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Santa Ana's top news & views blog

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Watch today’s Santa Ana virtual City Council meeting online

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Santa Ana City Council will have its regular meeting by teleconference today, Nov. 17, 2020, with a closed session at 5 p.m. and open session at 5:45 p.m.

Agenda items include:

Individuals who would like to comment on an agenda item or make a general comment regarding a topic not on the meeting’s agenda may do so before the meeting by email or during the meeting by phone.

For more information on how to participate and to see the meeting agenda, go to www.santa-ana.org/cc/city-meetings.

Watch or listen in to the meeting live via these remote options:
• On the City of Santa Ana’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/cityofsantaanavideos/live
• On the City’s television channel, CTV3, available on Spectrum channel 3 and AT&T U-verse channel 99
• Spanish audio can be heard at http://santaana.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=1

El Concejo Municipal de Santa Ana se Reunirá por Teleconferencia Hoy

El Concejo Municipal de Santa Ana se reunirá por teleconferencia hoy, el 17 de noviembre del 2020, con una sesión cerrada a las 5 de la tarde y una sesión abierta a las 5:45 de la tarde.

Las personas que deseen comentar sobre un tema de la agenda o hacer un comentario general sobre un tema que no esté en la agenda de la junta pueden hacerlo antes de la reunión por correo electrónico o durante la junta por teléfono.

Para obtener más información sobre cómo participar y para ver la agenda de la junta, visite www.santa-ana.org/cc/city-meetings.

Vea o escuche la junta en vivo a través de estas opciones remotas:
• En el canal de YouTube de la Ciudad de Santa Ana en www.youtube.com/cityofsantaanavideos/live
• En el canal de televisión de la Ciudad, CTV3, disponible en el canal 3 de Spectrum y el canal 99 de AT&T U-verse
• Se puede escuchar audio en español en http://santaana.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=1

What we can expect from the new Santa Ana City Council members?

Posted on by Posted in 2020 Elections, 2022 Elections, Civic Affairs, David Penaloza, Jessie Lopez, Johnathan Ryan Hernandez, Miguel Pulido, Nelida Mendoza, Phil Bacerra, Politics, Santa Ana, Thai Viet Phan, Vince Sarmiento 3 Comments
Phil-Bacerra-and-Thai-Viet-Phan

Santa Ana voters have elected Councilman Vicente Sarmiento to replace termed out Miguel Pulido as Mayor and three relatively young council members: Thai Viet Phan, in Ward One, Jessie Lopez in Ward Three and Johnathan Ryan Hernandez in Ward Five.

What can we expect from this new City Council? They will be working with Council holdovers David Penaloza in Ward Two; Phil Bacerra, in Ward Four; and Nelida Mendoza, in Ward Six.

Will there be a new City Council Majority? The most liberal Council members include Sarmiento, Lopez, Hernandez, Penaloza and Phan. Bacerra is more of a moderate and you can say the same for Mendoza.

The City Council Members will differ when it comes to law enforcement. Penaloza, Mendoza and Bacerra have been supported by the Santa Ana Police Officers Association in the past and the POA also contributed to PACs that helped Phan this year. Sarmiento, Lopez and Hernandez will likely be at most odds with the POA even though Sarmiento voted for their massive pay increase a couple years ago.

Lopez told the O.C. Register that she would support an independent police commission with subpoena powers and investigative authority. Hernandez, Phan and Sarmiento also said they also would take a look at creating an independent police oversight commission – an idea rejected by previous councils.

Phan, Hernandez and Sarmiento told the O.C. Register that they would take a closer look at issues affecting youth, low-income residents, families and the city’s immigrant community, including those who are undocumented.

Hernandez also told the O.C. Register that he wants to bring rent control to the city, providing more funds for libraries and community centers, and prioritizing youth and family services.

We cannot discern much about Phan’s plans from her campaign website as it does not know her opinions on any specific issues. However we do know that she is an attorney for a major law firm that provides legal consultation to cities in Southern California. She will come to the City Council with more knowledge about municipal affairs than most new City Council members.

