Read the December 13 meeting.

Good evening, everybody. If I could have your attention.

I'm going to call this special meeting of the Santa Ana City Council to order for December 13, 2022. I want to welcome you to the People's House here in Santa Ana and we are here together for a very special historic night. I want to recognize a few of our friends that are visiting us here. I believe Senator Tom Umberg is here that represents this district. Welcome Senator.

here.

Assemblymember Avellino Valencia who represents us as well. Congratulations and welcome.

I see school board member here from Santa Ana, John Palacios here as well.

And if I missed you, I apologize, but I do want to recognize our friend from the Orange County Labor Federation, Gloria Alvarado. Thank you, Gloria.

So tonight you're going to be witnessing something that is part of our heritage, part of our democracy, something that is very unique, not only to Santana, but our country, which is a transition, a peaceful transition of power. And it is important for us to recognize the symbolism of what we're about to witness. And I want to tell you that I'm so glad to see this house full of people that are family of electeds, friends, and residents who just want to be part of our democracy and part of our city. Thank you for always participating here. That's one of the things that I've always loved about our city is that we have people

who are very engaged and participate and feel that they're an important part of our community. So let me just begin by making a few opening remarks because we do have people that are joining us virtually and remotely. So this is something that I am, you know, since the pandemic has been a process that we've done, which is, I think for me, something of pride because we've been able to continue engaging with people that don't come here physically, but are able to join us from home and sometimes it's difficult for people for mobility problems, disability problems, just access.

And I think the more transparent we are, the more accessible we are, the better government that we can perform. So this meeting is taking place with in-person attendance and by teleconference via Zoom. The public can access the meeting via the San Antonio YouTube channel or the city's website. And as always, please bear with us as the technology may disrupt. the flow of the meeting. I'm going to call on the clerk staff to now call the role of this city council.

Councilmember Hernandez? Present. Councilmember Lopez? Yeah. Councilmember Mendoza? Present. Councilmember Peñalosa? Present. Councilmember Phan? Here. Mayor Pro Tem Becerra? Here. Mayor Sarmiento? Here.

Before we proceed to the presentation of the colors, I want to go ahead and have the clerk make a couple of opening remarks as well to those that are joining us virtually.

To request to speak only on items listed on the agenda, please dial star 9 from your phone or click the button labeled Raise Hand from Zoom Now. Please announce your name or ward or neighborhood you reside in within the city of Santa Ana for the record.

And now I'm going to call on the honor guard from the Santa Ana Police Department to do the presentation of the colors.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And now I'm going to call on Kayla Gonzalez, who's going to be leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Kayla, if you don't mind joining us up here, it is our privilege to have you here leading us.

So her name is Kaya. Kaya Gonzalez. Okay, baby.

Welcome, Kaya.

You ready? Yeah. Okay, everybody stand.

Everybody stand. Very loud.

You got it.

You got it. Ready? Begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic which stands, one nation, under God, and the visible and liberty and justice for all. Please be seated. Please be seated.

Thank you, Kay, you did great. Let me go ahead and now for the national anthem, invite Olivia Lankford to lead us in that.

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight?

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Now, if that doesn't set the tone for the night, I don't know what will. Let me bring up a dear friend of all of ours, and I'm glad to call him a friend as well. For our words of inspiration tonight, I want to call up Pastor Nati Alvarado.

Well, I have no notes. I just want to share from a Santa Ana boy. They love where his city is going. They believe in it. I want to acknowledge, first of all, the 36-year-old mama, Maria Mora. If we just acknowledge her and know that there's a family of children, young children, and will not have their mama. So there's a husband and a family. So let's be, please be mindful of them going forward as much as possible. I wanna thank our council for allowing me and our city manager, our mayor,

our incoming mayor, and our incoming council member. It's a good time that we're in, change is good for all of us. It's not easy. It's difficult. But it brings growth to the difficult times in our lives and we learn. Take a different perspective on certain issues at times. And it comes from trial and everything else. So what I want to say, though, in my heart, is that the word of God tells us two scriptures that I hold on to from my own family.

The first one is that a house divided will not stand. Great is its destruction. There's no foundation to it. So there's no prosperity in it. It's biblical that I believe. But then there is another scripture in Psalms that David writes how good and pleasant it is for brethren you dwell together in unity and he says it's at that place that god commands the blessing the commanded blessing in the place of unity and we're not going to get along

and i speak from a father i speak from an individual from this house this city we're not always going to get along i get it that's just the way it grows but we do got to be able to work together for the betterment of where we're going and not become cliques and groups and stuff like that that's something that's not real cool and it doesn't help any of us so i just pray and i hope and i i think i speak for a lot of our city that we want unity because they're in unity is we're going to be at our strongest and san anna is the seat of orange county let's continue to

make us shine. Let's pray. Father, I thank you for all that you've been unto us. You've kept us through difficult times. I lift up our council members. I lift up our city manager, our chief of police, our police officers. And I pray over our community, our families, and the loved ones, the children, and the streets, and the young teens. Father, we need your hand, and we need your wisdom. I pray wisdom on our incoming mayor. I pray wisdom over our council members to be able

to do all that we need to do this coming year, 2023. So I just pray a blessing over us in the name which is above every name unto me, Jesus. Thank you so much. Amen.

So we've now reached the section of our meeting for public comments. I do believe we have some members of the public that wish to address this that are here in person. If there's anybody that's online or on the phone, I'll go ahead and turn it over to the clerk so she can call on them. But let me begin by just saying that we will be receiving your public comments and pursuant to the Brown Act, The City Council may not enter into any discussion at this time. We will hear from members of the public that are here in person first and then turn it over for those that are joining us remotely.

You will have three minutes to speak. Please recite your name and you don't need to tell us your address. You can just tell us what ward you live in if you're here from Santa Ana. And I'll ask the clerk if we have anybody that wishes to address us on Zoom or on phone. We do not. We do? We don't. Okay, great. So let me go ahead and begin with these three public comment cards. Let me start with Fernando Delgado, followed by Teodoro Mendez.

