Weekly Update from Supervisor Foley
Dear neighbor:
If you rely on Metrolink service for weekend travel, I encourage you to consider alternate travel plans this month. Tomorrow, October 18, the rail corridor shuts down for several hours midday to accommodate the U.S. Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebration at Camp Pendleton. Then, as Metrolink completes critical infrastructure projects, expect passenger rail systems to completely suspend service on nearly half of its long-distance lines beginning Saturday, October 25, 2025. Metrolink expects services to resume on Sunday, October 26.
Read about our Board of Supervisors meeting, our investments in infrastructure improvements and beach protection for Olympics 2028, and more.
Learn more about our work this week below.
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Board of Supervisors Meeting
Justice for Orange County Taxpayers and the Rule of Law
Orange County taxpayers deserve transparency, oversight, and long-awaited closure regarding the criminal activity of imprisoned former Supervisor Andrew Do. The Board of Supervisors approved a forensic audit of all County contracts funded by ARPA, CARES, MHSA, and the General Fund from January 2019 to August 2024. The audit firm, Weaver & Tidwell, will review contract compliance and procurement practices while prioritizing human services and no-bid contracts, without interfering with our ongoing civil litigation against Andrew Do.
Selecting an independent auditor to review contracts acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic brings us one step closer to closing the chapter on Mr. Do’s disgraced tenure. I look forward to reviewing Weaver & Tidwell’s report on our most vulnerable contracts in the new year.
John Wayne Airport
The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved John Wayne Airport’s 2026 plan to allocate flight departures, passenger seats, and overnight parking slots for commercial, cargo, and commuter airlines. John Wayne Airport has one of the most stringent aircraft access and noise monitoring programs in the United States.
The landmark 1985 Settlement Agreement balances passenger community protection and growth, keeping us under the 11.8 million annual passenger cap while meeting the needs of our neighborhoods, travelers, and airlines. Thank you to Newport Beach Mayor Joe Stapleton for his letter recognizing the County’s commitment to collaboration and transparency.
We also extended the leases for commercial, commuter, and cargo carriers to 2030 to align with the expiration and re-negotiation of the Settlement Agreement. My commitment remains to collaborate with the community to reduce noise from JWA.
Bringing Home Taxpayer Dollars
The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved $8.35 million in state and federal grant funding in support of public safety, consumer protection, and community programs across Orange County. These funds bolster our District Attorney’s efforts to combat financial fraud and impaired driving, expand library programs designed for neurodiverse families, and improve boating safety, law enforcement equipment, training, and homeland security operations for our Sheriff-Coroner’s department. I also urged staff to include in future reports a clearer breakdown of fund allocation, including distinguishing between new and existing programs, so the Board can better evaluate current spending and identify areas in need of additional investment.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
As my friend and late judge Honorable Frances Muñoz would say, “Being the first is not important as not being the last.” Judge Muñoz made history as the first Latina trial judge in California and in the nation. She leaves a lasting legacy of justice and equality. Painted on a 6-foot-tall wall along Baker Street in Costa Mesa, the “Poderosas” mural celebrates 11 influential Latina women, including Judge Muñoz, for their contributions to our community. This Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor Judge Muñoz’s impact as well as Orange County’s many Hispanic judges and attorneys, educators, laborers, medical professionals, public safety personnel, veterans, and community organizations who empower and uplift Hispanic voices and legacies every day.
 Top: Here I am with my guests from Unidos South OC; Bottom: With community organizers, Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, Chairman Doug Chaffee, and Unidos South OC.
Recognizing California’s 175th Birthday
As California celebrates its 175th anniversary, we honor the state’s diverse cultures, drive for innovation, environmental leadership, world-class research, global influence in arts and entertainment, and more. Orange County stands out as a key contributor, playing a vital role in driving tourism, economic growth, medical research and innovation, and cultural excellence. There’s a reason we’re known as the “Golden State.”
 With Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, Skye Connors from Governor Newsom’s Office, and Chairman Doug Chaffee
Read more on the highlights of our week.
Keeping Our Community Safe
Breaking Ground on New Office of Emergency Services Campus
During the 2021 Orange County Oil Spill, responders were forced to operate Orange County’s essential emergency response services from makeshift offices as Orange County didn’t have a permanent home for California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). This week, that changed with the groundbreaking of the new permanent, centralized location for emergency planning and coordination.
Located at the former site of the state’s Fairview Developmental Center, this new Cal OES Southern Campus will play an instrumental role in reinforcing response and recovery statewide, and allow us to better serve all Californians before, during, and after an emergency. The new CalOES Southern Campus strengthens Orange County’s response time and agility to respond to wildfires, coastal incidents, and any other unexpected disasters our region faces. I thank the State’s investment in public safety as well as Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris’s advocacy to bring this crucial resource to OC.
