FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2025
Alyssa Napuri – Deputy Chief of Staff
(657) 334-4930 (text preferred) | Alyssa.Napuri@ocgov.com
Vice Chair Katrina Foley Releases Statement Following Board of Supervisors Meeting Where the Board Approved First Reading of Nitrous Oxide Ban, Approved the County Housing Element, Audit Reports, and Accepted County Grant Funding
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley released a statement following the unanimous vote to support Vice Chair Katrina Foley’s proposed Nitrous Oxide Ordinance, approve the housing element, and accept grants.
Item S31E: First Reading of the Nitrous Oxide Ordinance: The Board unanimously approved the first reading of Vice Chair Foley’s 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.
“NOX suffocates your brain, and causes serious neurological harm, even death,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “State law currently fails to prohibit sales of NOX canisters in smoke shops and liquor stores for personal ingestion. Because NOX is sold like a candy bar at a corner store, consumers falsely assume ingesting it is safe. Allowing the sale of nitrous oxide at local shops offers zero benefit to consumers, it only endangers public health.”
Vice Chair Foley continued, “If you see Nitrous Oxide canisters for sale at stores across the county – whether at a smoke shop, a liquor store, a sex shop, or a costume closet – call our office (714) 834-3550 or visit bit.ly/noxoc and report it. We will take action and protect public health and safety.”
Item 33: (County Counsel) Public Hearing to consider approving Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program Round 5: The Board approved the adoption of General Plan Amendment H20-01 (6th Cycle Housing Element), which received a letter of “Substantial Compliance” from the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
“Improperly regulated recovery residences adversely impact neighborhoods, reduce access to real housing options for residents in need, and pose risks for those seeking care. This Amendment allows HCD certification of the County’s Housing Element and assures compliance with housing-related state mandates, such as my comprehensive Sober Living Home Action Plan, which seeks to close policy gaps and combat bad actors across Orange County,” said Vice Chair Foley.
Item #S31L (Internal Audit Department) Risk Assessment and Review of All Orange County American Rescue Plan Act Funded Contracts and Expenditures: The Board received the internal audit report and risk assessment of Orange County American Rescue Plan Act funded contracts and expenditures and unanimously approved additional recommendations for tighter controls.
“Thankfully, the internal audit showed no other contracting violations. The county already began implementing my September 24, 2024, changes to the Contract Policy Manual, but the additional essential oversight and transparency measures recommended help restore public trust in the Board of Supervisors,” said Vice Chair Foley. “We cannot solve issues we don’t know about – I directed staff to work with our CEO to implement the recommendations.”
Item #S31K (County Counsel) Amend Investment Authority Ordinance and Approve Investment Policy: The Board unanimously voted to amend the Investment Authority Ordinance and approve the Orange County Investment Policy. The Investment Authority Ordinance removes the prohibition preventing the County Chief Financial Officer from exercising the Board of Supervisors investment authority. The Orange County Investment Policy establishes investment guidelines governing the Board’s investment authority, which includes a list of authorized investments, diversification, maturity, and duration restrictions, and a list of prohibited transactions. The new proposed investment policy provides both greater protections than the state for the county and allows for better diversification of our investment pool.
“The County is in outstanding financial health, with many investment checks and balances, especially in comparison to 30 years ago,” said Vice Chair Foley. “Times of uncertainty such as with the state budget, recent fires, and federal administration transition, call for taking additional precautionary measures.”
Vice Chair Foley continued, “The County’s long-term strategic plan for better serving the community and ensuring the financial security of the County, without increasing taxes, includes developing its real estate assets to generate revenue. We remain hard at work on plans for revitalization or repurposing of assets such as the County’s Civic Center, Dana Point Harbor, Newport Dunes, and the former animal care shelter site. Our board’s unanimous decision provides greater oversight and protections at a time of uncertainty at the state and federal level.”
Item #27 (CEO) Report on Grant Applications/Awards: The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the following grant awards:
- $300,515 Grant Award to Health Care Agency for Used Oil Payment Program
- “Dumping used oil threatens our delicate coastal ecosystem, our coastal economy, and the safety of our residents,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “This Health Care Agency program provides public education on the environmental hazards of dumping used motor oil and certifies the collection of the public’s used oil.”
- $12,495,458 Grant Award to OC Community Resources for Continuum of Care (CoC) Program
- “This funding provides affordable, permanent supportive throughout the County of Orange, helping over 500 homeless and formerly homeless households get off the streets and maintain stable housing,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley.
- $429,864 Grant Award to OC Community Resources for 2024 Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinators
- “OCHA’s FSS Coordinators provide critical tools for Housing Choice Voucher FSS, helping participants access necessary services and training on increasing their income, building assets, and preparing for homeownership,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “Such achievements lead to self-sufficiency and eliminate dependency on public assistance.”
- $961,170 Grant Award to OC Community Resources for Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Program
- “According to the 2024 Orange County Point in Time Count, nearly 800 homeless individuals reside in the Fifth District, and an unacceptable 248 unsheltered veterans countywide, and we know this is an undercount,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “This program provides rental assistance for homeless veterans, reflecting our gratitude for their service.”
- $95,237 Grant Award to OC Community Resources for Lunch at the Library Summer 2025
- “Lunch at the Library will be offered at District 5’s Costa Mesa Donald Dungan and Juan Capistrano Libraries, providing essential access to free summer meals, reading programs, and other activities which support learning, health, and wellness outside of the classroom,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley.
In addition, Supervisor Foley released statement in recognition of the following resolution presented during the Board of Supervisors meeting:
Resolution proclaiming February 2025 as “Black History Month”:
“This year’s theme for Black History Month is ‘Black Americans and Labor.’ While Orange County’s Black community is relatively small — approximately 2% — our Black residents have historically made a significant impact on our community,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley. “When we honor Black History Month, we honor the Black Americans whose invaluable contributions shape the rich history of our county and our country by highlighting their stories.”
###
Vice Chair 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.
Vice Chair 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), 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.