Good afternoon, counsel. Believe it or not, I didn't plan to speak tonight, but something just compelled me to just say a few words here. For me, growing up, I was raised by a single mother, me and my two brothers, and we would hop around all kinds of cities in Orange County. I remember we lived in Westminster, Garden Grove, Anaheim, Stanton, just wherever our cousins and tias would let us sleep, you know. And I never really felt at home in any of those cities. But ever since I moved to Santana, this is the first city where I can truly say I feel at home. You know, this city is like no other than Orange County.

I love learning about its city, or about the history, rather. I love seeing the art and the culture that fills the city with life. I love walking through the neighborhoods and meeting the different people who live here, hearing their stories.

And I'm inspired by it all. And I've learned from some of you up here on this council, so I appreciate everything that y'all have offered me.

But more importantly, just being here on the city council, I'm really inspired by some of the actions that have taken place in the last couple years. From the rent control ordinance protecting thousands of families in the city who struggle to pay their rent every day, or every month rather. from the historical or cultural celebrations, Chicano Heritage Month, the Mid-Autumn Festival, Juneteenth, Indigenous Peoples Day, celebrating that heritage of the people who live in this city. And there's more I could say. I can go on all day. But I just want to leave it at this as a message for the people who are coming to this council.

I love the city of Santana. It holds a special place in my heart, as I'm sure it does for all the people here who are sitting here, and I'm sure for you on the dais, I'm sure this city holds a very special place in your hearts as well. And I just want you all to remember, the responsibility that you have. Remember what called you to sit on this council, what made you want to take this responsibility. Remember to serve the people, that there's people struggling every day, and you have the power to help. But more importantly, remember the future generations that will call this city home when they grow up.

And plant the seeds, lay the foundation so that they can truly thrive. I wish you all luck on your path forward. And God bless you all. Thank you.

Next is Teodora Mendez followed by Adelaida Mateo.

I want to thank the President and support the residents of Santana for that live better. I am a member of the Unions of Inquilinos Esperanza, activist community.

and I am very happy to know that we can continue working together

with the Council and that they will be listening to us. Thank you, Valeria Amesco, it is very grateful for me to give the welcome Welcome to the first alcaldesa woman in Santana, as a member of the community. I would like to be able to join you and share all the concerns and things that are still waiting for creating a Santana equitable and just a good evening. Welcome and good evening.

Good evening. My name is Teodora, and I've been living here for 10 years in District 2. Councilmember Ben Vasquez, I want to welcome you and thank you that you'll be representing us. I hope that you'll hear from us as Santa Ana residents.

I am a member of the Hope Renters Association. and I'm also a community activist and I want to work together and I want I hope that this council can hear us and miss Valeria who is our new female mayor welcome I want to as a member I want to work together so that we can talk about the issues we are facing and so that we can have a more equitable and just city of Santa Ana. Thank you.

Gracias and our last speaker will be Adelaida Mateo. Adelante.

Good evening.

I know that I'm a mother solter with four children and I've lived in Santa Ana for 16 years.

I've had to move over 10 times. Hace dos años llegué a un grupo de personas, de inquilines que estaban trabajando, que supieron nuestros, para saber nuestros derechos, que me ayudó mucho.

because just during the pandemic I got out of work and consequently with a very limited budget, which led me to be in danger of poverty, which I was very angry and scared of staying in the street with my children, until I knew there was protection and I couldn't get out of the night to the morning. So, I decided to stay in this group and continue working to know more of my rights,

but also to help my community. Con mucho orgullo les comento que en abril del 2021, un grupo de residentes inquilinos decidimos crear nuestra propia unión de inquilinos para seguir protegiendo y abogando por justicia de vivienda. a través de unión he pedido he podido conocer al concilio y la ciudad saber

quién toma decisiones para mejorar nuestra mejorar nuestra

hay perdón comunidad y vivienda y estoy muy orgulloso de que mi concejal jesse lopez has sido una defensor de mi familia y las familias de santa ana permanece mo seguros en nuestra vivienda quiero decir decirles que la y a yus sea y está en la mejor voluntad de seguir trabajando para por más protección para nuestros familias y a personas en muchas gracias

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for the comment.

Good afternoon. My name is Adela Mateo, and I live in District 3. And our council member in this district is Jessie Lopez. I am also part, a member of the Hope Renters Association. I want to welcome our mayor Valeria Mezcla and our new council member Ben Vasquez. I am a mother, a single mother of four children and I've been living in San Ana for 16 years. More than 10 times have I moved, had to move and two years ago I found out about this group, the renters group, with that protects rights

and I've been working with them. They've helped me in so many areas. And during the pandemic, I had lost my job and I had a very limited budget. I was at risk of being evicted and I was at the point of being kicked out into the streets with my children. Then I found this group and I had protection. I was no longer at risk of being evicted. So with this group we help with renters rights and we help the community and since April 2021 this

renters group, this union, we've fought for the justice for living for the living and housing justice and I've learned about the city and I've learned about how the council works as well and I have learned that they've really helped the community and our living situations and I'm very thankful for Jesse Lopez who happens to be an advocate an advocate for families in Santa Ana UCI I'm also thankful that I've been a volunteer and I've been working with him so that we can protect our families.

I think that was it. So I know there's somebody here that wants to address us, and I know he's got some very inspiring and enlightening words, so let me call up Senator Umberg, who I believe has some words of, I guess, more inspiration and more enlightenment. So...

So the bar is set high for you, Senator. That's pressure. Thank you very much. Thank you for that introduction. Thank you. My name is Tom Umberg and I work for the people of Santa Ana. In fact, I've been working for the people of Santa Ana in the legislature for just recently for 32 years. I can see that Councilmember Hernandez, a thought bubble over his head goes, whoa, that guy's old. That's what he's thinking right now. Yeah, but actually I was in eighth grade when I was first elected to the assembly, so it was very, very fortunate. But what I wanted to do is I wanted to acknowledge Mr. Mayor.

