Benjamin VazquezVoted no
5:13:17Said policies written to avoid lawsuits make the legal minimum the standard.
20October
2026
2026
Regular City Council & Special Housing Authority Meeting · One key issue
The council renewed the police department's three-year, $175,908 Lexipol policy manual contract four votes to three, after rejecting Councilmember Hernandez's motion to end it and write police policy in-house.
▶ Check this moment · 5:39:08
10.1 hours
37 agenda items
36 located in video
53% attributed to a named speaker
Public meeting recording10.1 hoursOpen on YouTube ↗
Public recording
Watch the meeting
Choose any timestamp in the meeting record to play that moment here. When opened directly from disk, timestamps open on YouTube instead.
Open the full recording on YouTubeBrief
What happened
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- 01
The Lexipol debate ended in a heated personal exchange between Mayor Amezcua and Councilmember Hernandez before Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza called for the vote.
▶5:35:04Explore this issue
Related agenda item 20Open agenda item →Agreement with Lexipol, LLC to Provide Policy Manual Maintenance and Support to the Police Department (Specification No. 27-022)…
Member positions
Jessie LopezVoted no5:15:55Said the work should be brought in-house, while acknowledging it would take time and resources.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no5:04:41Said Lexipol's policies increase the city's liability and moved to write police policy in-house with the community.
Valerie AmezcuaVoted yes5:21:42Described the contract as training support and said the Police Oversight Commission exists to review policies.
Thai Viet PhanVoted yes5:09:50Said the city already reviews and changes Lexipol's templates, and asked what removing the company would achieve.
Phil BacerraVoted yes5:38:28Voted against ending the contract and for renewing it.
David PenalozaVoted yes4:56:56Moved approval of the contract.
- 02
The mayor apologised for the exchange at the close of the meeting.
▶10:03:23Explore this issue
Related agenda item 20Open agenda item →Agreement with Lexipol, LLC to Provide Policy Manual Maintenance and Support to the Police Department (Specification No. 27-022)…
Member positions
Benjamin VazquezVoted no5:13:17Said policies written to avoid lawsuits make the legal minimum the standard.
Jessie LopezVoted no5:15:55Said the work should be brought in-house, while acknowledging it would take time and resources.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no5:04:41Said Lexipol's policies increase the city's liability and moved to write police policy in-house with the community.
Valerie AmezcuaVoted yes5:21:42Described the contract as training support and said the Police Oversight Commission exists to review policies.
Thai Viet PhanVoted yes5:09:50Said the city already reviews and changes Lexipol's templates, and asked what removing the company would achieve.
Phil BacerraVoted yes5:38:28Voted against ending the contract and for renewing it.
David PenalozaVoted yes4:56:56Moved approval of the contract.
- 03
At Councilmember Lopez's request, the council directed staff to report back on the Flock and Motorola licence-plate reader contracts, including the options and costs of ending them, but members split over whether the report should lead to cancellation.
▶8:40:02Explore this issue
Related agenda item 28Open agenda item →Discuss and Consider Directing the City Manager to Direct Staff as Follows: (1) Report Back to the City Council Within 30 Days on…
Member positions
Valerie AmezcuaRaised concerns8:09:07Preferred sending the contracts to the Police Oversight Commission first and stressed the cameras' use in solving crimes.
Thai Viet PhanRaised concerns8:28:13Wanted the report and statistics but was not ready to cancel, and opposed banning cameras on private property.
Phil BacerraRaised concerns8:18:06Wanted the data and every option, including amending the contract or changing vendor, rather than a predetermined termination.
Benjamin VazquezSupported8:36:06Said data shared with federal agencies can reach ICE and called for cancelling Flock.
Jessie LopezSupported7:58:45Asked colleagues to end the contracts after reports of more than 27,000 outside searches.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezSupported8:15:01Called the technology mass surveillance of people who are not criminals and backed getting rid of Flock.
David PenalozaSupported8:05:37Said the city should cancel if data was shared with federal agencies.
- 04
It also directed staff to prepare Councilmember Vazquez's resolution asking the state housing department to investigate alleged harassment of residents at the Coach Royal mobile home park.
▶9:12:23Explore this issue
Related agenda item 29Open agenda item →Discuss and Consider Providing Direction to the City Manager to Prepare a Resolution for City Council Consideration Supporting…
Member positions
Phil BacerraRaised concerns8:51:28Called a resolution performative and suggested a letter to the state signed by all seven members.
Benjamin VazquezSupported8:43:11Brought the request asking the state to investigate alleged harassment at Coach Royal.
Jessie LopezSupported9:11:34Said the request was not performative but one of many steps needed.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezSupported8:52:13Supported the request and said residents were pressured into settlements they did not understand.
- 05
An ordinance regulating bicycles and e-bikes and two water ordinances were introduced on first reading, each seven votes to nothing.
