Augst 29, 2014 |
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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. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
3. AIRPORT ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES
4. SAFETY SENTRY
5. NOTES FROM THE FIELD
6. HARBOR HAPPENINGS
7. TAX COLLECTOR COLLECTIBLES
8. ENVIRONMETNAL MEMOS
9. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT
10. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR
11. FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP
OUR STAFF...
Don Hughes:
Chief of Staff
Brian Probolsky:
Interim Chief of Staff
Sergio Prince:
Policy Advisor
Erik Weigand:
Deputy Chief of Staff
Veronica Carpenter:
Policy Advisor
James Dinwiddie:
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 2014, please click here.
Our next Board meeting will be held Tuesday, September 9. 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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| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
Consultant Selection for the Preparation of Plans, Specifications, and Estimate for the Laguna Niguel to San Juan Capistrano Passing Siding Project
On Monday, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors (Board) approved the selection of HNTB Corporation as the firm to prepare the plans, specifications, and estimate for the Laguna Niguel to San Juan Capistrano passing siding project.
OCTA, in coordination with Metrolink and the cities of Laguna Niguel (LN) and San Juan Capistrano (SJC), proposes the addition of approximately 1.8 miles of new passing siding railroad track adjacent to the existing main track between milepost (MP) 193.9 and MP 195.7 along the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor that serves Metrolink commuter trains, Amtrak intercity trains, and BNSF Railway and Union Pacific freight trains.
The preliminary engineering for the LN to SJC passing siding project (Project) was completed in January 2013. Environmental documents were prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, completed in March 2014, and with the California Environmental Quality Act, completed in February 2014.
Following the final design phase, construction is expected to begin in 2016 and public outreach will be conducted in advance of and during the construction period.
I will no longer be on the OCTA Board of Directors at the completion of this project however I want to extend my gratitude to OCTA Staff for all of their dedication to this project.
To view the Staff Report please click here.
To learn more about the project please visit here.
Bicycle Program Outreach Update
The OCTA Board received an update on activities associated with bicycle planning outreach and upcoming safety programs will be presented.
Bike safety is everyone’s responsibility. That includes bike riders of all ages, motorists, pedestrians, and OCTA.
To that end the goals of OCTA’s Bicycle Outreach program are as follows:
- Educate and promote bike safety
- Support bikeways planning
- Raise awareness of the OC Bike Loop
The second 5th District Bikeways Roundtable will be held on September 17, 5:30-7:30 PM at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center.
To view the update the Board received please click here.
To learn more about the 5th District Bikeways Roundtable #2 please click here.
Ortega Highway Construction Update
The Ortega Highway project is entering its last phase of construction, which requires closures and detours that will impact your drive. Alternate routes will be required to access downtown, nearby schools, and local shops and restaurants in and around the project area.
Beginning on Monday, Sept. 8, 2014 at 11:59 p.m., crews will close the northbound I-5 off-ramp to Ortega Highway for approximately two weeks. The closure is required to realign and reconstruct this on-ramp to tie-in with the new south-half of the Ortega Highway bridge.
Alternate routes will be required to access downtown, nearby schools, and local shops and restaurants in and around the project area. For more information, or to sign-up to receive weekly emails, please visit www.octa.net/ORTEGA.
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| AIRPORT ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES |
JWA: Labor Day Holiday Weekend Travel Tips
John Wayne Airport (JWA) anticipates a busier-than-normal travel period from Thursday, August 28 through Tuesday, September 2, during the Labor Day holiday weekend, with the busiest travel days being the Thursday before and Tuesday following Labor Day.
Visitors to JWA during this holiday period can check the Airport homepage www.ocair.com for the most up-to-date construction activities around the Riley Terminal. Drivers are encouraged to exercise caution when navigating Airport roadways and follow posted speed limits.
For more JWA travel tips and other information, please click here.
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| SAFETY SENTRY |
Summer / Labor Day Holiday Avoid DUI Campaign
The Summer/Labor Day National Anti-DUI crackdown has resulted in a significant number of DUI arrests from routine traffic enforcement and special “Avoid the 38” Task Force DUI deployments. For more information, please click here.
Over the course of the enforcement period ending September 2, checkpoints, saturation patrols and warrant events will continue to be conducted throughout Orange County. All regularly scheduled traffic and patrol officers will focus efforts at stopping and arresting DUI drivers during their normal shifts.
The Laguna Beach Police Department will also be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint at an undisclosed location within the City limits along with special DUI Roving Saturation Patrols over the Labor Day weekend.
Barbecue Safety Tips
Summertime is barbecue time. Below are tips to help you safely enjoy your natural gas barbecue:
- Locate your barbecue away from combustible surfaces such as wood siding or deck railings.
- Install a flexible gas line connection from the barbecue to the gas houseline to reduce the possibility of damage due to movement.
- Keep the area near the barbecue free from combustible materials such as leaves.
- When lighting a gas barbecue, always keep the lid open and your head away from the grill.
- If the grill fails to light, keep the lid open for at least five minutes to allow residual gas to disperse before attempting to relight.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of fire.
- Always follow the manufacturer's instructions that accompany the natural gas barbecue.
For more information, please click here.
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| NOTES FROM THE FIELD |
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park: Sunset Hike
Join OC Parks this Saturday night, August 30 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, for a special sunset hike at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.
Hike with Ranger Adam Martinez as the sun sets over Laurel and Willow canyons. Observe the changes as day turns to night. Hear the last bird songs. Light interpretation with questions welcome. The terrain can often be rocky and uneven.
- Participants should bring water, a snack, a flashlight, and wear proper hiking shoes.
- Ages 12 and up.
- Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Canyon Staging Area (20101 Laguna Canyon Road, just south of El Toro Road intersection).
