In this edition of the COSAS newsletter, learn about summer Aquatics programming being extended through September, read about a new Habitat for Humanity project, and join a huge variety of fun and exciting events, including Chicano Heritage Festival, SAPD’s National Night Out, Bowers Museum activities and concerts in the park!
Spotlight Photo
Our 2024 Summer Movies in the Park
Photo Credit: Hiram U.
To submit your own original photo of Santa Ana to be featured in the next newsletter, complete this form.
City Manager’s Highlights
Building the Santa Ana dream
For many, Santa Ana is where the American dream begins. We are a community of diverse cultures and backgrounds with immigrants from around the world – 40.9% of our residents are foreign born, according to the U.S. Census. Many people buy their first homes here, building generational wealth for their children and grandchildren.
At City Hall, we’re working hard to help make that dream a reality. In July, our Housing Division helped host a homeownership fair to share about our down payment assistance program, and the City Council approved a $2.2 million grant to help Habitat for Humanity of Orange County start building its newest home project right here in Santa Ana. Please read more below about these amazing efforts.
News
City partners with Wells Fargo for successful homeownership fair
The City of Santa Ana Housing Division partnered with Wells Fargo and the City of Garden Grove to host a homeownership fair on Saturday, July 20, at Santa Ana College. About 200 people came out to get tips and resources that can help them buy a home.
City staff shared information about the My First Home down payment assistance program, which provides 0% interest loans of up to $120,000 to help people buy their first home in Santa Ana. Attendees got to meet a special guest, too – Mexican soccer star Oswaldo Sánchez!
If you’re interested in learning more about the My First Home program, join an informational workshop on Aug. 1 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Salgado Community Center, 706 N. Newhope St.
Register for Down Payment Assistance Workshop.
City supports new Habitat for Humanity project with $2.2 million grant
Last Saturday, we joined Habitat for Humanity of Orange County to break ground on their new project at 1921 W. Washington Ave. in the Artesia Pilar neighborhood. The Santa Ana City Council approved a $2.2 million grant to make this project possible.
These six duplex units will have spacious living areas, private yards and garages. Six low-income families will get to call this home. Preference is given to applicants who live or work in Santa Ana. Register now for a chance to move into one of these homes!
Apply for Habitat for Humanity housing
Bulky item pickup for Santa Ana residents
Bulky item pickup is free and easy! Santa Ana residents with curbside trash collection are entitled to free bulky-item pickups four times each year, with up to four items accepted at each pickup.
Multifamily complexes with three or more dwelling units are eligible for a combined total collection of up to 10 items per unit per calendar quarter. Multifamily residents must check with their property managers or homeowners associations for the designated location for collection.
Bulky items include refrigerators, beds, sofas, chairs, dishwashers, dressers, bookcases, washers, dryers and stoves. We also accept computer monitors, TVs, and laptop computers during bulky-item pickups. To schedule your bulky item pickup, call Republic Services at 657-467-6220.
Aquatics programing extended through September
Do you wish summer could last a little longer? Have no fear! Aquatics is here!
Our Parks and Recreation Agency is extending its aquatics programming through September. Come take a dip and enjoy swim lessons, recreation swim, and swim fitness. Registration for extended summer swim lessons is now open. Read more about this summer’s Aquatics fun below in Tales of the City.
Register for Summer Aquatics Programs
Candidate filing period for City of Santa Ana General Municipal Election closes August 9
The General Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The election will be for the Mayor, for a term of two (2) years; and three (3) Councilmember Ward Seats (Ward 1, Ward 3, and Ward 5), each for a term of four (4) years. The election will also be for four (4) measures placed on the ballot by the Santa Ana City Council.
The candidate filing period opened on July 15 and runs through 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office with any questions and to make an appointment to pull nomination papers at 714-647-6520.
Street closures and permitted events Aug. 1-7
You can 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
Summertime swim
Santa Ana Aquatics is making waves through building confidence in water skills! Attendance surged during the first month of summer swimming lessons in June at the Jerome, Salgado and El Salvador pools, attendance surged! The first two sessions conducted over 800 swimming lessons catering to all skill levels and ages.
We commend the community for diving in and working on mastering this lifelong skill. Swimming lessons are offered all season long. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn the joy of swimming. Register now and unleash your aquatic potential!