I wanted to acknowledge your leadership. I know this is your last meeting here as Mayor of Santa Ana and the things that you've done to help this community grow in strength politically, economically, socially. And I wanted to acknowledge that on my behalf and also the leadership of Councilmember Mendoza. Thank you both for all that you've done. Thank you both for what you've done for the city of Santa Ana. Since I have been sort of around for a few years, I've seen the city grow in strength and in diversity and incredible, incredible improvements. And I know as to our new, where's our new mayor? Over there.

There's our new mayor, our new mayor.

Wow, that's a lot of pressure, Mayor. That's a lot, a lot of pressure, because all those people that just cheered and clapped, they're all looking at you with great hope, and they're looking for inspiration, and they're looking for your leadership. I don't think they're going to be disappointed. I think that you're going to continue in the tradition of the fine leadership here in Santa Ana. And I look forward to partnering with you and with the council to continue to make sure this community grows and thrives. And so thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Senator.

So now we do feel more inspired. So thank you for that, Senator. You know, we actually do have some business to conduct tonight. So I'm going to go ahead and ask that we address the item that's on our business calendar, and that is to address the resolution declaring the November 8, 2022, general municipal election results, also including Measure W and Measure X and certifying the results and the votes in that. So do we have anything that we need to go over besides just bringing it before the council? So this is basically a culmination.

David Penaloza

Mayor, I'd like a presentation, please. I'm just kidding. Kidding.

Yeah, that'll bog us down, so let me just go ahead and it'll kind of-I'll make a motion to move the item in that case. I'll entertain a motion, though.

Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

I'll make a motion, sir.

Thai Viet Phan

I'll second.

Great. We have a motion by Council Member Hernandez, a second by Council Member Fan. And Council Members, I guess we will do a roll call vote because I don't see a device in front of us.

Thai Viet Phan

I brought my laptop, see? I was ready.

Council Member Hernandez?

Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

Absolutely.

Council Member Lopez? Yes. Council Member Mendoza? Yes. Council Member Peña Loza?

David Penaloza

Yes.

Council Member Fan? Yes. Mayor Pro Tem Becerra?

Yes.

Mayor Sarmiento?

Yes. Thank you. That's a unanimous vote. And with that, I think that what we just did is we certified the integrity of the vote that the residents in Santana took in the general elections in November. So I want to thank you all for supporting that. I want to thank our registrar who did a very, very good job, a thorough job in making sure that everybody's vote was counted. With that, that brings us to the end of our business calendar, and I do think we have a presentation. And I don't know, does it go to Mayor Pro Tem? Because I know it's certainly not going to be me doing this presentation. SO.

Phil Bacerra

NEW SPEAKERS, SO, COUNCIL MEMBER MENDOZA, WOULD YOU PLEASE JOIN ME DOWN HERE?

Thank you.

okay okay

Phil Bacerra

i was hoping to do this in a couple more years but so tonight we are here to recognize and commend all the service that councilmember nalita mendoza has provided our fair city nalita mendoza was elected to the san anna city council all the way back in may 19th of 2022 council member mendoza was born in jalisco mexico and is the fifth child of a family of 10. that's like the ultimate middle child right my goodness her family immigrated to the united states in the mid-1960s to seek a better life and educational opportunities council member mendoza has been a resident of san anna ever since

Phil Bacerra

and she is proud of her family background and proud to call Santa Ana home. Now, what it doesn't tell me in here, and I know this about you, is you went to Los Amigos High School.

I did.

Phil Bacerra

So for a point in time, there is quite a representation of Garden Grove League up on this dais.

Absolutely.

Phil Bacerra

Council Member Mendoza served our country as a sergeant in the United States Army Signal Corps and upon her honorable discharge, that's right, please, please.

Phil Bacerra

After her honorable discharge, she immediately enrolled at Santa Ana College. I think I saw Dr. Neary and Dr. Tina Miller here representing Santa Ana College, so thank you guys for being here.

Phil Bacerra

She earned her, Council Member Mendoza earned her Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts, an an associate's degree in paralegal studies, and an associate's degree in office technology. Wow, wow. In pursuit of her higher education, she then enrolled at Cal State Fullerton and earned a bachelor's degree in sociology. That was it? After all those other ones? And then a master's degree in public administration. As a Santa Ana council member, Council Member Mendoza has represented the city on various regional boards, including the Orange County Water District,

Phil Bacerra

District, Orange County Mosquito and Vector District, and the Senior Citizens Advisory Council. Furthermore, she has also served on numerous city committees to advance local policies. During her tenure as a council member, Councilmember Mendoza, along with her city council colleagues, led the city during an unprecedented time. For example, during the stay-at-home order relating to COVID-19, the City Council spearheaded initiatives to provide direct financial assistance to businesses and residents, advanced access to testing, vaccines, and personal protective equipment.

I remember when Councilmember Mendoza, there wasn't a time I didn't see you in an event

Phil Bacerra

that you're offering those masks to our residents. So she on her own, I think probably single-handedly got masks to at least what? One-third, one-half of our city by yourself? A million. At least, right? right so and she also helped deploy uh revive Santa Ana which is the comprehensive COVID-19 recovery program of the cities Councilmember Mendoza has proven to be kind caring and compassionate in her role as a Councilmember her demeanor made it very easy for her to connect with the community and her colleagues she genuinely cares about her constituents and

Phil Bacerra

we all know that she loves Santa Ana it is an honor to recognize you Councilmember Mendoza and we thank you for your dedication to serving our community. I'd like to go ahead and present you with this proclamation in your honor.

Phil Bacerra

It's your turn.

