City Manager's Update, Feb. 18, 2012

HOUSING AUTHORITY: The first meeting of the new San Juan Capistrano Housing Authority  was held last week which resulted in the appointment of Councilman Derek Reeve as chairperson and Councilwoman Laura Freese as vice chair. The Housing Authority was recently created to take over the San Juan Capistrano Community Redevelopment Agency's housing responsibilities.

As required by law, the board directed staff to process applications for the appointment of two tenant commissioners, of which one must  be more than 62 years old, if the Authority has tenants over that age.

POLICE SERVICES: On Feb. 6, the first of seven sessions of the Community Emergency Response Team program was held for 29 residents and members of the business community.  For the next seven weeks, training topics will prepare the group for an understanding of potential disasters in our area, fire suppression, medical operations, light search and rescue, and culminate with a simulated earthquake drill. CERT is an opportunity for residents and members of the business community to learn basic skills to save lives and protect property in the aftermath of a major disaster, when emergency services are not immediately available. The city offers this free training every six months. The next CERT program begins Sept. 5.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLANNING SURVEY: A survey of thousands of Orange County residents began Monday. The survey will gather critical information to improve evacuation plans for all types of disasters – both man-made and natural.  “Planning for emergencies requires well-founded, reliable data,” said Sheriff Sandra Hutchens. “I urge residents to take a few minutes to answer the survey. Ultimately, it’s for the safety of our community.”

Questions will focus on information such as “How long does it take you to drive from work to home?” and “How many vehicles are typically available to your household if an evacuation was necessary?” Nopersonal questions will be asked in the survey.  All calls made during weekdays will occur between 5–8 p.m. On weekends, calls will reach residents between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Response to the survey will take approximately 10 minutes. The survey is not related to any specific hazard or event and will benefit overall emergency planning.

The survey results will provide emergency management agencies with a better estimate of the number of people evacuating in a given area, the number of vehicles used to evacuate, and the amount of time needed to prepare for evacuation. For additional information regarding the telephone survey or planning for emergencies, call the Orange County Sheriff’s Emergency Management Bureau at (714) 628-7054.

DEL OBISPOT STREET BRIDGE: In the past week, the contractor backfilled and compacted soil behind the newly installed curb along the east side of Paseo Adelanto, south of Del Obispo Street. Workers also installed and compacted base material in front of the curb. They removed approximately 50 feet of the curb because the curb alignment was off. They also removed curb along the east side of Paseo Adelanto north of Del Obispo at the location of the new maintenance road entrance. They graded and compacted the subgrade and base for the maintenance road. They also completed tying steel and building forms for the bent caps and end diaphragms of the bridge. The project completion date is June 2012. 

PROJECT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: The Orange County Engineering Council has selected the recently completed Junipero Serra and Rancho Viejo Road intersection project for an achievement award. The award will be shared with the city in late February. 

COSTCO RENOVATION AND EXPANSION: Staff is working with the applicant’s engineer and SDG&E on the design of the northerly driveway and the relocation of the electric vault and pedestal.

METROLINK PASSING SIDING PROJECT: Orange County Transportation Authority and Metrolink have planned a project in the existing railroad right-of-way to extend a “passing siding” rail from the Laguna Niguel train station, south, into the city of San Juan Capistrano. The siding project will stop north of Trabuco Creek (before Junipero Serra Road). The original plan, presented to the City Council more than two years ago, showed the siding to continue south to La Zanja. However, based on comments by the City Council, the project was downsized and the extension now terminates north of the creek. OCTA project managers will make a presentation to the City Council on this project in April 2012. 

STATE OF THE CITY: On Feb. 23 5:30 p.m., the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce will hold the State of City Event at the El Adobe Restaurant. Information regarding the event can be found at the Chamber of Commerce website at www.sanjuanchamber.com.

TWO NEW CERAMICS CLASSES: Parent & Tot Clay Time and Ceramics Creation are geared for children ages 3-12 years old. Both classes start on Feb. 23 and run through March 29. Prices range from $65-$69 for these six-week classes that take place in the afternoon. Call (949) 493-5911 for more information and to register.

HISTORIC TOWN CENTER MASTER PLAN: On Tuesday, the Planning Commission conducted a third review of the HTCMP that includes the form-based code and draft environmental impact report. Staff has provided alternatives to areas of concerns, has responded to EIR comments and is recommending approval to forward to the City Council.

MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO GATEHOUSE:  The Mission group entry, sidewalk, fence and gatehouse improvements are proceeding well and plan check for the gift shop will be submitted this month. The revised sidewalk closure and pedestrian path of travel is working well.  

CODE ENFORCEMENT: For the month of January, the City opened 139 new cases. 

SWANNER HOUSE: Staff will be working with potential tenant proposals and will take the Swanner House potential land use options to the Cultural Heritage Commission on Feb. 28 and to the Open Space, Trails and Equestrian Commission on March 3.

DOG PARK: The commissions and board reviews are complete, the plans have been forwarded to the civil engineer and landscape architect and staff have met with the Open Space Foundation to share the progress of the project and receive comments.