Association of California Cities, Orange County

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Mission Viejo, CA
Association of California Cities, Orange County

ACC-OC represents the interests of Orange County cities on regional public policy issues.

Our mission at the Association of California Cities – Orange County (ACC-OC) is to provide Orange County’s 34 cities a powerful, regional voice on the public policy issues of today and tomorrow. We achieve this mission through: education that empowers, policy that is collaborative and advocacy that is service-oriented.

09/16/2026

Continuing our 2026 Board of Directors series, we're proud to introduce the Hon. Chad Wanke, Mayor of the City of Placentia.

A lifelong North Orange County resident, Mayor Wanke was first elected as Placentia City Treasurer in 2008 before being elected to the City Council in 2010 and re-elected in 2014, 2018, and 2022. This is his third term as Mayor. He brings extensive private and public sector experience to his role as Mayor. His professional qualifications are focused on land use, water & wastewater, and government affairs. A graduate of Cal State Fullerton, he serves as Principal of Orbis Public Affairs, where he represents and advises public and private organizations with their government relations, permitting, entitlements, and strategic communications.

As an active regional leader, Mayor Wanke has served as Board Chair of the Orange County Sanitation District, Orange County City Selection Committee, and the Orange County Waste Management Commission. He also served on the Board of the Orange County Fire Authority and on the Housing, Community, and Economic Development policy committee. His work is focused on responsible fiscal management, strong local services, building productive relationships with other public agencies, and continued advocacy for the Placentia community.

Stay tuned as we continue introducing the full 2026 Board of Directors.

🔗 Meet the full Board: accoc.org/board-of-directors

📩 Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe to the ACC-OC newsletter at accoc.org.

09/11/2026

Today, our nation pauses in solemn remembrance of the nearly 3,000 lives lost on September 11, 2001, in New York, at the Pentagon, and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Twenty-five years later, we continue to honor their memory. We also honor and remember the firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, and countless others who ran toward danger.

The Association of California Cities – Orange County joins our member cities in observing Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance. We honor those whose lives were taken, the families who continue to carry their loss, and all who answered the call to serve in the years that followed.

We will never forget.

09/09/2026

Across Orange County, firefighters, law enforcement officers, paramedics, EMTs, dispatchers, and lifeguards report for duty knowing the call could come at any moment.

As we mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, we want to thank the public safety professionals who serve our cities every day. Much of the work goes unseen. The calls that end well, the emergencies prevented, the neighbors helped on the hardest day of their lives.

To every first responder across our member cities, thank you. Your service protects the communities we all call home.

09/08/2026

ACC-OC staff members Kathryn Morrison, Director of Member Services, and Wendy Strack, Director of Legislative Affairs, attended the 2026 Los Alamitos Mayor's Ball, "Capital Chic," alongside several ACC-OC Board members and leaders, including First Vice President and Laguna Hills Council Member Hon. Joshua Sweeney, Legislative & Regulatory Committee Chair and Mission Viejo Council Member Hon. Bob Ruesch, Emeritus Chair Al Murray, and Board Member Alberto Sandoval of the University of California, Irvine.

The evening celebrated and supported ACC-OC Board President and Los Alamitos Mayor Hon. Tanya Doby while benefiting the Los Alamitos Community Foundation. Presented by Universal Waste Systems (UWS), the inaugural event brought together elected officials, business leaders, residents, and community partners for an evening of civic celebration.

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!

Today, we recognize the dedication and contributions of workers across Orange County and throughout our communities. Your hard work, service, and commitment help strengthen our local economy and make our region a great place to live, work, and thrive.

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable Labor Day! 🇺🇸

09/04/2026

This week's affiliate member spotlight goes to the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) and the Orange County Water District (OCWD), co-hosts of the 18th Annual OC Water Summit on September 25 at the Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. Secure your seat at one of Southern California's premier water policy events! Individual tickets are now available.

Join more than 300 business leaders, elected officials, academics, and water professionals for timely conversations about the future of water reliability, infrastructure, and sustainability. Register today to connect with regional leaders, gain valuable insights, and be part of the discussions shaping Southern California's water future.

🔗 Register at ocwatersummit.com

09/02/2026

ACC-OC's Transportation and Infrastructure Committee recently hosted a Better Opportunity for Learning and Development (BOLD) Program Executive Briefing and tour with the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA).

