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August 31, 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. SAFETY SENTRY
4. HARBOR HAPPENINGS
5. HEALTH HERALD
6. NOTES FROM THE FIELD
7. CRITTER CHRONICLES
8. AIRPORT ARRIVALS
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
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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, September 11. 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.
Board Selects Interim County Executive Officer
At a Special Closed Session Meeting of the Board of Supervisors this week, Bob Franz was selected to serve as the County’s Interim County Executive Officer (CEO) while we conduct a search for a permanent CEO.
Mr. Franz has been serving as Acting CEO since August 3, 2012. He joined the County in January 2007 as Deputy CEO/Chief Financial Officer and served in that capacity until his recent appointment.
For more information, please click here.
County Offices Closed for Labor Day
County offices will be closed Monday, September 3 in observance of Labor Day and will reopen Tuesday, September 4. Wishing you and yours a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!
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| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
Measure M2 Draft 2020 Plan
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors was presented the Measure M2 Draft M2020 Plan. The Draft M2020 Plan is designed to advance major Measure M2 projects and programs between now and the year 2020. The plan was presented for review and feedback. The final plan will be presented to the Board of Directors for approval September 10.
To view the Draft M2020 Plan, along with a staff report and PowerPoint presentation, please click here.
91 Express Lanes Update
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors received a presentation on recent 91 Express Lanes activities, accomplishments, and upcoming issues. Traffic volumes on the 91 Express Lanes were approximately 11.9 million during fiscal year 2011-12.
To view the presentation, please click here.
$7.1 Million Allocated to County Transportation Projects
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated $7.1 million for projects in Orange County last Wednesday at its Sacramento meeting. In addition, of importance to South County, the CTC authorized the programming of $5.1 million in State Local Partnership Program funds to the La Pata Avenue, phase 1 project.
The $7.1 million have been allocated to improvement programs in various parts of the County. These include:
- $3.1 million in State Local Partnership Program (SLPP) funds to widen Bristol Street from Third Street to Civic Center Drive in Santa Ana.
- $1.5 million to OCTA in State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funds for programming, planning and monitoring activities.
- $1.3 million in Federal Transportation Enhancement funds for bicycle projects in Irvine, Santa Ana and the County of Orange.
- $1.2 million to Caltrans D-12 in State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) funds for slope stabilization on Foothill Toll Road (SR-241) in the cities of Orange and Anaheim.
Metrolink also received $60 million in Proposition 1A funds for a systemwide project, the Metrolink High-Speed Rail Readiness Program. These funds will be used either to refurbish 30 locomotives or purchase 21 new locomotives for the commuter-rail system.
The Commission also approved other funds, projects and requests at the meeting, including extending the period for contract award for the El Toro Road / Aliso Creek Road, phase 2, Bicycle and Pedestrian Enhancement project from August 31 to December 31, 2012.
I-5 Plans Move Forward with Outreach in San Clemente
The Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA) outreach team for the San Diego Freeway (I-5) Improvement Project met with members of the San Clemente City Council to share information about project details and design.
The three-year, $275-million project extends 5.7 miles from Avenida Pico in San Clemente to San Juan Creek Road in San Juan Capistrano. The proposed project would add a high-occupancy vehicle lane or carpool lane in both directions on the I-5 and would rebuild the Avenida Pico interchange.
Council members have endorsed the project improvements, which include:
- Improving the sight distance on the southbound horizontal curve north of the Pacific Coast Highway.
- Widening the northbound Avenida Pico on-ramp to three lanes.
- Providing dual left-turn lanes to both northbound and southbound Avenida Pico on-ramps.
- Adding soundwalls where needed.
The OCTA presentation primarily focused on soundwalls, sound abatement, landscaping and the designs of the new Avenida Pico bridge and interchange. Council members also asked detailed questions about the aesthetic plan for the project.
The City worked with OCTA to mail approximately 800 letters advising residents of the project, neighborhood discussions and the council meeting.
In an effort to provide personalized information for community members, OCTA's outreach team knocked on more than 300 doors and participated in six neighborhood "coffee chats," where the project team gathered with nearly 100 neighbors to discuss the project and answer questions over coffee.
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| SAFETY SENTRY |
Labor Day Holiday DUI Crackdown
The Orange County 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 Labor Day Holiday DUI Campaign runs through September 3.
For more information, please click here, here, here and here.
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| HARBOR HAPPENINGS |
Dana Point Harbor: Labor Day Weekend
This Labor Day weekend, September 1-3, represents the end of the summer; but here in Southern California, some of the best weather of the year follows Labor Day.
The following are suggestions for enjoying Dana Point Harbor during this and other busy weekends:
- Public parking and picnic areas fill up early, so plan accordingly.
- If you are a boater, plan ahead and bring supplies to your boat early.
- Attendants will be monitoring parking gates during holiday weekends.
- Campers, R.V.s and trailers are prohibited in marina lots and may be towed.
- If you have guests coming, make plans to meet them at the parking.
For more information, please click here and here.
California Coastal Cleanup Day
Please join OC Dana Point Harbor for the State’s largest volunteer cleanup event in conjunction with the Dana Point Harbor Cigarette Butt Roundup. Both events will take place Saturday, September 15 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. To register, please call (949) 499-4499.
OC Dana Point Harbor is also organizing an Underwater Cleanup Event the same day between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Open water-certified divers, kayakers and volunteers can register and get more information by calling (949) 496-6137 or simply check-in during the event.