 With Department of Developmental Services Director Pete Cervinka, CalOES Director Nancy Ward, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, Government Operations Undersecretary Christine Harada, and Department of General Services Director Ana Lasso.
Supporting Healthy Communities
Recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Building a healthier Orange County means raising awareness about the early warning signs of breast cancer, reducing stigma, expanding access to screenings that can save lives, and supporting academic studies and medical research for a cure. Fortunately, our region offers exceptional screening services. I encourage everyone to schedule an appointment with a local health provider to access systems of care as soon as possible.
 Top left: With Sandy Edon, Jane Codd, and Susann Burnett from Providence Mission Hospital; Top right: With Breast Center Manager Sandra Reynaga from MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center and Executive Medical Director Dr. Allyson Brooks of Hoag Women’s Health Institute; Bottom: With Chair Chaffee, Supervisor Nguyen, Supervisor Sarmiento, HCA Director Dr. Kelley, and breast cancer awareness champions.
In the Fifth District, we offer services at:
Building a Thriving Economy
Real Estate Overview with Lambda Alpha International OC
Thank you Lambda Alpha International for inviting me to share insight into Orange County's efforts at creating more Affordable Housing, cutting construction costs and application fees for developers, and growing new economic areas in my district. I further enjoyed conferring with real estate experts on the potential growth opportunities at Coyote Canyon, Newport Dunes, Laguna Niguel City Center, and Dana Point Harbor. I wish them the best of luck at their next conference in Hawaii.
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Preserving the ecological health our beaches and sustainably bring in more sand
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Improving our hospitality sector with additional quality accommodations for all incomes brackets, and add more on-time trains and trips to our rail corridor for 2028 tourists
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Celebrating and promoting our home as the vibrant birthplace of American surf culture
Surfers know: we must protect our local environment and treat our beaches as a significant economic driver – “surfenomics” generates up to $64 billion in surf revenue annually. In partnership with the surfing community, I find ways to sustainably nourish our beaches with high-quality sand, stabilize our coastal rail corridor with ecologically sound strategies, and improve comfort for both tourists and locals by opening two new hotels in Dana Point Harbor and an action-sports-centered health facility in San Clemente. Together, we protect and grow Orange County’s legacy as vital and essential home of American surf culture.
  Top right: With Surf Industry Members Association (SIMA) President and Vissla CEO Paul Naude; Bottom middle: With SIMA Executive Director Vipe Desai; Bottom right: With Dr. Amy Hurley-Hanson.
Infrastructure & Transit Improvements
Coastal Resiliency Study Update
After years of ignoring sea encroaching and bluff destabilization along our rail corridor, we finally studied viable, proactive solutions for the future. Stabilizing the LOSSAN Rail Corridor remains crucial for local commuters, as well as our global economy and national security. These plans study seven stabilization methods for the bluffs, tracks, and beachside of the rail line, adding to the four emergency stabilization efforts currently underway.
One third of Orange County’s tourism economy is sustained by our ocean economy. Current plans consider investing in sand renourishment to save Orange County’s eroding beaches. The four emergency stabilization efforts and this mid-term plan protect our critical ocean economy for three decades as we continue working with the state to find a permanent solution for our eroding coastline, which undermines LOSSAN rail stability.
We need your voices at the table as we strengthen our coasts. Share your input at the virtual meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, from 5-6:30pm or the in-person public meeting on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 5-6:30pm. I hope to hear your ideas there.
& 2028 Olympics
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board received updates and discussed the Fédération Internationale de Football Association World Cup 2026 (FIFA26) and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28). I ardently advocate for the acceleration in preparation for our transportation and infrastructure systems ahead of the World Cup 2026 and the 2028 Olympics. Our transportation plan for both FIFA 2026 and LA28 needs significant improvement. OCTA's plans require further development which can’t happen if the Games Mobility Executive Committee continues to exclude Orange County from a seat at the table for the regional planning process.
In less than three years, we anticipate up to 15 million fans attending more than 800 Olympic events throughout the Southern California region. Our transportation agencies must dramatically improve collaboration and strategize how these millions of tourists, residents and spectators will commute to venues throughout our County and in Los Angeles, while also strengthening security and ensuring the safety of everyone traveling to and attending these events, and protecting our existing public transportation needs.
