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| Volume 1 | Issue 35 |
December 17, 2021 |
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Celebrating the holiday season through giving
Dear Neighbors,
I am happy to announce that, thanks to your generosity, our 13th Annual Coat Drive was an overwhelming success! We collected more than 500 new coats for kids from your donations. This week, just as the cold weather hit, we distributed the coats to the Boys and Girls Club and Save Our Youth (SOY). A big thank you to Wing Lam, the founder of Wahoo’s, and Stussy, for donating 22 boxes of coats and sweatshirts. My heart is full knowing that these coats will help children and teens whose families don’t have the money to buy a new winter coat, either due to the lingering effects of the pandemic, unemployment, or as a result of the rising costs for necessities like housing, food, and gas. We saw so many happy faces and experienced a ton of hugs and love.
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 My 13th Annual Coat Drive distribution at the Boys & Girls Club, accompanied by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris
 Students learn and ask questions during our annual career Q&A
On Monday, I testified alongside Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris at a state hearing about my concerns regarding the oversight of private drug rehabilitation facilities. I asked the state to consider distance requirements between facilities, to prevent the overconcentration, or “institutionalization,” of neighborhoods. At the hearing, I also questioned the adequacy of the state’s enforcement arm, with all of its inspectors in Sacramento and the majority of treatment programs here in Southern California. I believe it is critical that patients are properly supervised when in detox. Learn more: Here
As you know, the October oil spill resulted in devastating effects for local wildlife, fisheries, and businesses that depend on fishing and our coast for their livelihood. If not for the fast action of our Harbor Patrol, Marine Safety Divisions of our Fire Departments, OC Public Works, Coast Guard and the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Orange County oil spill had the potential to be a total ecological disaster. Now, a federal grand jury has accused three companies of acting negligently, by failing to respond and inform. I will further detail those charges and my response in the “Oil Spill Updates” section of this newsletter, but we now know that they lied to us.
 A video posted by the OC Fire Authority on Twitter at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, showed mudslides through Orange County's canyons. Photo Credit: OCFA
This week ushered in much needed rain to our local communities, but the sudden storm created weather-related dangers that kept our OC Public Works, emergency services, firefighters, and police busy around the clock, keeping our Orange County residents safe and rescuing those who faced flash flooding. Send us an email with a note of thanks for our emergency workers and we will pass it along.
On Tuesday, at our Board of Supervisors meeting, we honored the OC Human Relations Commission for 50 years of service. Hate shall not be tolerated in our communities and our County’s future is one of support, diversity, and inclusion.
 Honoring the OC Human Relations Commission
On Tuesday night, I attended the Newport Beach Mayor Reception and Volunteer Awards Ceremony recognizing the outgoing Mayor Brad Avery, and introducing the new Mayor Kevin Muldoon and Mayor Pro Tem Noah Blom. I presented certificates to all, thanking them for their service and recognizing Mayor Avery for his leadership, sense of humor, and grace under pressure during a challenging year in Newport Beach.
 Newport Beach Mayor Reception and Volunteer Awards Ceremony
As of Wednesday, December 15th, the California Department of Public Health ordered that masks be worn indoors through January 15th, 2022, irrespective of vaccine status. Many cities in Orange County are great examples of how successful we can be when we become vaccinated to reduce transmission and the severity of illness, so we can get back to the activities we love. However, while many of us are fully vaccinated (and even boosted!), this one month period of indoor masking is to prevent a rise in transmission of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, and other current variants like Delta as we gather this holiday season. We don’t want our hospitals or essential workers being overwhelmed. Learn more by watching my COVID Briefing with Dr. Chinsio-Kwong, Deputy Health Director for OC Health: Here
 Stop by one of our vaccine clinics and see Michele Mullen for a free COVID-19 saliva test kit
Team Foley continues to help to distribute saliva test kits at our vaccine clinics and to businesses and schools that request kits. Testing is important if you or a family member are exposed to COVID-19 or when you want to satisfy travel requirements. You can call us directly at (714) 834-3220 to request multiple kits or pick up a test at one of our upcoming vaccine clinics: Here
 Free COVID-19 saliva test kits at any of our vaccine clinics. Click here for a list!
