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Category Archives: Civic Affairs

Nominations now open for the 2021 Santa Ana Historic Preservation Awards

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

The City of Santa Ana is proud to announce that nominations are being accepted for the 2021 Historic Preservation Awards. The Historic Preservation Awards are intended to recognize outstanding historic rehabilitation and restoration projects, as well as efforts that have furthered the cause of historic preservation in the city.

Award recipients will be honored by both the Historic Resources Commission and the Santa Ana City Council. In addition, those selected will receive a plaque commemorating their contribution to the City and to preserving Santa Ana’s historic resources.

Nominations will be accepted until Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at 4 p.m., and may be made by any member of the public. Details regarding eligibility for this award are included with the nomination form on the City’s website, and are based on the following selection criteria:

  • The property must be located within Santa Ana and included on the Local, State or National Registers of Historic Places.
  • The project must have been completed between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020.
  • The property owner must have obtained proper and required City permits and approvals.
  • All projects must meet the intent of the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation.

Applications can be submitted online or in person at the public Planning Counter, located on the first floor of the City Hall Ross Annex at 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92702.

Learn more at https://www.santa-ana.org/pb/planning-division/historic-preservation.

For more information, contact Pedro Gomez, Associate Planner, at (714) 667-2790.

Translations:

Nominaciones Premios de Preservación Histórica

Español

Giải thưởng Bảo tồn Di tích

Tiếng Việt

Santa Ana face mask order ends as the pandemic restrictions are lifted

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

SANTA ANA, Calif. – City Manager Kristine Ridge has signed an executive order ending the City’s face covering requirement effective today, June 15, in conjunction with the lifting of most statewide mask requirements and other pandemic-related restrictions.

The Governor ordered the California economy to reopen today and the resumption of most normal business operations and activities. The City of Santa Ana will continue to follow all state, federal and county health rules related to COVID-19. The California Department of Public Health still requires the use of face coverings by vaccinated individuals in some circumstances. Face coverings are required for unvaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses, with some exemptions.
 
Read more about the State’s mask rules and the State’s reopening guidelines.

Santa Ana City Hall has remained open throughout most of the pandemic, and the City has been providing services such as to-go senior meals, curbside pickup at the libraries, more online options, and virtual participation at public meetings. The City will now resume more services, update its pandemic safety measures, and begin reopening more facilities. Among the changes:
 

  • City Hall has been open by appointment throughout most of the pandemic; we still encourage the public to make appointments and use online options for permits and other services.
  • Appointments are not required for the cashier counter.
  • Plexiglass shields will remain in place at City facilities as an added protection for the public and staff.
  • Members of the public who have NOT been vaccinated against COVID-19 are still required to wear face masks when entering City buildings.
  • Santa Ana City Council meetings allow both in-person and virtual participation.
  • Swimming pools have already reopened and some recreation programs have started; more recreation programming will return this summer.
  • The Santa Ana Zoo has been open and will now operate at full capacity.
  • The Newhope Branch Library has been open and will now operate at full capacity.
  • The Main Library will reopen this summer after construction work is finished.
  • Senior centers will reopen at full capacity this summer.
  • Community centers will begin reopening in the coming months.

While we are excited to see our economy reopen and our local businesses and residents thrive again, the COVID-19 pandemic is still not over. To allow the economy to remain open, to avoid another COVID-19 surge, and to protect public health, the City of Santa Ana encourages everyone age 12 or older to get vaccinated and follow COVID-19 public health guidance issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the County of Orange Health Care Agency.

Learn more about how to get the COVID-19 vaccine and find other pandemic news and resources at www.santa-ana.org/covid19.

See the City Manager’s executive order ending the local mask requirement here.

Translations:

Español

Tiếng Việt

State of California guidance on face coverings: https://bit.ly/3xkZFff

CDC guidance for vaccinated individuals: https://bit.ly/3gp8cYW

City of Santa Ana COVID-19 Resources

Most Santa Ana residents are totally ignoring the City of Santa Ana’s YouTube Channel

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

The City of Santa Ana has 332,318 residents, per the U.S. Census. It seems that 99.9% of them are ignoring the City of Santa Ana’s official YouTube Channel.

The Santa Ana YouTube page only has 1,640 subscribers to begin with. The City of Santa Ana’s Facebook page has 23,559 followers. The New Santa Ana’s Facebook page has over 34,000 followers, by comparison.

