Official newsletter of Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua.
Keeping the community informed about local events, City news, and resources.
Dear Neighbors,
It’s officially spring, and our city is bustling with outdoor activities. This month’s newsletter provides up-to-date activities on fun outdoor activities and updates on important issues.
Ongoing preparations are underway for our annual budget season. This is your final opportunity to share your thoughts on which City programs and services are most important to you by taking our survey. FINAL DATE TO SUBMIT: MAY 13, 2024.
Over the past few months, I am so thankful for our community’s overwhelming response regarding the City’s opposition to the Harm Reduction Institute’s needle distribution program application. I encourage you to continue to express your concerns to your state representatives or petition your opposition alongside your neighbors. Use the sample templates at this link and address them to our state leaders. You may also email us to share your opinion about the proposed needle distribution program.
April was another dynamic month in our beautiful city. I hosted my monthly Coffee with the Mayor event at the Assistance League of Santa Ana, and I appreciated the conversations with everyone about addressing and supporting cleaner streets, housing, community resources, the City’s budget priorities, and speaking to many neighbors about what we can accomplish together to make our city better. I also represented Santa Ana for three days of advocacy and educational content at the 2024 City Leaders Summit in Sacramento. There I was able to meet with Assemblyman Avelino Valencia and ran into Eric Lopez who is an SAUSD graduate and ASB President. I was happy to learn he graduated from UC San Diego and now a Communication Aide in Assemblyman Valencia office.
I ended the month presenting an award and congratulating all the students who received scholarships at the 2024 Difference Makers awards.
Finally, I invite you to attend the 2024 State of City luncheon hosted by the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, June 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Mater Dei High School. For more information, please visit the Chamber’s website.
As always, I am honored to serve as your mayor and please feel free to contact me with questions, concerns, or comments. I look forward to seeing you in the community!
Sincerely,
Mayor Valerie Amezcua
Email: vamezcua@santa-ana.org
Mayor on the Move
The Crime Victims’ Rights Ceremony was incredibly moving. To hear victims share their stories and how they are coping was very emotional. I pray they find some peace in the tragedies they have experienced.
Wonderful turnout at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the George Upton All Access Playground!
Thank you to everyone who joined me at my monthly coffee with the mayor!
Congratulations to California Coast University on celebrating 51 years here in Santa Ana!
Monthly Neighborhood Association meeting.
Congratulations to all the honorees at the 2023 SAPD Employee Recognition & Awards Ceremony!
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTS
Nonprofit Spotlight: Power of One Foundation
Power of One Foundation is a not-for-profit organization with a focus on fighting hunger and poverty by providing food assistance and vital resources to vulnerable communities and individuals in Orange County and beyond. The foundation’s purpose is to empower residents in underserved communities to become leaders in their communities.
Small Business Spotlight: STATE FARM Insurance Agent: Eddie Quillares Jr.
This month’s Spotlight is the Eddie Quillares Jr. State Farm Insurance Agency in Downtown Santa Ana. Eddie’s agency strives to ensure that you have the necessary protection to face any challenges that may come your way.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The City of Santa Ana Human Resources Department Talent Acquisition Division works with City agencies and departments to identify staffing needs and hire the best talent to serve the city. The City of Santa Ana is looking for individuals who are results-oriented, possess great attitude, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work efficiently, show a record of success, and have a passion for public service.
CITY NEWS AND RECOGNITIONS
Reaching new heights in housing and development
We recently announced some important milestones in building a future Santa Ana that will serve all residents by creating new businesses, housing and jobs. In 2023, the City of Santa Ana reached a historic milestone in its development trajectory, issuing over 9,500 building permits for an all-time high construction valuation of $772 million. This remarkable achievement is more than double the construction valuation of past years.
Much of that development involves a variety of new housing, including affordable housing and mixed use developments that include both housing and commercial uses, creating more walkable living opportunities. The City has already issued 74% of the building permits for new housing units required by the State of California less than three years into the eight-year planning period from 2021 to 2029. This is thanks to both a business-friendly development planning process and over $60 million in affordable housing investments by the City over the past decade.
Read our press releases to learn more at the links below.
