Official newsletter of Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua.
Keeping the community informed about local events, City news, and resources.
Dear Neighbors,
Monday, September 2, 2024, is Labor Day. I want to take a moment to honor and celebrate the workers who make our beautiful country what it is today.
Fall is almost upon us and our city is in full swing with events. I hope you and your family are planning on joining me at Fiesta Patrias, or at the Fascination of Orchids Show. Also, in recognition of National Senior Center Month my office is hosting my monthly Coffee with the Mayor at the Santa Ana Senior Center on Saturday, September 28. Find all the information in my newsletter below.
The 44th annual Fiestas Patrias is coming back to the Downtown Santa Ana Historic District on 4th Street and will celebrate Mexican independence and commemorate Santa Ana’s vibrant Hispanic and Latino cultures. The festival will be held on September 14 and 15 and will include the traditional Mexican “Grito de Independencia” and the Fiestas Patrias parade! I invite you to join us at this free family-friendly event.
Finally, I am proud to share that on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, the City Council unanimously approved long-time Santa Ana resident and tenured local government executive Alvaro Nuñez as the next City Manager of Santa Ana.
“The City Council is thrilled to announce the appointment of Alvaro Nuñez as our new City Manager,” said Mayor Valerie Amezcua. “With over 30 years of dedicated service to the City of Santa Ana, Mr. Nuñez has shown an unparalleled commitment to our city team and a deep understanding of our community’s needs and aspirations. I am confident that with the City Council’s clear vision and his proven ability to get the job done as Acting City Manager, we will continue to thrive and grow as a prosperous community.”
It will be exciting to see his leadership and the Council working together to meet the needs of our residents and businesses, improve City infrastructure, and continue to make our city and community a great place to live, work, and play.
As you enjoy the final days of summer, I wish you and your family a happy and safe September.
Sincerely,
Mayor Valerie Amezcua
Email: vamezcua@santa-ana.org
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Mayor on the Move
I am always happy to be invited to join in all the wonderful events happening in our city. Here are a few highlights:
The 24th annual OCLF Solidarity Awards Gala. Congratulations to Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon for receiving the Friend of Labor Award, and all of the honorees.
I had the honor of swearing in Melissa Mora to the State Bar of California. Melissa was born and raised here in Santa Ana and is proud to join the less than 2% of U.S. Latina attorneys who make up the legal industry. Congratulations Melissa!
The Chicano Heritage Festival was a huge success. Thank you to the entire City Council for allocating funding for this event in our budget.
Attending the State of the County. A snapshot of upcoming programs, services, and developments happening throughout the OC.
Fun times at the final Summer Concert at Memorial Park.
Congratulations to Alvaro Nuñez, newly appointed Santa Ana City Manager.
Thank you, Iker Reyes, for joining us at the City Council meeting to lead us all in the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTS
Nonprofit Spotlight: Helping Hands Santa Ana
Helping Hands Santa Ana believes in helping families in need and supporting community programs in our surrounding areas and collaborating with local county agencies. Learn more here: www.helpinghandssantaana.com
Small Business Spotlight: Tastea Santa Ana
Tastea Santa Ana is a unique tea bar, located on McFadden & Harbor where service and ambiance are a 10 out of 10. Next time you’re looking for boba or a specialty drink (try the Lychee Peachee drink) – this place hits the spot.
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.
STUDENT Opportunities:
The Santa Ana Police Explorers are looking for students ages 14-21 to join their program. The Explorers provides an opportunity for young men and women to experience and perform a variety of community services such as traffic control at parades, festivals and special events. I invite you to learn more here: https://www.santa-ana.org/explorer-program/
CITY NEWS AND RECOGNITIONS
SoCalGas gives $50,000 Climate and Resiliency Grant
On behalf of the City of Santa Ana, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to SoCalGas for their generous grant. Their commitment to supporting our community is both inspiring and transformative. This grant contribution will help us in our groundbreaking work to address air pollution and environmental justice issues in our neighborhoods.
New PBx service offers same-day express permits for many residential and commercial projects
The next time you have a small home or commercial project, try out our new PBx same-day express permit service! Our Planning and Building Agency launched PBx to allow residents, contractors and others to get same-day permits at the Building Safety Division counter in Santa Ana City Hall for projects that do not require plan check and are not designated as historic. It is intended to improve customer satisfaction, streamline the development process, reduce wait times, and speed up the review and approval process.
You can use PBx to get commercial and residential mechanical, electrical and plumbing permits, and for projects including kitchen and bathroom remodels and alterations, replacement of existing exterior stucco or siding, interior drywall replacement, and more!
Office–to-industrial transformation illustrates new approach to development
Three outdated office buildings and a vacant land parcel in south Santa Ana will be transformed into a modern industrial campus called the South Coast Technology Center that will revitalize business activity in the area.
The approval is one of a number of major development projects currently undergoing entitlement review by the City and is reflective of the vision and nimbleness of the City Council and of the new City administration to keep pace with change. The proposed development is anticipated to generate 687 permanent jobs and 555 one-time jobs associated with its construction, while increasing the production of goods and services in Santa Ana by $256.1 million annually.