Lopez does offer up her priorities on her campaign website and they include:

  • HOUSING: Residents deserve leaders who take real action and address their needs. Jessie will work to enact protections for renters and build coalitions with local leaders to produce better housing options.
  • HOMELESSNESS: It’s also apparent that the homelessness crisis is a housing crisis. We can no longer use old solutions and expect new results. We cannot add new shelters to our Santa Ana community. We must work in collaboration with other cities and the county to maximize the benefits of the resources we already have.
  • TRANSPARENCY & CO-GOVERNANCE: City politics works best when it embraces the people’s voices in decision-making at every level. Jessie’s priority is to ensure that the community members of Santa Ana are heard and supported in all decision making processes. She believes this can be accomplished by continuing her work engaging the community by hosting accessible local events, town halls, and virtual meetings.
  • SAFE & VIBRANT SANTA ANA: Santa Ana deserves an equitable budget that reflects our community’s investment in our future — our youth — while still respecting the beauty that our city has to offer including our parks, our museums, and our vibrant neighborhoods. Jessie will promote a safe Santa Ana by investing in programs that enhance our quality of life.
  • SUPPORTING YOUTH PROGRAMS: As one of the youngest cities in the nation, Jessie believes it is our responsibility to build the leadership we wish to see and create opportunities for everyone to participate in shaping the future of our city.

Hernandez also posted his Issues on his campaign website:

  • ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS – As an experienced social worker, Johnathan understands some of the challenges that those experiencing homelessness face. He will prioritize resources for rehabilitation programs and maintain strong relationships with local leaders for a comprehensive plan to advocate for affordable housing.
  • INVEST IN OUR YOUTH – The City of Santa Ana has more young people ages 13 to 24 than any other city in Orange County. Johnathan is committed to supporting young people and providing opportunities in education, civic engagement, and career development so they can reach their full potential.
  • IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE – Johnathan is dedicated to ensuring our neighborhoods are safer and more inclusive for all families to thrive. He will increase outreach efforts for more transparency and actively promote community-based solutions that put residents first, not special interests.
  • PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT – Open space and clean parks are essential services. Community lands belong in community hands, and Johnathan will work to ensure that public spaces are maintained for the benefit of the community, not outside developers who only care about making a profit.

I have noticed that, since the election, more homes appear to be for sale in Santa Ana. One has to wonder if we will see a trend of more people giving up on Santa Ana and leaving as a result of this election.

The new City Council members will have four years to figure things out before they have to run for reelection but Sarmiento will only have two years as the Santa Ana Mayor has two-year terms. That means Sarmiento will have to start raising money right away for his next campaign and he will have to restrain himself and be more moderate or risk attracting more candidates to oppose him in 2022.

The Santa Ana City Council must figure out what to do with our homeless problem and the huge number of drug addicts roaming and causing chaos in our city. They must also contend with the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and shore up an economy that has ruptured as so many businesses have shuttered or are now on life support.

Who will lead this new City Council? Sarmiento is not know for being a vocal leader. Nor is Mendoza. Bacerra has a chance to take up that role but he must also deal with the fact that in two years Mendoza will have to run again and she lives in the same ward as Bacerra. Thus the first order of business for the new Santa Ana City Council may be to redraw the ward maps, using the new data from the U.S. Census, so Mendoza and Bacerra can be placed in different wards.

A Berniecrat could win in Santa Ana’s Ward 3

Posted on by Posted in 2020 Elections, Civic Affairs, Crime, Elections, Jeffrey Katz, Mark McLoughlin, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

A surprising poll leaked to us by a city insider shows that the top two Santa Ana City Council candidates in Ward 3 do not in fact include Mark McLoughlin, the candidate annointed by outgoing mayor Miguel Pulido.

As we expected, one of the top candidates is Jeffrey Katz, an attorney and a neighborhood leader in the Floral Park Neighborhood. The other? Jessie Lopez, the most liberal candidate in the Ward 3 mix. Lopez is also quite possibly the youngest candidate vying for Ward 3.

The poll is not what we expected as Ward 3 includes many older residents but over the past few years quite a few of our older residents have either passed away or moved away. Could the Ward now be on the verge of electing a Berniecrat?

This is bad news for Ward 3 as crime is out of control in this area, which is in North Santa Ana and includes the Floral Park and Park Santiago Neighborhoods. Lopez does not even mention crime on the Priorities page of her campaign website!

This blog has endorsed Katz for Ward 3. We encourage the voters in Ward 3 to support him rather than waste their vote on the low-energy empty suit McLoughlin. Read about the Katz plan to reduce crime in our city here.

Another 2020 virtual Santa Ana City Council and Mayoral Candidates Forum set for tonight

Posted on by Posted in 2020 Elections, Civic Affairs, Elections, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce is hosting a virtual Santa Ana City Council and Mayoral candidates forum tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Please register here.

The Chamber states on their website:

Through our moderated candidate forums, the public can get nonpartisan candidate information and listen to questions answered by the candidates. All candidate forums are free and open to the general public. Although, this is a free event we need to you to pre-register.

