Benjamin VazquezVoted no
3:19:25Seconded the rejection, saying residents do not trust cameras while immigration enforcement is active.
4August
2026
2026
Regular City Council Meeting · One key issue
The council asked the state legislature to let Santa Ana join the AB 645 speed safety camera pilot programme, passing four votes to two.
▶ Check this moment · 3:38:38
4.9 hours
36 agenda items
34 located in video
59% attributed to a named speaker
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What happened
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
- 01
Councilmembers Hernandez and Vazquez voted against it, citing surveillance and the risk to undocumented residents.
▶3:19:25Explore this issue
Related agenda item 27Open agenda item →Resolution Requesting the California State Legislature to Amend Assembly Bill 645 to Authorize the City of Santa Ana to Establish a…
Member positions
Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no3:10:44Moved to reject the resolution, saying the city should not be a test subject and that enforcement could wrongly expose undocumented residents.
Valerie AmezcuaVoted yes3:20:50Seconded the substitute motion after confirming the programme would not sit under the police department.
Thai Viet PhanVoted yes3:28:42Voted for it despite questioning the cost and whether the programme would be effective.
Phil BacerraVoted yes3:14:05Put the substitute motion, citing 26 traffic deaths in 2025 and large reductions in speeding at camera sites elsewhere.
David PenalozaVoted yes3:34:01Supported it as a resolution that signals interest and installs no cameras.
- 02
A density bonus agreement for a 400-unit development at 200 East Sandpointe Avenue was continued to 20 October, which the city attorney warned would be its fifth and last permitted hearing.
▶4:05:16Explore this issue
Related agenda item 30Open agenda item →Density Bonus Agreement No. 2026-03 – Watermarke Sandpointe Mixed-Use Development (200 East Sandpointe Ave.) (Continued from City…
What councilmembers said
Representative transcript excerpts—not inferred positions.
Phil BacerraCouncilmember3:45:21Perfect. Thank you for that. It's interesting that this proposed project is proposing to provide 20 affordable units, essentially 5% for extremely low income households, instead of 5% for very low income households. Now why does that matter? The difference…
Valerie AmezcuaMayor3:54:26So, Councilman Becerra asked about parking. I can't tell you how many times I'm contacted by the community regarding parking issues. Even in my neighborhood, right, people that live at the condos right there on the corner by Morrison Park, they park all the…
Sonia R. CarvalhoCity Attorney3:52:01Unfortunately, nothing in the housing law would allow us to rely on that evidence as a reason not to approve the project. So I want to be respectful of those comments because they are accurate and true, but they cannot be the basis for not approving this…
David PenalozaMayor Pro Tem4:03:07Yeah. And I think it's important for any project that comes before this council is to make sure that we're as transparent as possible and offer more information than we need to. I think that's always the best practice when it comes to any of these. That's how…
- 03
The council denied an appeal against the Think Together project on East Fourth Street, upholding a seven-storey mixed-use development of 274 units.
▶4:28:17Explore this issue
Related agenda item 34Open agenda item →Appeal Application No. 2026-01 - Appealing the Decision of the Planning Commission to Approve Site Plan Review No. 2026-01 and…
What councilmembers said
Representative transcript excerpts—not inferred positions.
Valerie AmezcuaMayor4:44:42he met our PIO, they shared information with him as well. And then today I saw a post that he met with Councilman Hernandez, and Councilman Hernandez is going to arrange for this event to take place. However, I just want to remind everybody, and everybody…
Thai Viet PhanCouncilmember4:32:52And it fills my heart to see the hard work that our city team, our residents, everybody's been working toward truly come to fruition and to be realized. And I guess with that, I hope everybody have a wonderful rest of August because we're not seeing each other…
Jennifer L. HallCity Clerk4:27:25Motion by Council Member Hernandez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Penalosa to approve a resolution of the City Council of the City of Santa Ana, denying appeal application number 2026-01, thereby upholding the Planning Commission's approval of Site Plan Review…
David PenalozaMayor Pro Tem4:38:05i can't can't just all be unicorns and rainbows we gotta we gotta get those streets done um so So thank you city staff. Honestly, I really, really appreciate everybody involved, Public Works, Parks and Rec, City Manager's Office, for all the work that we've…
- 04
Deputy Director Cesar Barrera was appointed to the Metropolitan Water District board after Councilmember Phan resigned the seat.
