Policy Pulse: May 16, 2025
- ACC-OC
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
70 Years of Magic!
ACC-OC joins in the celebration of the Disneyland Resort’s 70th Anniversary—a place where dreams come true, memories are made, and the magic never fades. We are so fortunate that Walt Disney chose Anaheim and Orange County as the home of Disneyland. His vision transformed our region and created the Happiest Place on Earth right here in our community.
Here’s to 70 years of pixie dust—and to the adventures still to come!
Last Call for Nominations
ACC-OC Golden Hub of Innovation Awards
The ACC-OC Golden Hub of Innovation Awards celebrate excellence in public service and innovation across Orange County’s local governments, regional agencies, and partners—and we want your outstanding work to be recognized.
We invite you to nominate both individuals and projects under the following categories. You may submit on behalf of your own team, city, or organization—and you're welcome to submit multiple nominations:
Golden Hub Award Categories:
Technology-Driven Transparent Governance Excellence: Recognizing the use of digital tools to promote accountability and transparency.
Collaborative Community Development & Innovation: Celebrating creative partnerships and community engagement strategies.
Community Safety and Resilience Excellence: Honoring programs that enhance public safety, emergency preparedness, and resilience.
Environmental Sustainability & Energy Efficiency: Showcasing forward-thinking environmental stewardship and energy initiatives.
Transportation Innovation and Mobility Solutions: Highlighting improvements in mobility, infrastructure, and transit innovation.
Valor Award – Honoring First Responders and Veterans: A tribute to outstanding service by first responders and veterans.
City Staff Leader of the Year: Recognizing exemplary leadership by a city staff member.
City Manager of the Year: Honoring visionary leadership at the city manager level.
ACC-OC Innovator of the Year: Celebrating innovation that drives meaningful change in our region.
Legacy Award (Judges’ Choice): Special recognition for exceptional impact or long-term contributions.
ACC-OC and the City of Laguna Niguel recently hosted an exclusive Better Opportunity for Learning & Development: The La Paz Landslide Project. This specialized infrastructure tour offered attendees a deep dive into one of Orange County’s most impactful environmental recovery efforts. Participants received a comprehensive project briefing on the planning, emergency management, and innovative engineering solutions used to stabilize the landslide site. A guided shuttle tour provided an up-close view of the restoration work. The event also highlighted the City’s success in securing a $15.5 million grant to fund the recovery and long-term traffic stability. It was a powerful learning opportunity for public works professionals, elected officials, and community leaders, showcasing effective collaboration and resilience in action.
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!
South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has provided amended Rules (PARS) 1111 and 1121, which seek to reduce NOx emissions from natural-gas-fired furnaces and water heaters by 2067. ACC-OC remains concerned about transparency, financial economic impacts on residents and small businesses, public awareness, and the readiness of the electrical grid. It’s important for cities and community stakeholders to send letters to the AQMD Board urging them to delay action on these amended, proposed rules, which as written will have significant cost impacts for all residents, with low-income communities and seniors on fixed incomes being the hardest hit.
What’s Next?
June 6, 2025 - Public Hearing (subject to change)
Notice of Public Hearing - posted April 11, 2025
Draft Socioeconomic Impact Assessment - posted March 31, 2025
Draft Proposed Amended Rule 1111 - posted April 1, 2025
Draft Proposed Amended Rule 1121 - posted April 1, 2025
Draft Staff Report - posted April 1, 2025
A recent economic report by Cost of Living Council provided a comprehensive analysis of the financial consequences associated with the proposed amendments to AQMD Rules 1111 and 1121. The findings reveal that implementation without delay could cost Southern California residents and businesses billions in retrofits, equipment upgrades, and infrastructure strain—placing a disproportionate burden on working families and small businesses.
This month, ACC-OC submitted an updated comment letter highlighting continued concerns with the proposed regulations in advance of the June 6th Public Hearing.
ACC-OC remains committed to advocating a balanced, practical approach supporting environmental goals and economic feasibility.
ACC-OC Updated AQMD Comment Letter - May 2025
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 |
Board of Supervisors Doug Chaffee
Keeping your family and community safe is simple. The OC Free Gun Lock Program provides free firearm locks to Orange County residents, helping prevent unauthorized access and reduce the risk of accidents.
Orange County residents can now request free gun locks through an online form at d4.ocgov.com/FreeGunLocks, with locks mailed directly to their homes. Each package includes a QR Code, linking to a video tutorial on safe firearm storage and information about California's evolving gun laws, including SB 53, which require secure storage for all firearms starting in 2026.
For more information or to request a free gun lock, visit d4.ocgov.com/FreeGunLocks.
Flyer
City of Westminster
Little Saigon, Calif. – The community is invited to 50 Years of Little Saigon’s Resilience on Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 1 to 7:30 p.m. at the Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove, California. Bringing together entrepreneurs, community leaders, and civic partners from across Southern California, this milestone gathering honors the remarkable journey and contributions of Vietnamese Americans over the past five decades.
City of Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa has approved a long-awaited affordable housing project for seniors, set to be built next to the city's senior center. The four-story development will feature 70 units—68 one-bedroom and 2 two-bedroom apartments—with 35 units designated for low-income seniors earning up to 60% of the area median income, 34 for very low-income seniors earning up to 30%, and one unit reserved for an on-site manager. Construction is expected to be completed by late 2027, addressing the community's critical need for affordable senior housing.
Spent Fuel Solutions
Join Spent Fuel Solutions for an informational webinar with Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) Director of Nuclear Programs, Kara Colton, who will discuss ECA’s involvement on the spent fuel issue as one of the Department of Energy’s Collaborative-Based Siting Consortia. ECA is focused on facilitating deeper engagement and building capacity in communities interested in collaborative-based siting to ensure they have the resources they need to engage on the issue.
City of Fountain Valley
Are you curious about what Public Works does? Join City staff at the Fountain Valley Recreation Center and Sports Park, located at 16400 Brookhurst St., on Thursday, May 22, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to learn more! You will be able to view demonstrations of what each of the divisions within Public Works does, and see our vehicles and equipment up close. There will also be a photo opportunity in our backhoe! You will have opportunities to learn about our City’s utilities and environmental and engineering services, and bring home some fun “City Swag"! Come out and have some fun while also learning about what Public Works does to serve and show how much we care about our residents, businesses, and visitors!
If you have any questions about Public Works Day, please call (714) 593-4433.
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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