It has been an incredible honor to serve among people who care so deeply for our community. There's many things that we're still left to do, but I'm quite confident that our new council will continue to do the work that we started. It had been difficult because during those two years that I served, it was even more of a challenge because we could not be out in the community. We had to do everything through Zoom or very long distance, and that was very difficult.

But, you know, the challenge, I always welcome challenges, and we learn, and we do, and we get new perspectives on the different areas that need help here in Santa Ana. And Santa Ana, I think, has even more challenges than other cities because we are such a dense city. We have such a huge population of low-income residents and, among other things, the challenges of our homeless.

And so I leave my predecessor, I mean my, the new person coming in, Ben Vazquez, we spoke last week. And so one of the things that I asked him to do is continue that track in taking care of the homeless issue. We've got to do something about that. You know, we cannot live another 60 years with the homeless population and the issue getting worse and worse. So we need to do something on that issue, on the homelessness. The other thing that is very challenging to our city is the public safety.

And that's got to be, and I know that our police officers, men and women in uniform, sworn and not sworn, have been challenged because of the defund the police mentality that had been going on these past two years. And they still continue to protect us. You know, they come out to your residence when you need them, to the accidents. And so I ask the Gen Z generation to take a look at the men and women as human beings who are here to protect you. Don't think about defunding them, but rather how can we work better, collaborate better.

Don't think about whether it's a he, she, they, or a him, her, or whatever. think about as we as all of us as it should be and so when I ran for a city council I didn't run for the role to say that I'm a council member that I attend fancy galas and believe me it's not a very glamorous it's a lot of work and I I took on the challenge because I truly care about my community and so these last two years I learned so much even more so you just can't snap your fingers

and then it's done it's a process so I ask all of you as Santa Ana residents and specifically in war 2 just be patient it will get done and be kind to your council members we are trying to do the best that we can we're not here to give special interests to special interest groups it's it's across the board and I know that I've been accused of not caring about the tenants the renters and because I voted against rent control well you know what the goal was to protect you and that's what I was doing people make approach it

differently but you'll see that even though we have different perspectives that the goal of everyone here on City Council is to bring the best services keep you safe, have beautiful communities, and overall, to make sure that the city is working for you, that your money is being protected, that your money is not being wasted. And so those are just a few of the responsibilities that I took on. And I am disappointed that I could not do more, but it doesn't mean that I'm going to be gone, because before being on council, I was all over Santa Ana.

I was all over helping the community all over. Anyway, so I will continue to do that. I have so many things that I want to do, and now that I have more time, I'm going to do them. And you'll see me out there, and if I can help you, even though I'm not representing you on any of the awards, I will still help you, just like I did when I was on council. I will use my resources, my talents, my skills. I will use my funds to help in any way that I can and so I want to thank everyone in my from From my heart that I was sincere. I am honest. I am

transparent and I also encourage all of our council members to continue to do that to be honest to the people to be sincere to be transparent because people know. I want to thank the staff, the city of Santa Ana, for their wonderful service to us and support so that we can do our job. City Manager is incredible. She's so knowledgeable, informative, and tough sometimes. And my brother over here, Steve Mendoza, he always took up... Not really. We're not related.

Oh, yes, yes. I got no special privileges, even though we have the same name. So he jumped in whenever city manager, Christine Ridge, was not available, and I thank him for that. He kept me in line when I wanted to do some things, and he says, oh, you know that's not allowed. And so I learned. And Sonia Carvajo, our attorney, she was wonderful. She's very knowledgeable and she tries to keep us out of lawsuits, but it's impossible. It's gonna happen. It happens. Daniel has been wonderful.

He is just the best administrative analyst in the world. And I'm so glad that we have him here in Santa Ana because Santa Ana runs really smooth because of his skills and talents. and to all the administrative staff to Rosa to Angie my assistant who are there there are octopuses they have arms all over the place they help so much with all of the the the small things that make our meetings go so smoothly and for me to attend the events in timely and the proclamations that need to be

presented. Yesenia was also wonderful. Most of all though I want to thank you the constituents because you voted for me and you believed in my skills and my integrity and what I stand for you and you gave me that opportunity here to to have this experience so now that I know more I can do more for you. I want to thank my brothers and sisters in the labor unions and I asked my council members and colleagues to please remember these working families please remember the unions when we're when we have union businesses business to

conduct I want to thank the downtown business merchants there is very supportive and I know that they suffered they they went through some hardships and we tried to jump in and help wherever we can but it was still very tough and I want you to know as public citizens here that our businesses are the backbone of Santa Ana and without them Santa Ana would not be what it is today we need to continue to bring businesses to them so all of you in your words all of your council members here encourage your constituents to come and

shop in the downtown area it may not be your your ward but we need all of our residents to come and shop in downtown Santa Ana because when they shop in Santa Ana, we help the downtown businesses and in turn that revenue will help you back because that revenue is used for services to continue to give to you. So it all comes around. Please leave your business in Santa Ana. We have great merchandise, entertainment, culture events, and so please continue to do that.

And lastly, I want to thank our police officers, our men and women. I know that you work hard, you risk your lives to save and protect and to make our community safe, and we will try to continue to to build that bond and that community relationship that we once had where you were part of us where we knew your name as you patrolled our areas and that's going to be accomplished through our very very

popular and very resourceful and successful program pal I encourage you to continue to support PAL and continue to support our city in building more of these PAL centers. We need one in every ward. I cannot even begin to tell you the success that PAL has brought to our residents. It's not just a program for after-school babysitting, it's a success for these young people, for the youth to go to the university and come back and be productive

citizens and make it a cycle a cycle of success here in Santa Ana so I'm not gonna say goodbye because you're gonna see me around a lot but I do want to invite you to Bower's Museum today to celebrate those two years of fabulous services and to welcome the new mayor and the new council member and and just to to break bread together and see what community is all about you are community

Oh, my.

