Header image with Photo of Supervisor Pat Bates. Followed by office information
October 4, 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. AIRPORT ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES

4. SAFETY SENTRY

5. NOTES FROM THE FIELD

6. CRITTER CHRONICLES

7. TAX COLLECTOR COLLECTIBLES

8. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

9. FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP

OUR STAFF...

Don Hughes:
Chief of Staff

Kristen Camuglia:
Deputy Chief of Staff

Sergio Prince:
Policy Advisor

Erik Weigand:
Policy Advisor

Emily Osterberg:
Policy Advisor

Veronica Yniguez:
Policy Advisor

Ruth Strachan:
Office Manager

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Volume 7 Issue 39
BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

Victim/Witness Assistance Services Program

The Board accepted a grant award of $1,044,013 from the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA) for the Victim/Witness Assistance Services Program. This program provides comprehensive services for victims and witnesses of crimes, as outlined in the California Penal Code.

Examples of these services include:
  • Crisis intervention
  • Emergency assistance
  • Resource and referral counseling
  • Follow-up counseling
  • Filing of compensation claims
  • Property return assistance
  • Orientation to the criminal justice system
  • Court accompaniment and support
  • Presentations to criminal justice agencies, public agencies, and community groups
  • Case status monitoring
  • Victim and employer notifications
  • Restitution assistance
  • Employer and creditor intervention
  • Funeral arrangements
  • Providing crime prevention information
  • Arrangement for law enforcement protection due to safety reasons
  • Assistance in obtaining temporary restraining orders
  • Arrangement for transportation to court
  • Assistance to victim impact statement preparation.
For more information please click here.

OneOC

The Board approved renewal of our membership with OneOC, a non-profit organization that places misdemeanor offenders referred by the courts in appropriate volunteer assignments as an alternative to jail. Last year, this successful program accounted for a combined total of 25,000 labor hours for OC Public Works.

Two types of labor are performed based on the offender’s sentence. Some are tasked with non-skilled labor duties, such as sweeping, minor painting, emptying trash cans and vegetation removal. Others are used exclusively for Court mandated graffiti removal. Each year, this program covers over two million square feet of graffiti.

It is also important to note these offenders will not be allowed in the program if they have a criminal history that involves violence and/or sexual crimes. For more information, please click here.

Landscape and Tree Trimming Services

The Board approved two separate contracts within our OC Parks system. The first was to provide landscaping services to various County parks, including Laguna Niguel Regional Park. For more information, please click here.

The other contract was for tree trimming services for all OC Parks facilities. With this contract, all trees within OC Parks will be identified by licensed arborists, using a tree maintenance system database. Taking inventory of every tree will help develop a trimming schedule for future years, which will limit waste and keep our parks looking well maintained. For more information, please click here.
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

October 2013 Bus Service Change Program

Schedules for 26 bus lines will be adjusted as part of the October 2013 Bus Service Change Program. Sixteen of the 26 lines will have new schedules with adjusted running times; nine will have selected trip adjustments; three will have trips added; and two will return to winter schedules. 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 25 – Improved on-time performance and passenger load distribution
  • Line 38 – Adjusted trips to achieve a more even 30 minute headway in the a.m. and p.m. peaks
  • Line 55 – Shifted timing of the southbound trip from 6:04 to 6:00 a.m., adding 8 minutes of running time
  • Line 57 – Added two northbound and two southbound trips
Each year, the Orange County Transportation Authority implements three service change programs that take place in February, June and October. Public information materials, including new bus books, will be distributed to the public prior to the service change.

For more information, please click here.

Transit Quarterly Performance Metrics

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors received the Transit Division Performance Measurements Report for the fourth quarter of the 2012-13 fiscal year. The report provides key performance indicators that gauge the safety, reliability, cost-effectiveness and overall quality of public transit services offered by OCTA.

Highlights of OCTA’s transit services performance include:
  • Improvements made on meeting on-time performance standards with the addition of revenue vehicle hours in 2012
  • Fixed-route operating expenses came in $21.4 million under budget due to lower fuel consumption and lower overall fuel unit costs
  • Total ACCESS service delivery failures are down from the previous year due to the use of the supplemental taxi service
Board Grants Millions to Improve Water Quality

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors approved spending $2.8 million for 19 projects that will improve water quality throughout the County as part of the Measure M2 Environmental Cleanup Program. OCTA’s Environmental Cleanup Program provides funds from Measure M2 to improve water quality in Orange County from pollution caused by transportation.