▶4:11:00Explore this issue
Related agenda item 31Open agenda item →City of Santa Ana Metropolitan Water District Board Representative
What councilmembers said
Representative transcript excerpts—not inferred positions.
Thai Viet PhanCouncilmember4:06:10So, the Metropolitan Water District, it is the largest water importer in America, serving 19 million residents in Southern California, including importing water from the collateral river and the state water project. This is a massive entity. I work with public…
Valerie AmezcuaMayor4:11:06All righty. We're going to go now to item number 32. It's regarding amended Chapter 30 of the Santa Ana Meaning Code. Do we need a presentation, Council? I don't think so. Do we need one? Yes, no, maybe? No, I don't think so. No? Okay. Let's prepare. Is there…
Jennifer L. HallCity Clerk4:10:02This is a sub-motion by Council Member Fan, seconded by Mayor Mesqua to appoint Cesar Barrera to the Metropolitan Water District Board as the City of Santa Ana's representative.
Sonia R. CarvalhoCity Attorney4:08:55Yeah. I'm not sure he looks very happy with your recommendation, but okay. So we would need, I mean, we would have to talk about when you make the raise, I know that these positions do receive stipends and things in that nature. No, we do not at MET. Okay, I'd…
- 05
A first reading of amendments to the historic preservation chapter passed, amended so that commission decisions remain appealable to the council.
▶4:15:50Explore this issue
Related agenda item 32Open agenda item →Ordinance Amendment No. 2026-01 to Amend Several Sections of Chapter 30 (Places of Historical and Architectural Significance) of the…
What councilmembers said
Representative transcript excerpts—not inferred positions.
Phil BacerraCouncilmember4:12:55Okay, perfect. Thank you. And then the other item that I wanted to ask you about is proposed section 30-10F states that the decision of the commission in concerning an appeal of a decision or recommendation of planning department staff shall be final. Maybe…
Jennifer L. HallCity Clerk4:14:57This is a motion by Mayor Pro Tempeñolosa, seconded by Councilmember Hernandez, to introduce for first reading Ordinance Amendment Number 2026-01, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Santa Ana, amending portions of Chapter 30, Places of Historical…
Sonia R. CarvalhoCity Attorney4:13:42final you can as a charter city you can whether that is advisable for the reasons you stated we like to have people vet their issues through these administrative hearings give them due process we can create a record you'd have less of an opportunity to correct…
Valerie AmezcuaMayor4:15:38I'm always so impressed by Jennifer. Let's vote. You want to do a roll call, Jennifer? I just need your vote, Mayor. It says waiting, so I'm a yes.
- 06
Rosita Park was renamed Frank and Irene Palomino Park, after plaintiffs in the 1947 Mendez v Westminster school desegregation case.
▶3:07:04Explore this issue
Related agenda item 11Open agenda item →Planning Commission’s Adoption of a Resolution Renaming Rosita Park, Located at 706 N. Newhope Street, as Frank and Irene Palomino…
No named councilmember contribution could be reliably linked to this item.
- 07
Police towing agreements were approved as amended to add a fifth vendor based in Santa Ana.
▶3:09:59Explore this issue
Related agenda item 20Open agenda item →Agreements with B&D Towing, Inc., Greater Southern California Towing, Inc., MetroPro Road Services, Inc., and Standard Enterprises…
No named councilmember contribution could be reliably linked to this item.
- 08
The council adopted its five-year strategic plan six votes to nothing.
▶4:17:08Explore this issue
Related agenda item 33Open agenda item →City of Santa Ana FY 2026-27 to FY 2031-32 Five-Year Strategic Plan
What councilmembers said
Representative transcript excerpts—not inferred positions.
Valerie AmezcuaMayor4:17:14All right, that's the end of the business count. Let's go to the public hearing. Before the public hearing item number 34, Madam Clerk, please provide instructions to the public who would like to make a comment on this public hearing item only. You need to…
Jennifer L. HallCity Clerk4:16:44motion by councilmember Hernandez seconded by mayor Mesquah to adopt the The City of Santa and fiscal year 2026-27 to fiscal year 2031-32 five-year strategic plan.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezCouncilmember4:16:35to vote please I'll make a motion to move the item I'll second go ahead
- 09
The city attorney reported a $140,000 settlement in the Love Pham litigation, approved five votes to nothing in closed session.
