Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Irvine creates Health and Wellness Advisory Committee from two existing panels
Summary
Council voted 5‑0 to consolidate the Irvine Childcare Advisory Committee and the Irvine Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee into a new Health and Wellness Advisory Committee and to adopt bylaws setting membership, duties and reporting requirements.
The Irvine City Council on Feb. 25 approved the establishment of a Health and Wellness Advisory Committee that will combine two existing advisory groups and broaden the city’s oversight of childcare, youth and family services, senior services, housing assistance and related programs.
Council voted 5–0 to dissolve the Irvine Childcare Advisory Committee and the Irvine Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee and to adopt bylaws for the new 11‑member panel. The bylaws call for seven council‑appointed members, three representatives from educational partners (Irvine Unified School District, Tustin Unified School District and Irvine Valley College) and one at‑large member selected by the city council via public recruitment.
The new committee will be advisory to the city council and supported by the Office of Health and Wellness. Assistant City Manager Brian King said the consolidation will “avoid duplication of staff efforts and workflows among multiple departments, reduce administrative costs and provide increased advisory committee coverage to mirror city needs and our initiatives.” Chief Health and Wellness Officer Heather Stratman described the committee’s intended duties, which include advising on programs for children, youth and families, housing‑related assistance, supportive services and the Irvine Cares community programming initiative.
Council members emphasized flexibility and the need to add subcommittees tied to specific program areas (childcare, seniors, housing) and asked for a streamlined recruitment and vetting process. Several council members asked staff to return if the committee needs to expand its membership or to make procedural refinements; the city attorney confirmed bylaws can be amended by council action.
Public comments included support for increased senior services and local meal programs; one resident urged improved prepared‑meal quality at a senior center run by an external partner. Two residents expressed interest in serving on the advisory body; staff said the first committee meeting is anticipated in May 2025.
Formal action: Council member Liu moved and the council adopted the resolution and introduced the ordinance language associated with the new advisory committee (roll call 5–0). The bylaw text was amended on the record to state that the at‑large member “shall be selected by city council through a public recruitment process.”
Ending: Staff will initiate a recruitment and vetting process, stand up subcommittees for program areas and return to council if changes to the committee structure or bylaws are recommended.
