October is a time for change and a time for us to buckle down and conquer the goals we set for ourselves at the beginning of the year. I have been thinking a lot about the work we’ve done this year—so many events, programs, and emails—but we’re not done.
My goal is to help everyone who is eligible to be able to vote in this November 5th election. No matter who you vote for or how you vote, it is important to do your research, ask questions, and cast your ballot. Our voices matter, and the best way to make it count is to make sure that your ballot is returned by 8 p.m. on November 5th!
As for the rest of this year, we will continue working to solve constituent issues and fighting for the policies and programs that matter most to Ward 1. Know that while we’re out there in the community, we are also back at the office addressing community problems. If you have any ideas, issues, or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at tphan@santa-ana.org.
I hope everyone has an amazing and safe Halloween and holiday season. Let’s finish this year strong!
Yours Truly,
Thai Viet Phan
Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem, Ward 1
In This Issue…
- Fiestas Patrias
- Mid-Autumn Festival
- Vietnamese Business Forum
Know Your Ward & City
Santa Ana Renters’ Rights
If you are a renter or landlord in Santa Ana that is facing uncertainties about allowable rent increases, questions on how to file petitions under the Just Cause Eviction Ordinance or other issues like these, then we are here for you. You can visit the Santa Ana Rent Stabilization Division website for resources and to learn more.
Santa Ana Youth Program
The SAY Employment Program administered by the Santa Ana WORK Center will provide paid work experience to youth ages 16 to 30 years old. Youth must complete the application and submit the required documents into the office or online. Jobs are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. For questions, call the Santa Ana Work Center at (714) 565-2600 or email SAYEmployment@santa-ana.org.
Hometown Heroes Military Banner Program: Business Sponsorship Opportunity
The City of Santa Ana is proud to recognize Santa Ana’s military heroes for their service through the City’s Military Banner Program. Family members and loved ones may nominate an active duty service member from any branch of the military to be honored with a street banner with the service member’s name and photo. The banner will be prominently displayed on one of the City’s streetlight poles along MacArthur Boulevard or Civic Center Drive.
This program also allows for businesses to sponsor the banners. See attached flyer, which has been included in the most recent Economic Development Newsletter.
What’s On Your Ballot?
The next General Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The election will be for the Mayor, for a term of two (2) years; and three (3) Councilmember Ward Seats (Ward Nos. 1, 3, and 5), each for a term of four (4) years. The election will also be for four (4) Measures placed on the ballot by the Santa Ana City Council.
Information on this site will be updated periodically. Should you have any specific election questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 714-647-6520 or via email to the City Clerk at jhall@santa-ana.org.
Santa Ana City Council unanimously approves historic $2.9 billion Related Bristol mixed-use urban village
The City Council’s unanimous approval of the project on Tuesday, Oct. 15, followed thorough review and negotiation with City of Santa Ana Planning and Building Agency staff, the formation of a City Council ad hoc committee in October 2023, and review by the Santa Ana Planning Commission. The project by Related California is located near South Coast Plaza along a major business corridor in an area bordered by South Bristol Street, South Plaza Drive, West MacArthur Boulevard and Sunflower Avenue.
The project includes 3,750 residential units, 200 senior living units, a 250-room hotel, 350,000 square feet of commercial space, and 13.1 acres of open space.
Work on Related Bristol is expected to begin in 2026 and to be completed in phases, with the entire development finished in 2036.
Read more about the Related Bristol mixed-use urban village
Crossroads at Washington affordable housing opens
In September, the City of Santa Ana joined the County of Orange, Related California and A Community of Friends to celebrate the opening of the Crossroads at Washington, an 86-unit, affordable development for extremely low-income families and people experiencing homelessness.
The new affordable community in the Logan neighborhood is built on land jointly owned by the City of Santa Ana and County of Orange, under a ground lease with developer Related. Crossroads provides social services for residents on site. The Santa Ana City Council also approved $4.6 million in loan agreements and 15 Section 8 vouchers for the project.
Read more about the Crossroads at Washington
Know Our Events & Meetings
Garfield Community Center Boo Bash – October 31
Swing by the Garfield Community Center for a frightfully fun event! Participants will enjoy themed crafts, activities, and small treats that are sure to delight! Don’t let this chance “trick” you — space is limited! Pre-register at tinyurl.com/SA-BOOBASH.
- Thursday, Oct. 31
- 2:30-4:30 p.m.
- Garfield Community Center, 501 N. Lacy St.
For more details, call the Garfield Community Center at (714) 571-4288. We can’t wait to “treat” you to an unforgettable time!
Celebrate the Day of the Dead (Día de Los Muertos) – November 1
Join us to celebrate the Día de los Muertos, “Magic of the Altars” event! This festive occasion is free and open to everyone for an evening filled with art, altars, crafts and commemoration that you don’t want to miss.
