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January 25, 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. SOUTH COUNTY NEWS
3. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
4. HARBOR HAPPENINGS
5. HEALTH HERALD
6. CRITTER CHRONICLES
8. TAX COLLECTOR COLLECTIBLES
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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| 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, January 29. 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.
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| SOUTH COUNTY NEWS |
"Growl" Testing by SONGS
If you hear sirens sounding-off for a few seconds in South County this week, don't fret. It's just the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) conducting a "growl test" of its community alert siren system.
The nuclear plant tests its community alert siren system every three months. If you hear the sirens for a few seconds on Friday, January 25 and Monday, January 28, it's the three-month growl test.
For more information, please click here.
NRC to Hold Public Meeting
The U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will hold a public meeting Tuesday, February 12 to discuss NRC’s current regulatory oversight status of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). The NRC staff will discuss the status of its inspection and technical evaluation of Southern California Edison’s October 3, 2012, NRC Confirmatory Action Letter.
The NRC will respond to questions about its current inspection and evaluation activities associated with the replacement steam generators at the SONGS facility. The meeting will be held at Capo Beach Church, 25975 Domingo Avenue, Capistrano Beach, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Self-parking is available and free of charge.
The public is encouraged to view the meeting via a webcast. The audio stream will be available once the meeting begins. The webcast and phone bridge will be one-way only. Questions or comments regarding San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station can be submitted at any time to OPA4@nrc.gov.
A “listen only” teleconference is also offered at (888) 790-2038, enter passcode 47018 to enter the meeting.
For more information, please click here and here.
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| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
Orange County Projects Receive $6.6 Million in Funds
The California Transportation Commission allocated $6.6 million in funding to Orange County projects at its meeting in Sacramento last week.
Of the funds, $6 million in Proposition 1B State Local Partnership Program (SLPP) funds were dedicated to financing thirteen street reconstruction and rehabilitation projects in Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Fullerton, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Placentia, Rancho Santa Margarita and Yorba Linda, as well as buying three alternative-fueled trolleys in Laguna Beach.
The Commission also allocated $600,000 in State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) funds for safety improvements to the Lake Forest Drive off-ramp from the Santa Ana Freeway (I-5). These include modifying and synchronizing traffic signals, extending the left-turn lane and installing a flashing beacon and new guide signs.
State funding for project work continues to drop dramatically as bond proceeds from Proposition 1B, approved by voters in 2006, are used up.
February 2013 Bus Service Change Program
Each year, the Orange County Transportation Authority implements three service change programs that take place in February, June, and October.
Schedules for 28 bus lines will be adjusted as part of the February 2013 Bus Service Change Program. Fifteen of the 28 bus lines will have adjusted running times, and nine will have added service. These schedules are revised to improve connections and on-time performance. Other changes in bus routes and schedules may be because of construction projects.
Service changes include:
- Line 29 – Improved passenger load distribution on weekends by adding four trips each day.
- Line 51 – Improved headway from 60 minutes to 40 minutes on Saturdays, adding 12 trips.
- Line 83 – Shifted timing of the southbound trip from 8:03 AM to 7:59 AM, adding more weekday trips.
Public information materials, including new bus books, will be distributed to the public prior to the service change. For information on schedule adjustments, please click here.
Transit System Study Pilot Projects Approved
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors approved the implementation of three pilot projects that were developed as part of OCTA's Transit System Study to improve efficiency of bus service. These projects will be monitored and changes may be made based on customer comments and operations analysis.
The three pilot projects include:
- A frequency reduction on Route 43 from Fullerton to Costa Mesa and a limited-stop service on Route 543 from Fullerton to Santa Ana. Harbor Boulevard service changes will begin in June.
- A new intra-county express on Route 273 from Laguna Niguel to Costa Mesa via SR-73. This service change will begin in October.
- A new inter-county express on Route 722 from Santa Ana to Long Beach via SR-22. This service change will begin in February 2014.
Based on public comments from three open house meetings and a public hearing, OCTA will conduct a before and after rider survey on the Harbor Boulevard Route 543 to determine service satisfaction and preferences for any modifications. OCTA will also evaluate the feasibility of an added stop on Route 273 at SR-73 on El Toro Road. For Route 722, OCTA will market service to potential riders on routes 50 and 60.
For more information, please click here.
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| HARBOR HAPPENINGS |
Notice of Story Poles in Dana Point Harbor
Story poles will be erected in Dana Point Harbor on Thursday, January 31 to illustrate the heights and locations of the proposed Commercial Core Buildings and Dry Boat Storage Building. These story poles will be placed to show the ridgelines and peaks of the proposed buildings in the conceptual Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Plan.
The story poles will be certified by the County’s Land Surveyor and will remain in place for one week. The poles will be removed Thursday, February 7.
For more information, please click here.
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| HEALTH HERALD |
Flu Activity on the Rise
With a recent increase in flu cases nationwide, the Orange County Health Care Agency reminds people that the best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated. It is not too late to vaccinate. Flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months of age and older, and is especially important for infants, young children, pregnant women, adults over 50, and for those with chronic medical conditions.
For more information, please click here.
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| CRITTER CHRONICLES |
Low-Cost Vaccine & Microchip Clinic
Stop by OC Animal Care and update your pet's vaccines or get a microchip during their monthly Low-Cost Vaccine & Microchip Clinic on Tuesday, February 5. For more information, please click here.
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| TAX COLLECTOR COLLECTIBLES |
Property Tax Auction
The Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s (TTC) property tax auction is scheduled for Thursday, March 14 at 10:00 AM in the Board of Supervisor’s Hearing Room at 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd. in Santa Ana, CA. The list of properties scheduled for auction will be posted on the TTC website one month before the auction.
The Tax Collector annually offers for sale real property located in the County of Orange. The properties offered for sale have become subject to the Tax Collector’s Power to Sell due to non-payment of property taxes for five or more years. The TTC is responsible for the administration of these sales pursuant to the provisions of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
Prospective purchasers for the live auction will be required to register. Registration will be held at the TTC offices Wednesday, March 13 between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 625 N. Ross Street, Room G-58 Santa Ana, CA.
For more information, please e-mail or call (714) 834-3411.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT |
South County OCSD Explorer Gives Back to the Community
Carlos Hensley, a lieutenant with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Explorer Post #449, was recently featured in the San Clemente Sun Post News. The 18-year-old is a mentor and role model for youth in his hometown of San Clemente. For more information, please click here.
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| SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR |
Rancho Santa Margarita: Tax Preparation Assistance
The City of Rancho Santa Margarita and the AARP Tax Aide group will be conducting the “Tax Preparation Assistance” program from February 6 through April 10 for eligible low- and moderate-income taxpayers residing in the city. For more information, please click here.
Aliso Viejo: Winter Newsletter
The City of Aliso Viejo's Winter Newsletter is now available online and features news and information about upcoming events and programs that impact the way people live work and play. 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. 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:
- Chaired the meeting of the Orange County Coastal Coalition. More on this in next week’s newsletter.
- Attended the Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce Board Installation ceremony to provide certificates of recognition for the Chamber officials.
My office also:
- Attended a meeting of the Orange County Council of Governments Board of Directors.
- Attended the OCGOP Central Committee meeting to present certificates of recognition to their Volunteer Award recipients.
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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