Staff Updates
Adam Tallabas
District Director
This weekend, I joined the Irvine community at Illuminate Irvine at the Great Park! I enjoyed the dazzling display of the tree lighting and festive entertainment provided by the performers. There, I ran into outgoing Councilmember Tammy Kim, and new councilmembers Melinda Liu and William Go as well as D5 Veterans Advisory Team Member & Chief of Staff to Councilmember Liu Evette Kim!
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 This week, I enjoyed meeting so many of you at the Irvine City Council Installation and Swearing in Ceremony. Irvine is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation – right here in D5 – and we are excited to work with the new elected officials in the city to provide the best public service possible for our residents. Connecting with business, community and organizational leaders in my assigned cities (Irvine, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach) is important to me – if we haven’t met yet and you’d like to connect, send me an email: Adam.Tallabas@ocgov.com. I am hard at work preparing a policy initiative for 2025 geared towards student/young professional supportive housing in the Fifth District. If you are a student, or know a student/young professional that struggles with housing access, please send me an email detailing your experience and struggles so that it can help shape this important initiative. Tonight, I plan to attend Irvine Councilmember Melinda Liu’s Holiday Party and celebrate the holiday season with our Irvine community. This weekend, I hope to meet you at the Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade, celebrating “Hometown Holiday”! Happy Holidays 🎅
Tyler Mosher
District Representative and Policy Analyst
On Tuesday, I attended the swearing in ceremonies at the City of San Clemente and the City of Laguna Hills. Congratulations to Councilmembers Zhen Wu and Rick Loeffler of San Clemente as well as Councilmembers Don Caskey and Jared Mathis of Laguna Hills! Our office also extends gratitude to outgoing Laguna Hills Councilmember Janine Heft for her years of diligent service to her City.
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  Wednesday, I attended Assemblywoman Laurie Davie’s Holiday Open House! The Supervisor and Assemblywoman continue to partner on quality-of-life initiatives. I enjoyed connecting with some familiar faces, including Dr. Jillian Stewart of Surf & Turf Therapy. This fantastic nonprofit provides therapeutic experiences such as surfing, horseback riding, and community-based activities to children with disabilities in Orange County. Supervisor Foley supports Dr. Stewart’s efforts to expand her operations to Doheny State Beach, where the calm waves and predictable environment work best for her nonprofit’s mission.
Morgan Goldstein
District Representative
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What a week it’s been! Last Friday, I had a blast at Laguna Beach's Hospitality Night. The tree lighting was beautiful, the (faux) snow really added to the charm, and I absolutely loved listening to the orchestra. It was such a great way to kick off the holiday season! 🎄
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Then, on Monday, I joined the Supervisor for the Laguna Beach reorganization meeting. It was great to congratulate our newly elected and re-elected council members, appreciate outgoing members for their contributions to the council, and warmly welcome Alex Rounaghi as the City’s new Mayor and Mark Orgill as the new Mayor Pro Tem! After the special city council meeting, we joined the Laguna Canyon Conservancy and Laguna Canyon Foundation to chat about our climate goals at the county level. I really enjoyed meeting so many of you there!
To wrap up my week, I participated in our Holiday Wellness Walk at Dana Point Harbor. A huge thank you to all our constituents who joined us throughout the year for the Supervisor's Wellness Walk series. Here’s to many more enjoyable walks in 2025!
Finally, do you know any children in Laguna Niguel? The City’s Parks and Recreation Department has a special connection to Santa! Residents can drop off a letter to Santa Claus in the North Pole mailbox at the Crown Valley Community Center. Just make sure it is accompanied with a self-addressed, stamped envelope and Santa will send a response! 🎅
Intern Updates
On Tuesday, Noa attended the Newport Beach City Council meeting to express the office’s support of the City’s $3,000,000 commitment in funding toward the Travelodge North Homekey Project, an effort directly resulting from Supervisor Foley’s Homekey in a Box initiative. Noa also congratulated the newly elected and re-elected members on the Council, emphasizing that the Supervisor looks forward to continuing her service to and collaboration with the City of Newport Beach. On Thursday, Luca attended the Orange County Iranian American Chamber of Commerce’s holiday mixer. He met various members of the Iranian-American business community & discussed a variety of topics and conveyed the Supervisor’s well wishes for a peaceful and prosperous holiday season.
