In this edition of the COSAS newsletter, In this edition of the COSAS newsletter, learn about how we’re bringing in state and federal money, share your ideas on our Zoning Code Update, visit the Library’s Knowledge Mobile, and join a huge variety of fun and helpful events, including: bike riding classes, CPR training, renter protections and down payment assistance workshops, and movies, concerts and Shakespeare in the park!
Spotlight Photo
4th of July at Centennial Park!
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
Santa Ana wins federal, state grants
Here at City Hall, we are always working to bring in new funding such as state and federal grants for projects that will benefit our community. Many of these grants are quite competitive, and it takes significant staff time behind the scenes to apply for the funding and make our projects stand out from the many other government agencies that are doing the same. So, we were thrilled to recently receive two major grants.
One is a $25 million federal grant for the Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation Project to reconstruct the rail crossing at Santa Ana Boulevard next to the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety, improve traffic and boost emergency response times. The project includes reducing the roadway from six lanes to four lanes, incorporating on-street protected bikeways, sidewalks, and a pedestrian overcrossing parallel to the rail line. It was just one of four transportation projects in all of California to receive this federal funding. Read more about the rail crossing grant.
The other grant is a $2 million state grant to expand our Santa Ana Youth (SAY) Employment Program. This will allow us to provide paid public sector and non-profit work experience to 120 Santa Ana youth ages 16 to 30. Enrollment for the next SAY program begins in September, and you can learn about a great event we held for SAY participants below in Tales of the City. Read more about the SAY grant.
City Council unanimously approves 2024-25 budget
Last month, the Santa Ana City Council unanimously approved the 2024-25 City budget, adding a range of new programs sought by the community while making long-term investments in City roads and public facilities. We want to thank the over 2,400 community members who participated in the budget process by taking the City’s budget survey, attending one of seven community budget meetings or engaging with City staff to share their ideas and priorities for City spending.
Learn more about the City budget.
Watch the 2024 State of the City
On June 27, the City of Santa Ana and Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2024 State of the City at Mater Dei High School. Mayor Valerie Amezcua and top City executives shared the City’s accomplishments and vision for the future.
News
Attend our Zoning Code Update community workshops
The City of Santa Ana is hosting a series of Zoning Code Update workshops in July where community members can share their ideas on land use, development, building design and other zoning topics.
The Zoning Code is a set of rules that define how land can be used, developed and improved. These rules create neighborhoods and districts that meet residents’ needs and provide places for businesses to thrive. The City’s existing zoning code, last comprehensively updated in the 1960s, requires revisions to address new challenges and opportunities.
The next workshop dates are July 17, 18 and 20.
Read more about the Zoning Code Update.
King Street pocket park opens
The City of Santa Ana kicked off National Parks and Recreation Month by celebrating the completion of the King Street Urban Greening Project on July 1. The King Street project is a significant enhancement to the Artesia Pilar neighborhood, transforming a previously underutilized space into a vibrant 10,000-square-foot pocket park with drought tolerant landscaping, pedestrian and bike paths, and an underground stormwater infiltration system.
Read more about the King Street park.
See photos of the King Street ribbon cutting.
Visit the Library’s Knowledge Mobile!
The Santa Ana Public Library Knowledge Mobile (Know-Mo), is a combination of a traditional bookmobile and techmobile, featuring free public Wi-Fi, computers, gaming, STEAM technologies and much more. At each stop, we offer the community access to our large, diverse selection of books, family programs, arts and crafts, and take-and-make kits. We are proud to bring the library directly to the people of the city.
See the Knowledge Mobile schedule.
Read our 2023 Water Quality Report
The City of Santa Ana has released its 2023 Water Quality Report, also known as the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). This report highlights the quality of Santa Ana’s water, which earned its third gold medal for the nation’s highest-quality and best-tasting tap water earlier this year. The report also covers the various capital improvement projects, ongoing programs, and other regional initiatives aimed at securing a reliable, high-quality water supply for the future.
Read more about the Water Quality Report.
Read the full Water Quality Report.
CalOptima Health offers funding for community events
CalOptima Health is launching outreach efforts to ensure potentially eligible members of our community are aware of the opportunity to receive Medi-Cal coverage. CalOptima Health is offering funding to community-based organizations to host community events to increase awareness and enrollment in Medi-Cal and CalFresh programs for newly eligible individuals and hard-to-reach communities.
Apply for CalOptima event funding.
Escape summer heat at cooling centers
During these hot summer days, please remember to drink lots of water, limit activity outside, and go to our community centers, senior centers or Newhope Branch Library if you need to cool down. Santa Ana Main Library is closed for renovations, but the Newhope Branch Library has extended hours. The County of Orange has a list of cooling centers available in Santa Ana and countywide at the link below.