Santa Ana sees record development surge
74% of new housing goals achieved
Legacy Square affordable housing named Project of the Year
Legacy Square, a 93-home affordable housing community developed by National CORE, the City of Santa Ana and the Santa Ana United Methodist Church, has been named the 2024 Project of the Year by the Orange County Affordable Housing Awards. Legacy Square opened in June 2023 and transformed underutilized church land into a stunning community serving residents who earn less than 60 percent of the median area income. Thirty-three apartments are reserved for residents who experienced homelessness or who were at risk of becoming homeless.
Congratulations to our Community Development and Planning and Building staff for their work to bring this project to life and for winning this prestigious award!
Read more about Legacy Square’s award
Traffic Engineer speaks at Public Works conference
Santa Ana is a leader in many areas of public policy and service, and we love to share what we’re doing with other agencies. Public Works Senior Traffic Engineer Ruben Castaneda recently gave an engaging presentation on the Santa Ana Vision Zero Plan at the 25th Annual American Public Works Association PWX SoCal Conference. The Santa Ana Vision Zero Plan sets a goal of achieving zero pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities in Santa Ana.
Traffic safety impacts every Southern California public jurisdiction. The presentation provided the opportunity for other city and government agencies to hear ideas and discuss how they too may be able to address traffic safety.
This month in Santa Ana History – Election Day for City of Santa Ana Incorporation
I love taking a moment to share pieces of Santa Ana’s history and this month I’d like to share about the: Election Day for City of Santa Ana Incorporation
One hundred and thirty-eight years ago, the Town of Santa Ana held an election on May 10, 1886, taking its first steps toward incorporation as a new city. At J.W. Layman’s hotel, William H. Spurgeon was elected Mayor by local Trustees to serve for a term of two years. In 1961, Homer Sterling, Assistant to City Manager Carl Thornton, found an old ledger with several important dates. The first page of the book was dated June 1, 1886, proclaiming the election results reported by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, three years prior to the founding of Orange County. The City of Santa Ana at the time consisted of 1,226.8 acres and had a population of about 2,000 residents. This date, now etched in the City’s annals, symbolizes the collective agreement and determination of its residents to establish themselves as more than just a community.
City resources
City Hall main line
Code Enforcement
Emergency Water Services
Graffiti Hotline
mySantaAna app
Public Works dispatch (street sweeping, trees)
Santa Ana Police Athletic & Activity League (SAPAAL) |
Homeless Services
The city will offer down payment assistance loans to first-time home buyers to aid in the purchase of a home within the City of Santa Ana. Employment Opportunities |
Have you downloaded the mySantaAna app?
Report issues like:
- illegal dumping, graffiti removal
- homeless encampments
- trash and recycling missed pickups
- park issues
- potholes
- and more!
Community Resources
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Homelessness support for families and children. Provides assistance with housing placement. |
Provides and ships nutritious, farm fresh produce to communities who need it most. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay for heating or cooling in their homes. |
Orange County Transportation Authority Teen Council Recruitment
Orange County residents between 13-18 are encouraged to apply for the OCTA Teen Council to learn more about transportation, public speaking, and leadership skills. The deadline to apply is May 31. Interested teens can apply here.
Are you an Artist or know an Artist?!
Northgate Gonzalez Market is hosting their 4th annual Dia de los Muertos Art Contest. The contest is open to Elementary, Middle School & High School Students and this year’s theme is Amor Eterno. The deadline to enter the contest is Monday, May 20, so don’t miss out! Prizes will be awarded to all three respective grade levels!
Battle of the Mariachis Youth Contest
Registration is going live on May 15!
If you are a part of a young mariachi band that wants to showcase their talent, don’t miss this chance to shine. For more information, visit https://www.powerofonefoundation.org/.
Upcoming Community Events
Community Gardens Compost Workshops – May 6-10
Turn your waste into a resource! The Santa Ana Community Gardens will be celebrating International Compost Awareness Week by hosting free compost workshops for all ages. Learn to create soil amendment from your organic waste by attending one or all of the following workshops May 6-10.
- 6-7 p.m.
