Newly expanded Irvine City Council deadlocks on first vote; special election for 7th member set

The newly expanded Irvine City Council deadlocked on its first vote, disagreeing on who among its members should become vice mayor.

The stalemate followed a joyous swearing-in ceremony during which smiling councilmembers enjoyed a catered reception and posed for photos with loved ones.

But when it was time to get down to business, the agreeable mood dissipated like a balloon losing air.

“Ideally, the vice mayor is someone who can not only preside at a council meeting if the mayor is not available, but also work with the mayor to try to move the agenda forward and organize issues and discussions in a way that allows our community to participate and govern ourselves by cooperation and leadership,” newly voter-elected Mayor Larry Agran said. Agran, an Irvine councilmember on-and-off since 1978, has served multiple terms as the city’s mayor: 1982-1948, 1988-1990 and 2000-2004.

The role of vice mayor is largely symbolic, appointed yearly by councilmembers from among themselves.

Newly elected Councilmember Melinda Liu kicked off the nomination process by recommending Kathleen Treseder.

“In consideration of Councilmember Treseder’s experience on the council and her service to Irvine in terms of moving Irvine forward on environmental issues, I am considering that to be a great asset to move Irvine forward,” Liu said.

But when it was the mayor’s turn to have the floor, he expressed his desire to move the council in another direction.

Agran said he had been hoping to nominate Councilmember Mike Carroll for the post because the two of them have recently worked well together as chair and vice chair of the Great Park board.

But, Agran said Caroll told him in advance that he would decline the nomination, citing time concerns arising from his chairmanship of the Great Park board and his role as an Orange County Transportation Authority board member.

Instead, Agran nominated newly elected councilmember James Mai.

Mai previously served as a city community services commissioner appointed by Carroll.

Agran said he’s had a chance to “spend a little time” with Mai, and the two of them have become “quick friends.”

The tension lifted when Mai cast his first vote as a new councilmember by voting for himself. Treseder followed that up by voting for herself.

The crowded council chambers burst into lighthearted cheers and laughter.

Amid the levity, tension simmered.

Agran and Carroll also supported Mai. Liu and William Go supported Treseder.

The vote tied 3-3.

Agran called for a second round of voting, but no one shifted. After that, the council agreed to reconsider the nomination for vice mayor in January.

“We’ll see if things change between now and then,” Agran said. “Otherwise, I’m in good health.” That drew some more laughter.

The council will eventually have seven members.

It’s one short, for now, because Agran vacated his council seat when he won the mayoral post.

Following the deadlocked vote for vice mayor, the council unanimously agreed to hold a special election on April 15 to fill the District 5 seat with a term that will run through the end of 2026.

Although Agran held an at-large seat, his vacated seat will be filled by a District 5 representative as Irvine completes its transition from having five at-large councilmembers to six district representatives plus an at-large mayor. Irvine voters approved the switch to district representation in March.

District 5 includes the neighborhoods of Woodbridge and Westpark, as well as some areas south of the 405 Freeway on both sides of Culver Drive.

The nomination period for candidates will open on December 23 and conclude on January 17.

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