Metrolink offers free rides for students, children
Did you know that Metrolink offers free train rides for students and up to three children traveling with adults? Metrolink extended the Student Adventure Pass program through June 30, 2025, allowing anyone with a valid student ID – including K-12, trade school and college students – to travel anywhere on the Metrolink system free of charge. Also, for weekend day travel, up to three kids can ride free with each paying adult.
Street closures and permitted events
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
Youth interns amplify their voices
The Santa Ana Public Library, in partnership with the Santa Ana Work Center, held a Youth Know Innovation Unconference on May 11 as part of the CaliforniansForAll grant initiative. This event was a great success, allowing the Santa Ana Public Library and the Santa Ana Work Center to come together to amplify the voices of young people just joining the labor force. Over 80 youths attended the event.
Interns from across the Santa Ana Youth (SAY) Employment Program and partnerships converged to discuss their concerns, opinions and insights on the three topics of focus for this year’s grant: Food Insecurity, Climate Change and Community Sustainability. The event exceeded expectations, igniting dialogue, and fostering genuine community connections among current and future professionals.
The event included panel discussions, a showcase of social innovation project proposals, a screening of public service announcements produced by resident interns at the Santa Ana Public Library, and interactive breakout discussion sessions.
The SAY program is funded by the state California Volunteers grant, which provided the City of Santa Ana $4.5 million in June 2022. This allowed over 400 youth to participate in this paid work experience program, each working an average of 350 hours across various City Hall agencies and local non-profits over two years.
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, 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
Movies in the Park: ‘Aladdin’ (2019) – July 12
Enjoy a free screening of “Aladdin.” Headsets will be available for alternate audio in Spanish. Guests should plan to arrive early to find parking and secure their spots. Grab your blankets, lawn chairs and snacks for a comfortable and enjoyable experience!
- Friday, July 12
- 6 p.m.
- Heritage Park, 4812 W. Camille St.
Learn to Ride bike class – July 13 & 20
The Learn to Ride bike class is intended for new or non-riders. This class will teach the basic skills necessary to ride a bike independently and build confidence. League Cycling Instructors (LCIs) will be guiding step by step instruction while cultivating a safe environment.
The class will emphasize the importance of helmet use when riding a bicycle and teach how to wear a helmet properly. Participants will receive a free bike helmet and bike lights. Must be at least 12+ years old to sign up. Adults are encouraged to participate!
- Saturday, July 13 or 20
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Centennial Park basketball courts, 3000 W. Edinger Ave.
Celebration of India – July 14
Enjoy a vibrant Celebration of India featuring Farhan Khan’s Sitar music, SADUBAS’s eclectic techno-traditional performances, Indian dance by Vini Sundaram of Arpana Dance Company, and family-friendly activities including face painting, art projects, and Indian sweets.
- Sunday, July 14
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St.
Community Meeting: Concept design for Warner Avenue Linear Parks and Delhi Park
Santa Ana neighbors are invited to an interactive community meeting with the Public Works Agency to discuss the concept design for the Warner Avenue Linear Parks and the Delhi Park. Spanish translation will be available. Click here for bilingual meeting flier.
We value your attendance at the meeting and feedback on the concept design for the parks. Should you have questions, please contact City of Santa Ana Project Manager Macy Dreizler at (714) 336-1258 or mdreizler@santa-ana.org.
- Wednesday, July 17
- 3-5 p.m.
- Delhi Community Center, 505 E. Central Ave.
OCFA Non-certified Hands Only CPR – July 17 & 24
The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is excited to provide a free opportunity for residents to learn Non-certified Hands Only CPR, also known as Sidewalk CPR! This life saving skill delivers care to someone in cardiac arrest until professional responders arrive. We invite residents of all ages to take advantage of this pilot program. No registration is required.
- Wednesday, July 17
- 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Northgate, 770 S. Harbor Blvd.
- Wednesday, July 24
- 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Superior, 1710 S. Main St.
Concerts in the Park: Southland Mega Groove – July 18
Enjoy a free performance by Southland Mega Groove during week 1 of our Summer Santa Ana Concerts in the Park series. Join us every Thursday beginning July 18 to Aug. 8 for a night full of music, dancing, and food! Concerts will be held at a variety of parks with different headliners at each park.
- Thursday, July 18
- 6 p.m.
- Thornton Park, 1801 W. Segerstrom Ave.
Movies in the Park: ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ – July 19
Enjoy a free screening of “Kung Fu Panda 4.” Headsets will be available for alternate audio in Spanish. Guests should plan to arrive early to find parking and secure their spots. Grab your blankets, lawn chairs and snacks for a comfortable and enjoyable experience!
- Friday, July 19
- 6 p.m.
- Rosita Park, 706 N. Newhope St.
