Header image with Photo of Supervisor Pat Bates. Followed by office information
December 20, 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. A SPECIAL HOLIDAY MESSAGE FROM PAT BATES

2. BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

3. TRANSPORATION INFORMATION

4. SAFETY SENTRY

5. AIRPORT ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES

6. HEALTH HERALD

7. COUNTY CONNECTIONS

8. CRITTER CHRONICLES

9. RECORDER RECORD

10. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

11. 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 50
A SPECIAL HOLIDAY MESSAGE FROM PAT BATES
Fifth District Holiday Greetings

On behalf of myself and my staff, I extend our heartfelt best wishes to you and yours for a safe and Happy Holiday Season and a New Year blessed with good health, good friends and success in all your endeavors!

Please look for the Fifth District Report to return in January.

Warmest Regards,

Pat Bates

BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

Amendments to Vicious/Potentially Dangerous Dog Ordinances

The Board of Supervisors approved the first reading of the County’s Dangerous Dog Ordinance. OC Animal Care will utilize the ordinance to further assist in mitigating issues in Orange County related to aggressive dogs.

The primary updates to the ordinance were in relation to the definition of a vicious and dangerous dog. Aggressive dogs will now be defined by Levels 1, 2, and 3, which describe the severity of their aggressive behavior. This replaces the general category of potentially dangerous and vicious dogs. Additionally, the ordinance institutes a mandate on the agency that it seek destruction on all declared level 3 dogs, which are dogs that have killed or severely injured a human being or another domesticated animal without provocation.

The Board did not support the creation of a website which would have posted the names and addresses of these dogs and their owners. However, residents may still request this information by contacting OC Animal Care. We believe the Board has established a very comprehensive ordinance/program that will give us more tools to protect the public from aggressive dogs.

For more information, please click here.

Social Host Ordinance

After listening to numerous public speakers, both for and against, the Board ultimately decided not to take up the proposed Social Host Ordinance for the Unincorporated Areas of Orange County. The ordinance would have imposed a $750 administrative fine on a “responsible person,” who willingly allowed an underage person to consume alcohol in their presence at a gathering where three or more persons were involved.

The second and subsequent violation of the ordinance would have resulted in a misdemeanor, a $1,000 fine and the possibility of six months in jail. The motion to approve the ordinance died for a lack of a second, therefore the proposal ended without a formal vote being cast.

For more information, please click here.

I addressed both the supporters and opponents in the audience, agreeing that underage drinking is a growing problem in our communities.

We must work with parents and our schools to educate children and their families that serving alcohol to underage persons should not be tolerated nor permitted. To promote this goal, I will be requesting the Orange County Board of Education and the Orange County Superintendent of Schools to engage on this issue and encourage parents to sign a pledge developed by the Huntington Beach High School PTA that they will not allow underage drinking to occur with their knowledge or in the confines of their own home or property.

I’ll be keeping you up to date on this issue as this develops further.

Public Administrator Salary

The Board approved the re-establishment of the salary for the Public Administrator to an annual flat rate of $32,406. This change was necessary as the Registrar of Voters will soon be printing the Candidate Handbook for the June 3, 2014 primary election and the filing fee for the Public Administrator is based upon the listed salary of that position. The action taken by the Board will lower the filing fee for any candidates that plan to run for the Public Administrator position.

Ladera Ranch CFD (Mello Roos) Refunding

From 2002-2004, the County Board of Supervisors approved the issuance of Special Tax Bonds for six Community Facilities Districts (CFDs) in Ladera Ranch to fund the acquisition and construction of public facilities; three of the CFD’s were refunded in December 2005. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors approved the issuance of Special Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds for the 2002-1 Series A and 2003-1 Series A to facilitate the refunding of these CFD Bonds. This refunding issuance will translate to an estimated annual per parcel savings of $495 for CFD 2002-1 and $431 CFD 2003-1. At this time the CFD 2004-1 Bond is not included in this refunding but will be considered in early 2014.

To learn more about this item click here.

Orange County’s 125th Birthday

The Board approved designating 2014 as the year of Orange County's Quasquicentennial (125th Birthday) and support ongoing commemorative events, as well as a special County logo with a blue banner as the official Quasquicentennial logo for use on County materials and publications for 2014.

For more information, please click here.

Friends of the Laguna Niguel Library Donation

The Board accepted donation from the Friends of the Laguna Niguel Library in the amount of $32,496.64 to offset the cost of a new audio/visual system.

For more information, please click here.

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

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.

The Toll Roads

The Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) successfully refinanced $2.3 billion in outstanding debt that was originally issued in 1999. The refinancing extends F/ETCA debt from 2040 to 2053, lowers annual payments through 2040, and reduces the maximum annual debt payment by 24 percent.

The bond refinancing will create a flexible financing structure and keeps the agency in a very strong financial position, allowing The Tolls Roads to continue to provide a valuable choice for Orange County residents and commuters.

For more information, please click here.

SAFETY SENTRY

Orange County DUI Task Force Holiday Crackdown

This holiday season, state and local law enforcement will be out in force, cracking down on drunk drivers throughout the region with aggressive “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement.

