Tag Archives: Irvine City Council

Climate Action Campaign Considers Irvine City Council Biz

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For the larger share of the hour is Climate Action Campaign policy director, Ayn Craciun. She talks about local public works, public advocacy, and public office aspirations. Of interest are: the redirection of Orange County Power Authority (OCPA); warehouses in the land-use mix; the single use plastics non-ban; and the CA March 5th Primary ballot down ticket item-the Irvine City Charter amendment.

NOTE: The California State Auditor’s 2-28-23 report pertaining to the OCPA is available here: https://www.auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2022-120.pdf. The CA Energy Commission is an entity under the CA Natural Resources Agency, the director of whom is appointed by the governor of California.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; a tba jazz track; and Teodross Avery, “Teo,” Harlem Stories: The Music of Thelonius Monk – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/CraciunPOD1-2-24.mp3

Irvine City Business

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Over the full hour we cover an ambitious City of Irvine update with Branda Lin, Irvine Planning Commissioner; and Adam Cavecche, the supervising Principal Council Executive to Irvine City Council Member Kathleen Treseder. On the municipal menu are: the failed single use plastics ordinance, warehouse creep, Irvine’s lobbying rules, the civil servant exodus, and the level of city commissioners’ training. For future coverage will be how Irvine Watchdog’s sights are set on city business on both the primary and general election ballots. A long table is set for this expansive buffet of topics.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Béla Fleck and The Flecktones, J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio No. 41, BVW 248, “Ich Will,” Jingle All the Way – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/LinCavecche12-5-23.mp3

Irvine City Council Expansion and District Maps

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Irvine, the largest city in California to have at-large city council members, is undertaking the process of amending the city charter to create distinct city council elections districts from which the candidates would run. The charter amendment would also add 2 seats to the City Council. Returning to the show for the larger share of the hour is demographer Justin Levitt, retained by Irvine’s City Council, to update us on that process, wherein the City of Irvine is drawing these 6 council districts for the voters’ approval on the Spring 2024 Primary election ballot. The November 2024 general election vote would include voters in 3 of those districts. Residents of Irvine are welcome to participate in this process by spending time at: https://drawirvine.org/.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; and Hideto Sasaki – Toshiyuki Sekine Quartet, “Turquoise Twice” Stop Over – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Levitt9-19-23.mp3

Striking While The Unions Are Hot AND Irvine Cycling

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In the thick of strike-mode is our first guest Ada Briceno, Co-President of UNITE-HERE Local 11, representing over 30,000 hotel workers, 60 hotels in Los Angeles County, Orange County and Arizona.

In the second segment (approx. minute 29:00), Youssef Kaddeche, transportation commissioner for Irvine City Council member Kathleen Treseder, talks e-bikes in around town; the software and the hardware of it all.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Gershwin Piano Quartet, “An American in Paris;” and Jimmy Scott performing, “Nothing Compares 2 U.”

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/BricenoKadeche8-1-23.mp3

Irvine City Council Transitioning to Districts – Your Definitive Guide

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Finally, Irvine, the largest city in California to have at-large city council members, is transitioning toward creating distinct city council districts from which the candidates would run. The City will also add 2 seats to the City Council. Our guide to this process for the full hour is demographer Justin Levitt, retained by Irvine’s City Council. He lays out the process under way, wherein the City of Irvine is drawing these 6 council districts for the voters’ approval on the Spring 2024 Primary election ballot. The November 2024 general election vote would include voters in 4 of those districts. Residents of Irvine are welcome to participate in this process by spending time at: https://drawirvine.org/.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Rodney Whitaker, “Minorabilia,” Oasis – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Levitt5-23-23.mp3

Public Goods and Liabilities on Irvine City Council Roster AND Are The Kids Alright?

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Irvine Planning Commission Chairwoman Branda Lin, covers City Council items currently under consideration: the city’s proposed acquisition of the All American Asphalt plant, Live Nation’s amphitheater prospects, USA Water Polo, municipal districts, and more.

In the second segment (minute 36:30), Melyssa Zive offers insight about adolescent mental health in her capacity as Program Director for ROWI Teen & Parent Wellness Center recently opened in Tustin, California.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; The Black Market Trust, “Minor Swing,” Folk Songs – album; and Odetta, “This Little Light of Mine.”

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/LinZive4-11-23.mp3

Energy Choices Driving Climate in Irvine and Orange County

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Ayn Craciun, Orange County Policy Advocate with the Climate Action Campaign brings you energy in three parts: the City of Irvine’s newly adopted electrification ordinance, the Climate Action plans, and the Orange County Power Authority.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Ann Callaway, “Thoughts and Prayers.”

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Craciun4-4-23.mp3

Great Park Amphitheater Stakes AND Law School Enviro Clinic Clothing Swap

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All hands on deck with today’s time-sensitive coverage. Doug Elliott with Irvine Watchdog, examines how Live Nation isn’t just wielding their anti-trust might around the country, but performing their own power dynamic inside the Great Park. Tonight, February 21st, 6:30 p.m. Irvine City Council’s special meeting to consider the new terms Live Nation has proposed for the amphitheater.

In the second segment (minute 31:21)UCI Law student Bonggeul (Edward) Joo covers the Environmental Law Clinic’s mobilizing to reduce the harmful impact of fast fashion on the planet, including the collecting used clothing and hosting the ELC Thrift Swap event on February 28.

Music credits: Chimora, “African Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Soul Jazz Orchestra, “As the World Turns,” Resistance – album; Gregory Porter “In Fashion,” Magic Radio presents.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/ElliottJoo2-21-23.mp3

Cleaning Rooms in Irvine’s Inns

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This close to the lore of Mary and Joseph looking for room at any inn, today we look at how workers are faring as they keep clean our hotels. For the whole program Austin Lynch, director and negotiator at Unite Here Local 11; and Maria Balderas, union member and rank and file leader, working at the Irvine Hilton – cover the working conditions for hotel staff as well as Irvine’s recently adopted workers protection ordinance, the first of its kind in Orange County. For those Irvine voters, who have signed the petition circulating to revoke the ordinance, who wish to retract their signatures, they can text 562-688-5867 for instructions. The document to complete is: https://www.unitehere11.org/wp-content/uploads/Irvine-Referendum-Petition-Signature-Withdrawal-Form-00420418xB613E.pdf

Music credits: Chimora, “African Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Groupo Nueva Vida, “Las Posadas,” Alabanzas Cristianas Que Llegan al Alma, Vol. 6

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/LynchBalderasPod12-20-22.mp3

School Boards On The Frontline AND Irvine Mayor Khan Is Invited To Speak

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One week til the midterm elections, folks. After the tsunami of October surprises, we seem to be experiencing November surprises, so keep your critical thinking caps on ever snugly. Today my guests are Allyson Muñiz Damikolas, Tustin Unified School Board member with insights about the trends afoot in Orange County school boards’ composition. Think tectonic plates moving under our feet.

In the second segment the planned guest, who committed to this segment, and despite repeated attempts to reach her live, Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan was unavailable. She is running for another term. The host pressed on with election advisories.

Music credits: Chimora, “African Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Zélia Barbosa, Sertão & Favelas; ”Conga del Fuego” composed by Arturo Marquez, Gustavo Dudamel conducting Simon Bolivar of Venezuela; “Minor Swing,” Black Market Trust, Songs – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/DamikolasKhan1-1-22.mp3