Here are a few examples of recent videos posted by the City of Santa Ana and their sad viewership:

We don’t know how much money the City of Santa Ana is spending on producing these videos but the net result is abysmal.

It is however fairly obvious that Environmental Justice is not of interest to most Santa Ana residents…

Santa Ana is now paying 100% of past due rent for low-income families impacted by Covid-19

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

THE CITY OF SANTA ANA IS NOW PAYING 100% OF THE RENTAL ARREARS/ PAST DUE RENT OWED SINCE APRIL 1, 2020, FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IMPACTED BY COVID-19. Apply for payment of 100% of your rental arrears / past due rent owed since April 1, 2020. Applications are available on the Santa Ana CARES for Tenants webpage at www.santa-ana.org/cares-for-tenants or can be requested directly from Latino Health Access at (657) 229-5450 or LHARent@latinohealthaccess.org or Families Forward at (949) 552-2727 or santaana@families-forward.org.

If you do not have a computer with internet access or need assistance submitting an application, please contact the Santa Ana Work Center at (714) 565-2600 or by email at saworkcenter@santa-ana.org to schedule an appointment. Assistance is available by appointment only. Applications can also be mailed to you with return postage paid.

If you would like to learn more, join us on Wednesday, June 16, or Wednesday, June 30 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. Spanish and Vietnamese interpreters will be available.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87271804924?pwd=UTN6NjNORjI2R0VMeEdRN3J4K3Jvdz09

Webinar ID: 872 7180 4924

Passcode: 306705

FOR TENANTS FACING EVICTION – Please go to www.santa-ana.org/SAVES to learn more about the SAVES Program and submit a pre-application.  Families at risk of eviction can also call 2-1-1 or go to santaana.211oc.org to start the application process today.  Santa Ana residents impacted by COVID-19 who are behind on rent and facing eviction within 21 days can apply for up to 12 months’ rent (which includes up to six months’ rental arrears since April 1, 2020) and receive free legal and mediation services.

Translations:

Asistencia de Emergencia para la Renta Está Disponible

Español

Hỗ trợ cho thuê khẩn cấp có sẵn

Tiếng Việt

COVID-19 video update from Mayor Sarmiento and Councilmember Hernandez

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Johnathan Ryan Hernandez, Vince Sarmiento Leave a comment

Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento and Councilmember Johnathan Ryan Hernandez share news about the Revive Santa Ana pandemic recovery plan, reopenings, and getting the vaccine.

Learn more about how to get the COVID-19 vaccine and other pandemic resources at https://www.santa-ana.org/covid19.

Actualización de Video sobre COVID-19

El alcalde de Santa Ana Vicente Sarmiento y el concejal Johnathan Ryan Hernandez comparten noticias sobre el plan de recuperación pandémica, las reaperturas, y como conseguir la vacuna.

Aprenda más sobre como vacunarse contra COVID-19 y otros recursos pandémicos en https://www.santa-ana.org/covid19.

The Santa Ana City Council approves a $79.5M spending plan

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

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Santa Ana City Council on Thursday, June 3, approved spending priorities for the initial part – $79.5 million – of a far-reaching pandemic recovery plan that will provide health, financial, education and other support to the Santa Ana community.

“Last night the City Council took the first important step toward a comprehensive strategy to help our residents, our businesses, our youth and all of Santa Ana truly begin to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mayor Vicente Sarmiento said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to address inequities in health, information access and many other issues in our community.”

The Revive Santa Ana initiative is funded by a federal American Rescue Plan Act allocation of $128.3 million and additional housing funding of $21.5 million, as well as $10.6 million in federal money from the state for emergency rental assistance. The City is required to spend all of this federal funding by the end of 2026.

The plan approved Thursday had been updated following the City Council’s direction at a May 24 budget workshop to increase funding for pandemic recovery and direct assistance for residents and add additional supportive programs. Prior to creating the Revive Santa Ana plan, the City also held a virtual town hall and conducted a survey in which over 1,500 community members responded to provide input about how the money should be spent.

