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City Departments
(City Hall is open on Monday - Thursday, from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and alternating Fridays from 7:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Click here to view the City Hall Meeting Calendar).
The City Council is the legislative and policy-making body for the City of
Aliso Viejo. Five Council Members are elected at-large for four-year,
staggered terms of office. The Council annually elects one of its members
to serve as Mayor. The Mayor presides over all Council meetings and is the
ceremonial head of the City for official functions.
As Aliso Viejo's elected representatives, the City Council expresses the
values of the electorate in keeping pace with viable community needs and for
establishing the quality of municipal services. The Council determines
service levels and expenditure obligations through the adoption of an annual
budget; authorizes City contracts and expenditures; establishes City service
and operating policies; and adopts such regulatory measures as may be
necessary for the benefit and protection of the community.
Council members also represent the City on various intergovernmental
organizations to achieve governmental cooperation, support legislation, and
create programs that are consistent with the needs of the community.
The City Manager's Office provides for continued administrative direction to
all departments. This office is responsible for the execution of Council
policy and the enforcement of all laws and ordinances.
Under Council's direction, the City Manager implements Council policy. The
City Manager is the director of all City personnel; and as such, the City
Manager establishes and maintains appropriate controls to ensure that all
operating departments adhere to Council and other legally mandated policies
and regulations. The City Manager oversees the preparation of the Annual
Budget and its administration.
Additionally, the City Manager's Office is responsible for the
administration of Human Resources. This includes salary and benefit
administration, as well as review of personnel policies. Administrative and
clerical support to the City Council Members are also provided through this
office.
The City Clerk's Office is the depository for all-official documents and
records. The City Clerk has the statutory duty to record the official
minutes of all City Council meetings; maintains original resolutions and
ordinances and acts as the custodian of the City seal. The Clerk's Office
prepares all necessary documents for public hearings, posts notices and
copies of ordinances as required by law.
This Office assists and supports the public and City departments by making
available the records necessary for the City to advance its administrative,
legal and legislative functions. Additionally, the Clerk is responsible for
municipal elections, maintenance of the Municipal Code, and the records
management system for the City.
In Fiscal Year 2003-04, the positions of the City Clerk and Assistant to the
City Manager were combined. As such, the office assists the City Manager
with policy and operational activities.
The City Attorney acts as the City's legal counsel and prepares resolutions,
ordinances, and agreements. The City Attorney advises the City Council and
staff on all legal matters relating to the operation of the City. This
service is provided through a contract with the law firm of Best Best &
Krieger LLP. www.bbklaw.com
The Financial Services Department administers the financial operations of
the City through Accounting, Treasury, Purchasing, and Payroll functions.
This department is responsible for safeguarding the City's financial assets
through prudent internal control policies; providing responsive accounting
services within Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; and providing
strategic and financial planning support and maintaining budgetary control
over all City funds. The Financial Services Department is responsible for
the safety, liquidity and maximization of the yields of the City's financial
resources in accordance with the City's Investment Policy and for the
preparation and administration of the City's annual budget.
Specific functions include: annual financial report preparation; financial
audits; treasury portfolio administration; ledger reconciliation; receipt,
custody and recordation of all revenues; banking services; accounts payable;
accounts receivable; payroll; fixed assets; budget preparation; maintenance
of the financial system.
The Financial Services Department is the proud recipient of the GFOA "Certificate of Achievement for excellence in Financial Reporting" for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for fiscal years 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
The Director of Financial Services also serves as the City Treasurer.
The Community Services & Special Projects Department serves our diverse
community by enhancing the quality of life through a variety of
recreational, cultural and educational opportunities and maximizes City
resources through collaborative partnerships within the community,
Additionally, the department provides oversight of the use and maintenance
of Iglesia Park, the former Aliso Viejo Ranch site, as well as the the
day-to-day operation of the City's Family Resource Center.
Of the 23 community parks located in the City, only Iglesia Park is owned and managed
by the City. All others are maintained by Aliso Viejo Community Association (AVCA).
Plans for the former AV Ranch site are under consideration by the City Council and
not complete at this time.
Click here for a listing of all community parks in Aliso Viejo.
Special projects include management of the City's website and Enews;
providing support to community groups, organizations, AVCA and Chamber of Commerce
with special events; production of public information material; and
administration of the City Council's Community Grant Program.
The Planning Department provides the community with long and short term
planning in order to coordinate and monitor growth and development. It is
charged with the development and implementation responsibilities of the
General Plan. It prepares and administers the zoning and subdivision
ordinances and reviews development projects for compliance with various
development ordinances. The Planning Department insures that all projects
receive the required environmental review in compliance with CEQA. Further,
it provides technical support to the City Council and the various planning
related committees/commissions.
