Policy Pulse: June 13, 2025
- ACC-OC
- Jun 13
- 8 min read
On June 11th, ACC-OC welcomed over 250 elected officials and regional leaders to the 2025 Leadership Forum and Golden Hub of Innovation Awards, celebrating exceptional public service and innovation across Orange County.
We are grateful to Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Doug Chaffee, Supervisor Don Wagner, Yorba Linda Mayor Janice Lim, and ACC-OC President Jamey Federico, Council Member for Dana Point, for their valued participation. Special recognition goes to Dr. Ronald S. Rochon, President of Cal State Fullerton, for his inspiring keynote address.
Also, thank you to our own ACC-OC Director of Member Services Kathryn Morrison, a U.S. Army Veteran, for her meaningful presentation of the Valor Award—Honoring First Responders & Veterans.
The evening was a powerful testament to the leadership, collaboration, and innovation shaping a brighter future for Orange County.
Honorable Mention and Winners:
Technology-Driven Transparent Governance Excellence
Honorable Mention: City of Santa Ana PBX (Planning Building Express) Project
Winner: City of Newport Beach: The Newport Beach ADU Website Initiative
Collaborative Community Development & Innovation
Honorable Mention: Dana Point Economic Development Initiatives: City of Dana Point, Visit Dana Point and the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce
Winner: Salida Del Sol Housing Project by Jamboree Housing and City of San Juan Capistrano
Community Safety and Resilience Excellence
Honorable Mention: Transportation Corridor Agencies in Partnership with the Irvine Police Department: Motorcycle Officer and Motor School Training Officer Program
Winner: Falck Ambulance: Sensory Friendly Ambulance Program with the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center at CHOC
Environmental Sustainability & Energy Efficiency
Honorable Mentions:
- Municipal Water District of Orange County: Leak Detection Program
- La Paz Road Landslide Resiliency Project
Winner: Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) Headquarters
Transportation Innovation and Mobility Solutions
Honorable Mention: Anaheim Transportation Network – “The Charge” Project
Winner: City of Costa Mesa: The Adams Avenue and Pinecreek Drive Intersection Multimodal Improvements Project
Valor Award - Honoring First Responders & Veterans
Orange County Fire Authority Santiago Hand Crew Firefighters
City Staff Leader of the Year
Sandra Lozeau, Deputy Director of Housing and Community Development, City of Anaheim
City Manager of the Year
Mark Pulone, City of Yorba Linda
ACC-OC Innovator of the Year
Chief Brian Fennessy, Orange County Fire Authority
Legacy Award: DisneylandForward Project by Disneyland Resort and City of Anaheim
Golden Hub of Innovation Awards Program
Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO) Project
This July, ACC-OC is partnering with OC Sanitation District (OC San) to spotlight their Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO) Project—a next-generation solution for biosolids management that positions Orange County as a national leader in sustainability and innovation. Whether you're exploring biosolids alternatives, looking to build local capacity in sustainability, or simply interested in innovation in the public sector—this is a must-attend
Summer Legislative Reception & Orange County Non-Profit Expo
Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring the Orange County Non-Profit Expo and Live Music by 90's cover band Diego's Garage, featuring OCTA's CEO Darrell Johnson. Splash into summer with local leaders, community changemakers, and nonprofit champions - all at Orange County's favorite waterpark!
The Association of California Cities – Orange County (ACC-OC) applauds the decisive actions taken by Orange County representatives in defeating the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Proposed Amended Rules (PARS) 1111 and 1121 at the June 6 AQMD Governing Board meeting.
These proposed amendments would have placed undue burdens on local jurisdictions by significantly increasing housing construction and retrofit costs, while also reducing energy redundancy — a critical concern during wildfire season, extreme heat events, and utility shutoffs.
We extend our sincere thanks to AQMD Board Members Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen and Yorba Linda Councilman Carlos Rodriguez for their leadership and advocacy to protect our residents and businesses. A special note of appreciation to ACC-OC Board President Jamey Federico, Council Member for the City of Dana Point, for testifying in person at the AQMD hearing in opposition to the attempted regulatory overreach. Their efforts, alongside those of other engaged local officials, led to the 7–5 defeat of the proposed rules.
This outcome is a major win for:
Local control and the ability of cities to shape energy and housing policy in a way that meets the needs of our communities
Energy resiliency, ensuring residents are not left vulnerable during grid instability
Affordability, preventing increased construction costs that would exacerbate Orange County’s already challenging housing market
ACC-OC will continue to advocate for pragmatic, locally informed approaches to clean air and sustainability — ones that respect the economic realities and infrastructure needs of our communities.
If you have any questions about the rules or would like more information on how to support future advocacy efforts, please contact:
Wendy Strack (Director of Legislative Affairs, ACC-OC) - wstrack@accoc.org
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and commitment to Orange County’s residents
View ACC-OC's Letter
ACC-OC is proud to serve as the SoCalGas Regional Energy Pathways Program Ambassador for Orange County, helping cities and public sector organizations improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.
Benefits of Participating:
✔ No-cost energy assessments to identify saving opportunities
✔ Financial support for energy-efficient equipment upgrades
✔ Expert guidance from energy professionals on best practices
✔ Reduced energy consumption to meet state and local sustainability goals
✔ Project management assistance to streamline implentation
Through programs like the Large Public Sector Program and Public Direct Install Program, eligible organizations can receive:
Whole facility energy audits to create customized energy-saving roadmaps
No-cost efficiency upgrades, including hot water insulation, low-flow fixtures, and commercial kitchen improvements
Rebates and on-bill financing for energy-efficient equipment installations
To learn more about how your city or organization can benefit, contact Marlene Barraza (mbarraza@accoc.org) to schedule a meeting or ask questions!
