Council RecordSanta Ana, California
3February
2026
Regular City Council Meeting · One key issue

It approved an agreement with Axon for a "drone as a first responder" system and patrol drones, by four votes to three.

Check this moment · 6:31:14
7.6 hours 23 agenda items 19 located in video 44% attributed to a named speaker
Brief

What happened

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

  1. 01

    Before that it rejected, two votes to five, a motion by Councilmembers Hernandez and Vazquez to send the entire item to the Police Oversight Commission first.

    6:30:39
    Police oversightBudgetPublic safetyImmigration
    Explore this issue
    Related agenda item 15

    Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for the Implementation of the Drone as a First Responder System and Patrol Drone Purchase for…

    Open agenda item →

    Member positions

    Benjamin Vazquez
    Benjamin VazquezVoted no

    Seconded that motion and raised the manufacturer's business dealings in Israel.

    6:27:21
    Jessie Lopez
    Jessie LopezVoted no

    Said the technology is powerful and fast-moving and that governance must be equally deliberate.

    6:18:21
    Johnathan Ryan Hernandez
    Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no

    Moved to remand the entire item to the Police Oversight Commission before any purchase, and voted against the agreement.

    6:30:08
    Valerie Amezcua
    Valerie AmezcuaVoted yes

    Said the city already relies on other agencies' drones and she would rather trust its own police, who do not work with federal immigration enforcement.

    6:23:10
    Thai Viet Phan
    Thai Viet PhanVoted yes

    Recorded as an aye in the clerk's roll call.

    6:31:02
    Phil Bacerra
    Phil BacerraVoted yes

    Voted against remanding the item and for the agreement.

    6:30:08
    David Penaloza
    David PenalozaVoted yes

    Moved approval of the agreement.

    6:30:45
  2. 02

    Police confirmed the city already relies on other agencies' drones, including the county sheriff's.

    6:23:10
    BudgetPolice oversightPublic safetyImmigration
    Explore this issue
    Related agenda item 15

    Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for the Implementation of the Drone as a First Responder System and Patrol Drone Purchase for…

    Open agenda item →

    Member positions

    Benjamin Vazquez
    Benjamin VazquezVoted no

    Seconded that motion and raised the manufacturer's business dealings in Israel.

    6:27:21
    Jessie Lopez
    Jessie LopezVoted no

    Said the technology is powerful and fast-moving and that governance must be equally deliberate.

    6:18:21
    Johnathan Ryan Hernandez
    Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no

    Moved to remand the entire item to the Police Oversight Commission before any purchase, and voted against the agreement.

    6:30:08
    Valerie Amezcua
    Valerie AmezcuaVoted yes

    Said the city already relies on other agencies' drones and she would rather trust its own police, who do not work with federal immigration enforcement.

    6:23:10
    Thai Viet Phan
    Thai Viet PhanVoted yes

    Recorded as an aye in the clerk's roll call.

    6:31:02
    Phil Bacerra
    Phil BacerraVoted yes

    Voted against remanding the item and for the agreement.

    6:30:08
    David Penaloza
    David PenalozaVoted yes

    Moved approval of the agreement.

    6:30:45
  3. 03

    The council was told a drone monitored protests at the Civic Center in January 2026, deployed to support fire service medics rather than federal agents, and that footage let a commander establish officers were not under attack.

    6:23:56
    BudgetPolice oversightPublic safetyImmigration
    Explore this issue
    Related agenda item 15

    Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for the Implementation of the Drone as a First Responder System and Patrol Drone Purchase for…

    Open agenda item →

    Member positions

    Benjamin Vazquez
    Benjamin VazquezVoted no

    Seconded that motion and raised the manufacturer's business dealings in Israel.

    6:27:21
    Jessie Lopez
    Jessie LopezVoted no

    Said the technology is powerful and fast-moving and that governance must be equally deliberate.

    6:18:21
    Johnathan Ryan Hernandez
    Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no

    Moved to remand the entire item to the Police Oversight Commission before any purchase, and voted against the agreement.

    6:30:08
    Valerie Amezcua
    Valerie AmezcuaVoted yes

    Said the city already relies on other agencies' drones and she would rather trust its own police, who do not work with federal immigration enforcement.

    6:23:10
    Thai Viet Phan
    Thai Viet PhanVoted yes

    Recorded as an aye in the clerk's roll call.

    6:31:02
    Phil Bacerra
    Phil BacerraVoted yes

    Voted against remanding the item and for the agreement.

