Happy Lunar New Year! In this edition of the City Manager’s newsletter, we have so many ways for residents to get involved. Share your ideas about city development, recognize our local military members, sign up for classes and find tons of fun events. Kids can compete in the Youth Water Poster Contest, join the Winter Reading Program and find other fun activities.
Spotlight photo
Celebrating Tết Festival
Photo Credit: City Staff
City Manager’s Highlights
Meet our new Assistant City Managers
City Manager Alvaro Nuñez is pleased to announce the appointments of Minh Thai and Kathryn “Kat” Downs to the position of Assistant City Manager for the City of Santa Ana, effective February 3, 2025. Both Ms. Downs and Mr. Thai bring a wealth of expertise and experience that will significantly contribute to the continued success and development of our city.
Since 2018, Mr. Thai has served as the Executive Director of the Planning and Building Agency, and Ms. Downs has served as the City’s Executive Director of Finance and Management Services Agency.
Read more about the new Assistant City Managers.
News
Shape development regulations that impact Santa Ana’s future
Your input makes a difference! Participate in a virtual, self-guided workshop to explore the regulations that guide Santa Ana’s development and share your ideas with the Comprehensive Zoning Code Update team. All at your own pace and time!
This interactive workshop mirrors the Round 1 Community Workshops that were recently completed, giving you the opportunity to learn, engage, and contribute to Santa Ana’s future. The workshop is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Khmer.
Participate in the Zoning Code Update workshop
10th annual Youth Water Poster Contest now open
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our 10th annual Youth Water Poster Contest! Open to all youth ages 5-18 who live or attend school in Santa Ana, this year’s contest encourages participants to explore the theme, “Everyone Has A Role: Save Water,” through their creativity. Sponsored by the City of Santa Ana’s Water Resources Division, this annual contest serves as a fun and educational initiative to teach young residents about important water-related topics.
Participants will have the chance to win exciting prizes, including top items like a PS5 or MacBook Air. One Grand Prize winner and two finalists will be selected in each of the following age categories:
- Ages 5–8
- Ages 9–12
- Ages 13–14
- Ages 15–18
For contest rules, parental forms, and submission details, visit the link below.
Sponsor a Hometown Heroes military banner
The City of Santa Ana is proud to recognize Santa Ana’s military heroes for their service through the City’s Hometown Heroes military banner program. Family members and loved ones may nominate an active duty service member from any branch of the military to be honored with a street banner with the service member’s name and photo. The banner will be prominently displayed on one of the City’s streetlight poles along MacArthur Boulevard or Civic Center Drive. Additionally, businesses are invited to sponsor these banners to show their support for our service members.
Hometown Heroes Business Sponsorship
Deadline extended to March 3 for RestorArt: Mural Restoration & Conservation Program
Our Arts & Culture Office has extended the deadline for its Call for Proposals (CFP) for the RestorArt: Mural Restoration & Conservation Program until Monday, March 3, at 11:59 p.m. (PST). The CFP invites individuals or teams to submit proposals for the conservation of historically significant murals and 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. Proposals must be submitted online via Submittable.com.
Mural Conservation and Restoration Program
Sign up for new Parks and Rec programs and classes
Stay inspired and active this winter and spring! From energizing fitness classes to creative art workshops, there’s something for every age and interest offered through our Parks and Recreation classes and programs. Whether you’re exploring a new hobby or looking for fun activities for the kids, we’ve got you covered! View classes and register at the link below.
Parks and Recreation classes and programs
Register for the Read With Me Winter Reading Program
Youth up to 8th grade are invited to participate in the Read with Me Winter Reading Program from Santa Ana Public Library. Read five books or have five books read to you and earn a certificate for a free child’s meal from Panda Express as a reward for completing the challenge. This exciting program encourages young readers to develop a love for books while earning a special reward.
Visit the Newhope Library, 122 N. Newhope St., to register in person beginning February 1, 2025. Last day to register is February 28, 2025.
Work for the City of Santa Ana
From internships, to part-time jobs, to full-time positions, the City of Santa Ana offers a range of opportunities to help you grow and advance your career.
We’re seeking individuals who are results-oriented, possess a great attitude, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work efficiently, show a record of success and have a passion for public service. Having highly talented employees provides the best service to our community!
Provide feedback on Workforce Development Plans
The Orange Workforce Alliance (OWA), a collaboration between the Anaheim, Orange County, and Santa Ana Workforce Development Boards, is seeking public input on the 2025-2028 Unified Local and Regional Plans. These plans define strategies to strengthen the regional workforce while ensuring alignment with state and federal guidelines. Your feedback is essential in shaping the future of workforce development in our community!
Provide feedback on the workforce plans
Ride Free on OC Bus for Transit Equity Day
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) will provide free service on all OC Bus fixed routes on Tuesday, Feb. 4, in honor of Transit Equity Day, which commemorates the historic efforts of civil rights icon Rosa Parks.
