ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley issued the following comments on agenda items from the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
Supervisor Foley’s votes reflect her continued commitment to reducing homelessness among our most vulnerable populations, protecting our beaches, revitalizing the middle class, improving access to County services, and ensuring safe neighborhoods.
Supervisor Foley led the Board of Supervisors’ proclamation recognizing April 2023 as Sexual Assault and Prevention Awareness.
“When I first joined the Board of Supervisors, Orange County had thousands of backlogged rape kits. Under my watch, we will never allow this unconscionable delay of justice for rape victims again,” said Supervisor Foley. “I remain committed to standing with survivors of sexual violence and assault. As Supervisor, I will continue to spread awareness of the role victim-blaming plays in injustices towards survivors.”
Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (Item 42): The Board of Supervisors voted to establish an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs to better assist the immigrant and refugee populations of Orange County. In accordance with state and federal law, this office will serve as a central hub for the coordination of services, resources, and advocacy efforts for Orange County’s immigrant and refugee populations.
“Orange County took an important step towards supporting our immigrant and refugee communities,” said Supervisor Foley. “This office will help us better serve and advocate for these populations, and I look forward to witnessing the incredible work they do.”
Climate Action Plan Grant Application (Item 33): The Board of Supervisors voted to approve an application to the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program, which would allocate $1,000,000 in federal funding to the region. This funding is designed to provide flexible support on climate planning and implementation, a critical resource that will allow for the creation of a Climate Action Plan for Orange County.
“As supervisor, I remain committed to taking climate action, and this funding will grant us many more opportunities to do so,” said Supervisor Foley. "The challenges presented by climate change threaten the health and security of our economy, our communities, and our children. And they threaten our disadvantaged populations most of all. That said, we must utilize this grant to protect our community, and I look forward to working with the board and our community partners in order to do so.”
Update on Election Systems (Item 43): The Board of Supervisors received a status update from Bob Page, Orange County’s Registrar of Voters, on our county’s election system. From ballot drop boxes to the signature verification process for ballots, the registrar outlined Orange County’s system for delivering fair and transparent local elections.
“Facilitating fair and transparent elections represents an essential tenant of our democracy,” said Supervisor Foley. "I want to thank Bob Page for coming by to emphasize the measures taken by Orange County to ensure that our elections stay just and direct.”
Affordable & Supportive Housing Funding (Item 25): The Board of Supervisors voted to direct $10,000,000 in Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funding to the Orange County Housing Finance Trust for the development of affordable and supportive housing.
“Wellness begins with a roof over your head,” said Supervisor Foley. “To address homelessness and the mental health needs of Orange County residents, we must first ensure that we meet basic needs. Creating a housing first approach with MHSA funding is an effective step towards progress, especially when that housing is attached to supportive services.”
New Laguna Woods Branch Library (Item 37): The Board of Supervisor's voted to approve a 10-year lease agreement with the City of Laguna Woods to construct a new library. This project will expand free public library services in Laguna Woods by constructing a new library building next to city hall, expanding the patio and landscape area to serve both City Hall and the new library, and by making aesthetic and parking improvements.
“Our libraries serve as important resources for the community, and I can’t wait to see what the City of Laguna Woods creates,” said Supervisor Foley. “The expansion of free public services throughout our county represents an important step towards accessibility for all.”
Laguna Beach Library Funding (Item 4): The Board of Supervisors accepted a $15,000 donation from the Hano Family Trust for OC Public Libraries’ Laguna Beach Branch Library. This funding will support library resources, programming and/or capital projects at the Laguna Beach Library
“This generous donation will improve library resources, opening doors for the most vulnerable members of the Laguna Beach community,” said Supervisor Foley. “Through literacy, programming, and access to information, libraries plant the seeds for a life-long love of learning while providing opportunities to bridge equity gaps.”
Center for Demographic Research Funding (Item 9): The Board of Supervisors voted to continue supporting the operation of Cal State University Fullerton’s Center for Demographic Research (CDR). This contract guarantees up to $405,744 for CDR, which has been instrumental in developing county projects such as the Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, demand for public services, bond revenue stream analysis, and more.
“Supporting our educational institutions remains a top priority, and Cal State University Fullerton’s CDR is no exception,” said Supervisor Foley. “They play an instrumental role in developing important projects for our county, so I look forward to see what they accomplish with this funding.”
Youth Mental and Emotional Health Funding (Item 16): The Board of Supervisors voted to direct services to Orange County youth with serious emotional disturbance and/or mental illness by entering into several contracts with service providers. These contracts will increase access to assessments, individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, medication support, case management and therapeutic behavioral services for children, youth and their families.
“Our youth deserve our utmost attention, respect, and protection, and in working to develop these services, we are making important strides in the right direction,” said Supervisor Foley. “Our youth’s mental health remains an important focus in my office.”
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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, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Law Library Board of Trustees, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, OC Public Libraries Advisory Board, Orange County Housing Finance Trust, Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, Orange County Transportation Authority, and the Transportation Corridor Agency.