On Wednesday, I began my day early with the Corona Del Mar Chamber of Commerce and Councilmembers Brenner & Dixon, to welcome Mother’s Market to Corona Del Mar at the official ribbon cutting for their new location! This location is operated by three young women, easy to walk or bike to, and offers many organic, healthy juice options, and (daily!) fresh packaged salads. Every resident in Orange County deserves access to healthy, nourishing food. To help residents living in affordable housing in Newport Beach this holiday season, we are coordinating care packages that include Mother’s Market gift cards. Learn more about our other food insecurity initiatives below. We are truly supporting residents in every city this holiday season! See our list of city contributions in our "Transparency in Governance" section below.
 Mother's Market Corona Del Mar Ribbon Cutting. Photo Credit: Stu News
This week, I also met with our Homeless & Housing Advisory team and discussed expanding our Wound Walk survey to Santa Ana. We discussed a new HomeKey Motel Conversion idea that I have for a location in Santa Ana. This would convert a location into affordable housing for young people. We also started planning our TeamFoley Point in Time Count program. We will be out with our staff and volunteers on Tuesday, January 26 in both the early morning and evening shifts. Email Katrina.Foley@ocgov.com to join us. Lear more here. https://www.everyonecountsoc.org/volunteer
 The former Tahiti Motel in Stanton, which the county is converting into housing for homeless people with on-site services. Photo Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
Our Veterans Advisory Team also met this week to discuss the next steps for the Veterans Cemetery, support for families in need, employment services due to closure of the One Stop office, and plans for our Veterans Job Fair this spring.
Team Foley was everywhere on Thursday starting with supporting the Orange Coast College grocery gift card and care package distribution, then heading to Cypress to open our remodeled Cypress Library. This library serves more than 50,000 residents and it’s great to know that this new 15,090 square foot building is refurbished and remodeled, with enhanced access for those with disabilities.
 Orange Coast College Food Distribution Drive - Handing Out Food & COVID-19 Test Kits
 Cypress Library Reopening & Ribbon Cutting
In between press interviews about the oil spill indictment and new leak, we joined Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie Norris and Costa Mesa Councilmember Arlis Reynolds for a check presentation of $8 million the Assemblywoman secured to buy Banning Ranch and to repurpose the oil fields to a new regional coastal park. Congratulations to the volunteers and community activities dedicated to saving Banning Ranch.
 Banning Ranch Check Presentation
 On Thursday evening, we traveled to the Orange County Labor Federation offices in Orange to meet with representatives from the Teamsters and trash hauler Republic Services to congratulate them on their hard work to hammer out a contract. They shared that the negotiating teams worked for 36 hours at OCLF to get a deal done. Thank you!
I hope all of you are getting in the holiday spirit. I definitely felt the energy, joy, and love during our local festivities at the 113th annual Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, that my office sponsored, and when attending the Orange County Labor Federation Holiday Party & Toy Drive.
 Join me tonight at the opening of the annual Snoopy House in Costa Mesa.
We look forward to the approaching holiday break and some quality time with our families.
Be well,
 Katrina Foley
Supervisor
County of Orange
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Orange County Oil Spill Update
 Two Major Developments This Week...
First, on Wednesday, a Federal Grand Jury Wednesday charged three companies with criminal negligence in connection with an October Orange County Oil Spill. Amongst the charges detailed was that the companies did not properly respond to 8 alarms from an automated leak detection system that were activated for more than 13 hours.
Click here to read more.
“We all questioned the veracity of the statements by Amplify. The timeline, the observations of sheen on the water & the smell all pointed to the spill starting earlier. We were lied to at every briefing. They must be held accountable and we need stricter monitoring.” – Supervisor Foley
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On Wednesday, we learned of at least one new oil spill being reported near Bolsa Chica State Beach.
