Staff Updates
Alyssa Napuri
Deputy Chief of Staff
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Happy Friday, District 5! This week, I joined a group of kindergarteners at Turtle Rock Elementary School for a fun bike giveaway on Thursday morning. Thank you HDR for providing 24 bikes to elementary students at Turtle Rock and Bonita Canyon Elementary Schools. The kindergarteners will participate in an 8 week program that teaches balance, coordination, and patience. |
Jonathan Davis
Policy Advisor
Happy Friday everyone! This was an important week for coastal resiliency in our office. Next Monday at OCTA’s Regional Transportation Committee, we will receive an update on OCTA’s Coastal Rail Resiliency Study and their recent completion of an Initial Assessment of sites along the LOSSAN rail corridor in south Orange County that require monitoring and reinforcement. I spent part of my week analyzing their Initial Assessment and preparing Supervisor Foley for that upcoming meeting next week. Additionally, I continue collaborating with staff in OC Parks on plans to release our South Orange County Regional Coastal Resilience Strategic Plan, a document whose mission and purpose is the implementation of a regional coastal resiliency program focused on public beach restoration through comprehensive and coordinated efforts.
We look forward to sharing more updates on both of these efforts, which will make meaningful progress on protecting our coastline in the Fifth District. Have a great weekend!
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Adam Tallabas
District Representative: Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, & Irvine
Happy Friday, District 5! I hope to see so many of you tomorrow at the Dana Point Festival of Whales. As today is March 1, it is the first day of Women’s History Month. To honor this month, I encourage District 5 residents and visitors to support women-owned businesses in Orange County. Nearly 16,000 businesses in Orange County are owned by women, and 54.6% of the workforce are women – who run the world?
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Alejandro Santiago Ortega
District Representative: Costa Mesa & San Juan Capistrano
Hola everyone! Hope you had a great week. This week I went to the Fairview Developmental Center (FDC) Specific Plan workshop #3. The Specific Plan process involves community input resulting in a vision statement and guiding principles, a market study, land use alternatives, as well as technical studies for traffic, infrastructure, noise, a tree survey and more. These studies will inform the creation of the plan which will ultimately set a land use plan and the type of community that will be built. It is very important that you take time to join these sessions and bring your input and ideas on how you want this new neighborhood to look like. This session focused on how the community would like public spaces to look like, the types of amenities, the style of housing and materials they would like to see in the construction. Many participated in this well-attended meeting. It was great to see Raja Sethuraman, who leads the Public Works Department for the City of Costa Mesa, below is a photo of us and of the community attending the workshop. The next workshop will take place on Monday March 4, 2024, at Iglesia Harbor Church, 740 W Wilson Street from 6-8 pm.
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Sarah D'Agostino
District Representative: Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, & San Clemente
Hello, District 5! This morning, I had the privilege of attending the Laguna Niguel Government and City Relations meeting, where the spotlight was on the City’s General Plan Update. This update is crucial as it outlines the blueprint for the city's growth and development, paving the way for the future. The General Plan is not just a document; it's a roadmap that shapes how our city evolves, from land usage to infrastructure development. It's about ensuring our community remains safe, resilient, and thriving for generations to come.
The residents of Laguna Niguel play a pivotal role in this process, your feedback, ideas, and engagement are invaluable in shaping the future landscape of the beloved city. Curious about how you can contribute? Dive into Laguna Niguel’s General Plan Update here and discover the many ways you can make your voice heard. Let's build a future we can all be proud of, together!
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Olivia Meis
Communications Intern
Hi, D5! I look forward to celebrating the majestic migration of California’s gray whales at the Festival of Whales in Dana Point this weekend!
Did you know plastics are the most common form of marine debris? They can come from a variety of land- and ocean-based sources, enter the water in many ways, and impact the ocean. Once in the water, plastic debris never fully biodegrades.
