Benjamin VazquezVoted no
5:20:51Said he wanted guard rails and a written policy governing use before the city signed, noting the original idea had been parking enforcement.
6May
2025
2025
Regular City Council Meeting · One key issue
The longest and sharpest debate was over hiring two companies, Flock and Motorola, to install automated licence plate reader cameras across the city.
▶ Check this moment · 4:28:15
7.0 hours
39 agenda items
33 located in video
78% attributed to a named speaker
Brief
What happened
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
- 01
Councilmember Lopez argued the cameras capture millions of ordinary drivers who are not suspected of anything, and read contract language allowing the vendors to pass data to the federal government.
▶4:29:08Explore this issue
Related agenda item 15Open agenda item →Agreements with Flock Group, Inc. and Motorola Solutions, Inc. for Automated License Plate Recognition Camera Installation and…
Member positions
Jessie LopezVoted no5:17:50Said the cameras capture millions of data points on residents who are not under investigation, and read contract language permitting the vendors to pass personal data to the federal government.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no5:04:56Said he wanted a balance between privacy and policing, and that five-year data retention was too long for a community who are not criminals.
Valerie AmezcuaVoted yes4:53:22Said neighbourhood association presidents ask every month why the police do not use more technology, and asked for a written auditing policy and regular audits.
Thai Viet PhanVoted yes5:25:01Said that in eight years working with this technology she had not seen the problems raised, while recommending a shorter and more consistent retention period.
Phil BacerraVoted yes5:23:17Said residents are already filmed constantly and neighbouring cities use the cameras, and that the tool helps police solve crimes.
David PenalozaVoted yes5:14:28Said many cities in the region already use the technology and pointed to a local case it could have helped.
- 02
The city attorney said that sharing such information could breach state law and the city's sanctuary ordinance, and that the contract permits but does not require it.
▶4:29:39Explore this issue
Related agenda item 15Open agenda item →Agreements with Flock Group, Inc. and Motorola Solutions, Inc. for Automated License Plate Recognition Camera Installation and…
Member positions
Benjamin VazquezVoted no5:20:51Said he wanted guard rails and a written policy governing use before the city signed, noting the original idea had been parking enforcement.
Jessie LopezVoted no5:17:50Said the cameras capture millions of data points on residents who are not under investigation, and read contract language permitting the vendors to pass personal data to the federal government.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no5:04:56Said he wanted a balance between privacy and policing, and that five-year data retention was too long for a community who are not criminals.
Valerie AmezcuaVoted yes4:53:22Said neighbourhood association presidents ask every month why the police do not use more technology, and asked for a written auditing policy and regular audits.
Thai Viet PhanVoted yes5:25:01Said that in eight years working with this technology she had not seen the problems raised, while recommending a shorter and more consistent retention period.
Phil BacerraVoted yes5:23:17Said residents are already filmed constantly and neighbouring cities use the cameras, and that the tool helps police solve crimes.
David PenalozaVoted yes5:14:28Said many cities in the region already use the technology and pointed to a local case it could have helped.
- 03
The police department said the cameras record only vehicles, not faces or drivers, and that every search is logged against a case number.
▶4:40:57Explore this issue
Related agenda item 15Open agenda item →Agreements with Flock Group, Inc. and Motorola Solutions, Inc. for Automated License Plate Recognition Camera Installation and…
Member positions
Benjamin VazquezVoted no5:20:51Said he wanted guard rails and a written policy governing use before the city signed, noting the original idea had been parking enforcement.
Jessie LopezVoted no5:17:50Said the cameras capture millions of data points on residents who are not under investigation, and read contract language permitting the vendors to pass personal data to the federal government.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no5:04:56Said he wanted a balance between privacy and policing, and that five-year data retention was too long for a community who are not criminals.
Valerie AmezcuaVoted yes4:53:22Said neighbourhood association presidents ask every month why the police do not use more technology, and asked for a written auditing policy and regular audits.
Thai Viet PhanVoted yes5:25:01Said that in eight years working with this technology she had not seen the problems raised, while recommending a shorter and more consistent retention period.
