Policy Pulse: November 21, 2025
- ACC-OC
- 3 hours ago
- 8 min read
ACC-OC held its final 2025 Board of Directors Meeting and Annual Business Meeting on November 19, 2025. Thank you to the many city officials who joined us and helped drive insightful conversations that will shape our priorities for the year ahead.
We also conducted the election of the 2026 Board of Directors and look forward to officially welcoming our new board on January 15th at the 2026 Board Installation & Reception. Stay tuned—registration will open soon!
ACC‑OC Executive Director Kris Murray recently served as a panelist for the Cultures United Conversation: Housing Insecurity in Orange County, hosted by Orange County United Way. The discussion brought together community, business, and nonprofit leaders to explore the challenges of housing instability and opportunities for meaningful impact.
Kris shared ACC‑OC’s perspective on how local governments can collaborate with community partners to address housing insecurity, highlighting innovative approaches and programs making a difference for Orange County residents.
Other distinguished panelists included Lucy Dunn (Orange County Business Council) and Alejandro Santiago (United to End Homelessness, OC United Way), with Fred Zago (California Bank & Trust) serving as moderator.
This event underscored ACC‑OC’s commitment to fostering cross-sector collaboration and supporting solutions that strengthen our communities.
On Thursday, November 20, ACC-OC Director of Communications Marlene Barraza attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Cityside Fiber’s expansion, which will bring 100% fiber-optic internet to Laguna Hills. The event took place at the Laguna Hills Community Center and was attended by local residents and community leaders. Assemblymember Diane Dixon and representatives from the offices of Senator Blakespear and Supervisor Katrina Foley also participated, presenting certificates to commemorate this milestone.
Cityside Fiber’s expansion represents a significant investment in Laguna Hills’ digital infrastructure, promising faster, more reliable internet for both residents and businesses. The ceremony underscored the community’s commitment to advancing technology and supporting connectivity initiatives.
We’re proud to highlight several of our ACC-OC member organizations and leaders who were recently recognized in the Orange County Business Journal’s OC500 list for 2025. Their leadership and innovation exemplify the impact ACC-OC brings to our region.
City of Anaheim — Wylie Aitken & Mayor Ashleigh AitkenFeatured for their leadership, civic impact, and ongoing commitment to strengthening the Anaheim community.Article: OC500 2025: WYLIE AITKEN AND ASHLEIGH AITKEN - Orange County Business Journal
City of Irvine — Councilmember Mike CarrollRecognized for his work leading the transformation of the Great Park and his role in shaping Irvine’s long-term growth.Article: OC500 2025: MIKE CARROLL - Orange County Business Journal
Cityside Fiber — CEO Rod HansonHonored for driving innovation and expanding high-speed fiber connectivity across Orange County communities.Article: OC500 2025: ROD HANSON - Orange County Business Journal
John Wayne Airport — Director Charlene ReynoldsHighlighted for her leadership overseeing airport operations, modernization efforts, and regional transportation initiatives.Article: OC500 2025: CHARLENE REYNOLDS - Orange County Business Journal
Goodwill of Orange County — President & CEO Nicole SuydamHighlighted as a community leader at the helm of one of OC’s largest nonprofits, with nearly 2,000 staff and volunteers.Article: OC500 2025: NICOLE SUYDAM - Orange County Business Journal
Orange County Sheriff's Department — Don BarnesRecognized for his long tenure, public service, and dedication to community development and local governance.Article: OC500 2025: DON BARNES - Orange County Business Journal
We congratulate all our ACC-OC members recognized in the OC500. Their leadership continues to elevate Orange County and strengthen the communities we proudly serve.
Orange County Regional Holiday Mixer
Join ACC-OC, the League of California Cities OC Division, OCBC, and OC Tax for this year’s Annual Holiday Mixer — proudly sponsored by West Coast Arborists, Jacob Green & Associates, Cityside Fiber, Woodruff & Smart, Kosmont Companies, and Jamboree!
ACC-OC is proud to serve as the SoCalGas Regional Energy Pathways Program Ambassador for Orange County, connecting cities and public sector organizations with energy-saving opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Through SoCalGas initiatives such as the Regional Energy Pathways (REP) Program and the Statewide Water Infrastructure and System Efficiency (WISE™) Program, eligible agencies can benefit from expert guidance, project support, and valuable financial incentives.
Program Highlights
Regional Energy Pathways (REP) Program
No-cost energy assessments to identify savings opportunities
Financial support for energy-efficient upgrades
Project management assistance and on-bill financing
Whole-facility energy audits and no-cost measures such as insulation, low-flow fixtures, and kitchen equipment improvements
Statewide WISE™ Program
Rebates for energy-efficient water and wastewater system improvements
Eligible measures include high-efficiency pump upgrades, VFD installations, boiler replacements, and insulation improvements
Available to water and wastewater pumping customers within PG&E, SCE, SoCalGas, and SDG&E territories
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 |
Statewide WISE Program
City of Westminster
New Date: Thursday, December 4, 3:00 p.m.
Join the City of Westminster at the ribbon cutting ceremony for their brand-new playground, featuring "Sea Loving Dreams" at Bolsa Chica Park (13660 University St.). From tall towers to swings, this ocean adventure themed playground has something for all ages.
Be among the first to experience the excitement and dive into fun right here in Westminster!
Stay and play after the Ribbon Cutting, join their Parks Program for free fun following the ceremony.
UC Irvine Law
Join UC Irvine Law for a presentation and open discussion on the future of the U.S. Census and its impact on political representation, racial equity, and how these changes affect immigrant communities.