The U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Fish and Wildlife are investigating the cause, while our team at Orange County Public Works deployed protective measures at Talbert Marsh, Bolsa Chica, and the Santa Ana River, as part of our Area Contingency Plan.
Thanks to the U.S. Coast Guard, our oil spill response teams, and our beach cleanup crews for immediately mobilizing. I will continue to update you on the facts.
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NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR WEARING INDOOR MASKS IN CALIFORNIA
The California Department of Public Health is now recommending that all persons wear a mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status. This comes in response to coronavirus case rates in California that have risen by almost 50% since Thanksgiving and COVID-19 hospitalizations are up by nearly 15%.
Read the Press Release by California Department of Health: Here
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks California as having a high level of transmission of the coronavirus, the worst tier in the federal agency’s four-tier scale
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"If you've been exposed ... if you have any symptoms, please get tested. If you're having any shortness of breath please immediately seek help." - Dr. Chinsio-Kwong, Deputy Health Officer
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How to protect yourself in a time of COVID-19
Dr. Chinsio-Kwong, Deputy Health Officer for Orange County Health Agency, confirmed what the World Health Organization (WHO) has said, that we should all use caution to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities against the Omicron variant. She also shared that our nation is beginning to face higher transmission rates and that, while the Delta variant is still our main variant, Omicron is believed to be more contagious.
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What we know about the Omicron variant and how to stay safe over the next month...
- Omicron, much like Delta, spreads more easily than the original variant.
- Vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant.
- Minimize your time indoors, with others outside your household, and opt for outdoor gatherings and dining.
- Wear a mask indoors. COVID-19 spreads in close quarters with poor ventilation
- Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer
- Get tested if you are traveling, feel sick, or even have moderate symptoms like the sniffles. Stay home if you are sick
(Source: OC Health, 2021)
Find out the Vaccination Stats for Your City
Thank You for Getting Vaccinated and Boosted!
"I am so thankful that our County has been consistent about getting vaccinated. While our County has made great strides, we are not out of the woods and the case positivity rate is rising. Please get your booster shot if it has been 6-months since your second vaccination ... as this is considered the best way to stay protected from Omicron." - Supervisor Foley
UPCOMING VACCINE CLINIC DATES
Get vaccinated, boosted, or pick up a COVID-19 test kit. FREE test kits are also available at the John Wayne Airport.
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Michele Mullen
Community Outreach Director
HAVE A VACCINE RELATED QUESTION?
Learn more about the difference between a first, second, and third dose along with a booster shot: Here
You can now get your children ages 5 and up vaccinated. Vaccines for children are safe, but please talk to your child’s pediatrician about any concerns.
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"There has been a big increase in vaccinations at the clinics where I pass out our free COVID-19 test kits. Yesterday, in one day's time, I witnessed over 400 people receive vaccinations and do their part to keep Orange County safe and able to get back to what we love." - Michele Mullen
Too young for his vaccine, but happy to watch his family members get vaccinated from COVID-19.
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Board of Supervisors Meeting
Highlights From Our December 14, 2021 Meeting
Supporting Homekey Funds to Convert Three Motels in our District into Housing for Seniors, Veterans, and Residents Transitioning from Shelters
The Board voted to move forward with our initiative to accept $34,500,000 in Homekey funds from the State. This funding helps us convert 3 degraded motels into permanent supportive housing. I’m proud that all three properties—located in Stanton, Huntington Beach, and Costa Mesa—are in my district. Our team organized a comprehensive workshop for our Mayors and City Managers to learn about the program, benefits, County technical and legal supports, and invited cities to identify target motels. It worked! Reducing homelessness and increasing housing affordability for seniors and Veterans is critical. I look forward to transforming these sites and improving the quality of life for residents.
