Here’s a rundown of the main issues we’ll be tracking this week throughout Orange County.
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Diluting Nguyen’s Power at CalOptima?
On the heels of a federal audit that found a “serious threat” to the safety of elderly patients, county supervisors are considering whether to dilute Supervisor Janet Nguyen’s influence over the county health plan.
A series of options includes having all five supervisors serve on CalOptima’s board, increasing the representation to two supervisors or keeping the status quo of just one supervisor.
Ironically, supervisors rejected a grand jury recommendation last year to put more supervisors on CalOptima’s board.
The supervisors meeting starts Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. Click here for the agenda.
Anaheim’s Next City Manager
With City Manager Marcie Edwards heading to Los Angeles to take the top job at the Department of Water and Power, Anaheim leaders are having to decide who will now manage their city government.
City Council members plan to go into closed session Tuesday to discuss Edwards’ resignation and appoint an interim city manager.
The open meeting starts Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Expanding Angel Stadium Appraisal
Anaheim city leaders are set to vote on expanding their appraisal of Angel Stadium to include the cost of destroying and replacing the stadium.
The appraiser has already been tasked with determining the property’s value should the Angels’ lease be renewed or the team relocates.
The total sole-source contract with Waronzof Associates would be capped at $150,000.
Final reports are expected by March 31.
The meeting starts Tuesday at 5 p.m. Click here for the staff report.
Holding Off on Faster Bus Service
While the Orange County Transportation Authority says its new rapid bus service on Harbor Boulevard is a major success, board members are being asked to delay plans to implement two new “freeway express” rapid bus routes.
The first would connect the Laguna Niguel-Mission Viejo Metrolink station to the Irvine Business Complex and South Coast Metro employment centers.
In between, there would be stops at the Aliso Viejo Town Center and UC Irvine.
“Staff now recommends deferring implementation of this route due to a potential reduction in transit funding to sustain long-term operating costs,” according to the staff report.
The second route would connect the Santa Ana train station with Long Beach via the Route 22 freeway and feature stops at Harbor Boulevard, Beach Boulevard and the Santa Ana Civic Center.
Staff is citing a “lack of future revenues to pay for the service” in recommending that the board delay implementing it.
Meanwhile, Transportation Authority officials say the one existing rapid line on Harbor Boulevard has been popular with riders and has reduced travel times.
“Feedback from Route 543 customers has been very positive, and the overall service is a success from the customer perspective,” a staff report states. “Initial results from an on-board survey demonstrate that most customers are saving more than 15 minutes per trip when using the new service.”
The Transportation Authority board meeting starts Monday at 9 a.m.
Major Meetings This Week:
Monday
Tuesday
- Orange County Board of Supervisors
- Anaheim City Council
- Irvine City Council
- Garden Grove City Council
- Newport Beach City Council
- Buena Park City Council
- San Clemente City Council
- Stanton City Council
- Laguna Hills City Council
- Villa Park City Council
Thursday
Friday
See something interesting in the agendas? Let us know!
You can reach Nick Gerda at ngerda@gmail.com, and follow him on Twitter: @nicholasgerda.