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March 29, 2013 |
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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. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS
4. NOTES FROM THE FIELD
5. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT
6. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR
7. 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 |
There was no Board of Supervisors meeting held this week. Our next meeting is on April 2, 2013 where we will be interviewing the candidates for appointment to the Orange County Clerk-Recorder. Our next meeting where we will be conducting regular business will be on April 9, 2013.
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| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
OCTA ACCESS Paratransit Contract Awarded
The Orange County Board of Directors awarded a contract to MV Transportation to operate OCTA's ACCESS paratransit service beginning in July.
The $157.7 million agreement is for an initial four-year term, with two two-year option terms. MV's overall cost for the initial contract term was $18.5 million below the existing provider Veolia Transportation. In addition, MV added an additional level of security to OCTA by guaranteeing their cost in the contract. The cost savings will allow the opportunity to add additional bus service, fund capital projects such as bus procurements and bus infrastructure improvements, and offset potential reductions in other sources of transit revenues.
With Veolia's contract expiring June 30, OCTA conducted a competitive procurement for the service.
More than 30,000 people have ACCESS eligibility and approximately half of those utilize the service on a regular basis, between four and seven days per week.
Audit Shows Measure M2 Environmental Mitigation Program On Track
As Chair of the Measure M2 Environmental Oversight Committee, I am pleased to report that an external audit showed the OCTA Measure M2 Environmental Mitigation Program is being implemented in compliance with all regulations and is being delivered as promised.
The performance review ensures OCTA has adhered to M2 Ordinance policies involving property appraisal, acquisition and maintenance. The audit found the program is well managed by OCTA and will be able to adequately fund future mitigation activities.
The M2 Environmental Freeway Mitigation Program, a comprehensive plan to preserve and restore open space throughout the county will fund $300 million in projects during the next 30 years and expedite permitting for 13 freeway projects. For more information regarding OCTA's environmental program, visit www.octa.net/environmental.
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| ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS |
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 March 28th meeting provided a forum to hear from Mr. Patrick Bauer, Associate Engineer, City of Costa Mesa; and Dr. Sandy DeSimone, Director of Research and Education, Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary.
Mr. Patrick Bauer shared about the Fairview Park Wetlands and Riparian Habitat Restoration Project. Fairview Park encompasses 208 acres of open space consisting of bluffs, vernal pools, trails, native plant communities and wildlife. The wetland and riparian habitat improvements to Fairview Park are part of the 1998-approved Fairview Park Master Plan developed by City staff and the Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee.
Completed in September 2009, Phase 1 of the project included planting of 17 acres of riparian habitat, wetland ponds and streams graded, and an irrigation system installed. Phase 2 improvements include the completion of the wetland ponds and water delivery system, two miles of trails, fencing, 23 acres of native habitat plantings, and an irrigation system.
The funding for the completion of Phase 2 came from a variety of sources, including the Orange County Transportation Authority, Measure M2 sales tax, the Miocean Foundation, the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the City’s Park Development Fund. For more information visit http://www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us/recreation/park-projects/CMfairview.htm
Dr. Sandy DeSimone shared about the Stream Restoration, Monitoring, and Education project at Audubon Starr Ranch. Starr Ranch Sanctuary is a 4,000 acre preserve owned and operated by the National Audubon Society. The Ranch lies in unincorporated Orange County and is bordered by the Cleveland National Forest on the north and east, the Ronald W. Caspers Regional Park on the south and the developments of Dove Canyon and Coto de Caza on the west. The larger community of Rancho Santa Margarita is 3 miles northwest of the Sanctuary, and the city of San Juan Capistrano is 10 miles to the southwest.
Their project, “An Ecosystem Approach to Riparian Restoration at Audubon Starr Ranch,” is one of four finalist project proponents for the South Orange County Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP) Proposition 84 Implementation Grant Round 2 funds. The objectives of the Starr Ranch project are to: 1) remove invasive species without the use of herbicides and restore native habitat in the 125 acre Bell Canyon riparian corridor, 2) monitor wildlife and water quality in the Bell Canyon riparian corridor, 3) form a partnership with the adjacent golf course community to initiate new water conservation practices and 4) optimize runoff diversion to the Trabuco Canyon Water District.
For more information visit http://www.starrranch.org/streambio.html
To be placed on the email distribution list for Coastal Coalition meetings, please send your email address to andrea.toscano@ocpw.ocgov.com.
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| NOTES FROM THE FIELD |
2013 Spring Habitat Tours: Responsible Regional Restoration
Join The Toll Roads for the highly-anticipated 13th Annual Spring Tours. Experience the natural beauty of South County on a guided walk through land set aside and protected through the regional open space planning efforts of the Transportation Corridor Agencies.
Led by the restoration specialist and biologist who has spent the last two decades restoring these sites to their native habitat and contributing to The Toll Roads’ award-winning environmental programs, this year’s tours focus on the comprehensive efforts and commitment to environmental conservation and restoration, and provide an exclusive glimpse into special areas that few have ever seen.
For more information, please click here.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT |
Summer YMCA Programs
The YMCA is opening locations at Aliso Viejo Middle School and Don Juan Avila Middle School for summer programs. Parents who register before May 13 can receive an early-enrollment incentive. To schedule a tour, contact Caprice Kavanaugh at 949-360-9517 or ckavanaugh@ymcaoc.org.
Capo Beach woman celebrates 107th birthday
Capistrano Beach resident, Juliet Levin, turned 107 on March 24. Juliet, who lives in the Capistrano Beach Care Center, is participating in a Boston University program that studies seniors that have lived particularly long lives. Family and friends helped Juliet celebrate her birthday with cake and old photographs.
To read the article about Ms. Levin in the OC Register, please click here.