Climate Action-Capistrano Beach Climate Adaptation Project Grant
We also approved a $4.2 million dollar grant application to help address Capistrano Beach coastal erosion by implementing a nature-based adaptation project. This project is a great start to evaluating whether nature-based adaptation projects are a good solution for other Orange County beaches facing coastal erosion. Finding solutions to address rising sea levels and protect our beaches and residents is a top priority for me. Since day one, I’ve lobbied Congress and the Army Corps for sand replenishment along our coast and supported state sponsored legislation to protect our coast. I’m anxious to get the project started.
More Climate Action-Diverting Food Waste
The Board approved a grant application for Edible Food Recovery Program funds. If awarded the grant by CalRecycle, these funds will support the purchase of equipment such as refrigerators, installation, software, training, and education materials to help County agencies facilitate edible food recovery. Food waste accounts for 8% of greenhouse gas emissions at a time when so many in our community are food insecure. I was recently contacted by a student concerned about food waste at school. I look forward to future efforts to improve the County’s food diversion efforts that address food insecurity and sustainability.
Meal Grants Distributed
Our contributions are changing lives and helping to support our cities & local nonprofits! This year, we distributed the following meal grant funds and provided more than $200,000 in care packages, from our office, to families living in affordable housing.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley - $50,000
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Anaheim-Cypress - $15,000
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast - $50,000
- City of Buena Park - $70,000
- City of Costa Mesa - $200,000
- City of Cypress - $105,000
- City of Fountain Valley - $70,000
- City of Huntington Beach - $200,000
- City of La Palma - $70,000
- City of Los Alamitos - $70,000
- City of Seal Beach - $70,000
- City of Stanton - $70,000
- Cypress College Foundation -$50,000
- Fresh Beginnings Ministries - $23,100
- Hoag Memorial Hospital - $100,000
- Orange Coast College Foundation - $50,000
- Our Lady Queen of Angels Church (Helping Hands) - $25,000
- Power of One Foundation - $20,000
- Rossmoor Community Services - $70,000
- Share Our Selves - $100,000
- Wound Walk OC - $22,000
- Hoag - $100,000
- Save Our Youth - $20,000
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Team Foley In The News This Week
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3 Companies Charged In #OCOILSPILL
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Sanitation Workers Strike
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Motels Turned Into Housing
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Flagpole Groundbreaking Ceremony At New Veterans Ceremony
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California Issued Mask Mandate
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Residential Detox Facilities
Read More: OC Register - Here & Here
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Remembering Ironman Mike
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Rossmoor New Street Sweeping Schedule
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Alex Rounaghi
Policy Analyst
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Supervisor Foley Testifies About Residential Detox Facilities
As Supervisor Foley explained, on Monday, she testified at the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee’s hearing on residential detox facilities.
During the hearing, Supervisor Foley and Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris pressed the Department of Health Care Services officials for answers about the lack of enforcement and regulations. The hearing also included testimony from Dr. Mario San Bartolome Jr (California Society of Addiction Medicine) and Jennifer Lohse (Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation). Both of these experts made the case for evidence-based quality standards that ensure that those in recovery are properly treated. During public comment, residents from across the state (many from Orange County) raised concerns about the lack of enforcement by the agency.
Michelle Baass, Director of the California Department of Health Care Services, promised that changes are coming to improve the Department’s transparency and that it may require certification for all programs. We are hopeful that the hearing will lead to a significant change in how we support the health and safety of those in recovery.
You can watch the full hearing here.
The OC Register reported on the hearing.
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Constituent Services Manager
Cypress, Huntington Beach (Oak View Neighborhood), Stanton, Rossmoor
 Helping to get our coat distribution ready!
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Hello District 2,
Happy Friday! This week, on behalf of the Supervisor, I attended the Orange Coast College Holiday Food Drive to pass out COVID-19 Test Kits, food and grocery store gift cards funded by our office to help OCC students and their families. If you have an organization looking for COVID-19 saliva test kits, please reach out to our office at (714) 834-3220.
