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| Volume 5 | Issue 28 |
July 11, 2025 |
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Weekly Update from Supervisor Foley
Dear neighbor:
This week, I spent hours reviewing trial transcripts from the suit against the District Attorney and County in preparation for a meeting with the DA, in which we discussed operational changes and supports for employees. I also fielded emails and worked with our county staff on prompt encampment clearing near Randall Preserve, prepared for our upcoming town halls and board meetings, supported the Laguna Beach Mayor on fire watch response, and joined our business community and residents for lots of summer events. I love summer and hope you enjoy yours by taking advantage of the many free family activities and concerts across the Fabulous Fifth.
Laguna Beach Fire
We all watched nervously as news of a wildfire in Laguna Beach broke this week. So many Laguna Beach residents still remember the “Laguna Beach Firestorm” of 1993, a wildfire which burned 17,000 acres, destroyed 366 homes, and damaged an additional 500 homes and structures.
This time, we were prepared.
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 Photo via Laguna Beach Fire Department: One of our new Firehawks in action extinguishing the Rancho Fire.
Independence Day
Thank you to all who joined us across the Fabulous Fifth for a fantastic Fourth of July! On Independence Day, we celebrated: “We the people,” and the work we do to ensure our neighbors enjoy freedom, liberty, and justice for all.
I enjoyed joining neighbors and friends at parades in Costa Mesa, stopping by and celebrating in Newport Beach, Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano, and watching a drone show and fireworks light the sky during the Pacific Symphony concert and City of Irvine’s Inaugural Fourth of July Celebration at the Great Park. My team rocked red, white, and blue with you at celebrations throughout the district, including in Irvine, Aliso Viejo, and Ladera Ranch.
 Left: Thank you to our dedicated Orange County Fire Authority team for ensuring safe gatherings for our communities; Top Right: With Irvine Councilwoman Melinda Liu and Irvine Vice Mayor James Mai at Pacific Symphony Concert; Bottom Right: Hanging out in San Juan at the carnival with Councilmember Howard Hart.
 Top Left: Enjoying the sunshine at Dana Point Harbor; Top Right: Thank you to our excellent OC Sheriff’s Department for ensuring our safety on the holiday; Bottom Left: My family and I enjoying the fireworks in Irvine; Bottom Right: Celebrating with Fabulous Fifth residents and friends in Newport Beach.
Supporting a Healthier Orange County
Dedicated stewardship of our environment makes a healthy coastal lifestyle possible. Thanks to my partnership with Stand Up to Trash, our “Plastic Free July Cleanup” welcomed 270 ocean protectors who removed 487 pounds of trash in Dana Point Harbor. When our community works together, we create real change.
 Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers for your dedication to caring for our coastal community.
Advocating for Our Thriving Economy & Investing in Our Community
The Fabulous Fifth’s workforce continues growing exponentially, leading the county with more than 340,000 new jobs available this year, and counting. Together with the South Orange County Economic Coalition (SOCEC), we’re strengthening our thriving economy by facilitating, educating, and advocating for our local business community. Wednesday night, I joined local leaders for a swearing-in ceremony for our new SOCEC Board. Congratulations to the new leadership, including new Board Chairman Collin Powers, Government Affairs Director of Orange County Realtors, and thank you to former Chair Adriana Galdamez for your excellent leadership this year.
 Top Left: Israel Dominguez of Saddleback College and Dr. Julianna Barnes, Chancellor of the South Orange County Community College District; Top Right: With the new SOCEC Board; Bottom Left: Here I am with new SOCEC Board Chair, Collin Powers; Bottom Middle: I enjoyed swearing in the new Board; Bottom Right: With former SOCEC Chair Adriana Galdamez of Cox Communications, and new Board members Kristen Pugh of Memorial Care Hospital, and Kelley Lee of Southern California Edison.
Our OC Workforce Solutions team serves as Orange County’s responsive resource for a full range of free, transformative services and programs personalized for our job seekers, youth, and businesses. Our Mobile Unit brings these services directly into the community. In the past year alone, the Mobile Unit made nearly 200 stops at libraries, community centers, parks, and many more locations across Orange County to engage people and assess employment needs, ensuring services are accessible for everyone. Check out the mobile unit schedule and stop by a location near you.
