FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 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 Meetings Where the Board Voted to Draft an Ordinance Banning the Sale of Nitrous Oxide, Allow CalOptima Health to Participate in Covered California, Receive the Certification 2024 General Election Results, and more.
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley released a statement following the votes to support Orange County Housing Finance Trust recommended projects, amend the CalOptima Health governing ordinance to allow Covered California health plans, establish a Community Facilities District and intent to issue bonds in Rancho Mission Viejo, and direct County Counsel to draft an ordinance prohibiting the sale of nitrous oxide and paraphernalia associated with recreational use from retail stores within unincorporated areas.
Item #S37I (Supervisor Foley) Direct County Counsel to draft an ordinance prohibiting sale of nitrous oxide and paraphernalia associated with recreational use from retail stores within unincorporated areas: County Counsel will draft an ordinance in response to the alarming rise in the sale and recreational abuse of Nitrous Oxide, also known as NOX, laughing gas, whippets, or galaxy gas.
“A glaring ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ style loophole in state law allows smoke shop and liquor store owners to sell Nitrous Oxide (NOX), so long as they don’t ask the buyer if they plan to get high. Many of the products and attachments are designed for human consumption,” said Supervisor Foley. “During my October Investigative Hearing on Substance Abuse in Orange County, we heard directly from county health officials, safety professionals, and state policymakers about the alarming increase in the use of NOX, which can suffocate your brain and cause serious neurological harm. Recent vehicular accidents involving NOX also demonstrate the need for intervention. The experts identified an ordinance closing this loophole as a critical first step to address the alarming rise of NOX abuse.”
Special Meeting: Declaration of Election Results for the November 5, 2024 General Election: The Board unanimously voted to receive and file the certified State of Votes Cast for the Presidential General Election on November 5, 2024, and declare State Senator Janet Nguyen as receiving the highest number of votes cast for the Orange County Board of Supervisors First District seat.
“Our Orange County Registrar of Voters serves as a model for election integrity and ensuring all votes are counted. Certifying the election today ensures the will of the people is upheld and brings diverse perspectives into the governing process,” said Supervisor Foley. “Like many Americans, I was happy with the outcome of some election results, not so much with others. That is the beauty of democracy. As Supervisor, it is my duty to uphold the will of the people. I look forward to welcoming Ms. Janet Nguyen as our new County Supervisor.”
Item # 23 (HCA) Amendments to CalOptima Ordinance – All Districts: The Board approved modifying CalOptima Health’s governing ordinance to allow participation in the Covered California health insurance marketplace. Covered California is the state-based health insurance marketplace through which eligible Californians can purchase low-cost individual insurance coverage for themselves and their dependents.
“Allowing CalOptima Health to enter into Covered California would bridge the coverage gap when CalOptima members lose their Medi-Cal coverage and keep family members in aligned networks at affordable premiums,” said Supervisor Foley. “A Covered California plan will also support safety net providers by offering a new line of business and a way to maintain relationships and continuity of care with patients transitioning out of Medi-Cal.”
Item #26 (OCWR) Renew and Amend Contract for Hazardous Waste Collection and Disposal Services: The Board approved the renewal of a contract with Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc. for hazardous waste collection and disposal services at the County’s three active landfills and four regional household hazardous waste collection centers to promote environmental protection and maintain compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements.
“This contract will support OC Waste and Recycling’s four regional household hazardous waste collection centers where Orange County residents can drop off their electronic waste, batteries, paint, motor oil, and gardening equipment free of charge,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley. “This contract will also allow our Marine Flare Collection events to continue where boaters and residents can safely dispose of expired marine flares at no cost.”
Item #5 (OCCR) Concurrence with Orange County Housing Finance Trust Recommended Projects: The Board voted in favor of using allocated County of Orange funds as approved by the Orange County Housing Finance Trust to support the development of affordable and supportive housing in Orange County.
“As Chair of the Orange County Housing Finance Trust, I remain committed to investing in affordable and supportive housing to reduce homelessness in Orange County,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley. “This item will get three housing projects across the finish line and moves residents in Orange County off the streets into critically-needed housing and services. With 183 units between these three projects, we move closer to our goal of 2,396 supportive housing units by 2029 with 1,811 units left to build.”
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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.
