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Politics & Government

Community Association Will Consider Online Clearinghouse

The AVCA met Monday and agreed to "review and consider" participation in the Aliso Viejo Exchange (AVX).

The Aliso Viejo Community Association unanimously voted to review and consider a request from the City of Aliso Viejo to be listed as a participant in the Aliso Viejo Exchange (AVX) program at its monthly meeting Monday at City Hall.

The AVX is an online clearinghouse for individuals and groups who are looking for community service, public service and volunteer opportunities in Aliso Viejo.

The Aliso Viejo City Council approved the proposal for the website in March after receiving seven different offers, and recently , a marketing company, to design, develop and maintain the new program.

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The AVX is expected to be ready for launch in approximately 60 to 90 days upon approval. The cost of the website is $41,500, according to a city report.

However, the project is not without its detractors.

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Some people believe the cost of hosting, updating, upgrading and maintaining the site will end up costing the city, and its taxpayers, much more than the initial investment. Others wonder why the city doesn’t just use the free volunteer section on its own website. And others have suggested that the city join an existing website like Volunteering in America, Volunteer Match or United We Serve, all of which can basically accomplish the same objective.

But the city and Council Member Phil Tsunoda, who came up with the AVX concept, appear ready to make the investment in the program to help local organizations and businesses promote their volunteer opportunities.

 In other AVCA business:

The Board of Directors agreed to move forward with the construction of the proposed dog park and parking lot for the Aliso Canyon Community Park. Mission Landscape of Irvine earlier won the RFP to build the park, which is expected to take approximately 15 months once it has been approved.

Cost of the dog park and parking lot has been set at $261,271.77. The project will be paid through the General Ledger Account No. 2930, Park Improvement Funds, but that amount does not include building permits or plan check fees.

The AVCA board also approved the City’s request to use portions of Grand Park for the filming of the “Lip Dub” video this Sunday (9 a.m.), and to enter into a Limited Use and Maintenance Agreement that would waive the user fee and deposit for use of the park.

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