Phil BacerraVoted yes5:23:17Said residents are already filmed constantly and neighbouring cities use the cameras, and that the tool helps police solve crimes.
David PenalozaVoted yes5:14:28Said many cities in the region already use the technology and pointed to a local case it could have helped.
- 04
The contract passed by four votes to three, with the Mayor Pro Tem and two councilmembers opposed.
▶5:25:36Explore this issue
Related agenda item 15Open agenda item →Agreements with Flock Group, Inc. and Motorola Solutions, Inc. for Automated License Plate Recognition Camera Installation and…
Member positions
Benjamin VazquezVoted no5:20:51Said he wanted guard rails and a written policy governing use before the city signed, noting the original idea had been parking enforcement.
Jessie LopezVoted no5:17:50Said the cameras capture millions of data points on residents who are not under investigation, and read contract language permitting the vendors to pass personal data to the federal government.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no5:04:56Said he wanted a balance between privacy and policing, and that five-year data retention was too long for a community who are not criminals.
Valerie AmezcuaVoted yes4:53:22Said neighbourhood association presidents ask every month why the police do not use more technology, and asked for a written auditing policy and regular audits.
Thai Viet PhanVoted yes5:25:01Said that in eight years working with this technology she had not seen the problems raised, while recommending a shorter and more consistent retention period.
Phil BacerraVoted yes5:23:17Said residents are already filmed constantly and neighbouring cities use the cameras, and that the tool helps police solve crimes.
David PenalozaVoted yes5:14:28Said many cities in the region already use the technology and pointed to a local case it could have helped.
- 05
The council also gave first approval to banning the sale of nitrous oxide, agreed to look at letting businesses put out A-frame signs, and postponed its budget work study to 15 May because of the hour.
▶5:26:56Explore this issue
Related agenda item 20Open agenda item →Ordinance Adding Article XIV to Chapter 10 (Crimes and Miscellaneous Law Enforcement Provisions) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code…
What councilmembers said
Representative transcript excerpts—not inferred positions.
Valerie AmezcuaMayor5:36:21are you supportive of that as well i'm supportive of it it has to be 18 per per the law but yeah an educational campaign is great the only question i had mr city manager is who will be doing that it would come from the police department or code enforcement and…
David PenalozaCouncilmember5:32:45this has come up at their neighborhood meetings that holiday market sells nitrous oxide tanks so there's one right now that you that once this goes into effect I hope they're listening and I hope that they remove it off their shelves and stop selling it…
Benjamin VazquezMayor Pro Tem5:28:39Neutral Ground, thank you so much. And let's make sure we require demographic reporting ON CITATIONS, ARRESTS, AND ORDINANCE TO MONITOR RACIAL AND GEOGRAPHIC DISPARITIES. SO WE CAN DO SOME OF THESE THINGS TO EDUCATE FAMILIES BUT ALSO HAVE THE SIGNS AND I DON'T…
Thai Viet PhanCouncilmember5:33:42THANK YOU MAYOR UM COUNCIL MEMBER EXCUSE ME I'M SORRY MAYOR PRO TEMVASKAS YOU HAD MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A YOU REQUESTED A 21 ANOTHER PROVISION REQUIRING THAT ANY PURCHASER HAS TO BE 21 AND OLDER ASSUMING THAT THEY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE EXEMPTIONS OR…
How this brief was made
The current summaries were prepared during an in-session review of the transcripts. This prototype shows only sentences with a timestamp citation. 12 uncited sentences were withheld from this page.
Focus
Where they differed
Splits in votes or reasoning
The council divided four to three on whether to put automated licence plate reader cameras across the city. Those against did not dispute that the cameras help investigations; they objected to collecting data on residents who are not suspected of anything, and to contract terms allowing the vendors to share it.
Said he wanted guard rails and a written policy governing use before the city signed, noting the original idea had been parking enforcement.
Said the cameras capture millions of data points on residents who are not under investigation, and read contract language permitting the vendors to pass personal data to the federal government.
Said he wanted a balance between privacy and policing, and that five-year data retention was too long for a community who are not criminals.
