City Manager's Update, April 28, 2012

: The purpose of the traffic signal located at Del Obispo is to prevent vehicles from backing up onto the railroad tracks from the adjacent intersections. However, the new signal has caused traffic delays. OCTA consultants have finalized the Del Obispo Street operations study to minimize or eliminate the long delays caused by these queue-cutter signals. Presentations were made to the Transportation Commission on April 11 and to the City Council April 17, outlining the recommendations of the study. OCTA staff outlined various options available to the city. OCTA and City staff will continue to work on timing adjustments at the queue-cutter signal and the adjacent intersections to minimize delays. OCTA is also initiating a separate consultant study to address the “ghost train” issue. The study is expected to be completed by June 1.

: The Orange County Flood Control District has set May 2 for opening bid on Phase 7 of the Trabuco Creek and San Juan Creek Levee Protection project. Phase 7 of this county project is intended to stabilize the Trabuco Creek channel walls. The project site is located along both the east and west side of Trabuco Creek from the recreation bridge at Descanso Park north to Del Obispo Street.

: In July 2010, the city signed a grant agreement with the California Energy Commission for Phase 1 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to provide $189,031 to convert street lights in the City to a more energy efficient fixture. The city has 1,583 street lights. The Phase 1 grant award will cover the cost to convert 425 lights. The installation will be completed by June 14. The new Induction lights use about half the energy as the existing high pressure sodium fixtures. The grant allows the city to see immediate savings as the lights are converted. The city has recently applied for Phase 2 funding from the same grant source to convert the remaining street lights.

: Hamilton Oaks Vineyards has submitted a revised site plan that details the proposed exterior set up of the property. Staff discussed the proposal with the Cultural Heritage Commission on April 24.

: The dog park has received final plan check approval and is ready for the Open Space Foundation to obtain building permits and begin construction.

DEL OBISPO STREET BRIDGE WIDENING: Heavy rains affected progress of construction. The contractor continued installing conduit through the bridge and in the sidewalk. Workers removed bent cap forms and patched concrete where scaffolding and forms were attached. They worked on relocating the air release valve east of the bridge. And, they built forms for the north-side sidewalk barrier. The expected project completion is in June 2012.

EAST OPEN SPACE LEMON GROVE:  Soil testing results are expected back from the laboratory shortly for the preparation of appropriate soil amendments prior to tree planting. The Valencia orange trees were delivered on April 17.

SUN RANCH CREEK PROJECT: The city has completed preliminary plans to construct drainage improvements within its drainage easement, which is situated west of the Sun Ranch development, located off Del Obispo Street south of Calle Aspero. The proposed project consists of the installation of approximately 1,500 linear feet of buried 48-inch diameter reinforced concrete pipe storm drain pipeline along the overgrown drainage course. The improvements within the easement will also include construction of an all-weather access road along the south edge of the easement, establishment of a restored drainage channel that will be vegetated with native wetland and riparian habitat and additional landscaping, retaining walls and fencing. The improvement will provide storm protection to neighboring properties while providing a natural, cleaned-up ravine and water course. Staff is working towards completion of plans and specifications for the project. The project was brought before the Planning Commission for comment and review on April 10. After a thorough review, the Planning Commission unanimously forwarded the project to City Council for approval. Approval of plans and specifications, and environmental determination will be brought before City Council at its May 15 meeting.

PAVEMENT REHABILITATION IMPROVEMENT:  The project includes placing Asphalt Concrete (AC) overlay on Camino La Ronda (Phase 1) from La Novia to Via Fierro including the side streets, Paseo Rita, Rancho Viejo Road (Phase 2) from Ortega Highway to north of Junipero Serra Road, and Malaspina Road. Additionally, the project calls for slurry coating of the alleyways in Capistrano Villas II & III (Phase 3). The contractor completed AC overlays of Phase 1 and 2. The start date of the alleyway work is pending the Contractor’s agreement to be in place with Capistrano Villas II & III HOAs’ for the private portion of Phase 3.

SIDEWALK AND ACCESS RAMP CONSTRUCTION: Road work begun April 16 on a roughly two-month street improvement project on busy roadways to upgrade access ramps and install sidewalk at various points along Del Obispo Street, Alipaz Street, and Avenida de la Vista. A new access ramp has also been constructed at the entrance to the San Juan Capistrano Community Center.

CLASS CANCELLED: All the “Goin Native” contract classes have been cancelled. If you have registered for the classes, please be aware that refunds will be mailed out soon. Please call (949) 493-5911 for refund information.

GYM RENTALS: NJB Basketball has completed their season. Rental space for the gym is now available on Saturdays and Sundays. For reservations and/or more information please call Mike Jaramillo at (949) 443-6388.