|
Ooctober 19, 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. SAFETY SENTRY
5. TAX COLLECTOR COLLECTIBLES
6. REGISTRAR REGISTER
7. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS
8. CRITTER CHRONICLES
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
Click here to subscribe.
Click here to unsubscribe
|
|
| BOARD BULLETIN BOARD |
Rancho Mission Viejo Tract Map
The Board approved Tract Map 17453, which comprises a portion of Planning Area 1 within the Ranch Plan’s Planned Community.
The approved Tract Map is generally located east of the City of San Juan Capistrano, in the vicinity of Antonio Parkway and Ortega Highway, and south of Ladera Ranch. The map provides for development of 971 dwelling units, including 660 single-family detached units and 311 multi-family units, as well as approximately 10.4 acres of park and recreational areas.
The map consists of approximately 363 gross acres, including 12 numbered lots for single-family residential development; 19 numbered lots for multi-family residential development; 8 lots for park/recreational uses; 1 lot for a future fire station; and 3 lots for utilities and private entry facilities. Also included are 151 lettered lots for water and debris basins, landscaping, and open space.
County acceptance of the dedication of easements shown on Tract Map 17453 provides for County ownership of the easements for maintenance purposes.
Tract Map 17453 represents the final development plan for sub-area 1.1, as proposed by the owner and sub-divider of the project, RMV Community Development, LLC.
For more information, please click here.
John Wayne Airport Advertising Contract
The Board approved an agreement with Titan Outdoor LLC for operation of the advertising concession at John Wayne Airport. The new advertising will focus on digital signage.
Titan, which historically has focused on transit advertising but recently branched out to airports, ranked highest by a scoring panel and proposed the highest revenue share to the County.
The five-year contract is projected to generate approximately $6.4 million for the County. In addition, the contract may be extended an additional five years.
For more information, please click here.
|
| SOUTH COUNTY NEWS |
Fifth Annual South County Disaster Preparedness Expo
As we’ve learned all too well, wildfires, earthquakes and floods are ever present threats in Southern California. As such, I’m pleased to host my 5th annual South County Disaster Preparedness Expo on Saturday, October 20 at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way, in Mission Viejo.
The South County Disaster Preparedness Expo is being held in conjunction with the City of Mission Viejo’s “Walk Against Drugs” and will take place from 8:30 AM to 12:00 noon.
We can’t predict when a disaster will strike, but we can certainly prepare for one. I urge you and your family to attend the 5th annual South County Disaster Preparedness Expo.
Get prepared! Learn how! For more information, click here and here.
|
| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
Del Obispo Railroad Crossing Update
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) staff joined the San Juan Capistrano City Council and Transportation Commission in a discussion about rail safety last Tuesday.
For the past six months, OCTA traffic engineers have been conducting a traffic analysis and technical study of the Del Obispo Road railroad crossing warning system. San Juan Capistrano City Council and Transportation Commission were briefed about the agency's efforts to alleviate congestion in the downtown area surrounding the Del Obispo Road railroad crossing.
OCTA staff has worked closely with the City of San Juan Capistrano to implement the Orange County Grade Crossing Safety Enhancement Program and improve traffic circulation in the area adjacent to the Metrolink station and railroad crossings.
OCTA will continue its efforts to develop these precautionary safety measures.
More Signal Synchronization Corridors Completed
Three recently completed traffic signal synchronization projects are accelerating Orange County commutes with fewer stops, shorter travel times and faster travel speeds.
Traffic engineers and other workers finished synchronizing intersection lights for the Brookhurst Street, Katella Avenue and El Toro Road projects, as part of OCTA’s countywide Traffic Light Synchronization Program last Tuesday.
Through the program, OCTA partners with the County, Caltrans and cities to reduce travel times and stops per mile, increase average driving speeds, and decrease greenhouse gases and vehicle emissions.
The three completed synchronized streets are:
- El Toro Road – 39 intersections across 11 miles of roadway, from the City of Lake Forest to Laguna Beach.
- Katella Avenue – 69 intersections across 17 miles of roadway, from the San Gabriel River Freeway (I-605) northbound ramps on the west in Los Alamitos to Cannon Street in the City of Orange.
- Brookhurst Street – 56 intersections across 16 miles of roadway, from Hamilton Avenue in Huntington Beach to Commonwealth Avenue in Fullerton.