Forum Topics Include:
The constitutional and political implications of who gets counted
The history of exclusion in census policy
Ongoing litigation and advocacy to ensure a fair and accurate count
Keynote Speaker: Professor Robert Chang, Professor of Law and Sylvia Mendez Presidential Chair for Civil Rights; Executive Director of the UC Irvine School of Law Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and EqualityHosted by the UC Irvine Law Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality and the UC Irvine Law Immigrant & Racial Justice Solidarity Clinic
State Treasurer's Office
Please join the State Treasurer's Office for a quarterly webinar series.
Receive updates and learn more about State Treasurer’s Office programs and resources that can benefit the communities you serve.
Topics will include:
Key Updates from the State Treasurer's Office
Supporting California's Small Businesses through the new Loan Participation Program
Supporting California's Health Facilities through the Healthcare Expansion Loan Program II
CalOptima Health
With the current issues facing CalFresh benefits, food security for 310,000 Orange County residents is in jeopardy. CalOptima Health’s Board of Directors has moved quickly to respond to the crisis and approved $8 million in emergency support to boost available resources at local food distributors and deliver aid directly to Medi-Cal members.
City of Los Alamitos
The City of Los Alamitos is pleased to invite you to attend the Good Evening, Los Alamitos event on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Los Alamitos Community Center (10911 Oak Street, Los Alamitos, 90720), beginning at 6:30 p.m.
This annual event will highlight the City’s accomplishments over the past year, share exciting initiatives for the year ahead, unveil the citywide EV transportation program, and celebrate the strong partnerships that make Los Alamitos a vibrant and connected community.
Kindly RSVP by Friday, December 5, to Gabriela Martinez, Department Secretary at Gmartinez@cityoflosalamitos.org to confirm your attendance.
City of Irvine
Healthy for the Holidays is a fun, free, family-friendly wellness event with pickleball open play every 30 minutes, community raffles, and much more! It’s a “Class Pass” inspired event that will feature a variety of fitness classes for you to try, including Pilates, tai chi, Zumba, golf, pickleball, and more! We will also have a vendor fair featuring key community partners in Irvine and the Great Park, and art activities for children.
You can sign up for a class or reserve a pickleball court by going to bit.ly/healthyfortheholidays2025. Slots will fill up so don't wait!
Event details:
🗓️ Saturday, November 22
🕙 9:30am - 3pm
📍 Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex | 270 Corsair, Irvine, CA 92618
City of Stanton
The City of Stanton is hosting a drive-through Thanksgiving Food and Diaper Distribution on Saturday, November 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Stanton Park (7800 Katella Ave.). Families can receive whole turkeys, produce, groceries, and diapers on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
This community event is supported by the City of Stanton, Life Christian Church, Friends of Families, and Community Action Partnership of Orange County.
United to End Homelessness
UC Irvine’s School of Social Ecology recently commissioned a countywide poll - the UCI-OC Poll – to delve broadly and deeply into social problems facing Orange County and produce good data to assist leaders in reaching evidence-based decisions. The first edition, which was fielded in the late spring of 2023, addressed homelessness and affordable housing.
Housing and Homeless Incentive Program (HHIP) Round 5 Notice of Funding Opportunity
CalAIM
The CalOptima Health's Housing and Homeless Incentive Program (HHIP) Round 5 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will be released on Monday, November 11, 2025. This funding opportunity supports the development or enhancement of permanent, affordable housing solutions for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in Orange County.
The materials and application portal link will be available on the CalAIM webpage. All applications must be submitted by Friday, December 19, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. PST.
Providers interested in responding are encouraged to attend CalOptima Health's virtual bidder’s conference to receive an overview of the funding opportunity.
Virtual Bidder's Conference Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 1:00 p.m. PST
Proposal Submission Deadline: Friday, December 19, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. PST
Please Contact CalOptima Grants Management with any questions at:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
FY 2026 Brownfield Grant Opportunities
OCCOG’s Project Management Partner, Montrose Environmental, is available to support local agencies with potential grant opportunities as part of the upcoming Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 EPA Brownfield Grants. The menu of available grants can be found at https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/marc-grant-application-resources. This will be the last grant competition with 400% more funding via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and no matching funds are required.
Eligible brownfield projects could include properties with older structures (e.g., built before the 1980s), which may contain regulated building materials (e.g. – lead-based paints, asbestos and PCBs) and properties with soil, groundwater and/or surface waters impacted with petroleum and/or hazardous substances (e.g. – former auto repair/gas stations, illicit dump sites, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities). Eligible applicants include cities, land clearance authorities, redevelopment agencies, regional councils, special districts, tribes, and non-profit organizations.
Brownfield grant types include:
Community-Wide Assessment: Up to $2M for Tribal applicants; used to complete a wide range of activities, including Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), cleanup/restoration/reuse plans. Funding can be used to support these activities on numerous sites over a 4–5-year grant implementation period. Funding is not limited to properties you already own and can be used to support land acquisition opportunities.
Cleanup: Up to $4M; used to complete remediation and restoration of one or more brownfield-impacted properties that you own.
Multi-Purpose: Up to $1M; used to complete a combination of assessment, cleanup, and reuse planning activities on one or more brownfield-impacted properties.
Guidelines are due to be issued shortly, with grant applications anticipated for November. Award announcements are scheduled to be made in May 2026, with implementation beginning in October 2026.
Please contact Chris Gdak at Montrose Environmental at cgdak@montrose-env.com or (425) 760-1342 for more details.
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
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