Header image with Photo of Supervisor Pat Bates. Followed by office information
May 3, 2013

Pat Bates's Picture

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. NOTES FROM THE FIELD

5. HARBOR HAPPENINGS

6. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS

7. CRITTER CHRONICLES

8. COUNTY CONNECTIONS

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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Volume 7 Issue 17
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 2013, please click here.

Our next Board meeting will be held Tuesday, May 7. 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.

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

OCTA Updates San Juan Capistrano Stakeholders

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) staff members showcased newly approved plans for the San Diego Freeway (I-5) Avenida Pico to San Juan Creek project at the Stakeholder Working Group meetings in San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente last week.

More than 20 community leaders from San Clemente and Dana Point, including San Clemente Councilwoman and OCTA Director Lori Donchak attended the San Clemente Stakeholder Working Group. The leaders discussed the project’s suggested detour routes, construction timing and design aesthetics for the Avenida Pico bridge.

Updated plans include an 800-foot decorative retaining wall that will be constructed at Camino Capistrano and Stonehill Ave. Designed by community leaders, the mission-inspired wall won approval by the San Juan Capistrano City Council last month. The wall reflects the bells found at the Mission’s Great Stone Church.

While construction for the freeway widening will begin in San Juan Capistrano in early 2014, construction on the retaining wall will begin in late 2014 through spring 2015.

The next Stakeholder Working Group meeting will be held in late August.

OCTA and Caltrans Break Ground on SR-91 Project

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and Caltrans broke ground Wednesday on the Riverside Freeway (SR-91) Westbound Lane Widening Project. Together with the cities of Anaheim and Fullerton, OCTA and Caltrans kicked-off construction on the third in a series of freeway improvement projects designed to increase capacity, improve operations and enhance mobility and safety on the SR-91 in Orange County.

Funded by Measure M and Proposition 1B, the $64-million freeway improvement project will add a new, four-mile westbound lane along a key stretch between the Orange Freeway (SR-57) and the Santa Ana Freeway (I-5). Drivers take more than 130,000 westbound trips along that section of the freeway. The new lane will help improve the connection to regional destinations such as Cal State Fullerton, the Anaheim Medical Center and residential areas in both Anaheim and Fullerton.

In addition to the new lane, construction crews will widen six bridges, realign ramps and make several operational improvements, including adding new safety barriers, drainage facilities and new striping throughout the project limits.

Since December 2010, OCTA and Caltrans have added 18 lane miles to the SR-91 in Orange County. When the SR-91 Westbound Lane Widening Project is completed at the end of 2015, the number of new lane miles on the 91 will increase to 22.

For more information on this and other 91 projects, please click here.

Angels Express on Track for Record Ridership

The Angels Express train service has returned for the third straight season, offering fans a great alternative to rising gas prices and traffic congestion. Ridership is up twenty five percent from 2012, with more than 6,000 boardings since April 9.

The Orange County Transportation Authority offers Angels Express service along the Orange County Line to all weeknight home games that start at 7:05 p.m., and service from the Inland Empire to all Friday night games.

Angels Express train tickets cost $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and the disabled, and $4 for riders ages 18 and younger. Family-friendly fares allow up to three children under age five to ride for free with each paid adult.

For more information, please click here and here.

SAFETY SENTRY

DUI Task Force on Special Patrols for Cinco de Mayo

The “Avoid the 38” Orange County DUI Task Force is joining with other law enforcement across the nation to encourage everyone to plan ahead this Cinco de Mayo and to never drink and drive.

Special DUI Saturation Patrols will be deployed this weekend in the cities of Anaheim, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Laguna Beach, Orange, and throughout the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s South County area. These patrols will be looking to identify and stop suspected drunk drivers.

For more information, please click here.

Citizen's Academy Applications Available

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is proudly offering its first countywide Citizen’s Academy. Class #1 will begin July 2.

To learn more and download the application, please click here.

NOTES FROM THE FIELD

Name the Gopher Snake Contest

Caspers Preservation Foundation needs your help! The gopher snake at the Caspers Wilderness Park Nature Center needs a name. Come visit the Nature Center any Saturday or Sunday in March (open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) to submit your entry. Entries must be submitted in person at the park.

The contest runs through March and the winner will be announced in April. They will receive a 2013 OC Parks Annual Pass and backcountry tour with a Caspers Park Ranger.

For more information, please click here.

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 May newsletter, please click here.

HARBOR HAPPENINGS

Boater Advisory: Dana Point Harbor Underwater Cleanup

OC Dana Point Harbor is planning the next underwater clean-up event with volunteer scuba divers Saturday, May 11 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon in the West Basin Marina on the cove side at A-Dock. Boaters are asked to exercise care and caution when operating vessels near the dive area.

Boaters located on West Basin A-Dock are requested to not operate their vessels during this four-hour event due to diver safety. If you must move your vessel during this four-hour period, please contact the Dana West Marina at (949)493-6222 for assistance.

Floats with dive flags will be located at the inner-channel end of each of the affected fairways. County and Marina staff as well as Volunteers will be present to assist and protect the divers as they conduct their underwater searches.

This Underwater Cleanup effort is part of OC Dana Point Harbor’s continuing water quality improvement program. The semi-annual event will continue to move throughout the east and west marina basins on a multi-year cycle.

For more information or to volunteer to participate, please contact Dana West Marina Company at (949) 493-6222 or click here and here.

ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS

OC Waste & Recycling Holds Eco Challenge Poster Contest

Through May 24, Orange County children can participate in a special Eco Challenge poster contest presented by OC Waste & Recycling, the Discovery Science Center, and Angels Baseball for the chance to be an Honorary Bat Kid at a 2013 Angels baseball game.

