Dana Point Harbor Board of Supervisors Update
At the Board of Supervisors meeting this month, the Board approved a major financial agreement that enables Dana Point Harbor Partners, LLC and Dana Point Harbor Partners Drystack, LLC to secure a $60 million construction loan for future phases of the Marina Improvement Project and the Commercial Core Parking Structure.
This past year we’ve made more progress on the Harbor revitalization than in decades prior. We’ve opened three new phases in our marina, with the fourth completing this month. The Board’s action allows us to officially commence construction on a new landmark in the commercial core in January 2024. I hope you will join us for the groundbreaking. Stay tuned.
ICYMI: Dana Point Harbor Advisory Committee Report from Secretary Dennis Parks
The monthly meeting of the DPHOAC was held Wednesday, December 6. The session was called to order by Chairperson Robert Langan. Alyssa Napuri, Deputy Chief of Staff for Supervisor Foley, presented the Supervisor’s Update as the Supervisor was unable to attend this month’s meeting. She advised the committee that the County was continuing to work closely with the Dana Point Harbor Partners and the Coastal Commission on the permits necessary for the proposed hotels which are the last major piece in the harbor revitalization plan needing the commission’s approval. In addition Ms. Napuri reported and emphasized that the scheduled groundbreaking for the new parking structure is going to happen in January. The parking structure will be Phase 1 and signal the start of the commercial core revitalization. One other point of good news for the committee and the public and business stakeholders of the Dana Point Harbor is that the Orange County IT staff is busy creating an inclusive on-line repository for all of the contracts, documents, construction/phasing schedules, phase schematics, etc. that will be available for public review. Stay tuned for the launch of this important information source for us all.
Next month’s meeting will include the postponed PowerPoint presentation on the Sailing and Event Center re-imagination “needs” led by committee member Diane Wenzel.
Dana Point Harbor Lights
Themed light exhibits now decorate the Harbor include a giant whale sculpture, lighted palm trees, giant beach-ball-like ornaments, the popular “Merry Kiss Me” arch and much more. Check it out this holiday season!
From the Marina
On the Docks
As we move into the winter season, don’t forget to stop by and check on your boat now and then. Please check your dock lines to ensure they are secure and in good condition, make sure you have a working bilge pump and that your scuppers and drains are clear. We ask that you please do not use polyethylene tarps as boat or dinghy covers. These are an environmental hazard and tend to fray and decompose leaving debris in the water. A canvas cover is best to protect your boat and the environment. Read more.
Marina Revitalization
We opened Phase 3 slips for occupancy on November 1, 2023! Our first boat to arrive to a slip at the Dock of the Green Lantern was 45’ Catalina, “Pantera” owned by Steve & Brenda! Steve and Brenda got on the 45’ waitlist in 2015 and have been waiting patiently for the last eight years for an opportunity to have their boat in Dana Point Harbor. Needless to say, Steve was a very happy man when we greeted him at his new slip!
As was mentioned in our previous newsletter, we were able to bring in over 80 boats off the waitlist and into 40’, 45’ and 58’ slips in Phase 3 with Waitlist Applications of our incoming boaters dating as far back as the year 2000! Congratulations to all who selected their slip in this new phase or came in off the waitlist…it is magnificent! Phase 3 is 100% occupied with the last wave of boats expected to arrive December 1st. Read more.
Health News
From the OC Health Care Agency
With COVID-19 continuing to affect the community, preventive measures and mitigation strategies are strongly recommended. Vaccines and testing also continue to play an important role. Read more here.
E-Bikes
At the Board of Supervisors meeting this month, my colleagues unanimously supported my motion directing county staff and the Orange County Traffic Committee to begin drafting a new ordinance on e-bike safety regulations. According to the study by OC Public Works, e-bike trauma patients in Orange County increased by 500 percent in 2020. While e-bikes expand clean, active transportation options for residents, e-bikes also pose a major public safety concern due to failure to wear helmets and no clear safety and speed regulations on trails, major arterials, and neighborhoods.
