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City Information

Citizen Services
The City of Irvine continually seeks to create a safe, vibrant, and productive environment by meeting its citizens' needs with the highest quality of service. Our operations span the spectrum of daily life. Before getting your next pet, starting your own business, looking for a job, buying a house, or getting your next flu shot, check out our listing of city services. Irvine publishes a new listing every year that guides you through the multitude of government services, pointing out services and events that are completely free to the public or offer benefits to low income or special needs citizens. For more information, call (949) 724-6000.

Citizen Suggestions

There are many different ways your voice can be heard to directly improve the quality of service that The City of Irvine provides you, your family, or your business.

While public meetings, hearings, and debates are an excellent place to make a suggestion or address a problem on a broad scale, the most effective path of communication is usually directly with the department or program concerned. Customer Response Forms are available at the counters of each department so that you may rate your satisfaction with services received.

Please request these forms if they are not displayed. You may also complete these forms by phone or internet by either calling the department directly. Our goal is to provide you with responsive quality service. For a listing of department phone numbers and addresses, call the The City of Irvine's main number at (949) 724-6000.

City Manager's Office

The City Manager's Office oversees the entire operation of all seven City departments. Representing the views of the citizens of Irvine, the City Council sets goals and policies, and then provides direction to the City Manager to carry out the goals. In addition to managing all of City Hall, the City Manager's Office also encompasses the City Attorney, the Sister Cities Program, Business Planning and Budget development.

For more information on the City Administrative Offices, call (949) 724-6246 or visit the city's website at www.cityofirvine.org/depts/citymanager/default.asp.

Civic Center
The Irvine Civic Center is located at 1 Civic Center Plaza (on the corner of Harvard Avenue and Alton Parkway) in Irvine. The mailing address is P.O. Box 19575, Irvine, CA 92623-9575. The phone number is (949) 724-6000.

The Hours of Operation are Monday - Thursday from 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m - 5 p.m. City offices are closed on alternate Fridays.

Community Development Department - General Information
The Community Development Department oversees the review of development projects in the City of Irvine. The Department provides professional “City” staff guidance and information to the developers and homeowners to ensure that all developments and construction meet appropriate planning and building codes to protect public safety. To obtain information on the Community Development Department from the City of Irvine’s website, highlight “Departments” located on the tool bar at the top of the City’s Homepage. Click on Community Developments and the drop down list will reveal the information on the department. If you need additional assistance regarding the above, please contact the Development Assistance Counter at (949) 724-6308.

Community Services Department - General Information

The Community Services Department offers quality recreation and human services programs ranging from athletic services to child care and senior citizen support. Additionally, the Department cooperates with community organizations, local businesses, advisory and policy bodies, and other City Departments to ensure an integrated response to community concerns.

Parks and other recreational facilities are important components of Irvine's quality of life. The Community Services Department is committed to bringing exciting, beneficial activities to all Irvine citizens, as well as planning and rehabilitating top-of-the-line parks and community facilities.

Recreation and human services programs include, but are not limited to:

Animal Care Center
Aquatics Centers
Athletics Services
Child Care
Classes & Activities
Disability Services
Employment
Facility Reservations
Facility Services/Maintenance
Family Services
Fine Arts Center
Open Space
Parks, Areas & Facilities
Park Planning
Senior Services
TRIPS Transportation Service
Youth Services

For detailed information regarding parks, recreation, and programs in Community Services, call (949) 724-6682.

Contractor Bidding Information
The City of Irvine maintains a listing of contractors who are state certified and locally licensed to perform particular kinds of building and construction within the Irvine. All contractors in the listing who meet the requirements of a government project's specifications are eligible to bid on that project. These contractors are sent a pre-qualification package that includes the following: Cover letter explaining guidelines for completing the package Reference Forms Contractor's Pre-qualification Declaration of contractor status Contractor affidavit or financial capability Certificate of insurance The packages must be completed correctly and returned by the date specified on the cover letter in order to be eligible for the particular project. For more information about government project bidding or to receive a pre-qualification package, stop by the Purchasing Department located at 1 Civic Center Plaza ,from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call them at (949) 724-6180.

