Benjamin VazquezVoted no
3:38:36As outgoing Mayor Pro Tem, put forward Councilmember Hernandez instead and voted against Penaloza.
20January
2026
2026
Regular City Council, Special Housing Authority, and Special Successor Agency Meeting · One key issue
The main business of the night was choosing a Mayor Pro Tem for 2026, and the council split four to three over it.
▶ Check this moment · 3:40:49
4.3 hours
39 agenda items
32 located in video
58% attributed to a named speaker
Brief
What happened
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
- 01
Councilmember Penaloza was nominated by Councilmember Bacerra and Councilmember Hernandez by Mayor Pro Tem Vazquez, and Penaloza won.
▶3:38:22Explore this issue
Related agenda item 26Open agenda item →Selection of Mayor Pro Tem for 2026 Pursuant to Santa Ana City Charter Section 405
Member positions
Jessie LopezVoted no3:40:49Voted against Penaloza and for the competing nomination.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no3:38:43Was the competing nominee and seconded his own nomination.
Valerie AmezcuaVoted yes3:39:52Seconded the nomination of Penaloza and voted for him.
Thai Viet PhanVoted yes3:40:49Voted for Penaloza and against the competing nomination.
Phil BacerraVoted yes3:38:22Nominated Councilmember Penaloza after thanking the outgoing Mayor Pro Tem.
David PenalozaVoted yes3:41:10Voted for himself and thanked all seven colleagues after the result.
- 02
The council also renewed the contract for cleaning and patrolling downtown, after the city manager confirmed parking revenue now covers its cost instead of running a deficit of well over a million a year.
▶3:35:32Explore this issue
Related agenda item 16Open agenda item →Agreement with DTSA Services for Downtown Santa Ana Clean & Safe Program (Specification No. 25-097) (Parking Enterprise Funds)
No named councilmember contribution could be reliably linked to this item.
- 03
Everything else rode the consent calendar and passed seven to nothing, though four members put objections to particular items on the record.
▶3:31:11Explore this issue
Related agenda item 15Open agenda item →Agreement with Utility Response Training Associates, LLC to Provide Training Services for the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant…
No named councilmember contribution could be reliably linked to this item.
- 04
Three members registered a no vote against starting the process to raise water and sewer rates.
▶3:29:40Explore this issue
Related agenda item 8Open agenda item →Authorize Staff to Prepare Documents for Water and Sewer Rate Adjustments (Non-General Fund)
Member positions
Valerie AmezcuaVoted no3:30:14Registered a no vote on the rate item as well, while pulling the downtown cleaning contract for discussion.
Phil BacerraVoted no3:29:54Also asked for his no vote on the rate item to be recorded.
David PenalozaVoted no3:29:40Registered a no vote on the water and sewer rate item without pulling it for debate.
- 05
The council also adopted the updated state building and fire codes, with nobody from the public speaking on it.
▶3:45:55Explore this issue
Related agenda item 29Open agenda item →Final adoption: Ordinance No. NS-3088 Adopting the Updated California and International Building and Fire Codes with Local…
What councilmembers said
Representative transcript excerpts—not inferred positions.
Jennifer L. HallCity Clerk3:45:02motion by councilmember Becerra seconded by mayor mesla to find that the proposed ordinance is exempt from sequa pursuant to guideline section 15061 b3 and to adopt an ordinance of the city council of the city of santa ana amending chapters 8 and 14 of the…
Valerie AmezcuaMayor3:46:26Madam Secretary, are there any additions or deletions to the Housing Authority Agenda? There are none. Do we have speakers on the item within the Housing Authority Agenda? We do not. Does any authority member wish to make a motion and a second and announce…
Phil BacerraCouncilmember3:45:36Could you read that one more time? I'm joking, yes, yes.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezCouncilmember3:46:43I'll make a motion to move the item.
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. 0 uncited sentences were withheld from this page.
Focus
Where they differed
Splits in votes or reasoning
Three members put a no vote on the record against beginning the process of raising water and sewer rates, even though the consent calendar carried unanimously.
Registered a no vote on the rate item as well, while pulling the downtown cleaning contract for discussion.
Also asked for his no vote on the rate item to be recorded.
Registered a no vote on the water and sewer rate item without pulling it for debate.
The council divided four to three over which member should be Mayor Pro Tem for 2026, with two competing nominations put on the floor.
As outgoing Mayor Pro Tem, put forward Councilmember Hernandez instead and voted against Penaloza.
Voted against Penaloza and for the competing nomination.
Was the competing nominee and seconded his own nomination.
Seconded the nomination of Penaloza and voted for him.
Voted for Penaloza and against the competing nomination.
Nominated Councilmember Penaloza after thanking the outgoing Mayor Pro Tem.
Voted for himself and thanked all seven colleagues after the result.