Here are the candidates:

Ward One

Ward Three

Ward Five

Mayor

You can file to run for Santa Ana Mayor or Wards 1, 3 or 5 through August 6

Posted on by Posted in 2020 Elections, Cecilia Iglesias, Claudia Alvarez, Danny Vega, Democratic Party, Elections, Janelle Welker, Jessie Lopez, Jose Solorio, Mike Gonzalez, Politics, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento Leave a comment

The City of Santa Ana has finally released their official notice of the upcoming City Election this November. Wards 1, 3 and 5 are up for grabs as is the Mayor’s office.

Strangely the Democratic Party of Orange County (DPOC) already endorsed one of the mayoral candidates, Vince Sarmiento, even though the filing period remains open until August 6. I wonder if Sarmiento will have to support the DPOC’s ongoing effort to give out free drug needles in our city and our city only because of this endorsement?

Other announced Mayoral candidates include Ward 3 City Councilman Jose Solorio former City Councilwomen Ceci Iglesias and Claudia Alvarez. Read our mayoral preview article here. I fully expect more candidates to announce before the August 6 deadline.

So far three candidates have announced for Ward 3. Read about Danny Vargas here. Read about Janelle Welker, and Jessie Lopez here.

Mike Gonzales is apparently running for Ward 1.

Here is the City’s official election announcement:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a General Municipal Election will be held in the City of Santa Ana, on Tuesday, the 3rd day of November 2020, for the following officers:

Mayor – Full 2-year term

Councilmember, Ward 1 – Full 4-year term

Councilmember, Ward 3 – Full 4-year term

Councilmember, ward 5 – Full 4 year term

The Nomination Period for these offices opens at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, July 13, 2020, and closes on Thursday, August 6, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. by appointment only. If a qualified incumbent has not filed Nomination Papers by said deadline, the nominating period will be extended to Wednesday, August 12, 2020, at 5:00 p.m., for all interested persons other than incumbent for that seat only.

Nomination documents will be available in the Clerk of the Council Office, 20 Civic Center Plaza, Room 809, Santa Ana, CA during regular business hours. Parking will not be validated. Appointments are required by calling (714) 647-6520 or email cityclerk@santa-ana.org.

Remember to vote during the Election Voting Period by Vote-by-Mail from October 5, 2020, through November 3, 2020. In addition, select Vote Centers will be open for 10 to 3 days until Election Day. For additional election details please visit www.ocvote.com/voting/current-election-info/. Register to vote by October 19, 2020, or verify your voter registration at www.ocvote.com/registration/.

AVISO DE ELECCIÓN PARA LA CIUDAD DE SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA

OR MEDIO DE LA PRESENTE SE AVISA que se llevará a cabo una Elección Municipal General en la Ciudad de Santa Ana, el martes 3 de noviembre del 2020 para los cargos siguientes:

Alcalde – Término completo, 2 años

Concejal, Sector 1 – Término completo, 4 años

Concejal, Sector 3 – Término completo, 4 años

Concejal, Sector 5 – Término completo, 4 años

El Período de Nominación para estos cargos comienza a las 8:00 AM el lunes 13 de julio del 2020 y concluye el jueves 6 de agosto del 2020 a las 5:00 PM por cita solamente. Si un titular calificado no ha presentado Docu-mentos de Nominación para dicha fecha límite, el período de nominación se extenderá al miércoles 12 de agosto del 2020 a las 5:00 PM, para todas las personas interesadas, aparte de ese titular, para ese cargo solamente.

Los documentos de nominación estarán disponibles en la Oficina de la Secretaria Municipal, 20 Civic Center Plaza, Oficina 809, Santa Ana, CA durante horas hábiles. No se validará el estacionamiento. Se requiere hacer cita por medio de llamar al (714) 647-6520 o por correo electrónico a cityclerk@santa-ana.org.

Recuerde votar durante el Período de Elección mediante Voto por Correo del 5 de octubre del 2020 al 3 de noviembre del 2020. Además, Centros de Votación selectos estarán abiertos de 10 a 3 días antes del Día de la Elección. Para detalles electorales adicionales, por favor visite www.ocvote.com/voting/current-election-info/. Empadrónese para votar antes del 19 de octubre del 2020, o verifique su registro de votante en www.ocvote.com/registration/.

