Tension Brews as Irvine Council Contemplates OCPA Membership Amidst Calls for Dissolution
The Irvine City Council is gearing up for a crucial discussion regarding its continued participation and representation within the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA). The topic, raised at the request of Council Member Larry Agran, emerges hot on the heels of Huntington Beach’s recent decision to withdraw from the agency.
Council Member Agran’s memo to Irvine City Manager Oliver Chi, simply titled “Discussion and Direction Regarding Representation and Membership in the Orange County Power Authority,” provides limited insight into the underlying motivations for the agenda item. The council members’ intentions remain somewhat veiled, leaving room for speculation.
While it remains uncertain whether Irvine’s leaders will vote to sever ties with the agency during the upcoming session, Council Member Dr. Kathleen Treseder anticipates a vote on the matter. Expressing surprise at the inclusion of this topic on the agenda, Treseder also raises concerns that the discussion may extend beyond Irvine’s exit and delve into the dissolution of the entire authority.
Treseder suggests that the ongoing conversation appears to be an orchestrated attempt to hinder Irvine’s participation and representation on the OCPA’s Board of Directors. Serving on the OCPA Board alongside Irvine Vice Mayor Tammy Kim, Treseder reveals that some members of the board have already broached the subject of dissolving the agency, scheduling a future meeting to deliberate the matter.
“The representatives from Huntington Beach on the OCPA board have an agenda for the next OCPA Board meeting to vote on dissolving OCPA,” she continues. For that to happen, they need a two-thirds majority of the board, which they are unlikely to achieve given the current board composition. Thus, they would likely resort to altering the board membership by removing some members who oppose dissolution and replacing them with more amenable individuals.”
If a decision to withdraw from OCPA is reached, Treseder states that she intends to vote in favor of maintaining Irvine’s position within the Authority. Nevertheless, she admits feeling targeted by the proceedings.
“I find it worrisome that the agenda item not only pertains to participation but also representation, which directly involves the board members. I am concerned that there may be a concerted effort to replace either myself or Vice Mayor Kim, or possibly both of us, with individuals more inclined toward dissolving the agency,” Treseder expressed during a recent phone call.
Treseder confirms that she will voice her opinion publicly during the council meeting on Tuesday evening. She firmly believes that voting to withdraw from OCPA would establish an unfavorable precedent for Irvine. Acknowledging the emotional rollercoaster surrounding this topic, Treseder affirms her intention to vote in favor of maintaining Irvine’s enrollment in OCPA.
“I consider it unfortunate to withdraw. I hope my colleagues take into account that when we appoint representatives to external boards on behalf of the city, we seek individuals who will not only safeguard the city’s interests but also actively contribute to the board’s objectives. Appointing members with the sole purpose of dissolving the agency runs counter to this principle and sets a negative precedent,” Treseder concludes.
