FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2024
Alyssa Napuri – Deputy Chief of Staff, Supervisor Foley
(657) 334-4930 (text preferred) | Alyssa.Napuri@ocgov.com
OC Supervisor Katrina Foley Releases Statement Following Board of Supervisors Meeting Where the Board Voted to Support Proposition 36 and the Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2024, Increased Public Electric Vehicle Charging in South County, and More
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley released a statement following the Board’s vote to support Congressman Mike Levin’s Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2024, Tesla Supercharger Station at Laguna Niguel Park and Ride, adoption of development guidelines and standards for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), support of Proposition 36, enacting a local Urgency Ordinance related to debris removal from the Airport Fire, and Proclaiming Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 20-26, 2024).
“We must expand grid capacity, but not at the expense of fire and neighborhood safety. I first became aware of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility within a wildfire hazard zone from concerned residents in San Juan Capistrano and Laguna Niguel,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley. “While BESS facilities are a component needed for expanded grid capacity and grid electrification, there are legitimate safety concerns with lithium-ion battery storage facilities next to residential communities or in wildfire prone areas.”
Supervisor Foley continued: “The OC Board of Supervisors have limited authority on planning and zoning laws. However, we hope to create a model ordinance that cities can adopt to provide clear guidelines for responsible BESS facility development.”
Item 14H: Support of Proposition 36: The Homeless, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act:
“Our communities deserve to feel safe whether walking their dogs, shopping at the Plaza, sleeping in their homes, or grabbing a Slurpee at 7/11. We can no longer tolerate this culture of crime that’s developed in the State of California,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley. “I strongly and unequivocally support Proposition 36.”
“Normally, I am not a huge fan of the County taking positions on Propositions or other voter initiatives, but passing Proposition 36 is too important,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley. “Proposition 36 implements many of the common-sense public safety reforms needed to keep our communities safe, reduce homelessness, and combat the fentanyl epidemic, including implementing Senator Tom Umberg’s SB 44. SB44 simply requires a warning of possible murder charges for selling or providing drugs that result in an overdose. Even though a majority of State Senators co-sponsored the bill, SB44 failed to make it through the Senate Public Safety Committee.”
Supervisor Foley continued: “Proposition 47 reduced penalties for retail theft: single thefts under $950 are not classified as felonies. Prop 36 fixes that loophole which effects are felt in Orange County. It's personal to me, after the home across the street converted to a detox home, my home in Costa Mesa has been ransacked and burglarized three times. In my district, Fashion Island in Newport Beach has been hit by many high-profile shootings and brazen robberies, where the criminals drove their cars into stores to steal hundreds of thousands in merchandise then flee back to Los Angeles. A tourist lost her life because someone, released because of Prop 47, tried to steal her handbag but instead ran over and killed her. This is unacceptable and fixable. I urge a Yes vote on Prop 36.”
“By declaring a State of Emergency and instituting this ‘Urgency Ordinance’ for the Trabuco Canyon Airport Fire, Orange County can receive California State and Federal aid. The Urgency Ordinance allows the County to obtain much needed contracts to protect water sources from hazards from this fire incident and the ability to obtain necessary waivers for the expedited, safe removal of fire debris,” said Supervisor Foley.
Item 11: Support of H.R. 9786 (Congressman Mike Levin CA-49): Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2024: Following Congressman Mike Levin’s introduction of the bipartisan Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2024 in September, the Board unanimously supports this critical piece of legislation.
“After decades of stagnation in Washington, Congressman Mike Levin presents a solution to the spent nuclear fuel crisis,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley. “Representing the communities most impacted by the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) in Orange County, I know how desperately our communities need this bipartisan legislation passed to move spent fuel off our fragile coast and earthquake fault. As the new Co-Chair of the Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition, I joined coalition leaders on Capitol Hill over the summer to advocate for spent fuel action with the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives. Congressman Levin listened, and now leads our efforts in the House to find a permanent solution for spent nuclear fuel.”
