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| Volume 5 | Issue 37 |
September 12, 2025 |
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Weekly Update from Supervisor Foley
Dear neighbor:
The San Juan Creek Bridge Replacement Project moves forward on improving rail safety. As a result, prepare for suspension of Metrolink service between the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside stations on the weekend of September 20-21 for necessary track and utility work. Metrolink will not provide alternate transportation during this time. Additionally, expect a pause on Amtrak Pacific Surfliner operations between Irvine and San Diego, with bus bridges filling the gaps for affected passengers.
Please plan ahead and use alternative routes or transportation options during this weekend rail closure. Prepare for increased traffic in nearby areas due to detours and construction activity.
Today, I joined Ed Steinfeld on "Voice of Laguna" for a quick update on our work at the county, and specifically for Laguna Beach. We discussed public safety in Laguna Beach, the County's $40 million investment in undergrounding utilities and improvements to Laguna Canyon Road, adding a center lane for buses and emergency vehicles, and improving active transportation on both sides of Laguna Canyon. We also covered a variety of other topics, including security for public officials and board rooms, OC Fire Authority Chief Fennesy’s protest of the ambulance transport contract, zooming into public meetings, sand on our beaches, and more.
Check out the livestream from our conversation here.
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 Read on for more about our work this week.
Board of Supervisors Meeting
At our Board of Supervisors meeting this week, we voted to improve our fire systems for county-owned properties, purchase mobile fingerprint ID devices for the OC Sheriff-Coroner, fund stormwater pollution education through OC Public Works, improve mapping with GIS software, and support intelligence analysts for the OC Intelligence Assessment Center. We also unanimously approved two grants for John Wayne Airport, investing $50 million in modernizing our airport’s power system and electrical infrastructure.
The Board deliberated on an item regarding a Costa Mesa woman illegally registering her dog and voting with its name in a past election. The Board will vote on this item at our September 23 meeting. During this week’s meeting, I seconded Supervisor Nguyen’s directive for staff to cross reference voter registrations with OC Animal Care records. Voting in Orange County remains safe and secure. We must ensure ineligible voters cannot cast a ballot in our county. When you register to vote, you sign under penalty of perjury that the information is accurate. The actions by the Costa Mesa woman were reckless and rightfully being prosecuted by our District Attorney. Deliberate misuse of the system, like this case, undermines public trust and violators must face consequences.
Keeping Our Community Safe
Newport Beach Fire & Lifeguard Dinner
Our firefighters and lifeguards protect us at home, in the community, and on our beaches. On Wednesday, I attended a recognition dinner in honor of the Newport Beach Firefighters and Lifeguards. Congratulations to this year's honorees:
Firefighter of the Year: Firefighter Paramedic James O’Brien
Seasonal Lifeguard of the Year: Austin Cozza
Lifeguard Supervisor of the Year: Lifeguard Captain Andy White
Civilian of the Year: Deputy Fire Marshall Raymi Wun
 Top Left: Here I am Newport Beach Fire Chief Jeff Boyles; Top Right: With David O’Keefe who won the Medal of Valor Award for bravely saving a swimmer’s life on Independence Day; Middle Right: Here I am with Firefighter of the Year James O’Brien; Bottom Left: I enjoyed celebrating with CBS Reporter and guest emcee Michelle Gile and President of the Newport Beach Chamber Steve Rosansky; Bottom Right: Here I am with my neighbor and Civilian of the Year recipient Raymi Wun.
September 11, 2001, changed the course of American history. We must never forget the 2,977 lives stolen in that vicious act of terror. Our first responders risked their lives for selfless rescue and recovery, while 8 EMTs, 60 police officers, 343 firefighters died that day. Today, 24 years later, the fallout continues impacting our nation’s heroes. In Costa Mesa, we honored the sacrifices of our heroes and their families and continue their fight for freedom.
 With our dedicated first responders from Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue and Costa Mesa Police Department, City of Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens, Councilmember Mike Buley, Finance Director and City Treasurer Carol Molina, and I paid tribute to the victims and heroes of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Supporting a Healthier Orange County
Orange County Employees Association (OCEA) represents more than half of the County’s 19,000 employees. This week’s Health Resource Fair provided diverse health resources ranging from free preventative cancer screenings and flu shots to vitamin B12 shots and more. The County of Orange invests in our employees because they invest in our communities. County employees, please know my door is always open – I welcome all opportunities to partner with our dedicated county departments to ensure Orange County remains a safe, healthy, and economically thriving place to call home.
