Irvine City Councilmember Melissa Fox

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Melissa Fox’s City Council Agency and Committee Appointments 2017

I am pleased to report that I have been appointed by Irvine Mayor Don Wagner and my City Council colleagues to serve as Irvine’s representative on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Fire Authority and other regional and local agencies and committees.

Below is a complete list of my appointments to regional and local agencies and committees.  I am particularly pleased with my energy, watershed, wildlife, environmental, childcare and infrastructure appointments, since I have a longstanding interest in moving forward in these areas of policy.  I am also particularly pleased to join the Library Advisory Board, since my mother was a librarian and taught me the importance of community access to literature and information.

Appointments to Outside Agencies

sj-preserve-1005Community Energy Partnership (Aspen Accord)

Established to forge effective strategies and programs to foster smart energy management, build positive relationships between cities, energy consumers and their serving utilities and to educate communities about sustainable energy efficiency in Southern California.

Irvine Child Care Project (NonProfit JPA between City and Irvine USD)

Non-profit joint powers agency that provides after school care at all elementary schools in the City. Note: Alternate for Lynn Schott.

Library Advisory Board (LAB) of Orange County Library System (Formerly County-Wide Library Task Force, name-change in 2006)

Participating cities appoint members to attend and represent the City’s interests.

Laguna Canyon Foundation

Reflects a unique partnership between community and environmental activists, civic and municipal leaders, and private property owners and developers. Note: Irvine is no longer a voting member and only participates on a semi-annual or quarterly basis in large stakeholders meetings only.

Newport Bay Watershed Executive Committee

An agreement with the County of Orange to monitor sediment discharge within the watershed, with the costs shared by all parties, except the Department of Fish and Game.

One Water One Watershed (OWOW) Steering Committee

(Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority “SAWPA”)

Next generation of integrated regional watershed planning is under development to solve water issues on a regional scale and give all water interests a voice in the planning process. Note: Appointee will be considered for vacancy subject to final approval by OCCOG

San Joaquin Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary

Committee coordinated by the Irvine Ranch Water District to manage the Sea and Sage contract for the marsh program.

Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency Commission

The purpose of this commission is the dissemination of flood hazard information; unanimity among the citizens of Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties on flood protection alternatives; and promotion of federal project authorization.

 Orange County Fire Authority

Serves 22 cities in Orange County and all unincorporated areas. The OCFA protects over 1,300,000 residents from its 60 fire stations located throughout Orange County. Stipend: $100 per meeting per day; maximum of $300 per month for voting member in attendance (No mileage).

Appointments to Irvine Commissions and Committees

Irvine Green Ribbon Environmental Committee

Seeks to increase public participation in energy conservation and sustainable practices, helping the City serve the community through advancing environmental policy initiatives and programs. I am glad to work on this Commission with my appointee, Krishna Hammond, and others.

Industrial Development Authority (IDA)

Functions in accomplishment of the purpose provided in the California Industrial Development Financing Act (Title 10, commencing with Section 91500 of the Government Code of the State of California) and to carry out and complete projects and perform and exercise derivative obligations and powers as set forth in the Act.

Irvine Community Land Trust (ICLT)

Created by the City of Irvine to provide secure, high-quality affordable housing through the operation of a non-profit community land trust, securing and retaining title to land on which permanently affordable rental, ownership and special needs housing will be constructed and maintained for the benefit of income-eligible families.

Irvine Child Care Project (NonProfit JPA between City and Irvine USD)

Non-profit joint powers agency that provides after school care at all elementary schools in the City. Note: Alternate for Lynn Schott.

Irvine Public Facilities and Infrastructure Authority (IPFIA)

Provides for the financing and refinancing of public capital improvements of the City, through the Purchase by the Authority of obligations of the City pursuant to a bond purchase.

Note: There is no additional pay or stipend for service on any of these agencies and committees except as specifically indicated.

If you have questions or concerns regarding any of these agencies and committees, or on any matter regarding the City of Irvine, please do not hesitate to contact me at my official Irvine City Council email at mefox@cityofirvine.org. All correspondence is public record.