Phil Bacerra

Oh, wait, there's more. So I'd like to present you with this tile on behalf of the city of Santa Ana. Oh, my. Again, in appreciation for all your service to the city. And here you go as well.

I need those octopus arms. I was going to say, where are those octopuses at?

Oh my goodness. I would like to say one more thing.

Phil Bacerra

Okay.

Phil Bacerra

When I said, well, wait, there's more.

So those two years, I didn't say much, but I did a lot, right? But now I'm going to be saying a lot and doing even more. So in closing, I want to leave you with this very special quote to me because it depicts the kind of person that I am, the kind of leader that I am. And I want you to remember that because when you hear this, you're going to remember. That was Council Member Mendoza, and she was so right, okay? So here we go.

A great leader doesn't set out to be a leader.

She sets out to make a difference. It's never about the role for me. It's always been about the goal, and that goal is to make Santa Ana the best city in the entire nation. So thank you everyone and Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays.

Oh, there's more?

Phil Bacerra

There's more.

There's more? Thank you everyone. Good night.

I should retire more often.

Thank you, council member.

Phil Bacerra

Let's give it up one more time for council member Nelita Mendoza.

Phil Bacerra

So if I could have Mayor Vicente Sarmiento join me down here.

Phil Bacerra

Karaoke's at the Bowers, guys.

Phil Bacerra

All right, good, good, good.

Phil Bacerra

I won't bite, come on.

Phil Bacerra

So here we are today also to present on behalf of the City of Santa Ana, a proclamation commending Mayor Vicente Sarmiento for all of his years of distinguished service to the City of Santa Ana.

I think they like you.

Phil Bacerra

You guys are holding up karaoke, guys. All right.

Phil Bacerra

So, Mayor Vicente Sarmiento was appointed to the Santa Ana City Council 15 years ago in January of 2007. He was then elected to his first full term as a city council member in November of 2008, and then subsequently re-elected in November 2012, and then one more time in November of 2016. But then in November 2020, Vicente Sarmiento was elected the mayor of the city of Santa Ana. Mayor Sarmiento graduated from UC Berkeley with a bachelor's degree in economics and then received his Juris Doctorate from the UCLA School of Law. And I tried not to hold it against you, I tried.

Phil Bacerra

As a council member and then as mayor, Mayor Sarmiento represented the city on various regional boards including Orange County Transportation Authority, the Orange County Water District, and the Discovery Cube of Orange County. Mayor Sarmiento became mayor while the city and the world were shut down and dramatically impacted by COVID-19. And despite that, he worked to have the city council continue doing the people's business and that residents, businesses, and other community members had access to not only their government, but to testing, vaccines,

Phil Bacerra

and other resources. Notably, Mayor Sarmiento championed allocating a portion of our federal funding towards a resident stimulus card program. Under his leadership as mayor, the city was able to implement a broad range of new city programs and services. Mayor Sarmiento was raised here in Santa Ana and understood the needs of the community. He was committed to listening to and meeting with residents and neighborhoods to ensure that their issues were heard. Mayor Sarmiento has been able to navigate the complexities of municipal governments so that Santa Ana could

Phil Bacerra

meet the needs of the community now and in years to come. So Mayor Sarmiento, on behalf of the Santa Ana City Council, it is my honor to commend you on your distinguished years of service. and hold that thought real quick. Let me grab one.

There's more. There's more. There's absolutely more.

Phil Bacerra

This proclamation on behalf of the City of Santa Ana for all your years of service.

I'm going to need some help with those bands.

Phil Bacerra

See, the test was I was going to see how many things you could hold and then speak. But to quote Mayor Sarmiento, he would always self-impose a time of three minutes. So, clerk, if you could. I'm joking, I'm joking, I'm joking.

Phil Bacerra

No, no, no, go ahead, please, please.

Yeah, that was self-imposed on me, so I'm going to have to abide by that. Well, look, we had a meeting last week, and I was able to go ahead and express some thoughts that were pretty personal to our staff and my colleagues. So I want to speak to you all tonight in the public, and I just want to tell you, I know tonight is about transition. Tonight is about moving forward and looking to the future. And I do think, though, it is a moment as well to reflect on where we've been, because if we don't know where we've been, we don't know where we're going.

And I think that what's interesting for me is that I served for a very compressed period of time when the world was going through a very, very difficult crisis. And so I assumed office in 2020 as we were going into a global pandemic. When I was appointed in 2007, we were going into a global recession. And so my career here in Santa Ana was really bookended by two very difficult moments. I am so glad for the colleagues that served with me during this moment and colleagues that served with me early on in my career to make sure that the city stood strong. We couldn't have done it without our staff.

We couldn't have done it without the public to make sure that we all banded together to get through this. So, you know, my story has been so unique and so unlikely because I am the first Bolivian American-born mayor in the entire country.

And so for a young kid here in Santana to go from, you know, to come from so far to ascend to be the mayor of his hometown is really unlikely. And I want to thank those people who made that possible, my family who's here with me, so I'd like you to acknowledge them, my wife, Eva, my son, Diego, my daughter, Dahlia, my mother, Irma, and my sister, Daisy.

And so we all know as elected officials, we can't do much without our family. So as much of what we've done here in the city has to do with just public policy and different things that, you know, are intended to help our community. It really does become a family. I've seen colleagues of mine that I served with, I've seen their kids grow up. I've seen them go off to high school, go on to college, and become parents themselves. I've seen members of the public literally grow up in front of me. They've come here as young people. They're now less young and older people, a little bit older.

but it's been an incredible ride. It's been an incredible moment for me to witness those things. And what I take away is that people care about our community. People truly, genuinely, authentically love our city. And that is something that I've tried to inspire in my time, is I remember people who were ashamed to say they were from Santana. Now, they say they love our city. They say it with pride. And that was something I wanted to instill more than anything, was to leave that legacy so people could say, you know what, I'm proud of where I come from. I'm proud of who my neighbors are. I'm proud of how I grew up.

