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Volume 3 | Issue 23 |
June 9, 2023 |
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Dear neighbor:
As your County Supervisor, I’m in favor of the Board of Supervisors voting on which flags fly at our Hall of Administration. However, my colleagues voted to restrict the power of the Board and banned Pride flags on County property. This was a direct retaliation to my effort with Supervisor Sarmiento to raise the Pride flag for pride month. Pride represents diversity, an inclusive community, and a community that provides a space where people are safe to express themselves and love who they want. The pride flag aligns with the values we express through our services & County budget. By taking this rash decision of banning the Pride flag from all County property and our County parks and facilities undermines the work we’ve done as a Board to ensure Orange County is a fair, inclusive, and welcoming place to live, work, and visit for every member of our community. Our office flies the Pride flag, it’s open to all, and we’re here to serve.
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Tuesday morning, the Board of Supervisors and I proclaimed June as Gun Violence Awareness Month to raise awareness of gun violence in Orange County, California, and across America.
Orange County residents are dying at work, at places of worship, on their way to school, at the grocery store. Gun deaths are the leading cause of death among people aged 1-19. We deserve to live in a society that’s more peaceful. Thank you to Moms Demand Action for joining us at the Board meeting. We wear orange this June to stand in solidarity with victims of gun violence and their families.
On Tuesday night, I held the first gathering of the Costa Mesa Walk/Run Club in TeWinkle Park. Come join us next Tuesday at 6:30pm for some movement! Invite your friends and family for a 2 or 5 mile route. Let’s get moving!
Wednesday morning, I hosted Coffee & Conversations with Firefighters and constituents at the Rancho Mission Viejo Fire Station 67. Division Fire Chief, Cheyne Maule, spoke on how to prepare your home for the upcoming fire season here in California.
I then toured the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach to learn how they rescue and rehabilitate our most precious wildlife. I enjoyed seeing one of my Women Making A Difference honorees, Dr. Allison Deming, and hearing about the cancer research done at the center. Did you know sea lions are indicator species for environmental hazards? + Look at these adorable sea lions and seals!
In the afternoon, I toured Soka University in preparation for our upcoming Senior Summit on Friday October 27, 2023. We invite everyone who wants to participate as a vendor for our resource fair or as a speaker for our program. Make sure you save the date and join us in October!
Later I joined Dan Stetson and the Surfrider Foundation to collect baseline water samples off San Onofre to test and compare against the discharge water released the following day. They take these samples to test for radiation. From these tests, they learned that the average person is exposed to more radiation on a flight from California to New York than if they were to swim in the waters near San Onofre. Watch the video here to learn more!
To end the day, I met with the Mariners 936 Sea Scout unit based in Dana Point. The Mariners boating program allows young people to learn the ins and outs of sailboats at a low cost and provides access to any young person to be at sea. I was impressed by their discipline, and they even demonstrated one of their drills for me! (click here to watch)
I started Thursday with the Boys and Girls Club Central Coast Leadership Breakfast. We received updates on the Boys and Girls Club’s achievements, key milestones, and how their work helps the community.
After lunch, I attended the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council Ad Hoc meeting where we discussed standardizing our data collection and grant application process for programming providers who support system involved youth.
To end the day, I attended the Orange County Women Lawyers Association Mixer. As a lawyer, I enjoy opportunities to connect with my fellow colleagues and learn about the latest in the industry. I was even able to meet some of our Public Defender Law Clerks at the event.
This morning, I attended a press conference at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) with U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm, Congressman Mike Levin, and Steven Powell of Southern California Edison where they announced a historic step forward by the Department of Energy (DOE) in removing spent nuclear fuel from our coast.
The DOE has selected 13 consortia to facilitate engagement and dialogue on consent-based siting of spent nuclear fuel. As Co-Chair of the Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition, I’m heartened by the momentum we’ve built to find solutions to the nation’s spent fuel crisis. And a special shout out is needed for Congressman Mike Levin who has been leading the charge in the Halls of Congress to find a permanent repository for spent fuel.
Thanks to the efforts of our team and our volunteers, 248 American flags fly in William R. Mason Regional Park in honor of the U.S. Army’s 248th Birthday! Stop by William R. Mason starting tomorrow through Wednesday’s Flag Day ceremony to see this wonderful sight!
