September 15, 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. HEALTH HERALD
4. CRITTER CHRONICLES
5. SAFETY SENTRY
6. HARBOR HAPPENINGS
7. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS
8. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR
9. FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP
OUR STAFF...
Don Hughes:
Chief of Staff
Brian Probolsky:
Interim Chief of Staff
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 |
Installation of Holiday Lights Over County Right-of-Way
The California State Vehicle Code Sections 1450 (b) and 1460, and Orange County Codified Ordinance Section 6-3-28 requires permits for any encroachments over public right-of-ways to ensure public safety on public streets.
During the 2013 holiday season several residents within unincorporated neighborhoods under the County’s jurisdiction strung holiday lights across the public streets (house tops to house tops). The County Public Works department received notice of this and then notified residents that they needed to immediately file for permits or the lights would be taken down.
On short notice the individual homeowners were not able to provide the fee requirement and/or the required liability insurance to obtain the encroachment permit.
Following many discussions with Public Works to avoid removal of the holiday lights, an accelerated permit process was implemented with a one-time waiving of the individual fee (per house fee of $583) and evidence of liability insurance, the lights were allowed to remain. Public Works also decided to evaluate permit fee options for the future.
Those options were presented to the Board which included waiving permit fees for holiday lights and/or allowing a group fee for Homeowners Associations in the amount of $583. I supported those recommendations, the rest of the Board did not.
However, going forward, I’ll be working with the OC Public Works Department to ensure the unincorporated communities, both residents and homeowners associations, are provided with information regarding required encroachment permits and how to proceed for any and all event activities they hold in their neighborhoods.
To view the Staff Report please click here.
If you would like more information on Holiday Light displays please click here.
Orange County Veterans Advisory Council
The Board voted to appoint Colonel Joseph Snyder to represent the 5th District on the Orange County Veterans Advisory Council.
The Council is made up of nine members who are residents of Orange County representing all areas of the county and all are U.S. Military veterans with Honorable Discharges. The function and duties of this Council are: to advise the Board of Supervisors on issues of importance to veterans and their dependents based on input from the veteran community; to provide a source of liaison and communication with various groups relative to veterans issues; and, to promote involvement in veteran's related events and functions within the County.
Colonel Snyder has an extensive background of working with veterans and their families for over two decades that includes counseling veterans on benefits available to them, providing assistance and emergency funds for military families in distress, and supporting special needs for the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Camp Pendleton.
To view the appointment please click here.
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| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
OCTA Board of Directors Meeting
On Monday, the OCTA Board of Directors received an update on OCTA’ Capital Projects Outreach including several freeway widening projects on Interstate 5, State Route 55, and Interstate 405. The presentation also included an update on OC Bridges.
To view the presentation please click here.
OCTA Bikeways Collaborative Supervisorial District 5 Bikeways Roundtable #2
Please join the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), Orange County Council of Governments, Caltrans, County of Orange, and participating agencies for a follow up roundtable discussion about ongoing efforts to improve regional connectivity for bicycling in southern Orange County. Participants are invited to provide feedback on the proposed regional bikeways network and recommendations for subsequent Bikeways Studies. To keep up-to-date on this planning effort please visit www.octa.net/bikeways.
The roundtable discussion #2 will be held on Wednesday, September 17th from 5:30 to 7:30PM at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center.
For more information please click here.
Take Metrolink to San Juan Capistrano’s Greek Festival
Get ready to eat and dance Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28 at the annual San Juan Capistrano Greek Festival. The FREE event, which is sponsored by Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church, will feature dancing lessons, live music, Greek food, art and more.
On your way to the Greek Festival, join OCTA for a festive pre-event on Saturday, September 27 at the Tustin Metrolink Station on September 27 at 9:30 AM. The first 50 event attendees will receive a FREE round-trip Metrolink ticket. Tickets are valid September 27 only and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The kickoff event will feature FREE food courtesy of Daphne’s and music. Attendees will also be able to bring a non-perishable donation for Second Harvest Food Bank to spin OCTA’s prize wheel. Then, attendees can take the train to the San Juan Capistrano Metrolink Station and jump aboard the free festival shuttle. Once there, show your Metrolink ticket and get a FREE Greek pastry at the Greek Pastry Booth. Opa!!