Attendees received an inside look at TCA's role in Orange County's transportation network, including updates on capital programs, toll operations, regional partnerships, and the agency's long-term strategic priorities. The program also included a tour of the Tomato Springs Toll Plaza, where participants saw TCA's toll technology firsthand and learned about potential reuse opportunities for decommissioned toll plazas.

A special thank you to TCA for hosting ACC-OC and to the speakers for sharing their leadership, expertise, and insights: Mission Viejo Council Member Trish Kelley, Chair of the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA); Laguna Niguel Council Member Stephanie Oddo, Chair of the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency (SJHTCA); and Ryan Chamberlain, TCA Chief Executive Officer and ACC-OC Board Member.

We appreciate TCA and its leadership for providing our members with an informative, firsthand look at the infrastructure, technology, and regional partnerships helping shape the future of mobility across Orange County.

08/27/2026

Affiliate Member Spotlight: The 2026 State of OC San (Orange County Sanitation District) will take place on Friday, September 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at OC San's Headquarters in Fountain Valley. At the event, OC San will highlight past successes and showcase upcoming goals.

📅 Friday, September 18 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
📍 OC San Headquarters, Fountain Valley

Attendees at the event will include state and federal legislative officials, local elected officials, city officials, past Board members, representatives from local municipalities, and area business officials.

08/26/2026

We're excited to welcome three new ACC-OC affiliate members: the Orange County Women's Business Chamber, the Pacific West Association of REALTORS, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

Each brings a unique perspective to our network, from championing women in business to advancing the real estate profession to fighting food insecurity across our county.

Welcome to ACC-OC, and thank you for helping us keep OC in LOCal Government.

08/25/2026

On Monday, August 17, ACC-OC, in partnership with the Orange County Sports Commission and Orange County Business Council, hosted a regional stakeholder roundtable with California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Chief Deputy State Treasurer Patrick Henning, and Deputy Treasurer Khaim Morton at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library.

ACC-OC extends our sincere thanks to Treasurer Ma, Chief Deputy Treasurer Henning, and Deputy Treasurer Morton for their time, insights, and continued engagement with Orange County leaders. We also thank the regional partners and stakeholders who joined us and contributed to this important discussion.

The roundtable provided an opportunity for leaders across the region to discuss Orange County's preparation for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with a focus on economic development and fan-based events, transportation, and security.

We appreciate everyone who participated and shared their perspectives, and we look forward to continuing these conversations to help Orange County maximize the opportunities surrounding LA28 and create a lasting regional legacy.

08/24/2026

Rounding out our elected officials on the 2026 Board of Directors, we're proud to introduce Hon. Robyn Grant, Council Member for the City of Newport Beach and our 5th District Representative.

Elected to the Newport Beach City Council in November 2022, Council Member Grant represents District 4 and brings a strong legal and business background to local government. A USC-educated attorney specializing in real estate and environmental law with a bachelor's degree from UCLA, she is also a business owner who has instructed college courses in Business Law and Business Ethics.

A Newport Beach resident for four decades, she has served the city in many capacities before her election, including two terms on the Civil Service Board as the Police and Fire Associations’ representative, along with appointments to the Library Board of Trustees and the City Arts Commission. She has also served on the boards of several nonprofits, including Speak Up Newport, Friends of Newport Beach Animal Shelter, Leadership Tomorrow, and the Pacific Symphony.

Her priorities on the Council center on fiscal prosperity, strong police and fire services, increasing resident participation, protecting the city's natural environment, harbor, and beaches, and supporting a robust business community.

Stay tuned as we continue introducing the full 2026 Board of Directors.

🔗 Meet the full Board: accoc.org/board-of-directors

📩 Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe to the ACC-OC newsletter at accoc.org.

08/21/2026

ACC-OC member city Laguna Niguel is closing out summer in style with its annual Sea Country Festival, running Friday, August 21, through Sunday, August 23, along Aliso Creek Road. Hosted by the City's Parks and Recreation Department, the three-day festival is one of Laguna Niguel's biggest community traditions, and this year it moves to a new location between Alicia Parkway and La Paz Road.

Entry is free, with carnival rides, games, community booths, live music, and food vendors filling the weekend. Whether you're coming for the rides, the local makers, or just a summer evening with neighbors, there's something for everyone across all three days.