Learn more about Transit Equity Day
Become a Santa Ana Enthusiast
The Santa Ana Enthusiast is a complimentary training program designed by Travelsantaana to help better promote the destination to visitors. The training program provides an overview of the tourism industry’s importance to the community and what makes Santa Ana unique. Anyone in Santa Ana can become an Enthusiast, from frontline hospitality employees and tourism partners to City officials and community members who are passionate about the city they call home.
Benefits of Being a Santa Ana Enthusiast Include:
- Exclusive pin to proudly wear
- Recognition on travelsantaana.com
- Invitation to Travel Santa Ana networking events
- End-of-the-year celebration
Tales of the City
Santa Ana Tết Festival
Happy Lunar New Year! On Saturday, Feb. 25, we celebrated our second annual Tết Lunar New Year Festival at Centennial Park, which was attended by several thousand people. The Lunar New Year is an important cultural event in our Vietnamese and other Asian communities. This festival is an amazing opportunity to celebrate their traditions and the important role they play in making Santa Ana a thriving and prosperous city.
The Tết Festival was a collaboration between Santa Ana Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency and the Santa Ana Public Library. We received amazing community support from many local organizations, including several sponsors and partners. Thank you to our Title Level Partners, the Anaheim Duck and Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center, for helping make the event a success.
Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous new year!
City Council meetings
In their regular meeting on January 21, 2025, the Santa Ana City Council:
- Authorized the city manager to execute an agreement with Santa Ana Unified School District in an amount not to exceed $1.2 million for the construction of traffic signal installation at Segerstrom and Rosewood avenues and award the construction contract to Select Electric, Inc.
- Awarded a Construction Contract to Mike Bubalo Construction Co., Inc. for the Rousselle Street Flood Protection Project, for a total estimated construction delivery cost of $5.1 million.
- Approved a total estimated construction delivery cost of $1 million and awarded a $731,255 construction contract to Aguilar & Calderon Corporation for the Sidewalk Replacement Project to reduce the City’s sidewalk repairs backlog.
- Elected Councilmember Benjamin Vazquez as Mayor Pro Tem for 2025.
- Adopted a resolution amending the Council Rules and Procedures to address audio, video, and photographic recording during City Council meetings, and repealing Resolution No. 2023-047.
- Adopted the Zoning Ordinance Amendment of the Santa Ana Municipal Code related to accessory dwelling units to be in compliance with changes to State ADU law enacted under Senate Bill 1211 that took effect January 1, 2025.
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.
February 4 Meeting Agenda: https://www.santa-ana.org/cc/city-meetings
Events
Find more City of Santa Ana events on our website.
DTSA ArtWalk – February 1
Stop by the DTSA ArtWalk for a Valentine’s Day-themed ArtWalk with lots of vendors and musical acts! The City of Santa Ana is a proud supporter of ArtWalk.
- Saturday, Feb. 1
- 5-10 p.m.
- Downtown Santa Ana at Plaza Calle Cuatro (4th and French streets) and the Artists Village Promenade (Broadway and 2nd Street)
ESOL English class – February 1
This series is for adult beginners of English speakers of other languages. It will cover the basics of English, including day-to-day transactions and other topical themes, grammar, and vocabularies. Join us for a fun day of learning and making new friends. We will incorporate the Mango language app with the class.
- Saturday, Feb. 1
- 4-5 p.m.
- Newhope Library, 122 N. Newhope St.
Santa Ana Ducks Night – February 4
Celebrate the Lunar New Year and the City of Santa Ana with the Anaheim Ducks! All City of Santa Ana employees and residents can enjoy savings on their tickets by visiting AnaheimDucks.com/SantaAnaLunarNY. Be among the first 10,000 fans in attendance at the game to receive a free Year of the Snake T-shirt!
- Tuesday, Feb. 4
- 7:30 p.m.
- Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave, Anaheim
Please email Angel at ADelVal@AnaheimDucks.com to receive special rates for groups of 10 or more fans.
UCI Collaboration Celebration – February 6
Join UC Irvine’s School of Education, in partnership with the City of Santa Ana’s Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency and the Santa Ana Early Learning Initiative, to unveil new playful learning installations!
These installations are designed to transform public spaces into playful learning environments, sparking conversations about science and math while promoting family engagement and informal STEM education.
- Thursday, Feb. 6
- 3-5 p.m.
- Madison Park, 1528 S. Standard St.
Parking is available onsite at Madison Park, near the intersection of Edinger and Standard avenues.
Learn more on this collaboration project.
Business Start-Up Workshop – February 12
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.
Free Tax Preparation at Santa Ana Zoo – February 16 & March 16
In partnership with Haven Neighborhood Services, VITA free tax preparation services will be available at the Santa Ana Zoo by appointment only for qualifying individuals.
- Sunday, Feb. 16, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Sunday, March 16, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Santa Ana Zoo, 1801 E. Chestnut Ave.
Don’t miss out on this free opportunity to get expert tax assistance. Appointments are required.
Learn if you qualify for free tax prep and register
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