Revive Santa Ana has five areas of focus:

Recovery from the Pandemic: $7.2 million

  • Local Vaccinations/Education Collaboration
  • Public Health Equity
  • Expansion of Critical City Communications Methods
  • Sanitization & Prevention
  • COVID-19 Emergency Response
  • Mental Health Recovery
  • Contributions to Local Health Clinics
  • Memorial to Lives Lost During the Pandemic

Direct Assistance Programs: $24.6 million

  • Emergency Rental Assistance Program
  • Resident stimulus payments
  • Emergency Housing Vouchers
  • Food Distribution
  • Reopening Assistance to Businesses
  • Early Childhood Support & Head Start (including arts programs)
  • After-School Programs (including homework assistance)
  • Youth Violence/Sexual Assault Intervention
  • Digital Literacy Education

Public Health & Safety: $14 million

  • Addition of Green Space at Santa Anita Park
  • Healthy Food Access and community garden
  • Trash Abatement & Supplemental Code Enforcement
  • Support Services for COVID-19 Response
  • Rapid Response Homeless Services
  • Upgrade Park Restrooms
  • Enhanced Security for Usability of Parks/Community Centers

Critical Infrastructure: $19.5 million

  • Affordable Broadband Access
  • Community Center Renovations
  • Update Central Library to Support Early Childhood Learning
  • New Library Branch/Expansion of Library Accessibility
  • Pedestrian & Mobility Improvements
  • Information Technology & Process Upgrades
  • Neighborhood Safety Streetlights

City Fiscal Health: $14.2 million

  • Revenue loss, unemployment fund and other pandemic-related costs.

On June 15, 2021, the City Council is expected to vote to appropriate the funding so the City can begin spending it on the new programs.

About Santa Ana

Santa Ana is downtown for the world famous Orange County, California. It is the County Seat, the second-most populous city in Orange County, and is home to a vibrant evening scene and arts community. 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 www.santa-ana.org.

Santa Ana City Hall closed and no street sweeping on Memorial Day

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

Santa Ana City Hall will be closed on Monday, May 31, 2021, for Memorial Day.

There will be no street sweeping. Trash pickup will be delayed one day. Regular City Hall hours will resume on Tuesday, June 1, 2021.

Go here for the street sweeping holiday schedule and other information.

Virtual Q&A meeting on Emergency Rental Relief in Santa Ana set for May 26

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

Join us on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. for a Zoom workshop to learn more about emergency rental assistance available from the City of Santa Ana. Spanish and Vietnamese interpreters will be available.

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82433027293?pwd=Q0l1NytCNnI5NG96cWlXYXBQakpmZz09

Webinar ID: 824 3302 7293

Passcode: 154954

Are you unable to pay rent due to COVID-19? Apply for up to $5,500 in emergency rental relief through the City of Santa Ana. Applications are available on the Santa Ana CARES for Tenants webpage at www.santa-ana.org/cares-for-tenants

FOR TENANTS FACING EVICTION – Please go to www.santa-ana.org/SAVES to learn more about the SAVES Program and submit a pre-application. Families at risk of eviction can also call 2-1-1 or go to santaana.211oc.org to start the application process today. Santa Ana residents impacted by COVID-19 who are behind on rent and facing eviction within 21 days can apply for up to 12 months’ rent (which includes up to six months’ rental arrears since April 1, 2020) and receive free legal and mediation services.

Reunión virtual sobre ayuda de renta

español

Cuộc họp hỏi đáp ảo về cứu trợ tiền thuê khẩn cấp

Tiếng Việt

Environmental Justice Community Forum for the Riverview West, Santa Anita, West Floral Park, Floral Park, Artesia Pilar, and Flower Park Neighborhoods set for May 26

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Environment, Justice, Neighborhood Associations, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The residents of the Riverview West, Santa Anita, West Floral Park, Floral Park, Artesia Pilar, and Flower Park neighborhoods are invited to the virtual Environmental Justice Community Forum on Wednesday, May 26 at 6:00 pm.

The City wants to hear your experiences and any suggestions you may have to improve the environmental health and quality of life in your neighborhood. Help directly impact change and participate in the City of Santa Ana General Plan.

Please join the Zoom Meeting at the following link:
https://zoom.us/j/99430094817
or Join by phone: +1 669 900 9128 US, Meeting ID: 994 3009 4817

To view the meeting flyer in English, Spanish and Vietnamese click here. Your opinion matters. Complete the Environmental Justice survey for a chance to win $100. For additional information, visit our website at https://www.santa-ana.org/general-plan or contact us at (714) 667-2781 or newgeneralplan@santa-ana.org.

Los residentes del vecindario Riverview West, Santa Anita, West Floral Park, Floral Park, Artesia Pilar, y Flower Park están invitados al Foro Comunitario virtual de Justicia Ambiental el miercoles, 26 de mayo a las 6:00 pm.

