New Apartment Complex Planned Near SJHHS

JSERRA HIGH SCHOOL: On Aug. 2, the city’s Design Review Committee conducted a re-application review of the proposal to install a previously approved baseball pavilion requesting to increase the building area from 2,923 square feet to 2,980 square feet (a 57-square-foot difference).

: On Aug. 2, the Design Review Committee conducted a work session to review a proposed 100-unit apartment complex on 4.6 acres of land on Vista Montana near

: The water and sewer billing for the month of July 2012 has been completed and all customer bills have been mailed. Customers will be given the normal amount of time to pay their July bills. The city’s eWater online access, which has been down because of the software upgrade, is now in the process of final testing and verification. We anticipate the site to be available within the next few days. For information regarding water and sewer bills, customers can contact customer service at (949) 493-1515.

TRAINING EXERCISE: On July 28, the city conducted the annual Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training exercise to specifically refresh the Large Animal Response Team (LART) in equestrian response maneuvers in the event of a wildfire. More than 50 CERT/LARTs participated in the refresher that was held at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. Included in the exercise were representatives from the Orange County  

Fire Authority, the Orange County Animal Care Services and the Tri-Cities RACES to ensure that our organizations are familiar with our respective operations. The entire program was planned and conducted by CERT/LART volunteers under the direction of city staff. The primary objective of the refresher was to set up an Incident Command Center, receive evacuated horses, stable them, maintain records, and return the horses to their respective owners/handlers.

DEL OBISPO STREET BRIDGE WIDENING: Monday, July 30, at the intersection of Alipaz Street and Paseo Adelanto, the traffic signal lights and hardware were transferred from the existing poles. The new poles have longer masts and larger foundations to accommodate the widening. On Tuesday, July 31, the existing curb and gutter sections were removed and hot mix asphalt was placed. Starting Wednesday, Aug. 1, the contractor installed barriers, cones and signage and striping for the detour that will be used to provide for safe working conditions while the new bridge section is joined with the old. Westbound traffic will travel on either side of the work zone with one lane on the old section and one on the new. Changeable message signs that provide advanced warnings were placed last week to provide the community with notification and information regarding this project and advice to seek an alternate route. The contractor has provided a schedule that should make it possible to complete this portion of work by the start of school on Sept. 5.

PAVEMENT REHABILITATION IMPROVEMENT: The remaining portion of the project calls for slurry coating of the alleyways in Capistrano Villas II & III (Phase 3). The start date of the alleyways work is on hold pending the contractor’s agreement to be in place with Capistrano Villas II & III homeowner associations for the private portion of Phase 3. There are also current discussions with the HOA about performing additional pavement testing and analysis in the alleys.

ORTEGA HIGHWAY REHABILITATION: Two Caltrans maintenance projects to resurface Ortega Highway began June 18. Work on the roadway will be performed at night with lane closures and flaggers, where necessary. The project is scheduled to last 90 working days, with completion in late October 2012. There are no scheduled roadway closures.

Project limits for the larger project are I-5 to Calle Entradero and east of Antonio Parkway (Mile Marker 3.0) to Mile Marker 13.3, near the Orange/Riverside counties line. The project limits for the second project are Calle Entradero to the San Juan Capistrano city limits. Where necessary, ADA ramps will be reconstructed to conform with current requirements.

SEWER REHABILITATIONPROJECT: This project performs lining or complete replacement of approximately 2 miles of City sanitary sewer pipe, based upon last year’s sewer video inspection program. Recent additional video has uncovered problem areas that shall be added to the project. Public Works staff is preparing plans and specifications in house and is expecting to bring the project to the Utilities Commission in September and the City Council in October for approval to go out to bid.

FREE MASSAGES FOR SENIORS: Staff has met with a local business to provide complimentary 15-minute massages several times throughout the year at the Community Center. The first will be offered in conjunction with the annual Flu Shot Clinic on 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23. No appointment is needed.

DANCE TICKETS: Tickets for the senior “Sunset Serenade” dance are now available. The dance is from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4. Pre-sale tickets are $10 per person; including appetizers, champagne and live music to dance by featuring “The Smoothies.” For more information call (949) 493-5911. No tickets available at the door.

CONCERT IN THE PARK: Staff is preparing for the next San Juan Summer Nites concert set for Wednesday, Aug. 15, featuring “Close Harmony.” The public is encouraged to attend and enjoy an evening of music, dancing, good food and spirits. There will be fun, free activities for the children. Acceptance notifications for the business expo have gone out and businesses are set to have information and free goodies at their booths.