Directions to the Irvine Civic Center

The Irvine Civic Center is located at 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606-5208

Heading Northbound on I-5:

Exit Culver Drive and Turn Left
Turn Right onto Barranca Parkway
Turn Left onto Harvard Avenue

Heading Southbound on I-5:

Exit Jamboree and turn Right
Turn Left onto Alton Parkway
Turn Left onto Harvard Avenue

Heading Northbound on 405:

Exit Jamboree and turn Right
Turn Right onto Alton Parkway
Turn Left onto Harvard Avenue

Heading Southbound on 405:

Exit Jamboree and turn Left
Turn Right onto Alton Parkway
Turn Left onto Harvard Avenue

Heading Southbound on the Foothill Corridor:

From the 261 Merge onto Jamboree

Turn Left onto Alton Parkway

Turn Left onto Harvard Avenue

Fax Library

The City of Irvine is proud to offer a unique way to obtain documentation and forms, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Frequently requested documents, including Council and Commission agendas, may be obtained through the City of Irvine Fax Library System.

The number to call the Fax Library is (949) 724-6210. If you know the document number that you are requesting, simply enter the document number when the Fax Library Voice System instructs you to. If you do not know the requested document number, call the Fax Library System at (949) 724-6210, and press 2 on the menu to receive a catalog of Fax Documents that are available to you.

Irvine - General Information

The City of Irvine was incorporated on December 28, 1971, under the general laws of the State of California. We operate under a charter law form of government, which was adopted in 1975, meaning we have a City Council-City Manager form of government. The City Manager is appointed by the City Council to function as the chief administrator of the City. City Council sets the policy directions for the City, and the City Manager is charged with implementing those directions. Additionally, the City Manager keeps the Council informed of City operations, prepares the annual budget, oversees special programs, and coordinates the various department activities.

The City of Irvine is home to more than 202,079 residents who seek to create a safe environment in which to work and live.

Irvine is one of the nation's largest planned urban communities and encompasses more than 55 square miles. We contract for fire and medical services with the County of Orange, and have three independent districts: library, educational and utility services. Other government services include: animal control; building and safety regulation and inspection; general administrative services; planning and zoning; police; public facility/capital improvement construction; recreation and cultural programs; refuse collection and recycling; street lighting; street maintenance; landscape maintenance and transportation management.

Irvine Office Hours and Closings

The City of Irvine is open Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. City offices are closed on alternate Fridays.

There are observed government holidays throughout the year on which all City offices will be closed. These holidays are: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Holiday Closure.

For more information or to obtain a copy of Irvine's calendar, stop by the Civic Center at 1 Civic Center Plaza Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m - 5 p.m. (City offices are closed on alternate Fridays), or call (949) 724-6000.

Local Government Annual Budget

Business Planning and Budget Services is responsible for producing the City’s Annual budget and the City’s Five-Year Strategic Business Plan. These documents are the "blueprints" used to provide a sound financial framework for all City operations.

Copies of the Proposed Budget are made available to the general public in May. At least two public meetings are conducted by the City Council during the month of June for the purpose of discussing the Proposed Budget. The budget is then adopted by the City Council prior to June 30 at either a regular or special City Council meeting. Citizens are invited to provide comments at these hearings.

For more information or to download the annual budget click on the link below.

www.cityofirvine.org/depts/citymanager/city_budget.asp

For more information on the Annual Budget, call (949) 724-6053

Local Government Communications
The City of Irvine believes that communication between a government and its citizens is one of the most vital aspects of an effective community. For that reason, we provide as many forums to you as possible to obtain and disperse information - including ICTV Channel 30, and the city's website where you can get information 24 hours a day 7 days a week Additionally, Irvine publishes a quarterly newsletter, which contains City Council information, a message from the City Manager, a community calendar, and other useful facts and reminders. Finally, you can always receive information personally by calling the Civic Center directly or stopping by. For more information, call (949) 724-6000.

