Irvine : City Council to Discuss Means of Picking Mayor

The City Council on Tuesday night will discuss several proposals to determine how the next mayor of Irvine will be elected.

The five-member council recently voted to place a measure on the June 3 ballot asking Irvine residents whether they favor the direct election of their mayor beginning no later than June, 1988. The mayor has traditionally been chosen by colleagues on the council.

Should the measure pass, the council must decide how to implement the new policy.

Among the options the council will discuss Tuesday night is whether a special election for mayor should be held between regular elections or whether the job should go to the highest vote getter among council members.

Councilman Larry Agran said, “I think it’s time. I think we need greater accountability and that is best provided by direct election.”

Agran noted that the mayor is currently the lead negotiator for the city in many local and regional matters, including airports, waste disposal and highways.

“As the city grows and as our budget becomes more complex,” Agran added, “the mayor will be taking a stronger hand in running the city.”

Irvine currently has a population of 90,000 people and a yearly budget of $40 million.

Dave Baker, Irvine’s current mayor, said that while he went along with his colleagues to put the measure on the ballot, he thinks the existing system is a good one.

“Our present system works pretty well, so why fix it?” Baker said.

The council will also consider the schematic design program for its future civic center as well as financing for the center’s parking structure. The civic center is expected to be completed in 1988.