▶6:01:34Explore this issue
Related agenda item 24Open agenda item →Ordinance Amending Sections 36-7 and 36-41 of Chapter 36 (Traffic) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code and Adding Division 3 to Article…
What councilmembers said
Representative transcript excerpts—not inferred positions.
Jennifer L. HallCity Clerk6:00:51Yes, motioned by Council Member Vasquez, seconded by Mayor Mesquia, to introduce for first reading an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Santa Ana, amending Chapter 36 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code, specifically Section 36-7 regarding bicycles and…
Valerie AmezcuaMayor5:52:39We have council member requested items. Do you guys have, I'm sorry? They're ready for the presentation. All right, let's do it. Thank you.
David PenalozaMayor Pro Tem6:00:43I don't have any. I just thank you for presenting that.
Phil BacerraCouncilmember6:01:22Yes.
- 06
The council approved a 61-unit housing project at First Street and Mountain View Street and a general plan change for the planned 10th and Flower Street park.
▶5:49:20Explore this issue
Related agenda item 25Open agenda item →General Plan Amendment No. 2026-01, Amendment Application No. 2026-03, Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 2025-04, and Density Bonus…
What councilmembers said
Representative transcript excerpts—not inferred positions.
Jennifer L. HallCity Clerk5:48:13adopting a resolution of the city council of the city of Santa Ana approving general plan amendment number 2026-01 amending the land use designation in the land use element from general commercial and low medium density residential to urban neighborhood low…
Valerie AmezcuaMayor5:45:25Okay, so that's the end of the business calendar. We're going to go to the public hearing. So before the public hearing item number 25, Madam Clerk, please provide instructions to the public who would like to make a comment on this public hearing item only.
Thai Viet PhanCouncilmember5:45:58Mayor, I also have to announce my recusal for this item as Stormbird is a member of Storm Properties, Inc. and is a client of my employer, Rattan and Tucker. Thank you. Thank you.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezCouncilmember5:47:50to move the item madam seconded councilman Hernandez
- 07
At a study session on the first comprehensive zoning code update since 1968, Councilmember Lopez opposed the proposed residential-industrial interface zone as drafted and members differed over banning data centres.
▶6:03:03Explore this issue
Related agenda item 30Open agenda item →Comprehensive Zoning Code Update Study Session (Continued from the Regular City Council Meeting of October 6, 2026, Item No. 32)
Member positions
Jessie LopezOpposed6:59:55Not ready to support the interface zone, citing businesses that feared it could close them.
Thai Viet PhanRaised concerns7:22:26Opposed an outright data centre ban that would cover small server rooms.
David PenalozaRaised concerns7:42:11Supported the data centre ban but said residents are largely unaware of the update and was not ready to vote.
Phil BacerraSupported6:45:32Supported the interface zone's intent, renamed as a light industrial zone, and was content to keep large data centres out.
- 08
When the meeting reached 11 o'clock, the council voted six to one, with Councilmember Hernandez opposed, to finish the whole agenda that night.
▶7:39:25Explore this issue
Related agenda item 30Open agenda item →Comprehensive Zoning Code Update Study Session (Continued from the Regular City Council Meeting of October 6, 2026, Item No. 32)
Member positions
Jessie LopezOpposed6:59:55Not ready to support the interface zone, citing businesses that feared it could close them.
Thai Viet PhanRaised concerns7:22:26Opposed an outright data centre ban that would cover small server rooms.
David PenalozaRaised concerns7:42:11Supported the data centre ban but said residents are largely unaware of the update and was not ready to vote.
Phil BacerraSupported6:45:32Supported the interface zone's intent, renamed as a light industrial zone, and was content to keep large data centres out.
- 09
Public comment ran for nearly two hours with at least 35 speakers.
▶3:04:18Explore this issue
Related agenda item 28Open agenda item →Discuss and Consider Directing the City Manager to Direct Staff as Follows: (1) Report Back to the City Council Within 30 Days on…
Member positions
Valerie AmezcuaRaised concerns8:09:07Preferred sending the contracts to the Police Oversight Commission first and stressed the cameras' use in solving crimes.
Thai Viet PhanRaised concerns8:28:13Wanted the report and statistics but was not ready to cancel, and opposed banning cameras on private property.
Phil BacerraRaised concerns8:18:06Wanted the data and every option, including amending the contract or changing vendor, rather than a predetermined termination.
Benjamin VazquezSupported8:36:06Said data shared with federal agencies can reach ICE and called for cancelling Flock.
Jessie LopezSupported7:58:45Asked colleagues to end the contracts after reports of more than 27,000 outside searches.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezSupported8:15:01Called the technology mass surveillance of people who are not criminals and backed getting rid of Flock.
David PenalozaSupported8:05:37Said the city should cancel if data was shared with federal agencies.