City Council Meetings
At their July 16, 2024, regular meeting, the Santa Ana City Council:
- Authorized a grant agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Orange County for $2.2 million in Inclusionary Housing Funds for the development of six affordable ownership units located at 1921 W. Washington Ave.
- Approved an appropriation adjustment to add $15 million to the automated water meter project and an amendment to the agreement with Aqua-Metric Sales Company for an additional $6 million
- Adopted resolutions authorizing arguments, rebuttal arguments, and impartial analysis of four ballot measures on the ballot for the November 5, 2024, General Municipal Election
- Approved an agreement for the rehabilitation of Garden Court apartments, located at 300 E. Santa Ana Blvd., and adopted a resolution approving the issuance of $55 million in revenue bonds by the California Municipal Financing Authority for C&C Development Co. LLC (the City of Santa Ana bears no financial or legal liability and incurs no debt)
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.
August 6, 2024, Meeting Agenda
Events
DTSA ArtWalk – August 3
ArtWalk is a free, all-ages, community-based arts showcase that takes place throughout Downtown Santa Ana. Join friends and neighbors for live art, outdoor vendors, live music, dancing under the stars, and over 20 art galleries and studios featuring rotating exhibitions, performances, and more.
- Saturday, Aug. 3
- 5-10 p.m.
- 2nd and Broadway to Fourth Street and French Street
Vietnamese Storytime (Giờ Kể Chuyện Tiếng Việt) – August 3
Read, sing, and learn Vietnamese with us – an awesome and fun bilingual experience for the whole community. It’s free and your kids learn a new language through storytime.
- Saturday, Aug. 3
- 10:30-11 a.m.
- Newhope Library, 122 N. Newhope St.
Bowers Museum: Jazz and Blues Festival – August 4
Ready for some nostalgia? The Orange County Boys will entertain you with oldies, but goodies! Denny T & the Soul Patrol will play it smooth and cool. Bring friends and family to dance, make art, have their faces painted, and enjoy a food sampling. Santa Ana residents get free general admission at Bowers Museum all summer long!
- Sunday, Aug. 4
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St.
SAPD National Night out – August 6
Join Santa Ana Police Department for the annual National Night Out event! Come meet SAPD personnel and learn about personal safety. The event will have information booths, crafts and games. The first 100 kids will receive a free goodie bag!
- Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024
- 4-6 p.m.
- Cabrillo Park, 1820 E. Fruit St., Santa Ana
Concerts in the Park – August 8
Enjoy a free performance by SAVOR Santana Tribute Band during the last week of our Summer Santa Ana Concerts in the Park series. Join us for a night full of music, dancing, and food!
- Thursday, Aug. 8
- 6-8:30 p.m.
- Memorial Park, 2102 S. Flower St.
Book Lover’s Day: Book Character Crafts – August 8
Let your child’s imagination soar as they design and create crafts inspired by the magical worlds and beloved characters found in children’s literature.
- Thursday, Aug. 8
- 6-7:30 pm
- Newhope Library, 122 N. Newhope St.
Bowers Museum: KCRW Summer Nights – August 10
KCRW is bringing the party back to Santa Ana with Bowers Museum! This event will feature live sets from KCRW DJs Valida & Nassir Nassirzadeh, pop-up bars, kids activities, and more. Tangata Restaurant and the Gallery Store will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. Docents will be available in the galleries. Bowers and KCRW members and Santa Ana residents (with proof of residence) receive free general admission and pay only $10 for the Asian Comics exhibition.
- Saturday, Aug. 10
- 7-10 p.m.
- Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St.
Chicano Heritage Festival – August 11
Join us on a day of culture and music as the City of Santa Ana hosts its third annual Chicano Heritage Festival! Let’s come together as we celebrate the City’s rich Mexican-American history. Guests can look forward to immersing themselves in festivities for the Chicano community including food, carnival rides, arts, a kids zone, cultural exhibits, and much more. This celebration will be free, family-friendly, and open to all. See the musical lineup and more at the link below.
- Sunday, Aug. 11
- 2-7 p.m.
- Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave.
Rent Stabilization Workshop – August 14
Join our upcoming informational workshops to learn about the City of Santa Ana’s Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. Attendees will learn about renter rights and protections. The presentation will be given in Vietnamese and English.
- Wednesday, Aug. 14
- 6-7 p.m.
- Salgado Community Center, 706 N. Newhope St.
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.
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