Said neighbourhood association presidents ask every month why the police do not use more technology, and asked for a written auditing policy and regular audits.
Said that in eight years working with this technology she had not seen the problems raised, while recommending a shorter and more consistent retention period.
Said residents are already filmed constantly and neighbouring cities use the cameras, and that the tool helps police solve crimes.
Said many cities in the region already use the technology and pointed to a local case it could have helped.
Councilmembers disagreed about whether to direct staff to draft an ordinance requiring monthly inspections of permanent supportive housing. No vote was taken; staff were asked to come back with legal and cost analysis.
Was not willing to direct an ordinance yet, and asked for the litigation risk, the cost and the police data first.
Supported doing something but asked how it would be sustained, and for examples from other cities.
Asked for legal analysis of discrimination on grounds of income or disability, privacy, and unequal enforcement.
Questioned whether inspecting hundreds of units every month was feasible.
Brought the item after drug seizures at a supportive housing building, saying the city inspects little of what it funds.
Agenda
Every item
39 items in agenda order
Closed Session Items
Not located Closed-session conference with legal counsel
No cited discussion summary was prepared. The title above is a shortened version of the official agenda record.
Closed Session Items
Not located Closed-session labor negotiations with city employee organizations
No cited discussion summary was prepared. The title above is a shortened version of the official agenda record.
Closed Session Items
Not located Closed-session labor negotiations with city employee organizations
No cited discussion summary was prepared. The title above is a shortened version of the official agenda record.
Closed Session Items
Not located Closed-session labor negotiations with city employee organizations
No cited discussion summary was prepared. The title above is a shortened version of the official agenda record.
Closed Session Items
Not located PUBLIC EMPLOYEE – PERFORMANCE EVALUATION pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1): TITLE: City Attorney, City Clerk, and City…
No cited discussion summary was prepared. The title above is a shortened version of the official agenda record.
Closed Session Items
Not located Closed-session labor negotiations with city employee organizations
No cited discussion summary was prepared. The title above is a shortened version of the official agenda record.
Ceremonial Presentations
▶3:11:31 Certificate of Recognition presented by Mayor Amezcua recognizing Reimagine for 75-years of Outstanding Contributions to the…
- The mayor presented a certificate recognising 75 years of work in the community by the organisation Reimagine.3:11:31
Ceremonial Presentations
▶3:24:40 Proclamation presented by Councilmember Hernandez to Mark and James Vahradian in Honor of the Late Jack Vahradian
- Councilmember Hernandez presented a proclamation to Mark and James Vahradian.3:24:40
Ceremonial Presentations
▶3:26:17 Certificate of Recognition presented by Councilmember Lopez recognizing The Center for Teacher Education on their 25-Year…
- Councilmember Lopez presented a certificate recognising the Center for Teacher Innovation.3:26:17
Ceremonial Presentations
▶3:34:26 Proclamation presented by Councilmember Phan to Santa Ana’s Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Aquatics Team declaring May…
- Councilmember Phan presented a proclamation to the city's aquatics team, declaring May 2025 Water Safety Month.3:34:26
Consent Calendar
▶4:04:22 Excused Absences
- Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:04:22
Consent Calendar
▶4:04:22 Minutes from the Regular Meeting of April 15, 2025
- Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:04:22
Consent Calendar
▶4:07:44 City of Santa Ana 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report
- Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:07:44
Consent Calendar
▶4:10:53 Purchase Order Contracts to Guaranty Chevrolet Motors, Inc. for Nine (9) Chevrolet Vehicles and Selman Chevrolet Company for Seven…
- Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:10:53
Consent Calendar
▶4:04:22 Agreement with Hinderliter, de Llamas and Associates (“HdL”) for Business License Tax and Fee Software Services (Specification No.…
- Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:04:22
Consent Calendar
▶4:06:04 First Amendment to Agreement with Falck Mobile Health Corporation dba CARE Ambulance Service to Provide Expanded Ground…
- Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:06:04
