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December 14, 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. COUNTY CONNECTIONS
3. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
4. SAFETY SENTRY
5. AIRPORT ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES
6. CRITTER CHRONICLES
7. HOLIDAY HELPER
8. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT
9. HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
10. 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 |
Supplement to FEIR for Musick Jail Revised Master Plan
The Board voted unanimously to approve a Supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for Musick Jail. Additionally, the Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Lake Forest concerning the jail site.
In March 2012, the County was awarded $100 million from the State in AB 900 funding. The funds are to be used for new facilities at Musick Jail. Based on the amount of funds available, the construction will add 512 new jail beds.
To move forward with construction, the current EIR and Master Plan for the Musick Expansion (originally approved in 1996) needed to be modified with a supplemental, which includes details of the new facilities.
While the proposed inmate population and operational features of the facility remain the same, the look and arrangement of the site plan is much more detailed and represents the latest in incarceration technology and planning, combining safe and secure confinement with educational programming to help inmates reenter society with the skills to lead productive, crime-free lives.
In addition, consideration has been given to the exterior design of the facility to be consistent with the surrounding communities and avoid the physical appearance of a jail.
The MOU with the City of Lake Forest ensures maximum security inmates will not be housed at Musick and places conditions on expanding the facility beyond 3,100 inmates. The agreement is a product of cooperative efforts by both the City and the County to produce a win-win for constituents so that public safety needs are met and impacts to the residents are minimized.
For more information, please click here.
Dana Point Harbor Marina Improvement Project SEIR
OC Dana Point Harbor presented the Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) for the Dana Point Harbor Marina Improvement Project to the Board and received a unanimous vote for certification. The SEIR is a necessary step in the construction of new slips and gangways, which is one of the elements of the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization.
The County will proceed next with preparing specific designs of the slips to be included in the Coastal Development Permit (CDP) application. The CDP application will ultimately be presented to the California Coastal Commission, which retains authority over any waterside project.
For more information, please click here and here.
La Pata Avenue Becomes County Highway
The Board adopted a resolution accepting La Pata Avenue as a County Highway and including it in the County Maintained Road System.
La Pata Avenue, between Ortega Highway and the City of San Clemente, is a road located in County unincorporated area. The existing segment of La Pata Avenue was built in the mid-1970s with OC Waste and Recycling funds as a three-lane “dead-end” landfill access road, between the north entrance to the Prima Deshecha Landfill and Ortega Highway. Since that time, it has been used by the public to access the landfill, as well as a local school and residential communities.
Acceptance of La Pata Avenue into the County Maintained Road System will allow Road Funds to be expended on the roadway for improvements and maintenance. Doing so will also make it eligible for State gas tax allocations.
For more information, please click here.
Audit Oversight Committee Bylaws
The Board established the Orange County Audit Oversight Committee (AOC) to oversee internal controls, auditor activities and financial reporting within the County’s many agencies and departments.
The AOC is comprised of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, the Auditor-Controller, Treasurer-Tax Collector, County Executive Officer, Performance Audit Director, and four At-Large Private Sector representatives.
In December 2010, the Board approved a subcommittee to review the Audit Oversight Committee bylaws and make recommendations. Subsequent to that study, the Board approved changes to the bylaws and charter of the AOC on one previous occasion.
At Tuesday’s Board meeting, the AOC requested a bylaws amendment that would vest voting rights with the Treasurer-Tax Collector and the addition of another At-Large Public Sector member. These modifications bring the current AOC to ten members total, with nine being able to vote.
For more information about the AOC, please click here.
Friends of the Library Bookstore License Agreement
Following the advice of County Counsel, the Board approved a license agreement which will formalizes relationships with all the Friends of the Library groups who raise funds for our County libraries through book sales and various fundraising events and activities.
The agreement sets forth procedures, rules and responsibilities for operation of Friends of the Library bookstores and activities to ensure they operate in a consistent manner throughout the County’s library system. This agreement will be presented to the various Friends of the Library groups for approval, with implementation scheduled upon signing.
For more information, please click here.
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| COUNTY CONNECTIONS |
Board to Consider Candidates for Vacant County Offices
The Board of Supervisors is now accepting applications from qualified candidates, as we seek to fill three elected offices that are currently vacant.
The Board is seeking candidates for possible appointment to the offices of Auditor-Controller, Clerk-Recorder and Public Administrator. Since these are all elected offices, any individual appointed must be a registered voter within the County of Orange and be qualified to vote for that office at the time of appointment.
The Board appointment will be effective until January 2015, when individuals selected by the voters through the 2014 primary and general elections would take office. Information about the positions, including job descriptions and a link to the online application can be found on the County’s website.