📅 Friday, August 21, 5-10 PM | Saturday, August 22, 2-10 PM | Sunday, August 23, 2-9 PM
📍 Aliso Creek Road between Alicia Parkway and La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel
🔗 cityoflagunaniguel.org/festival

📩 Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe to the ACC-OC newsletter at accoc.org.

08/19/2026

ACC-OC's Director of Member Services, Kathryn Morrison, attended the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce's annual State of the County Luncheon on August 7. The event brought together Orange County elected officials, public sector leaders, business professionals, and community members to discuss the issues shaping the county.

The program featured Orange County Supervisors Don Wagner and Katrina Foley, along with UCI School of Social Ecology Dean Jon Gould. Through presentations and discussion, the luncheon explored Orange County's past, present, and future, including issues related to opportunity, mobility, and civic life in a changing community.

08/18/2026

ACC-OC’s Annual Summer Reception & Non-Profit Expo brought Orange County together for an evening of connection, collaboration, and community at Wild Rivers! 🌊☀️

A special thank you to Irvine Vice Mayor James Mai, Chair of ACC-OC’s Economic Development & Tourism Committee, and Los Alamitos Mayor Tanya Doby, ACC-OC Board President, for welcoming attendees and highlighting the importance of regional partnerships and community engagement.

We were also honored to enjoy live music from Diego’s Garage, featuring lead guitarist Darrell Johnson, CEO of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), who helped create a fun and memorable atmosphere throughout the evening.

Thank you to the incredible nonprofit organizations that joined us and shared their important work with attendees:
• CalOptima
• Goodwill of Orange County
• Orange County Conservation Corps
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
• Sustain SoCal

We’re grateful for the elected officials, community leaders, nonprofit partners, and families who joined us to celebrate the partnerships, leadership, and sense of community that make Orange County such a special place. We look forward to seeing you at our next ACC-OC event! 🤝

08/17/2026

ACC-OC affiliate member Santa Margarita Water District has released its 2026 Water Quality Report, and the results speak to the work happening behind the scenes to keep safe, reliable drinking water flowing to communities across South Orange County, including ACC-OC member cities Mission Viejo, San Clemente, and San Juan Capistrano.

The report, which summarizes water quality testing conducted throughout 2025, highlights the scale of that effort:

💧 More than 9 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water delivered each year
💧 More than 30,000 water quality tests completed by SMWD's certified laboratory for regulated contaminants and water quality indicators
💧 Drinking water that met or surpassed all federal and state standards

Water quality is monitored continuously from source to tap, with detailed information in the report about where drinking water comes from and how it is protected. It's the kind of essential, everyday infrastructure work that residents rarely see but depend on constantly.

Read the full report at smwd.com/2026WaterQuality.

📩 Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe to the ACC-OC newsletter at accoc.org.

08/12/2026

Director of Communications Marlene Barraza represented ACC-OC at the Irvine Chamber of Commerce's Leaders Circle Reception, an exclusive gathering of Orange County business leaders, elected officials, and community partners focused on strengthening connections and discussing the region's economic future.

The event featured Cityside Fiber, an Irvine-based fiber internet provider, which shared updates on its partnership with the City of Irvine. The company highlighted its $50 million investment to expand 100% fiber-optic internet service to underserved homes and businesses while enhancing connectivity for City facilities. The initiative represents a significant infrastructure investment that will support Irvine's continued growth and innovation.

The reception provided a valuable opportunity to connect with regional leaders, learn about major community initiatives, and strengthen relationships with organizations helping shape Orange County's economic future.

08/10/2026

ACC-OC Board President Hon. Tanya Doby, Mayor of Los Alamitos, is hosting the city's inaugural Mayor's Ball, "Capital Chic," on Saturday, August 22 at the Los Alamitos Community Center. Presented by Universal Waste Systems, the evening benefits the Los Alamitos Community Foundation and brings together residents, business leaders, elected officials, and community partners for a night of style, entertainment, and civic celebration.

The evening begins with a cocktail hour at 5:30 PM, followed by dinner and program at 6:45 PM and dancing at 8 PM. Cocktail attire encouraged.

📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 5:30 PM
📍 Los Alamitos Community Center, 10911 Oak Street, Los Alamitos
🔗 losalmayorsball2026.eventbrite.com

📩 Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe to the ACC-OC newsletter at accoc.org.

Address

200 Civic Center Drive
Mission Viejo, CA
92691

Website

http://www.accoc.org/

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