Our community will have a seat at the table for drafting this ordinance. At a board meeting earlier this year, I led a motion to amend the membership of the Orange County Traffic Committee so that it includes a representative for the Fifth and Third Districts. I look forward to working with residents, the committee, and county staff on creating an e-bike ordinance that reflects the needs and concerns of our residents.
In the meantime, please share the tips below.
During the past several years, Orange County has seen an increase in the number and variety of e-bikes on roads and on paths. Over this time, OCTA has expanded its role to coordinate efforts regionally, monitor e-bike use and trends, and provide safety information to e-bike riders.
OCTA has a webpage dedicated to e-bike resources and safety information, which includes a database listing local bike and e-bike ordinances. To further promote safe and courteous e-bike riding, OCTA is also developing a series of videos about e-bike safety aimed at teen riders. The first video was a partnership with local influencer Goodboy Noah and other videos will be rolled out in the months ahead.
OCTA has also been hosting quarterly e-bike coordination meetings with partner agencies from around the county. These meetings allow the group to exchange ideas and coordinate resources with the goal of keeping people safe and connected in Orange County. At the same time, OCTA is also developing its e-bike safety action plan, which is expected to be finalized by December 2024. This plan will provide recommendations centered around educating the public about safely riding e-bikes and policy approaches to encourage safe e-bike riding.
More information about OCTA's efforts is available at www.octa.net/ebike.
NOW HIRING: Join Team Foley!
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley seeks a District Representative with the ability to move forward the Supervisor’s priorities and initiatives, with a passion for public service and changing the status quo.
Under the supervision of the Deputy Chief of Staff, the District Representative is responsible for representing the Supervisor when she is not present in the community, building relationships with constituents and community leaders on her behalf, maintaining the office profile in their assigned regions, staffing special events in their assigned area and other parts of the district as needed. This individual will build meetings and events for the Supervisor and will staff her when assigned. The District Representative should also plan to brief assigned agenda items for the Board of Supervisors regular meetings at the direction of the Chief of Staff and answer casework correspondence with constituents.
The ideal candidate will have an enthusiasm for providing access to government services to all residents, setting up and executing public events, engaging in creative ideas to engage with residents in unconventional locations, and working in a collaborative manner to deliver results for Orange County residents. Learn more here.
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley seeks an experienced Executive Scheduler to manage the daily schedule for the Supervisor, including creating and maintaining systems to effectively manage a complex and active schedule.
Under the direct supervision of the Supervisor and in coordination with the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff, the Executive Scheduler will be responsible for working closely with senior staff to understand the priorities of the office and determine the appropriate level of participation by Supervisor Foley and/or staff at meetings, events, and tours. Learn more here.
Ride with OCTA for FREE on New Year's Eve
Enjoy free rides on fixed-route buses from 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 31 to 2:30 a.m. on Monday, January 1.
Remember, it’s free after 6 p.m., so bring $2 bus fare or pass if you are getting an early start.
OCTA's Employees of the Month
Congratulations to our December employees of the month. Each of them has displayed an outstanding effort on the job and have provided great value to OCTA and their teams with their can-do spirit. Congratulations to Graden, Phillip and Jeff!
OCTA Free Hikes & Equestrian Rides
Orange County is home to some of the most beautiful protected wilderness areas in the country. Experience and enjoy the natural landscape with OCTA's free docent-led hikes and equestrian rides!
Lace up your hiking shoes or saddle up your horse, and sign up for a free hike or equestrian ride today. Come see Orange County as it was yesterday, and as it will be tomorrow.
OC Animal Care
Through Kennel Connection, visitors can view ready-to-adopt pets right in their kennels every Wednesday and Saturday. No appointment needed to walk through. One-on-one visits available on a first come, first serve basis.
Pet of the Week
Meet Pets of the Week, Chrome!
