In the February 27, 2025, edition of the COSAS (City of Santa Ana Stories) newsletter, join us for the opening of our completely renovated all-access playground, see an amazing new mural mosaic, get discounted Anaheim Ducks tickets, and learn and share ideas about street lighting, public housing, tenants’ rights and starting a business. And much more Santa Ana news!
Spotlight photo
Unveiling the America Connects Heart & Home National Mural Mosaic
Photo Credit: City staff
To submit your own original photo of Santa Ana to be featured in the next newsletter, complete this form.
City Manager’s Highlights
Creating parks for everyone
We are pleased to invite the community to celebrate the re-opening of the newly renovated George Upton All Access Park at Carl Thornton Park with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, March 4, at 10 a.m. This $2.3 million project completely redesigned the park and added numerous new amenities and activities for children. Designed to be fully accessible, the new playground ensures that children of all abilities can play, explore, and engage in outdoor recreation. This project highlights the City’s commitment to inclusive, modern and innovative recreational spaces that serve all residents.
Read more about the George Upton All Access Park
News
Housing Authority awarded $400,000 to expand Family Self-Sufficiency Program
The Santa Ana Housing Authority has been awarded a $405,720 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to manage and expand the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. This is a critical initiative designed to support families who receive rental assistance in the Housing Choice Voucher Program to become self-sufficient. The funding marks an increase of $145,641 from last year’s award and is nearly three times the amount the Housing Authority received just five years ago.
The FSS Program is a lifeline for HUD-assisted families, offering them the support and resources needed to break the cycle of poverty. The program’s primary goal is to help participants increase their earned income while reducing dependency on welfare and rental assistance. By providing workforce development services and connecting families to resources in the community, FSS helps families overcome barriers to employment, further their education, improve their financial literacy, and tackle other obstacles preventing them from reaching their full potential.
Read more about the Family Self-Sufficiency Program
SAPD launches new community engagement tool
Santa Ana residents will be among the first in Orange County — and some of the first in the state — to benefit from new software designed to enhance community engagement. The Santa Ana Police Department has introduced a new engagement system that uses text messaging to keep residents informed after non-life-threatening interactions with SAPD.
With PowerEngage, a text message will be sent to individuals whose phone number is recorded as part of a call for service. This message will keep you updated by confirming that we have received your call at the given address, notifying you when an officer is en route, and informing you of any delays. Residents that do not want to participate can simply not respond or may reply with STOP and that will opt them out of all future text surveys from the department.
These text messages should not be used to report emergencies or crimes. As always, call 9-1-1 for emergencies or the non-emergency number (714) 834-4211, to report criminal activity.
Get discounted tickets at City of Santa Ana Anaheim Ducks Night on March 7
The City of Santa Ana is proud to announce its growing partnership with the Anaheim Ducks through another City of Santa Ana Anaheim Ducks Night offering discounted hockey game tickets to residents and City employees. The Ducks face off against the St. Louis Blues at 7 p.m. Friday, March 7, at the Honda Center.
This game follows the success of the first Santa Ana night this season on February 4, which celebrated the Lunar New Year. The March 7 game will spotlight Santa Ana’s Teen Excursion Program, with the Anaheim Ducks generously donating tickets to give Santa Ana volunTEENS the opportunity to experience an NHL game in person. The Anaheim Ducks has been a supporter of our Parks, Recreation & Community Services Agency (PRCSA) events and programs.
Read more about the Ducks partnership
Support Santa Ana businesses during OC Restaurant Week
OC Restaurant Week is back! From Sunday, March 2, to Saturday, March 8, indulge in specially curated prix fixe menus at some of the best restaurants in Orange County — including right here in Santa Ana! From hidden gems to local favorites, this is your chance to explore the city’s diverse flavors without breaking the bank at 16 participating Santa Ana restaurants. Let your taste buds lead the way and leave the cooking to the pros!
Sports field closures in March and April
To effectively provide and sufficiently maintain City athletic fields, scheduled rotating field closures occur during the year for turf recovery, field maintenance, and overall improvements. Understanding that our valued sports organizations desire optimum use of City athletic fields, the City coordinates the schedule with the various sports leagues to minimize the impact. Find the list of currently closed sports fields at the link below.
Tales of the City
Mural Mosaic unveiling at Jerome Center
Last week, we marked a new chapter for Jerome Recreation Center with the unveiling of a new mural mosaic installation! We were joined by the Mural Mosaic artist, City Councilmembers, and a crowd of residents, including many who contributed to the mural through the creation of a mosaic tile.
The America Connects Heart & Home National Mural Mosaic showcases the creative collaboration of over 2,000 individual artists from across the United States and around the world. Throughout the month of January, 175 Santa Ana community artists including seniors, students, athletes, neighborhood associations, and other recreation participants crafted individual tiles as part of the mural project. This entire installation was brought to life by the incredible artist Lewis Lavoie from Mural Mosaic’s Global Roots Project.
Santa Ana was the only city in California and one of only six nationwide chosen to collaborate with Mural Mosaic for their winter 2025 tour.
City Council meetings
At their February 18, 2025, regular meeting, the Santa Ana City Council:
- Approved an agreement with IDS Group for architectural services for Santa Ana Downtown Parking Structures Improvements for an amount not to exceed $173,346 to upgrade signage, lighting, parking stalls, and enhance safety of structures.
- Discussed and provided direction to staff for budget, rates, and hours of operation that relate to the City’s parking garages and meters.