- For questions, call (949) 497-8324.
- Parking: $3/vehicle.
You can register online be clicking here.
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| HARBOR HAPPENINGS |
OC Dana Point Harbor: Upcoming Events
Labor Day Weekend
Special Labor Day Weekend Parking Announcement
In an effort to provide the greatest amount of parking for boaters using their vessels
for the Labor Day weekend, OC Dana Point Harbor, working with our partners at Catalina Express, Dana Wharf Sportfishing, Dana Point Harbor Association, Dana West Marina, Dana Point Marina Company, and Vintage Marina Partners are implementing the following actions:
On 9/1/14 most Catalina Express customers will be directed to park at the Nordhavn Lot and the Embarcadero one acre parcel. OC Dana Point Harbor and Vintage Marina Partners will be providing a shuttle to transport passengers to and from the Nordhavn Lot.
Merchant and Restaurant employees will be directed to park at the Embarcadero one acre parcel on 9/1/14.
Boaters with appropriate gate cards or windshield passes on their vehicle will have access to the boater lots, and staff will be diligent in accommodating guests in the lots. With that in mind, please remember:
- Depending upon the weather, public parking and picnic areas fill up early so plan accordingly.
- Marina parking lots will be staffed as required.
- If you are a boater, plan ahead and bring supplies to your boat early.
- Attendants will be monitoring parking during the Holiday weekend.
- Campers, R.V.s and trailers are prohibited in marina lots and may be towed.
- If you have guests coming, make plans to meet them at the parking gate.
- Marina Staff will monitor availability and use discretion regarding how many guest vehicles will be admitted to the parking lots.
- Please encourage your guests to carpool and use on-street parking. Remember, you must meet your guest at the gate for them to gain access to the parking lots.
For more information please visit here.
Tall Ships Festival
The Tall Ships Festival in Dana Point Harbor will take place Sept. 5 – 7, beginning with the Tall Ships Sunset Parade sail Friday from 5 PM to 7 PM. The Tall Ships Sunset Cannon Battle will take place Saturday and Sunday between 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM.
Boaters should remember that Tall Ships do not maneuver easily and that ship crews may not see smaller vessels as they close in. Therefore, boaters are advised to maintain a safe distance from Tall Ships at all times.
Public parking will be available at the Selva Lot and the RH Dana Elementary School Lot, with shuttles running 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM.
For more information, please click here.
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| TAX COLLECTOR COLLECTIBLES |
Unsecured Property Tax Bill Payments Due August 31
The due date for Unsecured Property Tax bills mailed in July is August 31. These are taxes on business property, leased equipment, boats, and aircraft. Mailed payments must be received by this date or have a United States Postal Service postmark on or before September 3 to avoid incurring a 10% late penalty fee plus a $75 collection fee.
The Treasure-Tax Collector encourages taxpayers to save the cost of a stamp and pay on-line by eCheck at www.ocgov.com/octaxbill (there is no charge for this service). Once the eCheck payment is made, taxpayers will receive an email confirmation receipt they can print for their records or they can print the payment confirmation page. Online payments are considered timely up to midnight September 3.
Credit and debit card payments are also accepted through the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s website or through the automated telephone system by calling (714) 834-3411 (2.3% convenience fee for all credit and non-VISA debit cards with a minimum of $3.95 or $3.95 for VISA debit cards).
Payments can also be made in person at the Office of the Treasurer-Tax Collector at 625 N. Ross Street, Room G-58 in Santa Ana between 8:00 AM and 4:45 PM. Parking is not validated.
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| ENVIRONMETNAL MEMOS |
California Coastal Cleanup Day September 20
Every year, on the third Saturday in September, people join together at sites all over California to take part in the State's largest volunteer event – California Coastal Cleanup Day.
For more information please click here.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT |
Laguna Niguel Chamber CEO Celebrates 25 Years
This year marks Debbie Newman’s 25th year serving as the President and CEO of the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce, as long as Laguna Niguel has been a city.
The Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce is an organization comprised of nearly 350 members from the business and professional world who come together to promote commercial progress within the City. Over the past 25 years, the Chamber has grown and flourished under Ms. Newsman’s leadership.
Serving as CEO, Debbie has helped to create and promote a positive environment for all of the members of the Chamber, scheduling once-a-month networking events, providing educational luncheons, and holding large events such as the Taste of Laguna Niguel.
I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to CEO Debbie Newman and commend her for the outstanding efforts in promoting the civic and commercial progress of the City of Laguna Niguel.
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| SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR |
Laguna Beach: Art Festival Season
Laguna Beach’s world famous summer art festival season runs daily throughout the summer. For information on the Festival of Arts / Pageant of the Masters, please click here. For information on the Sawdust Art Festival, please click here. For information on Art-A-Fair, please click here.
Rancho Santa Margarita: Patriot Day Event
Join friends and neighbors at the City of Rancho Santa Margarita’s Patriot Day event Sunday, September 7th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Civic Plaza at Central Park. With involvement from the City’s adopted 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (2/5), this year’s event has been expanded into a FREE all day event. 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:
- Participated in OCTA’s Finance and Administration Committee Meeting and the Board of Directors Meeting.
- Attended a briefing on Saddleback Hospital’s programs, staffing changes, and services.
- Met with Vice Chair of OCTA’s Environmental Oversight Committee to discuss OCTA’s Environmental Mitigation Program’s progress.
- Attended the Affordable Housing Ad Hoc Committee.
- Presented a certificate in recognition of the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of Laura’s House Resale Shop.
- Participated in the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) community engagement panel, established to review the ongoing decommissioning process.
My office also:
- Met with the County’s legislative staff to discuss the 2014/15 Legislative Platform.
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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