 Top Left: Here I am with OCEA’s General Manager Charles Barfield; Top Right: With OCEA Assistant General Manager Tim Steed, and Laguna Niguel City Councilmember Stephanie Oddo; Bottom Left: Learning about the free mobile wellness services offered by Providence Health Centers; Bottom Middle: Connecting with a friend; Bottom Right: Exploring the dozens of booths and resources available for our County employees.
On August 27, 2025, the FDA revoked the Emergency Use Authorizations on COVID-19 vaccines and approved updated formulations of COVID-19 vaccines. This action limits vaccinations to people older than 65. If you are under 65 you must have at least one underlying medical condition. Consult your doctor for a prescription.
The CDC typically provides recommendations for recently approved vaccines, but at this time, the CDC released no such guidance. Without recommendations from the CDC, we will not see national immunization schedules updated and insurance plans may not fully cover updated COVID-19 vaccines. The availability and coverage of updated COVID-19 vaccines for this fall remains uncertain. To individuals seeking updated vaccines – the CDC advises checking with your insurance provider to understand coverage benefits.
California’s MyTurn website remains the best place for California residents and visitors to find information about vaccine recommendations and schedule an appointment for a vaccine.
Care Coordination Check-in
Orange County families continue facing homelessness and housing insecurity. While the County successfully housed 440 residents in July of this year, 520 new residents fell into homelessness. For every 10 people we help, 12 neighbors lose their housing. This week in our regular check-in with the Office of Care and Coordination, we discussed the urgency of cutting through red tape to build more permanent supportive housing. We also discussed the three open positions on the Commission to Address Homelessness: a hospital representative, a mental health professional, and an at-large position. Learn more or apply to join the Commission.
Building a Thriving Economy
Environmental Health Permitting
Our Environmental Health office oversees food safety for more than 19,500 retail food facilities in Orange County, including restaurants, supermarkets, food trucks, certified farmers markets, and school cafeterias. They also approve construction and renovation plans for all new and existing restaurants.
In 2024, I met with a group of restaurant owners, developers, and chamber representatives to discuss concerns about permitting delays. I initiated a plan to eliminate red tape and reduce times for environmental health permits. At the time, a permit required manual submission at the counter and processing often extended 4-6 months. Every change required new blueprints, costing about $500-$1,000 each time printed. After initiating a plan to automate applications and reduce permitting times, I’m pleased to report we received 97 percent of permit and construction applications digitally. This saves applicants thousands of dollars, and approval times dropped to just 1 to 19 business days.
For small businesses, time is money. Waiting months while paying rent and losing revenue is unacceptable. I’m pleased with the outcome of this government streamlining initiative. My next pilot project: embedding our inspectors at the planning desk at City Halls across the Fabulous Fifth to help expedite permitting all in one stop for business.
Orange County remains open for business.
Engaging with Community
New Estancia High School Performing Arts Center
This week, I attended the grand opening of the new $42 million Estancia High School Performing Arts Center, built from Measure F funding voters passed in 2005. I helped advocate for Measure F and this project while on the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, so I’m thrilled students can now perform on a stage fit for their artistic talents. This 18,000+ square foot complex features a 350-seat main theater honoring Barbara Van Holt, who dedicated 32 years of service to leading the drama program at Estancia High School. Go Eagles!
 Left to right: Here I am with Michael Tao from Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris's office, Costa Mesa Mayor Pro-Tem & Estancia Alum Manuel Chavez, Mayor John Stephens, Newport-Mesa Unified School Board Members Michelle Murphy, Carol Crane, Ashley Anderson, Leah Ersoylu, Andrea McElroy, Councilwoman and Estancia Alum Arlis Reynolds, and Superintendent Dr. Wesley Smith
 Top Left: Admiring the beautiful new theater with Costa Mesa City Councilmembers; Top Right & Bottom Left: I enjoyed the opening with local leaders in education and the arts; Bottom Right: Here I am celebrating the opening with Estancia High School student leadership.
A Look Ahead
Have a great weekend in the Fabulous Fifth, and don't forget your sunscreen.
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 September 23, 2025
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Staff Updates
Anthony Nguyen
Policy Advisor
Adam Tallabas
District Director
Hello! On Tuesday, I joined the Costa Mesa community at the swearing-in ceremony of newly appointed Costa Mesa Sanitary District Director Shayanne Wright. I’ve known Shayanne for many years, and her unwavering commitment to the city and community is incredible. I can’t wait to see the great work she does for the Fifth District.