Consent Calendar
▶4:04:22 First Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Santa Ana and the Santa Ana Police Management Association
- Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:04:22
Consent Calendar
▶4:27:18 Third Amendment to City Clerk Employment Agreement
- Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:27:18
Consent Calendar
▶4:04:22 Agreement with Contemporary Services Corporation for Security Services for City Special Events (Specification No. 24-138) (General…
- Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:04:22
Consent Calendar
▶4:05:53 Agreement with SenseMakers, LLC to Provide Training Exercise Services for the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Program FY2023 -…
- Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:05:53
Consent Calendar
▶4:28:15 Agreements with Flock Group, Inc. and Motorola Solutions, Inc. for Automated License Plate Recognition Camera Installation and…
- The council agreed to hire Flock and Motorola to install automated licence plate reader cameras, both fixed and vehicle-mounted, after nearly an hour of debate.4:28:15
- Councilmember Lopez said the cameras collect data on millions of drivers who are not accused of any crime, and that parts of the contracts allow the vendors to pass information to the federal government without the city's permission.4:30:01
- The city attorney said that if the city provided such information it could breach state law and the city's own sanctuary ordinance, and that the contract allows this but does not require it.4:29:39
- A deputy police chief said the system records only the vehicle — plate, make, model and colour — and does not use facial recognition or identify the driver.4:40:57
- Officers must log in and record a case number to run a search, and every search is audited.4:45:08
- Data is kept up to one year with Flock and up to five years with Motorola unless it is needed for a prosecution; Councilmember Phan said five years seemed too long for information unrelated to any investigation.4:47:27
- Councilmember Hernandez asked how the records would be handled under the Public Records Act and said a five-year retention period was too long for a community who are not criminals.5:04:56
- The mayor said neighbourhood association presidents ask her every month why the police do not use more technology, and asked for the auditing policy in writing.4:53:22
- The police chief read from the Flock contract that the company does not own and will not sell the city's data.5:22:35
- The contract was approved four votes to three, with a request for a report on its effectiveness after one year.5:25:36
Consent Calendar
▶4:04:22 Service Agreement with Siemens Industry, Inc. for HVAC and Lighting Control Systems Maintenance (Non-General Fund)
- Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:04:22
Consent Calendar
▶3:41:55 Agreements with Transportation Studies, Inc. and National Data & Surveying Services for Traffic Counting Services (Non-General Fund)
- Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.3:41:55
Consent Calendar
▶4:04:22 First Amendment with California Barricade Rentals, Inc. dba California Barricade and Statewide Traffic Safety and Signs dba AWP…
- Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:04:22
Consent Calendar
▶4:04:22 Resolution and Density Bonus Agreement No. 2024-02 Property Located at 510 and 520 N Harbor Boulevard in Specific Plan No. 2
- Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:04:22
Business Calendar
▶5:26:19 Ordinance Adding Article XIV to Chapter 10 (Crimes and Miscellaneous Law Enforcement Provisions) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code…
- The council gave first approval to an ordinance banning the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide in the city.5:25:44
- Councilmember Hernandez, who moved it, said the gas has no health benefit and is easily available across the city.5:26:56
- Mayor Pro Tem Vazquez asked for warning signs at the point of sale and a public education campaign in English, Spanish and Vietnamese so parents recognise the canisters and balloons.5:27:54
- He also asked for the purchase age to be 21, but the city attorney said state law fixes it at 18 and the city cannot go higher.5:34:52
- The council accepted the education and signage amendments and approved the first reading seven votes to none.5:38:57
Public Hearings Public Comments
▶5:39:05 Public hearing: Resolution to Make Findings and Adopt Addendum to the Transit Zoning Code Environmental Impact Report (State…
- This public hearing was pulled from the agenda and not heard that night.5:39:05
Public Hearings Public Comments
▶5:40:10 Approve the Tax Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) Resolution Hearing for North Harbor Housing Partners LP (the “Borrower”) a…