- Approved an appropriation adjustment recognizing Regional Early Action Planning 2.0 funding in the amount of $4.3 million for the Public Services-Street Safety Projects, and approved an agreement with Orange County Transportation Authority in an amount not to exceed $4.3 million for the evaluation and preliminary design of the First Street Multimodal Boulevard Study.
- Added former full-time City employees to an ordinance that prohibits awarding agreements, contracts, or grants to immediate family members of the Mayor, City Councilmembers, or City officials, and approved the first reading of the ordinance.
Subscribe here to receive City meeting agenda notifications. City Council meetings are typically held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in the City Council Chamber, 22 Civic Center Plaza, 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.
Events
Find more City of Santa Ana events on our website.
Illuminate Santa Ana Community Meeting – February 27
Join us to learn about the Santa Ana Street Lighting Master Plan and provide feedback at a virtual community meeting hosted by Latino Health Access.
- Thursday, Feb. 27
- 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Zoom Meeting ID: 863 8720 0125
- Passcode: 090081
Santa Ana Street Lighting Master Plan
Garage and Yard Sale Weekend – March 1-2
Residential garage and yard sales are allowed this weekend, March 1 and 2. Sales may begin at 8 a.m. and must end at 5 p.m. each day. Garage and yard sales for residential properties are permitted on the first full weekend of March, June, September, and December of each year. No permit is required.
- Saturday, March 1, and Sunday, March 2
- 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Downtown Art Walk – March 1
The First Saturday Artwalk is back this weekend! ArtWalk is a free, all-ages, community-based arts showcase that takes place throughout Downtown Santa Ana on every first Saturday of the month. 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. The City of Santa Ana is a proud supporter of this event! This weekend’s ArtWalk will include Santa Ana Unified School District’s Boca de Oro student art, music and storytelling festival.
- Saturday, March 1
- 5-10 p.m.
- Downtown Santa Ana
George Upton All Access Park ribbon cutting – March 4
Join us for the opening of our amazing new playground at the George Upton All-Access Park in Thornton Park! The project will introduce the City’s first universally accessible playground with slides, spinners, climbers, swings and even a seesaw. This area will include equipment specially designed to enable children of all abilities to play and explore alongside each other.
- Tuesday, March 4
- 10 a.m.
- George Upton All Access Park at Carl Thornton Park, 1801 W. Segerstrom Ave.
Fair Housing Public Meetings – March 5-13
The City of Santa Ana is hosting a series of in-person and virtual meetings in March for the 2025-2029 Orange County Regional Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH), a five-year plan that looks at housing patterns and population data to address unfair housing practices and make sure everyone has equal access to housing.
- March 5 (in person)
- 10:30-11:30 a.m. & 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- City Council Chamber, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana
- March 6 (in person)
- 10:30-11:30 a.m.
- La Habra City Hall, Festival Room, 110 E. La Habra Blvd., La Habra
- March 6 (in person)
- 6:30-7:30 p.m.at Costa Mesa City Hall, Community Room, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- March 6 (virtual meeting)
- 6 p.m.
- March 13 (virtual meeting)
- 1 p.m.
Need translation services or accommodation for a disability? Please contact David Flores, Housing Programs Coordinator for the City of Santa Ana, at 714-647-6561 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
City of Santa Ana Anaheim Ducks Night – March 7
Get ready for an unforgettable night of hockey! Join us for another City of Santa Ana Anaheim Ducks Night! Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity — Santa Ana residents and City employees can score big with special ticket savings.
- Friday, March 7
- 7 p.m.
- Honda Center
City of Santa Ana Anaheim Ducks Night
Walnut Street Urban Greening Project – March 11
Join a special meeting of the Pacific Park Neighborhood Association to learn about the Walnut Street Urban Greening Project. City staff will be on hand to answer questions.
- Tuesday, March 11
- 6 p.m.
- Roosevelt Walker Community Center, 816 E. Chestnut Ave.
Tenant’s Rights Workshops – March 11 & 12
Struggling with housing issues? Want to know your rights? Join our Tenant’s Rights Workshops! Discover how our Rent Stabilization Division can support you in maintaining your housing stability and security. This is your chance to empower yourself with essential knowledge and resources. Don’t miss out on this opportunity presented by our Rent Stabilization Division in collaboration with Community Legal Aid SoCal and Santa Ana Unified School District.
- Tuesday, March 11
- Santiago TK-8 Elementary School, 2212 N. Baker St.
- 5-7 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 12
- Willard Elementary School, 1342 N. Ross St.
- 3-5 p.m.
Business Start-Up Workshop – March 12
The City of Santa Ana Economic Development Division hosts monthly Business Start-Up Workshops at Santa Ana City Hall (Room 1600), 20 Civic Center Plaza, on the second Wednesday of each month from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This workshop is beneficial to anyone interested in starting a new business or expanding an existing one in Santa Ana. The workshop will be offered in English and Spanish. Please click here to register. For more information, please call the Business Hotline at (714) 647-5477 or email at econdev@santa-ana.org.
- Wednesday, March 12
- 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Santa Ana City Hall (Room 1600), 20 Civic Center Plaza
Neighborhood Association Leaders Training – March 13
The Neighborhood Initiatives and Environmental Services team is hosting its annual training for Neighborhood Association Leaders. This session will provide valuable resources to help leaders access funding, organize successful events, and boost community participation. It’s an excellent opportunity for both current and aspiring board members to build stronger connections within their neighborhoods.
- Thursday, March 13
- 5:30-8 p.m.
- Southwest Senior Center, 2201 W. McFadden Ave.
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