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Agenda

9:30 - 10:00am — Conference Registration/Continental Breakfast

10:00 - 10:15am — Conference Welcome

• Introductions: Mayor Jill Hardy, Huntington Beach
• Terry Watt, Owner, Terrell Watt Planning Consultants [Presentation (PDF, 1.8 MB)]
• Bill Higgins, Attorney & Land Use and Housing Program Director, Institute for Local Government
• Paul Zykofsky, Director, Land Use and Transportation Programs, Local Government Commission

10:15 - 11:15 — Morning Keynote Presentation – Health and the Environment

• Introduction: Stan Oftelie, President and CEO, Orange County Business Council
• Dr. Richard Jackson, MD, MPH, former State Health Officer, California Department of Health Services [Presentation (PDF, 6.1 MB)]

The 21st century epidemics of obesity, diabetes, depression and loneliness can be turned around.  A first step is creating safe, walkable, lively and neighborly communities.  Dr. Jackson will discuss why public health issues are focusing more attention on community design and the need for communities that provide safe and healthy places to live, walk, bike and play.

11:25 - 12:25 — Break Out Discussions – Select One

Open Space, Water Quality and Transportation: What the Polls Say People are Thinking

• Introductions: Edgar Dymally, Senior Environmental Specialist, Metropolitan Water District
• John Fairbank, Partner, Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates [Presentation (PDF, 1 MB)]
• Mayor Pro Tem Art Brown, Buena Park, Chairman, METROLINK
• Monte Ward, Strategic Advisor/Special Projects Manager, Orange County Transportation Authority [Presentation (PDF, 416 KB)]

Polling is showing tremendous support for funding measures that address clean water and coastal resources.  Hear how focusing on clean water and protection of our coast from pollution can be a key element of funding resource protection in Orange County.

Show Me the Money: Funding Options for Local Government

• Introductions: Terry Watt, Owner, Terrell Watt Planning Consultants
• Bill Higgins, Attorney & Land Use and Housing Program Director, Institute for Local Government [Funding Open Space Acquisition Programs (ON-LINE PUBLICATION)]
• Catherine Lew, President, The Lew Edwards Group [Presentation (PDF, 1.3 MB)]

Promoting a conservation vision in Orange County is only half of the battle. Getting the public and voters to dig into their pocket books to support this vision is critical for it to become a reality.  Learn how to get public support from a top policy and campaign expert who has quarterbacked the passage of billions of dollars in voter-backed finance measures, and hear from an expert in funding options.

Local Opportunities: Tradeoffs and Emerging Approaches

• Introductions: Supervisor Thomas W. Wilson, Orange County
• Councilmember Bob Henderson, City of Whittier
• Gerard Van Steyn, President, Shilts Consultants [Presentation (PDF, 584 KB)]
• Paul Jones, General Manager, Irvine Ranch Water District [Presentation (PDF, 1.2 MB)]

A local agency has many tools in the toolbox for funding open space, water quality, natural resources and other public improvements.  Picking the right tools for the job can be the key to success.  Learn about the primary funding mechanisms available, and the tradeoffs and relative opportunity presented by each mechanism.  Real world examples will be emphasized, including two recently successful approaches in Orange County: a county-wide ballot measure and an innovative open space funding solution.

12:30 - 1:30— Lunch

1:45 - 2:30 — Afternoon Keynote Presentation – Orange County's Fair Share

• Introduction: Councilmember Debbie Cook, Huntington Beach
• Fred Keeley, Treasurer and Tax Collector, Santa Cruz County; Former Assemblyman, Author of Propositions 12 & 40 - Parks and Environmental Protection Bonds

Propositions 12 & 40 resulted in $4.7 billion in funding for clean air, clean water and land conservation in California. With more than ten percent of the statewide vote and with overwhelming support from Orange County voters for both Propositions – Orange County should receive its fair share of these important public dollars.  Find out how Orange County can get its fair share from future Bonds.

2:40 - 3:40 — Break Out Discussions – Select One

What Makes a Healthy Community: The Community Design and Open Space Connection

• Introductions: Dr. Mark Horton, Deputy Agency Director, Orange County Health Care Agency
• America Bracho, CEO, Latino Health Access [Presentation (PDF, 1.2 MB)]
• Paul Zykofsky, Director, Land Use and Transportation Programs, Local Government Commission [Presentation (PDF, 9.5 MB)]

Community design is key to creating healthy and livable communities in which residents are encouraged to walk, bike and play. This session provides an overview on the importance of providing adequate and safe recreation opportunities throughout Orange County and identifies some of the challenges facing our communities.  For example, something as basic as street design can be the key to safe, walkable and bikable neighborhoods.

The Benefits of Open Space: Making the Case that Open Space Improves Our Community Health, Wealthy and Quality of Life

• Introductions: Garry Brown, Executive Director, Orange County Coastkeeper
• Felicia Marcus, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, The Trust for Public Land, Former Regional Administrator, US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 [Presentation (PDF, 5.3 MB)]
• Monica Florian, Former Corporate Vice President, The Irvine Company [Presentation (PDF, 1.2 MB)]
• Michael O'Connell, Executive Director, Irvine Ranch Land Reserve Trust [Presentation (PDF, 548 KB)]

This panel will describe the sometimes intangible but nonetheless real, benefits of open space to communities.  The panel will make the case that including access to open space is a necessity, and not a luxury, for communities.  Examples of where parks and open space have created clear benefits to communities in terms of their economic recovery and vitality, quality of life, and public health will be highlighted.

3:45 - 4:30 — Closing Keynote Presentation – State Bond Opportunities

• Introduction: Councilmember John Beauman, City of Brea
• Assemblymember Tom Harman, 67th Assembly District

Over the past decade, Californian’s have passed millions in bond measures for clean water, clean air, parks and open space.  In November 2006 we have an opportunity to pass a Bond for over $3.8 billion more in funding for clean water, clean air, land conservation, state and local parks, recreation and historic and cultural resources — all essential investments to protect our economy and quality of life.  Assemblyman Harman will give us an update on the Bond opportunity and how it will advance the Orange County Green Vision.