In 2022 OCCOG provided a wide range of educational opportunities to its members, implemented a series of programs funded by the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) grant, met organizational goals and implemented the first six months of the strategic plan approved by the Board in June.
OCCOG focuses on providing valuable education opportunities for its members. In 2022 OCCOG offered a number of webinars and trainings. Most of these programs were made possible with funding from the REAP grant.
Technical Assistance and Training
OCCOG hosted the following educational programs and products:
Conversion of Industrial and Commercial Property TAP and report presented by ULI
Community Outreach for Housing Projects presented by Curt Pringle & Associates
A Deep dive Into New Housing Legislation presented by Alishire & Wynder
Three Geospatial Planning and Site Visualization Services Web-based trainings covering dashboard capabilities and experience builder, rezoning workflow and a real-life rezoning exercise presented by
WSP and Esri.Four Housing Orange County videos were released in 2022 to support education and community outreach by jurisdictions. The 2022 videos covered new housing laws, the missing middle, AB 1298 and the affordable housing puzzle. All nine videos in the series can be viewed at www.occog.com/housing.
Strategic Plan Update
After a six-month comprehensive outreach program to collect input from OCCOG Board Members, city managers and member agency planning staff, OCCOG approved a three-year strategic plan in June 2022. The plan Includes five strategic goals: 1) Advocate for Orange County in regional decision-making; 2) Provide a forum for collaboration of elected officials and technical staff in OCCOG’s five policy areas; 3) Educate local, state and federal elected leaders about OCCOG legislative and policy priorities; 4) Provide tools and support to OCCOG member technical staff; and 5) Communicate effectively about OCCOG’s mission, goals, events, actions and positions.
More, Targeted and Member-Focused Communications
Following the approval of the three-year strategic plan, the Board approved an 18-month communication plan in August that outlines the communication activities to support OCCOG’s five strategic goals and includes the development of three new e-newsletters which is the preferred communication tool as reported by OCCOG members during the strategic plan outreach. The three new publications were launched in September. They include “OCCOG Legislative Watch” to report legislative news that impacts Orange County’s jurisdictions in OCCOG’s five policy areas and “Housing for All Bulletin” to include information to help jurisdictions navigate the complicated housing policies with tips, news, case studies and interviews and success stories. The third, “TAC Recap,” expands on the success of “Board Meeting Spotlight” that began in 2021 with a similar email newsletter for OCCOG’s Technical Advisory Committee members provides action items and resources that area announced at the monthly TAC meetings for easy reference. SCAG committee meeting notes were also compiled and made available to members to keep them apprised of SCAG programs, issues and actions.
Additional 2022 accomplishments include:
OCCOG-authored SCAG bylaws change was approved by the SCAG Regional Council, enabling the TCA representative to hold SCAG leadership positions.
As the delegated subregional body for input to SCAG, OCCOG approved the Orange County Projections (OCP) control totals data in October. After approval, OCCOG is charged with submitting the projections to SCAG and advocating for the OCP to be incorporated into the Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) to ensure consistency and uniformity in planning.
Updates to OCCOG’s bylaws were approved. Changes included revision to the definition of “Alternate Board Member”, removal of the Health Care/Hospitality Industry Ex-Official member designation, clarification of who can attend closed sessions, procedures to establish an Executive Committee Committee of the Board and clarified procedures to establish new committees.
The Orange County Data Acquisition Partnership (OCDAP) moved into cycle 2. The project provides aerial imaging to participating agencies and is administered by the County. OCCOG continues to manage the program’s invoicing.
After a year-long study and review, the Regional Governance Analysis report was accepted by the Board in June. The conclusion: OCCOG will work to improve communication and collaboration with SCAG and Regional Councils of Governments to ensure that Orange County has a voice in regional issues.
The OC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce joined OCCOG as Ex-officio member of the Board in October.
In November, the First Annual OCCOG Women’s Luncheon hosted by Chair Wendy Bucknum, and sponsored by Southern California Edison, took place with 45 Orange County women leaders in attendance.
Planning for REAP 2.0 subregional partnership program grant began in 2022 with OCCOG inline to receive $3.245 million to support jurisdictions with the implementation of transformative housing initiatives.
The two-year legislative cycle concluded in December. Click the button below to see the final disposition for the bills Supported and Opposed by OCCOG in 2022.