Tag Archive for 'City of Irvine'

Irvine City Council – July 25, 2011

Published on July 25, 2011 in City Council and City of Irvine. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Tomorrow night will be our next regularly scheduled Council meeting.  You can find the complete agenda here.

As you may recall, we’ve been in closed session negotiations with the Irvine City Employees Association (ICEA) for months now.  The results of those negotiations are now public.  As I’ve said often, I’m not on the City Council to pick fights but I am here to get something done.

I question Irvine’s path:  In a time when the public demands we require our public employees to live more like employees of the private sector — contributing to their own benefits and retiring at a later age — why has the City of Irvine chosen, essentially, to do nothing?

I hope many of you will consider attending the City Council meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26 at City Hall 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine to raise your voice.

It is the job of your city council to protect taxpayer dollars and serve as strong stewards of the public money; I have pledged since the beginning of my term more fiscal responsibility and transparency in Irvine City government with an ongoing focus toward safety and schools.  Ultimately, the City of Irvine has given the Irvine City Employees Association a 1.8% base salary raise in order to “help” them contribute to their retirement and will protect them from layoffs for the next two years.  For future employees, the retirement benefit will be slightly less than today’s employees, and be 2% based on the three-year highest average salary, but the retirement age will be 55.

Are you retiring at 55?  Will you be collecting a pension almost totally paid for by your company?  I am surprised by my colleagues’ decision not to require more of our City employees.  At a time when Irvine families and families everywhere are struggling financially, we should do better by our Irvine taxpayers.

Let me know your thoughts.  Email me at JLalloway@CityofIrvine.org.

Weekend in Irvine – July 15-17

Published on July 15, 2011 in City of Irvine and Events. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

There’s a lot going on in Irvine this weekend.  I hope you’ll take time with your family to enjoy some of these fun activities in this great city!

Moonlit Marshmallows: Join other Irvine families tonight at Turtle Rock Nature Center around the Courtyard Fire Ring for marshmallows from 6 – 7 p.m. and a second session from 7 – 8 p.m.  Nothing says summer like a campout around a fire.  Bring a flashlight and dress warmly!  The Nature Center is located at 1 Sunnyhill Dr in Irvine, 92612.  Cost is $3.  Open to all ages.  Register here.

Bommer Canyon Family Campout: Gather your family, a tent and some sleeping bags and come on down to Irvine’s outback in the mystic Bommer Canyon Cattle Camp.  This exciting camping experience includes a BBQ dinner, a light breakfast, hikes, games, crafts, campfire fun and more! An adult must accompany children under 18.  4 p.m. – 10 a.m. July 16-17.  More info: 949-724-6738. 
 

Farmer’s Market at the Great Park:  Sundays from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.  Open Rain or Shine. Free Parking and Admission. Shop for a variety of fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables, breads, flowers and plants, and other items from local artisans. Breakfast and lunch are also available for purchase.  Get more information here.

City Council – July 12, 2011

Published on July 12, 2011 in City Council, City of Irvine and Events. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

I had the honor of introducing State Assemblyman Don Wagner at a community coffee on Saturday.  It is always a privilege to participate in events like these with honest, open dialog with local residents.

My family and I also enjoyed an afternoon of fun at the Orange County Great Park on Saturday.  I recommend the orange sorbet!

Tonight is our next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.  (See the full agenda here.)  One item in particular I’d like to draw your attention to is Item 2.7 – Establishment of a Local Vendor Preference for the Procurement of Supplies and Equipment. 

Since these business friendly items first came to Council last Spring, I’ve been a huge proponent of these initiatives to make the City of Irvine even friendlier to business.  This ordinance will give preference during the competitive bidding process to local vendors who have a physical location in the City of Irvine.  

Local businesses will be given a 5% price advantage in the evaluation of the total bid price, or $2000, whichever is lower, for the purpose of determining the lowest bid.  This is good news! 

We want to encourage and stimulate our local economy to grow, and I am excited about this effort to reward local businesses for competing for City projects.  Look for more business friendly initiatives to come in the near future!

Irvine and the Great Park – July 8, 2011

Published on July 8, 2011 in City Council and City of Irvine. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Chair Beth Krom, of the Orange County Great Park Board of Directors Corporation, yesterday offered her “State of the Park” speech on the sixth official anniversary with a rosy view of the Great Park and its development.  I responded with my own State of the Park:

Be certain, I want to see the Great Park built.  A diverse, metropolitan facility like what is envisioned would be a true treasure for our city and the entire County.  It’s an exciting prospect.

But if we’re ever going to see that dream become a reality, we have to sharpen our focus, tighten our budget and start getting it done.  This is a project 10 years in the making with $200 million spent.

Yet there’s very little out there and still a whole lot of planning and studying going on.  Our first priority should be actual construction of the Great Park.

