Weekly Update from Supervisor Foley
Dear neighbor:
This week, I watched the Fabulous Fifth do what we do best: stand together and show we care. We care about safe beaches and neighborhoods, more efficient emergency response times, and improved infrastructure. We care about providing our most vulnerable neighbors with quality health care. Most of all, we care about equipping our team – of non-profit organizations, cultural institutions, and first responders – to build a safer, healthier, thriving Orange County community for us to call home.
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 due to 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.
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 Read on for more about our work this week.
Keeping Our Community Safe
Keeping the Port Streets Safe
Approximately 1,300 families call Newport Beach’s idyllic Port Streets neighborhood home. Newport Beach Fire Chief Jeff Boyles, Newport Beach City Councilmember Noah Blom, Councilmember Sara Weber, Councilmember Lauren Kleiman and I gathered at our Port Street Town Hall and led a discussion with Port Streets residents about emergency response times in the neighborhood. I recently learned that Newport Beach Fire Department currently responds to emergencies in the Port Streets in a remarkable 5 minutes. We also discussed the potential relocation of a Newport Beach fire station to improve response times and the community’s efforts to reduce the use of pesticides in the Port Streets neighborhoods, and the dangers of nitrous oxide and Kratom.
 With community members at the Port Streets Town Hall.
Supporting the Newport Beach Foundation
At the Newport Beach Police Department Rooftop Soirée this week, I joined Newport Beach Mayor Joe Stapleton and City Councilmembers Michelle Barto, Robyn Grant, and Lauren Kleiman in supporting the Newport Beach Foundation. Our dedicated Newport Beach Police Department can protect our safety with new cutting-edge technology thanks to the funds raised by the foundation.
 Top left: With Newport City Councilwoman Lauren Kleiman and Newport Beach Police Officers; Middle left: With Newport Beach Foundation Chairwoman Antonella Castro; Top right: With Newport Beach Mayor Joe Stapleton, Bob Olson, and City Councilmember Lauren Kleiman; Bottom right: With Mayor Joe Stapleton and Newport Beach Foundation Board Member Chase Rief.
Infrastructure Improvements
South County Beach Coalition Inaugural Meeting
In 2013, the Army Corps of Engineers and the County of Orange recommended creating a centralized organization of coastal stakeholders to coordinate coastal resiliency planning. That recommendation sat on a shelf for more than a decade. This week, we dusted it off and convened the inaugural meeting of the South County Beach Coalition. This team of government agencies, local stakeholders, home-owners associations, and community organizations will work together to break the bureaucratic log jam slowing sand delivery to our beaches. Our kick-off meeting introduced members to past and present resiliency efforts and set the framework for sand nourishment projects ahead.
 With members of the first inaugural South Orange County Beach Coalition meeting.
Improving Infrastructure in Ladera and Las Flores
Thanks to our work with Cityside Fiber, Ladera Ranch and Las Flores residents will soon enjoy quicker high-speed internet through fiber-optic cables. In today’s digital age, fiber shows promise for expanded access to lightning-fast connection. Orange County stands prepared and ready for growth. Before we repave the streets of Ladera Ranch and Las Flores next year, Cityside will install this improved infrastructure – creating a seamless transition into the future of high-speed connection.
 With representatives from Cityside Fiber discussing the addition of fiber optic cables to the Ladera Ranch and Las Flores communities.
Supporting a Healthier Orange County
Feeding our Neighbors for Hunger Action Month
The County of Orange Board continues our efforts to fight hunger and keep food on tables. Through CalFresh, the county invests more than $62 million in monthly food assistance, supporting more than 90,000 seniors and around 229,000 children and adults in 2024. We’re also home to some incredibly compassionate food shelves feeding families in need, including Laguna Food Pantry, Share Ourselves, and South County Outreach, and more. This Hunger Action Month volunteer, donate, and speak out, so everyone has the food they need to thrive.
 Top left: With Second Harvest Foodbank CEO Claudia Bonilla Keller,
Irvine City Councilwoman Melinda Liu, and Michael Tuo from Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris's office at Second Harvest Food Bank; Bottom: With dedicated volunteers and staff ready to feed Orange County!
