Last week, I was pleased to participate in the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and CalTrans groundbreaking ceremony for the I-5 South County Improvements Project. The Project, to be completed in 2025, includes 6.5 miles between SR-73 (San Joaquin Hills Toll Road) and El Toro Road.

Approximately 360,000 drivers travel this stretch of freeway daily, where an estimated 25% increase in traffic is expected by 2045.

At the I-5 South County Improvements groundbreaking.

To increase mobility and public safety, this project will:

• Add a regular lane in each direction between Avery Parkway and Alicia Parkway 
• Extend the second carpool lane from Alicia Parkway to El Toro Road in each direction
• Re-construct two interchanges
• Add dedicated turn lanes for all freeway on-ramp,
• Increase distance of merging lanes to allow for easier flow of traffic onto the I-5
• Widen Avery Parkway to five lanes in each direction between Camino Capistrano and Marguerite Parkway
• Widen the off-ramps to four lanes to prevent long backups
• Add one lane onto I-5 for more efficient merging 
• Add additional overhead signage for exiting traffic to enhance safety, and much more. 

In all, this is a $581 million investment in South County. 41% of the project will be funded by Measure M2 dollars, also known as OC Go funds, approved be Orange County voters to increase transportation dollars for safety and infrastructure projects. The remaining funding will come from state and federal transportation dollars. 

Once completed, it will mean fewer delays and help people arrive at their destination sooner. I look forward to this project and thank everyone who has been instrumental in making it a reality. Please stay tuned for construction updates. For more information, click here.

Site of the proposed Laguna Niguel Town Center.

As reported in my newsletter last week, my Board colleagues and I approved the Option and Master Lease Agreements for the Laguna Niguel Town Center with Laguna Niguel Town Center Partners, LLC (LNTCP) for a mixed-use development on the County-owned 24-acre property formerly known as the South County Justice Center.

This multi-faceted development project is going to bring a wealth of opportunity to Laguna Niguel, along with the surrounding communities. I'm pleased to have selected Laguna Niguel Town Center Partners, LLC and am happy to get this project started on behalf of our South County residents.

The proposal from LNTCP for the property located at the intersection of Alicia and Crown Valley Parkway includes a mixture of retail, office use, residential, restaurants, a specialty market, food hall and a community event space.

Last week, my office attended the Laguna Niguel State of the City, presented by Mayor John Mark Jennings at a luncheon hosted by the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce.

Mayor John Mark Jennings at the State of the City.
(Photo courtesy of Mark Montgomery Photography)

During Mayor Jennings address, he highlighted many of the City's accomplishments - past, present and future - as Laguna Niguel celebrates its 30th anniversary this year! To view the video produced by city staff and presented at the luncheon, please click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to view the video.

Since last October, the OC Flex microtransit pilot program has been transporting passengers on-demand within two areas of the County.

The one-year pilot program allows passengers to request a ride on demand by mobile app or phone. OC Flex operates within two designated zones, including portions of Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel, as eight-passenger shuttles take riders straight from their pickup location to their destination.

Riders pay $4.50 when using the OC Flex mobile app or $5 cash, with no surge pricing. The fare includes unlimited daily rides in either zone and free connections to OC Bus and Metrolink.

OC Flex ridership has been steadily increasing month over month, with more than 12,000 total boardings it its first six months of operation. More than 23 percent of the rides are shared, and nearly 30 percent of riders are transferring to or from an OC Bus or Metrolink train.

The OCTA Board and I will evaluate the performance of OC Flex after the pilot program is completed at the end of October. Learn more about OC Flex here.  

Astute readers will surely note that “affordable” and “world-class” are not usually linked in the same sentence. That’s part of the beauty of Metrolink Daycations!

A day-long vacation to internationally renowned cultural spots in San Juan Capistrano or the world-class beaches at San Clemente or Oceanside costs only $10 for unlimited Metrolink travel all day either Saturday or Sunday. Children five and under ride free (3 with each fare-paying adult). Find out more about the Metrolink Weekend Day Pass here.

San Clemente Pier

Perhaps you’re wondering how much vacationing you can actually do in a day. Fortunately, quite a lot. Check out ideas here for places to visit, fun things to do, and great places to eat. Many offer discounts to Metrolink riders.

Your choice of transportation will profoundly influence your ability to relax and enjoy the day. When you board a Metrolink train, you leave all the traffic and parking hassles behind and simply enjoy the ride.

