In the September 26, 2024, edition of our newsletter, check out photos and videos from Fiestas Patrias, join us for upcoming family events and informative workshops, sign up for the Library’s Fall Reading Program, and much more!
Spotlight Photo
Fiestas Patrias
Photo Credit: City Staff
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City Manager’s Highlights
ICYMI: Fiestas Patrias 2024
In case you missed it, check out these great photos and videos from this year’s Fiestas Patrias festival and parade! This 43rd annual returned to its roots on 4th Street, bringing a crowd of an estimated 80,000 people throughout the two-day event to Downtown Santa Ana. The parade along Main Street had nearly 70 participating groups. We live streamed the parade on the City’s YouTube channel, which you can watch below. The City Council also honored visitors from our sister city, Sahuayo, Mexico, by presenting them with a key on stage. Learn more about the Sahuayo group’s visit below in Tales of the City.
Fiestas Patrias festival photos
3rd annual Mid-Autumn Festival
Fiestas Patrias may be over, but the fun doesn’t stop in Santa Ana! Join us for the Mid-Autumn Festival on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 4 to 8 p.m. in Centennial Park. Also known as the Moon Festival, this event highlights Asian cultures and our large Vietnamese community. Traditionally, this festival is meant to be a celebration of the fall harvest and full moon, a time when families get together to enjoy each other’s company and the bountiful harvests after a year of labor and care. The free event includes music and traditional performances like the lion dance, food vendors, cultural exhibits, a kids zone, and more!
Mid-Autumn Festival: https://www.santa-ana.org/mid-autumn-festival/
News
Inner-Coastal Clean-up removes 350 pounds of trash and debris
The City of Santa Ana Public Works Agency coordinated an Inner-Coastal Cleanup Day at Jerome Park on Saturday, September 21, where approximately 80 volunteers removed an estimated 350 pounds of trash and debris from the Santa Ana Gardens flood control channel and adjacent alley. Thank you to all of our local volunteers for helping keep trash from flowing out to the ocean when it rains.
Please dispose of trash properly to help keep our City and waterways clean and beautiful! Learn about stormwater management and tips to protect the environment at the links below.
Santa Ana stormwater management: https://www.santa-ana.org/stormwater-management/
Orange County stormwater management: https://h2oc.org/
Apply to serve on Environmental and Transportation Commission and Measure X Committee
The City of Santa Ana has openings for anyone interested in serving on the Environmental and Transportation Advisory Commission or the Measure X Citizen Oversight Committee. These advisory groups provide valuable insights to the Santa Ana City Council through their recommendations.
The Measure X Committee acts in an advisory role to the City Council in reviewing the annual revenue and expenditures of funds from the tax authorized by Measure X, adopted by Santa Ana voters on November 6, 2018. The Environmental and Transportation Advisory Commission (ETAC) acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council regarding the removal, planting, replanting or disposition of public trees in the public right of way. ETAC also reviews and provides recommendations on transportation and streetscape planning; water and wastewater matters; the City’s Circulation Element; the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans; Citywide Complete Streets; and major surface transportation programs. ETAC may provide input on street environment, streetscape, and right of way aesthetics.
For more information, please contact the City Clerk’s Office by email at cityclerk@santa-ana.org or by calling (714) 647-6520.
Requirements to serve on a City board, commission or committee may vary. Learn more here.
Apply to serve on a City board: https://santa-ana.primegov.com/public/committees
Cover to Cover: Fall Reading Program begins October 5
The Santa Ana Public Library invites youth up to 8th grade to register to earn a food certificate for a free hamburger from In-N-Out for every five books or five hours you read, or someone reads to you. Registration for the Fall Reading Program opens Oct. 5. The last day to register and claim food certificates is Nov. 16.
Register for the Fall Reading Program: https://santaana.beanstack.com/reader365
Donate to support your OCFA firefighters injured in crash
On Thursday, September 19, eight Orange County Fire Authority handcrew members were returning from battling the Airport Fire when they were involved in a rollover crash on a freeway in Irvine. Eight members were injured, including six who were critically injured and transported to area hospitals.
