Adam Tallabas
District Representative
Good afternoon, and Happy New Year! I hope all of you spent lots of great time with family and friends. Looking forward to 2024, I am excited about furthering my knowledge and understanding of the cities I serve. This includes building deeper relationships with elected officials, community leaders, and the community at large. If you live in Laguna Beach and Laguna Hills and seek answers about issues in the community, send me a message: Adam.Tallabas@ocgov.com. I look forward to hearing and learning from you.
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Alejandro Santiago Ortega
Executive Aide - Costa Mesa, Irvine, and San Juan Capistrano
Hola, everyone! Hope you are having a great week so far. There are many things going on in the County and I am excited to share some with you. I joined the OC Community Resources briefing this Thursday and here are a few of the items you should know.
Imagine your designs decorating library cards throughout Orange County! OC Public Libraries presents this opportunity through their current design contest. Submit your designs by the January 31, 2024 deadline and learn more here.
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 Finally, if you need help planning your goals for 2024, check out the “Vision Board Workshop” in Costa Mesa on January 24 at 5 p.m. This is one of many FREE programs across County libraries accessible to you. Learn more about library programs here.
Sarah D'Agostino
District Representative - Aliso Viejo, Coto de Caza, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, and San Clemente
Hello, District 5! Wishing you all a fantastic New Year. In 2024, our office continues our unwavering support for the vibrant communities we serve. I had the pleasure of attending the first ribbon-cutting ceremony of 2024 at Visionworks in Laguna Niguel this week. Witnessing the launch of new businesses and partaking in the celebration of these grand openings is one of the most gratifying aspects of my role. Here's to a year filled with growth, prosperity and many more moments of shared success within D5!
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Rachel Carr
Policy Intern
This week, I prepared for our upcoming Board of Supervisors Meeting and enjoyed learning more about our Partnerships with Project Kinship via item 11 to support system-involved individuals in achieving new beginnings with Rancho Santiago Canyon Community College District through workforce development courses.
I provided a legislative update to the Corona Del Mar Chamber of Commerce regarding our Fly Friendly Program, Public Safety Measures, and collaboration with the County Health Care Agency and Newport Mesa School District to educate on and prevent fentanyl related overdoses. Katie Eing, Emergency Service Coordinator for the City of Newport Beach, provided an overview on how the city prepares and responds to disasters and emergencies. More information on this here.
My week wrapped up at the Orange County Community Resource briefing as I met with Julia Bidwell regarding the Orange County Housing Authority Administrative Plan, discussing project-based vouchers and the upcoming development of 19 additional housing projects to house at-risk populations, particularly for low-income seniors and veterans.
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Board Meeting Updates
The Board approved a new pilot program to prevent individuals from falling into homelessness, new wraparound rehabilitative services for justice involved youth, engineering and architectural services for the redevelopment of Juvenile Hall, and nearly $750,000 in grant funding to support crime survivors.
Votes by the Board of Supervisors from the January 9, 2024 meeting include:
Wraparound Rehabilitative Services Justice Involved Youth: Approved four new programs that provide comprehensive services to justice involved youth at all stages of our rehabilitation process. These programs provide personalized behavioral health care services, weekly group therapy sessions, system navigator and peer mentor services, and various services that promote successful reentry into our community.
Redevelopment of Juvenile Hall: Procured services for Phase 2 of the Redevelopment of Juvenile Hall and the Adult Reentry Center. In addition to the project to transform half of Juvenile Hall into a state-of-the-art camp facility for committed youth, approved by the Board of Supervisors on December 19, 2023, this contract will begin the process to plan how we can transform the remaining older buildings at Juvenile Hall. These services will develop a scope and budget of future design and construction projects.
Continuation of Local Emergency for Navy Hanger Fire: Approved continuation of the Local Emergency for the Navy Hanger Fire, which aids the county in responding to and recovering from the emergency and obtaining necessary resources to support local community needs.
Victim Services Grant Funding: Secured nearly $750,000 for crime victim assistance programs. Funds will be used to support survivors, increase access to services, stabilize their lives after a victimization, and provide emergency housing assistance.
Dana Point Harbor Advisory Committee Update
By Dennis Parks, DPHAC Secretary
The first DPHOAC meeting of 2024 was focused on two important presentations; Supervisor Foley’s update and a report by committee member Diane Wenzel regarding re-envisioning the Orange County Sailing and Event Center at the Dana Point Harbor.