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Irvine Councilmember Melissa Fox Advises City Manager to Submit U.S. Department of Transportation Proposal for Autonomous Vehicle Testing

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 Irvine, CA — At the request of Irvine City Councilmember Melissa Fox, the City of Irvine has submitted a proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportation, expressing the City of Irvine’s interest to become a testing site or “proving ground” for autonomous vehicle technology.

“Autonomous vehicle technology has the potential to have a very positive impact on congested traffic throughout Irvine. Self-driving vehicles can be a life-saving and economy-boosting technology, with the potential to transform how we live, work and travel.  I want Irvine to be in the forefront of this exciting innovation and continue to be a leader in cutting-edge research. The Great Park would be an ideal location for testing this technology.” Fox said.

Fox added: “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the City Council to integrate cutting-edge transportation innovations into the City of Irvine. Our City is a leader in business (number 1 in job-to-population ratio in the nation), public safety, and in educational support of the young people who will be leaders in technological breakthroughs. It is my hope that we will be able to use these new technologies to resolve Irvine’s traffic problems – making Irvine a better place to live, work and raise a family.”

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Invitation to My Swearing-In Ceremony

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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Please join me at Irvine City Hall on Tues., December 13, for my swearing-in ceremony as a member of the Irvine City Council.

My election victory was the result of the contributions and hard work of many people. I am tremendously grateful for your efforts and contributions, and I am honored and privileged to serve the residents of Irvine.

I am also honored to announce that California State Treasurer John Chiang will swear me in.

The swearing-in ceremony will take place at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at Irvine City Hall, located at 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606.

There will be a reception afterward, beginning at 6:00 pm.

I have attached a copy of the invitation here.

I hope to see you there!

With appreciation,

Melissa Fox
Irvine City Councilmember-Elect

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Happy Thanksgving from the Fox Family!

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We Americans have much for which we are deeply grateful.

We are grateful for this great nation, for our freedoms, and for those whose sacrifices, past and present, have made those freedoms endure for generations.

We are grateful for our families and friends, and for the love that makes life worthwhile.

We are grateful for our beautiful, diverse City of Irvine.

We are grateful for the blessings of our beautiful planet and our beautiful state of California.

We are grateful for the volunteers who comfort the sick, care for the young and the aged, share their knowledge and skills, and keep us moving forward.

We are also grateful that we are fortunate enough to be able to help others.

Our family, especially during the holidays, supports ClothingDonations.org, a service of Vietnam Veterans of America. ClothingDonations.org will pick up your used clothes and household goods at your convenience and use them to support programs that address the needs of all our veterans.

We also support Families Forward, an Irvine-based organization that assists Orange County families in financial crisis to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency and helps these families to once again become independent, productive residents of the community. During the holidays,Families Forward also provides in-need families with festive food baskets and personalized holiday gifts.

Another worthy organization is the California Association of Food Banks, founded in 1995 to help hungry people throughout California, including our local Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and the Community Action Partnership of Orange County Food Bank.

Our City of Irvine proudly and gratefully supports the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee, which provides charitable and educational activities and support for the benefit and welfare of the United States Marines and their families assigned to Camp Pendleton, California, with special emphasis on the Marines and families of the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines.

We also endorse giving to Socks for Heroes, which ships socks along with other essentials to United States Marine Corps combat infantry units, provides Marine children the ability to take advantage of swimming lessons, sports, and camps, and provides other programs for single Marines and Marine families during deployments.

We are grateful for our police and firefighters, our soldiers, sailors, marines, coast guardsmen and airmen.

We are grateful, too, for everyone in our community and our nation who protects us and serves those in need.

Our friend Michael Kinslow, who we lost two years ago, wrote a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving for those who protect and those who serve:

Thank you God for every woman and man who risks their life for my freedom and safety. Please bless their families with peace.

Thank you God for every child, woman, and man who volunteers in my community. All of those who feed the hungry, provide shelter, and all who put their hearts, minds, and souls into building up others and caring for all of your creatures. Please bless them in their own time of need.

Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving.