In this edition of the COSAS newsletter, learn about the City of Santa Ana’s recent awards and recognitions, volunteer to help clean up our parks, and join us for great events like the Santa Ana Fun Run, Public Works Week, and Día de los Niños, Día de los Libros.
Spotlight Photo
Playground fun!
Photo Credit: Linney V.
To submit your own original photo of Santa Ana to be featured in the next newsletter, complete this form.
City Manager’s Highlights
Planning and Parks agencies recognized
Our Planning and Building Agency and our Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency have received prestigious awards and recognitions for their work. Both were honored at recent City Council meetings, and we want to thank the hard-working staff who bring so many impressive projects to fruition for the Santa Ana community.
Parks and Rec staff were recently presented with several awards at the 2024 California Park and Recreation Society State Conference. The awards recognized our community teaching gardens, excellence in design for our Santiago Park renovation, and marketing and communications for our Cultura magazine and program guide.
Planning and Building staff have been recognized for their role in the development of several projects. The American Institute of Architects California gave an award for excellence in residential design for the Santa Ana Arts Collective adaptive reuse project as well as an award for excellence in design and execution of architecture for the Fourth Street Market Lofts. The Arts Collective along with the La Placita Cinco affordable housing development were two of 47 projects across the nation recognized in Harvard University’s “The State of Housing Design” journal.
Speaking of awards, Santa Ana Police Department recently held its annual awards ceremony. Read more about some of the officers who were honored below in Tales of the City.
Help improve your community!
We offer many ways for residents to help shape your city and have a say in local government. We encourage you to complete our budget survey to offer ideas on City spending, our residential parking survey and our Warner Park survey. You can also register to help beautify our parks at our first Me Encanta Santa Ana (I Love Santa Ana) volunteer day on April 20. Thank you for your participation!
News
Rapid-response assistance for 99 Cents Only Stores staff
As soon as we heard last week that 99 Cents Only Stores was filing for bankruptcy, our Economic Development Division and Santa Ana WORK Center staff immediately reached out to managers of Santa Ana’s two locations. They told us the stores at 1514 N. Main St. and 2311 S. Bristol St. will be closed by June 3, and 48 employees would be laid off.
WORK Center staff began rapid-response services to help these local workers. Staff will be providing resources for retraining and upskilling, facilitating access to unemployment benefits, and offering job placement services. In addition, Economic Development staff have made contact with the property owners of the two locations to offer site selection assistance to recruit new tenants for the sites.
This immediate response for businesses is crucial to address the challenges posed by layoffs and promotes long-term economic growth for the city. We hope to see all of the affected workers land on their feet with new jobs and to bring new businesses to these storefronts that will benefit the community and surrounding neighborhoods as quickly as possible.
Celebrate education at Día de los Niños
Santa Ana Public Library’s biggest event of the year is back! The library will host its 16th annual Día de los Niños, Día de los Libros (Children’s Day, Book Day) celebration on Saturday, April 27, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Main Library, 26 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana.
Once again, we have brought in major names in children’s literature. Author Suzanne Lang and illustrator Max Lang of the New York Times-bestselling Grumpy Monkey books will take the stage, along with a variety of other performers. We’ll also have a book giveaway for children, train rides, Bubble Fun Zone, face painting, and a special book character meet-and-greet.
Día de los Niños, Día de los Libros
Apply for Republic Services Summer Internship Program
The City of Santa Ana’s trash and recycling pickup contractor, Republic Services, is working with the City to help high school and college-aged (18 or older) students who are Santa Ana residents become educated in the three R’s; Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. As part of the effort to make recycling second nature to all Santa Ana residents and students, Republic Services is proud to announce its first Annual Summer Internship Program.
Upon completion of the program, interns will receive a $1,000 scholarship in addition to gaining tangible work experience. Applications are due by Monday, April 29, 2024.
Apply for Republic Services internship
See Public Works Week showcase on May 18
To kick off National Public Works Week, the City of Santa Ana Public Works Agency invites you, your family and friends to a free community event on Saturday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Walnut Water Pump Station, 723 W. Walnut St.