- 10
Many demanded that charges be dropped against two legal observers arrested by Santa Ana police on 14 October while following federal immigration agents, and that the officers in the 1 October arrest of Florentino Lopez be fired.
▶3:48:45Explore this issue
Related agenda item 20Open agenda item →Agreement with Lexipol, LLC to Provide Policy Manual Maintenance and Support to the Police Department (Specification No. 27-022)…
Member positions
Benjamin VazquezVoted no5:13:17Said policies written to avoid lawsuits make the legal minimum the standard.
Jessie LopezVoted no5:15:55Said the work should be brought in-house, while acknowledging it would take time and resources.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezVoted no5:04:41Said Lexipol's policies increase the city's liability and moved to write police policy in-house with the community.
Valerie AmezcuaVoted yes5:21:42Described the contract as training support and said the Police Oversight Commission exists to review policies.
Thai Viet PhanVoted yes5:09:50Said the city already reviews and changes Lexipol's templates, and asked what removing the company would achieve.
Phil BacerraVoted yes5:38:28Voted against ending the contract and for renewing it.
David PenalozaVoted yes4:56:56Moved approval of the contract.
- 11
Others urged the council to end the licence-plate reader contracts, support the Coach Royal residents and give Cornerstone Village stronger environmental protection in the zoning code.
▶4:05:22Explore this issue
Related agenda item 30Open agenda item →Comprehensive Zoning Code Update Study Session (Continued from the Regular City Council Meeting of October 6, 2026, Item No. 32)
Member positions
Jessie LopezOpposed6:59:55Not ready to support the interface zone, citing businesses that feared it could close them.
Thai Viet PhanRaised concerns7:22:26Opposed an outright data centre ban that would cover small server rooms.
David PenalozaRaised concerns7:42:11Supported the data centre ban but said residents are largely unaware of the update and was not ready to vote.
Phil BacerraSupported6:45:32Supported the interface zone's intent, renamed as a light industrial zone, and was content to keep large data centres out.
- 12
Several speakers criticised Mayor Amezcua, Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza and Councilmembers Bacerra and Phan by name over policing, some accusing them of being funded by the police officers' association.
▶4:30:30Explore this issue
Related agenda item 29Open agenda item →Discuss and Consider Providing Direction to the City Manager to Prepare a Resolution for City Council Consideration Supporting…
Member positions
Phil BacerraRaised concerns8:51:28Called a resolution performative and suggested a letter to the state signed by all seven members.
Benjamin VazquezSupported8:43:11Brought the request asking the state to investigate alleged harassment at Coach Royal.
Jessie LopezSupported9:11:34Said the request was not performative but one of many steps needed.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezSupported8:52:13Supported the request and said residents were pressured into settlements they did not understand.
- 13
In closing comments, Councilmembers Vazquez, Lopez, Phan and Hernandez and Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza criticised the police department's arrest of the two observers.
▶9:14:33Explore this issue
Related agenda item 28Open agenda item →Discuss and Consider Directing the City Manager to Direct Staff as Follows: (1) Report Back to the City Council Within 30 Days on…
Member positions
Valerie AmezcuaRaised concerns8:09:07Preferred sending the contracts to the Police Oversight Commission first and stressed the cameras' use in solving crimes.
Thai Viet PhanRaised concerns8:28:13Wanted the report and statistics but was not ready to cancel, and opposed banning cameras on private property.
Phil BacerraRaised concerns8:18:06Wanted the data and every option, including amending the contract or changing vendor, rather than a predetermined termination.
Benjamin VazquezSupported8:36:06Said data shared with federal agencies can reach ICE and called for cancelling Flock.
Jessie LopezSupported7:58:45Asked colleagues to end the contracts after reports of more than 27,000 outside searches.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezSupported8:15:01Called the technology mass surveillance of people who are not criminals and backed getting rid of Flock.
David PenalozaSupported8:05:37Said the city should cancel if data was shared with federal agencies.
- 14
Councilmember Bacerra and Mayor Amezcua said no member of the council condones ICE's actions in the city.
▶9:44:38Explore this issue
Related agenda item 28Open agenda item →Discuss and Consider Directing the City Manager to Direct Staff as Follows: (1) Report Back to the City Council Within 30 Days on…
Member positions
Valerie AmezcuaRaised concerns8:09:07Preferred sending the contracts to the Police Oversight Commission first and stressed the cameras' use in solving crimes.
Thai Viet PhanRaised concerns8:28:13Wanted the report and statistics but was not ready to cancel, and opposed banning cameras on private property.
Phil BacerraRaised concerns8:18:06Wanted the data and every option, including amending the contract or changing vendor, rather than a predetermined termination.
Benjamin VazquezSupported8:36:06Said data shared with federal agencies can reach ICE and called for cancelling Flock.
Jessie LopezSupported7:58:45Asked colleagues to end the contracts after reports of more than 27,000 outside searches.