The Orange County Professional Firefighters Association Local 3631 together with the OCFA are working to ensure that these members and their families have the care and resources they need in the long road to recovery. OCFA serves the City of Santa Ana, helping keep us all safe. You can donate to support the injured firefighters at the link below. Please keep our firefighters and their families in your thoughts and prayers.
Go here to donate to the firefighters’ relief fund.
Street closures and permitted events September 26-October 2
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
Key to the City for our Sister City
During the 2024 Fiestas Patrias celebration, Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua proudly presented a Key to the City to Mayor Dr. Manuel Gálvez Sánchez from Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico, commemorating the ongoing Sister City relationship between the two municipalities. The ceremony took place on September 14 alongside members of both city councils and staff.
“The Key to the City is a symbol of unity between our two communities,” said Mayor Amezcua. “Through our sister city agreement, Sahuayo and Santa Ana are building friendship, goodwill, educational, cultural, environmental, and business exchanges that will benefit us both.”
This marks the second year that a delegation from Sahuayo has attended Santa Ana’s annual Fiestas Patrias event, which celebrates Mexican Independence Day with a vibrant two-day festival.
The Sister City Agreement, signed in 2022 at Santa Ana City Hall, was further formalized during Mayor Amezcua’s visit to Sahuayo in 2023. During their latest visit, the Sahuayo delegation engaged with city officials, local businesses, Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, and the National Hispanic Business Women Association. They toured notable sites including Santa Ana College, Bowers Museum, and Santa Ana Zoo.
The Sahuayo delegation also discussed several ideas for collaboration between the two cities, such as a joint mural in Downtown Santa Ana, a business expo in Santa Ana focused on international trade, the potential donation of surplus water equipment to Sahuayo, and an exhibit of traditional masks from Sahuayo, called Tlahualiles, to be held at Bowers Museum from October 24, 2026, to April 25, 2027.
City Council Meetings
In their Sept. 17, 2024, regular meeting and adjourned meeting of Sept. 23, 2024, the Santa Ana City Council:
- Awarded a construction contract of $8.2 million to PCN3, Inc.for the Newhope Library modernization and Delhi Library Branch improvements and awarded an agreement of $68,000 to Shade Structures, Inc., DBA USA Shade & Fabric Structure, for a shade structure at Newhope Library. (Revive Santa Ana project)
- Adopted a resolution supporting Proposition 36: the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, which proposes changes to current laws to allow increased penalties for certain theft and drug crimes, as well as measures for rehabilitation and treatment for drug related offenses.
- Authorized a donation agreement with The Frida Cinema to sponsor the Downtown Santa Ana First Saturday ArtWalk for a one-year term beginning October 1, 2024 and ending September 31, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $150,000.
- Authorized an agreement with Power of One Foundation to co-present a Fiesta del Mariachi event at Santa Ana Stadium for an amount not to exceed 80% of revenue earned after expenditure recovery; and awarded a purchase order contract to Sunbelt Rentals Inc. for the rental of an event floor cover for Santa Ana Stadium in an amount not to exceed $118,548.
- Awarded a construction contract to Vido Samarzich, Inc., in the amount of $19,170,060 for construction of the Standard Avenue and McFadden Avenue Bikeways Project, which will include protected bike lanes along McFadden Avenue from Harbor Boulevard to Grand Avenue, and Standard Avenue from Warner Avenue to 2nd Street. It will also implement the City’s first fully-protected intersection at Standard and McFadden with separate traffic signal bicycle phasing and signal head indications.
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.
October 1, 2024, Meeting Agenda: https://www.santa-ana.org/cc/city-meetings
Events
International Older Adults Celebration – September 27
The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency invites the older adult community to come together and join us for our second annual International Older Adults Celebration! This free event will take place at Jerome Park and will be open to everyone ages 55 or older. Guests can enjoy food, prizes, performances and other fun activities!
