MELINDA IN THE NEWS
Irvine City Council Splits on Plans for Future of Great Park
By Noah Biesiada | Voice of OC
December 15, 2025
"Councilwoman Melinda Liu highlighted how many of the homeowners around the park had objected to a columbarium due to cultural concerns about living near the dead, and that it was a “surprise” to still be talking about it."
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“We’ve been working on this to reflect the resident’s wishes to have a library, working with everyone around staff,” Liu said. “Somehow, the columbarium was sent in there without talking to anybody. To enter this poison pill, it’s quite frankly unfair."
Irvine land swap
By Yusra Farzan | LAist
December 11, 2025
"Irvine city leaders approved a land swap with property developer FivePoint in a 4-3 vote Tuesday, greenlighting the development of 1,300 market-rate units that won’t have to comply with affordable housing requirements."
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“In the end, Councilmember Melinda Liu introduced a motion to approve the land swap and to  prohibit expenditure of any portion of the $15 million on the design or development of a columbarium for cremated remains. That motion passed 4-3.."
Irvine Eyes Helping Secure San Onofre's Radioactive Waste
By Angelina Hicks | Voice of OC
December 11, 2025
"Tuesday's vote also directs city staff to draft and return with a resolution supporting the safe removal of spent nuclear fuel and help recruit members of Congress to join the bipartisan Spent Nuclear Solutions Caucus."
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“We can still be a leader in a group by joining,” Liu said. "We can be active, but I just don't see how we can do this on our own since there's already a bipartisan effort on the Congressional level. This is a federal matter that we don't technically have the jurisdiction here in Irvine as a city."
Where Is Irvine’s Climate Action Plan?
By Angelina Hicks and Noah Biesiada | Voice of OC
November 19, 2025
"When asked about why the city’s climate action plan keeps getting tabled, Councilmember Melinda Liu said she wasn’t sure why it hasn’t been adopted yet."
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“The last two times it was agendized, it was postponed, and this time it was withdrawn from Councilmember Treseder,” she said in an Oct. 29 phone interview. “I was not sure why there was no explanation given.”
Irvine Doubles Fourth of July Budget After Great Park Traffic Nightmare
By Angelina Hicks | Voice of OC
November 13, 2025
"During the meeting, Liu said the increased budget was too much for her to support for an event that isn’t directly bringing services to residents."
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“I’m frankly very much having sticker shock when I see the $600,000,” she said, “because it’s more than double what we spent last time.”
Irvine Considers Creating LGBTQIA+ Resource Center
By Angelina Hicks | Voice of OC
November 6, 2025
"Councilmember Melinda Liu said it’s important to make sure resources for the LGBTQIA+ community are available since residents may not feel comfortable advocating for themselves."
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“Folks in the LGBTQ communities often don’t feel safe enough to come out and seek that help,” Liu said, “so it is upon us as decision makers to create – proactively – that space for them to feel safe and provide the service and support for them.”
As More Orange County Cities Crack Down on Whippets, Irvine Sidesteps Ban
By Angelina Hicks | Voice of OC
October 16, 2025
“Councilmember Melinda Liu, who proposed the move, said she was surprised the item didn’t receive more support from the rest of the council."
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"The fact that this has not become an issue in Irvine doesn’t mean that we should just sit on our hands, especially when neighboring cities are already passing ordinances like this,” Liu said at Tuesday night’s meeting. “We don’t want to be the ones that are the destination for people who want to buy whippets.”
Irvine Might See Child Care Grant Program for Children Ages 4 and Below
By Angelina Hicks | Voice of OC
September 15, 2025
“Councilmembers William Go and Melinda Liu brought the item forward for discussion last week. “Our office identified this gap in support for families and partnered with Councilmember Liu’s office to bring this item forward."
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"This effort directly reflects Irvine’s commitment to being the best city to raise a family through the Irvine Cares initiative, ensuring that every stage of life is supported.”
Firearm safety event in Irvine will give free gun locks and teach about proper storage
By Michael Slaten | OC Register
September 3, 2025
"An upcoming event on Thursday, Sept. 4, aimed to help stop preventable gun deaths will provide free locks and firearm safety education to the public."
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"Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley and Irvine Councilmember Melinda Liu are co-hosting the gun safety town hall in Irvine from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Quail Hill Community Center."
Irvine launches new city-run public library system with ribbon cutting at two branches
By Hanna Kang | OC Register
August 3, 2025
"Starting Monday, Aug. 4, both Heritage Park and University Park libraries will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays."
Irvine hoists Pride Flag at City Hall in honor of Harvey Milk Day
By Jonathan Horwitz | OC Register
May 23, 2025
"Irvine leaders raised the Progress Pride Flag in front of City Hall on Thursday, May 22, in honor of Harvey Milk Day and the city’s fourth annual Pride in Irvine event.
The flag will fly through the end of Pride month, June 30."
Irvine Looks to Crack Down on Sober Living Homes
By Angelina Hicks | Voice of OC
May 13, 2025
“A memo from Liu, included with Tuesday night’s agenda, emphasized the need to control more of the regulations among these facilities that can be problematic."
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“In Irvine, several Sober Living Homes were identified as a result of concerns over violations of health and safety codes relating to patient care,” reads the memo. “Therefore, it is urgent and essential for local governments to enhance enforcement against facilities that are unlicensed or in violation.”
Irvine Expands Free Shuttle System Bus Routes
By Angelina Hicks | Voice of OC
Published April 28, 2025 | Updated July 9, 2025
"Councilmember Melinda Liu said she supports expanding the program as much as their budget will allow."
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"If we are able to find more funding sources, I would like to see a bigger expansion in the future,” she said, “but right now, I think this is not a terrible idea to expand what we have and bring more services to the residents.”
3 Irvine city officials honor Planned Parenthood after chamber rescinds award
By Sara Cardine | Los Angeles Times
April 16, 2025
"During an April 7 summit hosted by the Public School Defenders Hub, an initiative of the Anaheim-based nonprofit Contemporary Policy Institute, Irvine council members Kathleen Treseder, Melinda Liu and William Go presented a certificate of recognition as a gesture of appreciation for Planned Parenthood’s local outreach programs."
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Liu, who attended the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce award ceremony in January, initially had no idea of the rescinded award and was stunned to hear from others what had happened."
Volunteer service recognized: Melinda Liu elected Irvine's first female Chinese-American city councilmember
South Coast Chinese Cultural Association
April 1, 2025
"If you want to take charge, you must fight for it yourself," says Melinda Liu, Irvine's first Chinese-American female city councilmember. Her volunteer work and immigrant journey offer key lessons for new families.”
Diverse and Rich New Year Culture OC, Irvine Celebrates Lunar New Year
South Coast Chinese Cultural Association
January 31, 2025
"Councilmember Melinda Liu explained that for Chinese people, Lunar New Year represents family reunions and new beginnings."
"She introduced the students, who explained customs like giving red envelopes, posting Spring Festival couple."