- The council held a required hearing on tax-exempt bonds for a housing development, issued by a state authority rather than by the city.5:40:33
- Councilmember Phan left the chamber and did not vote, because the developer is a client of the law firm that employs her.5:39:32
- Nobody asked to speak, and the item passed six votes to none with her recusal recorded.5:41:02
Councilmember Requested Items
▶5:41:57 Discuss and Consider Directing the City Manager to Direct City Staff to Draft and Bring Back an Ordinance for Council Consideration…
- Councilmember Bacerra asked staff to draft an ordinance requiring monthly city inspections of permanent supportive housing, after drug seizures at such a building.5:41:23
- He said later he did not mean knocking on every door, and that inspecting 400 units a month may not be practical.5:54:55
- The city attorney said the city had already received letters questioning whether it can lawfully adopt such an ordinance, and undertook to answer each one.5:47:36
- Councilmember Phan said she was not ready to direct staff to draft anything and wanted the legal risk, the cost and the police data first.5:48:28
- Councilmember Lopez asked for analysis of whether the proposal would discriminate on grounds of income or disability, and of residents' privacy.5:56:11
- Councilmember Penaloza questioned whether monthly inspections of every unit were feasible at all.5:51:48
- The mayor said the item was about the safety of people living in supportive housing rather than about discrimination, and staff were asked to report back on 5 August.5:59:22
Councilmember Requested Items
▶6:02:18 Discuss and Consider Directing the City Manager and City Attorney to Direct Staff to Prepare an Ordinance Amending the Sign Code to…
- Councilmember Lopez asked staff to draft an ordinance letting businesses put out A-frame signs in commercial areas, saying owners had been fined for advertising their specials.6:01:45
- Councilmember Hernandez said downtown businesses had raised it with his office repeatedly over the past year.6:03:00
- Councilmember Bacerra said he was lukewarm, because parts of the old downtown have narrow footpaths and he did not want wheelchairs pushed into the road.6:04:33
- The city attorney said the work would need public works, risk, planning and legal to sort out pavement widths and disability access.6:05:54
- The council briefly considered reopening the entire sign code but drew back when Councilmember Phan warned that sign ordinances raise free speech problems and would take far longer.6:12:07
- Staff were asked to return in about 90 days on A-frames alone, and Councilmember Lopez asked that ticketing pause in the meantime.6:13:56
Work Study Session
▶6:14:52 Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Work Study Session
Council Comments Ab1234 Disclosure
▶6:18:10 April 23, 2025 Mayor Amezcua – California Assembly Installation, Sacramento, CA
- Considered by the council; no separate discussion recorded.6:18:10
Council Comments Ab1234 Disclosure
▶6:41:34 April 26 – 29, 2025 Mayor Amezcua – 2025 Mayors and Police Chiefs Public Safety Meeting in Chicago, IL
- Considered by the council; no separate discussion recorded.6:41:34
Council Comments Ab1234 Disclosure
▶6:18:10 May 4 – 5, 2025 Mayor Amezcua – California Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremonies in Sacramento, CA
- Considered by the council; no separate discussion recorded.6:18:10
Council Comments Ab1234 Disclosure
▶6:18:10 April 23 – 25, 2025 Councilmember Bacerra – 2025 City Leader Summit Hosted by the League of California Cities in Sacramento, CA
- Considered by the council; no separate discussion recorded.6:18:10
Council Comments Ab1234 Disclosure
▶6:18:10 April 30 – May 2, 2025 Councilmember Bacerra – 2025 SCAG Regional Conference & General Assembly in Palm Desert, CA
- Considered by the council; no separate discussion recorded.6:18:10
Council Comments Ab1234 Disclosure
▶6:18:10 May 4 – 6, 2025 Councilmember Bacerra – California Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremonies in Sacramento, CA
- Considered by the council; no separate discussion recorded.6:18:10
Council Comments Ab1234 Disclosure
▶4:06:21 April 23 – 25, 2025 Councilmember Penaloza – 2025 City Leaders Summit Hosted by the League of California Cities in Sacramento, CA
- Considered by the council; no separate discussion recorded.4:06:21
Council Comments Ab1234 Disclosure
▶6:18:10 May 4 – 5, 2025 Councilmember Penaloza – California Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremonies in Sacramento, CA
- Considered by the council; no separate discussion recorded.6:18:10
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