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March 1, 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. RECORDER RECORD
5. HEALTH HERALD
6. CRITTER CHRONICLES
7. NOTES FROM THE FIELD
8. LIBRARY LAUREATE
9. TAX COLLECTOR COLLECTIBLES
10. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT
11. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR
12. 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 |
Operation Stonegarden
The Board accepted $283,567 in funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for Operation Stonegarden. This is a Homeland Security Grant Program for border states and is used to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement agencies to secure our borders.
The grant will be used by the Sheriff’s Department to fund overtime in the Harbor Patrol and Air Support bureaus, helicopter flight costs, boat fuel and maintenance costs, and equipment. Orange County will also be working in conjunction with San Diego, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties.
For more information, please click here.
Law Enforcement Contract Legislation
The Board voted to support SB 298, a bill which will allow homeowners associations within the sphere of influence of another local government agency to contract for supplemental law enforcement services with that agency.
This bill was introduced by State Senators Mark Wyland and Mimi Walters at the request of my office. Under current law, there is no authority for a county or city to provide ongoing law enforcement services to a private entity in exchange for payment. I am pursing this legislative change at the request of citizens in the unincorporated areas of my supervisorial district.
While Orange County’s unincorporated areas are already patrolled by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for general law enforcement service, the bill will provide the ability to increase the contract for extra services. This can also enhance the type of service that will be provided, as well as save in costs.
San Juan Creek Bike Trail at Pacific Coast Highway Project
The Board awarded a contract to Patriot Contract & Engineering, Inc. for construction of the San Juan Creek Bike Trail at Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) Project located within the City of Dana Point. The Project will reduce the flooding of the bike trail by constructing a concrete U-shaped channel under the PCH Bridge, thereby separating the bike trail from the creek.
The Project is a cooperative development between the City of Dana Point, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and the County of Orange (OC Parks). OC Parks is funding the Project with reimbursement from federal funds and the City.
For more information, please click here.
Rancho Mission Viejo Tract Maps
The Board approved two Final Tract Maps as part of the Rancho Mission Viejo Planned Community (“Ranch Plan”). Approval of these Final Tract Maps and actions related to the dedication of easements and vehicular access rights provide for streets, street lights, sewer, water, and survey monumentation for portions of the Gavilan and Sendero developments within Planning Area 1 of the Ranch Plan.
Final Tract Map No.17058, which comprises a portion of the Sendero Village development and is co-owned by Ryland Homes, consists of approximately 11.7 acres, and contains 79 numbered lots in total, where 78 lots are for single-family residential development and one lot is for a pocket park.
Final Tract Map No. 17462, which comprises a portion of the Gavilan development and is co-owned by Pulte Home Corporation, consists of approximately 7.2 acres, and contains 29 numbered lots for single-family residential development, and four lettered lots for private streets, slope and landscaping purposes, public utilities, and emergency access.
RMV Community Development is a co-owner for both of these Tract Maps. For more information, please click here and here.
New Crossing Guard Assigned to Ladera Ranch
The Board approved a Traffic Committee recommendation to assign an additional crossing guard to the intersection of Sellas Road and Snapdragon Street in the unincorporated community of Ladera Ranch. Ladera Ranch School is located adjacent to this intersection, and an elementary school, middle school and public library share the site.
One crossing guard was originally assigned to serve at the intersection in 2006. Since that time, there has been a 150% increase in children crossing Sellas Road during the AM peak hour and a 650% increase in children crossing Sellas Road during the PM peak hour.
At the request of community residents, County traffic engineering staff initiated a review of the intersection. Given the high volume of children that use it, and the fact that there are two legs of the intersection, the review determined that assigning an additional crossing guard to this intersection will enhance pedestrian safety.
For more information, please click here.
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| SOUTH COUNTY NEWS |
6th Annual South County Senior Summit a Success
Well over 800 older adults attended my 6th annual South County Senior Summit held last week in Laguna Woods. The theme of the 2013 Senior Summit was “Dignity, Safety, and Independence: Educating Older Adults and Honoring Veterans.” While at the Senior Summit, guests were treated to an array of vendor booths, as well as important information for older adults and their caretakers.