- Friday, Sept. 27
- 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Jerome Park, 2115 W. McFadden Ave.
Register for the Older Adults Celebration: https://secure.rec1.com/CA/santa-ana-ca/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTMyMDQyOTA=
Author Hour: Andrea Gonzalez – September 28
Join Santa Ana Public Library for an Author Hour with Andrea González, writer, journalist, and television host on Univision Los Angeles, presenting her book “Latinas de Éxito.” This collection of interviews conducted by Andrea over the years features influential Latina women, detailing their journeys of struggle, perseverance and triumph. These women, coming from various sectors such as politics, entertainment, philanthropy, and financial education, have not only excelled in their respective fields, but have also become positive role models for society. The panel will be moderated by Univision host and journalist Ninette Ríos. Free book giveaways while supplies last.
- Saturday, Sept. 28
- 2-4 p.m.
- Newhope Library, 122 N. Newhope St.
Down Payment Assistance Program Workshop – October 3
The City of Santa Ana invites the public, interested home buyers, realtors and lenders to join us for an informational workshop 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 with an interest-free loan. Spanish and Vietnamese interpreters will be available at the workshop.
- Thursday, Oct. 3
- 6-7:30 p.m.
- Roosevelt-Walker Community Center, 816 E. Chestnut Ave.
Register for My First Home workshops: https://secure.rec1.com/CA/santa-ana-ca/catalog
My First Home program: www.santa-ana.org/my-first-home
Conquer the Canvas: Breast Cancer Awareness Month – October 5
Join us at the Newhope Branch Library for a fun and inspiring canvas painting program, designed to help you explore and develop your artistic talents. Perfect for all skill levels! Space is limited while supplies last.
- Saturday, Oct. 5
- 2 -3 p.m.
- Newhope Library,122 N. Newhope St.
Mid-Autumn Festival – October 5
Join us for our third annual Santa Ana Mid-Autumn Festival with music, dancers, cultural exhibits, food and more. This free event is open to everyone.
- Saturday, Oct. 5
- 4-8 p.m.
- Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave.
Mid-Autumn Festival: https://www.santa-ana.org/mid-autumn-festival/
Renter Protections Workshop – October 9
Learn about your rights as a renter by joining an informational workshop in Spanish to learn about the City of Santa Ana’s Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance.
- Wednesday, Oct. 9
- 6-7:30 p.m.
- Logan Community Center, 1009 N. Custer St.
Learn more about the renter protection ordinance, find more workshops and register to attend at the link below:
Renter Protections: www.santa-ana.org/renter-protections/
Orange Workforce Alliance Regional Career Expo – October 9
Are you ready to take the next step in your career? We’re excited to invite you to the Orange Workforce Alliance Regional Career Expo. The City of Santa Ana is proud to be a partner for this great event. This is your chance to connect with top employers, industry experts, and explore a variety of job opportunities — all in one place! Admission and parking are free. Register at the link below. If you have any questions, please contact info@orangeworkforcealliance.com.
- Wednesday, Oct. 9
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim
Register for the Career Expo: owacareerexpo.vfairs.com
Parking study virtual meeting – October 10
Our Public Works Agency is revamping the permit-parking program and is seeking your input, comments and suggestions that will define the new Residential Permit Parking Program. Join us for a virtual meeting to learn more, and take our parking survey to share your ideas at the link below.
- Thursday, Oct. 10
- 6 p.m.
- Zoom Meeting
Learn more at https://www.santa-ana.org/my-residential-parking-santa-ana/
OCFA Fire Station 75 Open House – October 12
Join Orange County Fire Authority for the OCFA Open House at Fire Station 75. Experience a fun-filled day as you explore your local fire station, meet your dedicated local firefighters, and discover the vital work of your fire department. We can’t wait to see you there!
- Saturday, Oct. 12
- 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Fire Station 75, 120 W. Walnut 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.
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