Highlights of the event include free tacos to the first 500 guests, prizes, tours of the state-of-the-art water pump station, a water pipe connection competition, and various Public Works exhibits and large equipment displays, including exhibits from the Neighborhood Initiatives and Environmental Services team. Other booths include Santa Ana Public Library, Santa Ana Police Department, Orange County Fire Authority, and OC Adopt-a-Pet with live animals, plus captivating musical performances by student groups from Santa Ana High School.
Free event parking is available in the lot at Flower and Pine streets.
Street closures and permitted events April 11-17
Find the locations of upcoming permitted events and road closures in Santa Ana at the link below. Please drive slowly and safely in construction zones and around crowded events. If a weather event occurs on the anticipated start date, the street closures for construction activity will be delayed until the weather clears.
Street closures and permitted events
Tales of the City
SAPD honors employees who went above and beyond
Each year, Santa Ana Police Department recognizes officers, staff and residents who have gone above and beyond in their service to public safety and the Santa Ana community. SAPD recently held its 2023 Employee Recognition & Awards ceremony. Here are just a few of the incredible stories we heard.
Chief’s Award: In early 2023, Sgt. Dominick Padilla was the Gang Unit supervisor and was the officer in charge of 25 high-risk warrant service operations. As a result, 35 firearms were seized and removed from the community. In May 2023, Sergeant Padilla was assigned to the Property Crimes Unit and quickly made his mark by proactively leading 15 warrant services with his team, including a countywide effort to target fraudulent withdrawals of benefits for low-income families. Sgt. Padilla is also a member of SWAT and a top instructor for SAPD.
Department Wide Commendation: On Aug. 6, 2023, Corporal Connor Ahearn and Officers Eric Sanchez, Rafael Barajas, Joshua Smith, Isaac Cisneros, Breann Gonzalez and Michael Coleman responded to reports of a traffic collision where a vehicle had collided into a light pole, power lines were down and sparking, and there were occupants trapped inside of a car that was on fire. Despite a multitude of hazards confronting them, officers immediately sprung into action, prioritizing the removal of the motorist from the vehicle.
Officers had to climb over a chain link fence to get to the car, but the driver’s side door wouldn’t open. After breaking through the windows, the driver resisted officers and told them he wanted to stay inside the vehicle to end his life. While officers were attempting to remove the occupant from the vehicle, other officers used fire extinguishers from their police vehicles to put out the vehicle fire. Ultimately, the driver was pulled to safety and transported to a hospital for treatment. These officers displayed selfless courage and did not hesitate to act beyond the call of duty.
Lifesaving Medal: On Feb. 1, 2023, Officer Bob Guidry responded to a call about a suicidal man sitting on the edge of the roof of a downtown parking structure. Officer Guidry was able to talk the man away from the edge and convince him not to jump, saving his life.
City Council Meetings
In their regular meeting on April 2, 2024, the Santa Ana City Council:
- Approved an adjustment to recognize $2.2 million in Clean California Local Grant Program funding from the California Department of Transportation for the Walnut Street Urban Greening project
- Accepted $2.8 million in grant funds from the State Coastal Conservancy Grant for Santiago Park Main Street construction, Main Street entrance
- Provided direction for preparation of the proposed fiscal year 2024-25 City budget
- Approved first reading of an ordinance to expand the definition of an emergency in the Santa Ana Municipal Code to include cyberterrorism, a de-energization event and an electromagnetic pulse attack
- Adopted ordinances amending the Santa Ana Municipal Code to prohibit short-term rentals
Subscribe here to receive City meeting agenda notifications. City Council meetings are typically held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, with the closed session beginning at 5 p.m. or earlier. The open meeting session begins at 5:30 p.m. Meetings have both in-person and virtual participation and attendance and are live streamed on the City’s YouTube channel and our TV channel, CTV3 (channel 3 on Spectrum.) If you’d like to provide public comments on agenda and non-agenda items, you can email, attend in person, or join the Zoom webinar online or by phone.
April 16, 2024, Meeting Agenda
Events
Community Resource and Health Fair – April 13
The City of Santa Ana is excited to partner with the County of Orange and local health organizations to host a Community Resource and Health Fair for the community. Attend this free event to get help applying for Medi-Cal health coverage, to receive dental and vision health screenings, for a free food distribution (while supplies last), and more! You can now apply for Medi-Cal benefits regardless of immigration status. Staff will be on-site to offer assistance in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Please note: Originally the event was scheduled to be at Centennial Park, but due to forecast rain, the location has been moved to Valley High School.