On Saturday, I will spend time at the 7th Annual Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival on Balboa Island to see the unique variety of wooden boats on the water.
Hope to see you out in the community this weekend!
Be Well,
Katrina Foley Supervisor County of Orange
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In This Edition
Read more about local events, community and health news, District and County initiatives, and other important updates!
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Cindy Tran-Chang
Policy Advisor / Community Events Manager
This week, I was fully immersed in all things related to our elderly. We are getting ready to launch solicitations for organizations wishing to host a booth at our Senior Summit on Friday, October 27, 2023. On Wednesday, I joined the Supervisor to tour SOKA University. We looked at the Recreation Center and Performing Arts Center and assessed wheelchair accessibility and parking ease of access between the different facilities.
I am also working closely with our County Master on Aging partners and Fifth District senior centers to reserve space for the focus groups and town hall meetings taking place this summer and through the fall, culminating in a presentation on the status of the County’s Master Plan on Aging at Supervisor Foley’s Senior Summit! Stay tuned.
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Adam Tallabas
District Representative / Policy Analyst
On Thursday morning, I attended the Boys and Girls Club Central Coast Leadership Breakfast where I got to meet so many bright young minds that were on their way to college. The future is definitely bright with tomorrow’s leaders. Today, I spent the morning installing 248 flags at William R. Mason Regional Park for Flag Day Stop by our booth and the flags any time from 9 AM to 5 PM this weekend! Next week, our Flag Day ceremony will take place with speakers State Senator Josh Newman and U.S. Army Veteran Juan Garcia. Join us on Wednesday at 4 PM!
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Jonathan Davis
Policy Advisor
As a relatively new member of Supervisor Foley’s team, I spent a good portion of my week reviewing the proposed county budget that will be voted on at next Tuesday’s Board of Supervisor’s meeting. I met with county staff and our team to learn how the budget process works and to develop a better understanding of how our priorities are funded. Although the budget process is complicated, one thing is clear: this office and the County of Orange are delivering historic results for residents. If you are interested in learning more about this year’s budget, I encourage you to watch the Public Budget Workshop video that was released by the County.
Beyond that, I also helped the supervisor prepare for several hearings this week, including the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting on Monday, the Transportation Corridor Agencies Meeting on Thursday, and the South OC Watershed Management Area Executive Meeting on Thursday. Overall, it has been another exciting week for infrastructure in South Orange County, and I look forward to providing more updates on what is being delivered for residents.
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Michele Mullen
District Representative
Fire Station 67 in Rancho Mission Viejo hosted a Coffee & Conversation with Supervisor Foley to discuss issues involving preparing your home for fire season and, the acquisition of 2 new Blackhawk helicopters. The helicopters will be added to a fleet of water dropping aircraft, which is an asset to fighting the large brush fires. Division Chief, Cheyne Maule, also discussed the amount of rain which has helped to keep the moisture in the soil and plants. He mentioned that with the amount of moisture, in the event of a fire the damages will be minimal.
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Dana Point Harbor News
From Supervisor Katrina Foley
My Dana Point Harbor Advisory oversight committee will inform my office’s approach to this project and will ensure that businesses, county staff, and the community have a voice in the process. Our selection process continues this week with the oversight committee members announced this month. One of the first tasks of the new Dana Point Harbor Oversight Committee, which starts in July, is to review a few options related to fees and storage and provide me with recommendations. I expect a report back by September.
The committee will meet monthly and prepare public reports each month describing the status of the incoming revenue of DPH, the funding for the project, construction schedule and phasing status, as well as notice about any anticipated closures or impacts. Read more about our work in this month’s Foley Report!
Health News
E-Bike Safety
Santa Ana River Marsh Quarterly Update
Last month, I met with residents, the Army Corps of Engineers, and county staff to discuss canal maintenance and sediment build up at the Santa Ana River Marsh/Seminouk Slough area, on the border of Newport Beach and Huntington Beach. Over this past week, I worked with my board colleagues to approve a project that will help keep this area clean and clear, and the Army Corps of Engineers on building an open dialogue with the public on this site.
