ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley commented on today’s Board of Supervisors meeting where the Board approved new grant funding and partnerships that foster public safety, certified completion of public infrastructure projects for a newly planned community in south Orange County and applied for a grant program that will fund improvements at Dana Point Harbor. Supervisor Foley also commented on the County’s observation of Red Ribbon Week, Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and Pregnancy and Infancy Loss Remembrance Day.
Supervisor Foley released the following statements highlighting the votes by the Board of Supervisors from the October 31, 2023 meeting:
Impaired Driving Prosecution Grant: Secured more than $2.8 million that addresses impaired driving in Orange County by funding specialized prosecutors, investigative staff, and trainings for public safety officers.
“Years ago, my grandfather was murdered by a drunk driver while driving off the U.S. Army base where he was stationed. There is no justification for driving under the influence, especially now, with technological advances providing so many options to get home safely without driving drunk or impaired,” said Supervisor Foley. “Thank you to the District Attorney’s Office for pursuing this grant opportunity, educating our youth on the dangers of driving impaired, and performing the difficult work to keep our roads safe. The County of Orange takes great efforts to protect the children of our communities.”
Laguna Beach Prosecution Services: Approved a five-year agreement with the City of Laguna Beach for prosecution services offered through the Office of the District Attorney. These services will foster public safety by assisting the city with prosecuting violations of city ordinances.
“The Fifth District is home to 11 unique cities, each with their own unique approach to addressing crime,” said Supervisor Foley. “This partnership fosters public safety, local control, and regional collaboration by assisting the City of Laguna Beach with prosecution of locally enacted criminal ordinances.”
Completion of South County Infrastructure Projects: Certified completion of several public infrastructure projects that will service a newly planned community in unincorporated south Orange County, including new streets, sewers, and water filtration projects. The completion of these projects marks a major milestone in delivering hundreds of units of new housing.
“People say that Orange County is built out, that piecemeal and in-fill projects are all that remains for our future,” said Supervisor Foley. “Orange County’s Fifth District stands alone as the only region that expands newly master planned communities, which will deliver countless new memories and thousands of units in housing.”
Dana Point Harbor Grant Application: Applied for a $1.75 million competitive grant opportunity to fund the Dana Point Harbor Sailing and Events Center Dock Refurbishment project. The project replaces and reconfigures Dana Point Harbor’s Sailing and Event Center floating pier and docks, thereby improving community access and ADA accessibility. Additionally, the project will dredge the harbor, and install a pump station that will address existing maintenance issues at the docks.
“When touring the docks at the Dana Point Harbor I saw firsthand the impacts of decades of deferred maintenance on our waterways. The County-side of the Harbor is in desperate need of new docks and the community spaces deserve care and revitalization,” said Supervisor Foley. “I’m excited that the County will pursue this grant to help extend revitalizations across the Harbor, make County docks ADA compliant, and help clean pollution out of our critical waterways.”
In addition, Supervisor Foley released statements in recognition of the following resolutions presented during the Board of Supervisors meeting:
Red Ribbon Week: As part of the nationwide push to address drug abuse in communities, Supervisor Foley highlighted this year’s theme “Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug Free.” to raise awareness of how drugs alter brain development among youth. Supervisor Foley invited The Cambodian Family to recognize the organization’s efforts to prevent substance abuse in the Newport-Mesa community.
“Studies show early drug use impacts the development of growing brains and contributes to depression. Drugs hinder the body’s neurotransmitters related to happiness, preventing your brain from experiencing happiness, satisfaction, and achievement,” said Supervisor Foley. “Living drug free allows you the greatest chance to succeed, contribute to your community, and experience a joyful life. I hope the community continues to join us in this fight to keep our kids safe, and encourage dancing not drugs, so they experience a lifetime of memory making.”
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month: Highlighted the OC Animal Care shelter and encouraged members of the public to adopt dogs as well as any furry friends available at the shelter. Through 2023, more than 1,800 dogs were adopted from OC Animal Care. Learn more about adopting or fostering a pet by visiting ocpetinfo.com.
“This Adopt a Shelter Dog Month celebrates the love and companionship that welcoming a shelter dog into your life provides,” said Supervisor Foley. “As one of the largest animal shelters in Southern California, OC Animal Care rescues loveable dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds. We invite Orange County residents to help us find forever homes for our furry friends at OC Animal Care.”
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day: Led the resolution to recognize October 15, 2023, as the 17th annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. The day aims to bring awareness to stillborn pregnancies and the deaths of infants less than a year old. Supervisor Foley invited the Office of Care Coordination and Forever Footprints to the Board meeting to help raise awareness of support resources available to Orange County residents.
“Unfortunately, these tragedies impact many in our country with 21,000 stillborn babies every year in the United States and 1 in 175 pregnancies expected to end with stillbirth,” said Supervisor Foley. “Additionally, Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) leads as the cause of infant deaths with 104 babies in Orange County lost between 2010 to 2014. I encourage those who experienced this tragedy to seek help and support for your loss from healthcare professionals and community support organizations, including the Health Care Agency, MISS Foundation, and Forever Footprints.”
###
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.
