This week, I had the honor of being named 2018 “Woman of the Year” by the Women in Transportation Seminar - Orange County Chapter (WTS) at its 30th Annual Awards and Scholarships Gala. In doing so, WTS highlighted my dedication to responsibly funding future Orange County transportation projects while ensuring the safe and efficient completion of current projects.
As OCTA Chairwoman, among my first actions was to unveil the OCTA Board’s strategic initiatives for 2018, which included placing specific focus on delivering capital projects, maximizing funding opportunities, developing sustainable transportation plans, strengthening regional partnerships, modernizing transit services and championing fiscal responsibility.
It has been a privilege to serve OCTA in this capacity, and I am proud of our accomplishments this year. I am also pleased the transportation community is receiving well-deserved recognition for these great projects that benefit the public.
WTS is an international organization, founded in 1977, with over 6500 members, 79 chapters, and a network of 40,000 transportation professionals around the world. The group was founded on expanding women’s careers in transportation through professional development, encouragement and recognition.
As a growing organization of determined and intelligent female transportation minds, they have truly made a remarkable influence on transportation innovation worldwide and locally.
Unanimously Elected as 1st Vice President of California State Association of Counties (CSAC)
Last week, I was pleased to be unanimously elected to serve as 1st Vice President of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) for 2019 at our 124th annual meeting held in San Diego. With roots dating back to 1895, CSAC represents California’s 58 counties at the state and federal level.
It has been an honor to represent our county on CSAC since first taking office as 5th District Supervisor. Moreover, I'm especially pleased to be the first Orange County Supervisor to serve on the CSAC Executive Committee since 1951-52, as well as being the first woman to represent Orange County on its Board of Directors.
With the unanimous support of County Supervisors throughout our state, I look forward to providing the leadership entrusted to me in my new role as 1st Vice President, as CSAC advocates on behalf of county interests and defend against unfair state mandates. Additionally, CSAC will engage in meaningful discussion with the state on topics of vital interest, including public safety, homelessness, transportation, and more.
At our annual meeting, we also elected the remaining CSAC Executive Officers, including Humboldt County Supervisor Virginia Bass (President), Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore (2nd Vice President), and Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez (Immediate Past President).
2018 Long-Range Transportation Plan Complete
As Chairwoman of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors, I'm pleased to report that OCTA has been working with the public to develop the 2018 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) since early 2017.
The LRTP is updated every four years to identify Orange County’s transportation needs and investments over the next 20 years. The final 2018 LRTP is now complete and can be viewed here.
The LRTP addresses Orange County’s future transportation needs by delivering on commitments, providing transportation choices, and maintaining Orange County’s quality of life.
Throughout the public engagement process, the following key themes emerged and helped define the LRTP’s vision:
Keep Orange County Moving
Expand Transit Options
Invest in improvements across all modes to relieve congestion
A short-term action plan was also created to explore additional transportation needs and opportunities. The results of these efforts will be captured in the next LRTP, anticipated for 2022.
Now that the 2018 LRTP is complete, it will be submitted to the Southern California Association of Governments as input for the 2020 Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy. To learn more about the 2018 LRTP, click here.
HCA Issues Ocean and Bay Rain Advisory
The Environmental Health Division of the Health Care Agency (HCA) advises swimmers that levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, close to storm drains, and the outlets of creeks and rivers during and after rainstorms.
The elevated bacterial levels in the coastal ocean waters may continue for a period of at least 3 days, depending upon the intensity of the rain and volume of the runoff. Swimmers should avoid Orange County coastal waters during this time, and beach users should avoid contact with any runoff on the beach.
Storm drains, creeks, and rivers carry floodwaters and urban runoff to the ocean. Urban runoff may include fertilizers, road oils, animal wastes, and litter. During and after rain events, discharges may contain large amounts of bacteria from a variety of sources such as animal wastes and decomposing vegetation.
Sewage is not normally present in the storm runoff since the sewer system is separate from the storm drain system. In the event of a sewage spill, the Environmental Health Division will quarantine the affected ocean or bay water area. To report a sewage spill, call (714) 433-6419.
For information regarding Orange County ocean, bay, or harbor postings and closures, visit ocbeachinfo.com.
Treasurer-Tax Collector: 1st Installment Reminder
This is a reminder from the Orange County Treasure-Tax Collector (TTC) that Monday, December 10, 2018 is the last day to pay the first installment of property taxes without penalty. If not paid, a 10% delinquency penalty will be added to the amount due.
Check the payment status of your property taxes on their self-service website by inputting your APN or property address. If you have any questions, you may also email the TTC, or call (714) 834-3411 weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM.
The Boat Parade of Lights takes place Saturdays and Sundays - December 7 & 8, 14 & 15 - as well as free family activities throughout Dana Point Harbor, including games, crafts, live entertainment, and selfies with Santa, all with a western theme. Festivities begin at 4:30 PM, and the Boat Parade at 7:30 PM.
Cowboys and cowgirls of all ages are encouraged to dress in their favorite western gear and watch the beautiful boats sail through the harbor, showing off their country-western decorations, animation, color and lights.
Free trolleys will run each night of the Boat Parade from 3:30 PM to 10:30 PM, dropping off and picking up merry makers along Dana Point Harbor Drive at Doheny State Beach, the Visitor’s Center, Ocean Institute, Baby Beach, Island Way, Retail Area, and back to Doheny.
Sail through the harbor in the holiday spirit Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 1 & 2, from 10 AM to 2 PM, during Boat Rides with Santa!
Pet Project Foundation is also pleased to host the 7th Annual Santa Paws event. Bring your pet to the harbor Saturday, Dec. 1 from 10 AM to 3 PM to have their picture taken with Santa. Proceeds support the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter.