When I campaigned for Irvine City Council, I promised Irvine residents I would raise my voice to end backroom agreements and sweetheart deals.  Every bid should be competitive; every dollar spent wisely and well.

I am sorry to say that is not yet the case at the Orange County Great Park.  I want to see this park finally built but with taxpayers’ best interests in mind.  We’ve got a long way to go.

Join Me in Irvine for 4th of July!

Published on July 1, 2011 in City of Irvine and Events. 0 Comments Tags: , .

It’s time again for the Irvine Police Association’s 27th Annual Concert on the Green and Fireworks Festival at Irvine Stadium (adjacent to Irvine High School). 

Gates open at 3 p.m. on Monday, July 4 where attendees can enjoy live music by the Derek Bordeaux Group, Kid’s activities – including field games, prizes and bounce houses, a presentation of the colors by the Irvine Police Department Color Guard, and a pyro musical sky concert and fireworks extravaganza by Pyro Spectaculars.  Food will be available for purchase

Adults are $12, Seniors $8, Children $8 (under 2 FREE).  Family tickets for two adults and up to four children are $40; must be purchased in advance.  For ticket information, call 949-724-0488.

My family and I will be there enjoying the fun and festivities!  Come by and say “hi.”  Look forward to seeing you there. 

Council Meeting Tonight – June 28, 2011

Published on June 28, 2011 in City Council and City of Irvine. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

First, I’d like to thank Erin Runnion and her organization The Joyful Child Foundation-In Memory of Samantha Runnion for hosting the Irvine Child Safety Fair this past Saturday.  It was a tremendous event to make our residents more aware of what we need to do to keep our children and families safe. 

I was delighted to share in the event with Erin Runnion, IUSD Board Member Carolyn McInerney, former OC Superivsor and author of Megan’s Law on the Internet Todd Spitzer, and Assemblyman Don Wagner.

There are a number of important items on the City Council agenda tonight:  While I’m not free to discuss closed session items, I can tell you that we continue our negotiations with the public labor unions in Irvine tonight.  We will also again be looking at renewing the contract of the CEO of the Orange County Great Park, Mike Ellzey; I continue to watch efforts there very closely, as I am concerned about too much money being spent and not enough being done.

In a bit of good news tonight, though, we’ll be considering one of the business friendly initiatives the Irvine Chamber of Commerce helped to develop in partnership with the City to establish a local vendor preference for the procurement of supplies and equipment by the City.  I am excited about efforts we can support in Irvine to be a better friend to Irvine businesses.

Please join me at tonight’s City Council meeting.  Raising your voice helps create change:  City Council Meeting, Tuesday at 4 p.m., 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine.

Join Me in Irvine this Weekend!

Published on June 24, 2011 in City of Irvine and Events. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

On Saturday, June 25, The Joyful Child Foundation hosts an Irvine Child Safety Fair with Irvine Councilman Jeffrey Lalloway, Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) Board Member Carolyn McInerney and former Orange County Supervisor and author of Megan’s Law on the Internet Todd Spitzer. The Fair runs from 9 a.m. – 12 noon at Canyon View Elementary School at 12025 Yale Court in Irvine.  It’s a fun and informative, FREE event for the whole family.

Also participating in the Irvine Child Safety Fair are Boys Town, The National Children’s Study at UC Irvine, The RAISE Foundation, Behavioral Consultants Network, Spectrum Infant and Toddlers Montessori, Farmers Insurance. Team Kids and the Irvine Police Department (IPD). Farmers Insurance provides Family Safety and Identification kits to all attendees.  IPD has its D.A.R.E. vehicle on-hand, provides “Passport to Safety” kits and sneak peeks of a real IPD squad car.  A face painter is also on hand.

The Child Safety Fair includes a program at 10 a.m. with welcoming remarks from officials, and a child safety demonstration.  From 9 a.m. – 12 noon booths with information on other child safety organizations, face painting, emergency vehicles and more are available to attendees.  PLEASE JOIN US!

Also this weekend, I have the honor of throwing out the first pitch at the Irvine Police Department - Orange County Fire Authority Softball Game and BBQ – benefiting Team Kids — on Sunday, June 26 at 1:45 at Irvine’s Col. Bill Barber Field.  Come cheer on our Police and Firefighters, bring food for Families Forward, and enjoy a BBQ (prepared by pubic safety partners) to support Team Kids!

Irvine Residents Engage

Published on June 21, 2011 in City Council and City of Irvine. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

A series of interesting reports were produced by the Orange County Grand Jury recently, as they looked at local governments’ — special districts and cities — pay, benefits and what could work better.  This issue is important to me, and it is one area where I’ve chosen to lead by example.  When I was first elected Councilman, I declined to accept the auto allowance, pension and health insurance available to all of Irvine’s part-time Councilmembers.

