Valerie AmezcuaMixed
2:57:33Initially sought 60 days to address the labor allegations, then accepted the October 20 return date.
15September
2026
2026
Regular City Council Meeting · One key issue
The council delayed 1200 Main housing financing to October 20 after labor concerns.
▶ Check this moment · 3:07:41
4.1 hours
33 agenda items
32 located in video
68% attributed to a named speaker
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What happened
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Prepared with AI assistance from the agenda and local transcript. Recorded votes below are unofficial, pending approved minutes. First readings are identified separately from final adoption.
- 01
The developer described a conversion of a vacant office building into 190 affordable apartments, with average rent restrictions at 60 percent of area median income for 55 years.
▶2:47:47Explore this issue
Related agenda item 29Open agenda item →Public hearing: Tax Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act Hearing for 1200 Main Apartments
Member positions
- 02
The city attorney reported that the council authorized a lawsuit against Caribou Industries and Partners Capital Solutions over the project at 201 West Third Street, with six members voting yes and Councilmember Phan abstaining.
▶1:49:26Explore this issue
Related agenda item 1Open agenda item →Certificates of Recognition presented by Councilmember Phan and Councilmember Vazquez to Sabil USA for Outstanding Contributions to…
What councilmembers said
Representative transcript excerpts—not inferred positions.
Thai Viet PhanCouncilmember1:43:57They immigrated to the United States and came to learn firsthand the challenges of building a new life in an unfamiliar country in New York City, right? And they took inspiration from the Chinese-American community. the Italian American community, the Jewish…
Jennifer L. HallCity Clerk1:50:11resolution number 2026-024, speakers are requested to address the City Council directly and to refrain from profane language, racial epitaphs, and libelous or slanderous statements that disturb the decorum of the meeting. Pursuant to the Brown Act the City…
Benjamin VazquezCouncilmember1:41:22case management, medical financial assistance, and educational and skill building opportunities. SABILES USA's approach too, especially meaningful because its services are provided with dignity, compassion, and respect, recognizing that every individual and…
Jessie LopezCouncilmember1:42:42Thank you for enriching Santa Ana's cultural landscape and reminding us that preserving our heritage strengthens our entire community. On behalf of the Santa Ana City Council and our entire community, we thank you for your work. We thank your team for your…
- 03
The council advanced an ordinance prohibiting city employees from taking outside work involving civil immigration enforcement, including work for federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement; a second reading was still required.
▶2:37:11Explore this issue
Related agenda item 26Open agenda item →Ordinance Amending Section 9-16 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code to Prohibit All City of Santa Ana Employees from Outside Employment…
No named councilmember contribution could be reliably linked to this item.
- 04
Members debated a temporary data-center moratorium but moved on without adopting one, with the broader zoning-code update expected to return in October.
▶3:37:53Explore this issue
Related agenda item 32Open agenda item →Discuss and Consider Directing the City Manager to Direct Staff as Follows: (1) Evaluate the Need for and Prepare a Temporary…
Member positions
Valerie AmezcuaOpposed3:36:00Said she could not support the item at that time and favored the forthcoming zoning discussion.
Thai Viet PhanOpposed3:28:16Preferred defined standards and possible permit conditions through the zoning update over a separate moratorium or broad ban.
Phil BacerraOpposed3:23:46Argued a separate moratorium was unnecessary given no pending applications and the planned zoning-code update.
Benjamin VazquezSupported3:25:02Supported a moratorium as a precaution while the zoning update proceeds.
Jessie LopezSupported3:13:32Requested public discussion and clearer information on data centers, their resource use and the implications of future zoning rules.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezSupported3:24:54Supported bringing the item back.
David PenalozaMixed3:25:31Supported considering stronger restrictions, potentially a ban, within the zoning-code update.
- 05
Staff reported three existing data centers, none larger than 100,000 square feet.
▶3:17:23Explore this issue
Related agenda item 32Open agenda item →Discuss and Consider Directing the City Manager to Direct Staff as Follows: (1) Evaluate the Need for and Prepare a Temporary…
Member positions
Valerie AmezcuaOpposed3:36:00Said she could not support the item at that time and favored the forthcoming zoning discussion.
Thai Viet PhanOpposed3:28:16Preferred defined standards and possible permit conditions through the zoning update over a separate moratorium or broad ban.
Phil BacerraOpposed3:23:46Argued a separate moratorium was unnecessary given no pending applications and the planned zoning-code update.
Benjamin VazquezSupported3:25:02Supported a moratorium as a precaution while the zoning update proceeds.
Jessie LopezSupported3:13:32Requested public discussion and clearer information on data centers, their resource use and the implications of future zoning rules.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezSupported3:24:54Supported bringing the item back.
David PenalozaMixed3:25:31Supported considering stronger restrictions, potentially a ban, within the zoning-code update.
- 06
The Cabrillo Park restroom and concession-building agreement passed with an added request for proposals for a local artist to address a blank wall.
▶2:34:57Explore this issue
Related agenda item 19Open agenda item →Agreement with A’s Construction to Provide Restroom and Concession Building Design-Build Services at Cabrillo Park (Project No.…
No named councilmember contribution could be reliably linked to this item.
- 07
The council advanced more visible on-site notices for development-related community meetings, adding minimum 11-by-17-inch yellow boards and multilingual notice language.
▶2:42:31Explore this issue
Related agenda item 28Open agenda item →Ordinance Amendment No. 2026-03 Amending Article II.II of Chapter 2 (Administration) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code Related to…
No named councilmember contribution could be reliably linked to this item.
- 08
The council adopted a military-leave benefits resolution and advanced a related ordinance expanding partially paid leave for employees called to active duty.
▶2:36:01Explore this issue
Related agenda item 24Open agenda item →Ordinance to Extend Paid Military Leave Benefit
No named councilmember contribution could be reliably linked to this item.
- 09
The council approved the Garden Court Apartments bond-financing resolution.
▶3:09:39Explore this issue
Related agenda item 30Open agenda item →Public hearing: Tax Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act Hearing for Garden Court Apartments
What councilmembers said
Representative transcript excerpts—not inferred positions.
Jennifer L. HallCity Clerk3:09:39Motion by Council Member Becerra, seconded by Council Member Hernandez, to approve the recommended actions for item number 30, which is to conduct a Tax Equity and Financial Responsibility Act hearing for the issuance of tax-exempt bond financing from the…
Valerie AmezcuaMayor3:10:51Thank you. Item number 31 is a public hearing regarding the consolidated annual performance and evaluation report for fiscal year 2526. Do we need a staff presentation, counsel? Seeing none, are there any questions by counsel? I now open the public hearing for…
Johnathan Ryan HernandezCouncilmember3:09:30I'll make a motion to move the item, Madam Mayor.
David PenalozaMayor Pro Tem3:10:16Mayor Patel- Yes.
- 10
Proposed ordinances on reporting the transport of people without a fixed nighttime residence and regulating e-bikes and similar devices were removed from the agenda and not heard.
▶1:38:50Explore this issue
Related agenda item 25Open agenda item →Adopt an Ordinance Amending Chapter 10 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code to Add Article XV to Establish Reporting of Transport of…
No named councilmember contribution could be reliably linked to this item.
- 11
Public commenters urged stronger environmental-justice protections and more community input in the zoning update.
▶2:14:29Explore this issue
Related agenda item 1Open agenda item →Certificates of Recognition presented by Councilmember Phan and Councilmember Vazquez to Sabil USA for Outstanding Contributions to…
What councilmembers said
Representative transcript excerpts—not inferred positions.
