In this edition of our newsletter, join community meetings on park design, the City budget and homelessness; learn about affordable housing opportunities and down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers; join sports leagues, dance classes, reading programs and more.
Spotlight Photo
Inaugural 2024 Tết Lunar New Year Festival
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 boom
Legado at the Met
New housing, commercial projects and other developments are going up all around Santa Ana! Our Building Safety Division issued over 9,500 building permits with a construction valuation of over $770 million in 2023, more than double the annual average of $350 million in the previous 10 years. These projects represent great investments in our community, creating jobs, increasing our tax base and driving our City’s future economic growth and prosperity. You can find a list and an interactive map of major projects on the Planning and Building Agency webpage at the link below.
Find major projects in Santa Ana
Understanding the City budget
We encourage you to share your thoughts on which City programs and services are most important to you as we go through our budget process for the 2024-25 fiscal year. You can participate in our community budget meetings and take an online survey that takes just a few minutes to complete! Learn more about how the City budget works by watching the video.
News
Archways affordable housing project taking applications
Applications are now open until March 6, 2024, for the highly anticipated Archways Santa Ana affordable housing community! This incredible development, tailored specifically for low-income households, was made possible with the help of $3.9 million in loan agreements from the City of Santa Ana.
Archways Santa Ana is nearing completion and is leasing for spring 2024 move-ins. Preference is given to Santa Ana residents and families. Archways will offer 85 thoughtfully designed apartments, ranging from cozy 1-bedroom units to spacious 4-bedroom homes. Archways’ amenities include:
- Outdoor children’s play structure
- Outdoor picnic areas
- Breathtaking rooftop decks
- Walking paths and community gardens
Small Business Incentive Program offers $5,000 grants
Our Economic Development Division is accepting applications for the Small Business Incentive Program. This program offers grants of up to $5,000 to start-up microenterprises to reimburse eligible business expenses, such as rent. To qualify, businesses must have five (5) or fewer employees, including the owner(s); business owner income limits apply; the business must be within three years of start-up; and the business must be in compliance with all City permits and regulations.
Small Business Incentive Program
Sign up for Library’s youth winter reading program
Youth up to 8th grade can still register for the Read with Me Winter Reading Program through Feb. 29. Participants will earn a certificate for a free child’s meal from Panda Express for reading five books or having someone read them to you. Register online or visit the Main Library or Newhope Branch Library to register in person.
Register for Winter Reading Program
Parks and Rec winter and spring programs
Our Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency has all kinds of exciting winter and spring programs and classes! From youth and adult sports leagues, dance and music classes, arts and crafts, and so much more, we have a range of activities for everyone to enjoy. If you’re interested in joining the fun visit the link below.
Find downtown parking with MySantaAna App
The mySantaAna app now includes downtown parking information and a link to ParkMobile, the online payment app option for downtown meters. This addition will help residents and visitors easily locate parking information and have access to download the convenient mobile payment option via ParkMobile. Coin and credit cards will remain payment options at over 1,200 parking meters. City owned parking structures will continue to offer free parking Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 2-hour free parking every evening and weekend.
City Hall closed, no street sweeping on Presidents Day
In observance of Presidents Day on Monday, Feb. 19, Santa Ana City Hall, libraries, community centers and senior centers will be closed. There will be no street sweeping. Trash and recycling will be collected on the regular schedule.
Holiday and closed Friday schedule
Santa Ana’s Leadership in Environmental Justice showcased at Planning Directors Association of Orange County’s Annual Forum
Santa Ana’s innovative implementation of Environmental Justice efforts was showcased at the 2024 Annual Forum hosted by the Planning Directors Association of Orange County at Yorba Linda’s Nixon Library. “Bring it Home: Be Bold and Transform Tomorrow!” comprised the event theme, where Ali Pezeshkpour, AICP, Planning Manager, and Margarita G. Macedonio, Principal Planner, provided an overview of Santa Ana’s experience leading the path to implement the General Plan Environmental Justice framework and related policies and actions.
A major takeaway was the use of zoning code amendments as a vehicle to address immediate noxious uses near sensitive land uses. Other highlights included establishing meaningful coordination, transparency, and responsiveness with regulatory agencies, advocacy groups, businesses and neighborhoods in disadvantaged communities. Special thanks to the Mayor and City Council, City Manager, and the City’s Planning and Building Agency’s leadership – Executive Director Minh Thai and Assistant Director Alvaro Nunez – for their support in championing the General Plan Environmental Justice policies with our community.
Go Team Santa Ana!!
Street closures and permitted events for February 15-21
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.
Street closures and permitted events
Tales of the City
Stormwater capture systems at work
Between Sunday, February 4, and Wednesday, February 7, Santa Ana received nearly 5 inches of rain! This is almost 50% of our annual average rainfall. Our Public Works Agency was busy responding to flooding and removing debris from storm drains and roadways, but thankfully, they had a little help from our new stormwater capture systems.
Over the past few years, the City has obtained grant funding to install several stormwater capture features, such as bioretention basins and underground infiltration systems. These features reduce flooding by removing storm flows from the storm drain system, improve water quality in our creeks and rivers by capturing trash/debris and other pollutants, and enhance local water supplies. Additional stormwater capture and flood reduction projects are currently being designed and constructed throughout Santa Ana.
Santa Ana stormwater management
City Council Meetings
The Santa Ana City Council meeting of Feb. 6, 2024, was canceled due to the severe rainstorm and a power outage at City Hall. Items on that agenda were moved to the Feb. 20 meeting.