Based on the OCTA Board-approved criteria, 19 projects were approved for funding, including:
  • Gaviota Drive Diversion Project in Laguna Beach
  • Catch Basin Debris Filters Installation Round Two in Villa Park
  • Stormwater Litter Control Project Phase III in Aliso Viejo
  • Arterial Catch Basin Connector Pipe Screen Installation in Santa Ana
  • Ocean Protection and Environmental Cleanup 2013 Project in Fountain Valley
  • Domingo Drive Litter Removal Project in Newport Beach
Over the next 30 years, approximately $300 million will be provided to improve water quality and reduce pollutants that lead to waterways.

OCTA: On The Move

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has released its latest edition of “Orange County: On The Move.” To view the OCTA e-newsletter, please click here. For more OCTA news, please click here.
AIRPORT ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES

Notice of Preparation

Nearly 30 years ago, the County of Orange, City of Newport Beach, Airport Working Group (AWG), and Stop Polluting Our Newport (SPON) reached consensus on the nature and extent of facility and operational improvements that could be implemented at John Wayne Airport (JWA).

The "Settlement Agreement," as it is now known, has become the regulatory foundation for commercial operations at JWA and is recognized throughout the nation as one of the most enduring and successful collaborations between an airport proprietor and its neighbors.

There are six principal elements in the Settlement Agreement:
  1. Term of the agreement
  2. Curfew
  3. Annual passenger limit, referred to as the Million Annual Passenger Cap (MAP Cap)
  4. Number of Class A Average Daily Departures (ADDs) allocated for passenger service
  5. Number of Class A Average Daily Departures (ADDs) allocated for all-cargo service
  6. Number of passenger loading bridges
The original Settlement Agreement was scheduled to expire December 31, 2005. In 2003, the original four signatories approved a series of amendments to the Settlement Agreement that extended the agreement through December 31, 2015 and allowed for additional facilities and operational capacity and continued to provide environmental protections for the local community.

In early 2012, those signatories came together again to discuss a second extension. A proposed project, crafted by the City of Newport Beach, AWG and SPON, and a series of project alternatives are set to be studied in an environmental review that is about to begin.

The first step in the process is the issuance of a Notice of Preparation (NOP)/Initial Study. The NOP is intended to notify specific parties that an EIR is being prepared. It includes a description and the location of the project, as well as probable environmental effects of the project to be analyzed in the EIR. To view a copy of the NOP issued October 1, please click here.

JWA will be hosting a scoping meeting on the NOP. The meeting will be open to the public and take place Thursday, October 17 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Airport Commission room in JWA’s administrative offices located at 3160 Airway Avenue, Costa Mesa. Airport staff and the primary EIR consultant (BonTerra) will be present to discuss the CEQA process and receive comments.

A Draft EIR, presenting the results of the environmental analysis, is expected to be published in the first quarter of 2014 and will be made available for public review and comment. Following the public comment period, the Draft EIR is scheduled to be presented to the Board of Supervisors for consideration in summer 2014.

For more information, please click here. For more Airport news, please click here.

SAFETY SENTRY

Red Flag Warning Issued for Orange County

The National Weather Service, San Diego, has issued a Red Flag Warning for Orange County, which will be in effect through 8 p.m. Sunday, October 6. The Red Flag Warning has been issued due to expected warm temperatures, strong gusty winds and low humidity. A Red Flag Warning means critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or are imminent.

Winds will average between 25-40 mph with gusts to 50-65 mph. Peak winds are indicated for Friday night and Saturday. Current guidance indicates the wind will likely reach the coastal areas. A prolonged period of low relative humidity (5-10%) with poor overnight recovery is also predicted.

For more information, please click here. For information on being prepared for wildfires, please click here.

Youth Commit to Drug-Free Life during Red Ribbon Week

Since 1988, Orange County has been celebrating Red Ribbon Week, a national drug prevention effort that takes place during the month of October. Drug Use Is Life Abuse (DUILA) plays a leading role in this effort in Orange County. For 25 years, DUILA has provided Red Ribbon wristbands to every school-aged child in public and private schools in Orange County. This amounts to an astounding one million Red Ribbon wristbands annually.

Additionally, DUILA partners with local businesses to provide incentives for students who wear the Red Ribbon wristbands in recognition of their commitment to be drug-free. Students must be wearing their Red Ribbon wristbands to receive the deals.

