Conversations with Irvine City Councilmember Larry Agran

On June 14, Councilmember Larry Agran successfully moved to launch a City-led investigation of the Orange County Power Authority. In this latest podcast appearance, Councilmember Agran expressed some optimism about the investigation and the Council’s support.

Listen to him discuss the Orange County Power Authority. To tune into future City Council meetings, review the Irvine City Council agendas webpage; agendas are posted 7 days before the meeting: https://www.cityofirvine.org/government/city-council/city-council-agendas.

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If you would like to connect with Councilmember Larry Agran, email [email protected]. You can also connect with him on his website at https://councilmemberlarryagran.org or Facebook at https://facebook.com/CouncilmemberLarryAgran.

On May 24, Councilmember Agran provided the public updates on three environmental matters during the Irvine City Council meeting and his podcast “Conversations with Councilmember Larry Agran.”

Listen to him discuss All American Asphalt and the Orange County Power Authority, two agencies that deserve more scrutiny, attention and oversight from the City of Irvine and the Irvine City Council.

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If you would like to connect with Councilmember Larry Agran, email [email protected]. You can also connect with him on his website at https://councilmemberlarryagran.org or Facebook at https://facebook.com/CouncilmemberLarryAgran.

On May 18, Councilmember Agran received a follow-up response to his request (sent 03/24/22) for public records from the Orange County Power Authority. Larry has questioned this City-funded agency’s ability to be solvent, asking:

Councilmember Agran spoke to the lack of information and transparency from OCPA at the last Irvine City Council meeting. 

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If you would like to connect with Councilmember Larry Agran, email [email protected]. You can also connect with him on his website at https://councilmemberlarryagran.org or Facebook at facebook.com/CouncilmemberLarryAgran.

Welcome back to the podcast! In a special edition episode, Irvine City Councilmember Larry Agran speaks with OC Fire Watch Manager Tony Pointer from the Irvine Ranch Conservancy.

From May 1-7, California celebrates Wildfire Preparedness Week.

Irvine residents, be proactive and prepared while facing the threat of wildfires. Public emergencies can be unpredictable. Resources like Alert OC (managed by the County of Orange, Orange County Parks,  and the Orange County Fire Authority's emergency disaster plan are available for you to prepare for any unexpected natural disasters.

For more information on how to sign up for Alert OC, visit https://member.everbridge.net/453003085613900/faq.

Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/f8vkOns4b3U

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If you would like to connect with Councilmember Larry Agran, email [email protected]. You can also connect with him on his website at councilmemberlarryagran.org or Facebook at facebook.com/CouncilmemberLarryAgran.

On April 26, members of the Irvine City Council heard from the Great Park Neighborhoods Residents’ Council, a group calling for agendized time to participate in Great Park Board meeting decisions.

Councilmember Agran added his voice of support for these residents in his latest podcast, saying:

“Let’s face it: it’s their tax dollars that are building the [Great Park]…I underscored my appreciation for their having shown up, for the fact that they are organizing themselves, and for the fact that they put forward a proposal to be on the agenda at every single Great Park Board meeting.”

The Irvine City Council also approved the City’s first-time beekeeping ordinance. Councilmember Agran was happy to vote in support of a policy that would empower local residents. He encouraged the Council to lower costs in the future and increase participation from the community:

“This is an activity we want to not only facilitate, but also encourage, and one way of doing that is keeping fees very low so that more and more people are inclined to legally establish beekeeping operations in their backyards.”

Tune in to hear the podcast episode and participate in future Council meetings!

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If you would like to connect with Councilmember Larry Agran, email [email protected]. You can also connect with him on his website at councilmemberlarryagran.org or Facebook at facebook.com/CouncilmemberLarryAgran.

At the April 12 meeting, the Irvine City Council voted to proclaim tomorrow, April 24, “Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day” to commemorate the 1.5 million lives lost to the genocide from 1915-1923.

In his latest podcast episode, Councilmember Agran explains the importance of the proclamation and the effect public participation had on the City Council’s vote:

“I want to…thank the many people who showed up and testified. [S]o many of them gave impassioned, informed, compelling testimony. It was an example of what good things we can do at the local level when we listen to the people, encourage them to speak up and speak out, and facilitate free speech.”

Listen to the podcast episode and read the proclamation the City Council approved.

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If you would like to connect with Councilmember Larry Agran, email [email protected]. You can also connect on his website at councilmemberlarryagran.org or Facebook at facebook.com/CouncilmemberLarryAgran. 

Larry discusses the Irvine City Council’s 4-1 vote last Tuesday (on March 22) to change procedures for City agendas and meetings. The policy changes included, for example, a reduction in speaking time for large groups of public commenters.

Larry advocated for the public, who spoke out unanimously in opposition at the meeting, and voted against the policy’s unpopular changes, saying:

“If American democracy can't work locally, or if it isn't working locally, or if the public is being shut out by special interest groups or by the Mayor and Council, we are in deep, deep trouble. If we are failing in that regard those passionate about representative government need to be adamant on procedures that allow for and encourage the most significant amount of public participation.”

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If you would like to connect with Councilmember Larry Agran, email [email protected]. You can also connect on his website at councilmemberlarryagran.org or Facebook at facebook.com/CouncilmemberLarryAgran.

Beginning April 1, $7.75 million of Irvine residents’ money is going to be put to the test as the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) launches service for commercial (business) customers. 93% of this electricity is supposed to come from renewable energy sources, but as a ratepayer, businesses will, depending on their size, pay at least 4-7% more in electricity bills per month.

Why has the City Council refused to audit the Orange County Power Authority? So is Larry: “They are playing with the people's money not their own money. Why won’t my colleagues put this matter on the City Council agenda?”

Listen to yesterday’s “Conversations with Councilmember Larry Agran” episode. Click here to see a sample notice OCPA has sent Irvine businesses, and call 1-866-2-OCPOWER (1-866-262-7693) or visit https://ocpower.org if you have questions for this agency.

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If you would like to connect with Councilmember Larry Agran, email [email protected]. You can also connect on his website at councilmemberlarryagran.org or Facebook at facebook.com/CouncilmemberLarryAgran.

We are finally advocating for our residents as a City and getting the job done. Today, Councilmember Larry Agran takes us inside the All American Asphalt plant issue and breaks down the outcome of yesterday's City Council Special Meeting. The City is involved in some tough negotiations with All American Asphalt, and he expects rapid progress within the next 2-4 weeks!

Listen to Larry's newest podcast episode, and stay tuned for more "Conversations with Councilmember Larry Agran."

If you did not make it to last night’s City Council meeting, you’re going to want to catch up on what happened! The Council discussed the Orange County Power Authority, the ARDA site/Veterans Memorial Park, and the establishment of a new Health and Wellness office.

In today’s podcast episode of “Conversations with Councilmember Larry Agran,” Larry wraps up the meeting’s results.