|
Ooctober 5, 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. SOUTH COUNTY NEWS
3. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
4. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS
5. NOTES FROM THE FIELD
6. HEALTH HERALD
7. SAFETY SENTRY
8. REGISTRAR REGISTER
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
|
|
| BOARD BULLETIN BOARD |
Legislative Bulletin
The Board voted to oppose an attempt to designate the Trestles area as a historic district under the National Historic Preservation Act. The Trestles area is located on Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Pendleton property, which is owned by the Department of the Navy.
The coastline within Camp Pendleton, especially the property leased to the State that includes Trestles, is an integral component to the training efforts of the United States Marine Corps. The proposed designation of this stretch of coastline could impact our Marines training efforts now or in the future.
In addition, per staff analysis the Trestles area does not qualify under the criteria listed in the National Historic Preservation Act. The area has changed significantly over the past few decades, including paved pathways that were once dirt and the “trestles” that support the train track, which were once wood are now concrete. The Department of the Navy does not support the historic designation on this area of federal lands. The request for designation is undergoing an appeal process.
The Trestles area is a popular surf spot; however, it has no more significance and is probably less historical to the surf culture than Huntington Beach (Surf City), Corona del Mar (site of the first Pacific Coast Surfing Championship) and Malibu.
COPS Law Enforcement Funds
Each year, the County receives funding from the State for the Citizens’ Options for Public Safety (COPS) Program/Juvenile Justice. Funding is based on the proportionate share of the state’s total population that resides in each city and unincorporated area.
On Tuesday, the Board held a hearing and approved the funding plan for FY 2012-2013 FY 2012-13 funding is estimated to be distributed as follows:
- $900,000 to the Sheriff-Coroner for jails (5.15% of the total amount).
- $900,000 to the District Attorney for criminal prosecution (5.15% of the total amount).
- $185,000 to the Sheriff-Coroner for front-line law enforcement in unincorporated areas including personnel, equipment and programs (Sheriff-Coroner's share of the 39.70% allocation for front-line law enforcement).
Board Approves Saddle Crest Homes Development
The Board adopted a General Plan Amendment, Foothill/Trabuco Specific Plan Amendments, and an Area Plan to allow for development of Saddle Crest Homes, a gated community to include 65 detached single-family residential units located off of Santiago Canyon Road, northwest of Cook's Corner in the Third Supervisorial District. The project proposes open space dedication along the northeastern portion of the property.
The proposed development is located in the Upper Aliso Residential (UAR) District of the Foothill/Trabuco Specific Plan area, which is zoned as “Suburban Residential” (1B) by the Orange County General Plan.
Residential building intensity for Suburban Residential ranges from 0.5 to 18 dwelling units per acre. At 2.5 dwelling units per acre, the proposed project is within the density limits and is therefore consistent with the General Plan’s Land Use Designation.
The project intends to incorporate advances in environmental planning, including biology and hydrology that have occurred since the adoption of the Foothill/Trabuco Specific Plan.
Utilizing a “clustered” versus “non-clustered” approach, the project provides for development at the density allowed by the Foothill/Trabuco Specific Plan in a manner that maximizes protection of significant biological resources. In addition, the project mitigates for impacted resources through onsite and/or offsite mitigation measures to the satisfaction of the County of Orange, and federal and state resource agencies.
Treasury Oversight Committee Appointment
The Board approved the appointment of Laguna Beach Treasurer Laura Parisi to the County’s Treasury Oversight Committee (TOC). Having served as Laguna Beach’s elected treasurer since 1999, Ms. Parisi is a welcome addition to this important oversight board and brings valuable experience to the table.
The TOC is tasked with monitoring and overseeing the County’s investment pool, which is managed by our elected County Treasurer, Ms. Shari Freindenrich.
For more information about the Treasury Oversight Board please click here.
Cal OPTIMA Board of Directors Appointment
After an extensive application and interview process, the Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of two members to the Cal OPTIMA Board of Directors.
Ms. Tricia Nguyen, currently the Executive Director of the Vietnamese Community of Orange County (VNCOC), has been working with the County’s indigent population since 2004. VNCOC’s health clinic currently provides services to over 15,000 patients annually. Ms. Nguyen will fill the community clinic representative seat.