- Locations:
- May 7: Pacific Electric Park Garden
- May 8: El Salvador Park Garden
- May 9: Jerome Park Garden
- May 10: Roosevelt/Walker Community Center garden
Register for Compost Workshops
Traffic Engineering Road Show – May 8, 13 and more
Santa Ana neighbors are invited to a series of interactive community meeting with the City of Santa Ana Public Works Traffic Engineering Department to learn and share your thoughts about the Citywide Street Light Masterplan, Active Transportation Grant Opportunities, and the Citywide Parking Study. The upcoming dates are:
- Wednesday, May 8
- 5:30-7 p.m.
- Saddleback High School, 2802 S. Flower St.
- Monday, May 13
- 5:30-7 p.m.
- McFadden Institute of Technology, 2701 S. Raitt St.
We value your attendance at the meetings to provide feedback about the Traffic Engineering programs. Click the link below for all meeting dates.
Coffee with the Mayor – May 11
Please join me for coffee and to discuss any city issues that are important to you. I’m looking forward to seeing you there!
- Saturday, May 11
- 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Southwest Senior Center, 2201 W. McFadden Ave.
Ride of Silence – May 15
Join Santa Ana Active Streets in the Ride of Silence Tribute Ride honoring cyclists that have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. It will be a solemn group ride that is recognized world-wide with thousands of people riding their bikes to remember, support each other, and heal collectively. The ride, which is held during National Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for and honor the lives of those who have been killed or injured.
- Wednesday, May 15
- 7 p.m. (meet up at 6:15 p.m.)
- The Bicycle Tree, 702 W. 17th St.
Public Works Family Event – May 18
To kick off National Public Works Week in May, our Public Works Agency will host a free community event that includes free tacos to the first 500 guests, prizes, tours of the state-of-the-art water pump station, a water pipe connection competition, various Public Works exhibits and large equipment displays, and more. Free event parking is available in the lot at Flower and Pine streets. For more information, contact Michelle Micallef at mmicallef@santa-ana.org or 714-647-5091.
- Saturday, May 18
- 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Walnut Water Pump Station, 723 W. Walnut St.
Discovery Cube Santa Ana Resident Free Days
Santa Ana residents can get up to 4 free admission tickets per government-issued photo ID with address on the first Tuesday of every month.
Free Resident Day at Santa Ana Zoo
On Resident Free Day, the third Sunday of each month, residents of Santa Ana may visit our Zoo for free. Proof of residency (driver’s license, utility bill) will be required upon arrival. Not valid to schools or business addresses.
Free Santa Ana Summer at Bowers Museum
This is an exciting opportunity to enjoy a Santa Ana treasure! Bowers Museum is expanding its free Sundays for Santa Ana residents, offering free museum general admission to all residents every day from March 9 to September 8 during its new exhibition, Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form. Tickets to the special exhibition are $10.
City Hall
Upcoming Holiday and Closed Friday schedule: (City Hall non-essential offices are closed on alternating Fridays throughout the year)
- Friday, May 10, 2024 – City Hall closed.
- Friday, May 24, 2024 – City Hall closed.
- Monday, May 27, 2024 – City Hall closed in observance of Memorial Day.
The next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at Santa Ana Council Chamber, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana. Official City meetings are open to the public and I encourage you to participate. Council agendas and minutes may be accessed here.
City Council Meetings Highlights
At their April 16, 2024, regular meeting, the Santa Ana City Council:
- Unanimously approved a resolution announcing “strenuous opposition” to a proposed needle distribution program that would threaten public health and safety.
- Approved an urgency ordinance adopting a 45-day suspension on the approval, commencement, establishment, relocation, or expansion of industrial uses within a specific zoning district to protect the Logan and Lacy neighborhoods from an increased number of code enforcement complaints at commercial and industrial properties.
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.
Victoria’s Corner
This section was created after meeting with Eva Barrios, a Santa Ana resident, whose daughter Victoria Barrios was killed in 2019. With Eva’s support, the goal of Victoria’s Corner is to bring additional attention to Victoria’s case.
Anyone having any information related to Victoria’s case is asked to contact Santa Ana Police Department at:
- Victoria Barrios case – 714-245-8334
- Homicide line – 714-245-8390
Invite me
If you’d like to invite me to attend an event in your neighborhood or in connection with your organization, please feel free to make that request via email: vamezcua@santa-ana.org
Go here for more City news, and share my newsletter with friends and family at the link below.