Supervisor Foley opened by bringing the committee up to speed with respect to the anticipated start of the Phase I parking garage scheduled to break ground in January. The Supervisor reported that the financing for Phase I has been approved and that final permits for the electrical work have been obtained and that the water district permits should be signed off this week clearing the way for construction to begin. Supervisor Foley then introduced Christian Gagne as the Dana Point Harbor Project Oversight Manager. Mr. Gagne has worked in the County of Orange Real Estate Department and the private sector overseeing complex projects similar to the Dana Point Harbor revitalization. He will be responsible for making sure the Dana Point Harbor makeover proceeds according to the development contract/timeline and to provide transparency to the public and the harbor stakeholders about the process.
Diane Wenzel’s presentation focused on three primary areas regarding the OC Sailing and Event Center. First, she illustrated the existing building space and dock utilization by the current users of the facility. Second, she outlined short term solutions to better utilize the existing space to accommodate more storage for users such as the Outrigger Club that will be impacted by marina construction in 2024. And third, she provided suggestions on how to rework the Center’s east and west docks to be more efficient for the center’s stakeholders as well as becoming ADA compliant. In addition, she presented ideas on how the future OC Sailing and Event Center could be utilized to better benefit of the residents of Orange County. Ms. Wenzel was then asked by Supervisor Foley to organize a team of the dock’s users to meet with Michael Wilson of the County of Orange Parks department to develop specific plans for the use of anticipated state grant money earmarked to reconstruct the facility’s east and west docks. Supervisor Foley and the committee will be briefed on these plans at future meetings.
From the Marina
On the Docks
See something in need of attention or repair? Please give us a call at (949) 496-6137 or send an EMAIL. Our maintenance team is out and about on the docks, boater service buildings and common areas performing repairs and regular checks to ensure things are in order. If you notice something in need of our attention, please do not hesitate to let us know and we will address it immediately.
As we continue to move boats around throughout the harbor, it is important that you please keep the dock fingers and main walkways clear of any items. Nothing should be stored on the dock fingers or main walkways. We also appreciate any open slips remaining unoccupied. We often find dinghies and other items in empty slips, which is problematic for several reasons. Please gather up all your stuff and store it aboard your vessel or elsewhere. No items are to be stored on the docks. If you have a dinghy behind your boat that creates overhang in excess of the allowable LOA in the slip, it is not permited. You are permited only the maximum LOA that your slip size permits which is the slip length plus 10%. We appreciate your cooperation.
January is a great time of year to schedule a courtesy Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel Safety Check. Vessel Safety Checks ensure that your boat is equipped with the proper safety gear required for open water navigation. Once your vessel passes, you are issued a decal that is good for one calendar year...another great reason to schedule in January! Click HERE to contact the local Coast Guard Auxiliary to schedule an appointment. All boats coming into new slips at the marina are required to have a Vessel Safety Check.
Marina Revitalization
Phase 4 is near completion and is expected to be open for occupancy in the coming weeks! Phase 4 is in the west basin cove and includesDock of the Orange Lantern (Gate 13), Dock of the Violet Lantern (Gate 14) and Dock of the Cardinal Lantern (Gate 15). Phase 4 includes 21’ slips, 24’ slips, 25’ slips, 26’ slips, 28’ slips, 30’ slips and various size end-ties. We are excited to see another phase of Marina Revitalization complete!
Phase 5 demolition is soon to begin! Notifications have been sent to all tenants with slips on A-dock west basin cove offering temporary relocations to comparable slips throughout the harbor. Phase 5 includes A- dock west basin and the guest dock which is also located in the west basin cove. All slips are to be cleared by January 31, 2024, with demolition to begin February 1, 2024.
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.
Point in Time Count
Looking ahead to this month, I encourage you to volunteer for the County’s “Everyone Counts 2024 Point in Time” count of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness on a given night. The count provides information that helps the County and the Orange County Continuum of Care (CoC) better understand homelessness in the community and guides the way the County, CoC, and its partners respond to homelessness.
E-Bikes
At the Board of Supervisors meeting last 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!
District Representative
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.
Executive Scheduler
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.
Internship Program
Talbert Park Master Plan Public Outreach Meeting - January 31
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, Cali!
Cali stumbled into OC Animal Care as a stray last summer and has been a sweetheart since. She is a mellow girl who is easy to leash and takes leisure in her walks with small tail wags. Cali has been patiently waiting for her forever family while in a temporary foster home. In the meantime, she is enjoying her daily walks and naps, and admiring the sunset with her foster sibling. She is crate trained, potty trained, and loves people. If you would like to adopt this sweet gal, please call OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848 and mention Animal ID A1825870.
Please visit our Pet Adoptions page to see more adoptable pets.
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
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.
OC Public Libraries
The 12 County libraries in our district welcome people of all ages. We help them find trusted information and receive supports for lifelong learning!
Check out these upcoming fabulous Fifth District events, and learn more here:
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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