Mr. Peter Agarwal, Vice President of Citizen’s Business Bank, will fill the For-Profit business seat. In addition to a successful career in finance and acquisitions, Mr. Agarwal has a strong commitment to serving the community and was recipient of the 2012 Spirit of Volunteerisms award from One OC.
Both of these professionals are welcome additions to the Cal OPTIMA Board and will assist Cal OPTIMA in navigating the ongoing challenges of providing physical and behavioral health services to nearly one in seven Orange County Residents.
To learn more about Cal OPTIMA please click here.
|
| SOUTH COUNTY NEWS |
2012 Children and Youth Summit
“Children Thriving in a High-tech World” is the theme of the 2012 Children and Youth Summit, a FREE event designed to equip parents with practical ways of using electronic media for learning, setting Internet boundaries, dealing with bullying, and understanding social media and its use by and effects on children.
Sponsored by my office and the Children and Families Commission of Orange County, the second annual summit takes place from 8:30 AM to noon on Friday, October 12 at the Rancho Santa Margarita Bell Tower Community Center.
For today’s children, using technology – whether it’s to text their friends, post photos and relationship updates on Facebook, or research information for homework assignments – is second nature. They literally can’t possibly imagine a world without all of these technology resources at their fingertips day and night.
Many parents worry – “How early is too early to start using electronics? What potential troubles are lurking online? How can I appropriately monitor my children’s activities and provide guidance to them?” Our summit will feature leading experts in childhood development who will provide useful suggestions for dealing with these critical issues.
I strongly encourage parents to join us at this FREE and valuable community event. For more information, please click here and here.
|
| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
OCTA Board Approves Measure M2 M2020 Plan
On September 10, the Orange County Local Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors approved the Measure M2 M2020 Plan; and on September 24, the OCTA Board directed staff to proceed with the necessary actions to implement its provisions.
The M2020 Plan sets a course for advancement of major M2 projects and programs through the year 2020 and is available on OCTA’s website.
The M2020 plan includes expanding rail services, funding for the fixed-guideway connections to Metrolink as well as street and road improvements.
The Measure M2 M2020 plan objectives include:
- Completing two-thirds of the freeway program and environmentally clearing
the remaining projects.
- Investing nearly $1.2 billion of funding for streets and roads improvements.
- Expanding rail options and funding fixed guideways.
- Continuing environmental programs.
As part of the OCTA Board’s actions, the Board authorized staff to initiate the process to amend the M2 Transportation Investment Plan to balance the plan of projects in the freeway mode. The needed amendment to the M2 Transportation Investment Plan is to address a $709 million need in year-of-expenditure dollars for the I-405 project (M2 Project K), which is necessary to fund the cost of adding one general purpose lane in each direction as promised to the voters.
A public hearing date on the amendments is set for November 9. At this meeting, the OCTA Board will vote on which amendments will be implemented.
To view a staff report explaining this in more detail, please click here.
LOSSAN Bill Signed by Governor
As the September 30 deadline for the Governor to sign or veto legislation approached last weekend, SB 1225 (Padilla, D-Los Angeles) was signed into law.
SB 1225 will now permit the San Luis Obispo-Los Angeles-San Diego (LOSSAN) Joint Powers Authority to provide for the local administration of the intercity rail program in the corridor, allowing for greater coordination of services and schedules between the various rail providers, including Metrolink, Coaster, and Pacific Surfliner services. This legislation follows the great success of the Capitol Corridor Rail program in Northern California.
This has been the Orange County Local Transportation Authority’s top state legislative priority for 2012 and has been a strong regional effort in partnership with various state and local stakeholders to ensure the language ultimately included in the bill was fair, reasonable, and consistent with other intercity rail corridors.
AB 1779 (Galgiani, D-Stockton) was also signed by Governor, which contains nearly identical provisions for the San Joaquin Corridor.
|
| ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS |
Miocean Foundation Donation
The County’s OC Public Works Department has received a donation from the Miocean foundation for a $100,000 project to prevent trash and debris from reaching coastal waters. Miocean, a local foundation, co-funds pollution reduction projects with local agency partners to preserve and protect Orange County's 42 miles of coastline.
