FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2026
Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley
(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@bos5.oc.gov
OC Supervisor Vice Chair Katrina Foley Releases Statement Following Board of Supervisors Meeting; Support for Laguna Niguel City Center Development, Prima Deshecha Renewable Energy Facility Design, John Wayne Airport Improvements, and Capistrano Beach Shoreline Protection
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley released a statement following the October 13, 2026, Board of Supervisors meeting.
Item #11 (County Executive Office) First Amendment to Amended and Restated Option for Laguna Niguel City Center: The Board of Supervisors approved extension of time to build through September 1, 2027, for the Laguna Niguel City Center project, granting the developer more time to secure financing and prepare for construction. The developer will pay the County a fee for each option extension and complete required preconstruction work. The extension was dependent on breaking ground on October 21, 2026 and beginning to clear the site to prepare for demolition of the old courthouse. The project includes 275 residential units, medical office and retail, a community space and a new county library.
“The Laguna Niguel City Center project represents an important opportunity to transform underutilized County property into a vibrant community destination with new housing, restaurants, retail, medical office, and a much-needed new County library,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “While this extension gives the developer additional time to secure financing and prepare for construction, we must ensure continued progress and accountability. I look forward to seeing this long-awaited project move forward and deliver meaningful benefits to South Orange County residents.”
Item #19 (OC Waste & Recycling) Award Contract for Prima Deshecha Landfill Renewable Energy Preliminary Design: The Board of Supervisors approved a two-year, $2.22 million contract with Tetra Tech BAS, Inc. to develop preliminary designs for a new renewable energy facility at Prima Deshecha Landfill. The project aims to convert landfill gas into electricity, renewable natural gas, or both, with a target operational date by the end of 2030.
“Our landfills account for 87% of greenhouse gas emissions from County operations and we must tackle those emissions to protect public health,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “With this investment we take the first step toward turning landfill gas into renewable energy that will reduce air pollution and lower our energy costs.”
Item #16 (John Wayne Airport) Approve Contract for Airside Surface Maintenance Services: The Board of Supervisors approved a three-year, $4.8 million contract with PCI to maintain John Wayne Airport’s runways and airfield surfaces, including cleaning, sweeping, pressure washing, and runway markings to meet FAA safety requirements. That contract combines services previously handled by two contractors into one to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
“By combining John Wayne Airport’s airfield maintenance services into one contract, we can streamline the work and lower costs while keeping our runways safe,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “We continue to find ways to deliver county projects more efficiently and make every dollar count.”
Item #17 (John Wayne Airport) Select Respondent for Facilities Security Improvements: The Board of Supervisors selected PCL Construction, with Swinerton as the alternate, for John Wayne Airport’s security modernization project, with a contract not to exceed $51.5 million. Improvements include upgrading security systems for 726 doors, installing 1,635 surveillance cameras, and enhancing airfield perimeter security to meet current TSA requirements. Construction is not yet authorized.
“This contract moves forward critical updates to John Wayne Airports security cameras, access controls, and perimeter protection to keep passenger and airport employees safe” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. Bringing additional expertise to our airport modernization efforts helps us keep these projects moving. PCL’s proposal came in $3 million below the other proposal, helping us deliver these improvements at a lower cost.”
Item #13 (County Executive Office) Grant Applications/Awards Report: The Board of Supervisors received and filed the Grants Report and approved grant awards and applications supporting disability and healthcare insurance fraud investigations, population health assessments, behavioral health prevention, foster youth housing, DNA backlog reduction, and boating safety enforcement. The Board also approved $2.47 million for the Capistrano Beach Nature-Based Shoreline Adaptation Project, supporting shoreline planting and fencing.
“This state grant brings us one step closer to protecting Capistrano Beach from coastal erosion and rising sea levels,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “By restoring natural dunes and strengthening our shoreline we can protect critical coastal infrastructure, preserve public beach access, and help our coastal communities withstand future storms. I will continue to advocate for the additional resources we need to move this project from planning and design to construction.”
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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