Thai Viet PhanCouncilmember1:43:57They immigrated to the United States and came to learn firsthand the challenges of building a new life in an unfamiliar country in New York City, right? And they took inspiration from the Chinese-American community. the Italian American community, the Jewish…
Jennifer L. HallCity Clerk1:50:11resolution number 2026-024, speakers are requested to address the City Council directly and to refrain from profane language, racial epitaphs, and libelous or slanderous statements that disturb the decorum of the meeting. Pursuant to the Brown Act the City…
Benjamin VazquezCouncilmember1:41:22case management, medical financial assistance, and educational and skill building opportunities. SABILES USA's approach too, especially meaningful because its services are provided with dignity, compassion, and respect, recognizing that every individual and…
Jessie LopezCouncilmember1:42:42Thank you for enriching Santa Ana's cultural landscape and reminding us that preserving our heritage strengthens our entire community. On behalf of the Santa Ana City Council and our entire community, we thank you for your work. We thank your team for your…
- 12
Washington Square residents asked the city to keep moving their neighborhood park project forward.
▶2:05:35Explore this issue
Related agenda item 13Open agenda item →Award of a Construction Contract to Legion Contractors, Inc. for the Memory Lane and Flower Street Improvements Project (No.…
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
Members agreed to pause the 1200 Main financing hearing but differed over the length of the delay, balancing labor concerns against the financing deadline; the final continuance to October 20 was unanimous.
Initially sought 60 days to address the labor allegations, then accepted the October 20 return date.
Requested the shorter continuance after hearing that 60 days could threaten the financing timeline.
Proposed a delay to allow the applicant and union to work together, then accepted the shorter return date.
Members differed over a separate data-center moratorium versus handling restrictions in the zoning-code update; no moratorium was adopted and there was no recorded roll-call vote on the request.
Said she could not support the item at that time and favored the forthcoming zoning discussion.
Preferred defined standards and possible permit conditions through the zoning update over a separate moratorium or broad ban.
Argued a separate moratorium was unnecessary given no pending applications and the planned zoning-code update.
Supported a moratorium as a precaution while the zoning update proceeds.
Requested public discussion and clearer information on data centers, their resource use and the implications of future zoning rules.
Supported bringing the item back.
Supported considering stronger restrictions, potentially a ban, within the zoning-code update.
Agenda
Every item
33 items in agenda order
Closed Session Items
Not located POTENTIAL INITIATION OF LITIGATION pursuant to Paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9: One (1) Case –…
- The city attorney reported authorization to file a lawsuit against Caribou Industries and Partners Capital Solutions concerning the development agreement for 201 West Third Street.1:49:26
- She reported a six-to-zero vote with Councilmember Phan abstaining.1:49:35
- Phan had disclosed that the property owner was a client of her employer.44:37
- Before closed session, building-trades representatives urged the city to give the developer more time, citing local construction jobs.45:44
Ceremonial Presentations
▶1:39:32 Certificates of Recognition presented by Councilmember Phan and Councilmember Vazquez to Sabil USA for Outstanding Contributions to…
- Councilmembers recognized Sabil USA for providing food assistance, mental-health services and other support for immigrants, refugees and low-income families.1:40:26
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:24 Excused Absences
- The routine excused-absence item was approved with the consent calendar.2:32:43
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:26 Minutes from the Regular Meeting of August 4, 2026
- The minutes of the August 4 council meeting were approved with the consent calendar.2:32:43
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:26 Minutes from the Regular Meetings of the Arts and Culture Commission on January 15, 2026, February 19, 2026, March 19, 2026, April…
- Minutes from the listed city boards, commissions and committees were received and filed with the consent calendar.2:32:43
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:26 Boards and Commission Biannual Attendance Report for January Through June 2026
- The January-through-June 2026 boards and commissions attendance report was received and filed.2:32:43
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:26 2026 Local Agency Biennial Notice Regarding Conflict of Interest Code
- The biennial notice that the city conflict-of-interest code is under review was received and filed.2:32:43
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:26 Receive and File Quarterly Report of Investments as of June 30, 2026
- The quarterly investment report through June 30, 2026 was received and filed.2:32:43
