2014 Newsletters: What's Happening Southern California Residents Friday, January 31, 2014

I'd like to wish the following people a Very Happy Birthday. They are: Huntington Beach Realtor Connie Morris, Natural Bath & Body Representative Ashley Fernandez, Huntington Beach Kiwanis Member Barbara Meyer, Huntington Beach Resident Roxy Galich, Berkshire Hathaway Bellflower Realtor Maria Palacios, Huntington Beach REA, Brace & Associates Partner Bill Rea, Former Redondo Beach Mayor Mike Gin and Torrance Resident Lily Cotner.

This is a note from Huntington Beach Police Chief Robert Handy's Administrative Assistant Karin Reed: "DUI Crackdown" Produces Results On January 24, 2014, the Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) took action to stop drunk drivers leaving the downtown area. HBPD officers were on the look-out for people drinking and driving under the influence of alcohol as they left the bars and took to the streets. HBPD officers patrolled the area and initiated car stops of drivers appearing to be under the influence. Officers conducted 47 vehicle stops, 15 field sobriety tests, and made five DUI arrests.

Research shows that high visibility DUI enforcement operations dissuade people from drinking and driving thus decreasing the number of alcohol-related car accidents. The Huntington Beach Police Department takes driving under the influence seriously and has increased its presence in the downtown area in order to reduce alcohol related problems and keep Huntington Beach streets safe.

The Huntington Beach Police Department DUI Patrol supports the citywide DUI prevention effort in collaboration with Operation Safe HB - an initiative led by the Orange County non-profit organization, Community Services Programs, Inc. (CSP) - Project PATH. Operation Safe HB has also employed a media campaign in and around Huntington Beach to notify the public about the crackdown. Media posters on buses, in bars downtown and on cable television announce, "DUI Crackdown in Huntington Beach."

Operation Safe HB and the Huntington Beach Police Department encourage all motorists to help make the community safer by driving sober and calling 9-1-1 to report drunk drivers.

The Huntington Beach Public Works Department Construction Manager Eric Charlonne says: California Drought Update On January 17 Governor Brown declared a drought emergency in the state of California amidst declining reservoir levels and historically low amounts of rainfall. Orange County water providers are concerned about the continuing dry conditions throughout the State and are closely monitoring water supplies, but at this time, local resident and businesses face no immediate danger of supply interruptions. However, this is a serious situation statewide, and we ask that everyone assess their current water usage and make simple changes to ensure our water supplies are being used as efficiently as possible.

While Orange County is presently in a good position in terms of its water supplies, we continue to encourage residents and businesses to use water as efficiently as possible year-round. Residents have done a great job of being water efficient inside their homes, but there are still water savings potential outside the home, where nearly 50% to 70% of our water use occurs.

Residents are encouraged to take advantage of rebates of $75 to install smart timer irrigation controllers that provide landscaping the appropriate amount of water and reduce over-watering. Rotating sprinkler nozzles use less water and rebates provide $4 for each sprinkler head replaced. The turf removal program offers $1 a square foot when turf is replaced with California Friendly plants or artificial turf. Repairing leaks inside and outside the home saves our water resources.

Governor Brown has asked that everyone reduce their water usage by 20%.  For a great interactive tool to see how much water you are using, go to: home-water-works.org/calculator. This tool will give you a report to see how much water you are using in comparison to an average home of you size in your area and it will give some helpful ways in which to help you save water.

Rain Water Harvesting Class The City is offering a free Rainwater Harvesting Class on February 8. The class is from 9 to 10 a.m. and the pickup time for pre-ordered rain barrels will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The 55 gallon rain barrels are available for $85 and rebates of $75 are offered by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). Purchases must be made by February 6 at RainBarrelsIntl.com under the Events tab - City of Huntington Beach. Topics of discussion: * Rainwater Harvesting * Benefits of a Rain Barrel * Installation of a Rain Barrel * Sustainable Gardening * The class will be hosted by the Public Works Utilities Division, located at 19001 Huntington Street, at the intersection of Garfield Avenue and Huntington Street.

Partial Intersection Closure at Indianapolis Avenue and Brookhurst Street The intersection of Indianapolis Avenue and Brookhurst Street has been partially closed due to the discovery of "voids" (air pockets) under the pavement. During routine maintenance of a sanitary sewer, crews discovered gravel in the line that indicated that the line was broken and material surrounding the pipe was entering the line. Upon further investigation, it was determined that voids had developed under the pavement and the ability of the pavement to safely support vehicles might be compromised. Work has begun to fill the voids and strengthen the ground, as well as replace a damaged sewer line. Crews will be working Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The intersection will remain partially closed for a period of three to four weeks until the work can be completed. Motorists will still have access to Indianapolis Ave. and Brookhurst Street in both directions, except left turns. Delays should be expected.

City Beach Parking Lot Rehabilitation This $450,000 project is located is the City Beach parking lot between the Hyatt Regency Hotel pedestrian bridge and Beach Boulevard. The pavement was last slurry-sealed in 2001; rehabilitation of this parking lot is warranted. The project consists of grinding out all failed parking lot asphalt, reconstructing the parking lot, and adjusting OCSD sewer manholes, city sewer manholes, monitoring well covers, water valve covers and water meter boxes to grade. The project also includes installation of bollards, wheel stops in some locations, and new thermoplastic striping. The project will use fiber reinforced asphalt concrete (FRAC), wherein fibers are added to the asphalt concrete at the batch plant prior to delivery to the job site. A two-inch section of FRAC is equivalent in strength to a three-inch section of conventional asphalt concrete (AC). The increased cost for FRAC was offset by the 30% reduction in the required conventional asphalt design thickness. This resulted in an estimated cost savings of approximately $80,000 for this project.

