ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley commented on today’s Board of Supervisors meeting where the Board approved Supervisor Foley’s proposal to begin drafting a new county ordinance on e-bike safety as well as the County Strategic Financial Plan, multiple affordable housing projects for individuals experiencing homelessness and transitional age youth, and a key financial agreement to move the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization project forward.
Supervisor Foley released the following statements highlighting the votes by the Board of Supervisors from the December 19, 2023, meeting:
E-Bike Safety Ordinance (Supplemental Item S35D): Directed county staff to work with the OC Traffic Committee and draft an ordinance creating new safety regulations for electric bicycle in the County of Orange.
“During the past few years, we’ve seen a rapid increase in the number and variety of e-bikes on roads and pathways” said Supervisor Foley. “According to the study by OC Public Works, e-bike trauma patients in Orange County increased by 500 percent in 2020. While e-bikes expand clean, active transportation options for residents, e-bikes also pose a major public safety concern due to failure to wear helmets and no clear safety and speed regulations on trails, major arterials, and neighborhoods. As Christmas gifts will likely increase the number of e-bikes on the roads, we encourage parents to remind their kids to wear helmets and ride slowly near elderly and small children.”
2023 Annual Strategic Financial Plan: Approved the 2023 Strategic Financial Plan, the foundation for Orange County’s budget development process that provides a five-year revenue and expense forecast, identifies strategic priorities and emerging initiatives, and sets aside revenue to support long term infrastructure projects.
“Despite the economic uncertainty from delayed tax deadlines, Orange County remains in a strong fiscal position,” said Supervisor Foley. “Property tax revenue remains high; however, as we begin planning for next year’s County budget, California’s budget deficit will likely bring new challenges to the county grants and state allocations. Rest assured - I look forward to working with my colleagues and county staff to ensure we maintain progress with our core programs and priorities to make Orange County a better place to live, work, and play.”
Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Project Financial Agreement: Approved a major financial agreement that enables Dana Point Harbor Partners, LLC and Dana Point Harbor Partners Drystack, LLC to secure a $60 million construction loan for future phases of the Marina Improvement Project and the Commercial Core Parking Structure.
“This past year we’ve made more progress on the Harbor revitalization than in decades prior. We’ve opened three new phases in our marina, with the fourth completing this month. The Board’s action today allows us to officially commence a new landmark on the commercial core in January 2024,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley.
Orange County Youth Transition Center Project: Approved contracts design and construction services for the Orange County Youth Transition Center Project, which includes 60 units of independent apartment style housing for the realigned juvenile population and transitional housing for the Transitional Age Youth (TAY) population. The facility will also offer Administration, Behavioral Health Services, educational and vocational programs.
“This project helps break the cycle of recidivism for justice involved youth by offering comprehensive services, education, workforce training, and independent living,” said Supervisor Foley. “As a member of the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, I thank the OC Probation Department for working with my office to create a project that offers a real chance for youth to fully reintegrate into society.”
Costa Mesa Affordable Housing Project: Approved the additional Housing Choice Project Based Vouchers that will subsidize the rent of 10 units at the Mesa Vista project in Costa Mesa. Altogether, the project will offer 40 units of subsidized housing to veterans and other individuals at risk of homelessness.
“This agreement strengthens our proposal to convert a crime-magnet motel in Costa Mesa into permanent affordable housing by adding 10 more subsidized units for the 30 permanent units for veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness or on the verge of experiencing homelessness,” 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.