For more information, please click here or contact Marguerite Adams at (714) 834-6199.
Recruitment for Children and Families Commission
The Board of Supervisors has launched a countywide recruitment to fill three positions for the 2013 Children and Families Commission of Orange County. The recruitment is open to new applicants and current members. Applications for these positions will be accepted by 3:00 pm on February 1, 2013.
For more information and/or to download the application, please click here and here.
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| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
OCTA Welcomes Six New Board Members
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) welcomed six new board members at Monday’s Board of Directors meeting.
OCTA’s Legal Counsel administered the oath of office to Tustin Mayor Pro Tem Al Murray, Irvine Councilman Jeff Lalloway, Huntington Beach Councilman Matt Harper, Mission Viejo Councilman Frank Ury, La Habra Mayor Tim Shaw and Seal Beach Mayor Pro Tem Gary Miller.
OCTA also paid tribute to Third District Supervisor Bill Campbell, Garden Grove Mayor Bill Dalton, Anaheim City Councilwoman Lori Galloway and Lake Forest Councilman Peter Herzog, whose terms as OCTA Board members came to a close.
Update on OCTA CEO Appointment
When the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors last month approved the appointment and contract of a new CEO to replace current CEO Will Kempton upon his anticipated departure in February 2013, it did so in violation of the Brown Act. A provision in state law prohibits a legislative body from calling a special meeting to discuss compensation for local agency executives.
To that end, the Board met in closed session this week to discuss the matter. The OCTA Board voted to re-agendize the matter at our next meeting so we can rescind the prior action taken in violation of the Brown Act. The Board will also reconsider the appointment and contract of a new CEO.
Program Management Contract for I-405 Project
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors voted this week to select Parsons Transportation Group, Inc., to provide program management consultant services for the Interstate 405 Improvement Project.
The program management consultant (PMC) will assist OCTA with the creation, procurement and management of the project’s design-build contract. The PMC will also provide limited preliminary highway engineering (required for the advertisement of the design-build contract), right-of-way services (including appraisals, acquisition, relocation assistance, utility, and rail coordination), and general contract administration, including design quality assurance.
The procurement process for the design-build construction contract will be a two-step process, which will include a request for qualifications and a request for proposals (RFP). OCTA will procure construction management (CM) services under a separate RFP for the project. The PMC will oversee the efforts of the CM consultant. The RFP for CM services is expected to be released mid-2013.
The selected firm will now be requested to submit a cost proposal and the final agreement will be negotiated.
Public Hearing on Transit System Study Pilot Projects
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors held a public hearing to receive public comment and input regarding changes to OCTA’s bus services.
OCTA is proposing a pilot program to implement three new service concepts, including three new pilot bus routes and a frequency reduction to one route.
The proposed service changes include:
- New Route 543: Fullerton to Santa Ana via Harbor Boulevard – Faster, limited-stop service on Harbor Boulevard between Fullerton Transportation Center and MacArthur Boulevard. Weekday ten minute peak and 15 minute off-peak service frequency* (Proposed date: June 2013)
- Reduce Service Route 43: Fullerton to Costa Mesa via Harbor Boulevard – Reduce weekday service frequency from 15 minutes to 20 minutes*. New Route 543 (see above) will provide additional service to the busiest stops between Fullerton Transportation Center and MacArthur Boulevard.
*When combined with the new Route 543, the service changes on Harbor Boulevard will result in a 125 percent increase in bus service on the high-demand portion of the Harbor Boulevard corridor (Fullerton Transportation Center to MacArthur Boulevard) and a 25 percent reduction in service south of MacArthur Boulevard and north of the Fullerton Transportation Center. (Proposed date: June 2013)
- New Route 273: Laguna Niguel to Costa Mesa via State Route 73 – Intra-county express service from Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink Station to Irvine Business Complex and South Coast Metro area with an intermediate stop in Aliso Viejo. Weekday, peak direction service with two morning and afternoon trips. (Proposed date: October 2013)
- New Route 722: Santa Ana to Long Beach via State Route 22 (SR-22) – Faster service connecting the Depot at Santa Ana to Long Beach via the SR-22, with intermediate stops at Harbor and Beach Boulevards. Bi-directional service would be provided every 30 minutes during peak hours. (Proposed date: February 2014)
Each of the proposed pilot projects will be monitored and adjusted as necessary during the pilot program. If the pilot projects are well received and meet the performance metrics, the pilot projects will be integrated into OCTA’s regular bus service.
The OCTA Board has approved allocating $6 million in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding for the initial operating and capital costs of the Transit System Study pilot projects. The proposed service changes are projected to cost $8.4 million during the first three years, which will be paid for with $3.25 million in projected farebox revenue and $5.15 million in CMAQ funds.