▶2:09:24Explore this issue
Related agenda item 30Open agenda item →Density Bonus Agreement No. 2026-03 – Watermarke Sandpointe Mixed-Use Development (200 East Sandpointe Ave.) (Continued from City…
What councilmembers said
Representative transcript excerpts—not inferred positions.
Phil BacerraCouncilmember3:45:21Perfect. Thank you for that. It's interesting that this proposed project is proposing to provide 20 affordable units, essentially 5% for extremely low income households, instead of 5% for very low income households. Now why does that matter? The difference…
Valerie AmezcuaMayor3:54:26So, Councilman Becerra asked about parking. I can't tell you how many times I'm contacted by the community regarding parking issues. Even in my neighborhood, right, people that live at the condos right there on the corner by Morrison Park, they park all the…
Sonia R. CarvalhoCity Attorney3:52:01Unfortunately, nothing in the housing law would allow us to rely on that evidence as a reason not to approve the project. So I want to be respectful of those comments because they are accurate and true, but they cannot be the basis for not approving this…
David PenalozaMayor Pro Tem4:03:07Yeah. And I think it's important for any project that comes before this council is to make sure that we're as transparent as possible and offer more information than we need to. I think that's always the best practice when it comes to any of these. That's how…
- 10
A resolution backing eleven state bills on utility affordability drew thanks from several speakers.
▶2:41:28Explore this issue
Related agenda item 28Open agenda item →Resolution Supporting State Legislation to Improve Utility Affordability, Strengthen Ratepayer Protections, and Increase…
No named councilmember contribution could be reliably linked to this 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
The council split four to two on asking the legislature for a speed camera pilot. The division was over surveillance and cost against traffic deaths, not over whether speeding is a problem — every member said it is.
Seconded the rejection, saying residents do not trust cameras while immigration enforcement is active.
Moved to reject the resolution, saying the city should not be a test subject and that enforcement could wrongly expose undocumented residents.
Seconded the substitute motion after confirming the programme would not sit under the police department.
Voted for it despite questioning the cost and whether the programme would be effective.
Put the substitute motion, citing 26 traffic deaths in 2025 and large reductions in speeding at camera sites elsewhere.
Supported it as a resolution that signals interest and installs no cameras.
Agenda
Every item
36 items in agenda order
Closed Session Items
Not located Closed-session conference with legal counsel
Closed Session Items
Not located Closed-session labor negotiations with city employee organizations
Ceremonial Presentations
▶1:49:31 Certificates of Recognition presented by Councilmember Bacerra to OC Bomberos for Outstanding Contributions to the Community
- Councilmember Bacerra presented certificates of recognition to OC Bomberos, a nonprofit of firefighters founded in 2020.1:50:07
Ceremonial Presentations
▶2:00:51 Certificate of Recognition presented by Councilmember Lopez to La Colmena for Outstanding Contributions to the Community
- A certificate of recognition was presented to La Colmena for its contributions to the community.2:01:37
Ceremonial Presentations
▶1:55:43 Proclamation presented by Councilmember Hernandez Declaring August 2026 as Chicano Heritage Month
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Excused Absences
- A routine item excusing members who missed earlier meetings, approved with the rest of the consent calendar.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Minutes from the Regular Meeting of July 21, 2026
- The written record of the regular meeting of 21 July 2026.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Appoint Erica Gonzalez Nominated by Councilmember Vazquez as the Ward 2 Representative to the Rental Housing Board for a Partial…
- Erica Gonzalez was appointed as the Ward 2 representative to the Rental Housing Board for a partial term expiring in 2027.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Quarterly Report of Contracts for Non-Public Works and Public Works
- The quarterly report of contracts signed by the city manager between April and June 2026 was received and filed.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Report of Settlements for General Liability Claims and Worker’s Compensation Claims
- The quarterly report of general liability and workers compensation settlements was received and filed.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Employee Benefits Rates for 2027 Plan Year
- Employee benefits rates for the 2027 plan year were received and filed.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Status Report on the Identification and Historic Evaluation of Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, and…
