City Manager's Update: Jan. 28, 2012

: Staff is currently routing the certificate of occupancy and will be performing final inspections in the next two weeks.

LAS HADAS CODE AMENDMENT:  Officials with the Las Hadas office park on the northeast corner of Del Obispo Street and Paseo Adelanto have requested an amendment of the to authorize retail uses in the center.

HUMAN RESOURCES: New Human Resources Manager Tom Bokosky began his new position Wednesday. Recruitment is underway for the position of accountant within the Finance Department. A first review of applications was conducted on Jan. 16, and interviews are being set up.

POLICE SERVICES: Celina Corely began her new assignment as the city’s first full-time  on Jan. 13. Corely is currently in training for her new duties and is looking forward to working with all members of the community as she enlists the help of the residents in establishing neighborhood watch groups, a business watch program in the city and a wide variety of other community outreach events and services. Corely is bilingual in English and Spanish and is looking forward to utilizing her language skills as she works with all members of the community. During the rigorous selection process, Corley demonstrated that she was the most well-rounded and qualified candidate. She will be working in an office at the . For any crime prevention inquiries, please feel free to contact her at 949-443-6370 or by e-mail at ccorley@ocsd.org.

RAILROAD CROSSINGS: Orange County Transit Authority staff and consultants made a presentation to the Transportation Commission on Jan. 11 on the operation of the “queue-cutter” traffic signal on Del Obispo Street at the railroad tracks. The purpose of the traffic signal is to prevent vehicles from backing up onto the railroad tracks from the adjacent intersections. However, the new signals have caused traffic delays. Consultants are studying the operation of the signals to eliminate the long delays.

: Thus far this month, the Groundwater Recovery Plant operated at an average production level of 3.59 million gallons per day, or 11.01 acre feet per day. Total production this fiscal year to date (from July 1, 2011 through this week) is 2,192.18 acre feet. This is headed towards the target of 3,500 acre feet for this fiscal year (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012). For this month to date, the GWRP has produced over 70.9 percent of the city’s water supply.

CONSERVATION EFFORTS: On Sunday, Jan. 15, the Metropolitan Water District completed the repairs to their system after being shut down for one week. During this time period, the city relied on the GWRP as its main source of potable water supply and also pulled from the city’s new backup storage supply in the  for additional water as needed. This new configuration worked exceptionally well without any problems. The Utilities department would like to thank the San Juan Capistrano residents for their conservation efforts during the imported water supply shutdown! Despite the warm weather, with customer conservation efforts plus our local groundwater supply, we were able to keep the reservoirs full all week, ensuring an adequate supply for all essential uses.

COMMISSION VACANCY: The City Council has declared an adult adviser vacancy on the , which acts as an advisory body to the City Council, Planning Commission, city manager and other groups in matters related to the culture, heritage and history of the city. Duties of the Cultural Heritage Commission include:

1. Promote awareness and appreciation for the city's cultural and historical significance through preservation and promotion of traditional folkways associated with the community
2. Encourage sponsorship of community events promoting knowledge of history, culture and traditional folkways of the community and assist organizations to undertake such tasks
3. Compile and maintain lists of property, persons, events  and landmarks of cultural or historical significance for City Council review and notify property owners of applicable city requirements
4. Implement studies related to historical, cultural, paleontological, or archaeological matters, and make recommendations on related districts
5. Recommend an annual   budget including financing of commission   activities and capital projects designed to protect the cultural heritage of the community; and other duties as may be assigned by the City Council. 

Applications are due to the city clerk by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10.

Applications for both positions are available at the city clerk’s office or the city’s website. 

SUMMER NITES CONCERTS: Three local businesses have agreed to sponsor a date for the four 2012 San Juan Summer Nites concert series. Those who have committed to sponsor the concerts are: , a Sempra Energy utility, and . The concert series is in need of one additional sponsor to complete the series. Businesses or organizations interested in sponsoring a concert this year are encouraged to call (949) 493-5911 for details.

CONTRACT CLASSES: Dance classes, such as cha cha, ballroom dance and ballet folklorico, are the top attended classes for this week.