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Council adopts amendment to Jessup development agreement over dissent; Fink objects on policy and legal risk
Summary
The council approved, on second reading, an amendment to the 2022 development agreement for the Jessup project on Irvine Boulevard; Councilmember Fink voted no, citing potential gift-of-public-funds risk and policy concerns about in-lieu fees and affordable housing.
The council considered Item 5, the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 15 64 (described in the public record as the first amendment to the 2022 development agreement for the Jessup at Irvine Boulevard). Councilmember Fink restated opposition, urging colleagues to reconsider both legal risk under the Gift of Public Funds Act and the policy implications of returning in-lieu fees rather than directing those dollars toward affordable-housing priorities.
Fink said he had discussed legal exposure with the city attorney and remained concerned, and he emphasized that community development block grants and similar programs can be used to support low- and moderate-income housing. "I still I don't think it's a good decision," Fink said during discussion.
A motion to adopt the ordinance was moved, seconded and put to roll call. The clerk recorded votes in favor from Councilmembers Snell, Gallagher, Mayor Pro Tem Nelson and Mayor Lombard and a dissenting vote from Councilmember Fink; the motion carried four–one. The transcript does not include additional ordinance text beyond the item description presented on the agenda.