Travel Faster: Introducing WAVE Cards
Travel faster and lighter on OC Buses and Streetcars with our new WAVE tap cards. Instead of paying the full monthly rate upfront, Orange County commuters can look forward to a set cap of $69, tracked by their WAVE card and spread throughout the month. Find additional information about the WAVE card here.
Engaging with Community
The Future of Law: UCI’s Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity
Phi Alpha Delta, the largest professional law fraternity in the world, provides a competitive edge to dedicated undergraduate students on L.S.A.T. preparation and their future careers in the legal field. This week, I enjoyed sharing advice with UCI students based on my 30 years of legal practice as an attorney as well as insights into my office’s work on County legislation. Now, more than ever, we must empower young people to use their voices for good as they shape the future of our community.
 I stand proudly next to these future lawyers and wish them the best in their studies.
Celebrating 50 Years of OC Women Lawyers Association
The Orange County Women Lawyers formed 50 years ago, with membership growing to 500 members today. The association advances women in the legal profession by providing a professional network, raising awareness of discrimination and bias, and supporting charitable organizations. As a former board member, with friends, mentors, and colleagues, I enjoyed celebrating OCWLA’s important work fulfilling the educational and networking needs of its members, and the needs of our community at large. Congratulations to Attorney of the Year Pamela Traut, Judge of the Year Honorable Kimberly Menninger, and Everett Dorey LLP who won the Advancement of Women Award
Engaging with Corona del Mar Residents
On Thursday, I enjoyed updating the Corona del Mar Residents Association on all the ways my office supports their community, including investing $30,000 in Sherman Gardens’ exciting new remodel. I also shared updates on our infrastructure improvements for quieter, cleaner travel at JWA, and our investments in upgrading our Harbor Patrol boats, encampment clearing at Randall Preserve, and fire-fighting technology. My office values the safety, thriving economy, and quiet charm of Corona del Mar -- our work ensures this neighborhood stays the slice of paradise residents feel proud to call home.
 Presenting a $30,000 grant from my office with artist and muralist Jonathon Leonardo, CdM Resident Association President Debbie Stephens, Kirstie Acevedo, and Newport Beach City Councilmembers Lauren Kleinman and Robyn Grant.
Coffee Chat with Ladera Rancho Chamber of Commerce
- E-bike Ordinance and better enforcement
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All-way stop and painted new crosswalks at the Boulder Pond Park intersection
- No Turn on Red sign at Antonio Pkwy and Sendero Way, reducing traffic going through nearby neighborhoods as a shortcut.
- Lightning-fast fiber internet service, coming next year
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Repaved streets, coming next year
- Re-opening of Terramor Aquatic Park.
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New Pickleball courts
A Place to Call Home
Ensuring a Sustainable Future for the Fabulous Fifth
My office continues making major strides in building a sustainable future for Orange County.
As I shared with sustainable energy professionals as a panelist at Sustain SoCal Energy in Perspective, I spearheaded Orange County’s first Climate Action Plan, which reduces the carbon footprint of our three County landfills, 19,000 employees, 800 facilities, and 3,000-vehicle fleet. I continue raising alarms about the proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility in San Juan Capistrano. I also shared updates on the County's ongoing search for an alternative site which uses County land and ensures the safe expansion of our energy infrastructure. My office spearheaded a BESS Ordinance requiring safety protocol for development, including designating proper zones to place BESS facilities and banning development within Very High Fire Zones. This month, we met with SoCal Edison to discuss the ordinance and ensure we work collaboratively in finding safe locations for future BESS Facilities. We must prioritize sustainable energy, but not at the expense of public safety and critical infrastructure.
Our Sustainability Officer and panel covered our cool new pilot program: comprehensive energy audits of mobile home communities. Upon recent completion, this pilot program used an 89-unit community in located in Orange to assess the community from top to bottom, scouring through utility bills, including the park owner’s common areas, looking for ways to make energy efficient changes and upgrades. No stone was left unturned with analysis of wall unit AC replacements to solar throughout the community with back-up battery storage systems. The County remains grateful to the many industry experts who stepped up in assisting this project at no cost to the community whatsoever. I congratulate those who worked on this pilot on earning the U.S. Green Building Council of California Environmental Justice Award!
 Right: With Partner at Latham & Watkins Mark Campopiano, OCW&R Deputy Director of Sustainability Tara Tisopulos, and Branch Mgr, Procurement, Renewables & Climate Strategy, Energy Division at California Public Utilities Commission Judith Iklé.
Have a great weekend in the Fabulous Fifth. Remember to schedule your mammogram in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Don't forget your sunscreen!
Be well,
 Katrina Foley
Vice Chair
County of Orange
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