benefits. The County has adopted all three of the Grand Jury’s recommendations to improve reporting.
For more information, please click here.
|
| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
I-405 Improvement Project
The three construction alternatives under consideration by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) for the I-405 Improvement Project include:
- Alternative 1 – Adds one regular lane in each direction between Euclid Street and I-605
- Alternative 2 – Includes the regular lane in Alternative 1 and adds a second northbound lane between Brookhurst Street and SR-22/7th Street, and a southbound lane between Seal Beach Boulevard and Brookhurst Street
- Alternative 3 – Includes the regular lane from Alternative 1 and adds one express lane in each direction which will be combined with the existing HOV lane to become a new two lane express facility (similar to the 91 Express Lanes) between SR-73 and I-605
During the EIR public comment period, which ended July 17, more than 1,200 official letters and e-mails were submitted. OCTA is now working to modify proposed project alternatives to help address some of the community concerns. The OCTA planning team is exploring these project refinements:
- Truncate the express lanes under Alternative 3 north of Fairview Avenue
- Reconfiguring the Magnolia Avenue / Warner Avenue interchange to avoid the need to acquire up to four full businesses in Fountain Valley
- Reducing impacts to parking in Westminster by altering the project design
- Potentially avoiding the wall relocation on Almond Avenue in the College Park East Neighborhood of Seal Beach through design variations
- Conducting soundwall surveys and community meetings to get feedback on proposed soundwalls and using Measure M2 funds to maximize heights
In addition to these refinements, OCTA will review existing data and perform additional traffic analysis in response to concerns about a perceived bottleneck from cities on both sides of Orange and Los Angeles county border.
The OCTA Board of Directors is expected to consider support for a Locally Preferred Alternative on September 24.
|
| SOUTH COUNTY NEWS |
Laguna Niguel Library Grand Reopening Celebration
Laguna Niguel Library will host its Grand Reopening Celebration on Sunday, August 19. The public is cordially invited to attend the festivities, which begin at noon with the opening ceremony and will be followed by an afternoon of fun-filled entertainment.
Since 2006, the City and County have been working together on the complete renovation and expansion of the library. The $multi-million project is being jointly funded by the County and City and includes a 4,000 square foot expansion, new Friends of the Library bookstore, new community meeting room, additional computers and book stacks/shelves to accommodate an expanded materials collection, and a total interior and exterior remodel.
The Library is located at 30341 Crown Valley Parkway, next to Laguna Niguel City Hall. To view the invitation, please click here.
|
| SAFETY SENTRY |
Orange County DUI Task Force Crackdown
The Orange County “Avoid the 38” DUI Task Force will be conducting sobriety/driver’s license checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols throughout Orange County to stop, test and arrest impaired drivers who fail to use a designated driver. The August/Labor Day Holiday DUI Campaign runs August 17 to September 3.
For more information, please click here and here.
|
| COUNTY CONNECTIONS |
How 2-1-1 Orange County Helps
With over 350 calls a day, 2-1-1 Orange County has a bird's eye view of the conditions and needs of the residents in Orange County. Each call they receive for assistance reflects the struggles that many of our residents face. Unemployment is still widespread and the housing market has made little improvement. As such, it is no surprise a majority of the 2-1-1 calls are for assistance with food, housing, mental health and health care issues.
But 2-1-1 reaches beyond the basic safety-net of services and provides information on available resources to help families and individuals enhance their lives with connections to after school programs, adoption and foster care services, burial arrangements, disability services, mentoring programs, free tax preparation services and more.
For more information, please click here.
|
| HEALTH HERALD |
CalOptima Recognizes Dedicated Health Care Providers
CalOptima will honor a select group of dedicated health care professionals for their commitment to providing high-quality health care services to vulnerable Orange County residents at the Circle of Care Awards on August 29.
The 2012 Circle of Care Award recipients include more than 20 health professionals and 11 organizations, all of which play a pivotal role in providing safety-net services for Orange County’s at-risk populations.
Established in 2000, the Circle of Care Award has been given to more than 190 distinguished health care professionals, medical groups and allied providers, whose dedication has made a lasting impact on Orange County’s vulnerable populations.
The 2012 Circle of Care Awards and Luncheon will take place at The DoubleTree Hotel in Orange, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM on Wednesday, August 29. Registration is required. For more information, please click here.
|
| HARBOR HAPPENINGS |
OC Planning Commission Public Hearing Postponed
The public hearing of the Orange County Planning Commission to consider the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) has been delayed until September.
I would like to thank all the boaters who contacted my office to request that they be given more time to review the latest changes to the report. Your involvement and input to this process is very much appreciated and necessary as we move forward in bringing the revitalization project from the planning stages to construction.
As soon as the Planning Commission hearing date is confirmed, notice will be sent out to all interested parties and published in this newsletter. As always, if you have any comments or questions, please contact me at my office at (714) 834-3550.
To view the Draft SEIR and related documents please visit www.OCDPH.com.