That same day, I joined the Supervisor at Save Our Youth, to pass out 100 $200 grocery store gift cards funded by our office and new coats to the S.O.Y Students. Thank you to everyone that helped with our coat donations! The students were thrilled to receive their brand-new coats in time for the cold season! As an alumni of SOY, I know the value of this organization as they help to move kids from poverty to the middle class. I know the support that we provide makes a difference. It’s great to now be in a position to give back to the organization that helped me so much in life.
Tonight is the launch of Costa Mesa’s Snoopy House. I encourage everyone to visit for sledding, carolers, and warm beverages.
I wish everyone a Happy Holiday!
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Constituent Services Manager
Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Newport Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, and Animal Services
 Check presentation at Banning Ranch
 Thank you to our Public Works and our Orange County Community Resources Team on the remodeled library
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Holiday Cheer And Lots of Rain
While this week has been full of holiday cheer and a lot of rain, our office stayed dedicated to serving our constituents every step of the way.
I began the week by attending numerous meetings, one of which was with the partners for Volcom. They are interested in building new structures that give the skaters in our District more options to enjoy their sport, safely. I also met with Patriots & Paws, a group of community advocates who are proposing an innovative concept of converting County property into housing for veterans and individuals experiencing homelessness alongside their pets. This great organization provides proper training and can help pets when the pet owner is either out of town or unable to be with them, temporarily. I hope that our office made the holidays a little more festive for local families in that needed a boost of support, by distributing grocery store gift cards of up to $200 each!
I also enjoyed accompanying the Supervisor to a range of events across our District and partnering with our community members to bring about positive change. That's it for this week! Have a great weekend.
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District Director
Policy Advisor
 Heroes Hall Insdoor Tour with Nick Berardino and Phil Dillard
 "Blue discharge" of a LGBTQ WWII Veteran
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Serving all of you alongside Supervisor Foley
Hello District 2,
I wanted to say how happy I am to have joined Supervisor Foley’s staff and serve all of you. In addition to all the work that I’ve done supporting the Supervisor’s Coat Drive and her Meal Gap Food Aid program, I’m committed to improving the lives, benefits, and dignity of the County’s military Veterans. I am now chairing our office's Veterans Advisory Council which met this Wednesday. This group includes the most prominent and influential advocates for Veterans and we keep the Supervisor abreast of the needs and concerns of OC’s community of Veterans.
Among the many topics and action items from the meeting on Wednesday, was the update that VA Disability Pensions are getting a 5.9% COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) increase in 2022. We were also informed that, due to paper shortages, some VA letters—including time sensitive notifications related to disability claims—may be delayed. The VA has made provisions for affected Veterans that you can learn about: Here You can also contact our County Veterans Support Office by phone at (714) 480-6555 or on the web. The meeting was also an opportunity for the Supervisor to discuss her plan to conduct a countywide Veterans Listening Tour this spring. Finally, I should say that it was my pleasure to represent the Supervisor and join our Veterans' Advisor Nick Berardino on a tour of the Heroes Hall, alongside the national Commander of the American Legions, Phil Dillard.
 Outside the Heroes Hall Museum at the Costa Mesa Fairgrounds
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 Animal ID: A1728407
Think Rally would be a good fit for your family? Call (714) 935-6848 to set up an adoption appointment today!
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Meet Rally!
Rally is a sweet Labrador Retriever mix who would love to be adopted. She has been at OC Animal Care since July and is ready to find her furr-ever family! Rally is about a year and a half old and her hobbies include lounging on her cozy bed, getting back scratches from her human friends, and she is always ready for a treat! Rally is a sweet girl and while she may be a little shy at first, once she gets to know you, you’ve made a best friend for life! A smart dog, she would be the perfect candidate for learning fun behaviors during training. Rally would do best in an adult-only home where she can be the only pet.
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Find Winter Holiday Travel Tips From John Wayne Airport: Here |
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