Kids Art Shows at Laguna Art Museum
Laguna Art Museum has partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach for two art shows featuring paintings and photographs by children in the club ages 5-12. "In Our Imagination" will be on display until April 14. The pieces are inspired by artist Allison Schulnik, whose paintings and animation films have been shown at the museum. Boys & Girls Club art director Emily Murray held after-school art classes to create the pieces from modeling paste and acrylic paint.
The second show, called "ImageMakers National Photography Contest: Regional Winners," will be in the Young Artists Society Gallery from April 21 to May 19.
Laguna Beach 2013 Music in the Park Logo Design Competition
The Arts Commission is accepting logo designs to celebrate the 30th season of Music in the Park. Entries will be accepted from residents of all ages. An original design must be submitted on disc at a minimum of 300 dpi measuring 5½” x 4¼” in a jpg or tiff format and a hard copy color comparison. An honorarium of $500 will be awarded to the artist of the winning design. Designs must be submitted by April 15, 2013. Competition guidelines are available here.
Lake Forest and Laguna Hills Post Offices Cut Hours
Beginning Monday, April 1st, seven Orange County post offices, including locations in Lake Forest and Laguna Hills, will be cutting their hours. The locations being affected and the new hours are:
El Toro Post Office:
8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday- Friday
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Saturday
Laguna Hills Station:
9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Saturday
The cuts will not result in employee lay-offs, although part-time employees may see reduced hours.
Laguna Hills council looks at forming planning commission
At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 26th, the City of Laguna Hills approved a proposal that would dissolve the Planning Agency (the organization under which the council operates when dealing with land-use issues) and create a separate Planning Commission with its own members. Laguna Hills is one of the last cities in Orange County to not have a Planning Commission.
The Council voted 3-2 to find out specifics on the cost of creating and maintaining a new commission before deciding whether to go forward.
Rancho Santa Margarita Proclaims April Donate Life Month
This past Wednesday evening, the City of Rancho Santa Margarita Proclaimed April as DMV/Donate Life California month. A proclamation was given to a local couple, Matt and Ani Taylor, whose 7 month old daughter died while waiting for a liver transplant. The Taylors created the Ruby Jane Foundation to raise awareness about organ donation and are designated as Donate Life ambassadors to Rancho Santa Margarita ,Lake Forest, and San Juan Capistrano.
For more information on donor registry, visit www.donatelifecalifornia.org. To learn more about the Ruby Jane Foundation, visit www.rubyjanefoundation.org.
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| SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR |
Easter Events
Friday March 29th
Laguna Hills
Late Night Flashlight Egg Hunt- 8:00pm-9:00pm. Bring a flashlight and prize bag for an evening of egg hunting at the Laguna Hills Sports Complex Soccer Fields, 2555 Alicia Parkway. Each participant will be entered into a raffle. Ages 7-14 with two separate hunts for 7-10 & 11-14. Cost for kids is $5 for residents, $10 for non-residents.
Saturday, March 30th
Dana Point
Egg Hunts at Pines Park, 34941 Camino Capistrano, and Sea Canyon Park, 33093 Santiago Dr. Events begins at 9:00am and Egg Hunts begins at 10:00am and includes children’s games, petting zoo, and a visit from the Easter Bunny.
Laguna Hills
Mr. Bunny & Friends-10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Event will include springtime crafts, an egg hunt, and a picture with Mr. Bunny for ages 6 and under. Cost is $6 for residents, $11 for non-residents.
Mission Viejo
Bunny Days - 11:00am-2:00pm on the Village Green at Oso Viejo Park, 24932 Veterans Way. Sponsored by the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, the event will have carnival games, spring crafts, face painting, pony rides, live entertainment, and an egg and candy treat station for children age 5 and older as well as an area for toddlers.
Easter in Kid City - 11am-3pm at Mount of Olives Church, 24772 Chrisanta Dr. This is an annual free Easter event open to the community. Activities including live music, food trucks, obstacle course, petting zoo, and egg hunt.
Kaleidoscope will host its third annual Easter Garden Party from 12:00pm -2:30pm at 27741 Crown Valley Parkway. The event will include face-painting, a petting zoo, and the Easter Bunny will be available for photos. There will also be a free egg hunt at noon for the first 200 children ages 2-10.
San Clemente
Easter Eggstravaganza- 10:30 am-12:30 pm at South Coast Christian Assembly, 31501 Avenida Los Cerritos. The event will include Easter egg hunts, bounce houses, a petting zoo, and special prize giveaways.
Community Easter Brunch- The Family Assistance Ministries, in partnership with the City of San Clemente, is sponsoring a brunch for needy individuals or families. Visit 929 Calle Negocio fo pick up an invitation. Walk ups are also accepted. If you would like to volunteer for the event, or would like to donate food, Easter baskets, and filled plastic eggs, please call 492-8477.
Sunday, March 31
Laguna Beach
The Laguna Beach American Legion Post 22 and Women’s Auxiliary are sponsoring the annual Easter egg hunt at Laguna Beach High School baseball field beginning at 1:00pm. The event is free and open to children 9 and under. The Easter Bunny will also make a special appearance before the event at 12:30pm.
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:
- In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also attended the Orange County Sheriff’s Advisory Council Annual Medal of Valor Luncheon where selected men and women of the department are honored for their meritorious service to the residents of Orange County. To view the OC Register’s coverage of this wonderful event, please click here.
- I was honored to host the Ladera Ranch Girl Scout Troop 2429 to discuss and inspire them into future leadership.
- In my place, my staff attended the following meetings/events:
- Orange County Coastal Coalition
- Assemblyman Don Wagner’s District Office Open House
- Mental Health Board Regular Meeting
- Orange County Drug Court Site Visit
I would like to wish everyone the happiest of Easters and blessings to all of the many faiths that celebrate this holy season.
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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