So, you know, I want to tell you that I did have a very, very good conversation with our mayor-elect, and I'm so inspired to know that you are going to be the first female mayor of our city. That is something that is very important.

You know, as the father of a 17-year-old daughter, I don't want that to be another first ever again. I want that to be commonplace. I want that to be something that, you know, she is no longer the first of anything. That is just going to be such a common practice, and I think we're breaking ground tonight. So I know that my hope for her is to make sure that she is successful. And when we spoke, my goal is to make sure that this transition for her is easy, this transition for her is smooth. And I believe, Mayor-elect, I am leaving you a better city than what I found. We were physically unhealthy.

We were fiscally unhealthy. And I know that now we've gotten through a very, very difficult health crisis in a very healthy way, in a very strong way, thanks to our staff, thanks to all of you. We are now fiscally stronger. We have a very large surplus, a very healthy fiscal surplus, fiscal reserves. We have a double-A credit rating, and we are considered one of the best managed cities in the entire state, thanks to our staff. Let's give them a big round of applause for that.

And to our newest council member, because I had a chance to congratulate my colleagues who are coming back to us, Mayor Pro Tem Becerra and Council Member Peña Loza. I want to say that, Council Member Elect, I am so proud of what you've done and how you ran. You ran a community first, people first campaign. pain, you cared about the issues, you went to go speak to people, you met them where they were at, and I know you as an educator are going to bring so much lived experience to this role. And I know that you are going to listen to people who have concerns.

I think that for all of us, that's the challenge, that we can make it, we can take the easy path or we can take the difficult path or the more challenging path. You did the latter, and you did it in a way that you inspired people to support you. So I expect great things from you, Councilmember Elect. I am so proud to have you on this council.

You know, finally, I just want to, you know, tell you that, you know, we could reflect on so many special moments that, you know, we've had to tackle. because I know that in these two years, we had to challenge things that were just unlikely. Most cities have to deal with, you know, look, a pothole here, a missing light there. We need some additional space. We had to save lives. We had to make sure people were healthy. We had to make sure people were housed. We had to make sure people had jobs to go to. And that is not an easy thing to do.

So, you know, as we went through this, you know, I saw people, again, you know, just band together. and through some very difficult circumstances. I lost an uncle during this time. He is very dear to me. I lost a nephew to COVID. He was 37 years old. And we lost people all throughout this, you know, throughout this moment. And it's important that we acknowledge that. And I want to acknowledge and say his name, Brandon Lopez, who we lost as well. So thank you for being such a strong pillar, council member, because we saw humanity encroach on our council. Those things happen. People leave our lives.

People and loss affects us. And I want to make sure that all of us realize that as we're governing, and I don't want you all to walk away thinking that there are so many bad jokes and so much bad rhetoric about politicians and about elected officials. And I want you all to know, being a public servant is one of the most noble things you can do. It is one of the most selfless acts you can have. And I know all of you who serve, whether we agree, whether we disagree, the one commonality is that it really puts our families, you know, in a very difficult place. And so I know you do that at a personal expense.

And so it is so, I am so grateful for those of you who chose to serve and for those of you who've elected this path that's not easy. But you know I leave you with just you know something that to say I am very optimistic about our future. I'm very hopeful about where we are. I see changes at the school district that are you know so profound right and I see changes on this council. We ran a very progressive public policy in these past two years. And I see that things are, the vision was bold, the vision was strong, the vision was responsive to the community.

And all of you who helped in that was really important. And it just goes to show you, you can be a compassionate city, you can lead a bold policy and still be responsible. And that's the thing that I think that balance was what we struck here. But I want to tell you that I'm proud of all of you. I'm proud of our city. I love Santa Ana and You know, I think as council members said I'm not going very far I'll be blessed to be right across the street rooting you on making sure that you guys are Receiving the help that you all needed all these years I'll be the first Santanero to be at the County Board of Supervisors in 74 years

And so I'll be waiting for you all across the street. You'll have your house there as well. So please, let's enjoy this moment. Let's welcome this transition. It is a peaceful one. It is one that we want to make sure that we celebrate. And I want to thank you for the years. I want to thank you for the ride. Thank you, Santana. God bless you.

Phil Bacerra

Oh, don't run off just yet.

Phil Bacerra

All right.

So, we've talked about some business.

Phil Bacerra

Since the mayor's not too far away, I can do this. So as he already mentioned, and all of us that serve, that have spouses, we know how important our spouses are to us when we come home from, you know, Sandy and we have our meetings run a little bit late sometimes, and so they are the ones that listen to us. They're the ones that support us. And so I wanted to make sure that Mayor Sarmento's wife knew how much we as a city appreciate all the support you gave him. So.

Yes.

Phil Bacerra

See, I told you to wait.

There you go. Thank you. Thank you.

Let me just say to everyone who's here and everyone in Santana, it is with great humility that I see this day, Vicente's last day. It has been an honor.

This city has been my city since I married Vince and we came to live here after college. and I love the city, I love all of you. Thank you very much and many blessings for all that this city still has to come with the new council. May God bless the new council and thank you everyone for coming and speaking up at all of these meetings. The participation has been wonderful. Gracias a todos. ha sido un honor poder apoyar a esta ciudad y gracias por abrirnos la puerta a

Milla Vicente para servir todos estos años. Amamos a esta ciudad. Gracias Santana. Thank you Santana.

Raise your right hand and repeat after me. I, I, state your name, to solemnly swear.

We wanted to bring you a gift from We're delivering 20,000 of these to households. Personally delivering these prepaid Visa debit cards for you and your neighbors. It's $300 that we're extending to you as a gift from the city during the holidays. Buenos días. Good morning. Can you hear me? Santana, can you hear me? Are we ready to run? Listen, it's been too, too long since we've gotten together and done this run. We want to welcome you. We want to welcome Santana back to the 5K.

