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Tag Archives: city council

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

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Santa Ana 1 Comment

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.

Six candidates have applied to replace Roman Reyna on the Santa Ana City Council

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Civic Affairs, Elections, Gale Oliver Jr., Jennifer Oliva, Jose Solorio, Ken Nguyen, Maricela Vallejo, Phil Bacerra, Phillip Ortiz Jr., Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 2 Comments

Six people applied to replace former Santa Ana City Councilman Roman Reyna by the deadline at noon Tuesday, March 12, according to the O.C. Register.

The candidates include:

  • Phil Bacerra (D), a former Santa Ana Planning Commissioner who sued Reyna after the November election on the grounds that Reyna screwed up his campaign paperwork and never should have been allowed on the ballot. Phil was right!
  • Kenneth Khanh Nguyen (No Party Preference – NPP), a Santa Ana Planning Commissioner
  • Jennifer Oliva (D), a Santa Ana Arts and Culture Commissioner
  • Gale Oliver, Jr. (No Party Preference – NPP), a Baptist bishop
  • Phillip Ortiz, Jr. (No Party Preference – NPP), an Internet installer
  • Maricela Vallejo (No Party Preference – NPP), a Santa Ana Personnel Board Member

Our position is that Reyna’s seat should go to Bacerra, who was cheated out of victory last year. To make matters worse, Bacerra was smeared by Reyna’s supporters in what was perhaps the ugliest campaign we have ever seen. The fair thing to do would be to appoint Bacerra. This is particularly true as he is one of only two Asian candidates being considered by the City Council.

Apparently Council Members Jose Solorio and Vince Sarmiento are favoring the other Asian candidate, Kenneth “Ken” Khang Nguyen, who was successfully sued by Novell for copyright infringement back in 1997, because of a software piracy scheme. Nguyen is an affable fellow but it is likely that he is favored because he will go along to get along – and Solorio allegedly wants a candidate who will do his bidding.

I have met Bishop Gale Oliver before. He is very engaging. He has his hands full with his congregation though. While the City Council job is a part-time position it actually turns out to be almost full time – as any of our current City Council Members can attest.

I don’t know Jennifer Oliva or Maricela Vallejo but they are, like Nguyen, both City Commissioners. And we certainly could use more women on our City Council as currently only one City Council Member, Ceci Iglesias, is a woman.

My guess is that the City Council will not be able to muster four votes for any of these candidates. It is likely that we are headed for a Special Election that will take place in November, at the same time as the upcoming SAUSD Special election.

Who will replace Roman Reyna in the Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 4?

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Civic Affairs, Phil Bacerra, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana 3 Comments

Roman Reyna’s latest term on the Santa Ana City Council is already over, as we reported last night on our Facebook page.

Reyna was just elected in November, to Ward 4, after his allies conducted a horrific smear campaign against his opponent, former Santa Ana Planning Commissioner Phil Bacerra.

Bacerra however sued Reyna on the grounds that Reyna had not proven he was eligible to run for Ward 4. Reyna agreed to a settlement which will see him step down from the City Council by March 1. Reyna also agreed not to seek appointment or run in a special election for the Ward 4 seat.

The City Council can now appoint someone to replace Reyna in Ward 4. They could also call for a Special Election however that is most unlikely due the high cost of conducting such an election.

So who will replace Reyna in Ward 4? My sources tell me that there is no consensus candidate. One might argue that Bacerra should be appointed however the smear campaign against him cost him support on the City Council – and a few of the current City Council Members were allied with Reyna in the last election.

The City Council last night approved the MOU with the Santa Ana Police Officers Association. However they were unable to approve a means to fund that new contract as they lacked one vote – as Reyna blew off last night’s meeting.

While Reyna could return to the City Council in two weeks my sources tell me that the City Attorney has asked him not to vote on any other items as he could open the city up to lawsuits. So don’t be surprised if he continues to skip out on meetings while getting paid up to March 1.

The City Council also had to delay a decision on the apartment development project at 2525 Main St. Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido had to continue the public hearing on that development when 150 public speakers showed up and the hearing dragged on until 11:30 p.m. That matter will be resolved at the next City Council meeting, in two weeks.