THÔNG BÁO BẦU CỬ THÀNH PHỐ SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA

QUA VĂN BẢN NÀY THÔNG BÁO rằng, Thành phố Santa Ana sẽ tổ chức một cuộc Bầu Cử Phổ Thông Thành Phố vào Thứ Ba, ngày 3 tháng Mười Một, 2020 để bầu ra các chức vụ sau:

Thị Trưởng Trọn nhiệm kỳ 2 năm

Thành Viên Hội Đồng, Khu vực 1 Trọn nhiệm kỳ 4 năm

Thành Viên Hội Đồng, Khu vực 3 Trọn nhiệm kỳ 4 năm

Thành Viên Hội Đồng, Khu vực 5 Trọn nhiệm kỳ 4 năm

Thời Gian Đề Cử cho các chức vụ này bắt đầu vào lúc 8 giờ sáng Thứ Hai, ngày 13 tháng Bảy, 2020 và kết thúc vào 5 giờ chiều Thứ Năm, ngày 6 tháng Tám, 2020, chỉ khi có cuộc hẹn trước. Nếu một người đương nhiệm hợp lệ không đệ nộp Giấy Tờ Đề Cử vào ngày đáo hạn như đã nói, thời hạn đề cử sẽ được gia hạn đến 5 giờ chiều Thứ Tư, ngày 12 tháng Tám, 2020, cho tất cả những người có ý muốn ứng cử ngoài người đương nhiệm đối với chỉ chức vụ đó mà thôi.

Hồ sơ đề cử sẽ được sẵn sàng ở Thư ký của Văn Phòng Hội Đồng, tại 20 Civic Center Plaza, Phòng 809, Santa Ana, CA trong giờ hành chánh thường lệ. Đậu xe sẽ không được miễn phí. Yêu cầu phải đặt cuộc hẹn trước bằng cách gọi đến số (714) 647-6520 hoặc gửi email tới cityclerk@santa-ana.org.

Hãy nhớ bỏ phiếu trong Thời Gian Bỏ Phiếu Bầu Cử bằng cách Bầu-qua-Thư từ ngày 5 tháng Mười, 2020 đến ngày 3 tháng Mười Một, 2020. Ngoài ra, lựa chọn Trung Tâm Bỏ Phiếu sẽ mở từ 10 đến 3 ngày cho đến Ngày Bầu Cử, để biết thêm chi tiết về bầu cử, vui lòng truy cập https://www.ocvote.com/voting/current-election-info/. Đăng ký để bỏ phiếu trước ngày 19 tháng Mười, 2020 hoặc xác minh đăng ký cử tri của quý vị tại https://www.ocvote.com/registration/.


캘리포니아 주 산타 아나시 지방 자치 선거 공고문

2020년 11월 3일, 화요일에 산타 아나시 지방 자치 선거가 열릴 예정입니다. 이에 특별히 통지합니다:

시장 2년 임기

위원회 의원, 1 행정구 4년 임기

위원회 의원, 3 행정구 4년 임기

위원회 의원, 5 행정구 4년 임기

지명 신청기간은 2020년 7월 13일, 월요일 오전 8시부터 2020년 8월 6일 오후 5시까지입니다. 만약 마감날짜 안에 신청을 못 하시는 사정이 있는 재직자는 2020년 8월 12일 오후 5시까지 연장하여 드립니다. 재직자 뿐만 아니라 관심있는 모든 분들도 사정에 따라 마감기한을 연장하여 드리니 꼭 숙지 바랍니다.

지명 서류는 산타 아나시 시민 센터 플라자 20, 809호실 의회 사무소(Council Office, 20 Civic Center Plaza, Room 809, Santa Ana)에서 정규 업무 시간 동안 이용 가능합니다. 주차 시설은 이용이 제한될 수 있습니다. 전화 (714) 647-6520 또는 이메일 cityclerk@santa-ana.org 로 연락하여 예약해주시기 바랍니다.

우편 투표 기간은 2020년 10월 5일부터 2020년 11월 3일까지 이며 꼭 해당 날짜 안에 투표할 수 있도록 숙지 바랍니다. 또한 선거일 기준 10일에서 3일 동안 일부 투표소가 개설됩니다. 자세한 선거 정보는 www.ocvote.com/voting/current-election-info/ 를 참조하십시오. 투표 참여를 원하시면 2020년 10월 19일까지 등록하여 주시거나 www.ocvote.com/registration/ 에서 유권자 등록을 확인하여 주십시오.

The Santa Ana City Council will resume in-person public comments at their July 7 meeting

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Politics, Santa Ana 2 Comments

The City of Santa Ana is pleased to announce that beginning July 7, 2020, the Santa Ana City Council will allow in-person public commentary during Council meetings. The public no longer will be able to make comments by phone during Council meetings.

As we slowly begin to lift restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the public is advised of the following:

Public comments will be held during the beginning of the meeting for ALL comments on agenda and non-agenda items, except for public hearings. Comments for public hearings will take place after the hearing is opened. This is being done to respect the time constraints of residents who cannot stay late into the evening to comment on items that they feel strongly about.