Listen, I want to thank you and welcome you to the first ever Santa Ana Winter Village. And let's give a big round of applause to all our city staff who made this happen very quickly.

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road. Tom grabs you by the wrist to wreak you where to go So make the best of this task and don't ask why It's not a question but a lesson learned in time It's something unpredictable but in the end is right I hope you had the time of your life

So take the photographs and still frames in your mind Hanging on a shelf in good health and good time Tattoos and memories and asking on trial For what it's worth, it was worth all the while It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right

Can we count down? Yeah. Three, two, one. Three, two, one.

Done. Sweet.

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road. Time grabs you by the rest, directs you where to go. 3, 2, 1

So take the photographs and still friends in your mind. This is an example of what it is to celebrate our culture. And as mayor of the second largest city in the county, the 13th largest city in the state, 80% Latino and most Mexicanos and Chicanos, It is my honor to welcome you here today.

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right. I hope you at that time of your life.

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right I hope you had the time of your life

So I want to thank our staff for putting that together. Give them a big round of applause. That was beautiful.

So I wish I could hand this to Mayor-elect, but technically what I have to do is I have to hand this to our, symbolically hand it to our clerk staff who's going to hold the chair until the Mayor-elect is sworn in and the other council members. So with that, les quiero agradecer a todos por todo el apoyo. Muchas gracias. Que Dios los bendiga. Los quiero mucho. Les voy a extrañar, pero voy a estar esperándoles cruzando la calle. God bless everybody. Have a good night. Peace out.

Thank you.

Okay, no, it's okay.

Thai Viet Phan

Symbolically.

The 2020 to 2022 City Council is hereby concluded.

Phil Bacerra

Madam Clerk.

May I please have Alexia Hernandez join me at the front with Councilmember elect Benjamin Vasquez to perform the oath of office.

Thank you.

I state your name, I do solemnly swear, that I will support and defend, the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of California, against all enemies against all enemies, foreign and domestic, against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California and the Constitution of the State of California, that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation

or purpose of evasion that I will well and faithfully discharge

the duties upon which I am about to enter.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

If I can now have Mayor Pro Tem Becerra join me here at the front. All right.

Raise your right hand and repeat after me. I state your name.

Phil BacerraItem 1

I, Phil Becerra, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the

United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies foreign and domestic that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion that I will well and faithfully discharge

the duties upon which I am about to enter.

Phil BacerraItem 1

Thank you.

Thank you.

If I can please have Assemblyman Avelino Valencia and Councilmember David Peñalosa join us up front.

David PenalozaItem 1

What do you see? Just kidding.

Thank you.

Councilman Peñalosa, felicidades on your re-election. Thank you. Keep leading with your heart and serving our community well. Please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I, state your name. I, David Peñalosa, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies

David PenalozaItem 1

foreign and domestic that I will bear true faith and allegiance that I will bear truth

truth and allegiance, that I will bear true faith and allegiance, to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of California, that I take this obligation

David PenalozaItem 1

freely, without any mental reservation, or purpose of allegiance, or purpose of allegiance,

evasion that I will well and faithfully discharge that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties which I'm about to enter the duties of which I'm about to

David PenalozaItem 1

enter congratulations to helping God thank you thank you Senate members

Thank you.

Thank you.

If I can please have Mr. Alfredo Amesqua join us up at the front with Mayor-elect Valerie Amesqua.

Thank you.

I am so proud. Just like you are. Just like you are.

All right. I.

Wait, I've got to raise my right hand.

Please.

I.

I, Valerie Mesquah, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies

foreign and domestic that I will bear true faith and alliance to the Constitution of the United States, to the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of

the State of California, that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation, or purpose of evasion, that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which

which I'm about to enter.

Which I'm about to enter.

Ladies and gentlemen, the new mayor of the city of Colorado.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Well, Senator Umberg's right. It's big shoes to fill from all of you. And thank you so much for all of your service and I mean for your support. And I'll speak at the end. Madam Clerk.

I hereby introduce and convene the 2022 to 2024 City Council.

Thank you.

This is mine. Did I hit it?

Roll call.

Madam Clerk, please conduct the roll call.

Councilmember Hernandez. Present. Councilmember Lopez? Here. Councilmember Peñalosa?

Present.

Councilmember Phan? Here. Councilmember Vasquez?

Present.

Mayor Pro Tem Becerra? Here. Mayor Emescua? Present.

Before we move on, I'd like to thank Mayor Pro Tem for the Bill Becerra for your services, Mayor Pro Tem for the last year. Thank you for everything that you did.

Phil BacerraItem 1

Thank you, Mayor Mesquah.

At this time, I'd like to call for nominations for Mayor Pro Tem, please.

Phil BacerraItem 1

Mayor Mesquah, I would like to go ahead and nominate Councilmember Jesse Lopez to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the next year.

David PenalozaItem 1

I'll second.

Mayor Closeman's nomination this time.

I'm supposed to ask.

Jessie LopezItem 1

Sorry, I think we were all shocked. But yes, thank you. I appreciate that.

Well, thank you for accepting.

So I'm supposed to ask for comments, but I think you made your comment. You're a little shocked.

Jessie LopezItem 1

Yeah, thank you. I do wholeheartedly appreciate that, and I'm looking forward to working alongside you.

Thai Viet PhanItem 1

Thank you.

Jessie LopezItem 1

Thank you, everyone.

Any other comments?

Thai Viet PhanItem 1

Yes. Can I just say I'm super excited and super proud that our mayor and mayor pro tem are women. Come on!

Yeah!

Thai Viet PhanItem 1

So I'm definitely going to vote yes.

Yes.

Madam Clerk, please conduct the roll call.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 1

I do have a comment, Madam Mayor. I first...