Item 13: Approve Tesla Supercharger Station at Laguna Niguel Park and Ride: “After deed restricting this lot for Park and Ride services for decades, our actions today allow dual use,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley. “By allowing a portion of the lot to become an Electric Vehicle Charging Station, we expand access for public vehicle charging in Laguna Niguel. Across Orange County, we must take meaningful action to ensure a healthy, sustainable environment for future generations. The Climate Action Plan for Orange County includes investing more in clean, green, and renewable energy, such as wind, solar and EXPANDING our county’s infrastructure to provide public access to electric vehicle charging stations.”
Item 14: Approved $1,048,577.61 grant to OC Health Care Agency and $177,050 to OC Social Services Agency: The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a grant award to OC Health Care Agency for the Black Infant Health (BIH) Program and to OC Social Services Agency for a Preschool Program.
“I applaud Dr. Veronica Kelley and the Orange County Health Care Agency for securing more than $1 million to support the Black Infant Health program,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley. “This program ensures women are healthy before, during, and after pregnancy, promotes infant health during the first year of life, and reduces infant mortality with a focus on reducing disparities.”
“Congratulations to OC Social Services Agency (SSA) for a $177,050 grant to provide full day/full-year preschool services to increase the availability of early education development programs to eligible preschool children from low and moderate-income families.”
Coto de Caza Planning Advisory Committee Appointment: The Board approved Supervisor Foley’s reappointment of Garrett Mott to the Coto de Caza Planning Advisory Committee for the term concurrent with Supervisor’s term of office.
“Garrett Mott is currently a Shareholder and Real Estate and Construction Attorney at Hennigh Law Corporation. He is doing great work on this Committee and I support his reappointment, ” said Supervisor Foley.
Public Financing Advisory Committee Appointment: The Board approved Supervisor Foley’s reappointment of Costa Mesa resident, Justin Fong, to the Public Financing Advisory Committee for the term concluding on 8/11/2027.
“Justin is currently a General Counsel at AmWest Funding Corporation (National mortgage lender) based in Brea. He is involved with many Orange County Bar Association activities and is doing great work on this Committee. I support his reappointment,” said Supervisor Foley.
Commission on Women and Girls Appointment: The Board unanimously approved Supervisor Foley’s appointment of Joanna Joyce Weiss to the Orange County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls last month. The Commission seeks to evaluate and address the unique issues and concerns impacting the women and girls population in our community. In doing so, it aims to promote gender equity and women empowerment.
“As the only woman on this Board, I consider the Commission essential to ensuring the well-being and security of all women and girls across the County. Joanna is a great fit for this commission. As a fellow attorney and the founder of Women for American Values and Ethics (WAVE), she has the sharp thinking, empathy, and passion that the Commission needs. I look forward to seeing the wonderful contributions and impact she will bring,” said Supervisor Foley.
In addition, Supervisor Foley released statements in recognition of the following resolutions presented during the Board of Supervisors meeting:
Resolution proclaiming October 20-26, 2024 as "Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week":
“Lead poisoning is everywhere, including in our water,” said Supervisor Foley. “There is no safe level for lead, and many children do not look or act sick when lead poisoned. That is why a simple blood test is so critical for early intervention. Ask your doctor or pediatrician whether your child's blood needs testing. If you are pregnant or nursing, talk with your doctor about blood tests, potential sources of lead in your home, and what to do. The younger the child, the greater the risk of lead poisoning.”
Supervisor Foley continued: “Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is an opportunity to remind families in our communities to focus on prevention year-round. Orange County has a lead abatement program available at no-cost for qualifying homeowners (or renters) who are low-income, live-in homes built before 1978 with children six or younger with elevated levels of lead or are pregnant and think you might be exposed to lead. For questions related to prevention, case management or environmental investigations please call (714) 567-6220.”
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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, Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition Co-Chair, Orange County Housing Finance Trust Chair, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), OCTA Regional Transportation Committee, OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee Vice Chair, Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, Ocean Institute, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel, Orange County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
