Greetings from ACC-OC Executive Director, Bruce E. Channing |
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Greetings ACC-OC!
The transition from summer to fall is one of my favorite times of the year. In part because it means the return of college football. Go Trojans! And, while the sun may be setting on summer for us in Orange County, there is still plenty on the horizon with ACC-OC. In case you missed it, we just held our Annual Summer Soiree, which was a stellar event at Lyon Air Museum – the evening gathered together over 200 Orange County elected officials, legislators and private sector leaders for an unforgettable evening on the tarmac.
The success of the Soiree will surely carry on to our upcoming ACC-OC Leadership Conference. We strongly encourage you to join us on September 30th at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach for this one-day conference. It has been specifically curated with you in mind to deliver a high-energy, education-driven and inspirational program. Exclusive training sessions will be offered – do you know what malign foreign influences are targeting elected officials this election season? Are you as a City Leader prepared to handle a mass shooting casualty in your city? By partnering with the OC Sheriff’s Department, the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center and UnitedonGuns (a non-profit that has created a “playbook” to help train and prepare city leaders for mass shooting crises) these timely trainings are sure to add to your knowledge-base as a Public Official.
We will also be hearing from inspirational speakers Scharrell Jackson, Leadership Coach CEO and Dr. Jay Barbuto with CSUF’s Center for Leadership, on topics such as work-life balance and influence strategies, including how to influence people without them hating you! From panels on housing density, to understanding homelessness, there is something for everyone, including an exclusive keynote from retired U.S. Ambassador Gaddi Vasquez who will share perspectives on Orange County from the past and looking toward the future. Sign up today as space is limited!
Keeping with seasonal transitions, our time has also set with Jenn Lowe, ACC-OC Director of External and Legislative Affairs. As she is focused on her work in Wyoming, we certainly wish her the best and will miss her dearly. But as the sun rises again, we are excited to welcome back Kathryn Morrison to assist us with our Member Services. Please join me in welcoming Kathryn.
As always, we thank you for your support of ACC-OC, as even though the seasons change, our dedication to education, policy and collaborative advocacy remains strong as ever.
Regards,
Bruce E. Channing
ACC-OC Executive Director
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Reserve Your Spot Today for ACC-OC's Upcoming Leadership Conference! |
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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 Kosmont Companies.
Kosmont Companies, a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE), is a real estate, financial advisory and economic development services firm offering a full range of services including: real estate and financial advisory, economic development strategies, public / private project transactions, sustainable infrastructure, housing projects, market studies and economic analysis for the public, non-profit and private sectors. Founded in 1986, Kosmont Companies is a nationally recognized expert in economic development, public/private finance and real estate development projects involving government and private sector partnerships.
Recently, their firm Kosmont Transactions, Services, Inc. rebranded with a new name and a new logo and is now Kosmont Financial Services (KFS). They still offer a full range of services to public agencies and private entities that require public finance expertise including financing for projects that advance real estate and economic development programs. KFS’s unique blend of skill, innovation, and hands-on experience in real estate and economic development sets them apart from the crowd. Their Financial Advisory services are not “monoline” or solely finance focused; instead, they tap into a broad array of financing approaches and mechanisms that many public agencies do not always recognize are available to them. Their in-depth, transaction-based expertise, ingenuity, and creativity are the hallmarks of the KFS approach to every assignment. KFS Proudly Welcomes Mr. Julio Morales, Senior Managing Director, Mr. Scott Mitnick, Senior Vice President, Ms. Stephanie Ontiveros, Vice President, and Mr. Gary Graves, Project Analyst. |
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ACC-OC Summer Soiree Huge Success! |
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ACC-OC Members enjoyed a night to remember on August 26th at Lyon Air Museum at the Annual Summer Soiree! Hosted and sponsored by J3Jet, City Elected Officials, County Electeds, State Legislators, and OC Leaders met and mingled on the tarmac of John Wayne Airport and enjoyed exclusive tours of jets both old and new. D.A. Todd Spitzer led the Pledge of Allegiance and U.S. Rep Young Kim gave an invocation. Guests were welcomed by ACC-OC President Janine Heft, Mayor Pro Tem of Laguna Hills, and Executive Director Bruce E. Channing as well as hosts Joe Daichendt, and Alex Wilcox. Additional sponsors included JSX, STA Jet, Jetsetter Magazine and Ferrari of Newport Beach.