    6:30:08
    David Penaloza
    David PenalozaVoted yes

    Moved approval of the agreement.

    6:30:45
  4. 04

    The city attorney explained that an appeal court ruling sorts drone footage into three categories for public records purposes.

    6:26:44
    BudgetPolice oversightPublic safetyImmigration
    Explore this issue
    Related agenda item 15

    Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for the Implementation of the Drone as a First Responder System and Patrol Drone Purchase for…

    Open agenda item →

    Member positions

    Benjamin Vazquez
    Benjamin VazquezVoted no

    Seconded that motion and raised the manufacturer's business dealings in Israel.

    6:27:21
    Jessie Lopez
    Jessie LopezVoted no

    Said the technology is powerful and fast-moving and that governance must be equally deliberate.

    6:18:21
    Johnathan Ryan Hernandez
    Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no

    Moved to remand the entire item to the Police Oversight Commission before any purchase, and voted against the agreement.

    6:30:08
    Valerie Amezcua
    Valerie AmezcuaVoted yes

    Said the city already relies on other agencies' drones and she would rather trust its own police, who do not work with federal immigration enforcement.

    6:23:10
    Thai Viet Phan
    Thai Viet PhanVoted yes

    Recorded as an aye in the clerk's roll call.

    6:31:02
    Phil Bacerra
    Phil BacerraVoted yes

    Voted against remanding the item and for the agreement.

    6:30:08
    David Penaloza
    David PenalozaVoted yes

    Moved approval of the agreement.

    6:30:45
  5. 05

    The council also adopted bylaws for the Police Oversight Commission.

    6:57:55
    Police oversight
    Explore this issue
    Related agenda item 16

    Resolution for Police Oversight Commission Bylaws

    Open agenda item →

    What councilmembers said

    Representative transcript excerpts—not inferred positions.

    Alvaro Nuñez
    Alvaro NuñezCity Manager

    the item requested one commissioner alone wanted it does not satisfy the whole commission's request So it's not a lack of process, right? In fact, we've been following the process, and those are the processes that got us to at least four or five reviews of…

    7:04:18
    Johnathan Ryan Hernandez
    Johnathan Ryan HernandezCouncilmember

    What we're seeing is a troubling practice of Americans, whether you're a citizen or whether you're somebody who is going through citizenship, or if you're a naturalized resident. We're seeing state-sanctioned violence happen across the country. In the case of…

    7:21:32
    Phil Bacerra
    Phil BacerraCouncilmember

    I hope that they'll be forthcoming with the information that you need to be able to determine where our laws apply and if they can help at all. I also want to thank our staff for updating the Housing Authority page with the link for for the information on the…

    7:26:21
    Jessie Lopez
    Jessie LopezCouncilmember

    items and mayor I just want to say I think that we should be in the room and instead of the police oversight just have it here the same way that you present about the issues that we're addressing with homelessness the same way we allow other people to do…

    7:01:18
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. 8 uncited sentences were withheld from this page.

Focus

Where they differed

Splits in votes or reasoning

Split voteon “Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for the Implementation of the Drone as a First Responder System and Patrol Drone Purchase for…”6:18:21

The council divided four to three on buying police drones, and divided differently — two to five — on whether to send the decision to the Police Oversight Commission first. The argument was about process and privacy safeguards rather than about whether drones work.

Benjamin Vazquez
Benjamin VazquezVoted no6:27:21

Seconded that motion and raised the manufacturer's business dealings in Israel.

Jessie Lopez
Jessie LopezVoted no6:18:21

Said the technology is powerful and fast-moving and that governance must be equally deliberate.

Johnathan Ryan Hernandez
Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no6:30:08

Moved to remand the entire item to the Police Oversight Commission before any purchase, and voted against the agreement.

Valerie Amezcua
Valerie AmezcuaVoted yes6:23:10

Said the city already relies on other agencies' drones and she would rather trust its own police, who do not work with federal immigration enforcement.

Thai Viet Phan
Thai Viet PhanVoted yes6:31:02

Recorded as an aye in the clerk's roll call.

Phil Bacerra
Phil BacerraVoted yes6:30:08

Voted against remanding the item and for the agreement.

David Penaloza
David PenalozaVoted yes6:30:45

Moved approval of the agreement.

Agenda

Every item

23 items in agenda order

1
Closed Session Items

Closed-session labor negotiations with city employee organizations

Not located
Labor & workforce

No cited discussion summary was prepared. The title above is a shortened version of the official agenda record.