For more information on the "Western Wonderland” in Dana Point Harbor and 44th Annual Boat Parade of Lights, please click here or on the image below.
South County Spotlight
Hobie Memorial Statue Dedication Ceremony
This week, my office had the pleasure of attending the dedication ceremony for the newly installed Hobie memorial statue, titled “Hobie Riding the Wave of Success,” in the City of Dana Point, as we presented a plaque to members of the Hobie Memorial Foundation (HMF) Board of Directors.
HMF Director Wayne Schafer cut the ribbon for the statue in recognition of Hobie Alter’s legacy that began with his first surf shop in Dana Point. The monument is the result of a 4-year long collaboration by South Cove developer Zephyr, the City of Dana Point, Hobie Memorial Foundation, and the Hobie Cat company.
In his lifetime, Hobie Alter was a creative pioneer in the evolution of the sport and lifestyle of surfing, skate-boarding and sailing in Southern California, which has reached international proportions and helped define beach culture.
In the 1950s and 1960s, he helped transform the sleepy coastal town of Dana Point into the epicenter of the budding surf industry. After Hobie passed away in 2014, the city and citizens of Dana Point mobilized to pay homage to this true California original.
Hobie Alter Exhibit at John Wayne Airport
Very few individuals will have as much impact on a sport as Hobart “Hobie” Alter did for water sports. He revolutionized surfing and also expanded the adventure of sailing with his invention of the Hobie Catamaran.
Through spring 2019, the history of Hobie Alter’s life and legacy will be on display in John Wayne Airport’s Vi Smith Concourse Gallery. Ticketed passengers can view the exhibit on the Departure (upper) Level, across from Gates 2 through 5 in Terminal A, Gates 18 through 21 in Terminal C, and in the free-standing display cases across from Gate 14.
The exhibit includes a comprehensive narrative of Hobie’s early beginnings creating the first polyurethane foam surfboard in the late 1950s, to the opening of his surf shop in Dana Point, which ultimately established “surf lifestyle” apparel, as well as his invention of a beach launchable catamaran in 1968 and multi-colored sails in the 1970s. For more information, click here.
County Connections
Multi-Family Affordable Housing Development
OC Community Resources and OC Health Care Agency recently attended the grand opening of the Oakcrest Heights 54-unit multi-family affordable housing development in Yorba Linda, which includes 14 units specifically dedicated to Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) eligible individuals, prioritizing Transitional Age Youth.
Developed by National Community Renaissance of California (National CORE) and designed to meet the Design Guidelines set forth by the City of Yorba Linda, Oakcrest Heights, one of the two communities in the Savi Ranch neighborhood, features safe, healthful and sustainable two 3-story residential buildings.
The buildings include facilities and amenities to help residents build their lives and become more self-sufficient such as onsite preschool, an after-school facility next door and an onsite service coordinator, who will help provide residents with access to services such as workforce development, financial literacy, adult education and health and wellness.
The County of Orange partnered with National CORE and committed a permanent loan of $1,644,300 and the utilization of eight U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Project-Based Housing Choice Vouchers. The project also utilized $1.7 million in MHSA Housing funds.
The County’s participation in this project made it possible for this project to finance fourteen units of affordable housing for homeless households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income.
Homeless Persons Memorial Service
Critter Chronicles
Pet Photos with Santa Claus at OC Animal Care!
Anatomy of the CAT
Feline Pet of the Week: Meet Stella!
Lake Forest: Pet Photos with Santa!
"Pawliday" Celebration at OC Animal Care!
Out and About in South County
Mission Viejo: 24th Annual Drive-Thru Nativity
Laguna Beach: Hospitality Night
Every year on the first Friday in December, Laguna Beach celebrates Hospitality Night. This year's event along Forest Avenue is on Friday, December 7 from 5 PM to 10 PM. Portions of Forest Avenue, Ocean Avenue, Beach Street, and the Peppertree Parking Lot will be closed to vehicular traffic for the event.
Lake Forest: Candle Light Walk at Heritage Hill
Laguna Hills: Breakfast with Santa
Ho, Ho, Ho! Santa will be arriving Saturday, December 8 at the Laguna Hills Community Center from 9 AM to 11 AM for a morning full of holiday fun, including a special celebration complete with a scrumptious breakfast, photos with Santa and holiday crafts! Children must be accompanied by a paying adult. For more information, click here.
Lake Forest: Elf Yourself 5K Charity Event
RSM: Carols 'Round The Lake
This Week I
Participated in the Orange County Board of Supervisor meeting and presented Board Resolutions in honor of retiring Rancho Mission Viejo Executives Dan Kelly, Richard Broming and San Couch. Participated in the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Regional Highways and Planning Committee meeting.
Attended the Dana Point City Council meeting to present a plaque to outgoing Councilman John Tomlinson.
Presented a proclamation at the retirement reception in honor of outgoing Laguna Beach Mayor Kelly Boyd.
Received the 2018 Woman of the Year Award at the Women in Transportation Awards Dinner & Gala.
My Staff
Attended the Christmas at the Mission event in San Juan Capistrano.
Presented a plaque to Hobie Memorial Foundation at the Hobie Alter Memorial Statue Dedication Ceremony in Dana Point.
Attended the Aliso Viejo City Council meeting to present a proclamation in honor of outgoing Councilman Phil Tsunoda.
Presented a plaque in honor of Fred Hill at the Rotary de Sol's Ethics in Business Award Breakfast in RSM.
Attended the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee meeting, featuring keynote speaker Barbie Daly of The Toll Roads.
Elected Officials in the Community
For questions or comments regarding my E-Newsletter, please contact my office staff at (714) 834-3550 or email my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, at Sergio.Prince@ocgov.com.