 With OC Workforce Mobile Unit staff in Rancho Mission Viejo today!
Engaging with Our Community
Every summer, I look forward to enjoying live music and dancing with you in our beautiful Orange County parks. Yesterday, I joined my neighbors and friends at Flashback Heart Attack, listening to incredible 80s covers as part of the OC Parks Summer Concert Series at Mason Regional Park. We have a few more this summer, taking place every Thursday through August from 6-8 p.m. The best part is - it’s free! Up next: No Duh at Salt Creek Beach on August 14, 2025 – see you there.
 Caption: Top left: Here I am with Irvine City Councilmember Melinda Liu; Top right: Here I am with Flashback Heart Attack before the show; Bottom left: It was great seeing so many friends out at Mason Regional Park enjoying the show! Thank you to the wonderful team at OC Parks for putting on a fantastic event.
I was honored to serve as a judge for the Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) Junior Builder Camp’s team competition in Rancho Mission Viejo. This camp introduces our youngest and brightest minds to the fundamentals of design, construction, energy, and the vital role of our homebuilding industry in Orange County. Through virtual design contests and mentorship by industry leaders, BIASC and the Boys and Girls Club of Capistrano Valley are creating free opportunities for students to learn about the benefits of homebuilding in providing a safe and secure community for them to live, play and grow in. I am impressed and inspired by their creativity and innovation.
 With my fellow judges: Camp Co-Founder Maddie Motejano, City of San Juan Capistrano City Councilmember John Taylor, Rancho Mission Viejo Senior VP of Government Relations Mike Balsamo, Director of Forward Planning at Shea Homes Emilie Simard, Senior VP of Community Rancho Mission Viejo Jack Morales, and Camp Co-Founder Mia Montejano; With the talented Junior Builders!
Join my office tonight for the OC Parks Sunset Cinema Series showing of “Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)” on their big screen at Mason Regional Park at 6 p.m. This summer, District 5 hosts four movie nights at Mason Regional, Laguna Niguel, and Salt Creek Beach parks. I hope to see you there!
 With my former interns Luca Shakoori and Noah Bolton at last year’s Summer Sunset Cinema Series at William Mason Regional Park in Irvine.
Here in the Fabulous Fifth District, our coastal lifestyle brings sunshine all year long. But too much exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) light, whether by laying out on the beach or in a tanning bed, is the main cause of skin cancer. This UV Safety Month, let’s practice sun safety every day.
I’m looking forward to joining surfer Kelly Slater and USA Surfing tomorrow at the grand opening of Hoag’s Health Center in San Clemente, which offers new sports medicine services. Like me, Kelly is also a strong advocate for safe, sustainable sunscreen.
When spending time outdoors, stay in the shade, wear protective clothing – including a hat and sunglasses – and wear plenty of zinc-based sunscreen. Remember: sunscreen wears off, especially in the water. Be sure to re-apply at least every two hours to ensure your skin stays protected.
Happy summer and be well,
 Katrina Foley
Vice Chair
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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Upcoming Board of Supervisors Meeting on August 12, 2025
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Staff Updates
Anthony Nguyen
Policy Advisor
Happy Friday, District 5! While Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) continues leading emergency track protection efforts in priority areas along the rail line in San Clemente, work continues on a study of potential solutions that will safeguard rail operations for the next three decades.
OCTA’s Coastal Rail Resiliency Study evaluates strategies for keeping trains running along seven miles of vulnerable coastline between Dana Point and the San Diego County line. The study is distinct from the ongoing emergency work that is focused on areas identified as needing immediate reinforcement because of threats to the rail line from coastal erosion and sliding of privately owned hillsides above the tracks.