Airport Commission Update
By Sue Dvorak
At their December 4, 2024 meeting, the Airport Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of an amendment to extend the Sterling Energy International Inc. contract through December 31, 2027 to ensure continued operation and maintenance of JWA’s Central Utility Plant. The Central Utility Plant provides electrical service and chilled water for airport terminals, and electrical service for JWA’s parking structures.
The Airport Commission also voted unanimously to recommend approval of an amendment to the Allied Universal Security Services contract to ensure continued private security guard services at John Wayne Airport through January 31, 2027.
California launches new rebates to help cut home energy costs
Homeowners: Receive $4,000 - $8,000 in rebates to reduce the cost of purchasing and installing a new, energy-efficient home heating and cooling heat pump
California homeowners with household incomes between 80% and 150% area median income (AMI) will be eligible for up to $4,000. Those with incomes less than 80% AMI will be eligible for up to $8,000. Applicants can find their AMI here and begin their application here.
The rebates can be added to other incentives for even more savings on home electric appliances and equipment.
Bay View Trail Pedestrian Bridge Repairs
By OC Parks and OC Public Works
OC Public Works will perform maintenance at the Bay View Trail pedestrian bridge at Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. A detour along Mesa Drive will be available for trail users to connect with the trail.
A portion of Bay View Trail, including the pedestrian bridge, will be closed for repairs, from December 9 - December 27, 2024. The construction schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather and other factors.
A Message from the County Librarian
The Laguna Woods Library will be closed Monday, December 23 to Tuesday, January 1 due to Laguna Woods City Hall Complex holiday closure. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season and look forward to seeing you in the new year!
Join the Orange County Ethics Commission
District 5 is seeking a qualified individual to serve on the Ethics Commission, which oversees the County's Campaign Reform, Lobbyist Registration, Gift Ban Ordinances, and Code of Ethics.
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Must be a registered voter.
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Cannot hold any elected or appointed public office.
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Must not have been an elected official, lobbyist, candidate, public agency head, or Grand Juror in the last 10 years.
- No felony or misdemeanor convictions involving dishonesty or election law violations.
Make a difference in ensuring transparency and accountability in Orange County!
Orange County Continuum of Care (CoC) Recruiting for Board
The CoC is currently accepting nominations for their board! The CoC Board oversees and governs the community’s work to end homelessness, including:
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Deciding which types of organizations and programs get funded
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Determining strategic direction
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Analyzing and interpreting data
The CoC is recruiting for seven to eleven members to serve a two-year term from January 2025 to December 2026 and is seeking to broaden board membership to more wholly reflect the diversity of identities and experiences in Orange County.
APPLY HERE
OCTA Recruiting for Accessible Transit Advisory Committee
Accessible Transit Advisory Committee (ATAC) advises OCTA about issues that relate to OCTA fixed-route transit and paratransit services for customers with special transportation needs. The Accessible Transit Advisory Committee was originally formed in 1992 in response to the Americans with Disabilities Act and formalized the predecessor “504 Committee.”
Each year, as terms of various members expire, a recruitment process is conducted to fill vacant positions on the ATAC. Applications will be accepted for the 2024-2025 Accessible Transit Advisory Committee spring of 2024.
OC Public Libraries - 2024 Winter Reading Challenge!
Please see the latest Dana Point Harbor Oversight Advisory Committee updates here.
Health News
OC Health Care Agency COVID-19 Update
Reduce transmission and protect vulnerable populations such as seniors, those younger than one-year-old, and those with severe medical conditions. For more information, please visit the OCHCA website at https://ochealthinfo.com/covid.
Beginning 9/26/24, you will be able to place another order of 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. Shipping will begin on 9/30/24. Order your tests here.