Maps for Irvine
To obtain information on maps for the City of Irvine, contact the City's GIS Department at (949) 724-6342.

Postal Service

There are several Post Office Locations in Irvine and surrounding areas that serve our citizens with mail services:

Irvine Main Office at (949) 453-4910, 15642 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine, 92619

Harvest Station at (949) 474-0292, 17192 Murphy Avenue, Irvine, 92623

Northwood Station at (714) 368-3374, 1 League, Irvine, 92602

University Station at (949) 474-0292, 4255 Campus Drive, Ste A100, Irvine, 92616

Industrial Station at (714) 546-7010, 2230 S Grand Avenue, Santa Ana, 92705

Tustin Main Office at (714) 544-2258, 340 E 1st Street, Tustin, 92781

To inquire about mail services available to you, or to answer your postal delivery and zipcode questions, contact the United States Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777,or visit their website at www.usps.com w w w dot u s p s dot com

Public Records Request

Public Records Requests are submitted to the City Clerk's Office of Records and Information. Requests may be made in person at City Hall, or by mail, email, or fax. For your convenience, Public Records Requests forms are available on the city's website at www.cityofirvine.org/pdfs/cityclerk/request_for_public_records.pdf or at the Office of Records and Information.

If you have any additional questions, please contact the Office of Records and Information at: (949) 724-6281.

Request a Claim Form for Damages

Claim for damages forms may be requested by contacting the City Clerk's Department at (949) 724-6205,

You may also access the form on line, at www.cityofirvine.org/pdfs/cityclerk/10_04.pdf

Reserve a Public Facility
To reserve a City facility, a Facility Reservation Application must be completed. An application may be obtained by visiting the Community Services Department located on the second floor of City Hall at One Civic Center Plaza, or by calling (949) 724-6620, by accessing the City's FAX Library at (949) 724-6210, catalog number 308. Reservations must be made at least thirty days in advance; payment is due thirty days prior to the event. Cash, money orders, or credit cards (Visa or MasterCard) are accepted. A deposit is due at the time of application. Picnic site reservation fees are due at time of application.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Service and benefit functions of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, (INS) transitioned into the Department of Homeland Security,(DHS) as the U.S.Citizenship and Immigration Services(USCIS). The USCIS is responsible for the administration of immigration and naturalization adjudication functions and establishing immigration services policies and priorities. These functions include:

adjudication of immigrant visa petitions;
adjudication of naturalization petitions;
adjudication of asylum and refugee applications;
adjudications performed at the service centers, and
all other adjudications performed by the INS.

You can call U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) toll-free for automated information and live assistance concerning immigration services and benefits within the U.S., including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The number is: 1 800 375-5283.

For more information, visit the website: www.uscis.gov

What is the Irvine Sister Cities Foundation?
Recognizing the need to foster goodwill and understanding between its citizens and people of other nations, the City of Irvine has established a partnership with the Irvine Sister Cities Foundation to create an international program, reaching out to all segments of Irvine's diverse community. The Irvine Sister Cities Foundation, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1989 to assess, plan and implement programs that fulfill the City's opportunities and commitments involving affiliated cities in other countries. The Foundation also serves the community by responding to initiatives and communications directed to the City of Irvine from a variety of governmental and private agencies and organizations abroad.

Irvine's Sister City activities are administered through the City Manager's office and carried out by Foundation members, both corporate and individual. Programs are enabled by volunteer energies and skills, by membership fees, contracts and grants, cash contributions, and in-kind donations.

Efforts are made to involve the full spectrum of Irvine residents and friends who might gain from, and contribute to, Sister City activities. Members and constituencies range from families to major corporations, and from elementary students to senior citizens. The Foundation welcomes membership from anyone in the community with an interest in learning about the cultures of other nations.

Under provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and the State of California, the Irvine Sister Cities Foundation qualifies as a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation.

The Sister Cities of Irvine are: Hermosillo, Mexico; Tsukuba, Japan; Taoyuan, Taiwan.