Mission San Juan Capistrano

In addition, every month you’ll have an opportunity to enter to win an amazing prize package for four people. First up is the San Juan Capistrano package featuring Metrolink tickets, a family membership to the Mission for a whole year, a Mission gift card, and a gift card to acclaimed restaurant Trevor’s at the Tracks.

Enter to win now at our Daycation website and then enjoy a virtual exploration of these great destinations before you actually hop on a Metrolink train!

OC Public Libraries (OCPL) is pleased to announce its 2019 Lunch at the Library program. Beginning June 3 (or June 17 in South County), any child 18 years of age and under will receive a free lunch at participating OCPL branches for the duration of the program.

Last summer, approximately 14,000 free lunches were served in Orange County. For 2019, the program will include the El Toro Branch Library (June 17 - July 26) and San Juan Capistrano Branch Library (June 17 - August 2). As such, OC Public Libraries will be partnering with Capistrano Unified School District and Saddleback Valley Unified School District to help feed children in their
communities.

For many families in Orange County, the stability, nutrition, and education provided by the school lunch program, school day, and after-school programs, ends when school lets out for summer. The summer months can mean reduced or limited access to healthy food, learning and enrichment programs, as well as safe places to gather and be active.

Lunch at the Library helps ensure all children are nourished and engaged during the summer months. All lunches will be served from noon to 1 PM at participating sites. Please note: All branches will be closed July 4 and lunches will not be served on that day. For more information, please click here. To view the promotional video, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to view the video.

Explore Orange County museums and attractions with Discover & Go, an exciting partnership between OC Public Libraries (OCPL) and local cultural institutions, including Casa Romantica (San Clemente), Mission San Juan Capistrano, Pretend City (Irvine Spectrum), Sawdust Festival (Laguna Beach), and Zoomars Petting Zoo (San Juan Capistrano).

This program is available to Orange County residents 18 and over with an OCPL card in good standing. For more information, please click here.

It's time to sign-up for Ocean Institute's Summer Camps for kids! Ocean Institute ACA Accredited Summer Camps are immersive educational journeys that take place in their unique coastal setting.

Engaging learning experiences and explorations in their learning labs, along shore and aboard their vessels, enable campers to expand their horizons and see the world in a new way! Ocean Institute's 2019 camp offerings include NEW programs that will be the highlight of summer for campers of all ages! For more info, click here.

This week, my office was pleased to attend the Cox Charities Scholars Breakfast, titled "The Magic of Giving," celebrating the 2019 Cox Scholars and 20 years of employee giving. The event was held at the University Club in UC Irvine.

For the past 20 years, local employees from the Cox Charities Advisory Board have reviewed scholarship applications from students across South Orange County and Palos Verdes. To that end, Cox Charities Foundation awarded $40,000 in scholarships (all employee funded) to 16 local South County and Palos Verdes students.

With the Cox Scholars honorees and representatives from Cox Charities. 
(Photo courtesy of Kait McKay Photography)

During the event, my office presented certificates of recognition in honor the following students from my District:

• Sydney Davison - Laguna Beach High School
• Justin Nguyen - San Juan Hills High School
• Aly Barriga - El Toro High School
• Cristian Aguilar - Capistrano Valley High School
• Brooke Berry - Aliso Niguel High School
• Keira Small - San Clemente High School
• Giovanna Cortes - San Juan Hills High School

Presenting a commendation to Cox Charities Foundation.
(Photo courtesy of Kait McKay Photography)

In addition to the Cox Scholars, my office was also pleased to present a commendation to Cox Charities Foundation for 20 years of employee giving. Congratulations to Cox Charities Foundation and the Cox Scholars for their outstanding commitment to academic excellence and our community!

Last week, I and representatives from Orange County agencies participated in Governor Gavin Newsom's "California for All" Emergency Management Preparedness Summit in Sacramento.

The Summit, hosted by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), was a call to action for emergency managers and first responders across all jurisdictions and disciplines to collectively plan and prepare for large-scale disasters, including new ways to integrate a whole-community approach to emergency management. 

At Governor Newsom's "California for All" Summit.

In Orange County, collaboration already exists at a strong and very high level with the County agencies joining forces with cities, special districts, school districts, nonprofit / volunteer organizations, and even the private sector.  This inclusive approach serves our Orange County community members well during the most difficult of times, but we know there are always improvements that can be made. 

Orange County agencies and jurisdictions are continually working to build emergency capabilities on various topics, such as Alert and Warning, Evacuation, and Emergency Sheltering. While we know our governmental agencies work hard everyday to be prepared, we also know that a catastrophic disaster will truly test these capabilities. 

