Mayor Larry Agran delivered the 2025 State of the City Address before a packed audience in the Council Chamber yesterday, declaring that the state of Irvine is excellent and setting ambitious goals to ensure the City remains a national leader. Reflecting on Irvine’s legacy as a master-planned community built through strategic planning and collaboration, he outlined his vision to make Irvine the Safest, Smartest, Greenest, Healthiest, and Kindest City in America.

“Irvine has long been recognized as one of the best-planned cities in the nation, but we’re not stopping there,” said Mayor Agran. “Together, we will build on our success — making Irvine not just the best-planned City, but also the safest, smartest, greenest, healthiest, and kindest city in America.”

Mayor Agran highlighted the City’s strong financial health, balanced budget, and significant reserves that will allow for public investments.

Public safety remains a top priority, with enhanced traffic enforcement, stronger e-bike regulations, enhanced school security, and improved disaster preparedness. He also spoke about the transition of county-run libraries to the City this summer and announced plans for two new libraries — one at the Great Park and another in Woodbridge.

Mayor Agran also highlighted the implementation of a City of Irvine Living Wage that will increase the minimum wage to $20 per hour for part-time and $25 per hour for full-time City employees. To support education, Agran proposed $100,000 in funding for 50 City of Irvine scholarships, offering up to $2,000 each for Irvine Valley College students.

The City continues its commitment to sustainability with the continued transformation of the former All American Asphalt plant into the Gateway Preserve, the planting of 20,000 trees in the Great Park, the expansion of rooftop solar and battery storage, and improvements to public transit through the Irvine Connect expansion.

A major partnership with Hoag will bring a Center for Nonprofit Organizations dedicated to Health & Wellness to Heritage Community Park, modeled after the Melinda Hoag Smith Center in Newport Beach. Agran also proposed a Food and Nutrition Security Plan, expanding farmland and partnerships with organizations like Harvest Solutions and Second Harvest Food Bank to help make Irvine and Orange County food secure. In addition, he announced efforts to increase affordable housing in Irvine.

He concluded by emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration in achieving these ambitious goals.

"I’m taking this opportunity to call upon all of us — as Irvine civic leaders, participants in government, and, yes, citizens everywhere — to model kindness ... to be especially kind and helpful and generous toward others who are struggling or in need," Mayor Agran said.

An on-demand recording of the State of the City Address is available here.

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Read the State of the City Address here.