Through January 1, the Orange County ‘Avoid the 38’ DUI Task Force will be watching for drunk drivers to help keep roads safe for holiday travelers. Enforcement efforts will include:
  • 12 DUI/Driver’s license checkpoints
  • A multi-agency strike team
  • 14 local DUI saturation patrols
  • 2 DUI warrant/probation sweeps; and
  • A DUI court sting operation targeting suspended drivers who were ordered not to drive by a judge.
For more information, please click here and here.

Unfortunately, the excitement and celebrations of the holiday season can lead to terrible decisions and serious legal consequences. The holiday season is a particularly deadly time due to the increased number of drunk drivers on the roads, and every law enforcement agency in the County is prepared to stop and arrest any drunk driver they see to keep roads safe.

The DUI Task Force encourages the public to observe the following tips to keep the holidays safe and happy:
  • Plan ahead and designate a sober driver before the party begins. If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Even one drink can impair your judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving drunk—or worse, the risk of having a crash while driving.
  • If you have been drinking, do not drive. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation. The Orange County Transit Authority (OCTA) will be offering free bus rides on all fixed-route buses on New Year’s Eve to promote safe travel. Free bus rides will be available from 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, until 2:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 1.
  • Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.
  • If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.
For more information, please click here.

AIRPORT ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES

JWA Travel Tips for December Holiday Season

John Wayne Airport (JWA) anticipates a busier-than-normal travel period between December 20 and January 3. To ensure a smooth visit to JWA, passengers are encouraged to plan ahead and arrive at the Airport 90 minutes to 2 hours prior to their departure time for domestic flights, and 3 hours for international flights. For more JWA holiday travel tips, please click here.

HEALTH HERALD

Get a Flu Vaccination for a Healthy Holiday Season

The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) reminds people that the best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated. Peak flu season has not yet arrived and 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.

Flu vaccine is widely available from medical providers throughout Orange County or you can find a local flu vaccine provider at flushot.healthmap.org. Information about locations and dates of other community sites offering free flu vaccine is available at www.ochealthinfo.com/flu.

If you do not have a medical provider or health insurance coverage, free flu shots are available through the Health Care Agency’s Family Health Clinic located at 1725 W. 17th Street, Santa Ana.

For information about the County’s flu shot program, please call the HCA Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448 or click here. For more information, please click here.

COUNTY CONNECTIONS

County of Orange Armory Emergency Shelters Need You

Every year, the County of Orange contracts with Mercy House Living Centers, Inc. to operate and provide services for the County’s Armory Emergency Shelter Program. To that end, the shelter at the Fullerton Armory and the Santa Ana Armory are now open.

The Armory Program provides a safe place to sleep and shelter from the winter weather, along with hot meals, showers, clothing, blankets, and other supportive services to approximately 400 homeless people per night.

The success of the Armory Program is largely due to the collaborative efforts of County agencies, the State of California’s Army National Guard, the participating cities of Fullerton, Santa Ana, and Anaheim, churches, nonprofit agencies, and dedicated individuals who generously volunteer their time.

Volunteer opportunities include: helping the homeless to sign-in, distributing blankets or clothing, serving food, as well as setting up and/or cleaning up. Individuals interested in volunteering can contact Irene Mendoza of Mercy House at IreneM@mercyhouse.net.

Donations of gently used and new items to the Armory Program can be dropped off Monday through Thursday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM from December through March at the two armories:
  • Fullerton Armory, 400 S. Brookhurst Rd. (Corner of Brookhurst Rd. and Valencia Dr.)
  • Santa Ana Armory, 612 E. Warner Ave. (Between Main St. and Grand Ave.)
For more information on the Armory Emergency Shelter Program, please visit Mercy House’s website at www.mercyhouse.net. For any other questions about homeless issues, please contact OC Community Services Director Karen Roper at (714) 480-2805 or karen.roper@occr.ocgov.com.

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.

CRITTER CHRONICLES

Photo with Santa

Bring your pet to OC Animal Care – December 21 & 22 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM – for a photo with Santa! All participants will receive a festive holiday frame with their pet’s photo. We will also email you a digital copy to share with friends and family! All donations will benefit the animals of OC Animal Care!

For more information, please click here.

RECORDER RECORD

Clerk-Recorder Saturday Hours

Due to high demand and increasing popularity, the OC Clerk-Recorder Department will continue its special Saturday office openings in 2014. Appointments are being taken now for marriage licenses and ceremonies, as well as passport services, for January 11 and February 8 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

For more information, please click here.

SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

Rancho Santa Margarita: New Year’s Eve Celebration

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita will host its 13th Annual Community New Year’s Eve celebration on Tuesday, December 31. The event will be held at the Rancho Santa Margarita Civic Plaza and Central Park from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. For more information, please call Community Services at (949) 216-9700 or click here and here.

FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP

In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:
  • Participated in Laguna Niguel's 23rd annual holiday parade
  • Attended Laguna Niguel's American Legion's holiday event to view the Dana Point Boat Parade
  • Met with members of the OC Animal Care Advisory Committee and the community animal rescue groups to seek input on the vicious dog ordinance.
  • Attended Laguna Woods City Council Meeting to present a proclamation to retiring City Council Member and Mayor Pro-Tem Milt Robbins.

The regular meetings of the Board of Supervisors will re-convene on January 14, 2014. Until then, we wish you and yours a Merry Christmas, the happiest of holidays and a happy and prosperous New Year!

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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