In this edition of the COSAS newsletter, register for the Santa Ana Fun Run, our tap water is the best in the world, see our new crosswalk art and monument signs beautifying neighborhoods, get discounted Clippers tickets, and find more news and events.
Spotlight Photo
Carousel Mural in DTSA
Photo Credit: Linney V.
To submit your own original photo of Santa Ana to be featured in the next newsletter, complete this form.
City Manager’s Highlights
We have the best-tasting water in the world!
For the third time, the City of Santa Ana has won a gold medal for having the best-tasting tap water in the world. We took first place in the municipal water category at the prestigious Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting competition last month. Judges from around the world evaluated waters sourced from 16 states and 18 foreign countries. The City works closely with the Orange County Water District (OCWD), which manages the groundwater basin, to ensure water is not only high in quality but a reliable and plentiful source. Congratulations to our Water Resources Division for their commitment to providing our residents the best-tasting and highest-quality tap water around!
Read more about our award-winning water
Santa Ana economy is growing strong
This week the 2024 Santa Ana GROW Conference, hosted by the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce and the City of Santa Ana, highlighted Santa Ana’s new businesses, major developments, the growth in our travel and tourism industry, and our strong economic outlook.
A couple of highlights: in 2023, the valuation of building permits issued by the city reached an all-time high of $772 million, with over 9,500 building permits issued, and we’ve already achieved 74% of our state goal for building new housing units from 2021 to 2029. Watch the video above spotlighting three major projects.
News
Register for the Santa Ana Fun Run
The annual Santa Ana Fun Run returns April 27 with a totally tubular ’80s theme. Race over to Santa Ana Stadium to run in the 10K, walk/run in the 5K, or bring the kids to participate in the second annual Kids Dash! All running levels are welcomed and encouraged to break out their neon windbreakers, neon tights, and scrunchies at this event hosted by the City of Santa Ana Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency.
Learn more and register for the Fun Run
Get discounted tickets for City of Santa Ana Clippers Night
The City of Santa Ana is proud to announce an expanded relationship with the LA Clippers through a City of Santa Ana Clippers Night special event during the Clippers’ upcoming game on April 12 against the Utah Jazz. The LA Clippers have been a long-time supporter of the Santa Ana Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency’s youth basketball programming, and now 2024 will bring further collaboration through specialty events and activations at City events.
Purchase “City of Santa Ana Clippers Night” tickets.
City’s first crosswalk art installed in Willard neighborhood
This week we celebrated the installation of Santa Ana’s first crosswalk art! A special dedication ceremony was hosted by the Public Works Agency on Wednesday, March 27, to unveil the crosswalk art located at 15th and Ross streets in the Willard neighborhood.
Local neighborhood artist Cynthia Luján designed the crosswalk art, which is intended to create awareness about bicycle and pedestrian safety in the Willard neighborhood and throughout the Santa Ana community. The 36-by-16-foot crosswalk art is made of a thermoplastic that is engineered with safety, durability and aesthetics in mind. It is designed to improve traffic safety at intersections by enhancing the visibility of the crosswalk for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
SAPD egg hunt creates community connections
Santa Ana Police Department hosted a Spring Safety Egg Hunt last week at Jack Fisher Park that was attended by over 300 people. SAPD professional personnel and sworn officers were there to help with the event, having great, positive interactions with children and their families. Children got to enjoy four egg hunts, a coloring table and a meet/greet booth. Acting Chief of Police Robert Rodriguez helped close the event with a raffle.
Teacher Drawing winner in Youth Water Poster Contest
Peggy Slonkosky, a teacher at Madison Elementary School, has won a $200 Art Supply Warehouse gift card as the winner of the first Teacher Drawing in this year’s Youth Water Poster Contest, aimed at raising student awareness of water conservation through creative expression. The drawing was exclusive to teachers who ordered contest materials for their classrooms before March 12. These materials are provided free of charge by Santa Ana’s Water Resources Division each year to facilitate and encourage student participation in the contest.
Teachers attending the Youth Water Poster Contest Exhibit and Awards Reception on May 18, 2024, at the Public Works Week Family Event will have a chance to win another $200 gift card.
OCTA: Apply for Taxpayer Oversight Committee, train line reopens
Here are some updates and opportunities from our friends at Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA.)
- OCTA is seeking qualified volunteers for the OC Go Taxpayer Oversight Committee, which monitors OCTA’s use of revenue from the OC Go half-cent sales tax. Apply here by May 3.
- The rail line through San Clemente reopened this week for regular passenger rail service following the landslides caused by heavy rains.
- Work on the OC Streetcar is progressing, as OCTA installs overhead wires and platforms. Get construction updates and learn more about the project here.
City Hall closed, no street sweeping on April 1
On Monday, April 1, we will observe César Chávez Day (officially celebrated on March 31) to honor the iconic labor and civil rights leader. In observance of the state holiday, Santa Ana City Hall, libraries, senior centers and community centers will be closed on Monday. There will be no street sweeping, but trash and recycling will be collected as scheduled.
Street closures and permitted events March 28 – April 3
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
Refurbished Pacific Park monument signs unveiled
Santa Ana has 64 distinct neighborhoods, and we like to help these neighborhoods stand out and display their own unique character. On Saturday, March 23, a neighborhood ceremony was hosted by our Public Works Agency for the unveiling of refurbished Pacific Park monument signs, commemorating the neighborhood name. The signs are located at two neighborhood entrances: two are at Walnut Street and Cypress Avenue and two are at McFadden Avenue and Cedar Street.