Previously, Miocean partnered with OC Public Works on a bacteria reduction project on the border of San Clemente and Dana Point (Poche Beach) as well as other pollution treatment, prevention and education projects with public agencies throughout Orange County.
For more information, please click here.
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. As such, our September 27 meeting provided a forum to hear from Mr. Jonathan Witt, Director of Educational Programs at the Ocean Institute; and Dr. Meg Hiesinger, Educational Program Director at The Ecology Center.
Mr. Jonathan Witt shared the Ocean Institute’s hands-on marine science, and environmental education immersion style programs that more than 115,000 K-12 students and 8,000 teachers participate in annually.
Since 2004 the Watershed Education Program has become the Flagship program of the Ocean Institute’s Environmental Curriculum. Students are introduced to watershed science through a field experience at the Ocean Institute, where they conduct experiments aboard the RV Sea Explorer and in our laboratories. Their efforts will culminate when the students present the findings of their research projects at the Ocean Institute’s annual Kids’ Conferences on Watersheds.
For more information about the Ocean Institute’s Watershed Educational Program, please click here.
Dr. Meg Hiesinger shared about The Ecology Center’s interactive exhibition, The Water Shed. The innovative mobile water exhibition is an interactive experience that teaches where our local water supply comes from and how the simple choices we make every day greatly affects the amount of water we use.
The most important part of the exhibition is the final stage, where visitors can pledge actions that will decrease water consumption and increase water awareness, conservation, and stewardship. For more information about The Ecology Center’s Water Shed mobile exhibition, please click here.
For more information, 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.
|
| NOTES FROM THE FIELD |
Congratulations to Ranger Barbara Norton
Ranger Barbara Norton, Supervising Ranger for Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, has been promoted to District Manager!
Since the two Wilderness Parks opened to the public, Ranger Barbara has been the heart and soul. Her job was not easy – overseeing habitat restoration projects, ensuring trails are maintained, working with user groups, managing education and public programs, etc. If it happened in the Park, she orchestrated and oversaw activities while maintaining great rapport with the public.
As a result of Ranger Barbara's outstanding dedication and reputation, she was promoted to District Manager, where she will now oversee one third of all OC Parks facilities, including Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.
Doheny Update
The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association (DSBIA) has issued their latest edition of DOHENY UPDATE to better inform the public about events and conditions in the State Park.
To view the DSBIA October newsletter, please click here.
|
| HEALTH HERALD |
Save the Date: FREE Flu Shots October 19
Flu season is near and the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) reminds everyone that getting a flu vaccination each year is the best way to prevent the flu. As part of an emergency preparedness exercise, HCA is partnering with the cities of Anaheim, Laguna Niguel, Placentia, Stanton, and Westminster to dispense flu shots to the community.
FREE flu shots will be offered to persons 3 years of age and older at five Orange County locations October 19 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Drive through and walk through options will be available at all locations.
In South County, the vaccination location will be located St. Timothy Catholic Church, 29102 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA, 92677. For more information, please click here.
To receive a flu shot, you should be feeling well on the day you receive your flu shot. To learn more about this event, please click here. To learn more about the flu and other vaccination locations, please click here.
Mental Illness Awareness
One in four adults experiences a mental health problem in any given year. In celebration of Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 7-12) and World Mental Health Day (October 10), the Orange County Health Care Agency encourages people to learn more about mental illness and the available resources in Orange County, including two important phone numbers.
Orange County’s mental health and crisis prevention Hotline (1-877-7CRISIS) provides confidential phone assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to anyone seeking crisis or suicide prevention services.
For non-crisis mental health support, the Warmline (1-877-910-WARM) is available to callers struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. Callers speak with an understanding person who has been through a similar journey and is able to provide a friendly voice and information about mental health resources.
Since the inception of both lines in August 2010, there has been an overwhelming response. Over 11,700 calls have been made to the Hotline and nearly 65,000 people that live or work in Orange County have been reached through community events. The Warmline has processed over 18,000 calls – 412% more calls than anticipated. In just one month, July 2012, the Warmline handled 998 calls.
To learn more about the available mental health resources, please click here.
|
| SAFETY SENTRY |
FREE Seminar for ABC Licensed Businesses
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department, in partnership with the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), is hosting a FREE seminar for ABC Licensees and their employees this month in Laguna Niguel.
The Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) seminars educate businesses on laws involving the sale and service of alcoholic beverages. The curriculum is designed for licensees, managers, and employees. The LEAD program provides practical information on serving alcoholic beverages safely, responsibly and legally, and preventing illicit drug activity at the licensed establishment.
The FREE training will be held Thursday, October 11 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the Laguna Niguel City Hall Community Room. For more information, please click here.
Get Ready to “ShakeOut”
At 10:18 AM on Thursday, October 18, County of Orange employees will join an estimated 6.6 million residents statewide to Drop, Cover and Hold On during the 2012 Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill.
For more information, please click here.
|
| REGISTRAR REGISTER |
Voter Registration to Close October 22
Voter registration will close October 22, with the Orange County Registrar of Voters (ROV) office remaining open until midnight to accommodate last minute registrations.
Voters can also vote provisionally and the ROV’s new provisional process will pick up their new address from the provisional envelope they fill out.
In addition, there is now also online registration. By completing the online process, voters can update their registration prior to Election Day, which can be accessed through their homepage at www.ocvote.com.
|
| FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT |
Golden Hub of Innovation Awards
Three South County cities recently took top honors at the Association of California Cities Orange County’s (ACC-OC) Inaugural “Golden Hub of Innovation” Awards ceremony.
The City of Laguna Niguel’s innovative approach to construction of its new City Hall launched it to first place in the Other Innovative and Cost Saving Programs category; and streamlining the process to address adequate cell phone coverage for its residents earned the City the top prize in the Planning and Development category. For more information, please click here.
The City of Mission Viejo was honored in the Technology and E-Government category, as the City’s effective implementation of the Sire Plan Check System by staff professionals in the building, planning and engineering departments the past two years has resulted in significant cost savings.
The City of Dana Point’s “Hide It, Lock It or Lose It” public information program was created to reduce the most preventable of crimes, earning the City the top honor in the Public Safety category.
The Association of California Cities Orange County created the Golden Hub of Innovation Awards program to recognize cities and other local government agencies for implementing innovative solutions to address the many challenges currently faced by local governments.
For more information, please click here. To view photos of the event, please click here.
|
| SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR |
San Juan Capistrano: Open Space Ridge Event
Registration is available for the San Juan Capistrano Rotary Club’s 5K and 10K Trail Run and Mountain Bike Poker Ride on Saturday, October 6. Each event occurs in succession at the Las Ramblas trailhead at the east end of the Camino Las Ramblas exit. For more information, please click here and here.
Aliso Viejo: CARE4KIDS Run/Walk
The CARE4KIDS Run/Walk will take place at 8:00 AM on Saturday, October 13 at Aliso Viejo Middle School in Aliso Viejo. Participants can choose to join one of three races: 10K, 5K, or 1K (for children 10 and under). Advance registration is recommended. For more information, please click here and here.
Laguna Niguel: Oohrah Anchors Away HoeDown BBQ
On Saturday, October 13, the City of Laguna Niguel invites you to the Sea Country Senior & Community Center for the “Oohrah Anchors Away HoeDown BBQ” at 5:30 PM. For more information, please click here.
San Clemente: Carnival Colossal & Expos
The Carnival Colossal & Expo is coming to San Clemente, October 11-14, at the newly opened Vista Hermosa Sports Park located at 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa.
There will be carnival rides only on Thursday, but the Expo, Food Court and
Entertainment begin Friday and continue through Sunday. For more information, please click here.
|
| FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP |
In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:
- Presented a certificate of recognition at the 10th anniversary celebration of the “Toast to the Casa” benefit in San Clemente to support the Casa Romantica and its programs.
- Adjourned the Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of Richard Oyler and Alice Lenore Oyler of San Clemente.
- Attended the reception in honor of the Laguna Beach Beautification Council’s 60th anniversary and in remembrance of Council’s founder – the late Harry Lawrence.
My office also:
- Presented a proclamation in honor of the Laguna Beach Beautification Council’s 60th anniversary and in remembrance of Council’s founder – the late Harry Lawrence.
- Attended the 2012 OC Employees' United Way Campaign Kick-Off.
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! |
| |
|