The formal program began with a tribute to veterans, at which time it was my great pleasure to present members of the Orange County Veterans Advisory Council with the first County of Orange Veterans Resource Directory. I recently directed County staff to produce the Veterans Resource Directory to provide much needed information on the programs and services offered by the County of Orange for veterans and their families.
For a copy of the Veterans Resource Directory, please call the Orange County Veterans Service Office at (714) 480-6555 or click here.
In addition, as our older adult community must be protected from the criminals who would prey on them, the second half of the Senior Summit focused on Elder Fraud & Abuse Prevention, featuring an expert panel of speakers, including Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas.
For more information about the 6th annual South County Senior Summit, please click here and here. To view photos of the event, please click here.
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| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
Farewell to OCTA CEO Will Kempton
February 28 marked the last day of CEO Will Kempton’s tenure heading up the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA). He is heading to Sacramento to lead Transportation California, a nonprofit association of industry that advocates for improvements to the transportation program. The OCTA Board of Directors has appointed Deputy CEO Darrell Johnson to become OCTA's new CEO.
At Monday’s Board of Directors meeting, staff presented a tribute video to CEO Kempton, with highlights of the work he has accomplished since joining the agency in 2009. To view the video, click here.
I extend my deepest appreciation to Mr. Kempton for his dedicated service to OCTA. His leadership was instrumental in steering us through the economic recession. Under his direction, OCTA implemented its first five-year strategic plan that refined the agency's vision, mission and goals that also included performance metrics for public review. I wish him continued success in all future endeavors.
OCTA and Metrolink Team Up for Festival of Whales
OCTA is teaming up with Metrolink to help Orange County residents celebrate the 42nd annual Dana Point Festival of Whales the weekends of March 2–3 and March 9–10. The Festival of Whales celebrates the California gray whales on their annual migration to Baja.
Those who ride Metrolink to the event can use their ticket and receive 50 percent off whale-watching activities. Visitors also can receive a $69 per night room rate at the Dana Point Marina Inn when mentioning OCTA at the time of reservation.
Upon arrival at the San Juan Capistrano station, all Metrolink tickets are good for FREE connecting OCTA buses to the festival in Dana Point.
For train schedules and festival information, please click here and here.
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| RECORDER RECORD |
Clerk Recorder South County Office Celebrates Seven Years
More than 200,000 people have used the convenient South County branch office of the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department since it opened seven years ago. The office is located in the Laguna Hills Civic Center at 24031 El Toro Road.
Previously, South County customers had to drive to downtown Santa Ana for copies of birth and death certificates, marriage licenses and to record property documents. Providing services closer to home has proven popular. More than 11,000 couples have married at the South County office, with 31,000 marriage licenses issued and more than 183,000 copies of birth, death and marriage records processed.
Other services available at the South County office include recording and issuing copies of real property documents, filing environmental impact reports and filing fictitious business name statements.
Hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM with ample FREE parking. For more information, please click here.
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| HEALTH HERALD |
Building Healthy Families Parenting Strategies and Solutions
Due to the life-threatening concerns about the dangers of underage drinking and Rx/OTC drug use, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence - Orange County/Community Alliance Network and the Dana Hills High School PTSA are hosting a community meeting titled "Building Healthy Families Parenting Strategies and Solutions."
This community meeting will be held at Dana Hills High School on Tuesday, March 5 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. For more information about the event, please contact Leila Esfandiari at (949) 595-2288 ext. 328 or lesfandiari@canoc.org.
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| CRITTER CHRONICLES |
2012 OC Animal Care Statistics
OC Animal Care’s 2012 statistics are now posted on their website. In addition to providing comprehensive statistics for 2012, they also provide a breakdown for each city they serve.
OC Animal Care is happy to report that their overall intake continues to decrease! In 2012, it decreased by almost 1,500 animals. In fact, if you look at just cats and dogs (their primary intake), it decreased by almost 1,600.
Although their Return to Owner statistics may not show it, OC Animal Care believes that the lower intake, particularly with dogs, has been reduced due to greater awareness and efforts related to Dog Licensing and pet ID, as well as more spay/neuter education.