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:26 Receive and File the Orange County Grand Jury's Investigative Report Titled “PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange…
- The council approved the city response to the grand jury report on PFAS and drinking-water public awareness and authorized its submission.2:32:43
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:26 Appropriation Adjustment for Spendable Fund Balance from California State Library Building Forward Grant Interest Revenues for Main…
- The council appropriated $297,104 in library-grant interest revenues for construction expenses at Main and Newhope libraries.2:32:43
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:26 Approve the Park Host Agreement, Volunteer Acknowledgement, Indemnity Agreement, and Release of Liability for Thornton Park Host
- The Thornton Park host agreement and related volunteer agreements with Katie Rivero were approved.2:32:43
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:26 Second Amendment to Agreement with California Forensic Medical Group, Inc. and Wellpath (General Fund)
- The council extended the jail health-care agreement with California Forensic Medical Group and Wellpath through September 30, 2027, at an annual amount of $3,664,243.2:32:43
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:26 Agreement and Appropriation Adjustment Accepting $768,000 from the State of California, Department of California Highway Patrol…
- The council accepted a $768,000 California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund grant for impaired-driving education, prevention and enforcement.2:32:43
Consent Calendar
▶1:50:33 Award of a Construction Contract to Legion Contractors, Inc. for the Memory Lane and Flower Street Improvements Project (No.…
- The council awarded a $4,806,808 construction contract to Legion Contractors for Memory Lane and Flower Street improvements and approved the associated project funding.2:32:43
Consent Calendar
▶2:32:06 First Amendment to the Agreement with AAA Oil, Inc. for Fuel Delivery and Supply Services (Non-General Fund)
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:26 Cooperative Agreement with the Cities of Costa Mesa and Newport Beach for the Bristol Street Corridor Regional Traffic Signal…
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:26 Agreement with KTU&A for Safe Routes to Parks and Wheelchair Assessment Plan (Project No. 26-6100) (Specification No. 26-028A)…
- An $813,854 agreement with KTU&A for a Safe Routes to Parks and Wheelchair Assessment Plan was approved.2:32:43
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:26 Agreement with Gensler, Inc. for Architectural Design Services for the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center (SARTC) Bike Center…
- The council appropriated $2,625,000 in transit grant funding for the regional transportation center bike-center project and approved architectural design services with Gensler for up to $107,600.2:32:43
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:26 Ground License Agreement for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities at Two Existing Cell Tower Sites at Madison Park and Riverview…
- Ground-license agreements for existing telecommunications sites at Madison Park and Riverview Park were approved for initial ten-year terms with extension options.2:32:43
Consent Calendar
▶2:33:32 Agreement with A’s Construction to Provide Restroom and Concession Building Design-Build Services at Cabrillo Park (Project No.…
- The council approved an agreement of up to $650,000 with A’s Construction for the Cabrillo Park restroom and concession-building project.2:34:57
- Councilmember Lopez secured an amendment adding a request for proposals for a local artist to address the blank wall, with discussion also welcoming youth participation.2:33:56
- The amended item passed seven to zero in the recorded roll call, pending approved minutes.2:35:29
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:26 Resolution to Accept Grant from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for Water System Cybersecurity Upgrades and…
- The council accepted a $250,000 state grant for water-system cybersecurity upgrades.2:32:43
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:26 Density Bonus Agreement No. 2026-01 – Think Together Mixed-Use Development (2101 East Fourth Street)
- The Think Together density-bonus agreement was approved for 274 homes, including 14 restricted to extremely low-income households for a 55-year covenant term, and ground-floor commercial space at 2101 East Fourth Street.2:32:43
- Councilmember Phan recused herself because Think Together was a client of her employer.2:32:06
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:26 Authorize the Planning Division to Prepare and Provide the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) for Orange County and the State of…
- The council authorized notice of its potential future override of the Airport Land Use Commission finding on the zoning update; this was a notice step, not the final override.2:32:43
Consent Calendar
▶2:31:26 Final adoption: Ordinance No. NS-3098 Ordinance Amendment No. 2026-01 to Amend Chapter 30 (Places of Historical and Architectural…