Just choose your favorite topic below and make a poster to showcase your ideas and creativity around that theme.
  • Recycling – Design a poster showing how you make an effort to recycle in your everyday life.
  • Reusing Materials – Design a poster showing how various household items can be re-used in new and different ways.
  • Reducing Waste – Design a poster showing how you can reduce waste; what kind of choices can you make in your daily life to ensure you are only using what you need?
  • A Greener Future – Design a poster around the idea of what Earth would look like if we were more environmentally conscious.
Bring or mail your entry to Discovery Science Center by May 24, as five lucky winners from each of Orange County’s five Supervisorial Districts will be awarded the status of Honorary Bat Kid during an Angels home game in 2013.

For more information, please click here and here.

CRITTER CHRONICLES

Pet Fair 2013: Furry Friends Fiesta

On Saturday, May 4, OC Animal Care will host its biggest event of the year – Pet Fair 2013! The event will take place from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, featuring pet-friendly vendors and offering hundreds of lovable animals available for adoption.

For more information, please click here.

Pets and Human Medications

Many pets can’t resist human medications that have been flavored to be more palatable. Medications like candy-coated pain relievers, chocolate-flavored vitamins or sweetened cough syrups can be irresistible to pets, so please be sure to keep these kinds of drugs safely out of reach.

Never give your pet human pain relievers – in brand name or generic forms – like acetaminophen (Tylenol® or Excedrin®), or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications like aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen (Advil® or Aleve®). Pets do not metabolize these drugs like humans do, as liver and kidney failure can result, putting your pet’s life at risk.

Always read your pet’s medication bottle or label carefully. One of the most common accidental pet overdoses occurs when pet owners place their own medication on the counter with their pet’s medication. Inadvertent administration of your human drugs to your pet can be easily avoided by dosing carefully. Take extra precautions to ensure all medications stay out of your pet’s reach.

Make sure to store medication bottles in secure, raised bathroom cabinets. Unfortunately, even child-proof caps aren’t dog-proof, due to those sharp teeth. Finally, properly dispose of expired medications.

COUNTY CONNECTIONS

Essentials for Young Lives

HomeAid Orange County, in partnership with the Children and Families Commission, will collect diapers, baby food and baby hygiene products including baby wipes and lotion, which are then distributed to 17 shelters in Orange County.

Families are the fastest growing segment of Orange County’s homeless population. By receiving these “essential” items, shelters can expand the use of their limited resources to help clients achieve self-sufficiency.

Many Orange County businesses will be hosting the 2013 Essentials for Young Lives Campaign, including VONS stores and YMCA facilities.

My office will be hosting donation bins throughout the week of May 6. You can also donate throughout the Fifth District at the locations listed here.

Orange County Public Works Celebrates Annual Open House

Orange County Public Works will host its Annual Open House on Friday, May 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 2301 North Glassell Street, Orange. This year, the Open House will exhibit an overview of projects, community services, and displays that give residents a better understanding of what OC Public Works does for their community.

OC Public Works staff will be available to answer questions and provide information about the department’s projects and services. Public Works encourages all residents, students, and prospective engineers to join this informative event.

For more information, please click here and here.

FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

South County High Schools Ranked in Nation’s Top 5 Percent

All five of Capistrano Unified School District's comprehensive high schools evaluated by U.S. News & World Report were ranked among the top 5 percent in the nation for the second consecutive year, according to rankings released last week by the magazine.

Tesoro, Capistrano Valley, Dana Hills, San Clemente, and Aliso Niguel High Schools all received silver medals and were ranked in the top 1,000 schools nationwide.

In compiling the rankings, U.S. News evaluated more than 21,000 high schools across the nation. The five evaluated and ranked comprehensive high schools bettered the state's academic goals and scored highly on the college readiness index, which measures student participation and performance on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests.

For more information, please click here.

SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

Rancho Santa Margarita: Water Awareness Day

Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) will celebrate Water Awareness Month with its annual family-friendly Water Awareness Day event at the SMWD offices at 26111 Antonio Parkway in Rancho Santa Margarita on Saturday, May 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information, please click here and here.

San Clemente: Cinco de Mayo Celebration

The 23rd Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration is a cultural day presented by the City of San Clemente and the Cinco de Mayo Committee on Saturday, May 4 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Max Berg Plaza Park, 1100 Calle Puente in San Clemente. For more information, please click here.

Mission Viejo: Arts Alive & Street Painting Festival

Creativity fills Mission Viejo’s Oso Viejo Park with hands-on activities, including ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, gardening tips, live entertainment and much more at the Arts Alive & Street Painting Festival on Saturday & Sunday, May 4 & 5. For more information, please click here.

Lake Forest: Rancho Days Fiesta

Explore the rich history of Orange County's Mexican Ranchos and Native American tribes at the Rancho Days Fiesta taking place at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest on Sunday, May 5 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. For more information, please click here.

Dana Point: Grand Prix of Cycling

Join top professionals, amateurs and excited kids May 5 at the 7th Annual Dana Point Grand Prix of Cycling, as they race on the best course in America, overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean and spectacular Dana Point Harbor. For more information, please click here and here.

San Juan Capistrano: Marine Car Wash

The City of San Juan Capistrano will host a car wash Saturday, May 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to benefit the City's adopted 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment. 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 Ladera Ranch Go Green e-Waste and Recycling event at Ladera Ranch Middle School.
  • Met with OC Parks Director Mark Denny and Laguna Niguel Councilman Jerry McCloskey to discuss entrance improvements at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park.
  • Met with Executive Director Cate Murphy and representatives of iHOPEoc to discuss homelessness issues in South County.
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.

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