Agenda
Every item
39 items in agenda order
Closed Session Items
▶3:46:51 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8: Property: 1901 West Walnut, APN 007-332-08…
Closed Session Items
Not located Closed-session conference with legal counsel
- The council met privately to discuss eight lawsuits involving the city, which the law allows without the public present.23:03
Closed Session Items
Not located Closed-session labor negotiations with city employee organizations
- The council met privately about pay talks with the unions representing most city staff and the police officers.23:03
Closed Session Items
Not located Closed-session labor negotiations with city employee organizations
- The council met privately about pay talks with the unions representing managers, confidential staff and police management.23:03
Ceremonial Presentations
▶2:42:37 Certificate of Recognition presented by Councilmember Bacerra to Otoniel Gomez for Acts of Bravery
- Councilmember Bacerra presented a certificate to Otoniel Gomez for acts of bravery.2:42:37
Ceremonial Presentations
▶2:50:52 Certificate of Recognition presented by Councilmember Lopez to Francis Co for Outstanding Contributions to the Community
- Councilmember Lopez presented a certificate to Francis Co for contributions to the community.2:51:07
Ceremonial Presentations
▶2:56:00 Proclamation presented by Councilmember Penaloza to the United States Postal Workers in Santa Ana for Outstanding Contributions to…
- Councilmember Penaloza presented a proclamation honouring the postal workers who serve Santa Ana.2:56:01
Consent Calendar
▶3:28:58 Excused Absences
- A routine item excusing members who missed earlier meetings, approved with the consent calendar.3:31:11
Consent Calendar
▶3:29:03 Minutes from the Regular Meeting of December 2, 2025
- The council approved the written record of its 2 December 2025 meeting.3:31:11
Consent Calendar
▶3:29:03 Minutes from the Regular Meetings of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission on May 22, 2025, July 24, 2025, August…
- The council formally received minutes from a year of meetings of the parks, youth, Measure X oversight and police oversight bodies.3:31:11
Consent Calendar
▶3:29:03 Appoint Members to the Santa Ana Workforce Development Board
- Three people were appointed to the board that oversees the city's job training programmes, filling seats left by departing members.3:31:11
Consent Calendar
▶3:29:40 Authorize Staff to Prepare Documents for Water and Sewer Rate Adjustments (Non-General Fund)
- Staff were told to prepare the paperwork for raising water and sewer rates, including mailing every property owner a notice and setting a public hearing for March or later.3:31:11
- This was the one consent item that drew objections from several members, with Councilmember Penaloza, Councilmember Bacerra and Mayor Amezcua each putting a no vote on the record.3:29:40
Consent Calendar
▶3:29:03 Fiscal Year 2024-25 General Fund Results
- The council received a report on how the city's main spending account finished the 2024-25 financial year.3:31:11
Consent Calendar
▶3:29:03 Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, Related Audit Reports, and Measure X Agreed-Upon-Procedures Report
- The council received the city's audited accounts for 2024-25, including the auditor's clean opinion and a separate check on how Measure X sales tax money was spent.3:31:11
Consent Calendar
▶3:29:03 Purchase Order Contracts to Bilan J Investment, Bright Event Rentals, and Cosmos Event Rentals for Event Equipment Rental Services…
- Three companies were put under contract to supply tables, chairs and other equipment for city events, at up to $145,000 a year and $725,000 over five years.3:31:11
Consent Calendar
▶3:29:03 Purchase Order Contracts to Dooley Enterprises, Inc., Miwall Corporation, and San Diego Police Equipment Co. Inc. for Ammunition…
- Three suppliers were put under contract to sell the police department ammunition as needed, at up to $825,000.3:31:11
Consent Calendar
▶3:30:02 Appropriation Adjustment Accepting FY2024 Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Program Funds (Non-General Fund - UASI)
Consent Calendar
▶3:29:03 Agreement with Turbo Data Systems, Inc. for Automated Parking Citation and Processing Services (Specification No. 25-114) (General…
- A contract worth up to $2,657,098 over three years was approved for the company that processes the city's parking tickets.3:31:11
Consent Calendar
▶3:31:34 Agreement with Utility Response Training Associates, LLC to Provide Training Services for the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant…
Consent Calendar
▶3:32:02 Agreement with DTSA Services for Downtown Santa Ana Clean & Safe Program (Specification No. 25-097) (Parking Enterprise Funds)
- Mayor Amezcua pulled this item off the consent calendar so the council could speak to it, and thanked the downtown merchants who had written in to support it.3:32:17
- The contract pays for the crews who clean and patrol downtown Santa Ana, at up to $1,110,764 for the year and $3,501,682 if extended.3:32:09
- Councilmember Hernandez asked why the contract had been shortened from five years, and the city manager said the city was being deliberately cautious with money.3:33:36
- The city manager said parking revenue now roughly covers the programme, where in past years it ran a deficit of about one and a half million a year.3:35:32