Irvine is fortunate to have great staff here keeping our city safe and our infrastructure well maintained.  I am pleased that fact is recognized by OC Register staff and at the Irvine World News.  (See full stories by clicking on the links here: Public Apathy Recipe for Disaster, In OC City Pay Can Be Steep, but It’s not Abusive, Grand Jury Looks at City Leaders Compensation)

But one solution the Grand Jury proposes, is one in which I believe so strongly — and that’s that public apathy can lead to disaster.  The reason I first started this blog, my monthly newsletters, my calls to constituents, my regional issue letters is to get Irvine residents and businesses more engaged in what’s happening in Irvine City Hall.

It matters.  If we don’t have the funds to pay our bills, the quality of life we’ve all come to cherish and expect in Irvine will change drastically.  Thank you for reading my blogs and answering my letters and taking my calls; I need to hear from you in order to represent you better.

Happy Father’s Day!

Published on June 19, 2011 in City of Irvine. 0 Comments Tags: , .

To all those important, involved and supportive Dads out there, I hope you take today to spend treasured time with your family and loved ones.

Our families make Irvine the strong community that it is.  Thank you to the Fathers who make families and community a priority!

My Father’s Day will be spent with my lovely wife, Laura, and two adorable daughters, Regan and Sydney. 

Happy Father’s Day!

Irvine City Council June 16, 2011

Published on June 16, 2011 in City Council and City of Irvine. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

It was a long, emotional night at the Irvine Council meeting Tuesday night.  After staff presentations, I was proud to vote to approve the Budget for the City of Irvine.  We are fortunate in Irvine to be in a better economic place than so many cities — protecting our high quality services without increasing taxes or fees. 

As you all know, I regularly ask questions, however, about how dollars are being spent at the Great Park — as planning continues and building lags.  I am grateful to my colleagues for pulling the Great Park Budget out of the City of Irvine’s Budget.  My colleague Councilman Choi and I both voted no on the Great Park Budget.  I want to get the Great Park built but not on the backs fo taxpayers.

Also Tuesday night was very moving testimony from people in our community who have been victims of the worst kinds of crime — sex crimes — that leave individuals scarred forever.  I cannot thank these individuals enough for sharing their deeply personal, clearly painful stories with Irvine officials.  Thank you Erin Runnion of The Joyful Child Foundation.  Thank youEric Turkel of Divine Choices.  Thank you Dawn Foor of Sexual Assault Victim Services.  Thank you Elaina Kroll of The Innocent Mission.  Thank you Kelly Hagin.

District Attorney Tony Rackauckas and Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson also shared why an ordinance that bans convicted sex offenders from Irvine’s City parks and playgrounds makes sense — especially now that Orange County has passed such an ordinance for County facilities and numerous other Cities are following suit.

The Irvine City Council didn’t go far enough, and for that, I’m disappointed.  We did, however, pass an ordinance that will make it more difficult for some convicted sex offenders to hang out in our parks and plagrounds, and I am proud of that.  The effort by so many in this community to raise their voices and work together to keep Irvine America’s Safest City will forever be a special moment for me.  You can find links to the coverage of this issue below:

Channel 7 News 

Daily Pilot

Orange County Register

This Week in Irvine June 13, 2011

Published on June 13, 2011 in City Council, City of Irvine and Events. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

I hope many of you got out and enjoyed the beautiful weather and supported a couple of great causes this weekend!  The Irvine Animal Care Shelter’s 5th Annual Super Pet Adoption on Saturday, June 11 from 10 -4 was a HUGE success.  If you missed your opportunity, please visit 6443 Oak Canyon Road in Irvine – or click here – and consider adding a new member to your family.

The Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee also held a fantastic car wash fundraiser this past weekend.  It’s a great organization and one I hope you’ll consider supporting in the future:  The Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee accepts donations to help underwrite the cost of supporting Marines and their families.  See www.irvine211marines.org for more information.

I have a couple of events of my own coming up that I hope you’ll mark on your calendars.  This Thursday morning, June 16 at 7:30 a.m. I have the honor of being the speaker for the Morning Buzz at the Irvine Chamber of Commerce.  Taking place at Oak Creek Country Club, you can find more information here.  Join me!

And on Saturday, June 25, I’m proud to participate with The Joyful Child Foundation — Erin Runnion’s amazing child safety education organization — and IUSD Board Member Carolyn McInerney and former OC Supervisor and Megan’s Law Author Todd Spitzer in and Irvine Child Safety Fair at Canyon View Elementary from 9-12 noon.  Irvine is America’s Safest City, but we need to always be vigilant — with new safety laws and consistent community education.  Please join me for this fun and educational day.