Meet 6-year-old Husky, Chrome! Chrome has come a long way since his arrival at OC Animal Care earlier this year and is eager for a forever home. This friendly and energetic husky loves nothing more than to play and run around a big yard. He is a social butterfly among his fellow huskies and likes to showcase his vocal talents for everyone's enjoyment.
Chrome's lively personality blooms after he gets comfortable with you, and he'll always be happy to sit for treats. Given Chrome's energetic nature, a family with older children would be an ideal match. If you would like to adopt Chrome, please call OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848 and mention Animal ID A1806499.
OC Workforce One-Stop: OPEN NOW!
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
Capistrano Lights - Now through December 30!
Holidays at The Inn
The Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, Autograph Collection will host a series of events celebrating the holiday season from December 2 - 31, 2023! ✨
See which event catches your eye and find more details by visiting https://event.marriott.com/snaak-inn-at-the-mission-san-juan-capistrano-autograph-collection/events?_ga=2.16144435.403215528.1700241982-108842275.1700241982#page-3 for more information!
Christmas Tree Disposal
As we bid farewell to 2023, we must say goodbye to the Christmas tree! Recycling trees have huge benefits for our community. Let's give this year's tree a second life by transforming your trees into compost and mulch to be place back into our soil.
More pickup details here: https://www.oclandfills.com/about-us/contact-us/residential-haulers-city-0
New Year's Tip: Batteries and Smoke Alarm Disposal
Out with the old, in with the new — let’s wave goodbye to those old batteries and worn-out smoke alarms!
Here’s a friendly reminder to add battery and smoke alarm disposal to your New Year’s resolution list. It’s the perfect time to think about your family’s safety and recharge your battery-operated electronics around the house.
Take charge this coming year and dispose of these items at the nearest Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center.
Collection Centers are open Tuesdays-Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for free disposal.
📍Anaheim Collection Center—1071N. Blue Gum Street, 92806
📍Huntington Beach Collection Center—17121 Nichols Lane, 92647, Gate 6
📍Irvine Collection Center—6411Oak Canyon, 92618
📍San Juan Capistrano Collection Center—32250 Avenida La Pata, 92675
For more information including a list of what’s accepted visit https://www.oclandfills.com/hazardous-waste
OC Waste and Recycling
Are you an Orange County resident trying to dispose of bulky items like old refrigerators and appliances but not sure how? Start by checking with your local waste hauler. Many haulers offer free bulky item pickups. For information on local haulers and recycling coordinators visit OCLandfills.com/quick-links.
⏰Time for yardwork? OC Waste and Recycling offers free compost and mulch by appointment to OC residents! Schedule a pick up appointment in Irvine or San Juan Capistrano (free compost coming to Brea soon).
🌱Capistrano Greenery in San Juan Capistrano is expanding its hours - compost is now available six days a week, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment.
🌱Free compost is also available at the Bee Canyon Greenery in Irvine, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. by appointment.
For more information on Capistrano Greenery in San Juan Capistrano, Bee Canyon Greenery in Irvine and Valencia Greenery in Brea, along with details on small and large quantities of compost, visit OCLandfills.com/compost.
OC Cemetery District Updates
Click here to view the full Orange County Cemetery District Newsletter.
OC Parks is Hiring!
OC Parks Ranger
Park Rangers play an important role in protecting Orange County’s 60,000 acres of parks, open space and beaches. They work hard to keep parks safe, clean and enjoyable for 15 million visitors each year. Learn more here.
OC Parks Rangers are sworn peace officers and perform a wide variety of duties at different types of facilities, including regional and wilderness parks, camping parks and beaches. Candidates will be required to participate in a written test, oral interviews and a comprehensive background investigation that includes medical and physiological examinations. Successful candidates will join a high performing team that serves our communities seven days a week.
OC Parks Maintenance Workers
The Park Maintenance Worker I position performs routine unskilled and semiskilled grounds maintenance, landscape, and facility maintenance, along with repair work.
BenefitsCal
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.
Orange County Resources
UPDATED LINK: Alert OC
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 this link!
Equity in OC - NEW!
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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