Johnathan Ryan HernandezSupported8:15:01Called the technology mass surveillance of people who are not criminals and backed getting rid of Flock.
David PenalozaSupported8:05:37Said the city should cancel if data was shared with federal agencies.
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 three on renewing the Lexipol contract, over whether outsourced policy templates serve the police department and the public.
What happened and why
- Lexipol is a private company that sells police departments a template policy manual and updates it as laws and court rulings change.▶4:57:55
- Hernandez argued it is built to limit lawsuits rather than protect residents, pointing to $24.5 million in police misconduct lawsuits against the city between 2010 and 2020.▶4:57:45
- Hernandez moved instead to end the contract and bring police policy-writing in-house.▶5:38:07
- Under questioning from Phan, the city attorney said the city does not adopt Lexipol policies wholesale, and that faulty policies had not been the source of the city's liability.▶5:08:39
- The police chief said the department has modified about half of the policies Lexipol supplies, some with the Police Oversight Commission's input.▶5:09:23
- Doing the work in-house would need at least one full-time lawyer, the city attorney said.▶5:07:59
- Vazquez answered that when policy is written to avoid lawsuits, the legal minimum becomes the standard, and likened starting from Lexipol to teaching history from a Texas textbook.▶5:13:17
- Lopez recalled having to push the department to change a Lexipol-based policy on U visas, and voted against renewal while acknowledging an in-house team would take time and money.▶5:14:44
- The mayor argued that bringing the work in-house would roughly triple the cost, and that the oversight commission already exists to review policy.▶5:19:16
- The mayor went on to say that moves like this are where calls to abolish the police begin.▶5:20:42
- The debate ended in a personal exchange after the mayor said Hernandez only wanted to beat up the police, and the mayor pro tem cut it off by calling the vote.▶5:35:04
- Hernandez's motion to end the contract failed three to four, and the renewal then passed four to three.▶5:38:26
- At the end of the meeting the mayor apologised to the community for the exchange, saying the mayor is expected to be respectful.▶10:03:38
Said policies written to avoid lawsuits make the legal minimum the standard.
Said the work should be brought in-house, while acknowledging it would take time and resources.
Said Lexipol's policies increase the city's liability and moved to write police policy in-house with the community.
Described the contract as training support and said the Police Oversight Commission exists to review policies.
Said the city already reviews and changes Lexipol's templates, and asked what removing the company would achieve.
Voted against ending the contract and for renewing it.
Moved approval of the contract.
Members differed over the proposed residential-industrial interface zone and over banning data centres.
What happened and why
- The zoning code has not been comprehensively updated in decades, and this was a study session, so no vote was taken.▶7:39:53
- The sharpest disagreement was over the proposed buffer zone between homes and industry, which would limit the hours of nearby businesses.▶7:00:41
- Lopez said those limits would put a 24-hour produce distributor out of business, and declined to help move the code forward until it was reworked.▶7:11:12
- Bacerra favoured recasting the buffer as permanent light industrial zones, saying an overlay gives businesses no certainty.▶6:45:20
- Bacerra also said there is no realistic prospect of a large data centre in Santa Ana.▶6:49:27
- Phan opposed an outright ban on data centres, which could also cover small server rooms, and would prefer to upzone all single-family neighbourhoods.▶7:22:26
- Hernandez praised staff's outreach and asked them to keep meeting the Cornerstone, Delhi and Madison neighbourhoods, which bear the most pollution.▶7:28:16
- Penaloza supported banning large data centres but said most residents still do not know about the update, and did not want to close businesses that bring in revenue.▶7:48:31
- Lopez also questioned a proposed rule on motels collecting guests' identification, asking whether it would be shared with the federal government.▶7:29:42
Not ready to support the interface zone, citing businesses that feared it could close them.
Opposed an outright data centre ban that would cover small server rooms.
Supported the data centre ban but said residents are largely unaware of the update and was not ready to vote.
Supported the interface zone's intent, renamed as a light industrial zone, and was content to keep large data centres out.
Members differed over whether the licence-plate reader report should lead to ending the contracts or to weighing all options first.
What happened and why
- Lopez's request asked staff to report within 30 days on the Flock and Motorola licence-plate reader contracts, including the options and costs of ending them.▶8:39:30
- Lopez recalled warning in May 2025 that the cameras could be used to target immigrant families, and cited reports of more than 27,000 searches of the city's data in six months.▶7:57:38
- The police chief said Santa Ana shares its data only with state agencies, and that one state agency had passed searches on to federal agencies as a proxy.▶8:08:08
- The chief said the city had since turned off sharing with that agency.▶8:07:53
- The city attorney acknowledged that this kind of onward sharing had not been considered when the contracts were approved.▶8:14:23
- Hernandez and Vazquez called the system mass surveillance, Vazquez noting that federal agencies share data with one another and with ICE.▶8:34:21
- Penaloza, who had supported the contracts, said the city should consider cancelling if the data was being shared with federal agencies.▶8:07:07
- Bacerra said the city is not stuck with any contract, but wanted the data and every option first, and questioned how many officers can search the system.▶8:16:55
- Phan wanted the promised statistics on how the cameras are used in Santa Ana before deciding, and the mayor wanted the Police Oversight Commission to review the contracts first.▶8:09:07
- The mayor also stressed the cameras' value in solving the city's eight or nine gang homicides this year.▶8:33:27
- At the end, Phan and the mayor said they had understood the request as a report, not a step towards cancelling, and staff were directed to bring the report back.▶8:39:42
Preferred sending the contracts to the Police Oversight Commission first and stressed the cameras' use in solving crimes.