Official agendaNot located
Full official agenda title

CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6(a): Agency Negotiator: Peter Brown Employee Organizations: 1. Service Employees International Union, Full-Time Employees Unit (SEIU-FT) 2. Service Employees International Union, Part-Time Non-Civil Service Employees Unit (SEIU-PTNCS) 3. Service Employees International Union, Part-Time Civil Service Employees Unit (SEIU-PTCS) 4. Santa Ana Police Officers Association (POA)

2
Closed Session Items

Closed-session labor negotiations with city employee organizations

Not located
Labor & workforce

No cited discussion summary was prepared. The title above is a shortened version of the official agenda record.

Official agendaNot located
Full official agenda title

CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6(a): Agency Negotiator: Lori Schnaider Employee Organizations: 1. Confidential Association of Santa Ana (CASA) 2. Santa Ana Middle Management Association (SAMA) 3. Santa Ana Police Management Association (PMA) 4. Unrepresented Seasonal Employees

3
Closed Session Items

Closed-session conference with legal counsel

Not located

No cited discussion summary was prepared. The title above is a shortened version of the official agenda record.

Official agendaNot located
Full official agenda title

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION pursuant to Section 54956.9(d)(2) of the Government Code: Three (3) Matters [Personnel Complaints]

4
Closed Session Items

Closed-session conference with legal counsel

Not located

No cited discussion summary was prepared. The title above is a shortened version of the official agenda record.

Official agendaNot located
Full official agenda title

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – POTENTIAL INITIATION OF LITIGATION pursuant to Paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9: * One (1) case – Union Pacific

1
Ceremonial Presentations

Certificate of Recognition presented by Mayor Amezcua to Templo Calvario for Outstanding Contributions to the Community

3:11:32
  • A ceremonial presentation of certificates or a proclamation.3:11:32
Official agendaSupplied summaryClerk timestamp
2
Ceremonial Presentations

Certificates of Recognition presented by Councilmember Lopez to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) for Outstanding Contributions…

3:18:13
  • A ceremonial presentation of certificates or a proclamation.3:18:13
Official agendaSupplied summaryClerk timestamp
Full official agenda title

Certificates of Recognition presented by Councilmember Lopez to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) for Outstanding Contributions to the Community

3
Ceremonial Presentations

Certificates of Recognition presented by Councilmember Hernandez to students of the Suavecito Foundation for Exemplary Leadership in…

3:25:59
  • A ceremonial presentation of certificates or a proclamation.3:25:59
Official agendaSupplied summaryClerk timestamp
Full official agenda title

Certificates of Recognition presented by Councilmember Hernandez to students of the Suavecito Foundation for Exemplary Leadership in Youth Government

4
Consent Calendar

Excused Absences

4:50:39
  • Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:50:39
Official agendaSupplied summaryMatched to recordingCity Clerk’s Office
Official recommendation
  1. Excuse the absent members
5
Consent Calendar

Minutes from the Regular Meeting of January 20, 2026

4:50:45
  • Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:50:45
Official agendaSupplied summaryConsent blockCity Clerk’s Office
Official recommendation
  1. Approve minutes
6
Consent Calendar

Appoint Emilio Ramirez Nominated by Councilmember Penaloza as the Ward 6 Representative to the Rental Housing Board for a Partial…

4:50:45
Housing
  • Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:50:45
Official agendaSupplied summaryConsent blockCity Clerk’s Office
Full official agenda title

Appoint Emilio Ramirez Nominated by Councilmember Penaloza as the Ward 6 Representative to the Rental Housing Board for a Partial Term Expiring in 2027

Official recommendation
  1. Appoint Emilio Ramirez to the Rental Housing Board as the Ward 6 representative and administer the Oath of Office (Pursuant to SAMC Sec. 2-326(a), requires five affirmative votes)
7
Consent Calendar

2025 Update on the East First Street Quality of Life Initiative

4:50:45
  • Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:50:45
Official agendaSupplied summaryConsent blockPolice Department
Official recommendation
  1. Receive and file
8
Consent Calendar

In-Car Cameras at the Santa Ana Police Department

4:54:47
  • The council received a report on in-car cameras at the police department, approved seven votes to none.5:01:43
Official agendaSupplied summaryClerk timestampPolice Department
Official recommendation
  1. Receive and file information presented in this report regarding the feasibility of deploying in-car camera systems at the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD)
9
Consent Calendar

Agreement with Manatt Government Strategies, LLC for Federal Legislative Advocacy Services (Specification No. 25-143) (General Fund)