Don’t be a stranger – stop by our booth on Saturday for Supervisor Foley's sustainable goodies! Remember, please bring your own water bottle for refilling throughout the day, so we can keep our coasts clean and green for generations to come.
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Tyler Mosher
Policy / District Intern
Hello, District 5! This week I attended the City of San Clemente’s Community Workshop on Nature-Based Sand Retention Concepts. While there, I listened to city consultants present strategies for rebuilding San Clemente’s beaches. I also heard San Clemente residents provide their input for the proposed plans. The consultants laid out a multi-phase proposal to take place over almost three decades, prioritizing beach nourishment followed by a combination of sand retention structures and beach habitat restoration to keep replenished sand in place. Mayor Pro Tem Mark Enmeier and City Manager Andy Hall aided the consultants in responding to the feedback of San Clemente residents. Coastal resiliency remains a priority for Supervisor Foley, as does preserving the integrity of San Clemente’s beaches and surf culture. Supervisor Foley is currently coordinating an effort to create partnerships throughout South Orange County to strengthen its coastline via sand replenishment.
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Christine Park
Policy / District Intern
Happy Friday, District 5! This week, I staffed the Supervisor at the Laguna Hills Clerk-Recorder’s office while she officiated weddings. The couples married by the Supervisor have a very special anniversary date of February 29, 2024, a Leap Day! I enjoyed meeting all the lovely newlyweds as well as hearing their stories. It was an honor to witness so many new beginnings.
I had the opportunity to check out The Plot, a brand-new plant-based restaurant at the Camp in Costa Mesa. Owners, Davin and Jessica have opened up an amazing spot focusing on the sustainability and preservation of food waste. Highly recommend checking out this new spot, the food and drinks were amazing!
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ICYMI: Dana Point Harbor Oversight Advisory Committee Meeting Report by Secretary Dennis Parks - February 7, 2024
This meeting was led off by Supervisor Foley’s overview of this week's ceremonial groundbreaking for the state-of-the-art parking structure which signals the beginning of the long awaited Dana Point Harbor “commercial core” make over. Supervisor Foley also reported that her team, led by Alyssa Napuri, is continuing to meet with the Coastal Commission regarding their approval of the proposed hotels and making good progress in that endeavor.
Christian Gagne, the newly appointed Dana Point Harbor Oversight Manager for the County of Orange, reported that there were still a few administrative details regarding the ground lease to be finalized between the Dana Point Harbor Partners and the county and that once those items are cleared up in the next few days, the site prep work would begin. In addition, Mr. Gagne reported that his team is in the process of consolidating the three primary information locations within the County of Orange web site regarding the Dana Point Harbor revitalization to one tab located on Supervisor Foley’s county home page making access to this information easier for any interested party.
Committee member Diane Wenzel, who is leading a sub-group comprised of the Orange County Sailing and Event Center stakeholders reported that they had a very productive meeting with Michael Wilson of OC Parks and invited design professionals regarding the proposed reconstruction of the two docks that support many of the center’s users. More to come in future meetings as their recommendations and ideas are finalized and news on the requested state grant that would fund the reconstruction becomes available.
The balance of the session was a discussion of future DPHOAC agenda topics and several action items for various committee members to complete before the March meeting.
From the Marina:
See something in need of attention or repair? Please give us a call at (949) 496-6137 or send an EMAIL, our offices are open from 8am-5pm seven days a week. 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.
Exciting news for the start of 2024 in Dana Point Harbor! A pod of eastern tropical Pacific orcas has made a visit, adding to the anticipation for the upcoming 53rd Festival of Whales from March 1-March 3, 2024. Be sure to save the date!
