Oct 27th, 2022

Greetings ACC-OC!

Election season is upon us! What a time to be an American and be active participants in our own democracy. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.” I firmly believe that leading and learning are intertwined and ACC-OC provides excellent opportunities for new councilmembers to learn quickly the demands and rigors of good governance. It is up to us to ensure that all locally elected leaders are set to succeed, not for our own hubris or gain, but for the benefit of our individual cities and communities as well as our great region. Upcoming programs like the New Councilmember Orientation and the deep dive of the Robert Ming Public Policymakers Academy ensure that all our leaders are equipped to lead well and wisely.

As Chair of the Energy, Environment, and Water Committee and longstanding ACC-OC Board member, it is my particular pleasure to be able to contribute to the oversight and direction of ACC-OC to ensure not only that we provide top-notch educational opportunities, but also be the regional voice of Orange County. If this is something that speaks to you as well, I invite you, our member city councilmembers, to join us on the ACC-OC 2023 Board of Directors. Working alongside my fellow board members to provide education that empowers, policy development that is collaborative, and advocacy that is service orientated has been a delight of my tenure on the board. I look forward to working with you as well to keep OC in lOCal government!

See you on election day!

Sincerely,

Gene Hernandez

Mayor Pro Tem, City of Yorba Linda

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 Yorba Linda Water District.

In December 2021, Yorba Linda Water District began operating the largest ion exchange PFAS treatment plant to remove per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from local groundwater. Thanks to a partnership with Orange County Water District, the treatment plant was completed timely. As a result, YLWD can source local groundwater for water production and treatment rather than relying on costly imported water

With the onset of the drought, access to groundwater has allowed YLWD to have a reliable water supply and not impose fines or restrictions on water use. The District remains committed to investing in resilient infrastructure to provide customers with safe and clean drinking water. You can learn more about YLWD's response to the drought at ylwd.com/conservation.

On September 30th, over 100 leaders from around Orange County gathered at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach. While jets from the Pacific Airshow roared overhead, attendees spent a day connecting, learning and collaborating on key issues impacting Orange County. Panels on homelessness and housing sparked lively discussion, and while a sober topic, a training on Mass Shooting preparedness gave attendees greater insight on the necessity of preparation in the case of a mass casualty in their community. Inspirational speaker Scharrell Jackson kicked off the day with tools for better work-life balance for leaders, and Dr. Jay Barbuto shared strategies for successful influence.

"All of the panels and discussions were incredibly impactful," said ACC-OC 2nd VP Stephanie Klopfenstein, Garden Grove. "Every session was full of expert information. I learned so much throughout the day and am better equipped as a city leader."

The Lunch with Legislators provided an unique opportunity for state and congressional leadership to meet with members from their districts and enjoy an ocean view luncheon, and the day concluded with a coastal cocktail reception.

Greetings!

My tenure as ACC-OC Executive Director is coming to a close as it is time for me to retire once again! It has been an honor and privilege to serve as the Executive Director for the past three years and am sure the success of the organization will continue long after I am gone. As such, we are formally opening a job search for the Executive Director position and are working with Bob Hall and Associates in filling the position. 

Click HERE to view the job description and brochure.

Interested and eligible applicatants can apply with Bob Hall.

Regards,

Bruce E. Channing

Executive Director, ACC-OC

The City of Irvine is the latest city to join the Orange County Housing Finance Trust. On October 11, 2022, the Irvine City Council unanimously approved the resolution to become the 25^th city to join the Trust. The Trust now represents over 85% of the population in Orange County and the Trust is hopeful that the remaining nine cities will join soon. This regional collaboration strengthens the Trusts ability to obtain new government funding from a variety of sources.