4:50:45
Budget
  • Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:50:45
Official agendaSupplied summaryConsent blockCity Manager’s Office
Official recommendation
  1. Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Manatt Government Strategies LLC for Federal Legislative Advocacy Services for a three-year term in an amount not to exceed $352,800, from March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2029 with the option for two (2) one-year extensions for a total not to exceed amount of $588,000 (Agreement No. A-2026-XXX)
10
Consent Calendar

Agreement with Townsend Public Affairs for State Legislative Advocacy Services (Specification No. 25-142) (General Fund)

4:50:45
Budget
  • Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:50:45
Official agendaSupplied summaryConsent blockCity Manager’s Office
Official recommendation
  1. Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Townsend Public Affairs for State Legislative Advocacy Services for a three-year term, from March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2029 with the option for two (2) one- year extensions for a total not to exceed amount of $375,000 (Agreement No. A-2026-XXX)
11
Consent Calendar

Agreement with Midwest Tape for Hoopla Digital Book, Video, and Music Content (Cannabis Public Benefit Fund)

4:50:45
  • Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:50:45
Official agendaSupplied summaryConsent blockLibrary
Official recommendation
  1. Authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement with Midwest Tape, LLC to provide Hoopla Digital Content in an amount not to exceed $75,000 for a term expiring February 9, 2028 (Agreement No. A-2026-XXX)
12
Consent Calendar

Agreement for Payment In-Lieu of Taxes for Properties located at 3601, 3611, 3621, and 3631 S. Harbor Boulevard (APN: 414-261-07)

4:50:45
  • Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:50:45
Official agendaSupplied summaryConsent blockPlanning and Building Agency
Official recommendation
  1. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the attached Payment In-Lieu of Taxes Agreement with SOCO Harbor, Inc. (Agreement No. 2026-XXX)
13
Consent Calendar

Agreement with Trimble Inc. for Public Works Asset Management Software (Specification No. 26-001) (Non-General Fund)

4:50:45
Budget
  • Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:50:45
Official agendaSupplied summaryConsent blockPublic Works Agency
Official recommendation
  1. Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Trimble Inc. to provide public works asset management software, in an amount not to exceed $87,777, for a term beginning January 31, 2026 and expiring January 30, 2027 (Agreement No. A-2026-XXX)
14
Consent Calendar

American Red Cross Facility Use Agreement for Evacuation Shelters at Specified City Facilities [Santa Ana Senior Center…

4:50:45
Parks & libraries
  • Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:50:45
Official agendaSupplied summaryConsent blockPolice Department
Full official agenda title

American Red Cross Facility Use Agreement for Evacuation Shelters at Specified City Facilities [Santa Ana Senior Center, Roosevelt/Walker Community Center, Garfield Community Center, Salgado Recreation Center, El Salvador Community Center, Jerome Center, Southwest Senior Center]

Official recommendation
  1. Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with the American National Red Cross, commencing upon signing through December 31, 2035, to allow the Red Cross, upon request and if feasible, to use and occupy specified City facilities to operate evacuation shelters during natural disasters or other large-scale emergencies (Agreement No. A-2026-XXX)
15
Consent Calendar

Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for the Implementation of the Drone as a First Responder System and Patrol Drone Purchase for…

5:01:56
BudgetPolice oversightPublic safetyImmigration
Split voteSee member positions →
  • The council agreed to buy a "drone as a first responder" system and patrol drones from Axon, four votes to three.6:31:14
  • Councilmember Hernandez moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Vazquez, to remand the whole item to the Police Oversight Commission; that failed two votes to five.6:30:08
  • Councilmember Lopez said the technology is powerful and fast-moving, so governance has to be equally strong and deliberate.6:18:21
  • Police confirmed the city already uses drones belonging to other agencies, including the county sheriff's department.6:22:46
  • The mayor said she would rather trust the city's own police department than the sheriff's, because Santa Ana police do not work with federal immigration enforcement.6:23:10
  • The council was told a drone monitored protests at the Civic Center in January 2026, and that it was deployed to support the county fire authority giving medical aid rather than federal agents.6:23:56
  • It was said during that exchange that two members of the public had been shot in the eye and blinded at those protests.6:23:21
  • Police said the drone let a commander establish that officers were not under attack, so they were not deployed.6:24:33
  • Asked whether the footage could help residents suing federal agents, police said it could, and that footage is released subject to the law.6:26:13
  • The city attorney said an appeal court decision arising in Chula Vista sorted drone footage into three categories, and that active investigation material stays exempt from disclosure.6:26:44
  • Mayor Pro Tem Vazquez raised the manufacturer's business in Israel; another member responded by pointing to the city's use of Apple and Google products and their own operations there.6:27:21
  • A councilmember asked that the drone policy go to the Police Oversight Commission so it can add guardrails, even though the purchase itself proceeded.6:29:18
  • Councilmembers Hernandez, Lopez and Vazquez voted against the agreement.6:31:14
Official agendaSupplied summaryClerk timestampPolice Department
Full official agenda title

Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for the Implementation of the Drone as a First Responder System and Patrol Drone Purchase for the Police Department (Non-General Fund - SLESA)

Official recommendation
  1. Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. to provide the Drone as a First Responder system, patrol drones, and all required software licenses to the Police Department, in an amount not to exceed $682,900 for a term beginning February 3, 2026 and expiring February 2, 2029 (Agreement No. A-2026-XXX)
16
Consent Calendar

Resolution for Police Oversight Commission Bylaws

6:57:55
Police oversight
  • The council considered a resolution adopting bylaws for the Police Oversight Commission, which the commission itself had approved in November.6:57:55
Official agendaSupplied summaryMatched to recordingCity Manager’s Office
Official recommendation
  1. Adopt a Resolution for the Police Oversight Commission Bylaws. RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XXX entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA APPROVING INITIAL BYLAWS FOR THE POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION
17
Consent Calendar

Final adoption: an Ordinance Amending Chapter 2 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code as to Section 2-748 Specifying the Procurement and…

4:50:45
  • Routine business, approved together with the rest of the consent calendar without separate discussion.4:50:45
Official agendaSupplied summaryConsent blockPublic Works Agency
Full official agenda title

Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 2 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code as to Section 2-748 Specifying the Procurement and Contracting Procedure for Vehicle and Vehicle Related Equipment Purchases First reading January 20, 2026 City Council meeting and approved by a vote of (7-0). Legal notice published in OC Reporter on January 23, 2026

Official recommendation
  1. Conduct a second reading and adopt an ordinance amending Section 2-748 of Article VII, of Chapter 2 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) specifying the procurement and contracting procedure for vehicle and vehicle related equipment purchases. ORDINANCE NO. NS-3089 entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE SANTA ANA MUNICIPAL CODE AS TO SECTION 2-748 SPECIFYING THE PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTING PROCEDURE FOR VEHICLE AND VEHICLE RELATED EQUIPMENT PURCHASES
18
Public Hearing Public Comments

Appeal Application No. 2025-02 Appealing the Planning Commission Approval of Conditional Use Permit No. 1982-18-MOD-1 to Allow the…

6:31:38
Land useYouth & education
  • This public hearing was cancelled by staff and not heard.6:31:38
Official agendaSupplied summaryMatched to recordingPlanning and Building Agency
Full official agenda title

Appeal Application No. 2025-02 Appealing the Planning Commission Approval of Conditional Use Permit No. 1982-18-MOD-1 to Allow the Expansion of a Private School at 5311 W. McFadden Avenue Legal notice published in the OC Reporter on January 23, 2026 and notices mailed on same date

Official recommendation
  1. Adopt a resolution denying Appeal Application No. 2025-02, thereby upholding the Planning Commission’s approval of a resolution to approve Conditional Use Permit No. 1982-18-MOD-1 allowing the expansion of a private school at 5311 W. McFadden Avenue (APN 108-073-13). RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XXX entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA DENYING APPEAL APPLICATION NO. 2025-02 AND UPHOLDING THE DETERMINATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO APPROVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 1982-18-MOD-1 AS CONDITIONED TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW PRIVATE SCHOOL BUILDING WITHIN AN EXISTING CHURCH CAMPUS LOCATED AT 5311 WEST MCFADDEN AVENUE (APN: 108-073-13)
19
Councilmember Requested Items

Discuss and Consider Providing Direction to the City Manager to Prepare a Public Report and Direct the Police Oversight Commission…

6:31:49
Police oversight
  • Considered by the council; no separate discussion recorded.6:31:49
Official agendaSupplied summaryClerk timestamp
Full official agenda title

Discuss and Consider Providing Direction to the City Manager to Prepare a Public Report and Direct the Police Oversight Commission to Hold a Public Hearing Regarding Law Enforcement Response to a Demonstration at the Santa Ana Civic Center – Councilmember Vazquez

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