Wanted the report and statistics but was not ready to cancel, and opposed banning cameras on private property.
Wanted the data and every option, including amending the contract or changing vendor, rather than a predetermined termination.
Said data shared with federal agencies can reach ICE and called for cancelling Flock.
Asked colleagues to end the contracts after reports of more than 27,000 outside searches.
Called the technology mass surveillance of people who are not criminals and backed getting rid of Flock.
Said the city should cancel if data was shared with federal agencies.
Councilmember Bacerra called the proposed mobile home resolution performative, while other members backed it as a step towards state action.
What happened and why
- Vazquez asked for a resolution urging the state housing department (HCD) to investigate alleged harassment and retaliation against residents of the Coach Royal mobile home park.▶8:43:22
- The city attorney explained the city's limits: HCD regulates the park, while the city's reach is code enforcement and its rent stabilisation ordinance.▶8:49:20
- Under that ordinance, an independent hearing officer had not upheld the residents' 17 petitions, though the city attorney offered to arrange mediation with the company.▶8:46:00
- Bacerra said that so close to an election there is a difference between performative and true action, and that a resolution alone would not help residents.▶8:51:09
- Bacerra suggested a letter to HCD signed by all seven members instead.▶8:51:28
- Hernandez backed the request, saying the mostly Spanish-speaking residents were being forced into settlement agreements in mediation.▶8:54:56
- Phan supported it, calling mobile home parks predatory, but noted the police had received no criminal harassment complaints about the park.▶9:01:35
- Lopez said the request was not performative, and questioned whether the city attorney's earlier remarks were undermining the residents' advocacy.▶9:11:34
- Staff were directed to bring the resolution back.▶9:12:23
Called a resolution performative and suggested a letter to the state signed by all seven members.
Brought the request asking the state to investigate alleged harassment at Coach Royal.
Said the request was not performative but one of many steps needed.
Supported the request and said residents were pressured into settlements they did not understand.
Agenda
Every item
37 items in agenda order
Closed Session Items
▶3:04:05 Closed-session conference with legal counsel
Closed Session Items
▶3:04:05 Closed-session conference with legal counsel
- The council met in closed session about possibly starting litigation over 201 West Third Street, and the city attorney reported no reportable action.3:04:13
Closed Session Items
▶3:04:05 Closed-session labor negotiations with city employee organizations
- The council met in closed session with its labour negotiator about the SEIU full-time employees' unit, and the city attorney reported no reportable action.3:04:13
Ceremonial Presentations
▶2:12:33 Certificates of Recognition presented by Mayor Amezcua recognizing Legado 7 for their Outstanding Cultural Contributions
Ceremonial Presentations
▶2:20:13 Proclamation presented by Councilmember Bacerra recognizing October as Filipino American History Month
- Councilmember Bacerra proclaimed October 2026 Filipino American History Month, joined by elected officials from Cerritos and Artesia.2:26:03
- Bacerra recounted labour organiser Larry Itliong's role in the 1965 Delano grape strike and a grandfather's work as a carpenter on Agbayani Village, the farm workers' retirement village.2:24:05
Ceremonial Presentations
▶2:32:38 Proclamation presented by Councilmember Lopez recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Ceremonial Presentations
▶2:41:00 Proclamation presented by Councilmember Phan to Santa Ana Police Department and Human Options recognizing October as Domestic…
Ceremonial Presentations
Not located Certificates of Recognition presented by Councilmember Hernandez to Jose Ortiz, Esteban Ginez Reyna, Bella Calderon, Andrew…
- These certificates were not presented at this meeting; the mayor introduced Councilmember Vazquez's recognition as the evening's final presentation.2:50:52
Ceremonial Presentations
▶2:50:52 Certificate of Recognition presented by Councilmember Vazquez to Dr. Socorro Sarmiento for her Contributions to Cultural…
- Councilmember Vazquez recognised anthropologist Dr Socorro Sarmiento Torres, a co-founder of El Centro Cultural de México, for decades of cultural preservation and community work.2:51:53
- Vazquez presented an artwork honouring Sarmiento Torres made by Valley High School students.2:51:38
- Sarmiento Torres invited residents to the Noche de Altares celebration on 7 November.3:00:55
Consent Calendar
▶4:55:01 Excused Absences
- A routine item excusing absent members, approved with the consent calendar seven votes to nothing.4:56:32
Consent Calendar
▶4:55:01 Minutes from the Regular Meeting of October 6, 2026
- The written record of the regular meeting of 6 October 2026, approved with the consent calendar.4:56:32
Consent Calendar
▶4:55:01 Reappoint Vivian Wilhelm Nominated by the Community Development Agency as the Senior Tenant Representative to the Community…