- Friday, Nov. 1
- 5-7:30 p.m.
- Roosevelt Walker Community Center, 816 E. Chestnut Ave.
Celebrate the Day of the Dead/Noche De Altares – November 2
El Centro Cultural de Mexico has been organizing Noche de Altares in Santa Ana since 2002.
Noche de Altares is a community-based event celebrating Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), an indigenous tradition. Organized by volunteers, the purpose of the celebration is to honor the tradition and our muertitos by bringing community members together through art, culture, and compassion.
In addition to viewing beautifully created altars, attendees will be entertained by cultural performances and live music. Children can get their face painted and participate in free art workshops.
- Saturday, Nov. 2
- 12-9 p.m.
- Calle 4 (In between Ross Street and Broadway), Santa Ana
Down Payment Assistance Program Workshops – November 7
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 us for upcoming workshops to learn more about this program and ask questions!
- Thursday, Nov. 7
- 6-7:30 p.m.
- Southwest Senior Center, 2201 W. McFadden Ave., Santa Ana
Register for My First Home workshops
Local Events
Resident Days at the Zoo • Third Sunday of each Month
Discovery Cube Waste Free Days • Santa Ana residents get free admission to the Discovery Cube on the first Tuesday of the month
Know Thai’s Projects
Chicano Heritage Festival
Chicano Heritage Festival was an absolute BLAST! The Ward 1 Team had fun giving out prizes and sharing info about City programs with the community. Hearing the amazing performers, dancing to their songs, and seeing families come out to enjoy the music, vendors, and each other fills my heart! Can’t wait for next year!
Thank you to all the awesome performers, our volunteers for coming to help out, and the dedicated City staff who made all of this happen! Special shout out to Project Kinship for being our title partner.
Lễ Vu Lan (Parents Day) Celebration
Thank you to the Bao Quang and Hue Quang Temple for inviting me to the Lễ Vu Lan (Parents Day) Celebration. I enjoyed seeing the youth and adults celebrate this day together as it is a special day to honor and express gratitude to parents who are still present and parents who have passed. I appreciate the sacrifices and struggles my parents went through as many parents who immigrated to the United States, strive for the American dream.
Chicano Cultural Heritage Celebration
What a fun and educational time at the Santa Ana Library’s Chicano Heritage Educational Celebration of Culture! Thank you to Congressman Lou Correa for recognizing Chicano Heritage Month and for all those who came out!
Post Office Dedication Ceremony for Judge James Perez
I am honored to have been invited to join Congressman Correa for the post office dedication ceremony to posthumously honor WWII Veteran and Orange County Superior Court Judge James Perez. Judge Perez was the first Latino lawyer and judge in Orange County, and I acknowledged his dedication and service on the Orange County Municipal and Superior Courts. As the first Vietnamese American and Asian woman to serve on the Santa Ana City Council, I am touched by his story of grit, determination, and representation.
Hope Community Services festival
Thank you to Hope Community Services for putting on this incredible Mid-Autumn Festival celebration at the Catholic Center! I enjoyed seeing families enjoy the celebration with fantastic performances by the youth. Looking forward to next year!
La Raza Mural
The La Raza mural is a beautiful and cultural art piece done by local Santa Ana artists. Our Ward 1 Team enjoyed providing informational resources regarding housing, general ballot information and events. Additionally, we provided snacks and drinks donated from Asian Americans Senior Citizens Service Center (AASCSC). Definitely recommend visiting this mural if you haven’t seen it!
ROVE Charging Center Tour
We’re so excited that the brand new Rove and Gelson’s charging station has finally opened right here in Santa Ana! This charging station will include a Gelson’s grocery store with fresh fruit and vegetables, a looby and patio to rest, work, or have a quick snack, and additionally have a car wash station. I love that it is family and pet friendly! Really love seeing innovative new ideas that hire local and help improve our climate being implemented!
Can confirm that the fresh orange juice was A+!
Mid-Autumn Festival for Children with Disabilities
Had a great time attending the Mid-Autumn Festival for Children with Disabilities. I enjoyed meeting and talking to families and seeing the joy on their faces as they chowed down on some KFC and mooncakes!
Empowering Future Leaders: Civic Engagement for Youth
Had a great time at the empowering future youth leaders event, held in collaboration with the Mayors Pro Tem of Santa Ana, Garden Grove, and Westminster. I had the opportunity to be a panelist where I shared my journey on becoming the Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem and a city attorney. I hope that I was able to inspire and provide valuable information to the youth that attended the event. Know that the sky’s the limit! Can’t wait to see the change these young leaders will make in our community!