Planners expect these three projects alone will significantly reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition, La Palma Avenue and Yorba Linda Boulevard signal projects are under way, with a completion date by December.
The Traffic Light Synchronization Program has delivered improvements to more than 750 streets along these eight major roads:
- Alicia Parkway
- El Toro Road
- Irvine Center Drive / Moulton Parkway / Golden Lantern
- Beach Boulevard
- Brookhurst Street
- Chapman Avenue
- Katella Avenue
- Orangethorpe Avenue
These projects will help contribute to the goal of synchronizing 2,000 intersections on every major street in the County.
Portions of SR 73 Closed this Weekend
Caltrans will perform full closures of portions of SR 73 for permit work. Southbound SR 73 will be closed from I-405 to SR 55 between the hours of 5:00 AM and 1:30 PM on both Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21.
The Southbound SR 73 will be closed from SR 55 to Jamboree Road between the hours of 5:00 AM and 9:00 PM on Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21.
The Northbound SR 73 will be closed from Jamboree Road to Campus Drive from noon to 7:00 PM on Saturday, October 20; and between the hours of 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM on Sunday, October 21.
For more information, please click here and here.
South Orange County Mobility Summit
Don't miss this month's South Orange County Economic Coalition meeting, featuring representatives from the County of Orange, Orange County Transportation Authority, Transportation Corridor Agencies, CalTrans and Metrolink, who will discuss current and future transportation projects and infrastructure in South County.
Learn how these projects will affect the future of the South County region at this FREE meeting on Friday, October 26 from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM, being held in The Gas Company building, located at 1 Liberty, in Aliso Viejo.
For more information, please click here.
|
| SAFETY SENTRY |
Community Alert Siren System to Sound in South County
Community Alert sirens will be heard Wednesday, October 24 in the cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. Residents will hear a long, steady siren three times between 10:00 AM and noon. The sirens will sound for about three minutes each time.
No action will be necessary. It is only a test. DO NOT CALL 911.
This is an annual Federal requirement for San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). During a real emergency, the sirens would alert you to turn on your radio or television for instructions.
The cities will also activate AlertOC, the mass notification system, on Monday, October 22, advising residents and businesses of the Wednesday, October 24 siren test. It is important that residents and businesses know that this is only a test and there is no actual emergency.
For information on the Community Alert Siren System, please click here. For more information, please click here and here.
|
| TAX COLLECTOR COLLECTIBLES |
Property Tax Bill Information Now Online
The 2012-13 Secured Property Tax Bill information is now available on the Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector (TTC) website. You are now able to view or print your current or prior year secured tax bills and pay these tax bills online.
The TTC has started mailing the 840,000 current year tax bills, and all of them should be mailed by October 26.
If you have any questions, please e-mail the TTC at ttcinfo@ttc.ocgov.com or call (714) 834-3411, weekdays from 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM.
For more information, please click here.
|
| REGISTRAR REGISTER |
Registrar of Voters Wins National Award for Voter Website
The Orange County Registrar of Voters has been awarded the national Digital Government Achievement Award for its website. The website, ocvote.com, was chosen out of thousands of entries for its accessibility, uniqueness of features, as well as information and design.
The Registrar of Voters' new website was launched in April and has received heavy traffic with the approaching Presidential Election. Voters can access all of their election information in a unique "voter portal", which includes voter registration information, ballot tracking, polling place information and more.
The Digital Government Achievement Awards (DGAA) recognize outstanding agency and department websites and projects at the application and infrastructure level. United States and international government agencies - at all levels and all countries - enter their actively functioning, fully operational applications and projects.
For more information, please click here.
|
| ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS |
OC Sheriff’s Department Receives Green Award
This week, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) was recognized by the California Peace Officers’ Association at the 2012 Annual Best of COPSWEST Awards.
OCSD received the award for “Best Go-Green Efforts” for its recycling and waste diversion programs in its jail facilities. These programs, implemented by the Custody and Court Operations Command, have cut the cost of hauling waste by approximately $16,000 per year and significantly reduced the amount of waste sent to Orange County landfills.
For more information, please click here.
|
| CRITTER CHRONICLES |
OC Animal Care: MVP Adoption Event
Please join OC Animal Care in celebrating the great varieties of pets they have during their Many Varieties of Pets (MVP) Adoption Event on Saturday, October 27, where you’ll have a chance to interact with some of their most popular breeds and receive BIG adoption discounts all day!