With Caltrans’ I-5/Ortega Highway Interchange Improvement Project under way, Metrolink is the most convenient way to get to the festival. Riders can take Metrolink to San Juan Capistrano from as far away as L.A. Union Station or San Bernardino. Plus, it will cost only $10 with the Metrolink Weekend Day Pass, which is valid for system-wide travel on either Saturday or Sunday.
For more information, please click here.
Transition Program Remains in Place to Ease Driver Conversion to All-Electronic Toll Collection
After cash toll collection ended on Orange County's toll roads on May 14, a program was implemented to ease drivers’ transition to the new all-electronic toll collection system. The transition program -- originally put in place through the long Labor Day weekend -- has been extended as The Toll Roads continue to evaluate data about usage, payments, feedback from customers and reports from customer service representatives.
As part of the transition program:
- Penalty fees for first-time violations are waived if the tolls incurred are paid within 30 days of receiving a notice of toll evasion. Approximately 40 percent of violation notices are sent to people who have never before received a violation notice.
- Drivers without a pre-established tolling account can pay tolls online within seven days after driving the roads using the One-Time-Toll™ payment option. One-Time-Toll was developed to be used within 48 hours of driving the roads. Data is being reviewed to determine if the One-Time-Toll payment timeframe will be extended permanently.
The following improvements have been (or are being) implemented:
- Additional road signs have been installed. There are now 414 signs on the roadway informing drivers that they are on a tolled road; that cash is not accepted; that tolls can be paid electronically via a pre-established account or online using the One-Time-Toll payment option; and that a violation will be issued if tolls are not paid.
- Information about the closure of cash booths and how to pay online has been added to changeable message signs located on freeways leading to The Toll Roads.
- Information about the penalty relief for first-time violations is inserted into first-time violation notices. The notice also includes information about how to sign up for a FasTrak® or ExpressAccount® for future trips.
- To support the conversion, 14 employees were added to the customer service department. Six additional temporary customer service representatives have been added and 20 more are in the process of being added.
- Forty-six additional phone lines are being added to the customer call center. To accommodate callers.
- Adjustments have been made to information on the website to address common questions.
- Outreach programs to the general public; Spanish-speaking community; tourism industry; rental car agencies; seniors; college campuses; and military are being expanded and revamped as needed.
Resolution Adopting the Toll Road Agencies Board of Directors Meeting Schedule for Fiscal Year 14/15
The Board of Directors of both Toll Road Agencies (TCA), the San Joaquin Hills (SJH) and Foothill Eastern (F/E), voted to adopt a resolution revising the regular meeting schedule for Fiscal Year 14/15.
The newly adopted Board meeting schedules will allow for both Boards the necessary time to review meeting materials and allot enough time to fully discuss agenda items during Board meetings.
To view the revised schedules please click here and here.
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| HEALTH HERALD |
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
September 27, 2014
10AM to 2PM
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.
Locate a site near you.
National Emergency Preparedness Month
September is National Emergency Preparedness Month and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Emergency Management Division would like to encourage County residents to prepare and plan for emergency and disaster events. The time is NOW to make a commitment to be the survivor.
September marks National Preparedness Month, which was founded after 9/11 to increase preparedness in the U.S. First responders and emergency managers understand that there will be an overwhelming demand to reach people in distress following a disaster. Getting to every person quickly following an emergency will simply not be possible – especially if trees and power lines are down. It’s imperative that community members take the necessary steps to prepare for emergencies. The more people who are prepared for a disaster, the quicker the community will recover afterwards. Find out more about National Preparedness Month at http://www.ready.gov/september.