- A status report on identifying and evaluating public artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma and other artists was received and filed.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:03:57 Planning Commission’s Adoption of a Resolution Renaming Rosita Park, Located at 706 N. Newhope Street, as Frank and Irene Palomino…
- Councilmember Hernandez moved to rename Rosita Park as Frank and Irene Palomino Park.3:03:59
- The Palominos were among the plaintiffs in the 1947 case Mendez v Westminster, which desegregated California schools.3:03:59
- Councilmember Phan said the renaming was timed to match the renaming of Rosita Elementary School by Garden Grove Unified.3:04:55
- It passed six votes to nothing, with Councilmember Lopez absent.3:07:04
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Certification of Approval by City Engineer of the Final Tract Map No. 2024-02, County Tract Map No. 19328 at 510 North Harbor…
- The city engineer's certification of a final tract map at 510 North Harbor Boulevard was received and filed.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Legal Services Agreement with Fujii Law Group LLP (Non-General Fund)
- A three-year legal services agreement with Fujii Law Group worth $550,000 was approved.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Agreement with Tripepi Smith and Associates, Inc. for Communication and Media-Related Services (Specification No. 25-147) (General…
- A three-year communication and media services agreement with Tripepi Smith and Associates was approved at up to $150,000 a year.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Agreement with Insight Public Sector, Inc. for Microsoft 365 Migration (Specification No. 27-003) (Non-General Fund)
- A one-year agreement with Insight Public Sector for a Microsoft 365 migration was approved at up to $200,000.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Agreement with C3 Office Solutions LLC dba C3 Tech for Managed Print Services (Specification No. 27-001) (General and Non-General…
- A managed print services agreement with C3 Office Solutions was approved at $750,000 running to May 2029.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Agreement with The Pumpkin Factory, LLC for Carnival Services (Specification No. 26-017) (General Fund)
- A carnival services agreement with The Pumpkin Factory was approved for one year with up to four extensions.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Purchase Order to Unhinged LLC for Modular Simunition Training House (Specification No. 26-064A) (Non-General Fund – U.S. Dept. of…
- A purchase order to Unhinged for a modular simunition training house was approved at up to $98,891, paid from federal asset forfeiture funds.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Agreement with O2X Human Performance, LLC to Provide Physical Health and Wellness-Related Services to the Santa Ana Police…
- A physical health and wellness agreement for the police department with O2X Human Performance was approved at up to $867,789.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:07:43 Agreements with B&D Towing, Inc., Greater Southern California Towing, Inc., MetroPro Road Services, Inc., and Standard Enterprises…
- Councilmember Vazquez pulled the item to add a fifth towing vendor, a family business in Ward 2 that had scored in the nineties.3:07:45
- Councilmember Bacerra asked staff to confirm that the vendor listed at a Costa Mesa address could store vehicles within the city limits.3:08:30
- The agreements passed six votes to nothing as amended to add the extra Santa Ana vendor.3:09:59
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Purchase Order Contract to Premo Construction, Inc. for Fleet Air Compressor System Replacement (Specification No. 26-031)…
- A purchase order to Premo Construction to replace the fleet air compressor system was approved at an estimated $157,960.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Appropriation Adjustment and Agreement for the Sale of Land at 2245 S. Main Street (Project No. 13-6792) (Non-General Fund)
- The council approved the sale of city-owned land at 2245 South Main Street for $545,000, with proceeds directed to the Bristol Street phase 3A project.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Award of an Agreement with Dokken Engineering for Design Services to Address Caltrans Bridge Inspection Report Recommendations…
- A design services agreement with Dokken Engineering to address Caltrans bridge inspection recommendations was approved at up to $572,935.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Award of Aggregate Agreements with Global Power Group, Inc., Odyssey Power Corporation, Quinn Company dba Quinn Power Systems, and…
- Aggregate on-call generator maintenance agreements with four vendors were approved at up to $575,000.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Award of Aggregate Agreements with General Pump Company, Inc., Layne Christensen Company, and Weber Water Resources CA, LLC for…