OC’s Safer Summer Pool Party – July 20
The City of Santa Ana’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency is hosting the 2024 OC s Safer Summer Pool Party, presented by the Orange County Drowning Prevention Coalition and the Jasper Ray Foundation. This family-friendly, free, and interactive event is open to all. Register for a 50-minute session and grow your family’s water safety skills. Stick around and enjoy a free recreation swim from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Come and learn about Santa Ana aquatics programs and scholarship opportunities while receiving water safety skills training with experts from Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), the Swim Brayv Foundation and Santa Ana aquatics team members. Venture through nine safety stations including CPR, life jacket fitting, floating lessons, swim endurance, and more. Registration is required.
- Saturday, July 20
- 3:30 to 6 p.m.
- El Salvador Pool, 1825 W. Civic Center Drive
Register for OC’s Safer Summer Pool Party
Free homeownership event – July 20
Are you wondering what it takes to buy a home? Wells Fargo, in partnership with the City of Santa Ana and the City of Garden Grove, is providing a free breakfast workshop where you will learn about the benefits and considerations of owning a home, managing your credit, understanding the home financing process, and discovering local down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
- Saturday, July 20
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Santa Ana College, 1530 W. 17th St.
Register for the homeownership event
Low-cost spay and neuter clinic – July 22
Did you know that qualified Santa Ana residents can get dogs and cats spayed and neutered for a discounted price? The City of Santa Ana has partnered with Healthcare & Emergency Animal Rescue Team (HEART) to bring low-cost mobile clinics to Santa Ana Zoo. The discounted prices are only available for people who live in qualified census tracts or meet other qualifications. Pets must be current on vaccinations. Check your qualifications and make an appointment here, or call HEART at (714) 993-9193.
- Monday, July 22
- Santa Ana Zoo parking lot, 1801 E. Chestnut Ave.
Discounted spay and neuter service
Concerts in the Park: The OC3 – July 25
Enjoy a free performance by The OC3 during week 2 of our Summer Santa Ana Concerts in the Park series. Join us every Thursday through Aug. 8 for a night full of music, dancing, and food! Concerts will be held at a variety of parks with different headliners at each park.
- Thursday, July 25
- 6 p.m.
- Portola Park, 1700 E. Santa Clara Ave.
Movies in the Park: ‘Tarzan’ (1999) – July 26
Enjoy a free screening of “Tarzan.” Headsets will be available for alternate audio in Spanish. Guests should plan to arrive early to find parking and secure their spots. Grab your blankets, lawn chairs and snacks for a comfortable and enjoyable experience!
- Friday, July 26
- 6 p.m.
- Santa Ana Zoo, 1801 E. Chestnut Ave.
Shakespeare in the Park – July 31
Join us for a live performance of William Shakespeare’s Highly acclaimed “Henry IV” presented by the Shakespeare By The Sea company. This play is a tale of power, honor, and rebellion, chronicling the journey of young Prince Henry as he embraces his destiny to become the King of England and leads his country to victory at Agincourt.
Concessions will be available for purchase and guests are welcomed to bring their own picnics and dinner to the park.
- Wednesday, July 31
- Doors open at 6:30 p.m., performance begins at 7 p.m.
- Birch Park, 210 N. Birch St.
Rent Stabilization Community Workshop – July 31 and Aug. 1
Learn about the City of Santa Ana’s Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, including protections for renters, rent increase limits, eviction procedures, appeals process and more. Learn more, register and find other workshop dates at the link below.
- Wednesday, July 31
- 6-7 p.m.
- Southwest Senior Center, 2201 W. McFadden Ave.
- Thursday, Aug. 1
- 6-7 p.m.
- Garfield Community Center, 501 N. Lacy St.
Rent Stabilization Community Workshops
Concerts in the Park: Melrose Band – August 1
Enjoy a free performance by the Melrose Band during week 3 of our Summer Santa Ana Concerts in the Park series. Join us every Thursday through Aug. 8 for a night full of music, dancing, and food! Concerts will be held at a variety of parks with different headliners at each park.
- Thursday, Aug. 1
- 6 p.m.
- Jerome Park, 2115 W. McFadden Ave.
Down Payment Assistance Workshop – August 1
We invite the public, interested home buyers, realtors, and lenders to join us for an informational workshop hosted by the city to learn about the My First Home down payment assistance program. By taking advantage of this remarkable initiative, you can transform your aspirations of homeownership into a tangible reality. We’ll provide an overview of the program including income guidelines, qualifications, and the application-approval process. Register at the link below under the City Agency Activities tab. An account is required to register.
- Thursday, Aug. 1
- 6-7:30 p.m.
- Salgado Community Center, 706 N. Newhope St.
Register for down payment assistance workshop
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
- 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 (657) 467-6220