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.
February 20, 2024, Meeting Agenda
Events
Free bike lights and helmets during Lights Alive – February 15
Join Santa Ana Active Streets (SAAS) on Thursday, February 15, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the corner of Harbor Boulevard and First Street to receive free bicycle lights and helmets during the Lights Alive, or Luces Vivas, event. Items are available while supplies last, so don’t be late! To volunteer or for more information, visit saascoalition.org/events or contact Maria Baeza at 714-202-7393, maria@saascoalition.org.
- Friday, Feb. 2
- 9-11 a.m.
- Southwest Senior Center, California Room, 2201 W. McFadden Ave.
Down payment assistance workshop – February 15
The Housing Division is hosting a series of workshops to help the public learn about our My First Home Program, which provides down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers! The My First Home Program offers down payment assistance loans to aid in the purchase of a home within Santa Ana. Funds will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis. A first-time home buyer may be eligible to borrow up to $120,000 with 0% interest rate.
- Thursday, Feb. 15
- 6-7:30 p.m.
- Delhi Center, 505 E. Central Ave.
Community Meeting: Redesign Project for Logan Center and Chepa’s Park – February 15
Santa Ana neighbors are invited to an interactive community meeting with the Public Works Agency for an update on the redesign of the Logan Center and Chepa’s Park.
- Thursday, Feb. 15
- 6-7 p.m.
- Logan Community Center, 1009 N. Custer St.
Spanish interpretation will be available. Should you have questions, please contact City of Santa Ana Project Manager Macy Dreizler at (714) 336-1258 or mdreizler@santa-ana.org.
Orange County Job Fair – February 16
Join Santa Ana Work Center at the Orange County Job Fair at Saddleback High School. We are proud to have Saddleback Church as our partner, along with the Santa Ana Unified School District and the Santa Ana Task Force. Last year’s job fair was a tremendous success, hosting 70 to 80 local employers who offered over 5,000 positions spanning from entry-level to highly skilled opportunities.
- Friday, Feb. 16
- 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Saddleback High School, 2802 S. Flower St.
Rhythm/Ritmo Santa – February 20, 21 & 27
Follow the rhythm of your heart, move your feet, and make a beat at the Santa Ana Public Library. In collaboration with The Segerstrom Center for the Arts, we are pleased to present Rhythm/Ritmo Santa Ana, a vibrant series of dance and music classes suitable for all ages and abilities.
Studio D: Dance & Music Community Class: In partnership with the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and led by Studio D instructors, these classes are a great way for friends and families of all abilities to have fun and participate together! All are welcome and no registration/signups are required
- Tuesday, Feb. 20
- 4-5 p.m.
- Main Library, 26 Civic Center Plaza
- Wednesday, Feb. 21
- 12:30-1:30 p.m.
- Newhope Library, 122 N Newhope St.
Tuesday Night Dancing: Join the Library and Segerstrom Center for a weekly dance class exploring a range of styles and movements each month. This month will focus on Bollywood Dancing. Open to teens and adults.
- Tuesdays, Feb. 20 and 27
- 6-7 p.m.
- Main Library, 26 Civic Center Plaza
Community Budget Meeting – February 22
The City of Santa Ana needs the community’s input on the 2024-25 budget! Join our community budget meetings and take our budget survey to share your ideas about which local programs and services are most important to you and how your tax dollars should be spent.
- Thursday, Feb. 22
- 6-7 p.m.
- Newhope Library, 122 N. Newhope St.
Participate in the budget process
Free Bicycle Basics Class – February 23 and 24
Improve your bike handling skills in our free Bicycle Basics Class with Santa Ana Active Streets! Learn ways to stay safe while riding on the road, build confidence and control, and make riding easier, safer, and more comfortable! This is a two-part class for ages 13 and older.
Part 1: Virtual session. This class will cover bicyclist rules of the road, basic principles of bicycling in traffic, common hazards encountered by bicyclists, simple steps to ensure your bike is in good riding condition, and proper helmet fitting and adjustment.
- Friday, Feb. 23
- 5:30-7 p.m.
Part 2: In-person session. You will have the opportunity to apply all the concepts you just learned alongside League Certified Instructors and other students! Please bring your own bike. Need a bike? We have bikes available to lend out during class.
- Saturday, Feb. 24
- 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Maria Baeza at 714-202-7393 or maria@saascoalition.org.
Community Budget Meeting – February 27
The City of Santa Ana needs the community’s input on the 2024-25 budget! Join our community budget meetings and take our budget survey to share your ideas about which local programs and services are most important to you and how your tax dollars should be spent.
- Tuesday, Feb. 27
- 6-7 p.m.
- Roosevelt-Walker Community Center, 816 E. Chestnut Ave.
Participate in the budget process
Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Community Input Meeting – February 28
The Community Development Agency is seeking community input as we discuss our Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) Plan. Join us for a vital listening session on the City’s HHAP plan where we will discuss the State-issued HHAP grant funds; effective Homeless Services; and prioritizing an end to homelessness in our City. Your voice shapes our approach. Let’s collaborate for a positive change!
- Wednesday, Feb. 28
- 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Delhi Center, 505 E. Central Ave.
If you can’t attend, take our HHAP survey to share your ideas. Visit the Homeless Services link below to learn more about our efforts in ending homelessness or the State of California’s HHAP program.
Learn more about the State of California’s HHAP program
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
- Register for Brace + Bolt earthquake protection by Feb. 21
- 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 (877) 328-2074