Read more about the South Coast Technology Center
Major development projects list and map
Exercise program Santa Ana Moves returns on September 3
The City of Santa Ana is excited to announce the return of the Santa Ana Moves program on September 3, 2024.
Due to popular demand, the Parks and Recreation Agency will once again be opening the Santa Ana stadium for physical activities and pick-up games as part of the Santa Ana Moves program! Participants will have open access to the stairs and field for self-conducted workouts and all forms of physical exercise. The program will be available for just $15 a month or participants can save money by signing up for the rest of 2024 for only $40.
The stadium will be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Participants can play their own pickup games, frisbee, organize scrimmages, run the stairs, and more! Registration is now available online. Once registered, members can enter and check-in daily at the main entrance of the Stadium. Step up and get fit with us!
Participants should note:
- Concessions will be closed during the program.
- Cleats and gum will not be allowed on the field, in an effort to help preserve the grounds.
This month in Santa Ana History (TBD)
I love taking a moment to share pieces of Santa Ana’s history and this month I’d like to highlight:
The Founding of Santa Ana High School
Santa Ana High School was established on September 10, 1889 as a four-year high school. In 1900, the school was moved to a new building located on North Main Street. In 1912, the Board of Education decided to relocate the campus to a new site on West Walnut Street. On September 8, 1912, the firm Whitney & David was chosen to design the new campus, which was completed in 1913 and inaugurated as Santa Ana Polytechnic High School. The campus featured an Administration building facing Walnut Street, flanked by the Fine Arts and Science buildings, which were also used by Santa Ana Junior College. In 1933, a major earthquake struck Southern California, causing significant damage to a variety of buildings in Santa Ana. A 1934 report highlighted the need for extensive repairs, leading to a decision to demolish the damaged high school and rebuild. This reconstruction, completed on the same site, symbolized the community’s resilience and commitment to maintaining quality education.
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 Santa Ana. Employment Opportunities
Find more phone numbers for all City services Starting a small business |
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. |
OCTA
Youth Bus Program. Though many use the free pass to travel to school, it can also be used to access jobs, libraries and summer activities. Learn more here
Upcoming Community Events
Down Payment Assistance Workshop – September 5
Are you thinking about buying your first home in Santa Ana? First-time homebuyers may qualify to borrow up to $120,000 with 0% interest rate. Join our upcoming workshops to learn more about this program and ask questions!
- Thursday, Sept. 5
- 6-7:30 p.m.
- Santiago Park, 2615 Valencia St.
Code Enforcement Community Workshops – September 5 & 12
Struggling with abandoned vehicles or trash on private property? Join us for a two-part Code Enforcement workshop in September at Santa Ana College to learn how our Code Enforcement Division can help! Discover enforcement tools, due process, and how code violations impact our community. Plus, get tips on reporting issues and working with our division.
- Thursdays, Sept. 5 & 12
- 6-8:30 p.m.
- Santa Ana College, 1530 W. 17th St., Johnson Center Conference Room JSC 219-4
RSVP for Code Enforcement Workshops: https://www.santa-ana.org/code-enforcement-community-workshop-rsvp/
Garage and Yard sale weekend – September 7 &8
Residential garage and yard sales are allowed the weekend of September 7 and 8, 2024. Sales may begin at 8 a.m. and must end at 5 p.m. each day. Garage and yard sales for residential properties are permitted in Santa Ana on the first full weekend of March, June, September and December each year. No permit is required. Please follow the rules and regulations at the link below.
Fiestas Patrias – September 14 & 15
Celebrate Mexican independence as well as our Hispanic and Latino communities on Saturday, Sept. 14, and Sunday, Sept. 15. The festival will include a street fair and vendors, live entertainment, a carnival and so much more family fun. Stay tuned for headliner announcements and more. We hope to see you there!
- Saturday, Sept. 14: 12-11 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 15: 12-10 p.m. (parade at 10 a.m.)
- Bush and Main streets
Fiestas Patrias: https://www.santa-ana.org/fiestas-patrias/
Coffee with the Mayor – September 28 & 29
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, Sept. 28
- 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Santa Ana Senior Center, 424 W. 3rd St.
- Sunday, Sept. 29
- 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Private Residence, 1135 W. Riviera Drive
City Hall
Upcoming Holiday and Closed Friday schedule: (City Hall non-essential offices are closed on alternating Fridays throughout the year)
- Monday, September 2: Labor Day – City Hall closed
- Friday, September 13 – City Hall closed
- Friday, September 27 – City Hall closed
The next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 5 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.
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 active homicide cases.
Five years ago – Victoria Barrios was only 18 years old when she was senselessly killed on August 30, 2019, in Santa Ana, CA.
Victoria Barrios was the unintended victim of a drive-by shooting in Santa Ana on Pine Street and Hickory Street. Those responsible for her death remain at-large. Please help bring her killers to justice and get them off of our streets and help make our city safer.
Visit www.justiceforvictoriabarrios.com for more information
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
For more City news, please follow City of Santa on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and share my newsletter with friends and family.