The Building and Safety Department's mission is to preserve life and
property and protect residents' safety.
In order to ensure the health and the safety of City residents, the Building
and Safety Department earnestly coordinates and enforces all building and
housing regulations established by State and Local Governments. Residents
may obtain building permits, seek answers for questions related to building
and safety issues, and attain copies of building plans through this
Department as well.
The Code Enforcement Department is responsible for investigating complaints
against and enforcing regulations regarding, zoning, signage, public
nuisance, noise, and various other City codes.
The goal of the Code Enforcement Officer is to seek City residents'
voluntary compliance of City Ordinances and procedures in the areas where
other residents' health and welfare are concerned.
The Public Works Department includes the following Divisions:
Engineering (General)
Traffic Engineering
Street Maintenance
The Public Works Department oversees matters relating to City streets, public right-of-ways, City's capital projects, utilities, traffic related issues, solid waste, water quality, storm water conveyance and private developments. The Department coordinates with and provides information to general public, contractors, developers, utility companies, and other public agencies. It coordinates City projects and plans with other governmental agencies to ensure that the City's concerns are addressed (i.e. Orange County Transportation Authority, CalTrans, County of Orange, Moulton Niguel and El Toro Water Districts). Furthermore, it is also responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of all publicly owned properties, including streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, traffic signals, signs, street lights, and storm drains. The Department administers various maintenance contracts to accomplish all field maintenance works.
The Traffic Engineering Division investigates traffic issues by conducting
traffic surveys and studies, and then recommending solutions to the City
Council and the City Manager.
Responsibilities include review and development of City traffic engineering
guidelines and standards, processing citizen concerns related to the
existing circulation system and implementing corrective measures when
appropriate, analyzing traffic collision records to identify accident
patterns and recommending any corrective measures.
The goal of the Traffic Engineering Division is to improve the quality of
life for Aliso Viejo residents by maximizing traffic safety and minimizing
traffic congestion.
The Street Maintenance Division's goals are maintaining a pleasant living
environment for the residents of Aliso Viejo, and providing hazard-free,
safe roadways for motorists, and obstruction-free access for pedestrians.
In order to obtain the above goals, the Street Maintenance Division conducts
inspections of street lights, intersection lights, and traffic controllers,
monitors the City's street sweeping, plus removes debris from the public
right of way, repairs streets and sidewalks.
The Public Safety Department includes the following Divisions:
Law Enforcement
Crime Prevention
Animal Care Services
Emergency Operations Plan
Law Enforcement
The City of Aliso Viejo contracts with the Orange County Sheriff's
Department for law enforcement services. These services include general law
enforcement and traffic safety.
General law enforcement provides an assortment of officers to provide crime
prevention via around-the-clock street patrols, narcotics prevention,
special investigations, and the general enforcement of laws. Traffic safety
provides routine traffic patrol as a means of encouraging motorists and
pedestrians to comply with traffic laws and ordinances and, when necessary,
issues citations and/or warnings for violations. Traffic accidents are
investigated and their circumstances recorded and analyzed. This division
also includes contract services for crossing guards and the administration
of the City's parking citations. www.ocsd.org.
Crime Prevention
Crime Prevention: As a component of Police Services, the Crime Prevention
Specialist's function involves the implementation of proactive Community
Oriented Police programs such as Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch.
Child safety programs, including bicycle rodeos, Walk to School Day events,
and fingerprinting are additional services that are offered to the Aliso
Viejo community.
Animal Care Services
Animal Care Services provides for the care, protection, and control of
animals that stray from their homes or are abused by their owners. This
service, currently under contract with the County of Orange Health Care
Agency, includes pick up of injured wildlife, impounding of stray dogs/cats,
issuance of citations, and the provision of a shelter for homeless animals.
www.ocpetinfo.com
Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
The preservation of life and property is an inherent responsibility of
Local, State, and Federal Governments. The City of Aliso Viejo, therefore,
has prepared a comprehensive planning document, known as the Emergency
Operation Plan, which serves as the basis for the City's emergency
organization and emergency operations. The primary objective of this plan is
to enhance the overall capabilities of government to respond to emergencies.
Fire Protection and Emergency Services are provided by the Orange County
Fire Authority (OCFA). The OCFA was formed in 1995 and is governed by a Board
of Directors comprised of representatives from the cities and unincorporated
communities it protects www.ocfa.org. For inspection services, call (949) 362-4617.
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