Measles Information for General Public
As we enter virus season, measles can be prevented with measles vaccine, usually as part of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Learn more at the CDC’s Measles page.
Free Naloxone Deliveries in Orange County - FentanylSolution.org
In partnership with CalOptima, FentanylSolution.org is proud to offer free deliveries of Naloxone (8mg Kloxxado) -- an over-the-counter nasal spray that can reverse opioid overdoses -- at absolutely no-cost to all residents and businesses across Orange County.
California Insurance Commissioner Update:
As California endures high heat and increased wildfire danger, the California Department of Insurance shares a fact sheet on Preparing for Extreme Heat and Wildfire Risk.
CalOptima Health Grant Opportunities:
Click here and complete the Community Event Sponsorship Form!
Transportation News
Metrolink Holiday Express
The holiday season is here! Get in the spirit by riding Metrolink to festive events and activities! On the Metrolink Holiday Express, you can look forward to great holiday deals and delightful day trips from LA to Oceanside. Enjoy the magic of a classic, cozy train ride!
Learn more at Octa.net/MetrolinkWeekends.
E-Bike Update
The Board of Supervisors approved the e-bike ordinance includes common-sense provisions such as grouping restrictions, sidewalk speed limits, helmets for minors, requirements for yielding to pedestrians and equestrians and for an audible alarm when overtaking, consequences for driving without a license when required, and more. Read the ordinance here.
Youth Ride Free Bus Passes
The pass provides youth aged 6 to 18 with free travel on safe, clean and reliable buses. Youth Ride Free passes are available from your child's participating Orange County school. Parent signature is required. REQUEST A PASS
OCTA Free Hikes & 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.
State and Federal Resources Updates
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Direct Pay’s Role in Uplifting Communities
The Inflation Reduction Act introduced a new era for clean energy development, particularly for tax-exempt and governmental entities. This toolkit is designed to help local government staff and elected officials understand and leverage Direct Pay provisions to enhance community well-being and sustainability.
Pet of the Week
Meet Pet of the Week, Mishka!
 Hi, I'm Mishka, which means "little bear!" I may look like a bear, but in this lifetime, I'm happy being the handsome husky who's ready to be a part of your family!
I'm currently in foster right now and things have been amazing. After I wake up in the morning, I join my foster parents for cuddles before starting my day with a walk and a pup cup at our local coffee shop. Sometimes we'll go on hikes or walks on the beach, but my absolute favorite pastime is sticking my head out the window during car rides! The wind blowing in my fur makes me so happy!
I'm already a champ at "sit" and "paw," and I've been working on being housebroken. I know with you, I have so much potential to become the best pet! Please adopt me so we can kickstart our new life together! Call OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848 and mention my animal ID A1561685 to adopt me!
Support OCMA
Support Your Orange County Museum of Art, which makes art accessible to all through free admission! Click here to donate.
Foster Pets with OC Animal Care
Email ocacprograms@occr.ocogv.com today to be a foster hero!
Road Construction & Improvement Projects from December 11 to 18, 2024
Crews are reconstructing the northbound SR-55 MacArthur Boulevard on-ramp, which will remain closed until 5 a.m. on Thursday, December 19, as part of the SR-55 Improvement Project. The project, aimed at improving traffic flow and mobility, will add lanes and merge lanes between I-405 and I-5 in Orange County. For more information, click here.
 Walnut Avenue, south of Jeffrey Road, will be fully closed overnight from 9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18, to 5 a.m. on Thursday, December 19, for work on the Jeffrey Open Space Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge. While access to nearby residences and businesses will be maintained, the southbound I-5 on- and off-ramps and Caltrans Park & Ride will be closed during this time, with the project expected to be completed by March 2026.
The entire project is anticipated to be complete in March 2026.
For more information, email pm@cityofirvine.org or call the project hotline at 949-724-6676.
 Pavement rehabilitation and slurry sealing, including concrete repairs and resetting manhole and water valve covers, is underway in the Woodbridge North community, with work taking place Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on residential streets and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on arterial streets. The project, which started December 9 and will be completed this winter, will post "No Parking" signs 72 hours in advance and may cause delays, so motorists are advised to use alternate routes.