Staff conducted community open house meetings on the three pilot projects in the City of Laguna Hills on November 13, the City of Anaheim on November 14, and the City of Westminster on November 15. Attendees generally supported the projects.
Staff will return to the Board of Directors on January 14 with the results of the public hearing and necessary actions to implement the service changes.
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| SAFETY SENTRY |
DUI Enforcement Winter Holiday Operations
The Orange County “Avoid the 38” DUI Task Force will be conducting enforcement operations for the Winter Holiday DUI Campaign from December 14 to January 3.
Enforcement efforts will include five DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints, 15 local DUI saturation patrols, three Multi-Agency DUI Taskforce strike team patrols, and two DUI Warrant/Probation sweeps. The CHP will deploy all available officers during two maximum enforcement periods during Christmas and New Year’s weekends.
For a schedule of operations, dates and locations, please click here. For more information, please click here.
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| AIRPORT ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES |
John Wayne Airport Reflects on Award-Winning 2012
John Wayne Airport (JWA) has had an award-winning year in 2012 after being honored with numerous awards for engineering, construction and communications related to the new Terminal C, Parking Structure C, and Central Utility Plant.
To view a summary of awards presented to JWA in 2012 by international, national and local organizations, and for more information, please click here.
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| CRITTER CHRONICLES |
Photo with Santa
Bring your pet to OC Animal Care on Saturdays through December 23 for a Photo with Santa! All participants will receive a festive holiday frame with your pet’s photo. You will also receive a digital copy to share with your friends and family! All donations will benefit the animals of OC Animal Care!
For more information, please click here.
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| HOLIDAY HELPER |
Assisting the Needy this Holiday Season
Adding one more gift to your shopping list can make holiday dreams come true for a needy child or teen, an impoverished senior citizen or a low-income family.
For volunteer and donor opportunities available this holiday season, please click here.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT |
Alton Parkway Extension Project Recognition
The Orange County Public Works Department and the City of Lake Forest were selected to receive the 2012 Project of the Year award from the Southern California Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA).
The award is in recognition of the Alton Parkway Extension project. The Alton Parkway Extension project entailed the construction of a 2.1 mile roadway that closed the gap in Alton Parkway. Construction on the project began in April and was completed in June 2012.
The 2012 awards ceremony and presentation was held December 12 at the APWA Southern California Chapter’s 13th Annual Awards Luncheon.
Receiving this recognition is a testament to the diligence of the stakeholders involved who worked collaboratively for many years to overcome the obstacles facing this project. The extension has provided a vital linkage in South County, connecting communities and improving overall regional mobility, and I’m pleased to see the feedback from residents has been so positive.
APWA is the professional association for Public Works leaders throughout the United States and Canada. The Southern California Chapter covers Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The Chapter’s award program recognizes public agencies for their outstanding projects and programs, and to share the wealth of good ideas.
For more information, please click here.
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| HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS |
Dana Point Harbor: Boat Parade of Lights
This year’s theme for the 38th annual Boat Parade of Lights in Dana Point Harbor is “A Hollywood Holiday.” You may view the parade for FREE from anywhere in the Harbor on December 14 & 15. For more information, please click here.
Laguna Beach Library: Winter Family Night
On Wednesday, December 19, share in the most fun going on south of the North Pole at the Laguna Beach Library’s annual Winter Family Night. The evening’s community celebration begins at 5:00 PM. For more information, please click here.
Mission Viejo: Winter Leisure Time
The City of Mission Viejo’s winter Leisure Time publication is now available online, offering detailed information about upcoming special events, programs and classes, including holiday events like the 40th annual Holiday Home Lighting Contest and Santa Paws on December 8. For more information, please click here and here.
Rancho Santa Margarita: New Year's Eve Celebration
Bring your family to join friends, neighbors and community organizations to welcome in the New Year and celebrate the City of Rancho Santa Margarita’s anniversary of incorporation. The event begins at 5:00 PM on Saturday, December 31.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP |
In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:
- Participated in the Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade.
- Attended the Lincoln Club of Orange County holiday event.
- Participated in the Local Agency Formation Commission meeting.
- Hosted my annual Fifth District Holiday Open House.
- Joined County and Lake Forest city staff at the American Public Works Association - Southern California Chapter’s Awards Ceremony to receive an award in recognition of the Alton Parkway Extension project.
- Adjourned the Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of Richard Beach Bennett of Lake Forest.
My office also:
- Attended the Laguna Hills City Council meeting to present proclamations in honor or outgoing Councilmembers L. Allan Songstad, Jr. and Joel Lautenschleger.
- Attended the Senior Citizens Advisory Council meeting in Lake Forest.
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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