Individuals who would like to comment on an agenda item or make a general comment regarding a topic not in the meeting’s agenda may do so by filling out a comment card with staff prior to this time segment in the meeting and entering the Chamber when instructed.

The public is advised that the general seating area within the Chamber will NOT be made available in order to maintain social distancing and reduce the possibility of COVID-19 transmission. Seating with social distancing will be available outside the Council Chamber for members of the public to await their turn to speak.

All City employees and members of the public that attend public meetings MUST wear a mask or face covering and maintain a physical distance of 6 feet from persons who are not members of the same household when inside the Chamber. Individuals who do not want to wear a mask or face covering or attend in person are invited to provide their comments via email instead to ecomment@santa-ana.org. Additional safety measures, such as hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes, will be made available.

Members of the public who have tested positive for COVID-19, are displaying symptoms of the illness, or are immunocompromised and at a higher risk if exposed SHOULD NOT attend City Council meetings in person. If you are not sure if this applies to you, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

All members of the public are encouraged to watch the meeting via three remote options:
• The City’s website at www.santa-ana.org/cc/city-meetings
• The City’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/cityofsantaanavideos/live
• The City’s television channel CTV3, available on Spectrum channel 3 and AT&T U-verse channel 99

For more information on City Council meetings, visit www.santa-ana.org/cc/city-meetings.

The City of Santa Ana thanks residents for their ongoing patience and flexibility as we continue to balance safety and public participation.

El Concejo Municipal de Santa Ana Reanudará Comentarios Públicos En Persona para la Junta del 7 de Julio

La Ciudad de Santa Ana se complace en anunciar que a partir del 7 de julio de 2020 el Concejo Municipal permitirá comentarios públicos en persona durante las juntas del Concejo. El público ya no podrá hacer comentarios por teléfono durante las juntas del Concejo.

A medida que comenzamos a levantar las restricciones en respuesta a la pandemia de COVID-19 lentamente, se le informa al público lo siguiente:

Los comentarios públicos se llevarán a cabo al comienzo de la junta para TODOS los comentarios sobre temas de la agenda y no relacionados con la agenda, con la excepción de las audiencias públicas. Comentarios para audiencias públicas tomarán lugar después de que se abra la audiencia. Esto se hace para respetar las limitaciones de tiempo de los residentes que no pueden quedarse tarde para comentar sobre los temas que les interesan.

Las personas que deseen comentar sobre un tema de la agenda o hacer un comentario general sobre un tema que no está en la agenda de la junta pueden hacerlo completando una tarjeta de comentarios con el personal antes de este segmento en la junta e ingresando a la Cámara cuando se les indique.

El área general de asientos dentro de la cámara NO estará disponible para mantener el distanciamiento social y reducir la posibilidad de transmisión de COVID-19. Habrá asientos con distanciamiento social disponibles fuera de la Cámara del Concejo para que los miembros del público esperen su turno para hablar.

Todos los empleados de la Ciudad y los miembros del público que asisten a estas reuniones públicas DEBEN usar una máscara o cubierta facial y mantener una distancia física de seis (6) pies de las personas que no son miembros del mismo hogar cuando están dentro de la Cámara del Concejo. Las personas que no quieren usar una máscara o cubierta facial o asistir en persona están invitados a enviar sus comentarios por correo electrónico a ecomment@santa-ana.org. Se dispondrá de medidas de seguridad adicionales como desinfectante para manos y toallitas desinfectantes.

Miembros del público que resultaron positivos para COVID-19, muestren síntomas de la enfermedad o estén inmunocomprometidos y tengan un mayor riesgo si están expuestos NO DEBERÍAN asistir a las juntas del Concejo Municipal en persona. Si no está seguro si esto se aplica a usted consulte el sitio web de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC): www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Se alienta a todos los miembros del público a ver la reunión a través de tres opciones remotas:
• El sitio web de la Ciudad – www.santa-ana.org/cc/city-meetings
• El canal de YouTube de la Ciudad – www.youtube.com/cityofsantaanavideos/live
• El canal de television de la Ciudad CTV3, disponible en el canal 3 de Spectrum y canal 99 de AT&T U-verse

Para más información sobre juntas del Concejo Municipal visite www.santa-ana.org/cc/city-meetings.

La Ciudad de Santa Ana agradece a los residentes por su paciencia y flexibilidad continuas mientras continuamos equilibrando la seguridad y la participación pública.

The Santa Ana City Council will conduct a virtual meeting on June 18

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Phil Bacerra, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Santa Ana City Council will hold a meeting on Thursday, June 18, at 5pm, according to a Facebook post by Council Member Phil Bacerra.

