CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING

MINUTES

CITY COUNCIL

# ADJOURNED REGULAR

MEETING

# January 28, 2025

City Council Chamber 1 Civic Center Plaza Irvine, CA 92606

## CALL TO ORDER

The adjourned regular meeting of the Irvine City Council was called to order at 5:25 p.m. on January 28, 2025, in the City Council Chamber, Irvine Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, California; Mayor Agran presiding.

## ROLL CALL

Present: 6 Councilmember: Mike Carroll Councilmember: William Go Councilmember: Melinda Liu Councilmember: Kathleen Treseder Vice Mayor: James Mai Mayor: Larry Agran

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Vice Mayor Mai led the Pledge of Allegiance

## INVOCATION / LUNAR NEW YEAR

Mayor Agran turned to Councilmembers Liu and Go, as well as Vice Mayor Mai, who introduced individuals from various groups and organizations in traditional dress in celebration of the Lunar New Year, with each sharing their traditions and perspective on the meaning of the Lunar New Year.

* * *

## 1\. PRESENTATIONS

## 1.1 Commend Northwood High School Flag Football Team CIF-SS Division 2 Champions

Mayor Agran introduced coaches and members of the Northwood High School Flag Football Team and presented a commendation in recognition of the team’s recent CIF-SS Division 2 championship.

## 1.2 Irvine Ranch Conservancy

Mayor Agran introduced Michael O’Connell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Irvine Ranch Conservancy, who provided a brief overview of the organization’s mission and programs through its partnership with the City of Irvine.

City Council discussion included: expressing appreciation for IRC’s efforts in preserving open spaces; and inquired about the frequency of Wilderness Access Days.

By consensus, received and filed.

## 1.3 A Report on Irvine's Innovation Economy: Trends and Opportunities

Oliver Chi, City Manager; Pete Carmichael, Assistant City Manager; and Dave Coffaro, President and Chief Executive Officer, Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce, provided an update regarding Irvine’s innovation economy and responded to questions. Hillary Ahluwalia, Assistant to the City Manager, was also available for questions.

Eric Neshanian, Irvine resident, spoke in support of keeping the historical nature of the City intact.

Don Geller, Irvine resident and Finance Commission Chair, expressed appreciation to the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce and spoke in support of commission assistance related to municipal matters.

Im spoke in support of City prioritizing a robust affordable housing plan prior to attracting more innovation businesses and employees.

* * *

City Council discussion included: inquiring about ways to overcome housing affordability issues for lower income workers; noted the importance of enhancing transportation and workforce housing infrastructure; discussed the facilitation of business initiation; and suggested a more in-depth presentation at a future study session.

By consensus, received and filed.

## PUBLIC COMMENTS - NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS

Wing Chow, Irvine resident, wished everyone a happy Chinese New Year and spoke in support of City Council collaboration.

Susan Sayre, Irvine resident, spoke in support of the gas-powered landscaping equipment ban and City grants to make affordable the transition to electric landscaping equipment.

Harvey Liss, Irvine resident, spoke in opposition to Tammy Kim’s candidacy for Council District 5.

Beverly Ulvan spoke in support of relocating homeless individuals to nonprofit organizations and facilities as a method of improving public safety.

Alan Meyerson, Irvine resident, spoke in opposition to Tammy Kim’s candidacy for Council District 5, and questioned whether a freeze on federal grants would impact the City.

Jason Garshfield, Irvine resident, spoke in support of Tammy Kim’s candidacy to represent Council District 5 and spoke in opposition to the lack of traffic safety measures by Irvine Company at one of its properties following a fatal incident.

Mecca McFadden, Policy Fellow in the Office of Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, provided an update on Supervisor Foley’s policy and governmental initiatives.

Carol L. spoke in support of reading aloud the International Holocaust Remembrance Day proclamation and in opposition to the absence of an invitation to Holocaust survivors.

Eric Neshanian, Irvine resident, noted that the Master Plan did not address foreign language signage and spoke in support of by-district selection of commissioners and committee members.

