Happy New Year! In the first edition of our newsletter in 2025, learn about our upcoming Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival, our mural program that’s now accepting artist proposals, our response and preparedness for winds and fires, and two prestigious awards we won for our new park projects.
Spotlight photo
Downtown Santa Ana
Photo Credit: Connie Parra
City Manager’s Highlights
Our weather response
Over the past week, we have been closely monitoring fire, high wind and air quality conditions. Our hearts are with those affected by the wildfires and we extend our deepest gratitude to the brave firefighters and first responders who have been working tirelessly during this tragic time.
During the windstorms over the past week, our Public Works team worked diligently to clean up downed trees, branches and debris. Staff received and completed 334 requests for tree service, including 76 City-owned trees that fell due to high winds. To enhance our response efforts, we increased our after-hours staffing, and we continue to be prepared to respond to any wind-related incidents.
Our Water Resources Division has also taken measures to ensure that firefighters have the necessary water supply to respond to any fires that may ignite in Santa Ana, including topping off our reservoirs, coordinating with other agencies, and monitoring water pressure.
Although we haven’t had any significant wildfires in Orange County during these red flag conditions, we’ve been providing regular updates to the community on our website, social media, mySantaAna app, and email news. To ensure you receive timely information, please sign up for City news and download the mySantaAna app. We’ve been updating our website with links to useful fire and weather resources.
Fire, wind and air quality impacts in Santa Ana
News
Tết Festival returns January 25 for Lunar New Year celebration
In commemoration of the community’s Asian and Vietnamese cultures, the City of Santa Ana is celebrating the Year of the Snake at the second annual Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival on Saturday, Jan. 25. Join us at this free event to enjoy cultural performances, live entertainment, food and more. The Tết Festival will take place 1-6 p.m. at Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave., Santa Ana.
Learn more about the Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival
Call for Proposals for RestorArt: Mural Restoration & Conservation Program
Chinelos Mural
Artist : Moises Camacho
The City of Santa Ana’s Arts & Culture Office is issuing a Call for Proposals (CFP) inviting individuals or teams to submit proposals for the conservation of historically significant murals within the city. This initiative honors Santa Ana’s rich cultural heritage while promoting artistic growth and community engagement. Selected projects should highlight significant themes, prominent cultural figures, and/or historical narratives that hold deep meaning for the local community. The deadline for proposal submission is Monday, Feb. 13, at 11:59 p.m. (PST). Proposals must be submitted online via Submittable.com.
Learn more about the mural program
Santa Ana receives two American Public Works Association Awards
Each year, the American Public Works Association of Southern California presents the Public Works Project of the Year awards to promote excellence in the management and administration of public works projects, recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, contractor, consultant, and community. We’re proud to announce that on Dec. 11, 2024, the City of Santa Ana Public Works Agency received two 2024 Project of the Year Awards.
The King Street Urban Greening Project received the Storm Water Quality Award for a city with a population over 200,000. The Project transformed approximately 10,000 square feet of unused public space into a new park that features two Bioretention Basins and an underground stormwater infiltration system.
The Santiago Park Gas House project received the Recreation & Athletic Facilities Award for a City with a population over 200,000. The project, completed in 2023, renovated a previously underutilized park space at Santiago Park through new accessible concrete walkways connect new amenities including a multi-level playground, group picnic areas, amphitheater, new site furnishings, site lighting, riparian landscaping, renovated restrooms and restoration of the historic gashouse.
Santa Ana City Manager appoints Police Chief Robert Rodriguez
City Manager Alvaro Nuñez announced on Dec. 16 the appointment of Robert Rodriguez as the City of Santa Ana’s 22nd Chief of Police, placing a seasoned law enforcement veteran with deep ties to the Santa Ana community in this essential public safety position. Chief Rodriguez has served as Acting Chief of Police since Nov. 2, 2023, and has worked for the Santa Ana Police Department protecting and serving the Santa Ana community since 2000.
Read more about Police Chief Robert Rodriguez
City Council approves quality-of-life measures to protect access to public spaces and connect unhoused individuals to services
The City of Santa Ana continues with a comprehensive approach improving the quality of life of all residents with new measures to ensure public spaces are safe, clean and accessible, as well as providing more resources to help people experiencing homelessness. On Dec. 17, the Santa Ana City Council approved amendments to the Santa Ana Municipal Code that create new enforcement mechanisms to address loitering, camping, and the storage of personal property in public areas. The City has heard ongoing concerns from the public that access to public and private property is being impeded by people camping and storing personal items in public spaces like sidewalks and parks, as well as using the public right-of-way to sit, sleep and lie down.