It is a time to prepare yourself, your family and your loved ones for any emergency. Follow these three steps:
- Get a Kit: Keep enough emergency supplies on hand for you and those in your care, including water, non-perishable food, first aid, prescriptions, flashlights and a battery-powered radio. For a complete checklist of supplies, visit www.ReadyOC.org.
- Make a Plan: Discuss, agree on, and document an emergency plan with those in your care. For sample plans, see www.ReadyOC.org. Work with your neighbors, colleagues and others to build a community network of resilience.
- Be Informed: Information is available to assist you from federal, state and local resources. You can find preparedness information by:
- Signing up for emergency alerts and notifications at www.AlertOC.com.
- Accessing www.ReadyOC.org to learn what to do before, during, and after an emergency.
- Contacting your local emergency management department and ask for a tour and information about preparedness.
For more information please click here.
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| CRITTER CHRONICLES |
OC Animal Care: MVP Adoption Event
Join OC Animal Care in celebrating the many varieties of pets they have Saturday, September 21 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. You’ll have a chance to interact with some of their most popular breeds in the shelter courtyard. FREE spay/neuter!
For more information, please click here.
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| SAFETY SENTRY |
Register Now For the 5th Annual AlertOC Regional Test
On September 23, 2014 over two million Orange County residents will receive a call to test AlertOC. This is the fifth annual regional test of the system and will include 25 participating cities and the County’s unincorporated areas.
Residents are encouraged to self-register their email addresses, cell phone numbers and other alternate numbers to be a part of the regional test. The key feature of AlertOC is the ability for residents to register more than one contact method at a specific address. Registrations of cell phone and alternate numbers increase the potential of reaching the greatest number of community members as rapidly as possible. This enables landlines, cell phones and e-mail addresses to be incorporated into a single notification system.
The AlertOC drill on September 23, 2014 will replicate a large scale, multi-jurisdictional emergency requiring thousands of numbers to be called simultaneously across Orange County’s entire region. The phone message will urge all residents to prepare for real-life emergencies by registering their cell numbers, text numbers and e-mail addresses at AlertOC.com for the best chance to receive vital, timely information when away from home.
AlertOC smartphone apps are also available for iPhone and Android smartphones. These apps will allow users to receive push notifications, review past messages, update contact information, and set device and language preferences. Smartphone users can find the app by searching “Blackboard MyConnect” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Emergencies can happen at any time. AlertOC is a critical link for residents to immediately learn of any required actions. For more information or to register alternate phone numbers or email addresses, visit AlertOC.com.
Commuters are reminded to be safe and use hands-free devices when talking on the phone and driving.
Click here for more information.
New Orange County Fire Authority Dispatch System Now Online
On September 9th, the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) reached a major milestone as the new TriTech Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system was brought “online”.
OCFA is now using automatic vehicle location data, geographic location, calculated travel and many other data layers developed by OCFA to locate calls and route apparatus to the scene.
This system will reduce the amount of time it takes to get resources to the scene of an emergency.
After years of preparation, including training for all system users; the old Northrup Grumman PRC CAD system, which had been in-service for nearly 27 years and had processed well over 2 million incidents, was taken “off line”. The well-planned transition to the new TriTech CAD system went very smooth.
This project culminates multiple years of hard work by almost every section in OCFA. The new system includes one million addresses and 160,000 street segments, installation of new station alarming equipment at all 71 OCFA Fire Stations and alerting announcements that will provide more information during an alert that, along with turnout timers in the station apparatus bays, will assist with situational awareness during a call. These are just a few highlights of the tremendous efforts by all of OCFA to bring the CAD system into the 21st century.
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| HARBOR HAPPENINGS |
OC Dana Point Harbor: Coastal Cleanup
Please join the Dana Point Harbob for California Coastal Cleanup Day, the state’s largest volunteer event. When combined with the International Coastal Cleanup, this event becomes part of one of the largest volunteer events in the world and you can play a major role!