The original construction in 1983 and refurbishment of the monument signs is extra special for the Pacific Park neighborhood because one of their very own neighbors was involved in both the original construction and refurbishment of the monuments, Luis Garcia. Mr. Garcia works for the company that originally built the monuments and he is the one that installed the decorative rocks and wrought iron on the refurbished signs. Another fun fact about Mr. Garcia – he is the father of Hilda Lopez, the current Pacific Park Neighborhood Association president.
We also want to recognize Pacific Park neighbor Selica Diaz (previous president of Pacific Park Neighborhood Association) for her dedication to refurbish the signs with the Pacific Park neighborhood name. Thank you also to the Santa Ana City Council for supporting this project and to City staff for bringing it to fruition.
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
Egg-Cellent Adventure – March 30
Join our annual free, family-friendly Egg-Cellent Adventure, which will feature egg hunts, photo opps, live entertainment, a petting zoo, inflatables, and much more. The Title Level Partner, the Los Angeles Clippers, will have their community team on site with exciting basketball themed activities and prizes! Community partner Santa Ana Lions Club will host a pancake breakfast from 9 to 11:30 a.m. for $5 per person.
- Saturday, March 30
- 9-11:30a.m.
- Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave.
Free Spring Bicycle Ride & Learn How to Compost – March 30
Rain or shine! Come out and learn about bike safety and composting with CRECE Urban Farms and Sistema Agricola Local de Santa Ana (SALSA!) while enjoying a spring bicycle ride. The route will be a slow paced 4.5-mile ride guided by bike captains ensuring traffic safety. No one will be left behind. Ride 1.8 miles to CRECE and stop for a composting workshop then ride 2.7 miles returning to the train station. For more information, contact Maria Baeza at 714-202-7393 or maria@saascoalition.org.
- Saturday, March 30
- 9:30-11 a.m.
- Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center, 1000 E. Santa Ana Blvd.
Register for Spring Ride and Compost
Free Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off – March 30
Rain or shine! The Public Works Agency is sponsoring a household hazardous waste collection that is free to Santa Ana residents. No appointment is required. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to safely dispose of unwanted household chemicals that cannot be disposed of in the regular trash. What can you bring to the household hazardous waste collection? Click the link below to find out what is and isn’t allowed.
- Saturday, March 30
- 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Saddleback High School, 2802 S. Flower St.
Parks and Rec summer job hiring fairs – April 3 and 10
Looking to join the Santa Ana Parks, Recreation, and Community Services team? The Santa Ana Parks, Recreation & Community Services Agency (PRCSA) will be hosting an in-person hiring fair on Wednesday, April 3, for various summer part-time positions ranging from camp counselors, life guards, swim instructors, cashiers, and pool managers, to name a few.
- Wednesday, April 3, 1-5 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 10, 1-7 p.m.
- Santa Ana City Hall Civic Center Plaza, Outside Courtyard by the City Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza
To learn more about the hiring fair and what forms of identification documents are accepted, call 714-571-4200 or visit the link below.
Parks and Rec hiring fairs: santa-ana.org/event/parks-recreation-and-community-services-summer-job-hiring-fair-april-3/
Santa Ana Gardens Bikeway and Friendship Park Dedication – April 3
The County of Orange is hosting a dedication ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Santa Ana Gardens Bikeway Extension and Friendship Park Renovation. Santa Ana residents are invited to attend. Please RSVP to shannon.widor@ocpw.ocgov.com.
- Wednesday, April 3
- 4 p.m.
- Friendship Park, 2210 W. Myrtle St.
Down Payment Assistance Program Workshop – April 4
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. We’ll provide an overview of the program including income guidelines, qualifications, and the application-approval process. We’ll also highlight an incentive for Santa Ana high school graduates, U.S. military veterans and active duty personnel.
Please register at secure.rec1.com/CA/santa-ana-ca/catalog under the City Agency Activities tab. An account is required to register.
- Thursday, April 4
- 5:30 – 8 p.m.
- Roosevelt Walker Community Center, 816 E. Chestnut Ave.
Spring Fest Open House at El Salvador Community Center – April 6
Spring is almost here and the El Salvador Community Center is getting ready to kick off the season! Join us for our annual Spring Fest Open House on Saturday, April 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and learn all about the recreation classes and programs we have to offer! In addition, discover additional resources offered by the Santa Ana Collaborative, enjoy food trucks, a scavenger hunt and other activities. This event is open to the public, but make sure to pre-register to receive additional raffle tickets for prizes.
- Saturday, April 6
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- El Salvador Community Center, 1825 W. Civic Center Drive
Register for Spring Fest: secure.rec1.com/CA/santa-ana-ca/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTI5MTI5NjI=
Bowers Museum Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival – April 7
Celebrate with Bowers Museum during the free family festivals held every first Sunday of the month in their beautiful Key Courtyard. Enjoy live performances, art making, face painting and complimentary treats at every festival.
- Sunday, April 7
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St.
Community Budget Meeting at Fisher Park – April 9
Your opinion matters! Tell us which City services and programs are important to you at the Fisher Park Log Cabin Community Budget Meeting. You can also take our community budget survey and learn more about the 2024-25 fiscal year budget process at www.santa-ana.org/budget.
- Tuesday, April 9
- 6 p.m.
- Fisher Park Log Cabin, 2501 N. Flower St.
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
- 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