For more information, visit cityofirvine.org/streets, email pm@cityofirvine.org, or call the project hotline at 949-724-6676.
 The traffic signal at the intersection of Bryan Avenue and Marketplace will be turned off or placed in red flash mode while work on the signal is underway Tuesday, December 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The traffic signal at the intersection of Campus and Berkeley will be turned off or placed in red flash mode Tuesday, December 17, to Friday, December 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to replace the signal.
Every effort will be made to maintain traffic flow and minimize disruptions; however, delays are expected and motorists should consider using alternate routes during construction.
The northbound bike lane on Jeffrey Road, just south of Alton Parkway, is closed Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through December for improvements as part of the Jeffrey Road and Alton Parkway intersection project. The work, which includes curb, sidewalk, irrigation, and paving renovations, is expected to be completed by May 2025, with potential delays and alternate routes recommended for motorists.
For more information, email pm@cityofirvine.org or call the project hotline at 949-724-6676.
Costa Mesa Police Department Advisory Message
The Costa Mesa Police Department will conduct a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., to promote public safety and educate drivers about the dangers of impaired driving. The checkpoint, funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, aims to prevent impaired driving, including from alcohol, drugs, and marijuana, with those caught facing fine averaging $13,500 and a suspended license.
Book Your Whale-Watching Tour & Watch Marine Life in the Wild!
See giant blue whales, finback whales, gray whales and many more in their natural habitat while whale watching in Newport Beach! Newport Whales offers some of the best whale watching California has to offer! Visit www.newportwhales.com & make your reservations.
San Clemente Chamber of Commerce's Environmental Education Program:
18 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in Orange County
Help OC Develop our General Plan!
Learn more here:
 Enjoy the magic of the Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights, featuring this year’s theme: Carnival! 🎠✨
Fun Holiday Parties! 🎁
📅 Friday, December 13th
📅 Saturday, December 14th
🕡 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
*Check out our one-of-a-kind Parade of Lights viewing locations!
Join us for:
🍻 Cocktails, beer, wine, and other beverages
☕️ Hot cocoa and coffee bar
🍴 Carnival bites and festive food
🍪 Cookie decorating
🎨 Glitter Tattoos
🎶 Live entertainment
🌊 Tidepool touch tanks
🎄 Holiday activities, photo booth, and more!
Click here for more information.
Russ Bendel's Coastal OC Restaurants Celebrate the Holidays
Russ Bendel’s seven coastal hotspots are celebrating the holidays with custom cocktails, indulgent culinary offerings and a rewarding gift card program. Visit Olea in Newport Beach, Sapphire and The Pantry in Laguna Beach, Ironwood in Laguna Hills, Bloom in San Juan Capistrano and Vine and Parlor in San Clemente for the best in yuletide cheer!
ELFING AROUND…Inspired by the iconic holiday movie, Elf, celebrated mixologist Inga Tantisalidchai has created a unique cocktail for the season, “Elfing Around,” served exclusively at Olea in Newport Beach. It’s made with Papa’s Pilar blonde rum with bright notes of vanilla and citrus. Then Shanky’s Whip adds a hint of maple and holiday spiced flavors to cold brew coffee. The cocktail is presented in a glass ornament, perched above a frosty snowball, then ceremoniously poured on top of the icy orb.
HOLIDAY SURF + TURF… Chef-partner Jared Cook has taken an over-the-top interpretation of the classic surf and turf for the month at the restaurants.* A towering nine-ounce Revier Ranch Filet mignon, cooked to order, is paired with three colossal, wild-caught Ecuadorian shrimp. The luxe entrée comes with melted garlic-crème fraîche potatoes, winter vegetables, and enhancing the steak and shrimp, bordelaise and Meyer lemon-champagne butter. The perfect indulgence for New Year’s Eve.