- The council adopted the historic-preservation ordinance on second reading, addressing modifications to historic properties, demolition by neglect, transfer disclosures and administrative changes.2:32:43
Business Calendar
▶2:35:41 Ordinance to Extend Paid Military Leave Benefit
- The council adopted a resolution continuing partially paid temporary military leave and benefits, and introduced a related ordinance expanding paid leave for employees called to active duty.2:36:01
- The recorded vote was seven to zero, with the ordinance due back for second reading at the next meeting.2:36:46
Business Calendar
▶2:36:51 Adopt an Ordinance Amending Chapter 10 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code to Add Article XV to Establish Reporting of Transport of…
- The proposed reporting ordinance for transporting people without a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence was removed at the city manager’s request and was not heard.1:38:50
Business Calendar
▶2:37:00 Ordinance Amending Section 9-16 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code to Prohibit All City of Santa Ana Employees from Outside Employment…
- The council introduced an ordinance prohibiting city employees from holding secondary employment involving civil immigration enforcement, including work with or on behalf of ICE.2:37:11
- The recorded vote was seven to zero; the ordinance was scheduled to return for second reading at the next meeting.2:37:41
Business Calendar
▶2:37:45 Ordinance Amending Chapter 36 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code to Add Regulations Regarding the Operation of Electric Bicycles…
- The proposed e-bike, motorized-board, low-speed-vehicle and scooter regulations were removed at the city manager’s request and were not heard.1:38:50
Business Calendar
▶2:37:53 Ordinance Amendment No. 2026-03 Amending Article II.II of Chapter 2 (Administration) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code Related to…
- The council advanced development-related community-meeting notice requirements with an amendment for a minimum 11-by-17-inch yellow notice board and prominent heading text.2:42:31
- The discussion called for English, Spanish and Vietnamese notices, with Councilmember Lopez asking that Khmer also be included.2:38:44
- The clerk’s final motion included Spanish, Vietnamese and Khmer, and the amended ordinance passed first reading seven to zero with a second reading to follow.2:42:31
Public Hearings Public Comments
▶2:43:35 Public hearing: Tax Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act Hearing for 1200 Main Apartments
- The council continued the hearing on up to $50 million in tax-exempt bond financing for 1200 North Main Apartments to October 20, rather than approving the financing.3:07:41
- The applicant described converting the vacant office building into 190 affordable apartments with rents restricted to an average of 60 percent of area median income for 55 years.2:47:47
- A carpenters union representative raised allegations about labor practices on other Jamison projects and asked the council to require stronger worker protections.2:45:17
- The applicant said those allegations were under review, that no evidence of violations had been found to date, and that further meetings with the union were planned.2:49:04
- Councilmember Phan sought a shorter delay after the bond issuer warned that a 60-day continuance would put financing close to a state deadline.3:02:03
- The final recorded vote to continue to October 20 was seven to zero, pending approved minutes.3:08:08
Public Hearings Public Comments
▶3:08:24 Public hearing: Tax Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act Hearing for Garden Court Apartments
- The council approved the resolution allowing up to $45 million in tax-exempt bond financing through the California Municipal Finance Authority for Garden Court Apartments.3:09:39
- No public speakers or e-comments were reported for the hearing.3:09:16
- The recorded vote was seven to zero, pending approved minutes.3:10:19
Public Hearings Public Comments
▶3:11:24 Public hearing: Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for Fiscal Year 2025-26
Councilmember Requested Items
▶3:12:03 Discuss and Consider Directing the City Manager to Direct Staff as Follows: (1) Evaluate the Need for and Prepare a Temporary…
- Councilmember Lopez requested a discussion of a temporary data-center moratorium and information about existing facilities, pending applications and future regulations.3:12:16
- Staff reported three existing facilities, all below 100,000 square feet.3:17:23
- The discussion confirmed there were no applications for new data centers.3:18:40
- Councilmembers Hernandez and Vazquez supported bringing the item back, while Bacerra and Phan favored addressing the issue through the upcoming zoning-code update.3:24:54
- Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza said he wanted to consider stronger restrictions, potentially a ban, as part of the zoning-code discussion.3:25:31
- The city attorney said adopting a moratorium would require six of seven votes; the mayor then closed the discussion without a roll-call vote or adoption of a moratorium.3:35:00
- Staff anticipated bringing the zoning-code update in October, with October 6 identified as the intended date subject to preparatory meetings.3:22:58
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