At the last Board of Supervisors meeting, we approved an agreement that will enable operations of the Santa Ana Delhi Channel Diversion Structure, which will protect Newport Bay and nearby watersheds from trash and debris. The site will channel water flow to a sanitary sewer treatment plant and ultimately recharge our groundwater replenishment system.
I will continue to provide quarterly updates on this issue here on the newsletter, and coordinate with residents and regional partners on creating a cleaner, more sustainable watershed for everyone.
Pet of the Week
Meet Pet of the Week, Scarlett!
Meet Scarlett, a sweet and affectionate German Shepherd mix, who is looking for a family to call her own!
This two-year-old pup can be a bit nervous around new people and situations, but with time and patience, she warms up and becomes a loving and loyal companion. With the right training and guidance, Scarlett will become a confident dog who is a joy to be around. Scarlett will thrive in a home where there are adults only who can teach her new tricks!
If you think Scarlett will be the perfect fit for your family, please call (714) 935-6848, and mention Animal ID# A1814804.
BenefitsCal
Last month, Orange County officially switched over to a new benefits enrollment portal called BenefitsCal. This new website replaces the former portal, MyBenefitsCalWIN, as a new simple way for our residents to apply for, view and renew benefits for health coverage, food and cash assistance. Households interested in applying for benefits assistance can now create an account at www.BenefitsCal.com and submit their application or link their old MyBenefitsCalWIN case to their account. For more information about BenefitsCal, including new features and capabilities, click here.
Tax Filing Deadline Extended to October 16, 2023
The IRS announced an extension to change the filing and payment deadlines to October 16, 2023 for victims of severe winter storms, flooding, and mudslides in California. This extension applies to individuals and businesses in Orange County! Learn more here.
OC Waste and Recycling
If a busy schedule is keeping you from properly tending your yards and gardens, we've got good news! OC residents can pick up free compost by appointment in San Juan Capistrano and Irvine – with free compost coming to Brea soon. For more information on the Valencia Greenery in Brea, small and large quantities of compost, and to schedule a pickup appointment in San Juan Capistrano or Irvine visit OCLandfills.com/compost.
OC Parks is Hiring!
OCTA Public Hearing - June 12
The Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors will conduct a Public Hearing concerning the Orange County Transportation Authority’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget as follows:
Monday, June 12, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
Orange County Transportation Authority Headquarters
550 S. Main St, Orange, CA 92863
Board Room – Conference Room 07-08
All persons having interest in these matters are encouraged to submit public comments to the Board of Directors by Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
Please submit them to clerkoffice@octa.net or:
Orange County Transportation Authority
Please contact the Clerk of the Board with any questions regarding this hearing or any requests for special accommodations no less than two business days prior to the hearing at clerkoffice@octa.net or 714.560.5676.
Mesmerica - OC Planetarium Show
A local production company based out of Orange County, Mesmerica, is currently hosting a show at the OCC Planetarium! Stop by for a chance to view the extremely relaxing 3D art and family show. Check out the following link to get 15% off tickets to the show!
Substance Abuse Resource
Detox.com’s mission is to provide the best free resources for people to find self-help with substance abuse through detox and other mental health strategies. Check out their website for more information!
OC Alert
Sign up for AlertOC to get notified in case of emergency in Orange County. The mass notification system is designed to keep Orange County residents and businesses informed in the event of a time-sensitive emergency. YOU MUST OPT IN TO RECEIVE ALERTS. Register today at AlertOC.org.
Appointments for Veterans Services
OC Workforce Solutions
Ready Set OC offers no-cost employment training for Orange County youth ages 14-24, including those with disabilities or IEP plans, former or current foster children, pregnant or parenting, offender/ex-offender, and those experiencing homelessness, including couch-surfing or at risk of homelessness. To find out more information, call the OC Business and Economic Recovery Call Center at (714) 480-6500 or text (657) 210-1295. Email info@readysetoc.com
Equity in OC
Are you in charge of a grassroots organization? the Equity in OC initiative is releasing a POWER BUILDING FUND to provide smaller, grassroots organizations with the opportunity to build their infrastructure and/or capacity
Learn More: Here
Committee Appointments
If you have questions or comments that you'd like to share, in relation to the committees below, please email me at Katrina.Foley@ocgov.com
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