At the same meeting, the City Council authorized a more than $3.7 million agreement with City Net to provide homeless outreach services and non-emergency, non-medical dispatch services for homeless-related calls. This program provides a non-law enforcement response to help unhoused individuals access shelters, treatment facilities, social and health services, and case management support.
Read more about quality-of-life measures
MLK Day: City Hall closed, no street sweeping on January 20
On Monday, Jan. 20, we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day to honor this iconic leader of the Civil Rights Movement. In observance of the federal holiday, Santa Ana City Hall, libraries, senior centers and community centers will be closed. There will be no street sweeping, but trash and recycling will be collected as scheduled.
See the holiday street sweeping schedule
Tales of the City
Western City magazine: Santa Ana’s development renaissance captures national attention
Santa Ana is experiencing exciting growth and development that has captured national attention, as noted in a recent article from Western City magazine.
Not only is Santa Ana leading Orange County in creating affordable housing, but also we are moving at a record pace to add a variety of new business, mixed-use, industrial and other developments. We are revitalizing and repurposing aging shopping centers, offices and industrial buildings. This is bringing new jobs to the community, creating more green space, and building future tax revenue to provide services and enhance the overall quality of life for all Santa Ana residents.
Read the full Western City article here
City Council meetings
At their Dec. 17, 2024, regular meeting, the Santa Ana City Council:
- Adopted an ordinance adding and amending the Santa Ana Municipal Code to address unlawful camping and storage of personal items on public property to keep public areas clean and available for public use.
- Authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement with Kingdom Causes, Inc. dba City Net, in an annual amount not to exceed $3,750,420 for the Santa Ana Multidisciplinary Street Outreach and Engagement (SMART) program to provide homeless outreach services and non-emergency, non-medical dispatch services for homeless-related calls.
- Authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement with Houston & Harris PCS, Inc for T.E. Roberts, Inc., and Paulus Engineering, Inc. for emergency on-call water and sewer clean up services for a total not to exceed $775,000.
- Adopted a resolution recognizing the significant concerns of the community and the family of Edgar Vargas Arzate, who in 2014 was transferred by Santa Ana Police Department to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Attend City Council meetings
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.
January 21, 2025, Meeting agenda
Events
Find more City of Santa Ana events on our website.
Allen Oshiro Magic Show – January 17
Enjoy an evening of Mr. Oshiro’s astonishing magic filled with laughs, tricks, and illusions. Fun for the whole family. Come see to believe at the Newhope library!
- Saturday, Jan. 17
- 4-4:45 p.m.
- Newhope Library, 122 N. Newhope St.
For more information, please call 714-647-6992.
Kids’ Night Out – January 17
Ready to launch into a world of possibilities? This January’s Kids’ Night Out is all about exploring exciting careers! Parents, take a well-deserved break while your kiddos dive into fun activities, crafts, and inspiring guest speakers at the Jerome Community Center!
Cost: $10 per child / $5 per additional sibling (Residents & Non-Residents)
- Friday, Jan. 17
- 5-8 p.m
- Jerome Community Center, 726 S. Center St.
For more info visit or call Jerome Community Center at 726 S. Center St., (714) 647-6559.
Register for Kids’ Night Out
Hundred Acre Adventure: Celebrating Winnie the Pooh Day- January 18
Join us at the Newhope library for a whimsical celebration of Winnie the Pooh Day! Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of A.A. Milne’s beloved characters with a delightful storytime featuring tales from the Hundred Acre Wood. Embark on an adventure with engaging games, creative crafts, and a scavenger hunt throughout the library. Finally, meet and greet the silly old bear himself, Winnie the Pooh!
- Saturday, Jan. 18
- 10:30 a.m.- 12 p.m.
- Newhope Library, 122 N. Newhope St.
Free Museum Day at Dr Willella Howe-Waffle House and Medical Museum – January 18
The Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society is pleased to announce its inaugural Free Museum Day for all Santa Ana residents at the Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House and Medical Museum. Take a self-guided tour throughout the home, with docents available to address any inquiries. Upon completion of the tour, light refreshments will be served in the garden. Proof of residency is required. Non-Santa Ana residents may join at a reduced admission fee.
- Saturday, Jan. 18
- 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- 120 Civic Center Drive
Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival – January 25
The City of Santa Ana is excited to present the second annual Santa Ana Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival, hosted by the Santa Ana Parks, Recreation & Community Services Agency and the Santa Ana Public Library. Come together and celebrate the Year of the Snake with us during this free, family-friendly event. The Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival will commemorate our community’s Asian and Vietnamese cultures.
- Saturday, Jan. 25
- 1-6 p.m.
- Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave.
For more information visit the official 2025 Santa Ana Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival page.
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