The Dock of the Orange Lantern is now open for business, with boats occupying new slips. The new innovative dock system incorporates MarineSync smart electric and water meters at each power pedestal and tenants can monitor and control their usage through a portal. Billing for electrical usage is done in arrears from the 15th of the previous month to the 14th of the current month and included on the monthly statement. In addition to being able to view electrical usage, tenants can also control the power at their pedestal from the portal with the ability to turn the power off when they are away from the slip or anytime they choose to. All the above is the same for water usage. Water billing is based on South Coast Water District rates with the current per gallon billing rate for water usage is $0.004786, and electric rates are provided by San Diego Gas & Electric with the current rate being $0.27222 for non-liveaboard tenants and $0.37824 for liveaboard tenants.
Meanwhile, construction for the commercial core parking structure is scheduled to begin in early February on Golden Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive. Thrilling developments are unfolding at Dana Point Harbor – more information can be found here.
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
With the E-Bike Safety Ordinance, we spearheaded efforts to draft an ordinance creating new safety regulations for electric bicycles in the County of Orange that will protect pedestrians, equestrians, bicyclists, and drivers from accidents involving e-bikes. In December, the Board of Supervisors supported my proposal to direct staff to draft an e-bike ordinance with input from the OC Traffic Committee. I appointed Todd Stearns, the Executive Director of the Ladera Rancho Chamber of Commerce to the OC Traffic Committee. OC Public Works and OC Parks are in the research phase of developing ordinance language. We anticipate an ordinance presentation to the Board of Supervisors this Spring 2024.
In the meantime, check out these safety tips from the Sheriff’s Department 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.
Orange County Registrar of Voters
After receiving a ballot in the mail, voters may now mark the vote-by-mail ballot with their voting choices at home. State law provides voters with four easy and secure ways to cast the vote-by-mail ballot they marked at home:
- Place the voted ballot into the ballot return envelope, seal and sign the envelope, and then place it in the mail (no return postage required; must be postmarked by March 5).
- Place the voted ballot into the ballot return envelope, seal and sign the envelope, and then place it in one of the Registrar of Voters 122 Ballot Drop Boxes located throughout the county (until 8 p.m. on March 5).
- Place the voted ballot into the ballot return envelope, seal and sign the envelope, and then drop it off at our office or any of the 183 Vote Centers (37 open on Feb. 24; all 183 Vote Centers will be open March 2 through March 5 at 8 p.m.).
- Bring the voted ballot to a Vote Center from Feb. 24 through 8 p.m. on March 5, sign the electronic voter roster to be an in-person voter, and then place it into a ballot scanner to cast the ballot.
Voters visiting a Vote Center can also choose instead to receive a newly printed ballot after signing the electronic voter roster, mark their voting choices on the ballot in a voting booth, and then place it a ballot scanner to cast the ballot.
A Vote Center Customer Service Representative will ask each voter who walks into a Vote Center whether the voter wants to drop off a vote-by-mail ballot in a signed return envelope or to check in to vote in-person by either scanning their marked vote-by-mail ballot or by receiving a newly printed ballot to mark in a voting booth.
Note: Voter participation is tracked in real time with the electronic voter roster to ensure no voter casts more than one ballot.
More information about voting options and the locations of Vote Centers and Ballot Drop Boxes can be found on the Registrar of Voters website at ocvote.gov/voting.
Applications for First 5 OC now open!
The Orange County Board of Supervisors seeks candidates to serve on the First 5 OC . Three available seats for the 2024-2026 term include two in the category of Health and one in the category of Education. Candidates must live or work in Orange County and have relevant expertise or experience in one of these categories. The 2024 Application Package is available on the website at First5OC.org. Candidates are invited to submit an application and resume by March 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
Application linked here.
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.
OCTA Taxpayer Oversight Committee (TOC) Recruitment
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) invites you to apply to the OC Go (also known as Measure M) Taxpayer Oversight Committee, which ensures that all OC Go funds are spent on voter-approved transportation projects. Orange County residents living in the First, Second, Fourth and Fifth Supervisorial Districts are eligible to apply for current open positions: octa.net/Member-Recruitment/
Pet of the Week
Meet Pet of the Week, Norbert!