While the current City Council lacks a consistent majority they will have to muster at least four votes to replace Reyna. It will be very tough to find a decent candidate in Ward 4. If the replacement won’t be Bacerra my personal inclination would be to find a woman candidate to replace Reyna as the current City Council only features one woman – Ceci Iglesias.

Santa Ana’s new City Council Members have been sworn in

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Santa Ana 2 Comments

City of Santa Ana

Advisory: City of Santa Ana Welcomes Three New Members to the City Council

SANTA ANA, CA – At a Special Meeting of the Santa Ana City Council held on December 11, 2018, the City Council reorganized as follows: Mayor Miguel Pulido’s swore in as the re-elected Mayor, the election of Councilmember Juan Villegas as the City’s new Mayor Pro Tem, and the swearing in of three new Councilmembers: David Penaloza (Ward 2), Roman Reyna (Ward 4), and Cecilia Iglesias (Ward 6).

During the meeting, outgoing Mayor Pro Tem Michele Martinez and Councilmembers Sal Tinajero and David Benavides were all honored for their achievements and their exceptional public service to the residents of the City of Santa Ana during their tenure on City Council.

A list of the reorganization with terms of office for each City Council member includes:

Mayor Miguel Pulido – Term Expires 12-2020
Mayor Pro Tem Juan Villegas – Term Expires 12-2020
Councilmember Cecilia Iglesias – Term Expires 12-2022
Councilmember David Penaloza – Term Expires 12-2022
Councilmember Roman Reyna – Term Expires 12-2022
Councilmember Vicente Sarmiento – Term Expires 12-2020
Councilmember Jose Solorio – Term Expires 12-2020

Please visit the City’s website to view the video recording of the December 11 Council meeting. For more information on the City Council reorganization, please call (714) 647-6900 or email citycouncil@santa-ana.org.

About 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.

Santa Ana 2018 General Election updated results

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Civic Affairs, Elections, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Advisory: CITY OF SANTA ANA 2018 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION UNOFFICIAL RESULTS FOR MAYOR & COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MEASURES

Santa Ana, CA – Based on unofficial results posted by the Orange County Registrar of Voters Office at 1:48 a.m., the following are the results thus far with an estimated 418,600 ballots left to count in the County of Orange and for various districts: Continue reading→

Mayor Pulido finally has a City Council majority he can work with

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Cecilia Iglesias, Civic Affairs, David Penaloza, Juan Villegas, Santa Ana 2 Comments

While voter turnout in yesterday’s General Election, here in Santa Ana, was very low the results worked out in favor of Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido, who was easily reelected to what will be his last two-year term after he trounced his opponent, termed out City Councilman Sal Tinajero.

The successful City Council candidates, including Ceci Iglesias in Ward 6 and David Penaloza in Ward 2, are likely to ally with Pulido. Current City Council member Juan Villegas can be counted on as well. With Pulido that makes a four member City Council majority. Continue reading→

Vote no on Measure X – which will make Santa Ana’s sales tax the highest in the County

Posted on by Posted in Politics, Santa Ana 7 Comments

The City Council of Santa Ana has placed a tax increase measure on the November ballot, Measure X, that would increase sales tax in Santa Ana by 1.5 percent. If it passes, Santa Ana taxpayers and anyone who shops in Santa Ana would be paying the highest sales tax in Orange County, according to the OC Taxpayers Association.

The city is upside-down financially, with shortfalls estimated to grow from $10 million this fiscal yearto a nearly $40 million per-year shortfall in the 2021 fiscal year, in a series of deepening gaps, according to the Voice of OC. Continue reading→

Santa Ana City Council forum and Mayoral debate set for Sep. 19

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Politics, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Connie Hamilton, Connect-to-Council

714-745-1692 (phone/text)/connect-to-council@earthlink.net

CONNECT-TO-COUNCIL HOSTS “AN EVENING WITH THE CANDIDATES”, A FORUM AND DEBATE FOR THE SANTA ANA VOTERS

Santa Ana, CA- Connect-to-Council, a Santa Ana non-profit organization, will host, a candidates’ forum and debate for the Santa Ana voters. This will take place at the Delhi Center on September 19, 2018. The council candidates have been invited to participate in a council candidate forum, then a mayoral candidate debate will immediately follow.