- Saturday, April 13
- 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Valley High School, 1801 S. Greenville St.
SAPD Open House & Hiring Expo – April 13
Santa Ana Police Department is hosting its annual Open House & Hiring Expo on Saturday, April 13! Tour SAPD headquarters, meet officers and personnel, learn about the application and testing process to join SAPD, and discover the important work SAPD does to keep our community safe.
- Saturday, April 13
- 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
- SAPD Headquarters, 60 Civic Center Plaza
Groundbreaking Ceremony for George Upton All Access Playground – April 15
The City of Santa Ana Public Works Agency will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the George Upton All Access Playground.
- Monday, April 15
- 4-4:30 p.m.
- South Linda Way off West Adams Street at Carl Thornton Park
For more information or to RSVP, please contact Public Works Agency Community Liaison Michelle Micallef at (714) 647-5091 or mmicallef@santa-ana.org.
Beat Making Class – April 17 & 24
Learn the art of crafting beats, express your unique style and collaborate with fellow musicians. Explore beat-making with analog and digital equipment. This class is your space to create and vibe together. Join the rhythm, join the fun! Open for teens and adults. No previous experience required.
- Wednesday, April 17 & 24
- 4–5:30 p.m.
- Main Library, 26 Civic Center Plaza
Me Encanta Santa Ana – April 20
Join City staff and other residents on April 20 to celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up Santa Ana! Me Encanta Santa Ana (I Love Santa Ana) is a special project to improve Santa Ana parks and bring community members together. This volunteer opportunity is open to everyone, but you need to register for the specific project you want by April 15.
- Saturday, April 20
- 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Jerome Park, 2115 W. McFadden Ave.
Register for Me Encanta Santa Ana
Santa Ana Fun Run – April 27
On your marks, get set, get fit! Mark your calendars, and start preparing for the Santa Ana Fun Run. This year’s Fun Run will be themed around the ’80s and we invite all participants to bring their best ’80s gear. Enjoy a free walk/run 5k and kids dash, and a 10k race for $25 per participant that includes a free 2024 Santa Ana Fun Run T-shirt. Spots are limited and pre-registration is required to participate. There will also be a beer garden, food trucks and a resource fair.
- Saturday, April 27
- 5:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.
- Santa Ana Stadium, 900 W. Civic Center Drive
Día de los Niños, Día de Los Libros – April 27
Celebrate Día de los Niños, Día de Los Libros (Children’s Day, Book Day) and the importance of children, literacy, and families with author Suzanne Lang and illustrator Max Lang, featuring the New York Times-bestselling Grumpy Monkey books. The event is free for everyone to attend. Come enjoy a day full of fun and activities!
- Saturday, April 27
- 10:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.
- Santa Ana Main Library, 26 Civic Center Plaza
Día de los Niños, Día de Los Libros
Free compost giveaway, paper shredding event – April 27
The Public Works Agency is offering up to 80 gallons of free garden compost, while supplies last, and free shredding for up to five boxes of paper. This is only for Santa Ana residents with proof of residency (California driver’s license, water or utility bill), and not for commercial use. Visit the link below for more details, tips and guidelines.
- Saturday, April 27, 2024
- 7 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Centennial Regional Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave.
Compost and paper-shredding event
Resources
Report issues with the mySantaAna app
The mySantaAna mobile app puts the power of the City of Santa Ana government in the palm of your hand! Download the app to quickly and easily report issues such as potholes, graffiti, downed trees and much more.
Assistance programs
- Free tax preparation
- Small business grant
- My First Home Program
- Affordable housing
- Sign up for Medi-Cal regardless of immigration status
- Santa Ana Work Center
Who do I call at City Hall?
Important phone numbers:
- City Hall main line: (714) 647-5400
- Code Enforcement: (714) 667-2780
- Graffiti Hotline: (877) 786-7824
- Emergency Water Services: (714) 953-8026
- Public Works dispatch (street sweeping, trees): (714) 647-3380
Find more phone numbers for all City services
Utility services
- City utility services
- Southern California Edison: Call (800) 447-6620
- Southern California Gas: Call (800) 207-8567
- Trash pick up: Call (657) 467-6220