FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2025
Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley
(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@ocgov.com
OC Supervisor Vice Chair Katrina Foley Releases Statement Following Board of Supervisors Meeting Where the Board Voted on John Wayne Airport, Wagon Wheel Payment Improvements, Behavioral Health Services and more
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley released a statement following the Board of Supervisors meeting where members voted on John Wayne Airport investments, behavioral health services, County capital improvements, developments for county unincorporated communities, and more.
Item 89 (OC Community Resources): Public Hearing to consider approving FY 2025-29 Consolidated Plan, FY 2025-26 Annual Action Plan: Relating to the County’s federally required housing and community development plans to secure and allocate more than $5.7 million in federal funding for FY 2025-26 and establish priorities for the next five years.
“Affordable housing is our most pressing issue. The 5-year plans published by County staff contemplate normal times, but we are on the precipice of a deepening crisis. If passed, the President’s “skinny budget,” would gut our Orange County Housing Authority of $95 million that houses 4,700 families and supports more than 20 jobs in the County. As we prepare for County Budget Hearings next week, the chaos in Washington places necessary programs at risk for unnecessary catastrophe,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley.
Item 8 (OC Public Works): Approve OC Public Works, OC Community Resources, and John Wayne Airport 2025 Capital: Approval of the OC Public Works, OC Community Resources and John Wayne Airport Capital Improvement Programs and related reports/authorizations. District 5 will receive $974 million (or 54%) in Capital Improvement Programs (CIP) and Maintenance Improvement Programs (MIP).
“Over the next 7 years the County will invest nearly $1 Billion in the Fabulous Fifth. These investments support our mission to improve public safety, reduce traffic congestion, improve regional mobility and provide flood protection for the County of Orange. This continued investment builds upon our functionality, safety, and quality of service of built infrastructure in parks, libraries, animal care facilities, and in our airport,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley.
Item 10 (OC Public Works): Contract MA-012-25010139 with GHD Inc. for design services for Capistrano Beach Nature-Based Shoreline Adaptation Project: This project aims to strengthen beach resiliency and protect shoreline infrastructure in Dana Point from coastal erosion through a nature-based solution involving buried cobble berms and vegetated sand dunes. The contract is for up to $706,733 over five years and will be funded through previously secured FEMA and state grants.
“For too many years Capistrano Beach and Doheny State Beach experienced ongoing coastal erosion with little action. The cost of inaction is too great for our neighborhoods, economy, coastal rail, national security, and way of life,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “Residents, surfers, and businessowners voiced concerns as warning signs increased off our eroding coast. Their warnings went ignored but we must not repeat history. Today, we approved the design for a living shoreline that will save and hopefully restore this critical mile of coast.”
Item 32 (Health Care Agency): Approve contracts with Stars Behavioral Health Group, Inc., dba Coastal Star Behavioral Health MA-042-25011433 for adult crisis residential services: Relating to contracts with Stars Behavioral Health Group, Inc., dba Coastal Star Behavioral Health for Adult Crisis Residential Services and Crisis Stabilization Unit Services and Phoenix House Orange County, Inc. for Drug Medi-Cal Co-Occurring Residential Treatment Services and Sobering Center Services. Allows for a continuum of Behavioral Health Services addressing both mental health and substance use disorders to be provided in one integrated setting at the Irvine Campus.
“The Health Care Agency is doing important work bringing these contracts forward. Despite rumors to the contrary, we are moving full steam ahead to open the first phase of the Irvine campus this year. The services will include a crisis stabilization unit, adult crisis residential services, the sobering center, and drug Medi-Cal co-occurring residential treatment,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley.
Item 40 (John Wayne Airport): Approve and execute license with Turo Inc. for Peer-to-Peer Vehicle Sharing: Authorizes Director or designee to make minor modifications and amendments under certain conditions; and make California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption findings under CEQA Guidelines. This contract allows Turo Inc. to continue operating its peer-to-peer vehicle sharing platform (website and mobile app), allowing people to rent out personal cars to travelers at John Wayne Airport.
“Through this agreement, private car owners can rent their vehicles to travelers, providing a convenient alternative to traditional rental car services. The contract uses a 10% gross receipts fee structure, generating an $1.2 million in revenue for the airport. This service operates without requiring dedicated airport facilities and supports local economic activity by putting revenue back into the hands of community members who list their vehicles,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley.
Item 59 (OC Public Works): Approve contract MA-080-25010973 with All American Asphalt for Wagon Wheel Pavement: Contract funding for the Wagon Wheel Pavement Rehabilitation Project, repairing and improving road conditions along Oso Parkway in the unincorporated Wagon Wheel area.
“I’m looking forward to this improvement, particularly because I have the pleasure of serving as “Mayor” of Wagon Wheel. This project includes removing and replacing damaged asphalt, installing pavement reinforcement fabric, adjusting utility infrastructure, and re-establishing traffic markings and signals. Our goal is to improve the Pavement Condition Index from “Fair” to “Very Good,” enhancing public safety and making the area eligible for future transportation funding,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “The work will be completed by All American Asphalt for $6.41 million within 120 days of the start date.”
Legislative Support
HR 1012 (Levin): Spent Fuel Prioritization Act of 2025: Amending the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982.
“I support this bill because it creates new criteria that will likely make high-risk, shutdown nuclear sites like SONGS a top priority for spent nuclear fuel removal. Currently, the Department of Energy has an ‘oldest fuel first’ policy that gives preference to waste according to the chronological date in which it was produced,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “Despite a requirement for the federal government to start taking possession of commercial nuclear waste in 1998, it has not done so, and substantial amounts of spent nuclear fuel remain on site at SONGS.”
In addition, Vice Chair Foley released statements in recognition of the following resolutions presented during the Board of Supervisors meeting:
“This year’s theme, “A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience,” encourages us to reflect on the unwavering strength of the nearly 100,000 AANHPI residents of the Fifth District, and those who paved the way for this community to succeed and thrive,” said Vice Chair Foley. “Our County’s investment in our AAPI community and celebration of their rich local history are the reasons we're home to so many Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese markets and business chains dispersed across our county.”
“This month, we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month with this year’s theme, “Break the silence, break the stigma.” Too often, silence surrounds the struggles we face. By breaking that silence, we take the first step toward breaking the stigma that prevents so many from seeking help. While I am concerned about federal cuts to mental health programming, I am proud of the County of Orange's system of care and I ask the state to make good on their promise and work with us to protect our system, allowing us to continue addressing mental health and substance use disorders,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley.
“This month we honor the timeless contributions and culture of Jewish Americans who have helped weave the fabric of America. Home to approximately 87,000 Jewish Americans, Orange County’s Jewish community celebrates a rich history of perseverance and shows us how even the most fragile flame can illuminate a brighter path forward,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “In Orange County, antisemitic incidents range from name-calling, etching swastikas into middle school lockers, and doing Nazi salutes in our schools to targeted online harassment, vandalism of our businesses, and assault against our neighbors. Now more than ever, we must continue to unite against hatred and antisemitism to create a future of equality, justice, and dignity for all.”
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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 2025 Board appointments include:
Chair – Orange County Housing Finance Trust,
Orange County Audit Oversight Committee,
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA),
Vice Chair – OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee, Regional Transportation Committee, Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), TCA Joint Capital Improvements and Projects Committee, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel,
Co-Chair – Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition,
Orange County Public Libraries Advisory Board, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, Ocean Institute, Orange County Community Corrections
Partnership (OCCCP), Santa Ana River Flood Control Protection Agency,
and the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