Another positive is their Adoptions/Live Release numbers held steady across the board.
For more information, please click here.
South County Low Cost Pet Vaccination Clinic
On the first Wednesday of every month, the City of Rancho Santa Margarita hosts a low cost pet vaccination clinic at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Beginning Wednesday, March 6, the vaccination clinic will open early for cats only at 6:30 PM to alleviate stress on our feline friends.
No appointment is needed. Pets are treated on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please click here.
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| NOTES FROM THE FIELD |
Caspers Wilderness Park 5K/10K & 1K Kids Run
The Caspers Wilderness Park 5K/10K & 1K Kids Run takes place Sunday, March 17 at Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park. Caspers Wilderness Park offers 8,000 acres of protected preserve nestled among the river terraces and sandstone canyons of the western coastal Sana Ana Mountains.
For more information, please click here.
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| LIBRARY LAUREATE |
Registration Opens for Literary Orange 2013
Literary Orange, an annual event presented by OC Public Libraries, offers attendees the opportunity to engage with an exciting array of authors while learning all about the writing process.
This year’s daylong celebration will take place Saturday, April 6 at the Irvine Marriott and will feature keynote speakers J.A. Jance and Tatjana Soli, as well as the following panel discussion sessions:
- Agents Panel: The Business of Writing
- Children’s Panel: The Illustrated Story
- Food Panel: Eat Your Words – Writers on Food and Culture
- Horror Panel: Dead and Loving It
- Inspirational Panel: Hope and Faith – Inspirational Fiction
- Literary Fiction Panel: Southland Stories
- Memoirs Panel: Triumph of the Human Spirit
- Mystery Panel: Sweet and Sinister
- Poetry Panel: A Visual Language
- Romance Panel: Love Between the Pages
- Young Adult Panel: The Awesome Age
For more information, please click here.
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| TAX COLLECTOR COLLECTIBLES |
Property Tax Auction
As previously reported in my newsletter, 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 |
NBA Legend Inspires Students to Appreciate Diversity
Children's book author and NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar visited South County students at Canyon Vista Elementary and Don Juan Avila Middle schools last week to discuss African American inventors and history.
The former Los Angeles Lakers great, who recently wrote "What Color is My World: The Lost History of African-American Inventors," also discussed the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education with students.
In addition to his most recent book, Abdul-Jabbar has written six other titles. Last year, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appointed him U.S. Cultural Ambassador, and he is also California's Afterschool STEM Ambassador.
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| SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR |
Laguna Beach: Patriots Day Parade
This year’s Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade is scheduled Saturday, March 2 from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM. For more information, please click here.
Dana Point: 42nd Annual Festival of Whales
This weekend and next (March 2-3 and 9-10), California Gray Whales on their annual migration to Mexico will splash by the seaside community of Dana Point during the 42nd annual Festival of Whales. For more information on the Festival of Whales, please click here and here.
Mission Viejo: Award-Winning Irish Dancers
Children ages 4 and older are invited to a riveting Riverdance-style performance of jigs, reels and hornpipes by award-winning Irish dancers at two free shows on Saturday, March 9 (2:00 PM and 3:30 PM) at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way. For more information, please click here.
Rancho Santa Margarita: Spring Classes
Spring is almost here and an array of classes is being offered at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center for a great season of fun in Rancho Santa Margarita. For more information, please click here.
Lake Forest: Spring Leisure Times
The City of Lake Forest has released its Spring Leisure Times, featuring fun events and classes for residents. For more information, please click here and here.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP |
In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:
- Met with the San Diego Association of Governments and the Riverside Conservation Authority to discuss long-term land management of environmental programs.
- Traveled to Sacramento to meet with legislative representatives on County sponsored legislation.
- Attended a reception to kick-off the 2013 Dana Point Festival of Whales.
- Adjourned the Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of Melvin Edwards of Laguna Hills, and Larry Collins of Laguna Woods.
My office also:
- Met with representatives of the Kennedy Commission to discuss affordable housing priorities for this year.
- Attended the Orange County DUI Task Force Summit at Concordia University in Irvine.
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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