Weekly Update from Supervisor Foley
Dear neighbor:
Last week wrapped up with the third annual State of the County hosted by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, where I provided local business owners, government officials, and community leaders with exciting updates on public safety, homelessness and housing, and Orange County’s thriving economy. This week, we hit the ground running – hosting our highly anticipated town hall on the causes and solutions behind the fish dying at Laguna Niguel Park Lake. We also returned to regularly scheduled OC Board of Supervisors meetings, tackling a robust agenda focused on improvements to traffic safety, ethics reforms to support whistleblowers, emergency services, airport improvement business supports, and more.
This week, I held 13 meetings with local leaders, discussing topics like the Costa Mesa Skate Park expansion, natural disaster preparedness, supporting women-owned small businesses, and our San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Community Coalition. We also spoke with local unions and non-profits – including the Carpenters Union, Second Harvest Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Community Action Partnership, and more. We’re focused on working collaboratively and effectively on granting our most vulnerable neighbors' access to food, shelter, and hygiene products – including helping families through diaper banks. Through every conversation and decision, our commitment remains clear: building a safer, healthier community where families and businesses can thrive.
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 Top left: With Michael Valentine from Habitat for Humanity; Top middle: With Jim Gray, Monique Villasenor, and Marty Jimenez; Top right: With Dr. Julie Ryan Johnson from San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition Center; Bottom left: With Jimmy Elrod from Western States Regional Carpenters; Middle: With Chris Murphy and Jeff Curie; Middle right: With Gregory Scott and Alicia Berhow of Community Action Partnership; Bottom middle: With Claudia Bonilla Keller of Second Harvest Food Bank; Bottom right: With Rudi Heshmatazad from Raire Chocolate
Board of Supervisors Meeting
At our Tuesday Board of Supervisors meeting, the County Board unanimously adopted an updated Code of Ethics, an important step toward accountability and strengthening public trust in our local government. This follows almost a year of oversight reforms as a result of the Andrew Do corruption scandal, who began his 5-year prison sentence today in Arizona.
I continue advocating for a stronger Campaign Finance and Ethics Commission, one with improved resources, authority, and staffing capacity to efficiently hold officials accountable.
We added new written protections for whistleblowers, offering additional safeguards to ensure those who file a complaint through the OC Fraud Hotline remain safely protected. If we want the public to trust our County, we need more than symbolic reform. We need tangible, enforceable change.
Additional Board meeting updates include:
Traffic and Community Safety
Rancho Mission Viejo residents voiced crosswalk safety concerns, and we responded by adding an all-way stop at the intersection of Saddle Way and Ivy Way/Cherry Court, ensuring safer neighborhoods. Our Public Works team installed the new signs this week. The Board also voted to approve a contract amendment expanding surveillance capacity and better equipping our Sheriff and Fire Departments to combat retail theft and crime across Orange County.
 This week, we celebrated the milestone 25th, “Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week.” In honor of this year’s theme, “Heroes Behind the Mission: Transforming Lives, Enhancing Public Safety,” we commend our Orange County Probation department for their dedicated service. Each day, the team engages with care and compassion to support more than 1,000 justice-involved youth and 9,000 adults, as well as their families. The team helps individuals overcome challenges, successfully complete probation, and establish fulfilling futures in Orange County.
 Listening to Chief Probation Officer Daniel Hernandez from the Orange County Probation Department.
Healthy Communities and Clean Beaches
The Board voted on a first reading of a ban on the sale, distribution, and possession of synthetic kratom in unincorporated Orange County to protect public health and safety, taking a firm stand against a highly addictive substance that masquerades as a natural and therapeutic supplement. This is another positive step toward protecting public health – following my previously adopted ban on Nitrous Oxide in the County of Orange. The final approval on the kratom ban will take place at the August 26 Board of Supervisors Meeting.
 I also supported a staff recommendation granting Falck Mobile Health Corp exclusive EMS operation in five areas of the county, while I continue advocating for a future public-private model long benefitting communities like Costa Mesa. Additionally, at Salt Creek Beach, we continue enhancing water quality and the visitor experience through a humane falconry program that naturally reduces seagull activity. Thank you to the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort for gifting the County $45,877 to cover the costs!
Support for our Veterans
We approved a resolution to implore the National Cemetery Administration to prioritize the California Department of Veterans Affairs’ application for the addition of the Southern California Veterans Cemetery to the list of eligible sites for federal grant funding. This is one of the final steps necessary for the designation as an official veterans cemetery by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We have come so far and are closer than ever to finally providing our veterans a final resting place in Orange County.
Celebrating Chicano Heritage Month
 Top left: Listening to Sara Guerrero, Southern California Chicana native of Mexican and Mestizo ancestry, on behalf of Chicano Heritage month; Top right: The Board presenting a proclamation in honor of Bolivian Independence Day; Middle right: Presenting a proclamation to our county probation department; Bottom left: Posing with our national anthem singer Kensie Breen and mom; Bottom right: The Board presenting a proclamation in honor of Chicano Heritage Month
Keeping Our Community Safe
As a former Newport Mesa Unified School District board member and wife of a teacher, I understand the value of partnerships with law enforcement to keep kids safe and away from criminal activities. On Thursday, I met with District Attorney Spitzer and his team, the Costa Mesa Police Department, the NMUSD Superintendent, and some of our school board trustees to discuss enhancements to the OC Gang Reduction Intervention Program (G.R.I.P). Our meeting was productive and collaborative. We all left with information unknown before the meeting and a goal to develop a better program for NMUSD moving forward.