With over 200 registered guests, ACC-OC is proud to be able to offer events, such as the Summer Soiree, to give members the chance to meet and collaborate between cities for the benefit of the region.
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Roll out the Red Carpet, it's the ACC-OC Summer Soiree! ACC-OC 1st VP, Councilmember Dave Harrington of Aliso Viejo smiles with his wife, Michelle Harrington and ACC-OC's Kathryn Morrison with her husband, James Morrison. |
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Guests enjoyed exclusive tour of JSX's newest aircraft - the ERJ-145 and Ferraris from Ferrari of Newport Beach. |
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Hosts Joe Daichendt, J3Jet and Alex Wilcox, JSX Jet, smile with a JSX pilot and Congresswoman Young Kim and Supervisor Don Wagner.
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Guests listen to ACC-OC's President Janine Heft, Mayor Pro Tem of Laguna Hills and ACC-OC Executive Director Bruce E. Channing as they welcome everyone to the event. |
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While the newest jets sailed off the tarmac, guests also enjoyed chatting with docents and each other while viewing vintage WWII aircrafts. |
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Lyon Air Museum shines during the golden hour. |
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State Legislature Nears the End of the 2021-2022 Session - An Update from Wendy Strack, ACC-OC Legislative Director |
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As the California nears the end of the current two-year session, August 31st marks the final deadline to pass bills off the floor. As of August 29th, the Legislature still had approximately 525 bills to sort through in the remaining three days of session. After the Legislature adjourns, the Governor will have until September 30th to sign or veto bills.
Two major bills of interest for ACC-OC saw major amendments and developments over the last few days that our members may be interested in. The first one is AB 2011 (Wicks, D-Oakland). This bill establishes by right authority to build affordable housing on sites currently zoned for office, retail, or parking. A similar bill, SB 6 (Caballero, D-Merced), allows for the development of housing on office, retail, or parking sites as an allowable use. Both bills contain differing provisions related to apprenticeship programs, prevailing wages, and healthcare requirements which had the potential to derail both bills. However late last week, an agreement was reached with labor groups that will allow both bills to move forward to the Governor’s desk. ACC-OC holds an oppose position on both bills.
The second bill seeing major changes over the last few days is SB 1338 (Umberg, D-Santa Ana). This bill creates a Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Court system dedicated to managing individuals with serious mental health conditions and substance use disorders leading to homelessness or incarceration. SB 1338 was amended in the closing days of session to address comments noted by ACC-OC and local agencies across the state to consider a phased implementation of the program and to ensure proper funding for counties to implement the bill. Implementation of SB 1338 is now delayed to October 2023, is contingent upon a $57 million initial funding allocation from the Department of Health Care Services (adopted in a budget trailer bill this week), and only applies to seven counties – Glenn, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and the City & County of San Francisco. A second cohort of counties, yet to be determined, would be phased in by December 2024. The State has also committed to work with the first cohort of counties on a more comprehensive funding plan to support full implementation of the bill. ACC-OC has a support position on SB 1338.
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Farewell And Thank You From Jenn Lowe |
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Dear Friends and Colleagues,
For nearly five years, it has been my privilege to represent ACC-OC and to work side-by-side with you. It has been a highlight of my professional career to learn from some of the brightest leaders in Orange County – whether elected, appointed or hired. There are too many to name here, but I would like to thank Heather Stratman, Jen Fitzgerald, Laurie Davies, Janine Heft, Barbara Delgleize and Diane Dixon – these women have all lead ACC-OC in some capacity and have demonstrated what true leadership looks like. I would also like to recognize Bruce Channing, one of my all-time favorite bosses and an example of the very best that OC has to offer.
I grew up in Orange County; my family moved to Huntington Beach when I was five. Some of my fondest memories of OC include watching cattle graze along the 405 in spring; braving the low-lying fog while winding along the 133 on a fall morning; inhaling the scent of bonfires while cruising along PCH on a summer evening; and lingering on that perfectly clear winter morning when the snow-capped mountains and the Pacific Ocean bookend a sky awakened from a storm.