Wednesday September 19, 2018 6:00-8:00 p.m. Continue reading→

Santa Ana City Council Ward 6 candidate Mendoza dropped her frivolous lawsuit against Velasquez

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Claudia Alvarez, Courts, Jose Solorio, Mirna Velasquez, Nelida Mendoza-Yanez, Politics Leave a comment

Nelida Yanez

Nellie Mendoza drops frivolous suit – may need to pay attorneys fees

Santa Ana City Council Ward 7 candidate Nelida Mendoza (formerly Yanez) dropped her lawsuit against her opponent,  Mirna Velasquez, on Tuesday. Perhaps she did so because she finally realized that she had no case!

Mendoza alleged that Velasquez was not a resident of Santa Ana Ward 6. However, Mendoza acknowledged in her complaint that Velasquez has lived in Ward 6 since at least her registration date of November 21, 2017. Not only did she register in the district more than 30 days before filing but Velasquez moved into the Ward on November 1, 2017 per her response. So there was no merit to the 1st cause of action by Ms. Mendoza. Continue reading→

Ward 6 candidate Velasquez hits back at her opponent Mendoza with an Anti-SLAPP motion

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Courts, Mirna Velasquez, Nelida Mendoza-Yanez, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Nelida Yanez

Mirna Velasquez, Candidate for Ward 6, responds to Nellie Mendoza lawsuit with an Anti-SLAPP motion for attorney fees

Santa Ana City Council Ward 6 candidate Mirna Velasquez responded to Nelida Mendoza lawsuit about her ballot designation and residency with facts and an Anti-Slapp motion for Attorney Fees.

Mendoza alleged that Velasquez was not a resident of Santa Ana Ward 6. However, Mendoza acknowledged in her complaint that Velasquez has lived in Ward 6 since at least her registration date of November 21, 2017. Not only did she register in the district more than 30 days before filing but Velasquez moved into the Ward on November 1, 2017 per her response. So there was no merit to the 1st cause of action by Ms. Mendoza. Continue reading→

Two of Santa Ana’s City Council candidates are suing to remove their competitors from the ballot

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Jose Solorio, Mirna Velasquez, Nelida Mendoza-Yanez, Phil Bacerra, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana Leave a comment

There are only two candidates running for the Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 4 – former Ward 5 Councilman Roman Reyna and former Planning Commissioner Phil Bacerra. They are both in hot water.

Bacerra has apparently retained well-known political lawyer Mark Rosen and they have sued to have Reyna removed from the ballot on the grounds that he apparently registered to vote four times in recent weeks, all at different addresses. It seems that Reyna kept picking addresses that are not in Ward 4.  Continue reading→

The Santa Ana City Council has canceled all public hearings regarding Ward redistricting

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Ballot Measures, Civic Affairs, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: Notice to Residents: Cancellation of Public Hearing to Consider Ward Re-Boundaries

The Santa Ana City Council has canceled the Public Hearings to consider modifying the Ward boundaries. The Hearings were originally scheduled for May 1, May 3, May 15, May 19 and June 5, 2018.

The purpose of these Hearings was to allow interested persons to provide input on ward boundaries, community of interest and comment on proposed draft maps before the City Council for consideration. The City Council was unable to hold a formal public hearing on May 3, 2018 due to lack of quorum and at the May 15, 2018 City Council Meeting, the Clerk of the Council announced that the process was being suspended due to impending litigation. Continue reading→

The Santa Ana City Council majority confirms that they are still trying to illegally extend their term limits

Posted on by Posted in Ballot Measures, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community: Update on Santa Ana Special Municipal Elections for June 5, 2018

On March 1, 2018, an Ad Hoc Committee of the City Council met to discuss Ward Boundaries and Ward Based Elections, otherwise known as by-district elections. The Ad Hoc Committee recommended that staff prepare the required resolutions for placing a Charter Amendment on the June 5, 2018 Statewide Primary Election for consideration by the City Council at the next regularly scheduled City Council Meeting of March 6, 2018. Continue reading→