Finally, our next regularly schedule Irvine City Council meeting is tomorrow night, June 14, at 5 p.m.  The creation if Irvine Child Safety Zones — being considered at my direction — will be back before the City Council.  I continue to maintain if we prohibit convicted sex offenders from living near schools, why would we allow them to loiter in our parks and playgrounds where children often gather unsupervised?  Please come to City Hall tomorrow night and make your voice heard.

Irvine Update June 8, 2011

Published on June 8, 2011 in City Council and City of Irvine. 0 Comments Tags: .

Busy weekend with a Voter Registration drive in Irvine Saturday.  I was delighted to have Assemblyman Don Wagner there with me to thank and encourage volunteers.  Send me a note to find out how you can get involved in our next drive!

Huge congratulations to Irvine’s Scholar Athletes!  See full story by clicking here. 

There’s a lot going on in Irvine this week – please support the Irvine Police Department in its annual fundraiser for the Special Olympics.  Dine out from 5 – 9 p.m. at Red Robin, Javier’s or Ruby’s Diner all at the Irvine Spectrum.  For more information, click here.

Irvine June 2, 2011

Published on June 2, 2011 in City of Irvine and Events. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Thank you to all of those who joined me in honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect each of us and this nation.  It was a moving ceremony in Irvine on Monday, and I was pleased to have the opportunity to spend the day honoring our nation’s heroes with my family.

This Saturday morning at 9, I will be at Irvine Vally College for the Relay for Life.  (For more information, click here.)  Teams have raised over $50,000 so far.  Please join me!  Later that day, I’ll be joining efforts to increase Voter Registration in the City of Irvine.  Please make sure you and your loved ones, friends and neighbors, register to vote and exercise that privilege.  If you want to help me get more people registered in Irvine, shoot me an email.  I’ll be happy to tell you how you can help!

Memorial Day 2011 – Please Join Me

Published on May 29, 2011 in City Council, City of Irvine and Events. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Memorial Day is a time of remembrance; a time for Americans to honor those who have given their lives while defending our nation. On Monday, May 30, the City of Irvine will pay tribute to fallen military service members during a Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park.

Attendees will have the opportunity to memorialize our troops’ sacrifice by writing down a brief remembrance to be posted on a memory board. Cards will also be available for well-wishers to send a message of appreciation and support to Irvine’s adopted 2/11 Marine Battalion.

For more information, call 949-724-6606 or click here to download a pre-made remembrance card for the event. Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park is located at 4 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine. Guests are encouraged to park in the lot at Harvard Avenue and San Juan Street.

Contracts & Great Park – May 25, 2011

Published on May 26, 2011 in City Council and City of Irvine. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

I really do want to see the Great Park built.  I’m excited for what it could mean for the City of Irvine and our County.  But I cannot vote to knowingly waste taxpayer dollars on my watch.

When I campaigned for Irvine City Council, I talked a lot about the need for transparency, accountability and fiscal responsbility.  I agreed to do what I could to keep Irvine’s schools number one, and our city Amercia’s Safest.  But there was one more item I talked a lot about during my campaign — the Great Park.  I promised to help find a way to get the Great Park built. 

With over $120 million spent, supporting two no bid contracts for work at the Great Park is just not the right way to go.  I am sorry that only Councilman Choi and I voted NOT to approve a no-bid contract at over $300,000 a year for a San Francisco firm to help plan the Great Park and a no-bid contract to re-hire a retired Irvine employee for a double-dip salary of over $300,000.  (See the OC Register article here.)

I continue to hope my colleagues will work with me on some of these good government, protect taxpayer dollars type of issues.  I want to be able to tell each of you that I’ve got your back, and I’m looking out for your hard-earned tax dollars.

Last night, at the Irvine City Council meeting, I made a motion asking for City Staff to bring back to the City Council a presentation on various City contracts with outside vendors.  How are we saving money?  Can we save more?  I am pleased to share that the Irvine City Council voted unanimously to support me in finding those answers for you.

Irvine Child Care Project

Published on May 23, 2011 in City of Irvine and Events. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Great day at the Irvine Junior Games this weekend, where 1500 student-athletes competed in track and field events while raising money for the Irvine Children’s Fund.  (See the OC Register article here.) 

That fund supports the Irvine Child Care Project (ICCP), and I am proud to be a member of the ICCP Board.  Our mission is to provide quality, affordable school-age child care through community-based, non-profit organizations located on elementary school sites for children of families who live and/ or work in Irvine.

It’s a unique partnership in which the City of Irvine and the School District collaborate to accommodate more affordable and quality child care in the city. 

ICCP leases facilities on all 22 IUSD elementary school campuses to non-profit agencies operating licensed before and after-school child care (grades K-6), and serves 1,950 children.  It’s just one more example of Irvine’s dedication to being the best city for families, anywhere!

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