For more information and a listing of the incentives available October 4–27, please click here, here and here.

RSM Cyber Safety and Bullying Class for Parents

The American Academy of Pediatrics calls cyber bullying the "most common online risk for all teens." Younger children are also affected by this new form of bullying.

The Cyber Safety and Bullying Class on October 7 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center in Rancho Santa Margarita will provide parents with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively supervise their children in the online world of social networks.

This FREE parents-only class will be discussing graphic examples of bullying and the emotional impact on young children. This class is not appropriate for young people under 18 years of age. Pre-registration is required.

For more information, please click here, here and here.

Drug Awareness Summit in Laguna Niguel

What parents don't know could result in tragedy! On Wednesday, October 16, please attend a FREE Drug Awareness Summit titled “Drugs Don’t Discriminate” from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Laguna Niguel City Council Chambers to learn about the different types of drugs available and the dangers facing our youth today, as well as what to look for, the signs of drug abuse, and available treatments.

For more information, please click here.

South County Community Alert Siren Test

The Community Alert sirens will be heard Wednesday, October 16, in the Cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. Residents will hear a long steady siren sound three times between 10:00 a.m. and noon. The sirens will be sounded for about three minutes each time.

You do not need to take action. This 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 City will also activate AlertOC, the mass notification system, on Monday, October 14, advising residents and businesses of the Wednesday, October 16 siren test. It is important that residents and businesses know that this is only a test and there is no actual emergency.

For more information, please click here.

Get Ready to “ShakeOut”

At 10:17 AM on Thursday, October 17, County of Orange employees will join an estimated 9 million residents statewide to ”Drop, Cover and Hold On” during the 2013 Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill.

For more information, please click here.
NOTES FROM THE FIELD

October 5 Hike and Equestrian Ride Postponed

The Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA) Hike and Equestrian Ride scheduled for October 5 has been postponed due to a Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Service. The Red Flag Warning is in effect Friday through Sunday and covers the Trabuco Canyon area as well as many other areas in Orange County.

The safety of the event participants and protection of OCTA’s preserved open space is of the utmost importance. To that end, OCTA plans to hold this event in the near future under safer conditions. I will provide more information once a new date has been scheduled.
CRITTER CHRONICLES

Meet Your Mature Match

Come to the Meet Your Mature Match adoption event hosted by OC Animal Care on Saturday, October 26 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM for FREE adoptions on pets ages 4 and older! The free adoption does not include microchip and license.

For more information, please click here.
TAX COLLECTOR COLLECTIBLES

2013-2014 Secured Property Tax Bills

It’s that time of year again for the annual secured property tax bills to start showing up in your mailbox. The Office of the Treasurer-Tax Collector (TTC) will be mailing the 2013-14 Secured Property Tax Bills to taxpayers October 4–18. Once mailing starts, all secured tax bills for the current year will be available for viewing at ocgov.com/octaxbill.

The physical tax bill will now include a QR code on the front of the bill that, when scanned, will take you directly to your tax bill information online. The last day to make your payment without late penalties is December 10 for the first installment and April 10, 2014 for the second installment. Payments made after these dates will be assessed a 10% late penalty.

The TTC encourages you to “Go Green Electronically” and choose the ease and convenience of paying your bill electronically from their secure website. There is no cost to pay by eCheck through your checking or savings account. The tax bills for the previous three years will also be available. If you need to get a copy for your State or Federal income tax returns, just go online to view and print them.

For more information, please click here.
SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

Dana Point: State BBQ Championships

The largest BBQ Championship on the West Coast takes place Saturday, October 5 from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Sea Terrace Park in Dana Point. For more information, please click here.

San Clemente: Seafest

The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 26th Annual San Clemente Seafest on Sunday, October 6 from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the historic San Clemente Pier area. For more information, please click here.

Aliso Viejo: Founder's Day Celebration

The public is invited to meet one of Orange County's founding families - the Moulton family - and learn about the history of Aliso Viejo during the City's Founder's Day celebration on Saturday, October 12 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the 7-acre City ranch, located at 100 Park Ave. For more information, please click here.
FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP

In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:
  • Attended the Discovery Science Center Gala in Laguna Beach to accept the Arnold O. Beckman Corporate Award for Innovation on behalf of OC Waste & Recycling.
  • Attended the Rancho Santa Margarita “State of the City” event.
  • Adjourned the Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of Laguna Beach police officer and Dana Point resident Jon Steven Coutchie.

 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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