LGBTQ+ Roundtable
This week, I hosted a roundtable with my colleague Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, where we discussed access to mental and physical health resources with advocates and leaders from the LGBTQ+ community. Together, we remain committed to ensuring marginalized communities in Orange County receive compassionate care from our dedicated healthcare providers.
 Here I am with Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento and representatives and leaders in the LGBTQ+ community.
Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce Legislative Luncheon
Orange County thrives as the ninth largest economy in the nation. At this week’s Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce Legislative Luncheon, I shared important updates about public safety, the state of healthcare, the County's strong coastal economy, and our work on job growth in the Fabulous Fifth. This year, we anticipateof our County Capital Improvement Plan in modernizing the Laguna Hills Library and expanding opportunities for local business-owners. Together, our city leaders and I continue prioritizing efforts to protect the safety and economic wellbeing of all who call Laguna Hills home.
 Top Left: Accepting a token of appreciation for my work with Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce from Chamber President Daniel Sohn and Chamber Board President Christina Kennedy; Bottom Left & Right: Here I am with Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce members at their legislative luncheon.
A Place to Call Home
New Dorms at UCI
Oso Tower is the newest student housing complex to welcome students to UC Irvine, with 424 undergraduate beds and a new community center. UCI ranks third overall among California universities in housing availability. When students enjoy accessible housing, they invest in our communities for the long term – becoming our doctors, teachers, firefighters, and business owners. I look forward to rooting our students on and watching them contribute to the thriving Orange County for us all to call home. Zot zot!
 Top Left: Celebrating with Peter the Anteater; Top right, left to right: With Irvine Councilmember Melinda Liu, UCI Chancellor Howard Gilman, Irvine Councilmember Kathleen Treseder, and UCI Student Housing Director Brice Kikuchi at the opening of Oso Tower.
Families Forward “Light up the Night”
Last year, Families Forward improved the lives of more than 14,000 families facing homelessness in Orange County. From providing food assistance, career coaching, and mental health counseling, to financial literacy education, we’re as committed to strengthening lasting wellbeing as we are to ensuring everyone has a safe place to call home. My office enjoys collaborating with Families Forward--providing $5,000 to to support District Five families.
 Top Left: With Families Forward Board Director Danni Remington Smithson, Families Forward CEO Madelynn Hirneise, and Families Forward Chief Program Officer Nishtha Mohendra; Top Right: Here I am, joined by Costa Mesa Mayor Pro Tem and former staffer Manuel Chavez, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for California Apartment Association and President of the Families Forward Board of Directors Victor Cao, Anaheim City Councilmember Kristen Maahs, Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens, and Buena Park Vice Mayor Connor Traut; Bottom: Celebrating 2025 “Partners in Hope” honorees Martin Pickett and John Link.
Engaging with Community
Make-A-Wish Partners with John Wayne Airport
Together, John Wayne Airport (JWA), Make-A-Wish, and thoughtful travelers transform airline miles to help dreams come true. This week, we sent Alexander off to Florida to enjoy Disney World, thanks to generous travelers donating unused miles! With so many challenges to living stress-free during this difficult time – including medical bills, rising cost of living, and serious health conditions – the Make-A-Wish campaign with JWA lifts the burden of travel so each child achieves their wildest dreams. This year, the campaign extends through November, just in time for a holiday season of wish-granting. Help out local families, including in the Fabulous Fifth, build lifelong memories by donating your unused miles: ocair.com/wish.
 With Make-A-Wish staff, John Wayne Airport Director Charlene Reynolds, our awesome recipient Alexander and his parents, District 4 Ambassador Paulette Chaffee, and Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento at Alexander’s Make-A-Wish send-off to Disney World.
Billy Fried KXFM Laguna Talks
On “Laguna Talks,” Billy Fried’s local government radio show on KXFM 104.7, I enjoyed sharing updates on our work to invest limited federal funding into ensuring quality of life for Orange County residents, including my office’s $100,000 grant to Laguna Radio – an investment in the station’s new location and other community amenities. We continue prioritizing safer, more efficient roads so people can get to work, reducing food insecurity and putting food on the table, helping small businesses thrive, and strengthening public safety so families can rest easy at night. Listen to my full conversation with Billy here.