Hi everyone, I'm Norbert! I've come a long way since arriving at OC Animal Care. I love greeting familiar faces and my tail wag will definitely prove that. Although I'm two-years-old, my energy is still that of a young puppy! If there's one thing I absolutely love, it's playing fetch. Fetch is the BEST sport out there! Seriously, toss a ball and I'll happily retrieve it for hours on end.
Despite my excitement on the fetch field, I have a bit of a shy side when meeting new people. It takes me a little while to warm up, but once I do, you'll find I'm the most loyal and loving companion you could ask for. I will definitely thrive in a home with someone who has large pet experience (no offense to you newbies out there). With my personality, I want someone who is confident and can handle my puppy energy.
I'm just a neat pup who's waiting for his forever paw-rent! Do you think you're that person for me? If so, please call OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848 and mention my Animal ID A1820785!
Consider opening your heart and home to a temporary four-legged companion by becoming a foster parent! OC Animal Care is overflowing with lovable dogs in need of temporary homes, and we are on a mission to find foster heroes like you! The ongoing rainstorms mean more dogs need us. Can you open your heart and home to a furry friend in need?
Please email ocacprograms@occr.ocogv.com today to be a foster hero!
Dana Point's 53rd Annual Festival of Whales - March 1-3, 2024
Join me at the Festival of Whales, where oceanic wonders and coastal celebrations collide!
Nestled in the heart of Dana Point, this annual festivity pays homage to the majestic whales that grace our shores each year during their migratory journey. Immerse yourself in a vibrant tapestry of marine-themed activities, educational exhibits, and family-friendly entertainment that captures the essence of our deep-sea neighbors. From captivating whale-watching excursions to engaging marine conservation talks, our carefully curated program promises an unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages.
Learn more here. Hope to see you there!
The Girls in Ocean Science Conference - March 16 and 17!
Calling all Middle and High School girls with passion for our oceans!
Empower yourself to advance your passion for the ocean into a career. The Girls in Ocean Science Conference connects influential female scientists with the next generation of ocean ambassadors.
Scientists will conduct hands-on workshops that will communicate the success and excitement available to women who pursue science as a career. Participants will spend the day conducting research with leading scientists in our labs and at sea aboard the Ocean Institute's research vessel, the Sea Explorer.
Young women who love science or are just beginning to show an interest will come away empowered to explore the field further! Click here to learn more.
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
OC Public Libraries: California State Parks Pass Program
OC Public Libraries is partnering with California State Parks and the California State Library to offer free State Parks vehicle-day use passes, available for circulation at all branches of public libraries in California.
Last year, 9,957 people checked out park passes. Adventure beyond the book allows Californians to access beautiful parks, lakes, beaches, and monuments in the State Parks system for free. Place a hold today!
The goal of the passes is to support parks access equity, removing economic barriers to Californians’ park visits, and that they should be made available to those that need it or may not be using parks already.
To learn more about parks, visit the Parks website.
Click here to learn more about the program.
UPDATE: Treasury Department opens pre-filing registration for clean energy tax credit
In June of 2023, The Treasury Department announced details of an expanded tax credit for clean energy technologies provided through the Inflation Reduction Act. The feature, known as direct pay by the White House and elective pay by the IRS, applies to twelve tax credits created by the Inflation Reduction Act allowing local governments to receive the tax credit. Among these are a tax credit (direct payment) of up to $40,000 for qualified commercial clean vehicles such as buses, ambulances, and other public fleet vehicles. There is also a tax credit for EV charging infrastructure and clean electricity production such as community solar panels and for clean energy storage.
On December 22, the IRS announced the launch of the IRS Energy Credits Online pre-filing registration tool for taxpayers who wish to receive direct payments or transfer clean energy credits. Any entity eligible for the direct payment must pre-register with the IRS to receive a registration number. The registration number will be required in order to file a tax return and receive the credit.
Check out the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, Residential Clean Energy Credit and these additional resources:
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!
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—6411 Oak 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 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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