- Aggregate on-call water well, pump and motor repair agreements with three vendors were approved at up to $2,750,000.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Award Aggregate Agreements with ACCO Engineered Systems, Inc., ENFRA MCC, LLC, and Mesa Energy Systems, Inc. for Heating…
- Aggregate heating, ventilation and air conditioning service agreements with three vendors were approved at up to $1,882,915.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:10:41 Resolution Requesting the California State Legislature to Amend Assembly Bill 645 to Authorize the City of Santa Ana to Establish a…
- Councilmember Hernandez moved to reject the resolution, saying Santa Ana should not be a test subject and that enforcement could wrongly expose undocumented residents.3:10:44
- Councilmember Bacerra put a substitute motion, citing 26 traffic deaths in 2025 including five young people killed on Segerstrom Avenue.3:14:05
- He argued the cameras are event-driven and unlike the licence plate readers the city already operates, and pointed to reductions in speeding of 72 and 73 percent at camera sites in Oakland and San Francisco.3:17:50
- Councilmember Vazquez seconded the rejection, saying residents do not trust cameras while immigration enforcement is active on city streets.3:19:25
- Councilmember Phan questioned the cost and said it was not clear the programme would be effective.3:28:42
- Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza supported it on the ground that a resolution only signals interest and installs no cameras.3:34:01
- The substitute motion carried four votes to two, with Hernandez and Vazquez voting no.3:38:38
Consent Calendar
▶2:10:20 Resolution Supporting State Legislation to Improve Utility Affordability, Strengthen Ratepayer Protections, and Increase…
Consent Calendar
▶3:02:45 Resolution and Appropriation Adjustment to Accept the State Regional Coordination Grant Award Agreement AA611027 (Non-General Fund)
- The council accepted a $1,000,000 state Regional Coordination grant for the CareerRx OC healthcare initiative.3:03:37
Consent Calendar
▶3:40:00 Density Bonus Agreement No. 2026-03 – Watermarke Sandpointe Mixed-Use Development (200 East Sandpointe Ave.) (Continued from City…
- Councilmember Phan recused herself and left the dais because the applicant is a client of her employer.3:40:06
- Councilmember Bacerra objected that the project provides 40 percent less parking than the municipal code requires, and that offering units at extremely low income let the developer avoid both the in-lieu fee and a skilled and trained workforce.3:40:18
- The city attorney said his account was accurate but could not lawfully be the basis for denial, and warned the next hearing would be the fifth and last allowed.3:50:52
- The item was continued to 20 October by five votes to nothing.4:05:16
Business Calendar
▶4:05:28 City of Santa Ana Metropolitan Water District Board Representative
- The mayor moved to appoint Councilmember Vazquez to the Metropolitan Water District board.4:05:28
- Councilmember Phan, who had resigned the seat, made a substitute motion to appoint a staff member instead, describing the board as two full days of meetings a month on highly technical matters.4:06:07
- Deputy Director Cesar Barrera was appointed six votes to nothing.4:11:00
Business Calendar
▶4:11:13 Ordinance Amendment No. 2026-01 to Amend Several Sections of Chapter 30 (Places of Historical and Architectural Significance) of the…
- A first reading of amendments to the historic preservation chapter, covering demolition by neglect and historic property transfer disclosure.4:11:49
- Councilmember Bacerra asked that appeals decided by the commission remain appealable to the council rather than final, and the mayor pro tem accepted the amendment.4:14:23
- The amended first reading passed six votes to nothing.4:15:50
Business Calendar
▶4:16:11 City of Santa Ana FY 2026-27 to FY 2031-32 Five-Year Strategic Plan
Public Hearing Public Comments
▶4:17:20 Appeal Application No. 2026-01 - Appealing the Decision of the Planning Commission to Approve Site Plan Review No. 2026-01 and…
- An appeal sought to overturn the planning commission's approval of a seven-storey mixed-use development of 274 units at 2101 East Fourth Street.4:17:21
- Councilmember Phan recused herself because her firm has acted pro bono for Think Together.4:17:28
- Dan Young, speaking for the applicant, said the project had a unanimous planning commission vote.4:19:40
- An attorney for Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility asked the council to require a new environmental impact report, citing new mitigation measures and findings on indoor air quality.4:22:15
- Staff replied that the late technical studies introduced nothing that rendered the existing analysis invalid.4:26:32
- The appeal was denied five votes to nothing, upholding the approval.4:28:17
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