Council approves Great Park museum

IRVINE — The City Council has approved a $250,000 master plan to build the Orange County Great Park Museum of Heritage & Aviation.

The Orange County Great Park Board Corp. had approved the plan in December.

The museum will commemorate Marines and other military personnel who served at and visited the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, according to a staff report.

After the council’s approval during Tuesday night’s regular meeting, city staff were directed to come back to the park’s board of directors in 180 days with a proposed plan for implementing the project and building an interim site for the museum, according to the report.

The museum, which will be developed in phases much like other projects of the park, will eventually display Orange County artifacts and offer educational programs for visitors.

In other council business, Mayor Pro Tem Beth Krom proposed that the council put a citywide approach to health, wellness and sustainability on the agenda at a future meeting.

She suggested that the proposed item be called Healthy City, Healthy Planet. It would combine other recently adopted programs, such as the Irvine Children’s Health Program and the Strategic Plan for Children Youth and Families.

“We have extraordinary resources that can be much better utilized for engaging Irvine residents in creating a healthier community and a sustainable future for Irvine,” Krom said.

“Departments cannot operate in isolation,” she added. “Planning, public works and community services need to work together ensuring that a common yard stick is applied to everything that we do.”

Councilman Jeffrey Lalloway questioned the proposed initiative’s lack of a defined implementation plan and the monetary cost to the city.

“I would do it a little differently,” said Lalloway, who suggested that council members lead by example, adding that he planned to live healthier and lose weight by the end of the year.

“My problem is using city resources to promote this initiative,” he continued. “To me, that won’t just fly.”

City staff was directed to return to the council in 60 days with a comprehensive plan and presentation.