The City Council is comprised of five Aliso Viejo residents elected at large serving alternating four-year terms. The City Council selects a Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem annually in December. The Mayor chairs the City Council meetings and represents the City at public functions. The Mayor Pro Tem serves in the Mayor’s absence. The City Council Members do not keep regular ofice hours. Click here for their individual bios. As a general law city, the City Council is responsible for making policy decisions subject to the laws of the State of California. It also represents the City with participation on other regional boards, commissions and public benefit agencies.
The City Manager is responsible for making recommendations regarding policies and procedures to the City Council and implementing them as adopted. The City Manager serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the City and is responsible for daily operations at City Hall.
Main areas of responsibility include:
Oversee Annual Operating Budget & Capital Improvement Program
The Assistant to the City Manager/City Clerk is responsible for meeting the many legally mandated requirements defined by State law and the Municipal Code.
Primary areas of responsibility include:
Assists the City Manager with projects and operations
City Council Agendas and Minutes
City Hall reception and public information
Custodian of public records and the Municipal Code
Centralized Records Management Program
Voter registration, FPPC (www.fppc.ca.gov) and election information (www.ss.ca.gov)
The Finance Department manages and maintains the financial assets and records of the City in conformance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and with State and Federal laws. The department also develops and maintains effective financial planning in order to assist other departments and the City in achieving their goals and objectives to benefit the community. The Financial Services Manager serves as the City Treasurer, serves as the custodian of City funds, and is responsible for the investment of City funds in cooperation with the City Council.
Primary areas of responsibility are:
Coordination of the City’s purchasing functions
Coordination of Annual Budget preparation. (click to budget)
The City Attorney provides legal services to the City Council, City Departments, and City committees. The City Attorney is responsible for the preparation and review of all City ordinances, resolutions, contracts, agreements and other legal documents. The City Attorney also represents the City in litigation matters involving the City. The City of Aliso Viejo contracts with the law firm of Best Best & Krieger LLP for City Attorney services.
The Community Services 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 partnerships with the community.
Primary responsibilities include:
City Parks and Recreation
Community Events
Management of Family Resource Center
Family and Youth Excursions & Programs
Kid’s Town – drop-in summer camp and after-school homework club
Community Assistance Grant Program
Maintenance of City’s website
Public Information material
Landscape maintenance of medians, slopes and the majority of community parks within the City are administered through the Aliso Viejo Community Association (AVCA). They are located at 81 Columbia in Aliso Viejo. For additional information regarding other AVCA responsibilities and activities, please contact the General Manager at (949) 362-5890 or visit their website at
www.avca.net.
These services include storm water drainage, street maintenance and repair, engineering services for public and private development, transportation, and park and facility maintenance.
Main areas of responsibility include:
Management of street sweeping and trash pick-up, solid waste disposal, and recycling contracts
Management of design and construction of major projects
The Planning Department develops and implements programs that guide the City’s growth and development. The Department also preserves and enhances the aesthetic character of the community, and provides staff support for the City’s Development Review Committee and City Council.
Primary areas of responsibility include:
Zoning information and ordinance amendments
Processing of development proposals, site plans & design reviews, environment reviews, sub-divisions, conditional use permits, and variances.
The Building & Safety Department is responsible for reviewing building construction plans for compliance with the Uniform Building Code in order to be assured that all new construction is safe and will be a positive improvement to the community. Building inspectors monitor every construction project to ensure that the construction is “to code”.
The goal of the Code Enforcement Officer is to achieve compliance by practicing best management practices and techniques, seeking voluntary compliance whenever possible with City Codes.
The City of Aliso Viejo contracts with the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner for all Police Services. The Police Services Department is responsible for public safety and general law enforcement.
Specific areas of responsibility include:
Protection of life and property
Traffic enforcement
Patrol Services – vehicle, equestrian, bicycle, and motorcycle
Fire programs and services are provided by the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA). In addition to fire prevention and suppression, many “all-risk” services are offered, meaning that it provides relief for many kinds of emergencies – not just fires. The Fire Authority also works to help people prevent emergencies by supplying useful safety information.
Some of the OCFA programs and services include:
Response for fire emergencies in our homes, schools, churches, hospitals, office buildings, theaters, high-rise structures, and our perimeter wildlands.
Fire investigation and prevention
Emergency medical response for victims of fire, accident or illness
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