Notable Items on the City Council Agenda for February 28, 2023
The next meeting of the City of Irvine City Council is Tuesday February 28, 2023 at 4:00. Here are a few highlights from that agenda:
Closed Session
Item 1.1 – Public Employee Appointment: Director of Community Services
Item 1.2 – Public Employee Appointment: Director of Project Delivery and Sustainability
Consent Calendar
Item 3.4 – Intent to Withdraw from the Orange County Public Library System
According to the staff report, Irvine provides $17 million a year of our property tax revenue to support the Orange County Public Library (OCPL) system and Irvine is the single largest city contributor, making up 28% of the OCPL annual budget, but Irvine accounts for only 11% of the OCPL’s library space. The staff report reads, “…by issuing the letter of intent, the City will be able to reengage in negotiations with the County regarding the terms of a possible withdrawal.”
Hearings
Item 4.2 – Home Investment Partnerships – American Rescue Plan (Home-ARP) Allocation Plan to Address Housing and Homelessness
The staff report states that are 60 unsheltered people in Irvine and that there are 18,620 households at risk of homelessness in the city, with “…7,520 households, at the greatest risk of homelessness due to severe housing cost burden (paying 50% or more of income on rent.)”
The city conducted a gap analysis and found the need for:
- 60 shelter beds
- 11,630 tenant-based rental assistance vouchers
- 12,556 rental units available to households earning less than 30% of AMI
- 2,135 rental units available to households earning between 31% and 50% of AMI
- 921 permanent supportive housing units for people with disabilities and/or experiencing chronic homelessness
The total amount of HOME-ARP funds available is $3,524,291. The staff recommendation is to spend $2,995,647 on affordable rental units and $527,291 on administration and planning. No funds are proposed for the identified need for shelter beds or permanent supportive housing units.
Council Business
Item 5.3 – Consideration of a Request by Mayor Khan for an Update on the Cool Irvine Block Program
City staff will provide a presentation and the council will consider the Mayor’s proposal to allocate some of the $1 million in the American Rescue Plan’s (ARP) environmental spending category to the Cool Irvine Block Program.
Item 5.4 – Dedication of a Memorial to the Armenian Genocide at Great Park
The staff report reads, “On February 10, 2023, Vice Mayor Kim requested that the City Council discuss and consider the dedication of a memorial to the Armenian Genocide within Great Park…staff has identified a potential location for the proposed memorial in the forested area adjacent to the future Great Meadow. Should the City Council decide to pursue this memorial, staff will coordinate with members of the local Armenian-American community to refine a conceptual design and prepare construction cost estimates.”
Item 5.5 – Consideration of a Request by Councilmember Carroll Regarding the City of Irvine’s Continued Participation in the Orange County Power Authority.
The City Council will discuss recent changes at the Orange County Power Authority and if the city should continue to consider leaving the OCPA.
How to Participate
Members of the public can attend City Council meetings in person at Irvine City Hall and make public comments. If you are not able to attend in person, you can view City Council meetings on Cox Communications Local Access Channel 30 and U-Verse Channel 99. In addition, City Council meetings are available via live webcast or replayed at the City’s webpage at cityofirvine.org/ictv. You may submit comments on any item in writing by email to [email protected]; or through e-comment at cityofirvine.org/ictv. You may also provide live comments via Zoom.
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