La ciudad quiere escuchar sus experiencias y cualquier sugerencia que pueda tener para mejorar la salud ambiental y la calidad de vida en su vecindario. Ayuda a impactar directamente el cambio y participar en el Plan General de la Ciudad de Santa Ana.

Por favor, únase a la reunión de Zoom en el siguiente enlace
https://zoom.us/j/99430094817
o
Por teléfono:+1 669 900 9128 US
Junta ID: 994 3009 4817

Para ver el folleto de la reunión, haga clic aquí. Tu opinión importa. Complete la encuesta de Justicia Ambiental para tener la oportunidad de ganar $100. Para obtener información adicional, visite nuestro sitio web https://www.santa-ana.org/general-plan o nos puede contactar a (714) 667-2781 o newgeneralplan@santa-ana.org.

The Santa Ana City Council will meet tonight to discuss how to spend nearly $130M in new federal aid

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

The Santa Ana City Council will have a special meeting for a budget workshop and closed session items on Monday, May 24, 2021.The meeting begins at 5:00 p.m.

Items up for discussion include:

  • A new public health department.
  • Direct financial assistance to struggling residents.
  • More youth-focused community programs.
  • An effort to take homeless-related 9-1-1 calls out of police officers’ hands and divert them instead to nonprofit groups.

There will be limited in-person public meeting participation. The meeting location is at Santa Ana City Hall in the Council Chamber, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana.

IN-PERSON PUBLIC COMMENTS OPTION – Members of the public can provide in-person comments at the podium in the Council Chamber. The Council Chamber will have limited seating available for members of the public to attend the meeting in-person. All persons visiting City facilities must wear face masks and observe social distancing protocols. Once the Chamber has reached health and safety capacity, the participant will be asked to exit the building once their comments have been made. Public comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker, unless a different time is announced by the presiding chair. Speakers who wish to address the Council must do so by submitting a “Request to Speak” card by 5:00 p.m. Cards will not be accepted after the Public Comment Session begins without the permission of the presiding chair.

To watch or listen to the meeting remotely:

YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/cityofsantaanavideos/live, Channel CTV3, available on Spectrum channel 3 and AT&T U-verse channel 99

The agenda for the May 24, 2021, Special City Council meeting is available on the City’s website. 

Learn more: https://www.santa-ana.org/events/special-city-council-meeting-person-and-virtual

How the City of Santa Ana will spend $150M to recover from COVID-19

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

SANTA ANA, Calif. – City Manager Kristine Ridge on Tuesday presented the Santa Ana City Council with a proposal for a $150 million pandemic recovery initiative called Revive Santa Ana, which will be funded through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Funding for the program includes $128.4 million from the federal legislation, known as ARPA, and additional expected federal housing allocations of $21.5 million.

“This ambitious and comprehensive initiative is designed to provide a range of economic, financial, educational and health support to residents and businesses, while also allowing the City to reimagine the services, infrastructure and programming it provides,” City Manager Kristine Ridge said. “Through this effort, we will not only help our community recover from the pandemic today, but also create a safer, healthier and more equitable future.”

The proposal, presented during a City Council budget workshop on Tuesday, follows the announcement last week by the federal government of updated funding allocations and new guidelines on how that money may be used.

In preparing the Revive Santa Ana proposal, the City has been actively seeking public feedback over the past month at community meetings, during a virtual town hall last week, and through an online and paper survey that received over 1,500 responses.

Tuesday’s presentation outlined a plan for using the first half – $75 million – of the total expected federal funds. The City is required to spend all $150 million by the end of 2026. The plan includes five key areas of focus:

Recovery from the Pandemic – $6 million

  • Further vaccination/education collaboration
  • Expansion of critical city communication tools (digital boards, text alerts system, multilingual)
  • Sanitization and disease prevention
  • Public health equity, including feasibility study for City-operated public health department

Direct Assistance Programs – $16 million

  • Financial stimulus for residents
  • Reopening assistance to businesses
  • Youth violence/sexual assault intervention programs
  • After-school programs
  • Early childhood education programs
  • Digital literacy education
  • Support food distribution efforts
  • Emergency rental assistance and housing for the homeless

Public Health and Safety – $14 million

  • Additional public green space
  • Healthy food accessibility
  • Increased homeless services by nonprofits
  • Allowed improvements to existing parks, community centers and libraries
  • Public restroom improvements to mitigate and prevent spread of virus
  • Facilities to support child education, social health and mental health

Critical Infrastructure – $24 million

  • Broadband infrastructure and affordable access
  • Infrastructure improvements for safe and clean drinking water
  • Sewer infrastructure improvements
  • Facilities to reduce/filter storm water runoff
  • Cyber security for critical infrastructure
  • Ventilation improvements to public facilities

City Fiscal Health – $15 million

  • Recover revenue losses to fund government services
  • Restore staffing to pre-pandemic levels

Revive Santa Ana will continue to evolve as additional guidance from the federal government is received and priorities change. The City Council will consider a detailed spending plan at a future meeting. On Tuesday, Councilmembers requested to schedule a special meeting in the coming weeks to further discuss Revive Santa Ana and the City budget.

