Welcome to this issue of Janet’s Journal, a First District Report designed to keep you updated on issues and events concerning our communities in Orange County especially in the First District.

I am proud and honored to represent over 600,000 people within the First District covering the cities of Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Westminster and the unincorporated community of Midway City.

I hope you will find this journal informative. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Respectfully,
Supervisor Janet Nguyen

Janet.Nguyen@ocgov.com

IN THIS ISSUE...

1. Board of Supervisors

2. Janet Around the First District

3. Local Issues

4. Requests for Proposals

5. Community Events

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Reappointments to OC Child Care Development Council

The Board of Supervisors recently approved the reappointment of Roseann Andrus from Child Care Connections and Gwen Morgan-Beazell from Santa Ana College to the Orange County Child Care Development Council for additional two-year terms.

Andrus is a Project Manager with Child Care Connections and has extensive experience with child care issues. Morgan-Beazell has a Master's Degree in early childhood education and also brings many years of experience to the Council.

I would like to thank them for their service and congratulate them on their reappointment to the Council.

August Designated as Eligibility Professionals Recognition Month

The Orange County Board of Supervisor has approved a Resolution to designate the month of August as "Eligibility Professionals Recognition Month" to recognize the important role these individuals have in the community.

Eligibility Professionals include technicians, employment specialists, social workers, supervisors, social services supervisors, and all levels of office support and management. They are the providers of valuable service to applicants and recipients of CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, food stamps, general relief, the cash assistance program for immigrants, foster care, refugee cash assistance, medical services for indigents, adoptions, and California children's services.

They represent the very best in community service, and their efforts continue to make positive, lasting contributions to the County of Orange and its residents.

Board Approves Software Agreement for Assessor Department

The Board of Supervisors recently approved an agreement between the Assessor Department and Digital Map Products (DMP), which provides the department with software and data licensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) Support Services.

DMP makes available the digital map central platform and CityGIS application on the Assessor Department's property assessment and valuation software and database platform. The basic capabilities of the CityGIS application include map and aerial photograph layers, view manipulation, search functionality, drawing and research tools and interfaces for other applications.

The original agreement with DMP was approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2003. The cost of the contract with DMP has been stable and contained since then, and the base CityGIS software licensing fee remains the same as in 2003. DMP has also agreed to postpone an adjustment of $5,000 until the renewal of the agreement in 2010-2011.

New Graffiti Ordinance in Santa Ana

On Monday, August 3, 2009, the Santa Ana City Council unanimously voted to adopt a new and aggressive anti-graffiti law that includes parental responsibility for the crimes committed by their children - including fines, restitution and community service.

The Council adopted this law after frustrated neighborhood leaders, business people and activists came together to craft a law they felt might finally make a difference in Santa Ana's battles against graffiti.

Under this new law, the City can go after parents to recoup the cost of cleaning up any graffiti done by their children. The law also classifies graffiti as a misdemeanor crime and establishes a trust fund to help fight it. Those caught breaking this law will be required to perform at least 40 hours of community service, with parents accompanying their children for at least half that time. The law will go into effect later this month when the Council takes a second and final procedural vote to put it into force.

Planning Department Audit

In response to constituent concerns and the identification of OC Public Works/Planning & Development Services (PDS) as an area of interest in the performance audit risk assessment process, the Office of the Performance Audit conducted a performance audit of PDS.

The Board has received and filed the report that comprehensively examined all aspects of PDS related to customer service and the impacts of the current Time & Materials Ordinance. The audit concludes that PDS is in critical condition and proposes alternatives to restore quality service to the department.

The County Executive Office is already taking action to remedy the deficiencies identified during the course of the audit; recently assigning a new PDS Director with the requisite leadership and management expertise. To view the report, click here.

Response to Grand Jury Report on General Election

In May 2009, the Grand Jury released a report titled, "2008 General Election." The report identifies the problems encountered during the June 2004 Primary Election and reflect how the "lessons learned" during the previous elections using the electronic voting devices were applied.

The 2008 election was Orange County's largest election and the second presidential election that OC voters used an electronic voting system. Findings from the report showed that the County was well prepared to manage the record voter turnout. A total of 1,167,657 ballots were cast, reflecting a 72.6% turnout and a 16% increase in vote-by-mail voters. To view the Grand Jury report, click here.

The report directed findings and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, the County Executive Office, and the Registrar of Voters. On Tuesday August 4, the Board approved a response to the Grand Jury report. To view the County's response, click here.

Congratulations to Neal Kelly and his staff at the Registrar of Voters on a job well done.

Supervisor Janet Nguyen joined families for Family Adventure Day at Irvine Regional Park, August 16, 2009. OC Parks hosted the event that created the opportunity for many first time visitors to explore the variety of wildlife and educational activities that exist in the OC Parks system.


Garden Grove Councilman Andrew Do visits with a family at the OC Parks Family Adventure Day at Irvine Regional Park on August 16, 2009.


On August 17th, Supervisor Janet Nguyen joined Westminster Mayor Margie Rice, Huntington Beach Union High School District Board Trustee Matthew Harper, and others at the reopening of the Westminster Library. The busy library reopens its doors to the public after undergoing three months of renovation.


The Garden Grove City Council presented Supervisor Janet Nguyen with a resolution to thank her for the allocations of county funds to the progression and enhancement of the city and community of Garden Grove.


Supervisor Janet Nguyen joins Garden Grove Mayor Bill Dalton, Councilman Bruce Broadwater, city manager Matt Fertal and Public Works Director Keith Jones in breaking ground at the new Buena Clinton Youth Family Center.

* The following articles are for informational purposes only and are not necessarily intended to imply endorsement or support.

County of Orange
There are currently many new bids to contract with the County of Orange. For more information, please click here.

To contact Supervisor Janet Nguyen, please call 714-834-3110 or email Janet.Nguyen@ocgov.com.