For more information, please click here.
Halloween Safety Tips for Pets
Halloween is a favorite for many children and adults, but it can also be frightening and even dangerous for animals. With a little caution and common sense, Halloween can be a fun time for kids and pets alike.
For tips to help keep our furry friends safe and sound this Halloween season, please click here.
|
| NOTES FROM THE FIELD |
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park: Beginning Fitness Hike
Fall is a great time to start a new fitness routine, starting with an easy 2-mile hike in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park over moderate terrain to Barbara’s Lake and back.
Join a Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer and registered dietitian to learn about fitness and nutrition during this 1.5-hour hike on Wednesday, October 31, beginning at 9:00 AM.
For more information, please click here.
|
| FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT |
2012 Cox Conserves Heroes Award Winner
Cox Communications and The Trust for Public Land announced Michael Beanan of Laguna Beach as winner of the 2012 Cox Conserves Heroes Award. Michael was nominated for leading a movement to prevent urban runoff from Aliso Creek from entering the ocean. The goal of his project is to clean the urban runoff, combine it with recycled water, decrease reliance on potable water, and ultimately reduce ocean pollution.
As the winner, Michael’s nonprofit of choice, Laguna Bluebelt Coalition, received $5000 in addition to promotion through on-air public service announcements and 20 volunteer hours donated by Cox employees.
Upon receiving the award, Michael said, “When we genuinely love something, we will do our best to nurture and protect it from harm. Urban runoff from inland residential developments and golf courses pollutes our beaches. Capturing this polluted water before it arrives at the beach for filtration and, then, sold as irrigation water for golf courses and residential developments makes sense.”
For more information, please click here and here.
San Juan Capistrano Wins Award for “Go Green” Program
San Juan Capistrano received South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Clean Air Award in the category of Model Community Achievement for its “Go Green” program. San Juan Capistrano is one of only two cities in the South Coast District, which consists of Orange County and the urban areas of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties to win this prestigious Award.
The City’s “Go-Green” program is a multifaceted approach to hands-on waste reduction and pollution prevention efforts. Encompassing information and services at the household and community level, the program allows residents, community-based groups, businesses, schools and other institutions to understand how daily choices on everything from foodstuffs to energy can affect the larger community.
For more information, please click here.
|
| SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR |
Lake Forest: Friday Night Fright & Autumn Harvest Festival
Dare to be part of the 5th annual Haunt at Heritage Hill "Friday Night Fright!" This event takes place Friday, October 19 from 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM Heritage Hill Historical Park, 25151 Serrano Road, in Lake Forest. And on Saturday, October 20, bring the family back to Heritage Hill Historical Park for the City's 2012 Autumn Harvest Festival, taking place from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. For more information, please click here, here and here.
Aliso Viejo: Fall Harvest Festival
The City of Aliso Viejo invites you to enjoy their Fall Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Grand Park, featuring family games, pony rides, crafts, balloon twisters, music, and much more! For more information, please click here and here.
Laguna Niguel: Haunted Trails
The City of Laguna Niguel invites you to Crown Valley Community Park to take a journey through Haunted Trails 2012. This VERY SCARY event on Thursday, October 25 through Saturday, October 27 is not recommended for children under 8 years of age. For more information, please click here.
Dana Point: Halloween Half Marathon 5K/10K & 1K Kids Run
Salt Creek Beach Park in Dana Point will be a spooktacular venue for the Halloween Half Marathon 5K/10K & 1K Kids Run. All participants are invited to run in costume and enjoy the Halloween related activities on Saturday, October 27 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For more information, please click here and here.
|
| FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP |
In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:
- Participated in the Orange County Transportation authority (OCTA) Forum/5th District Mayors meeting in Laguna Niguel.
- Participated in the Aliso Creek Regional Trail Celebration. For more information, please click here and here.
- Joined California State Board of Equalization (BOE) Vice Chair Michelle Steele in Lake Forest at the BOE’s Tax Seminar for Nonprofit and Exempt Organizations. For more information, please click here.
- Adjourned the Board of Supervisors meeting in memory Lee Childress of Laguna Woods.
My office also:
- Attended the Caltrans update on San Clemente/San Juan Capistrano I-5 improvement projects.
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! |
| |
|
