The ACC-OC will be leading a delegation of local elected officials, key city staff, and community and business stakeholders to meet with federal lawmakers in Washington D.C. about important issues facing Orange County communities on January 27-29, 2019.  Among the topics to be discussed are sober living homes, homelessness, affordable housing, local funding, cyber security, transportation and water infrastructure, aviation patterns and drones, and cannabis regulation. 

Due to severe weather related to Hurricane Florence, the ACC-OC advocacy trip, previously planned for September 2018 was rescheduled.  Prior to the trip being rescheduled, the City Council had authorized Council Member Bui to participate in the ACC-OC advocacy delegation. Now that the dates have changed, Council Member Bui is no longer available to participate and has requested that Council Member O’Neill attend in his place as the City’s appointed ACC-OC alternate representative.  In addition to addressing the issues mentioned above, Council Member O’Neill will also be advocating for human rights and seeking funding for Garden Grove and Orange County for public safety, infrastructure, and housing.

Pursuant to the City’s expense guidelines and reimbursement policy for City Council Members, expenses for out-of-state travel and expenses in excess of $1,500 require City Council approval. 

The cost to participate in the delegation including related travel and lodging is approximately $1,800.  Funds for this expense will be paid from the current City Council budget. 

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Authorize Council Member O’Neill to particpate in the ACC-OC advocacy delegation in Washington D.C. on January 27-29, 2019, including travel, lodging, food, and other ancillary expenses.