Large Public Sector Program | Public Direct Install Program |
Municipal Water District of Orange County
Join MWDOC on Thursday, June 26, at 5:30 p.m. at The Westin South Coast Plaza as they are privileged to welcome The Honorable Troy Edgar, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as their keynote speaker.
Sustain Southern California
Join Sustain SoCal at our 12th Annual Driving Mobility Event! This event, focused on sustainable transportation solutions, will include a professional program and extensive clean vehicle expo. Topics will include autonomous vehicles, EV battery recycling, vehicle to grid, fuel cell vehicles, and micro-transport.
Details:
Date: Thursday, June 26
Time: 1 pm - 7 pm
Location: UCI Beall Applied Innovation
50% off code: DM12ACCOC50
City of Garden Grove
The City of Garden Grove is encouraging local, qualifying homeowners to apply for the Home Repair Program (HRP), available for low-income Garden Grove residents to receive up to $5,000 for home improvements. Funding will be distributed to approximately 20 eligible applicants, selected through a blind raffle.
Facilitated by the Economic Development and Housing Department, the HRP will provide eligible homeowners with up to $5,000 to address code violations, substandard conditions, and necessary health and safety improvements. The first application period starts Monday, June 2, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., through Monday, June 16, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. A second application period will take place from Monday, December 1, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. through Monday, December 15, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. To view eligibility requirements and apply, visit the Home Repair Program webpage.
The homeowner is required to contribute a minimum of $500 of their own funds towards the repairs. Major repairs to the home that are above $5,000 will not be considered for the Home Repair Program.
Acceptable exterior and interior home repairs include, but are not limited to, window replacement, electrical repairs, pest control, exterior painting, plumbing repairs, heater replacement (HVAC), handicap accessibility modifications, and repairs to address building or safety code violations in the home.
Cal State Fullerton
Cal State Fullerton leaders took the next step to build the new ECS Innovation Hub to shape the future of engineering and computer science in Southern California, serving as a catalyst for discovery and industry innovation.
At a June 4 ceremonial event, attended by students, faculty, alumni, donors, elected officials and industry and community partners, university leaders broke ground on the 42,000-square-foot College of Engineering and Computer Science Innovation Hub.
The collaborative workspace aims to empower tomorrow’s engineers and computer scientists to solve real-world challenges, fuel economic growth and elevate Orange County as a global technology leader.
City of Fountain Valley
Ever wonder where to find the latest and greatest resources to help you live your best life? Get ready to unlock a treasure trove of information and opportunities at the Fountain Valley Senior Expo! Think of it as your one-stop shop to connect with a vibrant community and discover everything you need to thrive!
Join Fountain Valley at the Senior Expo on Wednesday, June 18 at The Center at Founders Village (17967 Bushard St.) from 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., and get ready to explore your possibilities!
Cal Assist Mortgage
Applications for the CalAssist Mortgage Fund are now open to California homeowners impacted by recent disasters.
The State of California’s new $105 million mortgage relief fund is administered by the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) and will provide three months of mortgage payments, up to $20,000, to eligible homeowners.
Low- to middle-income households may qualify if they are currently displaced from their home that was destroyed or left uninhabitable as the result of a qualified disaster that occurred between January 2023 and January 2025, such as the Eaton Fire, Palisades Fire, Park Fire and San Diego floods.
City of Aliso Viejo
Join Aliso Viejo for an exclusive Legislative Meet and Greet—an evening designed to connect our local business community with the elected officials and policymakers who shape our economic landscape.
Cox Communications
Community Grants – Orange County
Conservation & Sustainability: Funding available for projects or programs that promote positive environmental change in Orange County. Grants will be awarded between $5,000 and $25,000.
Application Deadline: June 30, 2025
Samueli Foundation
Breakaway Fund
Hard-to-Fund Needs: The Breakaway Fund is a $5M grantmaking initiative designed to invest in critical yet traditionally underfunded areas. This fund provides flexible, accessible funding for Orange County-serving organizations to pilot new, innovative ideas; upgrade essential infrastructure and technology; strengthen leadership capacity and retain key staff. The Breakaway Fund is structured to be responsive, low-barrier, and inclusive, ensuring that both emerging and established nonprofits have the resources needed to scale their impact without the constraints of
Application Deadline: June 13, 2025
Samueli Foundation
Build OC Fund
Capital Funding: A $5 million Build OC Fund to support Orange County-based nonprofits’ capital projects, consisting of individual grants up to $1M.
Application Deadline: June 27, 2025
Department of Housing and Community Development
Permanent Local Housing Allocation/ 2023 PLHA NOFA
This program provides long-term funding to support affordable housing, homeless prevention programs, and other housing-related projects. Funds are allocated based on California jurisdictions’ housing needs.
Application Deadline: June 30, 2027
Department of Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
This program provides technical and financial support to conserve priority coastal ecosystems. Through cooperative agreements with conservation partners and landowners, including state and Tribal agencies, the Coastal Program aims to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitats on both public and private lands.
Application Deadline: September 30, 2025
Samueli Foundation
LFI and Leadership Accelerator Program
The Leading for Impact (LFI) and Leadership Accelerator program, run by the renowned Bridgespan Group, provides scholarship-supported access to strategic coaching, leadership development and peer-learning opportunities for 100 nonprofit executive teams. Through a mix of classroom workshops, team-led projects and executive coaching, LFI equips leaders with the skills and tools to strengthen their organizations, drive long-term sustainability and increase their community impact. Participating organizations contribute a portion of the program cost, ensuring shared investment in their growth and success.
Application Deadline: December 31, 2025
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