- Vivian Wilhelm was reappointed as the senior tenant representative on the Community Development Commission, for a term ending 20 October 2028, with the consent calendar.4:56:32
Consent Calendar
▶4:55:01 Certification of Approval by City Engineer of the Final Tract Map No. 2025-02, County Tract Map No. 19329 at 125 South Harbor…
Consent Calendar
▶4:55:01 Agreement with Kingdom Causes, Inc., dba City Net for Street Outreach, Engagement, and Substance Abuse Services for Unhoused…
- A one-year, $3,500,000 agreement with City Net for street outreach, engagement and substance abuse services for unhoused residents, with an optional second year bringing the total to $7,000,000, was approved with the consent calendar.4:56:32
Consent Calendar
▶4:55:01 Agreements with Harris & Associates, Inc., Keyser Marston Associates, Inc., and RSG, Inc. for on-call Affordable Housing Financial…
- Joint on-call agreements with Harris & Associates, Keyser Marston Associates and RSG for affordable housing financial advice, sharing up to $300,000 over three years, were approved with the consent calendar.4:56:32
Consent Calendar
▶4:55:01 Historic Property Preservation Agreements for the Properties Located at 1123 N. Lowell Street, 2339 N. Valencia Street, and 915 W.…
- Mills Act historic preservation agreements for homes at 1123 North Lowell Street, 2339 North Valencia Street and 915 West Riviera Drive were approved with the consent calendar.4:56:32
Consent Calendar
▶4:55:01 Award of an Agreement with End Result Services, LLC for Public Space Maintenance Services at the Santa Ana Civic Center and Santa…
- An agreement with End Result Services to maintain public spaces at the Civic Center and the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center, at an estimated $504,541 a year and up to $2,522,705 with four one-year extensions, was approved with the consent calendar.4:56:32
Consent Calendar
▶4:55:01 Agreements with Bellator Psychological and Consultants Corporation; Eric Gruver, Ph.D.; Nancy K. Bohl Inc. dba The Counseling Team…
- On-call agreements with five psychologists and firms for police psychological evaluations and counselling, sharing $75,000 a year and up to $225,000 over three years, were approved with the consent calendar.4:56:32
Consent Calendar
▶4:55:01 Adopt a Resolution for FY 2025 Homeland Security Grant Program Funding in the Amount of $8,147,580 (Non-General Fund - UASI)
- A resolution to apply for and accept an $8,147,580 federal Urban Area Security Initiative grant through the state Office of Emergency Services, including $835,000 for the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center, passed with the consent calendar six votes to one.4:56:32
- Councilmember Hernandez voted no.4:55:34
Consent Calendar
▶4:55:01 Density Bonus Agreement No. 2026-0005 – Aspen Woods (2030 E. Fourth Street)
- A density bonus agreement for Aspen Woods, a 40-unit townhouse development at 2030 East Fourth Street with four homes for moderate-income buyers, was approved with the consent calendar.4:56:32
Consent Calendar
▶4:55:01 Resolution Authorizing the Submittal for All CalRecycle Grants for a 5-Year Period
- A resolution authorising the city to apply for every CalRecycle grant it is eligible for over the next five years was adopted with the consent calendar.4:56:32
Consent Calendar
▶4:55:01 Adopt a Resolution Amending the City’s Classification and Compensation Plan
- A new Legal Records Specialist job classification was added to the city's classification and compensation plan with the consent calendar.4:56:32
Business Calendar
▶4:56:45 Agreement with Lexipol, LLC to Provide Policy Manual Maintenance and Support to the Police Department (Specification No. 27-022)…
- A three-year contract worth up to $175,908 with Lexipol to maintain and update the police department's policy manual passed four votes to three, with Councilmembers Hernandez, Lopez and Vazquez opposed.5:39:10
- A substitute motion by Hernandez, seconded by Vazquez, to end the contract and develop police policy in-house failed three votes to four.5:38:26
- Hernandez argued that Lexipol's policies increase cities' liability, citing a settlement that ended Spokane's contract with the company.4:59:41
- Vazquez said policies written to avoid lawsuits make the legal minimum the standard.5:13:17
- City Attorney Carvalho said the city reviews Lexipol's templates rather than adopting them wholesale, and that replacing the service would take at least one full-time lawyer.5:07:59
- The police chief said the department had modified roughly half of the policies it received from Lexipol.5:09:23
- Councilmember Lopez said the work should ultimately be brought in-house, while acknowledging that would take time and resources.5:15:55
- Mayor Amezcua asked staff to publish, within 30 days, a list of the policies the department has revised.5:11:10
- The debate ended in a heated exchange between Mayor Amezcua and Councilmember Hernandez before Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza called for the vote.5:35:04
- During public comment, the Community Service Organization's police accountability committee asked the council to reject the contract.4:29:29
Business Calendar
▶5:39:16 Density Bonus Agreement No. 2026-03 – Watermarke Sandpointe Mixed-Use Development (200 East Sandpointe Ave.) (Continued from the…
