In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Farrah N. Khan announces the COVID-19 and Business Reopening Task Forces to guide the City of Irvine in 2021 and beyond.
The City, in partnership with key business leaders, will coordinate establishment of the Business Reopening Task Force to assist the Mayor in her efforts to help promote small business growth, support local entrepreneurship, target industry relocation within City boundaries, and assist the City in remaining responsive to the business community.
Additionally, it advises the Mayor on topics where the City has the ability to shape issues affecting the business community. The Taskforce provides a forum for the Mayor to hear directly from the business community, which includes the public, business owners, landlords and consumers.
“In order to ensure the best service to our community during these extraordinary times, I am creating the COVID-19 and Business Reopening Task Forces, which will allow the City Council to make the best informed decisions for the safety and well-being of all Irvine residents, businesses, and visitors,” said Mayor Farrah N. Khan. “The task forces will be comprised of local health officials and business leaders who have a clear understanding of the issues we face during the ongoing pandemic and can offer insight on how to best overcome them.”
The Business Reopening Taskforce will begin meeting in January 2021. Taskforce members include:
- Jeff Davis, Vice President - Entitlement, Irvine Company
- Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce
- Dianne Markis, General Manager, Marriott Irvine Spectrum
- Pamela Waitt, President, OC Restaurant Association
- Lucy Dunn, President and CEO, Orange County Business Council
The Irvine COVID-19 Task Force was announced following Mayor Khan’s swearing-in ceremony on December 8. The Task Force, comprised of local health officials, will help navigate and advise the City Council on COVID-19 response efforts. This will ensure the safety of the Irvine community is at the forefront of Council decisions.
The first COVID-19 Task Force meeting takes place later this week. Task Force members will include Irvine City Management staff as well as the following:
- Mayor Farrah N. Khan
- Marnie Baker, MD, MPH, Memorial Care – Pediatrics
- Clayton Chau, MD, OC HCA
- Amy Durham, Director of Development, NAMI
- Shruti Gohil, MD, UCI – Medical
- Grace Lozinski, MD, Hoag
- Hassan Movahedi, MD, PhD, Kaiser Permanente
Additional information will be posted to the City’s website as it becomes available.