Fiestas Patrias
This was my fourth year attending Fiestas Patrias, and as always I had an absolutely great time meeting residents at our booth, participating in the parade and being on stage. It was filled with amazing performances demonstrating the Latino and Hispanic culture. Our Ward 1 Team had a fun time passing out resources and placing temporary tattoos no everyone who wanted one. As a Vietnamese American refugee, I am always so delighted to see many Latino and Hispanic Americans waving their flags with pride and joy and representing their culture. A special thanks to Asian Americans Senior Citizens Service Center, Telemundo, Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Clippers, Northgate Market, our Los Amigos High School student volunteers, and of course our Parks and Recs team for making this event possible!
Little Saigon Community Festival
Thank you Viet Rise for inviting me out to your third annual Little Saigon Community Festival. I had such a fun time seeing families come out from the Latino, Hispanic, and Asian American communities enjoy each other’s time. Our Ward 1 Team had a great time providing information resources to the community and also speaking to residents!
La Vang Unveiling
Thank you for inviting me to the Our Lady of La Vang Church unveiling ceremony. It was a beautiful experience seeing the unveiling and listening to the mass in three languages. The City of Santa Ana supports our robust religious community and loves collaborating to bring resources to residents. I am particularly proud to have such an active community church in Ward 1!
OCFA Girls Empowerment Camp
Had such a fun time at the OCFA Girls Empowerment Camp! This empowerment camp teaches youth about fire services, life skills, and professional development that empowers them to pursue a career in public safety. Thank you so much for the tour and allowing me to try the equipment.
Proclamation celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival to Qing Wei Lion and Dragon Cultural Troupe
I’m so proud to have issued a proclamation celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival to the Qing Wei Lion and Dragon Cultural Troupe at the October 1st Council meeting! Huge thank you to Qing Wei Lion and Dragon Cultural Troupe, for the small performance at the City Council meeting!
Hope Health Fair
Thank you Hope for inviting me and the Ward 1 Team to provide informational resources at the Health Fair. Residents were able to get their flu shot, blood pressure screening, diabetes screening, and other types of screening that the Hope Health Fair brought. As we approach the cold season, do not forget to get your flu shot and Covid booster to stay healthy and strong!
Mid-Autumn Festival
This was our 3rd annual Mid-Autumn Festival! I had a blast at this event, meeting residents and having them try on an áo dài (traditional Vietnamese outfit). The performances were amazing displaying Asian cultures and the Vietnamese members of our community. Special thanks to Asian Americans Senior Citizens Service Center, Project Kinship, our Los Amigos High School student volunteers, and of course our Parks and Rec team! Shout out to all the staff that wore an áo dài! I love the exchange of culture in Santa Ana. My heart is so full.
Vietnamese Business Forum
The City of Santa Ana in partnership with the Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce and Little Saigon TV Network was proud to host the annual Vietnamese Business Forum on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at the historic Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.
This year’s theme was “Economic Empowerment and Business Development in Santa Ana: fostering collaboration, driving economic growth, and creating opportunities for Vietnamese businesses.”
The forum brought together key City departments and business resource organizations, providing invaluable insights into City programs, business development strategies, permitting processes, zoning regulations, and more. Direct interactions between City agencies and business owners highlighted opportunities for collaboration and mutual support. Attendees had the chance to explore business services and technical assistance offered by various organizations.
Know Your Resources:
Who do I call at City Hall?
- Important phone numbers:
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- 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: https://www.santa-ana.org/who-do-i-call/
Utility services
- City utility services: https://www.santa-ana.org/finance/municipal-utility-services
- Southern California Edison: Call 1-800-447-6620 https://www.sce.com/residential/assistance
- Southern California Gas: Call 1-800-207-8567 https://www.socalgas.com/save-money-and-energy/assistance-programs
- Trash pick-up: Call (657) 467-6220 https://www.santa-ana.org/about-republic-services/
Starting a small business?
- How to start a business in Santa Ana: https://www.santa-ana.org/10-steps-to-starting-your-own-business/
- Home Occupation Permit: https://www.santa-ana.org/certificate-of-occupancy-home-occupation-permit/
Download mySantaAna App to Report Issues
The mySantaAna mobile app puts the power of the Santa Ana city government in the palm of your hand! Residents with an iPhone or Android smartphone can now download the mySantaAna application for free allowing them to quickly and easily report issues with photos to the City for clean-up. You can report potholes, downed tree branches, graffiti, trash and much more!
USEFUL RESOURCES
Parking Tickets: https://www.santa-ana.org/pd/parking-enforcement-and-ticket-information
Public Works: https://www.santa-ana.org/pw
Neighborhood Initiatives: https://www.santa-ana.org/neighborhood-initiatives
Utility Services: https://www.santa-ana.org/finance/municipal-utility-services
Schedule a bulky item pickup: Call Republic Services (657) 467-6220
Police Non-Emergency Line: (714) 245-8665
Emergency Water Services: (714) 953-8026
Who Do I Call? https://www.santa-ana.org/who-do-i-call