Construction will begin on February 4, 2014, (after the Surf City Marathon) and conclude by March 5, 2014, (before the Hyatt Regency Hotel event). The walkway from the Hyatt Regency Hotel Pedestrian Bridge to the beach front will be open at all times for pedestrian access during construction. A six-foot high screen fence will be constructed around the construction perimeter to hide the construction as much as possible.

Surf City USA Marathon Street Closures On Sunday, February 2, the City of Huntington Beach will host the annual Surf City USA Marathon. The race will primarily use Pacific Coast Highway, Seapoint Street and Edwards Street. Beginning early morning (starting at 1 a.m.), streets on and near the route will begin to be closed with some limited local access provided in some areas. The streets mainly affected by the race include:

* Pacific Coast Highway: From Warner Avenue to Beach Boulevard * All of Seapoint Street * Goldenwest Street: From Palm Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway * Garfield Avenue: From Edwards Street to Seapoint Street * Edwards Street: From Garfield Avenue to just south of Slater Avenue

Detours and limited local access routes will be provided throughout the closure areas. However, significant congestion should be expected along the main routes of PCH, Beach Boulevard, and Warner Avenue. All streets are expected to be completely open by 2 p.m. For additional details and maps, please visit: runsurfcity.com .

The FULL Marathon begins at 6:30 a.m. and the Half Marathon begins at 7:45 a.m. All races will start on Pacific Coast Highway at Huntington Street in front of the Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel. The finish line is on PCH about 300 yards north of the start.

74th District California State Assembly Man Allan R. Mansoor says: As we approach the end of the month the Assembly faces its first major deadline. January 31st marks the last day for any bill introduced in the Assembly in 2013 to be passed off the Floor; otherwise it is procedurally stalled and unable to be considered for future votes. The House of Origin deadline ensures the Assembly stays on track within the legislative calendar as prescribed by the Chief Clerk.

Unfortunately, during the current two-year bill cycle, my bill Assembly Bill 40 (AB) along with other valuable legislation was killed. AB 40 addressed concerns regarding poor oversight and lack of medical treatment at rehabilitation facilities. AB 40 would have enhanced oversight and quality of care at rehabilitation facilities across the state. Sadly, the bill unjustly died in committee and cannot be reintroduced this year with the exact same language. I am working on new legislation with members of the community who have expressed an interest in resolving this issue.

At the same time that good bills are dying, bad, hostile to business, and job-killing bills are routinely passing through committees; passing off the Assembly floor and ending up on the desk of the Governor. Below are a few examples of the legislation being considered in the last days before the deadline:

• AB 966: This bill would address condom availability to California's prisoners. In the face of realignment and our current prison capacity crises, this is not the type of public safety reform” Sacramento should be addressing right now.

• AB 976: This bill would alter how the unelected California Coastal Commission imposes civil penalties for violations- giving them the power to fine between $750-11,250 per day! California's coast is a precious natural resource and I support maintaining our beautiful beaches- but this is an overbearing money grab at the expense of our local communities, municipalities and businesses.

• AB 158: This bill proposes an outright ban on a store's ability to provide plastic bags to consumers. Furthermore, it requires stores to charge customers for each recycled paper bag it provides and contains a fee increase for California's businesses that manufacture reusable bags. California needs to stop placing onerous regulations on businesses that are already struggling to provide jobs!

These onerous examples are but a few of the proposals that are not beneficial to California; they increase the challenges our businesses and local governments are facing.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact my office. My staff and I are always happy to assist the people of the 74th Assembly district in any way we can.

The New Huntington Beach Planning Commission Chairman Erik Peterson says: It's a privilege to be the Chair. I hope to serve Huntington Beach with the professionalism they have come to expect when dealing with the city. Thanks for your support. Erik is also a candidate for Huntington Beach City Council this November 2014.

Sunset Beach Surfer Dogs Owner Ben Frederiksen asked me to mention this: A beach cruiser was left in the alley near the hot dog cart for two days three weekends ago.

 

Here are some Events happening in Your Area:

Saturday:

 
The City of Gardena is hosting the grand opening of the Negro League Baseball Musuem traveling museum starting at 11 a.m. at the Nakaoka Community Center, 1670 W. 162nd St., Gardena. Los Angeles Dodgers great, Maury Wills is coming, as well as Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Officials expected to attend include Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Assemblyman Steve Bradford, and Gardena Mayor Paul Tanaka. The event is hosted by the Gardena Black History Month Chairperson Rachel Johnson.

Sunday:

Good Luck Huntington Beach Surf City Marathon Participants who are running the Half Marathon. My friends who are doing it are: Clare Shweyk, Andy Vuncanon and Brian Perry.

The San Pedro Bay Historical Society presents their monthly First Sunday Speaker! Dr Alan Frantz from Marymount University who'll be speaking on the topic "Old California B.C. (Before Cabrillo)". The talk will be held from 1:30 - 2:30 on the patio of the Muller House on 1542 S. Beacon Street. Tours of the house will be available after the talk. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Location: 1542 South Beacon Street in San Pedro. 
Thank you very much for reading this Newsletter.

I appreciate any comments.

Sincerely, Chris MacDonald