It is important our community members prepare for emergencies by:

• Making a Kit
• Making an Emergency Plan
• Registering with AlertOC.org to receive emergency alerts 

More information on all of these topics can be found at ReadyOC.org and AlertOC.org.

"Uncontrollable" is the word now being used among fire chiefs in California to describe the kind of wildfires we could experience this year. Last year was a crushing year for California, as wildfires in burned more than 2,800 square miles, destroyed 17,000 homes, and killed 100 people. Despite record rainfall earlier this year, and recent cool weather, Southern California firefighters are bracing for another busy fire season.

NBC4 was recently invited to fly with the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA). Seated inside a water-dropping Huey helicopter, we are able to get a bird's-eye view and a firefighter's perspective on the landscape. On a scale of 1 to 10, OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy said last year was a 10, and this year "we are expecting the same." To view the NBC4 video with Chief Fennessy, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to view the video.

Last week, my Board colleagues and I proclaimed June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) in the County of Orange to help raise awareness about the millions of older adults who experience elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.

To that end, we presented a Board resolution to leaders of our Social Services Agency (SSA), Health Care Agency (HCA), District Attorney’s Office, Office on Aging, and other Orange County community partners to recognize their commitment to helping seniors live longer, safer and healthier lives.

Presenting a Board resolution in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Every year an estimated one in ten older Americans become victims of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation. Last year in Orange County, there were more than 13,500 reports of elder abuse. This year, an average of over 1,200 reports each month have been made to date.

Statistics clearly demonstrate that elder abuse is a widespread issue across our nation and in Orange County. As a community, we must come together to prevent elder abuse from happening to our vulnerable older residents.

If you suspect abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable senior, please call the SSA Adult Protective Services 24-hour hotline at (800) 451-5155.

OC Animal Care needs your help! In light of recent events, OC Animal Care is at almost DOUBLE the shelter’s capacity! With an additional 600 shelter pets out in foster care, that's over 1,200 pets who need a home to call their own!

OC Animal Care believes in giving these pets every available chance for a forever family. To that end, the shelter is reducing their adoption fees until they are under 60% of their capacity.

If you are unable to add a new family member at this time, spreading the word is just as important. Let’s give these animals the chances they deserve. For more information, please click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to enlarge.

Click the image above for more information.

Join Laguna Canyon Foundation (LCF) June 15 for a fun night under the stars! Enjoy free tacos, local drinks, live music, and a silent auction hosted by Troy Lee Designs, sponsored by Specialized, and benefiting LCF. This event is free to attend and open to all, no tickets or RSVPs necessary. Parking is available throughout downtown Laguna Beach and is free after 7 PM.

Summer is almost here, as San Clemente is getting ready to bring you an exciting line-up for Thursday nights! Enjoy the concert on the sand June 20, 8 PM at the San Clemente Pier, featuring Lights (Journey Tribute). For more information, including the complete summer concert schedule, click here.

Enjoy an 80s vs 90s Flashback Tribute Saturday, June 22 at Lake Forest Sports Park, beginning at 5:30 PM with  “FLASHPANTS,” a Vegas-Style 80s Cover Band that combines 80s dance music with audience interaction, followed by “THE NINETEEN 90s BAND,” the premiere live 90s music tribute band playing all your favorite songs. Click here for more info.

Presented by Doheny Blues Festival and the City of Dana Point. The Saturday, July 14 concert features two bands, Pyromania (The Def Leppard Experience) at 3 PM, and Aeromyth (The Ultimate Tribute to Aerosmith) at 4:30 PM. Refreshments and food available for purchase. For more info, click here.

• Participated in the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors meeting.
• Chaired the County of Orange Budget Hearing for Fiscal Year 2019-20.
• Participated in the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) meeting.
• Presented a certificate of recognition at the Farewell Open House for Carla Vargas Jasa in honor of her outstanding service with Orange County United Way.
• Participated in a joint meeting of the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) Boards of Directors.
• Spoke at the Orange County Senior Citizens Advisory Council meeting in Laguna Niguel.

At the Local Agency Formation Commission meeting.

Presenting a certificate of recognition to Carla Vargas Jasa of Orange County United Way.

• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Unique Boutique in Laguna Beach.
• Presented commendations to the honorees at the Cox Charities Scholars Breakfast.
• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Pup Up Hooray in Lake Forest.

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presenting a certificate of recognition at the ribbon cutting for Unique Boutique in Laguna Beach.

At the Cox Charities Scholars Breakfast.
(Photo courtesy of Kait McKay Photography)

At the ribbon cutting for Pup Up Hooray in Lake Forest.
(Photo courtesy of Takata Photo & Design)