- Councilmember Penaloza told downtown merchants that this is what the parking fees and meter charges they had complained about actually pay for.3:36:31
- It passed seven to nothing.3:37:53
Consent Calendar
▶3:29:03 Memorandum of Understanding Establishing the Terms and Conditions of Employment for Classifications Represented by the Service…
- The council approved a six-month agreement on pay and working conditions with the union representing much of the city workforce.3:31:11
Consent Calendar
▶3:29:03 Agreement with Insight Public Sector, Inc. for Volume Licensing and Maintenance for Microsoft Software and Products (Specification…
- The city renewed its Microsoft software licensing for three years at up to $2,900,000.3:31:11
Consent Calendar
▶3:29:03 Historic Property Preservation Agreement for the Property Located at 1218 N. French Street
- The owner of a historic house on North French Street entered a Mills Act agreement, which cuts property tax in exchange for maintaining the building.3:31:11
Consent Calendar
▶3:29:03 Relocation and Quitclaim of Easements within 3100 West Lake Center Drive for the South Coast Technology Center Project (Applicant…
- The city gave up old easements across a site on West Lake Center Drive so a technology centre project can proceed.3:31:11
Consent Calendar
▶3:29:03 Award of a Construction Contract to Cali State Paving, Inc., for the Construction of the Alley Improvements Project (Project No.…
- A contract of $612,500 was awarded to repave city alleys, with a total project cost of $765,625.3:31:11
Consent Calendar
▶3:29:03 Award of a Construction Contract to GEMS Environmental Management Services, Inc. to Construct the Fire Station 74 Fuel Station…
- A contract of $674,104 was awarded to replace the fuel station at Fire Station 74.3:31:11
Consent Calendar
▶3:29:03 Award of a Construction Contract to Golden Gate Steel, Inc., to Construct the Portola Splash Pad Project (Project No. 25-2401)…
- A contract of $1,974,000 was awarded to build the splash pad at Portola Park, with a total project cost of about $2,467,500.3:31:11
Consent Calendar
▶3:29:03 First Amendment to the Agreement with Musco Sports Lighting, LLC to Install Additional LED Lighting at Centennial Park Playground…
- An extra $208,585 was approved to add LED lighting over the playground at Centennial Park.3:31:11
Consent Calendar
▶3:29:03 Agreement with 1st Choice Pool & Spa Solutions for Pools, Outdoor Fountains, and Splash Pads Maintenance and Repair Services…
- A contractor was hired to maintain and repair the city's pools, fountains and splash pads, at up to $553,930 a year.3:31:11
Business Calendar
▶3:38:03 Selection of Mayor Pro Tem for 2026 Pursuant to Santa Ana City Charter Section 405
- The council had to pick which of its members would serve as Mayor Pro Tem for 2026, the person who chairs meetings when the mayor cannot.3:38:22
- Councilmember Bacerra thanked the outgoing Mayor Pro Tem Vazquez and nominated Councilmember Penaloza, and the mayor seconded.3:38:22
- Mayor Pro Tem Vazquez then nominated Councilmember Hernandez, who seconded that nomination himself.3:38:36
- The clerk explained the practice is to vote on each nomination in order and give the post to whoever gets more votes.3:39:52
- Penaloza was chosen four to three, with Vazquez, Hernandez and Lopez against, and the second nomination then drew only three votes.3:40:49
- Penaloza thanked all seven of his colleagues and the council moved on.3:41:10
Business Calendar
▶3:41:27 Nominate and Appoint an Alternate Representative to the Southern California Association of Governments General Assembly Business…
- The council named an alternate to represent Santa Ana at the regional planning association's annual assembly.3:41:29
Business Calendar
▶3:42:40 Ordinance Amending Chapter 2 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code As To Section 2-748 Specifying the Procurement and Contracting…
- The council gave first approval to a change in how the city buys vehicles and vehicle equipment.3:42:43
Public Hearing Public Comments
▶3:44:07 Final adoption: Ordinance No. NS-3088 Adopting the Updated California and International Building and Fire Codes with Local…
Consent Calendar
▶3:46:51 Excused Absences
- A routine item excusing absent members, approved by the Housing Authority.3:46:47
Consent Calendar
Not located Minutes from the Regular Meeting of November 4, 2025
- The Housing Authority approved the written record of its 4 November 2025 meeting.3:46:47
Consent Calendar
Not located Housing Successor Annual Report for FY 2024-25 – Low and Moderate Income Housing Asset Fund
- The Housing Authority received its annual report on the fund that holds money set aside for low and moderate income housing.3:46:47
Consent Calendar
▶3:46:51 Excused Absences
- A routine item excusing absent members, approved by the Successor Agency.3:48:21
Consent Calendar
Not located Minutes from the Special Meeting of January 21, 2025
- The Successor Agency approved the written record of its 21 January 2025 meeting.3:48:21
Consent Calendar
Not located Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS) for the Period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027
- The Successor Agency approved the schedule of debts it must pay in 2026-27, left over from the city's dissolved redevelopment agency.3:48:21
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