- A density bonus agreement for the 400-unit Watermarke Sandpointe mixed-use development at 200 East Sandpointe Avenue, with 20 units for extremely low-income households and 13,887 square feet of commercial space, passed four votes to one without discussion.5:40:45
- Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza voted no, Councilmember Phan recused because the developer is a client of Phan's employer, and Councilmember Bacerra was out of the room.5:40:45
Business Calendar
▶5:40:58 Adopt an Ordinance Establishing City Council Approval of Changes Affecting the City’s Drinking Water Quality Standards and…
- An ordinance requiring council approval of any change to the city's drinking water quality standards was introduced on first reading seven votes to nothing, without discussion.5:41:47
Business Calendar
▶5:41:51 Ordinance Updating Article II of the Santa Ana Municipal Code Relating to Cross Connection Regulations and Repealing and Reenacting…
- An ordinance updating the city's cross-connection rules and rewriting its water conservation and water shortage regulations to match state law was introduced on first reading seven votes to nothing.5:42:39
Business Calendar
▶5:52:38 Ordinance Amending Sections 36-7 and 36-41 of Chapter 36 (Traffic) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code and Adding Division 3 to Article…
- An ordinance regulating bicycles and electric bicycles was introduced on first reading seven votes to nothing.6:01:34
- Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza asked for the staff presentation because of how many residents had raised the issue.5:42:56
- Police Sergeant Travis Johnson said the ordinance caps bike speeds on sidewalks at 10 miles an hour, or five near schools and pedestrians, and bans riding on one wheel and carrying passengers on bikes not built for them.5:56:58
- Officers could hold a bike for safekeeping when a minor's riding creates an immediate danger, and impound class 3 e-bikes ridden by children under 16 for 48 hours, with a hearing process to contest it.5:58:12
Public Hearings Public Comments
▶5:45:25 General Plan Amendment No. 2026-01, Amendment Application No. 2026-03, Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 2025-04, and Density Bonus…
- A 61-unit condominium project at 4320 West First Street and 201 South Mountain View Street, with three units for very low-income households, was approved six votes to nothing.5:49:20
- The approvals include a general plan amendment, a rezoning to a new specific development zone introduced on first reading, a density bonus agreement and a tract map.5:47:57
- Councilmember Phan recused because the applicant's company is a client of Phan's employer.5:45:58
- No members of the public spoke, and the applicant, Storm Properties, thanked staff.5:46:57
Public Hearings Public Comments
▶5:49:24 General Plan Amendment No. 2024-01 – 10th and Flower Street Park (915, 921, and 925 N. Flower Street, 841, 842, 843, 848, and 852 N.…
- A general plan amendment redesignating land at 10th and Flower streets as open space for the planned 10th and Flower Street Park passed seven votes to nothing.5:52:24
- Councilmember Hernandez thanked Willard neighbourhood residents, who had sought a park for decades.5:50:21
- No one spoke at the hearing, and three written comments were received.5:51:04
Public Hearings Public Comments
▶5:52:27 Applicant Requests Removal of Item from Agenda – Public Hearing - Tax Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act Hearing for 1200 Main…
- The tax-exempt financing hearing for the 1200 Main Apartments was removed from the agenda at the applicant's request.5:52:27
Councilmember Requested Items
▶7:53:40 Discuss and Consider Directing the City Manager to Direct Staff as Follows: (1) Report Back to the City Council Within 30 Days on…
- The council directed staff to prepare Councilmember Lopez's requested report on the Flock and Motorola licence-plate reader contracts, covering the options and costs of ending them, the system's effectiveness and outside agencies' access to the data.8:40:02
- Lopez cited reporting that the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center ran more than 27,000 searches of the city's data in six months, and asked colleagues to end the contracts.7:57:34
- The police chief said the department shares data only with California agencies, that federal agencies reached it through another state agency, and that sharing with that agency has been switched off.8:07:53
- City Attorney Carvalho acknowledged that once the city lawfully shares data, it can lose control over what the receiving agency does with it.8:14:33
- Councilmembers Hernandez and Vazquez backed ending the contracts.8:16:05
- Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza said the city should cancel if data had been shared with federal agencies, and asked whether the city could also restrict cameras on private property.8:05:37
- Councilmember Bacerra wanted the data and all options, including amending the contract or changing vendor, rather than a report aimed at termination.8:18:06
- Mayor Amezcua and Councilmember Phan suggested the Police Oversight Commission review the contracts, and Phan was not ready to vote to cancel them.8:09:07
