Weekly Update from Supervisor Foley
Dear neighbor:
I continue to advocate for a safe, healthy, economically thriving community to call home here in District 5 and throughout Orange County.
This week, I worked through solution planning related to the many diverse issues confronting District 5 constituents, enjoyed learning about different communities, and participated in work group planning with county staff related to key initiatives.
In work groups, we discussed strategic economic planning and development opportunities, identified existing county infrastructure projects and equipment replacement eligible for state climate bond funds, received briefings on progress for election preparations, and various public works and traffic safety projects in South County, Rancho Mission Viejo and Newport Beach such as the progress on Los Patrones Parkway Extension, copper pollutant monitoring in the Newport Bay, and fulfilling our promise to Rancho Mission Viejo residents by decreasing speed limits in the Sendero neighborhood, amongst other initiatives.
I also continued working with our airport team and partners to create a plan for mobile aviation in Orange County, led the OC Housing Finance Trust to finish our strategic planning initiative, and received briefings from our investment advisors and auditors about the health and safety of our county assets. Lots accomplished for you this week.
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 We got nearly 8,000 steps in while guided by a local neighbor on a 1.7-mile walk through the historically significant residential and business community of Balboa Island, and stopped by our historic Balboa Island Ferry that we helped secure $7.9 million in funding to save. Many thanks to the Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society for cohosting and helping us bring our community together to promote good health, civics, and connection.
 Top: Cheering with our walking crew in front of the Balboa Island Ferry; Bottom left: Speaking at the Balboa Museum; Bottom right: With my friend and tour guide Dennis Bress
We also traveled to Oceanside with Pacific Marine Mammal Center and the Marina operators to explore creative solutions for addressing our growing sea lion presence at Dana Point Harbor, and visited Vivante Senior Living in Costa Mesa with our CEO and her team to learn of best practices and successful models for building senior living campuses.
 Top: Tour of Oceanside Harbor; Bottom: Tour of the Vivante Assisted Living facility in Costa Mesa
I stopped by Congressman Mike Levin’s Town Hall in Laguna Niguel for a discussion by the CEO of Providence Mission Hospital and representatives from United Way, 211, and Covered California on increases to health care costs and impacts to all of us from recent federal bills.
 Left: At Rep. Levin's townhall with Laguna Niguel City Council member Stephanie Oddo and Michelle Murphy with United Way; Right: Congressmember Mike Levin, Karolyna Sandoval from Covered California, Executive Director for 2-1-1 Orange County at United Way Elizabeth Andrade, Brian Helleland from Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange
Our mid August heat wave is here. Stay cool, protect your skin and stay hydrated. Learn about cooling stations in D5 below.
 Perfect weekend to get out on the water with the cool breeze
Keeping Our Community Safe
Again, our OC Fire Authority saved the day by acting promptly and using our state-of-the-art new equipment to stamp out a fast-spreading vegetation fire in Laguna Niguel, without any personal injuries or structural damage.
Our crews extinguished the four-acre fire, and residents returned home within 4 hours!
Our Firehawk helicopters and helopad tanks once again demonstrated the value of this investment in public safety.
 Photo courtesy of OC Fire Authority: One of our new Firehawks in action extinguishing the Beacon Fire
I'm pleased to share that our Orange County Sheriff's Department successfully conducted approximately 700 fentanyl rescues by expanding Narcan access in our jails, on patrol, and through education-focused prevention programs in partnership with the OC Health Care Agency. A big part of reducing fentanyl overdoses lies in quality rehabilitation resources and education around lifesaving Narcan use. A reminder from Sheriff Barnes that nearly 100% of drugs purchased outside of our secure prescription drug system contain fentanyl. That OxyContin or Xanax likely is fentanyl disguised to look like prescription drugs. Don’t take the risk. Great work by our Sheriff's Department in keeping our county safe and preventing any further tragedies. When we’re safe, our health and our economy are able to thrive.
 Top: With law enforcement and public safety personnel; Bottom: Presenting on the effects of fentanyl alongside our Sheriff’s Department at my townhall
Visit www.fentanylisforever.org to learn more. You can also visit findtreatment.gov or our OC Health page for substance abuse and treatment resources.
Supporting a Healthier Orange County
Dana Point Harbor Marina has experienced a noticeable increase in sea lion activity this summer, with the animals making personal patios out of private boats and docks. Sea Lions roaming the docks pose a risk to public safety and the health of our sea lion population. The Dana Point community requested the County and Dana Point Harbor leadership consider developing a humane sea lion management plan. One option we explored this week is to designate a floating dock for sea lions, similar to what exists in Oceanside.