Learn more at www.santa-ana.org/revive-santa-ana.

Access closed to Susan Street from Lake Center Drive and Sunflower Ave. starting today

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

Today, Monday, 5-17-21, from 2:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. midnight, there will be no turns allowed from Lake Center Drive or Sunflower Avenue onto Susan Street to access the Post Office located at 3101 W. Sunflower Avenue. To access the Post Office from Susan Street, take South Coast Drive from Harbor Boulevard or Fairview Street.

Westbound and Eastbound lanes on Sunflower Avenue and Lake Center Drive are open to through traffic.  The turn restrictions on Susan Street from Lake Center Drive and Sunflower Avenue are to keep the traffic flowing during the mailing of tax returns at the Post Office.  Santa Ana Police Department will be directing traffic and monitoring the surrounding streets in this area.

 We recommend using alternate routes and plan for possible delays since these turn restrictions will impact traffic flow.  We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for understanding.

The City of Santa Ana finally cleaned up the mess at El Centro Cultural de Mexico

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

The City of Santa Ana this week provided shelter to 17 unhoused individuals and cleaned up a private downtown parking lot whose owner (El Centro Cultural de Mexico in DTSA) had allowed it to be used as an unpermitted homeless encampment. This encampment had grown over several months to encompass up to 75 tents and had become a serious public health and safety issue for the surrounding neighborhood and nearby schools and businesses.

After many City attempts to work with the property owner and offer shelter to those living there, the City finally reached a settlement agreement in March in which the property owner agreed to clear the property within 45 days. During that time, the City provided portable toilets, a wash station and two outreach events where shelter and supportive services were offered.

However, the property owner failed to meet the April 30 deadline, so the City obtained an abatement warrant, which was served this week without incident. Of those who still remained at the site, 17 accepted shelter. The City stored their belongings and the parking lot was cleared of trash and debris. The City also secured hotel rooms to offer the homeless who met the qualifications for the Project Roomkey program.

The City continues to address homelessness through a compassionate outreach approach with the goal of helping unhoused individuals enter shelter and housing and get access to supportive services. At the same time, we want to protect our community from the negative impacts of homeless encampments and activity.

In March, our multi-agency Quality of Life Team had 168 interactions with people experiencing homelessness, while our homeless outreach contractor, City Net, had 445 contacts, leading to many homeless individuals being placed in shelters and getting the help they need.

Learn more about the City’s efforts to address homelessness: https://www.santa-ana.org/homelessness/interim-homeless-shelter-link/santa-ana-homeless-services-data-dashboard.

The City of Santa Ana wants your feedback on how to spend $149M to revive Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Federal Government, Santa Ana 5 Comments

The City of Santa Ana is planning to use $142.9 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to launch Revive Santa Ana, a comprehensive pandemic recovery initiative that also will allow the City to reimagine the services it provides.

We have many ideas about how this money could be used, but we want to know what our residents and community members think!

May 11 Community Town Hall: Join us for a virtual Community Town Hall on Tuesday, May 11, at 6 p.m. to hear from City Manager Kristine Ridge, ask questions and share your ideas.

PARTICIPATE:

Join on Zoom – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88996003457

Or Dial 669-900-9128, Webinar ID: 889 9600 3457

WATCH:

On the City’s YouTube channel.

Or on the City’s TV Channel, CTV3, available on Spectrum channel 3 and AT&T U-verse channel 99.

Revive Santa Ana Survey: Respond to our online survey to help us prioritize new programs and share your ideas.

Learn more: https://www.santa-ana.org/revive-santa-ana

Reunión Comunitaria de Revive Santa Ana 11 de mayo

Español: https://bit.ly/3xV1Asc

Họp cộng đồng để hồi sinh Santa Ana

Tiếng Việt: https://bit.ly/3erZyIk