CAVIAR? YES PLEASE…The luxurious holiday delicacy is served at all locations* in December. Black Pearl Siberian Sturgeon caviar comes with toasted brioche and the classic garnishes—capers, chives, crème fraîche, red onion and grated egg yolk and white.
LARGE PARTIES + PRIVATE DINING… RJB Restaurants now have private, semi-private and buyout options available at each restaurant. Sapphire has a private 16-seat Boardroom; Vine and Olea have intimate spots for six to eight. All locations are also available for private holiday luncheons, contingent on group size. For more information, click on the restaurant links and go to Large Parties.
BLOOM AND A VIEW - CAPISTRANO LIGHTS: MISSION IN LIGHTS…Now through December 29, you’ll have a front row seat to view the dramatic exterior of Mission San Juan Capistrano’s annual “Mission in Lights” from Bloom. The restaurant, located directly across from Orange County’s only mission, recommends reservations. Limited booth seating offers the best views.
Olea, Sapphire, Ironwood, Bloom, Vine and the Parlor will open for dinner service at 4pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Costa Mesa Residents Can Apply Now to Serve on Various City Commissions
The Costa Mesa City Council is currently seeking residents to serve on the following City Commissions:
Arts Commission: This Commission meets on the first Thursday of each month. With a motto of “City of the Arts”, the City holds in highest regard the vital role of the arts in the community. The general objectives of the arts commission shall be to ensure that the City of Costa Mesa is a place where creativity and creative people can flourish; imagination, inspiration and innovation are held in high regard, arts education is essential to all and that arts and culture promotes civic pride and enriches the daily lives of Costa Mesa residents. Four members must be residents of Costa Mesa and up to three non-residents that are affiliated with the Arts. The City is recruiting for four members (Appointments by Mayor Stephens, Council Member Buley, Council Member Gameros, and Council Member Pettis), each for a term expiration of January 2029. For further information, contact Executive Assistant Laura Fautua at (714) 754-5009.
Parks and Community Services Commission: This Commission meets on the second Thursday of each month. The Commission serves as an advisory body to the City Council and works with various City departments on issues pertaining to parks, parkways, recreation, and community services. The City is recruiting for four members (Appointments by Mayor Stephens, Council Member Buley, Council Member Gameros, and Council Member Pettis), each for a term expiration of January 2029 and one member (Appointment by Council Member Marr), for a term expiration of January 2027. For further information, contact Executive Assistant Laura Fautua at (714) 754-5009.
Planning Commission: This Commission meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month. The Commission functions as an advisory body to the City Council on issues related to the long-term growth and development of the community, on requests for general plan amendments, rezones, specific plans, environmental impact reports and amendments to the City’s Zoning Ordinance. The Planning Commission has authority to take final action on a variety of planning applications, including conditional use permits, variances, planned development projects, and tentative tract and parcel maps. Appeals of the Planning Commission’s decisions are considered by the City Council. The City is recruiting for four members (Appointments by Mayor Stephens, Council Member Buley, Council Member Gameros, and Council Member Pettis), each for a term expiration of January 2029. For further information, contact Administrative Assistant Anna Partida at (714) 754-5612.
Application Process – Residents who are interested in getting involved in local government are encouraged to complete a Commission Application Form from the City Clerk’s Office or from the City’s website (www.costamesaca.gov/apply). The completed application may be submitted online; mailed to Costa Mesa City Clerk at Post Office Box 1200, Costa Mesa, California, 92628-1200; emailed to cityclerk@costamesaca.gov; or hand-delivered to the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. The deadline is 5 p.m., Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. The appointments are tentatively scheduled for the Jan. 21, 2025 City Council meeting.
OC Workforce One-Stop: OPEN NOW!
Ready Set OC offers no-cost employment training for Orange County youth ages 14-24. 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. Click here to learn more about the program.
Bulky Item Disposal
Are you an Orange County resident trying to dispose of bulky items like old refrigerators and appliances but not sure how? For information on local haulers and recycling coordinators visit OCLandfills.com/quick-links.
BenefitsCal
Orange County officially switched over to a new benefits enrollment portal called BenefitsCal. 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.
 
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!
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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