Orange County is special. But in the reality of California, it is often overlooked as a pass-through between San Diego and Los Angeles. The fact that OC politics has historically trended red in a state that is overwhelmingly blue hasn’t helped. It has forced OC leaders to work across the aisle and find policy solutions that solicit compromise from all parties.
This current political climate of extremism is disheartening to someone that believes in public policy and in the goodness of government. I don’t think that government should attempt to solve every societal issue that exists, but I do believe that those who serve (as either elected officials or public servants) do so from a place of honesty and virtue. And I believe this, in large part, because of the opportunity to work with ACC-OC and see it first-hand.
Collaboration, education, and good public policy – all things I love and all things that ACC-OC exemplifies. Thanks to each and every one of you that has enriched my life through your contribution to OC. I really am the lucky one.
With sincere gratitude,
Jenn Lowe
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Track and View Legislation with ACC-OC |
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ACC-OC has added Capitol Track to our website as a resource for members! View, track, and see positions that the Legislative & Regulatory Committee has taken as well as any letters or action alerts that have been sent out.
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Welcome Back to Kathryn Morrison, ACC-OC's Newest Team Member |
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An Army Veteran and a Mother of four, Kathryn Morrison continues to live by its 7 core values, Leadership, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. As the Chief Executive Officer for 38Alpha, she thrives off being the liaison to success for various non-profit organizations, government entities, and small and medium-sized businesses. Kathryn has rejoined the Association of California Cities Orange County to drive Member Services where she will interact with new, existing, and potential members regularly, directing her team on how to enhance membership. Kathryn has been recognized as a 40 under 40 honoree by the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce, recognized as the next generation business leader and advocate who is making strides in their business community in Orange County.
Experienced in government relations within Orange County, Kathryn works closely with local government officials and its staff to support the Orange County Council of Governments in her role as Clerk of the Board/Government Relations for the Orange County Council of Governments.
Through her involvement with Salvation Army, she serves on the Women of Innovation Board. Kathryn is also making an impact at one of Orange County’s most loved non-profit organizations, Working Wardrobes. She sits on the Public Affairs Committee contributing her time to give back to the power of a paycheck.
Kathryn has cultivated enduring relationships throughout her career and believes that community is what makes the economy go around.
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OCBC Announces Nominations for Turning Red Tape Into Red Carpet Awards |
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Nominations are now open for the Orange County Business Council’s Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards! Now in its twelfth year, OCBC’s groundbreaking awards program honors outstanding public agencies for implementing policies and programs that cut through red tape, eliminate barriers to economic growth and open the door to private sector jobs creation. This is the business community’s opportunity to honor your hard work and leadership. Local governments, including cities, the County of Orange, special districts and schools, are encouraged to submit a nomination online HERE.
To learn more about all six award categories, click here. Nominations are due Friday, September 9. The Awards Reception will be held Thursday, November 17 at Andrei’s Restaurant in Irvine.
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August 2022
Wednesday, August 31, 9:00-10:30
ACC-OC Homelessness Committee Meeting - CANCELLED
Chaired by Mayor Barbara Delgleize, Huntington Beach
September 2022
Tuesday, September 13th, 9:00-10:30
ACC-OC Energy, Environment & Water Committee - Virtual
Chaired by Hon. Gene Hernandez, Huntington Beach
Wednesday, September 21st, 12:00-1:30
ACC-OC Board of Directors Meeting
Presided by President Janine Heft, Mayor Pro Tem, Laguna Hills
Thursday, September 22nd, 1:00-2:30
ACC-OC Legislative & Regulatory Committee - Virtual
Chaired by Mayor Elaine Gennawey, Laguna Niguel
Friday, September 30th
ACC-OC Annual Leadership Conference
The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel
Huntington Beach, CA
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Association of California Cities – Orange County
Mission Viejo City Hall
200 Civic Center Drive
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
714-953-1300
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Copyright © 2018 Association of California Cities, Orange County. All Rights Reserved. |
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KEEPING O.C. IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT |
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