These events are part of OC Dana Point Harbor’s continuing efforts to improve water quality in the Harbor. For more information, please click here.
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| HEALTH HERALD |
Avoid West Nile Virus over Labor Day Weekend
The Orange County Vector Control District (OCVCD) reminds residents to stay safe during the holiday weekend by following recommendations to reduce exposure to mosquito bites and prevent infection of West Nile virus (WNV).
The following are a few tips to avoid mosquitos:
- DRAIN - Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, including buckets, old car tires, and pet bowls. If you have a pond, use mosquito fish (available from OCVCD) or commercially available products to eliminate mosquito larvae.
- DAWN AND DUSK - Mosquitoes carrying WNV bite in the early morning and evening. It is important to use repellent and wear clothing that reduces the risk of skin exposure to mosquito bites during this time.
- DEFEND - Use an EPA-registered insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemo eucalyptus, or IR3535 according to label instructions. Repellents keep mosquitoes from biting. Make sure your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes.
Contact the Orange County Vector Control District to submit a service request, report dead birds, or neglected swimming pools at 714-971-2421 or 949-654-2421, or visit www.ocvcd.org.
For more information, please click here.
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| NOTES FROM THE FIELD |
Historic Preservation Statements of Qualifications Sought
OC Parks is seeking Statements of Qualifications (SOQ's) from Class B – General Building Contractors with specific experience working on historic buildings/sites as well as demonstrated experience with the Secretary of Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
For more information, please click here and here.
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| CRITTER CHRONICLES |
Dog Day Event: Love ‘Em and Leash ‘Em
OC Parks and Friends of Harbors, Beaches, and Parks will present “Love ‘Em and Leash ‘Em,” a special day for dogs and dog lovers at Irvine Regional Park on Saturday, September 15 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
In addition, OC Animal Care will have an adoption tent at the park, as staff will have adorable animals available for immediate adoption and same-day take-home. A prize will be given to the first person to adopt a dog!
For more information, please click here.
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| AIRPORT ARRIVALS |
John Wayne Airport Offers Labor Day Weekend Travel Tips
John Wayne Airport (JWA) anticipates a busier-than-normal travel period from Thursday, August 30 through Tuesday, September 4, during the Labor Day holiday weekend. More than 150,000 passengers traveled through JWA during the same period in 2011, with the busiest travel days being the Thursday before and Tuesday following Labor Day.
Passengers and visitors are encouraged to give themselves 90 minutes to two hours to find parking, check their luggage and go through the security checkpoint to ensure they are at the gate in time for their flight.
For more information, please click here.
New Food Options Available at John Wayne Airport
Three delicious new dining options are now open for business at John Wayne Airport: Ruby's Diner, Ruby's To Go and Farmer's Market by Laguna Culinary Institute. Operated by HMSHost, all three venues are located between Gates 8 and 9 and opened to the traveling public August 27. For more information, please click here.
The opening of Ruby's and Farmer's Market marks the completion of John Wayne Airport's major effort to update or replace every food and beverage venue in Riley Terminals A, B and C. For more information about all of JWA's dining options, please click here.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT |
President Appoints Don Hansen to Key Administration Post
President Barack Obama has announced his intent to appoint San Clemente’s Donald K. Hansen to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission.
Don currently serves a Special Assistant to the Director of the Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC). Prior to assuming his current role at PFMC, Mr. Hansen served as Chairman of the Council from 2003 to 2009.
Don is also a Director at Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching in Dana Point Harbor, a company he founded in 1971. Since 1974, he has served on the Sportfishing Association of California and is currently Vice President.
From 1993 to 2008, he was President of the Dana Point Harbor Association. Don was also honored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 2007, as recipient of their Sustainable Fisheries Award.
The extraordinary dedication Don brings to his new role will greatly serve the American people. Congratulations Don!
For more information, please click here.
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| SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR |
Laguna Beach: Art Festival Season Final Weekend
Art festival season in Laguna Beach concludes this weekend, so don’t miss out! For information on the Sawdust Art Festival, please click here. Art-A-Fair is holding its Customer Appreciation Weekend on Saturday & Sunday, September 1 & 2, with FREE admission both days. For information on Art-A-Fair, please click here.
Dana Point: Tall Ships Festival
The Ocean Institute in Dana Point Harbor is celebrating its 28th year hosting the Tall Ships Festival. Explore the majesty and wonder of tall ships through the smells, sounds and sights of real working tall ships. Come out September 7–9 and celebrate the area’s rich maritime history! For more information, please click here.
Mission Viejo: Fall Leisure Time
The City of Mission Viejo’s fall Leisure Time publication is now available online, offering detailed information about upcoming special events and classes that span the next few months. For more information, please click here and here.
Rancho Santa Margarita: Patriot Day Recognition
The City of Rancho Santa Margarita welcomes the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Orange County Fire Authority to City Hall on Saturday, September 8 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM to commemorate Patriot Day and the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. For more information, please click here.
Laguna Niguel: September 11 Remembrance Event
The City of Laguna Niguel urges the community to pay tribute and never forget, as on Tuesday, September 11, the City will host a FREE, live concert of patriotic music, which will be held from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Crown Valley Community Park Amphitheater. 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 the 32nd Annual Suffrage Day Luncheon.
- Met with representatives of the Sikh community in Orange County to learn more about their faith and discuss their concerns in the aftermath of the Wisconsin shootings. For more information, please click here.
- Participated in a Special Meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
- Attended the Evening Colors Reception and Ceremony to present a proclamation in honor of the 70th anniversary of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. For more information, please click here.
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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