ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley commented on today’s Board of Supervisors meeting where the Board voted on law enforcement investments, approved support for legislation to crack down on sex trafficking, and approved a response to the grand jury report on climate change.
Officially Recognizing the Impacts of Human Behavior on Climate Change: The Board majority voted to approve the County’s response to a grand jury report titled “Historic Rain Yet Drought Remains.” After a robust discussion spurred by Supervisor Foley, the Board majority voted to, “disagree partially,” from the Grand Jury’s finding that “climate change is inevitable and exacerbated by human behavior.” In her dissenting opinion, Supervisor Foley recommended the Board agree with 97% of the scientific community in acknowledging the human impact on climate change.
“We experience the impacts of climate change nearly every day. From once in a lifetime atmospheric rivers that nearly decimated our coastline, to 12-month long wildfire seasons, to the extreme temperatures of this Summer,” said Supervisor Foley. “It is an indisputable fact that climate change is exacerbated by human behavior. To deny it even marginally is disconnected with the priorities of Orange County families.”
“As Fifth District Supervisor, I remain committed to planning for climate resiliency by continuing work on the County Climate Action Plan. To that end, I plan to hold a Climate Resiliency Investigative Hearing on August 30, 2023 to receive expert testimony about challenges and recommendations for future adaptations and mitigations,” added Supervisor Foley.
Supervisor Foley released the following statements highlighting the votes by the Board of Supervisors from the August 8, 2023 meeting:
OC On the Move Active Transportation Plan (Item 8): Approval of Orange County’s first Active Transportation Plan, which will serve as a master plan for our priorities related to building bike and pedestrian routes throughout the region. The plan includes priority projects for the Ladera Ranch and Las Flores Communities, as well as the plan to build trails that will connect the Back Bay to the Beach in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach.
“Since joining the Board of Supervisors, we’ve been working on this Active Transportation Plan and engaging with the community to inform the plan,” said Supervisor Foley. “It will set the County up for prioritizing projects, grant funding requests, and collaborations with our partner cities to make the community more connected to our elaborate multi-purpose trail systems. We have amazing trail systems in District 5, and this plan helps us move forward more active transportation projects.”
Landfill Falconry Services (Item 9): The Board approved a contract with Adam’s Falconry Service, LLC, Airstrike Bird Control, Inc. and Avian Entertainment, LLC for falconry services to keep foraging birds away from landfills. This contract extends a successful program in Orange County.
“Orange County’s Falcon Force deters foraging fowl from lingering in landfill sites. We noted the impacts of the presence of the falcons on the foraging bird population when we briefly paused services. I’m happy to continue this effective practice so we keep workers safe and minimize health risks,” said Supervisor Foley.
Justice for Victims of Child Sex Trafficking (Item 25): Adoption of a support position for Senate Bill 14, by Senator Shannon Grove, which adds sex trafficking of a minor to the list of serious felonies under California law. California ranks as number one in the nation for human trafficking, with many human trafficking victims residing here in Orange County.
“I am proud to join my colleagues in support of SB 14 to provide crucial protections to our most vulnerable populations,” said Supervisor Foley. “Sex trafficking proves a serious and growing problem in Orange County. In 2022, Orange County Sheriff’s Investigators made 32 human trafficking arrests and rescued 10 juvenile victims. We must take urgent action to strike down human trafficking to ensure our neighborhoods remain a safe place to live.”
According to 2018 sting operations, 80 percent of human trafficking victims from around the country end up in Orange County.
Expanding Law Enforcement Services in Laguna Hills (Item 13): Adds additional law enforcement officers including one Deputy Sheriff II, one Community Services Officer, one Class BB Vehicle, one Mobile Data Computer, one In Car Video, three Body Worn Cameras and one Deputy Sheriff II to provide law enforcement services to the city of Laguna Hills.
“These additional officers and tools play an important role in the effort to be out there more in the community. I thank the Sheriff for working with the City of Laguna Hills to address public safety needs,” said Supervisor Foley.
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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Supervisor Foley’s Board appointments include the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), OCFA Legislation & Public Affairs Committee Chair, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), TCA Joint Environmental Committee, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, Ocean Institute, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel, Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition Co-Chair, Law Library Board of Trustees, Orange County Housing Finance Trust Chair, Local Agency Formation Commission (alt), Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, and OC Public Libraries Advisory Board.