MINUTES

CITY COUNCIL

# ADJOURNED REGULAR

MEETING

# January 28, 2025

City Council Chamber 1 Civic Center Plaza Irvine, CA 92606

## CALL TO ORDER

The adjourned regular meeting of the Irvine City Council was called to order at 5:25 p.m. on January 28, 2025, in the City Council Chamber, Irvine Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, California; Mayor Agran presiding.

## ROLL CALL

Present: 6 Councilmember: Mike Carroll Councilmember: William Go Councilmember: Melinda Liu Councilmember: Kathleen Treseder Vice Mayor: James Mai Mayor: Larry Agran

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Vice Mayor Mai led the Pledge of Allegiance

## INVOCATION / LUNAR NEW YEAR

Mayor Agran turned to Councilmembers Liu and Go, as well as Vice Mayor Mai, who introduced individuals from various groups and organizations in traditional dress in celebration of the Lunar New Year, with each sharing their traditions and perspective on the meaning of the Lunar New Year.

* * *

## 1\. PRESENTATIONS

## 1.1 Commend Northwood High School Flag Football Team CIF-SS Division 2 Champions

Mayor Agran introduced coaches and members of the Northwood High School Flag Football Team and presented a commendation in recognition of the team’s recent CIF-SS Division 2 championship.

## 1.2 Irvine Ranch Conservancy

Mayor Agran introduced Michael O’Connell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Irvine Ranch Conservancy, who provided a brief overview of the organization’s mission and programs through its partnership with the City of Irvine.

City Council discussion included: expressing appreciation for IRC’s efforts in preserving open spaces; and inquired about the frequency of Wilderness Access Days.

By consensus, received and filed.

## 1.3 A Report on Irvine's Innovation Economy: Trends and Opportunities

Oliver Chi, City Manager; Pete Carmichael, Assistant City Manager; and Dave Coffaro, President and Chief Executive Officer, Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce, provided an update regarding Irvine’s innovation economy and responded to questions. Hillary Ahluwalia, Assistant to the City Manager, was also available for questions.

Eric Neshanian, Irvine resident, spoke in support of keeping the historical nature of the City intact.

Don Geller, Irvine resident and Finance Commission Chair, expressed appreciation to the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce and spoke in support of commission assistance related to municipal matters.

Im spoke in support of City prioritizing a robust affordable housing plan prior to attracting more innovation businesses and employees.

* * *

City Council discussion included: inquiring about ways to overcome housing affordability issues for lower income workers; noted the importance of enhancing transportation and workforce housing infrastructure; discussed the facilitation of business initiation; and suggested a more in-depth presentation at a future study session.

By consensus, received and filed.

## PUBLIC COMMENTS - NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS

Wing Chow, Irvine resident, wished everyone a happy Chinese New Year and spoke in support of City Council collaboration.

Susan Sayre, Irvine resident, spoke in support of the gas-powered landscaping equipment ban and City grants to make affordable the transition to electric landscaping equipment.

Harvey Liss, Irvine resident, spoke in opposition to Tammy Kim’s candidacy for Council District 5.

Beverly Ulvan spoke in support of relocating homeless individuals to nonprofit organizations and facilities as a method of improving public safety.

Alan Meyerson, Irvine resident, spoke in opposition to Tammy Kim’s candidacy for Council District 5, and questioned whether a freeze on federal grants would impact the City.

Jason Garshfield, Irvine resident, spoke in support of Tammy Kim’s candidacy to represent Council District 5 and spoke in opposition to the lack of traffic safety measures by Irvine Company at one of its properties following a fatal incident.

Mecca McFadden, Policy Fellow in the Office of Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, provided an update on Supervisor Foley’s policy and governmental initiatives.

Carol L. spoke in support of reading aloud the International Holocaust Remembrance Day proclamation and in opposition to the absence of an invitation to Holocaust survivors.

Eric Neshanian, Irvine resident, noted that the Master Plan did not address foreign language signage and spoke in support of by-district selection of commissioners and committee members.