Supporting the Laguna Art Museum
This week, I joined Laguna Beach Art Museum at their annual Directors Circle Dinner and Awards. For the first time in the Laguna Art Museum’s more than 100-year history, all admissions will be free for the month of November because of my office’s recent $50,000 grant. The grant in part funds Laguna Art Museum’s 13th annual Art + Nature program which runs from November 6-10, connecting more than 20,000 members of the public with thought provoking art installations along Main Beach. We also celebrated The Segerstrom Foundation and Laguna Beach City Councilman Bob Whalen for their significant and enduring contributions to the public appreciation of California art.
 Top left: Enjoying the warm welcome from Laguna Art Museum students with Laguna Beach Mayor Alex Rounaghi; Top right: With Laguna Beach City Councilmember and 2025 Anna Hills Award Honoree Bob Whalen, Bottom left: With 2025 Wendt Award Honoree Jennifer Segerstrom and Janet Ray; Bottom right: Enjoying the evening with Laguna Beach Art Museum supporters.
OC Arts Awards
When I joined the Board in 2021, the arts industry was devastated by the pandemic and the future of our artists, musicians, dancers, and educators was far from certain. Rick Stein was a relentless advocate for supporting Orange County’s more than 90,000 creative sector employees in their time of need. I enjoyed honoring Rick Stein, who retired in June after 17 years as President and CEO of Arts OC, at the 25th Annual Arts OC Awards this week. In partnership with Arts OC, my office provided relief grants to nonprofit art organizations and arts-related businesses. Orange County would not be the same without the arts and the arts would not be same without the dedication and perseverance of Rick Stein.
 Top left: With Chair of the John Wayne Airport Arts Commission Kim Le, the Arts and Learning Conservancy Director Debora Wondercheck, and fellow arts supporters; Top right: With Rick Stein, former ArtsOC President and CEO; Bottom left: Outstanding Artist Bin He and guests; Bottom right: With Jared Mathis presenting the Helena Modjeska Cultural Legacy Award – Arts Patron.
Balboa Island Museum Fundraiser
Last night, we joined our Newport Beach neighbors at the home of Bob Olson for a benefit in support of the Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society, which serves as a steward of the history and stories that define Newport Beach. Thank you to Shirley Pepys, Renne Pepys Lowe, and Catherine Lowe, who represent three generations of women dedicated to educating our community on the island’s rich history.
 With Bob Olson.
Triumph Foundation 5k in Mason Regional Park
Over the weekend, I enjoyed supporting Orange County veterans, children, and adults triumphing over spinal cord injury at the Triumph Foundation's Superhero 5k at Mason Regional Park. Triumph Foundation provides resources, hope, and security to our neighbors living with paralysis – not just initially when the injury occurs, but as a lifelong suphere.
 Top left: With Triumph Foundation Founder Andrew Skinner at the Triumph Foundation 5k!
Casa Romantica’s 23rd Annual "Toast to The Casa" Gala
At Casa Romantica’s 23rd annual “Toast to the Casa Gala” this week, my office donated $25,000 – making general admission to Casa Romantica free every first Sunday of , all year long. I look forward to residents observing remarkable art, exploring beautiful gardens, and celebrating local history at one of the Fabulous Fifth’s most iconic cultural landmarks.
 With Ben Medina of the San Juan Capistrano Chamber at Casa Romantica’s annual fundraiser gala.
A Look Ahead
This weekend, we prepare to clean up the Newport Back Bay for Coastal Cleanup Day. Join us for a lovely morning and help us keep our Back Bay pristine. Then, I look forward to supporting local artists and artisans at the Art in the Park Festival hosted by Newport Beach Arts Foundation, as well as celebrating Ladera Pride at Chaparral Park tomorrow.
In honor of Disaster Preparedness Month, we hope you’ll join us next Thursday, September 25, at our Rancho Mission Viejo Townhall on Wildfire Preparedness. Come by Rancho Mission Viejo Guest House (11 Brioso St) and enjoy a resource fair on the lawn from 5-6:30 pm followed by the discussion from 6:30-7:30pm.
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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