Supporting a Healthier Orange County
When local angler fishermen notified my office of the death of approximately 500 fish at Laguna Niguel Regional Park Lake, I directed our OC Parks staff to launch a full investigation into the root cause. I remain dedicated to providing our residents with updates on this beloved fishing spot in our community. That’s why I hosted this town hall with Laguna Niguel Councilmember Stephanie Oddo and OC Parks over the weekend. Our parks team continues analyzing various fish species that could potentially be sustainably stocked at Laguna Niguel Lake in the warmer/summer months, taking into account environmental conditions and long-term ecosystem health. The good news is that our Parks crew found no further signs of fish in distress since the incident occurred. We appreciate your feedback and inquiries on this matter, and my office will be sure to keep you updated on the status of the lake as more information becomes available. You can find the complete list of questions addressed during the town hall here.
 Top left: Speaking at our town hall; Top right: With OC Parks Director Pam Passow, discussing the map that showcases where fishing is permitted (purple); Bottom left: Listening to Council Member Stephanie Oddo; Bottom right: Crowd of attendees
Advocating for Our Thriving Economy & Investing in Our Community
This week I joined Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento as a panelist for Orange County Business Council Legislative Day, providing county updates on workforce development, housing, and infrastructure that are vital to the economic growth of our county, including more sand on our beaches. We also discussed the need for an economic development plan for the County and our entitled properties. These collaborative conversations with our local community leaders and business owners are so important for building a more resilient and prosperous Orange County.
 Top left: With Jeff Ball, President and CEO of OCBC, Jennifer Fernandez, Senior Manager of Government Relations for Southern California Edison, Supervisor Sarmiento, and Amanda Walsh, Vice President Government Affairs for OCBC; Bottom left: Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento and me; Top right: Cara Stewart of WunderMarx, Inc.; Middle right: Larry Labrado and Luis Aleman of Disneyland Resort; Bottom right: Mathias Hausherr of Transatlantic Venture Association and Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce SoCal, Eddie Marquez
Engaging with Our Community
On Saturday, I had the honor of celebrating Kimberly Claytor’s retirement as a science and chemistry teacher and a longtime labor advocate. As the former president of the Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers, Kimberly led the charge of advancing education, with her impact reaching far beyond a classroom. Kimberly has proven herself a tireless defender of union workers. Her kind, creative, and passionate leadership will be missed. As she enters this next phase of life, I commend her for a successful career, and I wish her the absolute best!
 Presenting a proclamation to Kimberly Claytor
On the same day, we also celebrated our community educators at The Sherman Library & Gardens in Newport Beach for an annual Newport Beach Summer Garden Party. There, I announced grants to their community education and improvement funds, including their new mural and to support the “Grow the Gardens” Capital Campaign. I thoroughly enjoyed the Hat Parade – congratulations to the winners on their creative ensembles!
 Left: Hat Parade contestants; Right: Scott LeFleur and Alex Anderson.
In 1972, legendary waterman Whitey Harrison founded the Dana Outrigger Canoe Club. Today, Dana Outrigger can be recognized as one of the California Coast's largest and most competitive clubs, with 300 members of all ages and skill levels. I enjoyed cheering on their launch and celebrating our coastal community at their 20-mile Whitey Harrison Race this week!
 Top right: With members of the Dana Outrigger Racing Team; Middle right: With the whole Dana Outrigger team; Bottom left: With the outrigger canoes getting ready to launch; Bottom right: With Tom Davis
This week I received the distinct honor of being recognized with the “She Builds Power and Policy,” award by the League of California Cities Women’s Caucus, alongside Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, and Amazon’s Policy Leader Sally Kay.
I enjoyed participating in the fireside chat, highlighting my leadership journey, sharing my challenges, and offering advice to our future women leaders. It’s always exciting gathering with so many powerhouse women making a difference across Southern California.
 Top left: Myself along with Janet Conklin, Los Angeles Supervisor Janet Hahn, Asm. Quirk-Silva, Irvine City Councilmember Melinda Liu, and members of the Women’s Caucus Board; Top right: Standing with League of California Cities Women’s Caucus Board Members Bea Dieringer, Cassandra Chase, and Janet Conklin; Bottom: All of the attendees at the League of California Cities Women’s Caucus.
I especially enjoyed reconnecting with Supervisor Janice Hahn, who administered my oath of office in 2023 after I was elected to serve the Fabulous Fifth District.
 On Thursday, I attended the United to End Homelessness Leadership Council Meeting where I provided updates on behalf of the Orange County Housing Finance Trust (OCHFT), including OCHFT’s extension of the 2024 Notice of Funding Available which still has more than $5M in funding for developers to build affordable housing in Orange County. Since 2024 the OCHFT invested $20,000,000 in developing 152 units and provided gap financing for developments producing 860 new affordable and support housing units. There are more innovative ideas in the works that I look forward to sharing here in the near future. I loved learning about a new pilot from United Way to support students who find themselves on the verge of losing housing. I’ve asked for further briefings and will share next week.
 A Look Ahead
Join our Wellness Walk this coming Tuesday as we exercise our bodies and enjoy our beautiful Balboa Island. We hope you come out and learn more about how Marine Avenue shapes our coastal economy.
 This week and every week, I rededicate myself to building a safer, healthier, more economically thriving Orange County community for us all to call home. While much work remains, I’m glad to continue working alongside all of you to make the future of our county just a little brighter every day.
I’m looking forward to attending the last weekend of the OC Fair with my family. I’m especially excited that I get a rare Friday night date with my husband Casey tonight.
Happy summer and be well,
 Katrina Foley
Vice Chair
County of Orange
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