Boating Advisory: Raft-Ups in the West Anchorage
Please be aware of the following Raft-Ups planned this weekend in Dana Point Harbor:
- Friday, August 17 – Del Rey Yacht Club will be bringing six powerboats ranging in size between 42 feet and 61 feet for an overnight stay in the West Anchorage.
- Friday, August 17 through Sunday, August 19 – The American Legion Yacht Club will be bringing 20 vessels ranging in size between 25 feet and 50 feet for a weekend in the West Anchorage, beginning on Friday.
Boaters are to use extra caution while traveling in the West End of the Harbor. For more information, please click here or contact Dana Point Harbor Patrol at (949) 248-2222.
|
| ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS |
Orange County Coastal Coalition
The Orange County Coastal Coalition, which I Chair, provides an opportunity to learn about and collaborate on current topics affecting not only our coastal cities, but those inland as well.
To that end, our July 26 meeting provided a forum to hear from Clifton Davenport, Project Manager of Coastal Sediment Management Workgroup (CSMW); and David Cannon and Seamus Innes, Principal Engineers with Everest International Consultants, who specialize in planning and design of coastal projects.
Both presentations highlighted CSMW’s efforts to remedy Southern California Beaches Regional Sediment Erosion and what is underway to resolve sediment nourishment for Southern California beaches.
For more information, please click here. For information about CSMW meetings, please click here. For information about the California Coastal Sediment Management Plan, please click here. To be placed on the email distribution list for Coastal Coalition meetings, please send your email address to andrea.toscano@ocpw.ocgov.com.
South Orange Coastal Ocean Desalination Project
For the better part of the last 10 years, Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) has been exploring the possibility of developing an ocean desalination plant in South County.
More recently, MWDOC has been working with five local South County agencies as project partners in this endeavor. Three phases of studies and testing of a pilot plant facility have now been completed, and they anticipate that a decision on the project’s future will be made in early 2013.
The South Orange Coastal Ocean Desalination (SOCOD) Project is unique among desalination projects in the United States and internationally, as it would use a subsurface slant well intake system to draw ocean water through the ocean floor and into the facility.
This type of intake system not only protects marine life from harm, but also helps to reduce the amount of energy needed in the overall water treatment process. This is because the natural filtration that occurs as water travels through the sands and gravels of the ocean floor eliminates the need for water pre-treatment before the desalination process begins.
For more information, please click here.
|
| NOTES FROM THE FIELD |
Under the Sycamores: Meet the Monarchs!
Join OC Parks and the Laguna Canyon Foundation on Saturday, September 1 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, as they continue their educational series titled "Under the Sycamores" at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, with butterfly experts on hand to introduce you to the wonderful world of the Monarch Butterfly!
For more information, please click here.
|
| FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT |
South County Water Polo Player Wins Olympic Gold
Annika Dries of Laguna Beach and the USA Women’s Water Polo Team topped Spain, 8-5, in the finals of the 2012 Olympic Games to win the first ever Olympic Gold Medal in the sport for the United States.
Annika, who was all-everything as a youngster, competed in water polo at Laguna Beach High School and earned a four-year scholarship to Stanford. Annika, 20, will return to Stanford for the school year.
For more information, please click here.
|
| CRITTER CHRONICLES |
Angels for Animals
Join OC Animal Care and the Angels’ Wives on Friday, August 17 for the 5th Annual “Angels for Animals” event at Angel Stadium! From 5:00 PM through the 2nd inning, fans can purchase 'mystery bags' containing memorabilia autographed by Angels players and coaches. Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet shelter animals!
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Angels Baseball Foundation and local animal shelters. For more information, please click here.
|
| SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR |
Laguna Hills: S’mores & Snores Community Campout
Marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate and more… it’s time for some s'mores and snores! Families are invited to join Laguna Hills Community Services staff for an overnight campout under the stars August 18 & 19 (Saturday & Sunday) from 4:00 PM to 9:00 AM at Laguna Hills Community Center. For more information, please click here.
Lake Forest: Prelude in the Park
Residents seeking a cornucopia of food, fun and music should pack their chairs and blankets and head to Lake Forest’s Pittsford Park on Sunday, August 19 for the Target Symphony in the Cities, featuring the Pacific Symphony, as Prelude in the Park festivities kick-off at 5:30 PM. For more information, please click here.
Aliso Viejo: Lip Dub
The City of Aliso Viejo is inviting residents, businesses, schools, churches, groups and organizations to take part in its one-of-a-kind Lip Dub, a giant street party set to music, on Sunday, August 19. This is a chance to help promote the City and make history. 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 Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials to discuss the Musick Jail Master Plan and AB900.
- Met with OC Dana Point Harbor staff for update on Harbor Department projects and upcoming events.
- Met with the Health Care Agency Director to receive an update on Orange County Behavioral Health services.
- Adjourned the Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of George Ceithaml of Dana Point.
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! |
| |
|
