ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley commented on today’s Board of Supervisors meeting where the Board voted to approve leases for new concessions at John Wayne Airport, renew a sublease for operation of Laguna Niguel’s America’s Job Center of California, renewed a contract with UCI’s Department of Psychiatry for Sexual Abuse Counseling services, and to support state legislation related to expanding benefits for the families of deceased and disabled veterans.
Supervisor Foley released the following statements highlighting the votes by the Board of Supervisors from the May 7, 2024 meeting:
John Wayne Airport Concession Leases: Awarded 15-year term retail and food and beverage leases, delivering local flavors and diverse culinary options in Orange County’s Airport. This initiative elevates Airport concessions and underscores a commitment to community inclusivity and diverse representation.
“The revitalization of the restaurant and retail landscape at John Wayne Airport finally takes off, focused on providing local family-owned brands to the millions of travelers that visit our beloved community every year,” said Supervisor Foley. “Our airport will soon host a ‘Taste of Orange County’ by investing nearly $50 million to transform the entire terminal space, which expects to bring $11.4 million in annual revenue. Passengers can anticipate these exciting new dining establishments will open their doors fall of 2025, including some of OC’s staples that call District 5 home.”
Highlights of District 5 Restaurants joining Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails and Sambazon Açaí Bowls at John Wayne Airport include:
- Wahoo’s Fish Taco – Brothers Wing Lam, Mingo Lee, and Ed Lee co- founded Wahoo’s Fish Taco in 1988 in Costa Mesa. The first Wahoo’s location in 1862 Placentia Avenue in Costa Mesa turned into 46 locations across the United States and Japan, making the brand a global phenomenon.
- Sgt. Pepperoni - Founded around family, friendship, and community, Sgt. Pepperoni’s is owned and operated by childhood friends and their families since 1976 with locations in Newport Beach, Irvine, and Aliso Viejo. Sgt. Pepperoni’s “98 percent scratch kitchen” makes fresh dough, pizza sauce, desserts, and hand-grates cheese daily, using only the highest quality ingredients.
- Left Coast Brewery - Family owned and operated in the iconic surf side town of San Clemente, California, the independent brewery began its craft back in 2004. With a slew of 23+ awards under their belt, the brewery has grown to 11,000 barrels and counting.
- Tacos La Piña - A Costa Mesa based Mexican Taqueria that focuses solely on delicious and healthy Tacos, handmade from scratch with multi-generational family recipes, connecting a love of food, family and friends.
- Five Vines Wine Bar – Based in San Juan Capistrano, Five Vines is family owned and first opened their doors in 2013 with the goal of creating a space that you can feel comfortable, relaxed and can just sit back enjoy a boutique wine, a local craft beer, or some fresh eats.
- Chaupain – Based in Laguna Hills, Sami and Sarah Ellouze founded the business seven years ago with just $140 at a Farmer’s Market in Bakersfield. As the business expanded, they opened their Laguna Hills brick and mortar restaurant in 2017. Chaupain offers a range of handcrafted breads, desserts, quiches, and other baked treats made fresh daily using premium ingredients
See the full map of the our plans here.
Laguna Niguel One-Stop Center Sublease Agreement: Approved a sublease agreement in the City of Laguna Niguel that enables Orange County Community Resources Department to continue operation of its America’s Job Center of California - One-Stop Center through June 30, 2024.
“The Laguna Niguel One Stop meets the needs of our South County community and economy by providing workforce development services for businesses, veterans, people with disabilities, dislocated workers and young adults,” said Supervisor Foley. “We must increase access to county services so more people can receive the help they need to secure jobs and get stabilized.”
Sexual Abuse Counseling Services: Renewed contract with University of California, Irvine’s Department of Psychiatry for Sexual Abuse Counseling services. These counseling services provide children and families with education and supportive counseling services to combat the impact of trauma, develop healthy coping mechanisms to deal with abuse on a long-term basis, aid in the understanding of the traumatic effects of the abuse and help the child and adults heal.
“Recovering from unspeakable trauma is never easy. Receiving counseling from world class professionals helps expedite the healing,” said Supervisor Foley. “I am thankful to the experts at UCI’s Department of Psychiatry for helping address the unimaginable pain of residents who suffer from sexual abuse. Their lifelong dedication to helping others strengthens our community.”
Legislative Advocacy: Voted to support the following state legislation:
Assembly Bill 2736 (Carillo, Juan): Expands access to benefits for family members of veterans who lost their lives during military service or have become totally disabled. Existing law allows spouses and children of disabled veterans to be eligible for both the California College Tuition Fee Waiver and Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA). However, existing law prohibits acceptance of both of these benefits at the same time. This bill removes that prohibition.
“We owe an immeasurable debt to the families of service members who lost their loved ones or returned home forever changed by injuries,” said Supervisor Foley. “Educational access for these family members of our military personnel honors our commitment while improving outcomes for our community and our economy as a whole. I look forward to advocating for this bill with our state legislative partners.”
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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), OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee Vice Chair, Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, 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, Orange County Housing Finance Trust Chair, and the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