The items on the agenda will include:

– Consideration of adopting the FY20-21 Budget

– Public hearing on the replacement of the Fairview bridge

– Police Oversight Commission

– Directing $3 million in City funds to the SAUSD for their programs

You can view the entire City Council Meeting Agenda here.

Nelida Mendoza will join the Santa Ana City Council at tonight’s virtual meeting

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Nelida Mendoza, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Santa Ana City Council will have its regular meeting via teleconference today, June 2. In an effort to protect public health and prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), there will be no in-person public meeting location.

The meeting begins at 5:45 p.m., following a 5 p.m. closed session.

There are several ways to watch the meeting:
• Live stream at www.santa-ana.org/city-meetings
• Live stream at www.youtube.com/cityofsantaanavideos/live
• Spectrum TV channel 3
• AT&T U-verse TV channel 99

Prior to the regular meeting, Nelida Mendoza will be installed as the new Councilmember representing Ward 6 and the Council will adopt a resolution declaring the results of the Special Municipal Recall Election held on May 19, 2020. That special meeting will take place via teleconference at 4:45 p.m.

The regular meeting agenda includes the following business calendar items and public hearings:

• Review proposed City Charter amendments from the Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee;
• Consider the fiscal year 2020-21 draft budget and the seven-year capital improvement program;
• Hold a Public Hearing and adopt a resolution increasing the City curbside cart (trash bins) refuse rates by $1.90, effective July 1, 2020, and by $1.50, effective July 1, 2021;
• Adopt a resolution authorizing the City to apply for and administer the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Plan;
• Councilmember Phil Bacerra, Mayor Pro Tem Juan Villegas and Mayor Miguel A. Pulido are asking the Council to discuss and consider directing the City Manager to develop options that would encourage housing construction in an effort to overcome the negative impacts of the pandemic on our economy.

For the full meeting agenda, go to www.santa-ana.org/city-meetings.

To provide a comment on public hearings and non-agenda items, the public can call in by phone during the meeting. Go to www.santa-ana.org/cc/city-meetings/virtual-meetings for details on how to call in.

To provide comment on agenda items, submit your comments via email to ecomment@santa-ana.org by 4 p.m. today.

Emails received after the deadline will be uploaded to the City website at the earliest possible opportunity.

You may also call to comment during the meeting. Dial (669) 900-9128, enter meeting ID: 315 965 149# and DIAL *9 to let us know that you want to speak at the time the item is being discussed. Clearly state your name for the record and your position in support of or opposition to the specific item.

If you have any questions, please contact the Clerk of the Council office at (714) 647-6520.

Virtual Santa Ana City Council meeting set for tonight

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Tonight, May 19, at 5:45 p.m., the Santa Ana City Council will hold its regular City Council meeting.

Items to be discussed tonight will include:

  • Cell Tower Presentation by Public Works
  • Two New Parks (20B)
  • Park & Community Center upgrades/Capital Improvement
    Program (23A)
  • Library Automation Services (25B)
  • OC Sheriff’s Helicopter Services (25C)
  • City Council Residency Policy (55B)
  • 5 Year Strategic Plan (60A)
  • 20/21 Budget & Measure X Committee Report (WS)

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the City of Santa Ana – Municipal Government can no longer offer an in-person meeting location for public meetings and will offer various ways to observe and participate: TV, YouTube Live, phone, and email.

The meeting agenda can be found at: www.santa-ana.org/city-meetings

The Santa Ana City Council will meet tonight, Feb. 18

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The regular meeting of the Santa Ana City Council is scheduled to begin at 5:45 p.m. tonight, Feb. 18, 2020.

The Council meets in the City Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana. A Housing Authority meeting also will take place.

The agenda includes the following matters:

• Appointments to city commissions and committees.
• Adopt a resolution to update and centralize the city’s master pay schedule.
• Approve an appropriation adjustment for $140,000 and adopt a resolution approving a relocation plan for Warner Avenue phase 2 improvements between Oak Street and Grand Avenue.
• Adopt a resolution to expand hours of the Flower Park permit parking district.
• Adopt a resolution declaring city-owned property at 625 S. Cypress Ave. as surplus land and directing the City Manager to comply with the requirements for the sale of surplus land.
• Adopt a resolution declaring opposition t o the County of Orange’s construction and operation of a homeless shelter on Yale Street and anywhere else in Santa Ana until the County of Orange is operating a proportional amount of shelter beds in the South Service Planning Area as exists in the Central and North Service Planning Areas.
• Approve the fiscal year 2020-2022 Community Development Block Grant Program for a total amount of $7,560,549 for 32 local public service organizations and City programs.
• Receive and file fiscal year 2019-20 general fund mid-year update; adopt a resolution to amend fiscal year 2019-20 budget to add two full-time positions; approve mid-year appropriation adjustments.
• Adopt a resolution accepting a certificate as to verification of signatures from the Orange County Registrar of Voters for a petition to recall Councilmember Cecilia Iglesias and the certificate of sufficiency from the Clerk of the Council; and approve an appropriation adjustment in the amount of $710,000 t o pay for the costs of the signature verification and the special election. Then, either adopt resolutions calling for a special election or direct staff to prepare resolutions calling a special election at the March 3 City Council meeting.
• Designate a voting delegate for the 55th Southern California Association of Governments’ regional conference and general assembly scheduled for May 6-8.
• Approve a joint powers agreement with the County of Orange; approve an option agreement and 65-year ground lease with Washington Santa Ana Housing Partners, L.P., for the development of the Crossroads at Washington Project located at 1126 and 1146 E. Washington Ave.; adopt a resolution authorizing the Orange County Housing authority to administer project-based vouchers in santa ana; approve a regional housing needs allocation agreement with the County of Orange; approve a substantial amendment to the neighborhood stabilization program annual action plan.
• Discuss and c onsider directing the City Manager to recognize Santa Ana residents serving in the military.
• Discuss and consider directing the City Manager to develop a homeless work program to provide meaningful work for the homeless.

The full meeting agenda with staff reports is here: https://santaana.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=8255

An agenda that can be translated into other languages is available here: https://www.santa-ana.org/sites/default/files/cc/cc-agenda/20200218.html

Meetings are broadcast live on CTV3. Watch CTV3 on channel 3 on Time Warner Cable and channel 99 on AT&T U-verse.

The council meetings are streamed live online in English here:
http://santaana.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=3

The meetings can be watched in Spanish here:
http://santaana.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=1

Tonight’s Santa Ana City Council meeting is the first one of the year

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The Santa Ana City Council will have its regular meeting tonight, Jan. 21, at Santa Ana City Hall in the Council Chamber, 22 Civic Center Plaza.

The closed session begins at 5 p.m. and the open meeting is scheduled for 5:45 p.m.

Tonight’s meeting agenda includes:

• A resolution supporting extensions of the OC Streetcar project;
• A second ordinance reading approving a development at 2525 N. Main St., or directing staff to prepare a possible ballot initiative measure on the matter;
• Approval of a display of “E Pluribus Unum” in City Council chambers;
• A discussion on providing American Sign Language services for City Council meetings;
• Directing staff to prepare a resolution establishing a City Charter review committee;
• A discussion on restructuring or disbanding one or more existing City Council committees;
• A public hearing for a conditional use permit for alcohol sale and consumption at Mariscos Hector #1, 1801 S. Main St.;
• A public hearing on the Calvary Church master plan for 1010 and 1100-B N. Tustin Ave.;
• A discussion on providing form 602, which gives limited authorization to police to arrest trespassers on private property, to all businesses applying for a license; and
• A discussion on directing the city manager to request the Police Department and other city departments to enforce anti-camping, anti-panhandling and related laws.

The meeting will air on City of Santa Ana Channel 3 (CTV3) and can be livestreamed online.

For more information about council meetings, to see the meeting agenda in English and Spanish and for a link to the livestream, please go to www.santa-ana.org/cc/city-meetings.

The Ward 4 candidates to replace Reyna are set for the Nov. 5 special election

Posted on by Posted in 2019 Elections, Beatriz Mendoza, Brandon Sisco, Civic Affairs, Elections, Jennifer Oliva, Manuel Escamilla, Oliver Gale Jr., Phil Bacerra, Politics, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana 3 Comments

The nomination period for Ward 4 on the Santa Ana City Council closed on August 9. We now know who the candidates will be – and it is a crowded filed. They are vying to replace Roman Reyna, the Councilman who had to resign when he was sued for issues related to his campaign paperwork (essentially he fudged his voting address and got caught).

The candidates include:

  • Phil Bacerra – A former Santa Ana Planning Commissioner who barely lost to Reyna last time around. Check out his website here.
  • Beatriz Mendoza – A former staffer to U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez. Mendoza has previously run for the SAUSD School Board too.
  • Brandon Sisco – His website claims that  at 15 assisted the FBI. He owns a company called Android Genius. Their Yelp reviews are very entertaining! Another website claims he is a real estate developer.
  • Bishop Oliver Gale, Jr. – He heads up the Greater Light Family Church, located at 1600 W. 3rd St. in Santa Ana.
  • Manuel Escamilla – His website notes that Escamilla “grew up at the McFadden Public Library and Jerome Recreation Center in central Santa Ana.” He is a graduate of SAUSD, SAC, UC Berkeley, and UCLA. He served as a City representative on the Santa Ana Arts & Cultural Master Plan and remained on staff in the City of Santa Ana’s Planning Department until he left to run for Ward 4.
  • Jennifer Oliva – She is an Arts and Culture Commissioner in Santa Ana.

