UC Irvine professor Dr. Kathleen Treseder, who is the newest member of the Irvine City Council, along with Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan, and longtime Irvine politician Larry Agran were sworn into their respective offices on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

Treseder and Agran will begin four year terms on the city council.

After a formal swearing-in ceremony to solidify the results of the 2022 election, Khan, who was elected to a second, two-year term as mayor, thanked her family and voters for their support and encouragement. Khan said that in addition to Treseder, she is looking forward to working with council members Tammy Kim, Mike Carroll and Agran, in order to continue bringing innovation to Irvine.

“The City Council has the opportunity to advance key city priorities and innovate in new and exciting ways and it’s an honor to preside over this city council,” Khan said. “As we begin this term, we do so with the opportunity to refocus our priorities, and engage collaboratively to maximize all that we can do here.”

In his address to the public, Agran, whose tenure in Irvine politics began in the 1970s, said that he remains humbled and honored to be able to serve the public. In terms of issues, Agran said he remains focused on the removal of the All American Asphalt facility from Irvine, and ensuring that a veterans park and memorial finds a place within the Great Park.

“It has been my privilege, a true honor to be such a part of the years of Irvine’s growth, development and what it has become,” he said. “I feel real love for this city and its people – and what we can do going forward.”

Agran admitted there were challenges with the previous council. While Agran did not mention specifics, one aspect of the challenges that Agran faced was his ability to place items on the council agenda, based on a controversial agenda setting policy, which was reinstated by Khan.

Better known as the Rule of Two, the agenda setting policy required two members of the council to sign off on items that would appear on the agenda. During the vote to reinstate the Rule of Two in 2020, Agran was the only member of the council to vote against reinstatement.

While the council ultimately voted to rescind the rule in July, many of Agran’s attempts to bring items forward for discussion within were not seconded by other members of the council.

Yet, Agran added that with every new council there is an opportunity for a clean slate.

“Anytime there’s a new council, it presents an opportunity for a new beginning – a fresh start,” he said. “In this case, we have a new council, a little bit changed, no doubt the chemistry will be different and I hope better.”

Treseder, who is a newcomer in Irvine politics, said she was grateful for this opportunity. In her address to the public, Treseder thanked city staff, along with her predecessor, former council ember Anthony Kuo.

Focusing on climate action and environmental issues, Treseder’s campaign was endorsed by U.S. Representative Katie Porter, the Democratic Party of Orange County and dozens of councilmembers across Orange County.

As she begins her four-year term, said she is hoping to make the voters proud and vowed to help the city’s most vulnerable community members.

“The act of you being here and bearing witness to this process, is an act of faith, the same way that voting is an act of faith in our democracy and our government. To vote, you have to have faith that your vote will be counted and your voice will be heard,” she said. “If done well, I feel like government is about taking care of people — making sure people have homes they can afford, jobs that pay them well, that their children have playgrounds that are clean and safe.”

In terms of election results, Agran received the most votes for council at 31,023, capturing 23.86% of the city council votes. Treseder finished with 29,440, just over 22% of voters.

Khan received 29,628 votes, which is equal to 37.82% of voters, according to the Orange County Registrar of Voters.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting Irvine Weekly and our advertisers.