FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2026
Alyssa Napuri – Deputy Chief of Staff, Supervisor Foley
(657) 334-4930 | Alyssa.Napuri@bos5.oc.gov
OC Supervisor Vice Chair Katrina Foley Statement: Board Rejects Harbor Lease Deal, Approves Contractor Litigation, Airport and Infrastructure Upgrades
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley released a statement following the August 25, 2026, Board of Supervisors meeting.
Item #18 (County Executive Office) Ground Lease Agreements for Dana Point Harbor: The Board of Supervisors took no action on the updated ground leases for the hotels, commercial core and marina, and drystack facilities to support financing and keep the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Project moving forward. The action also includes a 180-day negotiation period for potential changes involving the drystack and OC Sailing & Events Center.
“Multiple things can be true at once: the County entered a lopsided deal in 2018, the developers refused reasonable amendments to the renegotiated lease with the County, workers in our businesses and hotels deserve protections, and politics and bureaucracy now stall a project that finally began making progress,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley.
Vice Chair Katrina Foley continued, “For years, residents of Orange County waited for movement on the long-stalled Dana Point Harbor Revitalization and my office worked diligently to get the commercial core and hotels through arduous bureaucratic entitlement processes so shovels could break ground on the landside redevelopment. Despite our success for our harbor partners and businesses, the Board majority three times now disappointingly chose political theater and stagnation for the remaining piece of this puzzle, two brand new hotels which will create hundreds of jobs and provide permanently affordable accommodations for visitors.
“As negotiations continue, I urge my colleagues to tell us all what they actually want to approve the deal and let’s get it done sooner rather than later with lease terms palatable by the Board majority. I anticipate the Board’s attitude will change after November 3rd- let’s hope it’s not too late,” Vice Chair Foley concluded.
The Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Project includes more than $700 million in private investment across the marina, commercial core, hotels, and drystack facilities. Rising construction costs and construction loan interest rates, permitting delays, and financing requirements prompted updated lease structures, including separate hotel leases to help secure financing for two new hotels.
Item #S38H (Internal Audit) Receive and File the Weaver Forensic Audit of County Contracts Phase Two Report: The Board of Supervisors received and filed the Phase Two Forensic Audit of County Contracts Report, which reviewed 681 high-priority County contracts, along with Weaver and Tidwell’s presentation on the audit findings.
“With the release of each phase of the forensic audit, the insidiousness and pervasiveness corruption of criminal Andrew Do comes to light. Taxpayers deserve transparency, aggressive reforms, and swift recovery of unaccounted for taxpayer funds, said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “The board expects reimbursement of all funds unaccounted for and lacking documents by vendors. Safeguards must be placed so this type of abuse of power and corruption never happens again while we also restore public trust."
Item #S38K (County Counsel) County v. Viet America Society, et al; County v. Hand to Hand Relief Org., et al.: The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to receive and file an update on the County’s two civil lawsuits seeking to recover public funds connected to former Supervisor Andrew Do. The County’s cases against Viet America Society (VAS) and Hand to Hand Relief Organization allege that former Supervisor Andrew Do improperly steered County contracts and public funds to the nonprofits and individual defendants in exchange for bribes.
“The County must continue pursuing every dollar of taxpayer money improperly steered through these contracts,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “We owe the public full accountability and a determined effort to recover these funds.”
Item #23 (County Executive Office) Legislative Issues: The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to oppose unless amended Senate Bill 1087 (Cabaldon), which updates California’s regional transportation and climate planning process. While the bill moves Sustainable Communities Strategies to an eight-year cycle, sets new 2035 and 2045 emissions targets, and more closely ties state transportation funding to regional climate goals, the last-minute amendments this week risk threatening the County’s ability to build needed housing. Also, the County-sponsored nitrous oxide bill, Senate Bill 936 (Blakespear), unanimously passed the Assembly and now returns to the Senate for concurrence in Assembly amendments.
“Orange County continues working to meet California’s ambitious housing goals, but SB 1087 risks making that work harder and more expensive,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “California cannot demand more housing from our communities while creating new barriers that work against those same goals. We need amendments that align our climate goals with our housing obligations and protect Orange County’s ability to deliver the homes families need.”
Supervisor Foley continued, “SB 936 takes direct aim at the products fueling nitrous oxide abuse, from oversized canisters and flavored products to balloons and inhalation devices,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “I’m grateful that the County of Orange and local cities lead the way with the first local bans in California and commend our state legislators for taking action statewide on this important public health and safety measure.”
Item #22 (County Executive Office) Grant Applications/Awards Report: The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve more than $27 million in grant funding for County programs supporting public health, environmental protection, airport improvements, workforce development, senior services, libraries, and public safety.
“These grants bring home more than $20.5 million to Orange County for public health, senior services, workforce development, libraries, public safety, recycling, and John Wayne Airport,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “These funds strengthen services residents rely on.”
Item #27 (John Wayne Airport) Approve Contract for Fly Friendly Program Software System Maintenance: The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a sole-source contract with BridgeNet International, Inc., a Tetra Tech company, to maintain and support John Wayne Airport’s Fly Friendly Program software. The program encourages general aviation jet operators to reduce community noise through responsible flight practices and recognizes operators that achieve measurable noise reductions.
“BridgeNet developed and maintains John Wayne Airport’s proprietary software supporting the Access Plan, General Aviation Noise Ordinance, and Fly Friendly Program,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “This contract protects data accuracy, strengthens accountability, and helps reduce aircraft noise impacts on Orange County communities.”
Item #25 (John Wayne Airport) Approve Amended and Restated Airline Club Room Lease with American Airlines, Inc.: The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve and extend American Airlines’ club lounge lease at John Wayne Airport through August 31, 2033, allowing American Airlines to continue operating the lounge for passengers.
“Extending this lease gives passengers continued access to American Airlines’ lounge while securing at least $1.12 million in private investment to improve the space,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “These upgrades will enhance the passenger experience and support John Wayne Airport’s commitment to high-quality, modern amenities.”
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve a $4.25 million increase for the San Juan Creek Bridge Replacement Project, raising OCTA’s maximum commitment from $63.4 million to $67.7 million. The San Juan Creek Bridge Replacement Project replaces a 100-year-old rail bridge in San Juan Capistrano used by Metrolink, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, and freight trains to improve safety, reliability, and long-term rail service through South Orange County. The action also authorized SB 125 interest funds to cover additional construction and construction support costs and allowed staff to process related funding and agreement amendments. As part of related improvements along San Juan Creek, crews expect to temporarily close the bike and pedestrian trail for approximately two months beginning as early as December 2026 to stage equipment and install sheet piles.
“This investment strengthens a critical rail connection through South Orange County and gives passengers, freight, and our communities safer, more reliable infrastructure,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “Completing the San Juan Creek Bridge Replacement Project will protect this vital rail corridor for decades while reducing future maintenance needs and guarding against storm damage. And the improvements to the bike and pedestrian access trail provide additional amenities for residents.”
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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 2026 Board appointments include:
Orange County Housing Finance Trust,
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA),
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA),
Orange County Audit Oversight Committee,
OC Public Libraries Advisory Board,
Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees,
Transportation Corridor Agency - Foothill/Eastern,
Transportation Corridor Agency - San Joaquin Hills,
Coastal Greenbelt Authority
National Association of Counties (NACO),
Urban Counties Caucus