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 Later, I met with the Associated Students at UC Irvine for a discussion about the County’s election administration plan for the November 4 Special Election (Proposition 50). As our office’s Irvine representative, I continue to prioritize ensuring the voting experience at UC Irvine remains smooth and registered students can exercise their right to vote. Thank you to our Registrar of Voters staff for their hard work in preparing for such a quick election.
Morgan Goldstein
District Representative
Hi, all! This week, I joined First 5 Orange County for their Orange County Child Care Summit. It was a great opportunity for leaders in early learning, care, and local government to create local solutions for improving access to childcare. On Wednesday, I attended the Aliso Viejo 'Your City, Your Voice’ event and learned more about the state of the city. Highlights included updates from City Manager Mitzi Ortiz, Chief of Police Ryan Buhr, and Mayor Tiffany Ackley.
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Abby Paulson
District Representative
Hi, D5! This week, I joined the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 281 in celebrating the delegates who shared their empowering experiences at ALA Girls State earlier this year. ALA girls state is a prestigious six-day experiential leadership program held in Sacramento for rising seniors. The girls first build a functioning government at local, regional, and state levels and then they build campaigns, run for office, develop legislation and give speeches. I can’t wait to see where their careers in public service take them!
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 Here I am with the 9 delegates from ALA Unit 291, and Saga Conroy and Scott Voight from Supervisor Don Wagner’s office.
Robbie LaBounty
District Representative
Hi, District 5! This week I had a meeting with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Planning Division to look into adding additional bus routes in South County. We recently received an inquiry from a college student about the process, and I was happy to listen to his interests and the feasibility of extending a route to provide residents increased access to affordable transportation. OCTA explained the process and how they gauge the potential of developing new routes. If we can help make our residents lives easier, then our office will do everything in our power to make it so.
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 Here I am holding the ribbon for a ribbon cutting at the Luxury Hair Spa in Newport Beach
Application Open! District 5 Public Financing Advisory Committee Appointee
The Public Finance Advisory Committee (PFAC) is responsible for reviewing, approving, modifying, or denying debt financing proposals. No debt financing proposal is considered by the Board of Supervisors unless specifically recommended in writing by the PFAC. We seek applicants with a financial industry background to join this important committee.
Click here for the application. Please send a completed application and resume to Katrina.foley@ocgov.com
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.
Suicide Prevention Month
Suicide Prevention Month Suicide is the second leading cause of death among children ages 10-14 and young adults ages 25-34. Suicide is preventable. Shining a light on this difficult topic and sparking meaningful conversations helps to save lives by raising awareness. On average, 20 Orange County residents died by suicide every month so far this year. That’s 20 residents too many, with far-reaching impacts on loved ones, workplaces, and our communities.
If you, a loved one, or someone you know needs help, call 9-8-8 immediately for a 24-hour response. I’ll keep voting on funding for preventative services to save lives.
Kratom and Nitrous Oxide Retail Sales Tipline
 
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.
Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce Legislative Luncheon
RMV Fire Safety Town Hall
Our 18th Annual Senior Summit
Prepare to Renew Your Covered-California Coverage
Ladera Pride
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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Crystal Cove Art Classes
Our Great Plein Air Art Experience art classes invite you to take part in Crystal Cove's living history by spending a relaxing day capturing the beauty of the Cove on canvas with the help of Crystal Cove plein air artist, Debbie Morines. These five-hour classes from 9am – 2pm will take you through the process of creating your first plein air painting from beginning to end. For a full list of upcoming events, visit CrystalCove.org/Events.
Resources at OC Public Libraries
Pet of the Week
Meet Pet of the Week, Mickey!
Mickey is a two-year-old Siberian Husky who is friendly, playful, and a social bug with people of all ages, making him an ideal pet for any type of family.
Mickey knows his basic commands, loves receiving head scratches and belly rubs, and enjoys splashing in the pool.
Give Mickey (A1907267) a chance and foster-to-adopt him today!
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.
Metrolink Summer Campaign
Avoid traffic and enjoy summer with Metrolink! Metrolink Weekends offers $10 round-trip fares, and youth 17 and under ride free. Enter our weekly drawings for a chance to win a pair of Metrolink tickets or for the monthly grand prize: a $100 gift card plus two Metrolink tickets. For more information and to enter, visit metrolinkdaycations.com.
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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