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Policy Pulse: May 9, 2025

  • Writer: ACC-OC
    ACC-OC
  • 4 days ago
  • 8 min read


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.


Deadline for Nominations: Friday, May 16th



On May 7, ACC-OC members toured the modern and spacious Garden Grove facility and learned how PACE supports older adults with chronic health conditions who wish to remain independent. The center offers a full range of services under one roof — including an on-site primary care clinic, in-house pharmacy, therapy and exercise areas, and daily wellness classes.


Orange County Board of Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, who also serves as Vice Chair of the CalOptima Health Board of Directors, opened the program and emphasized the importance of accessible, high-quality care for our most vulnerable residents. CalOptima Health CEO Michael Hunn also addressed members, sharing how CalOptima is expanding its reach and impact across the region.


As a bonus, members toured CalOptima’s mobile medical van — part of the Street Medicine Program launched in 2023. This “doctor’s office on wheels” delivers transformative health care, social services, and housing navigation to people experiencing homelessness in Anaheim, Costa Mesa, and Garden Grove, with service to Santa Ana launching later this year.

CalOptima Health PACE One-Pager


CalOptima Health Street Medicine One-Pager




Tour the La Paz Landslide Project


Discover the groundbreaking efforts behind one of Orange County’s most impactful environmental recovery projects! In partnership with the City of Laguna Niguel's Public Works Department, ACC-OC is excited to host an exclusive tour and briefing on the La Paz Landslide Project.


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?


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




CalOptima Health


CalOptima Health's Street Medicine program recently marked its two-year anniversary, celebrating remarkable success in delivering health care directly to our community’s most vulnerable members. Since launching, the program has helped more than 600 individuals with primary care and social services, demonstrating our commitment to providing accessible health care to Orange County residents. In the most recent video in our series of member stories, CalOptima Health member Matt Hurst shares his journey from homelessness to housing after more than 10 years on the streets. He shares how CalOptima Health's Street Medicine Program provided crucial support.


WAKE UP! Newport


ACC-OC Executive Director Kris Murray was honored to speak at the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Wake Up! Newport event, where she addressed local leaders and residents on key regional issues impacting Orange County. Her remarks focused on housing, infrastructure, and the power of public-private collaboration to create long-term, community-driven solutions.


Thank you to the Newport Beach Chamber for hosting this important forum.


SoCalGas: Well & Pump Engineering: System Efficiencies & Resiliency


This seminar is open to Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural and Water Agencies. It will focus on the latest technologies available for optimizing well and pump performance, well rehabilitation and system efficiencies through equipment selection, effective well rebuilds, regular pump & well equipment evaluation and maintenance. The discussion emphasizes how to evaluate competing technologies and select an optimal technology based on performance, capital expense, and operating expense. The seminar will include a section on applications and selection of pump systems, giving water districts additional reliability, flexibility and savings. Case studies, air quality and new energy efficiency technology topics will be discussed.

**This seminar qualifies for 6.0 CA Dept. of Public Health Continuing Education Credits**


This event will be held at:

SoCalGas

Energy Resource Center

9240 Firestone Blvd.

Downey, CA 90241

Event Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

8:00 a.m. Check-in

Continental Breakfast and Buffet lunch will be provided.


For assistance, contact our Registration Help Desk at ERC@socalgas.com

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.



Sustain Southern California


Sustain SoCal invites you to join a timely and impactful event focused on transforming how they grow, distribute, and consume food in Southern California. The Agriculture & Food Systems event will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and community members to explore how regenerative agriculture, circular restaurant practices, and emerging ag-tech can improve food security, soil health, and sustainability across the region.

This is a must-attend for local farmers, food service workers, sustainability advocates, and anyone passionate about reducing food waste and building a more resilient food system.


Event Details:

Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025

Time: 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Location: The Cove at UCI Beall Applied Innovation, 5270 California Avenue, Irvine, CA 92617



City of Garden Grove


The Garden Grove Police Department’s 38th Annual “Call to Duty” Memorial will take place on Thursday, May 15, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., in front of the Garden Grove Police Headquarters, located at 11301 Acacia Parkway. The annual service honors the six Garden Grove police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty: Sergeant Myron L. Trapp, Officer Andy Reese, Officer Donald F. Reed, Officer Michael Rainford, Master Officer Howard Dallies Jr., and Lieutenant John Reynolds.


Garden Grove Police Department Captain Luis Payan will officiate the memorial and welcome this year’s guest speaker, William Bedsworth, a former Orange County District Attorney’s Office Justice.


The memorial will feature a flag-folding ceremony, memorial bell ringing, helicopter fly-over, and a 21-gun salute. The Bolsa Grande High School Choir will also perform.

City of Stanton


You're invited to the City of Stanton’s 2025 State of the City on June 26! This marks an exciting new chapter for their community, and they can’t wait to celebrate with you! Join for a fun-filled, family-friendly evening, where you’ll hear from City leaders about Stanton’s future, explore upcoming projects and connect with your neighbors. Enjoy exciting family-friendly activities, performances and more! The first 100 registered participants will receive a FREE dinner. The event will conclude with a Symphony on the Go performance beginning at 7:30pm.


Date: Thursday, June 26

Time: 6-8:30pm

Location: Stanton Central Park, 10660 Western Ave.


Questions? Please contact our Community Services Department at (714) 890-4270.


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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