Join an upcoming meeting and share your input on the study:
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In person, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15
San Clemente City Hall, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente
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Virtual (Zoom), from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 29
Register: https://bit.ly/CRRS-Jul29
Webinar ID: 876 4063 9878 or Call-in: (669) 900-6833
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 Photo courtesy of OCTA
Adam Tallabas
District Director
I hope you enjoyed a safe and patriotic 4th of July weekend. This week, I joined Morgan and CalOptima in the beginning stages to plan our 2025 Senior Summit. We can’t wait for you to join us for this critically important annual event this fall.
Yesterday, I welcomed Westcliff Early Learning Academy to Irvine. Westcliff adds to Irvine’s incredible educational environment, helping produce the next generation of leaders, businessowners, and entrepreneurs.
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We love being a part of our Fifth District communities. Stop by, say hello, and have a great weekend!
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Morgan Goldstein
District Representative
Hi, all!
This week, our team sat down with Deputy Chief of Staff, Alyssa Napuri, to learn about affordable housing. Her crash course taught us about the difference between project and tenant-based vouchers, including funding structures and the economics of publicly-funded affordable housing models. The unique combination of public subsidies, tax credits, conventional bank loans, and investments contribute to making affordable housing such a nuanced policy area. One such development, Salida del Sol, is set to open soon in San Juan Capistrano, seamlessly positioning 49 new units of service-enriched housing near the new City Hall.
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Abby Paulson
District Representative
Happy Friday, D5! This week, I met with OC Waste & Recycling, The Marina at Dana Point, and the City of Dana Point to plan the upcoming Marine Flare Collection event. A marine flare is a type of pyrotechnic device that produces a brilliant light or a plume of colorful smoke as a visual distress signal to attract attention in an emergency, and to help pinpoint the boater’s exact location. However, when marine flares expire, they become toxic, posing a safety risk to our coastal community. Join us in keeping our boaters, residents, beaches and ocean clean and safe. Bring your expired flares to 24650 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point on August 16, 2025, stay tuned for future details about the event!
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Robbie LaBounty
District Representative
In District 5, we know wildfire season lasts all year long. This week, I joined local leaders in Rancho Mission Viejo for a discussion about our upcoming Emergency and Fire Preparedness Town Hall. We hope you’ll join us on September 25, 2025, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the RMV Guest House for an engaging conversation about our work ensuring your safety in case of wildfire emergency, in partnership with the , California Highway Patrol, Alert OC, and Asm. Kate Sanchez's office. Stay tuned here for more details.
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Join the Orange County Ethics Commission
District 5 seeks 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. Submit your CV or resume, a short bio, and the linked application to Katrina.Foley@ocgov.com.
For regular updates from my Dana Point Harbor Advisory Committee on all things Revitalization, click here.
Health News
Orange County beaches showed continued improvement by topping the “Honor Roll” in the Beach Report Card from Heal the Bay for the second consecutive year. Learn more here.
Free Naloxone Deliveries in Orange County
FentanylSolution.org offers 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. Request free delivery of Naloxone: https://tinyurl.com/FentSolOC
Transportation News
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.
Fall Prevention with the OC Office on Aging
July Farmers Markets
This month, attend your local farmers market and support small businesses, have fun with the whole family, and take home some fresh produce. Find a farmers’ market near you here.
Buy Your OC Fair Tickets Today!
Walk for Independence
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Join Project Independence for a fun-filled morning that celebrates community, movement, and the power of independence. This year’s Walk for Independence features the usual walk around Twekinkle Park in Costa Mesa along with some exciting new experiences! Registration opens July 1, 2025.
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Summer Concerts & Cinema in the Park
Throughout the Fabulous Fifth
Resources at OC Public Libraries
  
Pet of the Week
Meet Pet of the Week, Barry!
Barry is sweet and affectionate, and he would thrive in an adult only home where he can take his time settling in. If Barry (A1864747) sounds like the pet you're looking for, call OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848 to schedule a visit and foster-to-adopt him today!
Please visit our Pet Adoptions page to see more adoptable pets.
Support Our Local Museums
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 and Dana Point! Visit www.newportwhales.com, www.danawharf.com, and Captain Dave's to make your reservations.
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
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.
 
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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Thank you for being an active member of our County.
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