OC Dana Point Harbor will host the following cleanup events:
Underwater Cleanup 8:00 AM to Noon - certified divers, kayakers and volunteers can register and obtain more information by contacting the Dana West Marin office at (949) 493-6222 or visit www.DPHunderwatercleanup.com. Free parking will be provided.
On-the-Water Cleanup 8:00 AM to Noon - volunteers should contact Lisa Hazelton and Dana Point Yacht Club at (949) 463-7970. Registration and sign in will take place at the yacht club located at 24399 Dana Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629. Free parking will be provided.
Cigarette Butt Roundup - 9:00 AM to Noon - volunteers should contact Penny Elia at (949) 499-4499. Registration and sign in will take place at the Dana West Marina, cove side parking lot at 24650 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629. Free parking will be provided.
For more information please click here.
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| ENVIRONMENTAL 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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| SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR |
Don't miss Orange County's 125th Birthday in San Juan Capistrano
On Saturday, September 13, join the City of San Juan Capistrano to celebrate Orange County’s 125th Birthday!
This day-long, city-wide event begins with a "HANDS AROUND THE MISSION" ceremony memorializing different cultures working together to start a new society. A Native American Blessing and Ringing of Mission Bells will follow. Free events will be held throughout the Downtown and the Los Rios Historic District, including art displays, original San Juan Capistrano melodrama music, mariachis, dancers, and more!
What better way to celebrate this landmark birthday than in the County's birthplace! Be sure to visit Los Rios Street while you are here, which is the State of California's oldest continuously inhabited residential street.
This Event is part of the City's Economic Preservation Subcommittee's efforts to promote the Historic Downtown Area during the I-5/Ortega Improvement Project. For more information and/or sponsorship opportunities call (949) 201-9881.
Some of the events scheduled include (subject to change):
10:00 a.m. Gather for HANDS AROUND THE MISSION! 26801 Ortega Highway
11:00 a.m. Acjachemen Blessing and Ringing of Mission Bells
11:30 a.m. Peace and Freedom Ribbon Tying at Mission Grill, 31721 Camino Capistrano
1:30 p.m. Welcome Ceremony, Historic Town Center Park (HTC Park), 31852 El Camino Real
1:45 p.m. Kelly Boys Concert, Business Expo, Second Saturday Art/Antique Fair (HTC Park)
5:30 p.m. Songs of the American West Concerts, SJC Public Library, 31495 El Camino Real
The Los Rios Historic District can be accessed via Verdugo Street/Camino Capistrano. Nearby Los Rios Park, 26711 Verdugo Street, will feature activities and displays. The Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, will showcase skits from San Juan Capistrano's past.
Click here for more information.
San Juan Capistrano: Movies in the Park
Enjoy the next showing of "Movies in the Park" starting on Saturday, September 13th at the City-owned Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano. Presented by Blenheim Facility Management, this event is open and free to the public.
September 20 – The Horse in the Grey Flannel Suit
September 27 - Secretariat
Bring a blanket or beach chair and your picnic basket. The movie begins at dusk. No glass containers, alcohol or smoking is allowed. Parking is free. For more information contact (949) 234-1696. For a flyer, click here.
Laguna Niguel: Fall Flick
Bring the family out for a night of fun under the stars on Saturday, September 13. Seating is on a grassy hill. Bring a blanket or low chair so you do not obstruct viewing. Dress warm. Please no pets, smoking or alcohol allowed in the event area. Snacks/beverages will be available for purchase. Event will be canceled if it is raining. 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 the Ocean Institute Board Meeting
- Provided a proclamation to the City of Laguna Woods celebrating the City’s 50th anniversary
- Attended the Romance of the Mission Benefit Gala sponsored by the Mission Preservation Foundation
- Celebrated the County of Orange 125th Birthday at the City of San Juan Capistrano
- Presented a certificate at the ribbon cutting for Waterman Restaurant in the city of Dana Point
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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