ACC-OC Monthly Newsletter

April 27, 2022

Greetings From Board President, Janine Heft, Mayor Pro Tem Laguna Hills

Greetings ACC-OC Members!

One of my favorite things about ACC-OC is that it is the ideal vehicle for Orange County Cities to come together for creative and inspired solutions to complex public policy issues. In a time when Sacramento is putting pressure on our cities more than ever before, it becomes increasingly important for the voice of Orange County to be heard. With the 3^rd largest population in the state and 6^th largest in the nation, our voice ought to be proportional in scope. It is in this spirit that on April 21^st 2022, the ACC-OC Board of Directors adopted these updates to our mission and vision statements:

Mission: Be the leading voice for Orange County Cities and elected officials on public policy issues through advocacy, education and collaboration.

Vision: Be the primary resource for promoting excellence and providing leadership on the

issues that matter most to Orange County.

It is this mission and vision that the Board of Directors and myself as the new President have sworn to uphold, and we will work diligently to advocate on behalf of Orange County Cities, as well as to provide educational opportunities to mayors, council members, and city staff on topics and issues that are most pressing. In doing this, we will continue the spirit of collaboration that we achieved during COVID-19 and affect positive change that will benefit all the great cities of Orange County.

I am honored to serve as your ACC-OC President and look forward to an amazing year ahead!

Sincerely,

Janine Heft

Mayor Pro Tem Laguna Hills, ACC-OC Board President

Member to Remember

Each month, the Association recognizes one of our Affiliate Members for the important job they provide to the Orange County region. This month, we are proud to recognize Your Regional Wastewater Provider: Orange County Sanitation District!

The world of wastewater treatment is not often thought of because honestly it just happens. So, who is responsible for the regional treatment of wastewater in north and central Orange County? The Orange County Sanitation District also known as OC San. OC San provides regional wastewater collection, treatment, and recycling for 2.6 million people within a 480-square mile service area in central and northwest Orange County.

So how much wastewater do 2.6 million people create? On average OC San treats more than 180 million gallons per day. The wastewater reaches our facilities through 380 miles of sewer pipes and 15 pump stations throughout their service area in portions of Orange County. This takes place at their two facilities located in Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach where energy and soil amendments are produced, and clean water is sent to our partners the Orange County Water District for the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). The GWRS uses advanced treatment processes to treat the water creating a new, reliable, high-quality source of water. The remainder of the treated wastewater is safely released to the Pacific Ocean five miles offshore.

Want to learn more? Visit them at www.ocsan.gov or follow OC@SanDistrict.

ACC-OC Landfill Tour - Limited Spots Available!

Click Here for Information and Registration!

Please Note, this Free Event is Open to ACC-OC Members Only

Meet the ACC-OC 2022 Board of Directors!

On April 21st, the ACC-OC 2022 Board of Directors were sworn in at the ACC-OC Installation Ceremony and Reception.

The event was hosted at Andrei's Conscious Cuisine and Cocktails where Mayor Farrah Khan welcomed a packed house to her city of Irvine. Guests heard updates from U.S. Representatives Michelle Steel and Lou Correa who took time to answer questions as well. Mayor Barbara Delgleize of Huntington Beach was honored for her tenure as the 2021 Board President and was awarded several certificates including ones from Senator Pat Bates on behalf of the California Senate, the OC Board of Supervisors, and from the offices of Assemblymember Davies and Representative Steel and others. Mayor Pro Tem Janine Heft of Laguna Hills was sworn in as the 2022 Board President along with the rest of the Board by Assemblymember Laurie Davies. Councilmember Diane Dixon of Newport Beach and Emeritus Chair Roger Faubel were honored as outgoing members, and Al Murray was introduced as the new Emeritus Chair.

The event was sponsored by Moulton Niguel Water District, Cox Communication, The Toll Roads, and West Coast Arborists. ACC-OC is proud to partner with such pillars of leadership!

Left: Barbara Delgleize, Mayor of Huntington Beach, receives a certificate from Sen. Pat Bates for her work as the 2021 ACC-OC Board President. Above: Members of the ACC-OC 2022 Board are sworn in by Asm. Laurie Davies. Right: Janine Heft, Mayor Pro Tem of Laguna Hills, makes remarks as ACC-OC's newly installed Board President.

ACC-OC is Bringing Back Quarterly Dinners! Registration to Open Soon!

April is Earth Month - ACC-OC Member, Mesa Water District Participates in Streams of Hope to Celebrate!

Mesa Water District (Mesa Water®) is celebrating Earth Month 2022 through participation in the Streams of Hope Public Art and Community Cleanup Campaign. The campaign is a community awareness and action initiative created by the Wyland Foundation to bring attention to the preservation of local watersheds.

The campaign, which runs throughout the month of April, showcases 36” X 80” self-standing statuettes of “Stella” – a baby California Grey Whale – painted by local artists in collaboration with famed marine life artist Wyland. Mesa Water’s completed statuette is located at John Wayne Airport – a Mesa Water customer. The whale can be found in the Terminal A Baggage Claim on Carousel 1, for residents and visitors alike to enjoy. The piece is named “Set in Motion, A Change for the Ocean.”

Additionally, as part of the campaign, Orange County residents are encouraged to participate in a local waterway or beach cleanup event. Cleanup locations can be found on the Streams of Hope website, or community members can lead their own with friends and family!

California State Auditor Releases Blistering Report on RHNA Process

Late last month, Michael S. Tilden, the Acting California State Auditor, wrote a searing critique of HCD and its Regional Housing Needs Assessments (RHNA). In writing to the Governor and other legislative leaders, he stated, “Overall, our audit determined that HCD does not ensure that its needs assessments are accurate and adequately sup- ported. …This insufficient oversight and lack of support for its considerations risks eroding public confidence that HCD is informing local governments of the appropriate amount of housing they will need.”

Recommendations for reforms were made as well with deadlines concluding by February 2023.

ACC-OC PPMA Renamed to "The Robert Ming Public Policy Making Academy" in Honor of Robert Ming (1970-2022)

At its March 14, 2022 meeting, the ACC-OC Executive Committee honored the memory of ACC-OC Founding President Robert Ming by naming its elected leader academy “The Robert Ming Public Policy Making Academy.” Robert was known throughout the region for his collaborative leadership, mentorship of newly elected leaders, and inspiring others to seek the noble call of public service. At the Public Policy Making Academy, he taught council-ship skills to newly elected councilmembers. From 2006 to 2014, Robert served on the Laguna Niguel City Council, and served as Mayor of Laguna Niguel in 2009 and 2013.

In addition to founding ACC-OC and serving as the Founding President, Robert also chaired ACC-OC’s Pension Reform Committee, Legislative Committee, and Economic Development and Jobs Creation Committee. Beyond his mentorship and development of newly elected leaders, Robert will be remembered for his exemplary leadership in respectfully discussing different opinions to reach the optimal decision, an important attribute in public policy making.

-Mayor Elaine Genneway, Laguna Niguel, ACC-OC Legislative and Regulatory Committee Chair