- Lopez said a majority favoured ending the contracts, but Phan and the mayor said the direction was only to bring back the report.8:39:09
- During public comment, at least eight speakers urged the council to end the contracts over privacy and outside searches, while one defended the cameras as a help to crime victims.3:24:33
Councilmember Requested Items
▶8:40:09 Discuss and Consider Providing Direction to the City Manager to Prepare a Resolution for City Council Consideration Supporting…
- The council directed staff to prepare Councilmember Vazquez's resolution supporting Coach Royal mobile home park residents and asking the state Department of Housing and Community Development to investigate alleged harassment and attempts to take residents' homes by the park's operator, Kingsley Management.8:43:11
- City Attorney Carvalho said the city has referred the matter to the state, which has jurisdiction over the park, and offered to arrange a mediation session.8:49:20
- Carvalho said a hearing officer had rejected 17 tenant petitions under the city's rent stabilisation ordinance.8:46:00
- In Carvalho's opinion, the park's new management is enforcing its rules in a heavy-handed but not necessarily illegal way.8:46:51
- Councilmember Bacerra called a resolution performative and suggested a letter to the state signed by all seven members instead.8:51:09
- Councilmembers Hernandez, Phan and Lopez and Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza supported the request, and Hernandez said residents described being pressured into settlements they did not understand.8:52:13
- At least six speakers, several of them Coach Royal residents, asked the council to support the resolution, describing photographs, towing threats and orders to remove fences and air conditioners.4:14:36
Work Study Session
▶6:01:44 Comprehensive Zoning Code Update Study Session (Continued from the Regular City Council Meeting of October 6, 2026, Item No. 32)
- The planning and building director presented the first comprehensive update of the zoning code since 1968, ahead of public hearings; no vote was taken.6:03:03
- The draft creates a residential-industrial interface zone, roughly 600 feet wide where homes border industry, with good-neighbour operating standards, and removes hazardous uses such as hazardous waste facilities from industrial zones.6:20:10
- Staff proposed 2.5 parking spaces per unit for new multifamily housing, and noted that state law lets developers near frequent transit build without parking.6:28:28
- The planning commission had recommended an outright ban on data centres.6:32:31
- Councilmember Phan opposed a ban that would cover small server rooms, while Councilmember Bacerra and Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza supported keeping large data centres out.7:22:26
- Councilmember Lopez opposed the interface zone as drafted, saying businesses near Chestnut Avenue feared it could put them out of business.6:59:55
- Lopez also questioned proposed rules requiring hotel and motel guests' identification and audio recording at check-in counters, and limits on home businesses.7:29:42
- Councilmember Phan said the city should allow multifamily housing in all single-family zones.7:21:52
- Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza said most residents still do not know about the update and urged door-to-door outreach.7:40:41
- Mayor Amezcua asked for wider notice to residents and for information on regulating fraternity houses in the Cottonwood area.6:55:01
- Councilmember Hernandez asked staff to keep meeting Cornerstone Village, Delhi and Madison Park residents, whose neighbourhoods have high levels of lead in the soil.7:28:10
- During public comment, Cornerstone Village residents and UC Irvine researchers said the draft fails to protect neighbourhoods next to industry, while a land use attorney and a business owner asked for changes to the rules on contractors' yards and the interface zone.3:15:51
Consent Calendar
▶9:12:42 Excused Absences
- Housing Authority: excusing absent members, approved seven votes to nothing with the authority's consent calendar.9:13:53
Consent Calendar
▶9:12:42 Minutes of Special Meeting of June 16, 2026
- Housing Authority: the minutes of the 16 June 2026 special meeting, approved with the authority's consent calendar.9:13:53
Consent Calendar
▶9:12:42 Agreement with Naviant, LLC for an Electronic Document Management System for the Housing Authority (Specification No. 25-152A)…
- Housing Authority: a three-year contract with Naviant worth up to $367,762 for an electronic document management system, approved with the authority's consent calendar.9:13:53
Consent Calendar
▶9:12:42 Agreements with Harris & Associates, Inc., Keyser Marston Associates, Inc., and RSG, Inc. for on-call Affordable Housing Financial…
- Housing Authority: the authority's share of the joint on-call affordable housing advisory agreements with Harris & Associates, Keyser Marston Associates and RSG, approved with the authority's consent calendar.9:13:53
Full transcript
Open transcript
Read or search the complete meeting
1,452 merged speaker turns are available in a dedicated reading view. It opens with unidentified speech hidden.