Dana Point Harbor Marina staff, my office, experts from the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, and our CEO Real Estate team traveled down to Oceanside Harbor to meet with their Harbor Master and tour “Sea Lion Island.” Installed in 2010, Oceanside’s Harbor staff noted the floating dock provides a dedicated home for the Sea Lions, meeting the animals’ preference and centralizing their activity, overall decreasing their presence across the slips and the boats in the harbor. They also shared other safe deterrent tools they use. Given Oceanside’s overwhelming success, our staff continues researching whether this is an attainable model to mirror and pilot in Dana Point Harbor.
 Top left: Discussing options with Will Uberoth from our Marina operations team; Top right: Joining experts to check out Sea Lion Island; Bottom left: With Donna Kalez from Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching and our Harbor liasion Christian to hear operation updates from the Oceanside Harbor Master; Bottom right: Sea Lion Island
Advocating for Our Thriving Economy & Investing in Our Community
This week I held the second meeting of our Advanced Air Mobility Advisory Group – coincidentally held on National Aviation Day! Leadership from John Wayne Airport (JWA), Clay Lacy Aviation, ACI Jet, Joby, Boeing, Archer, UC Irvine, the Orange County Business Council, and local community leaders gathered for a discussion on the future of Electric Air Taxis in Orange County. We discussed power requirements needed for air taxis at JWA, environmental and safety regulations, and a potential future demonstration in Orange County once the FAA certifies these piloted vehicles for flying. Transparency is important to me, so I encouraged operators and our local partners to work with us to begin educating communities as well as request input from our neighbors in the Fifth District as soon as possible.
 John Wayne Airport Advance Air Mobility Advisory Committee Meeting
Stopped by the grand opening of Luke's Lobster in Newport Beach today! This marks only the third location in California, and the very first in Orange County. The excitement was real, with the line wrapped around the corner in the first hour. My team enjoyed the delicious, buttery lobster roll. Welcome to the neighborhood!
 Left: Awarding Evan, General Manager of Luke‘s Lobster, with a certificate; Top right: Displaying a complimentary Luke‘s Lobster towel; Bottom right: Waiting for our lobster rolls and observing the line of excited patrons
A Place to Call Home
This week the Orange County Housing Finance Trust Board (OCHFT) approved our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan. As Chair of this Board, I initiated development of a new, concise, easy to understand action plan. Our approved plan outlines six strategic goals: increasing the spectrum of affordable housing production, expanding funding sources, fostering strong public-private partnerships, streamlining project delivery, promoting geographic fairness and long-term stability, and enhancing board governance and oversight. A big change from the original OCHFT mission was expanding our focus from solely supporting homeless and low-income residents to now include supports for our workforce, who is increasingly priced out of housing in Orange County. Another significant change is our capital campaign to seek private investments in partnership with hospitals, large employers, and educational institutions in need of housing for their workforce.
 OCHFT special meeting: Next to OCHFT Vice Chair and Irvine City Councilmember Melinda Liu
Engaging with Our Community
On Tuesday, I attended the retirement ceremony for Arlene Schafer, Vice Secretary of the Costa Mesa Sanitary District Board and former Costa Mesa Mayor. I joined Mayor John Stephens, former Mayor Mary Hornbuckle, and many others in celebrating Arlene’s remarkable public service career, which spans nearly five decades. Arlene served as the second woman Mayor of Costa Mesa from 1980 to 1982 (Mary served as 3rd and I the 8th. Beyond her elected leadership, Arlene served as a longtime member of the Harbor Mesa Lions Club. I wish her all the best in retirement and remain deeply grateful for the public service she offered to Costa Mesa and Orange County.
 Left: Presenting a proclamation to former Costa Mesa Mayor Arlene Schafer, Top Right: Here I am with Arlene Schafer and Coast Community College Vice President Trustee Mary Hornbuckle; Bottom Right: Sharing kind words about Arlene
I talked all things County of Orange this week on “Laguna Talks” – a local radio show on KXFM 104.7. Billy and I discussed the Board’s recent vote to ban Kratom a dangerous synthetic opioid marketed as “natural” – building on our previous NOX ban. We discussed the County Budget, investments in Laguna Beach, and how tourism contributes to our thriving coastal economy. Listen to my full conversation with Billy here.
 With Orange County’s 60+ population expected to exceed one-third by 2060, we’re prioritizing stronger support for seniors and their caregivers. From protecting government resources to expanding access to housing, transportation, and care, my office continues leading on impactful efforts. The county’s first Master Plan for Aging, an effort my office proudly leads, ensures every resident can age with dignity, safety, and independence. We remain grateful for our seniors who shaped our families, neighborhoods, and future. Learn more about resources available for our aging population at our upcoming Senior Summit, in partnership with CalOptima Health.
8th Annual Orange County Senior Summit
October 10, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Aliso Viejo Ranch, 100 Park Ave, Aliso Viejo
Remember to check on your neighbors, especially our seniors and those without air conditioning. Let’s keep the Fifth District safe and cool.
Happy End of Summer and Back to School,
 Katrina Foley
Vice Chair
County of Orange
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