Where were all these candidates last time around? I am glad to see that there is so much interest now in the Ward 4 seat. This is a crowded race with a lot of high quality candidates.

The election is set for November 5, 2019.

The Santa Ana City Council has approved a $646 million budget

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On Tuesday, June 18, the City of Santa Ana City Council approved a $646 million budget for fiscal year 2019-20. The total budget is comprised of $316 million in the general fund; $76.5 million in restricted and special revenue funds; $128 million in enterprise operations; $70.6 million in grant funds; and, $55 million in capital expenditures. The approved, balanced budget reflects City Council priorities based on public input from the various City’s Community Budget Meetings and workshops.

“I am very pleased to see that the City Council has been presented with a balanced budget that includes significant investments in quality of life for our residents and businesses. This year the City will be celebrating its 150th anniversary and I am confident that the investments outlined in this budget will continue to make Santa Ana a prosperous and thriving community for all to enjoy,” said Mayor Miguel Pulido.

Under the new budget, $4.6 million will be set aside for additional staffing for park maintenance, code enforcement, public safety, libraries and recreational programming. Another $2.5 million will address pending maintenance and repairs in the City’s parks. The budget also includes funds for private park security and the establishment of a Family Justice Center.

During fiscal year 2019-20, staff also expects to work with the Youth Commission to distribute the $3.1 million in cannabis revenues reserved for youth services. These funds will benefit a range of youth programs including the Santa Ana Teen Space Center, tutoring, internship and the Catalina youth program.

Along with the budget, the Council also approved the proposed Seven-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) which will fund $59.1 million in capital improvement projects during fiscal year 2019-20 and a grand total of $140.2 million through fiscal year 2025-26. Proposed projects include park facility improvements, arterial street rehabilitation, local street resurfacing, streetlight rewiring and repairs, traffic signal synchronization, and automated metering implementation.

The Fiscal Year 2019-20 City Budget is available to view at www.santa-ana.org/finance/budget.

About the City of Santa Ana

Santa Ana is downtown for the world famous Orange County, California. As the County Seat, home to a vibrant evening scene and one of the most diverse communities in California, Santa Ana is gaining national attention for its efforts to innovate and address a changing County. Over 1,200 City employees work hard every day to deliver efficient public services in partnership with our community to ensure public safety, a prosperous economic environment, opportunities for our youth, and a high quality of life for residents. Learn more at http://www.santa-ana.org.

The Santa Ana draft Annual Action Plan is available for public review

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Annual Action Plan Public Comment Period – March 26th to April 27th

The Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan details the housing, community and economic development needs for the City of Santa Ana, and the priorities, strategies, and projects that will be undertaken by the City to address those needs with Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME,) and Emergency Solutions Grants Program (ESG) funds that the City receives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Funds are intended to provide low-to moderate-income households with affordable housing, a healthy and safe living environment, and expanded economic opportunities. Eligible activities include community facilities and improvements, housing rehabilitation and preservation, homeless activities, development activities, public services, economic development, planning, and program administration. The estimated amount of funding the City anticipates it will receive for FY 2019-2020 is as follows:

  • CDBG – $5,816,959
  • HOME – $1,783,004
  • ESG – $475,700

The draft Annual Action Plan is available for public review during regular business hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday in the offices of the Community Development Agency, 20 Civic Center Plaza, 6th Floor, Office of the Clerk of the Council, 20 Civic Center Plaza, 8th Floor, and the Main Public Library, 26 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, California and on the City’s Website under Community Development Agency at https://bit.ly/2OZVKQl. The final Annual Action Plan will be presented to the City Council for review and approval in May 2019.

How To Make Comments – The 30-day public comment period for the 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan will commence on March 26, 2019 and will end at 4:30 p.m. on April 27, 2019. You may send your written comments to Terri Eggers, Senior Community Development Analyst, at teggers@santa-ana.org; or by mail to City of Santa Ana, 20 Civic Center Plaza – M25, Attn: Terri Eggers, Santa Ana, CA 92701.

Who To Contact For Questions – Should you have any questions, please contact Terri Eggers, Senior Community Development Analyst, at (714) 647-5378 or by e-mail to teggers@santa-ana.org.