Aliso Viejo

Home / Info / Neighborhoods / Aliso Viejo

Aliso Viejo Community Information

"Aliso Viejo is a city in Orange County, California, United States. As of the 2000 census, Aliso Viejo population was 40,166. Aliso Viejo became Orange County's 34th city on July 1, 2001, and has been the only city in Orange County to incorporate since 2000. It borders the cities of Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, and Laguna Woods.

Aliso Viejo had been an unincorporated community since around 1990, when it became Orange County's 34th City on July 1, 2001. Aliso Viejo became a City mainly in response to Aliso Viejo's Cityhood 2000 committee, which was responsible for introducing an initiative onto the ballot for the City's 2001 special election. Voters passed the initiative, making Aliso Viejo officially a City, with 93.3% in favor. [2] The Committee was created by the City's first Mayor, Carmen Vali-Cave, who was the Committee' co-founder and president.

The city is served by Capistrano Unified School District.

The schools that serve the city are:

Elementary
Canyon Vista Elementary School
Don Juan Avila Elementary School
Foxborough Elementary School
Oak Grove Elementary School
Wood Canyon Elementary School

Middle school
Aliso Viejo Middle School
Don Juan Avila Middle School

High school
Aliso Niguel High School

University
Soka University of America"

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliso_Viejo

"City Council
(949) 425-2510 / city-council@cityofalisoviejo.com

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.

Current City Council

City Manager
(949) 425-2510 / city-manager@cityofalisoviejo.com

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.

City Clerk
(949) 425-2505 / city-clerk@cityofalisoviejo.com

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.

City Attorney
(949) 425-2510 / city-attorney@cityofalisoviejo.com

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

Financial Services
(949) 425-2521 / finance@cityofalisoviejo.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 CSMFO and GFOA "Certificate of Achievement for excellence in Financial Reporting" for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for fiscal year 2002, 2003 and 2004.

The Financial Services Manager also serves as the City Treasurer.

Community Services & Special Projects
(949) 425-2550 / communityservices@cityofalisoviejo.com

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.

Planning and Community Development
(949) 425-2525 / planning@cityofalisoviejo.com

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.

Building & Safety
(949) 425-2540 / building@cityofalisoviejo.com

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.

Code Enforcement
(949) 425-2543 / codeenforce@cityofalisoviejo.com

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.

Public Works
(949) 425-2530 / public-works@cityofalisoviejo.com

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.

Public Safety
(949) 425-2562 / policeservices@cityofalisoviejo.com / www.ocsd.org

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 Prevention & Safety

(714) 744-0400 / http://www.OCFA.org

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."

Source: http://ci.aliso-viejo.ca.us/about_us/city_departments.php