Just wave at me or something. No worries.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 1

First and foremost, I want to congratulate you on making history. And you are showing chicanas across the United States. Que si se puede.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 1

And I want to welcome Councilmember Benjamin Vasquez here as well. Education has a place at the table in City Hall, and Education First is the generation that I come from, and I look forward to making Education First here in the city of Santa Ana along you, alongside our mayor, and our colleagues here on the council. Council, and I just want to say in closing, there is a lot of history that is going to be made over the next couple of years. The history that is being made here today by having a mayor, Mayor Valerie Amesqua, is going to set precedent for Orange County.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 1

When Mayor Amesqua, before she ran for school board, I had the pleasure of meeting her at a town hall for restorative justice, before it was introduced to our schools. and when she became a school board member she convinced her colleagues who had many years on that on that body of government to support investing in restorative practice decreasing expense expulsions and suspensions by over 80% in our school district I look forward to working alongside you

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 1

and I look forward to working alongside you councilmember Benjamin Vasquez on taking your philosophy of educating our children about the truths that exist in communities of color and I look forward to creating sound policy alongside you and my colleagues here at the City Council welcome and congratulations guys

so at this time when you take a call for the vote I don't know that I was such a your closing comment because I'm gonna go back to you. No I'm just kidding. If you take a vote please.

Councilmember Hernandez? Yes. Councilmember Lopez? Yes. Councilmember Peñalosa? Yes. Councilmember Fan? Yes. Mayor Mayor Councilmember Velazquez? Velazquez? Yes. Sorry I apologize. And Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Becerra?

Phil BacerraItem 1

Yes.

Mayor Mesquah?

Yes.

Motion passes by unanimous consent.

Perfect. Thank you.

And thank you for accepting Mayor Pro Tem. At this time I'm going to call on the council for closing comments and then we can head to the Bowers. All right. So let me start with Council Member Becerra, please.

Phil BacerraItem 1

Thank you, Mayor Mesquah. Feels good to say that. Well, first, I just want to thank all the voters who supported me and trusted me with a full four-year term. I want to thank the residents from throughout the city who have always supported me, and I am going to be eternally grateful and appreciative. You know, it's fitting that I get to be a part of a council installation that includes the first female mayor in the city's history. And that all of the city's leadership roles, including those that are hired by the city council, are all women. Because there are two women that are responsible for me sitting on the dais today.

Phil BacerraItem 1

First, my wife, Wendy. As anybody knows who serves in elected office, yes, she deserves a round of applause.

Phil BacerraItem 1

As I mentioned earlier, anybody that serves in elected office, you need to have somebody that supports you. And my wife, she doesn't just support my efforts. She empowers me and her love for the city that she grew up in. She grew up here in Santa Ana. And so for all of that, I'm very eternally grateful. So thank you, honey. and my mother who unfortunately was not able to join us here at the chamber today but my commitment to hard work truly comes from her she provided for our household growing up along with my grandmother and I've always been blessed to have strong women leaders in my life

Phil BacerraItem 1

so again thank you Wendy and thank you to my mom and my grandmother

Phil BacerraItem 1

I want to continue to thank those that have helped me along the way. I want to thank those that took the time to walk precincts for me, to call their neighbors and friends in support of our campaign, and yes, even delve into the abyss that is social media to support my campaign. I am blessed to have had a very diverse range of supporters, from my own neighbors down there in South Coast Shores, to the neighborhood leaders throughout my ward, and to our first responders, our police officers and our firefighters, to our businesses, and to my sisters and brothers

Phil BacerraItem 1

in labor. I wouldn't be here without you guys. I want to thank you for supporting my desire to take my knowledge and experience and apply it to help me improve this amazing city. While I'm elected by the voters of Ward 4, I will always be of service to the entire city of Sanayana. As I look out in the audience tonight that's gathered here, I see residents from Floral Park, I see some folks from Thornton Park, and I see just residents from throughout the entire city. And it reminds me of my family's history here in the city, from my Filipino grandfather and

Phil BacerraItem 1

grandmother living within walking distance of Sarianas on 5th Street over in Artesia Pilar, to my father and his four siblings who grew up on the west side of the city and my father later worked at Red's Ranch Market over on Harbour and First. Now I have to assure you I'm not old enough to remember Red's Ranch Market. But and then my uncle Mo who on my mom's side of the family who owned Pops Cafe for many years and that was where I worked my first job busting tables. So our city is comprised of people from many different neighborhoods with many different

Phil BacerraItem 1

backgrounds and many different life experiences. Santa Ana has lived up to its role of being the capital of Orange County by providing the opportunities and the environment for those diverse experiences to occur. As the first ever Filipino American and second ever Asian American to be elected to the City Council, I'm going to work with all my colleagues on this dais to make sure that our residents and our businesses can succeed in a safe and thriving city. And I will do my part, whether it's diligently reporting graffiti every morning on the MySanta

Phil BacerraItem 1

Anna app, whether it's being accessible and consistently holding monthly community office hours, or advocating for top quality essential municipal services, and as Uncle Billy Spurgeon did back in his day, do all I can to work to attract any and all resources that will help benefit the city of Santa Anna, so that our Golden City will continue to shine brighter than any other city. Thank you everybody.

Thank you, Councilman Becerra. Councilman Hernandez?

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 1

Yes, thank you, Mayor Mescua. I just want to welcome my new colleagues here, and I'm very much humbled to see, you know, family who reflects family, my own family. I know many, many of your family called Articia Pilar-Jom and to see you know the family of Mr. Vasquez here as well is really humbling and it takes me back to you know my first day you know getting sworn into the City Council and all of those emotions that I had and if there's any advice I could share with my colleagues as we move forward it's the people are always going to be at the center of our discussions

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 1

and each of you have demonstrated a commitment to the people and I very much look forward to serving our our neighbors and working alongside our brothers and sisters in labor to ensure that workers have a seat at the table here in the city of Santa Ana and that renters are protected in our city and with that being said today is a historic day and I very much look forward to a new Santa Ana

Thank you. Councillor Ben-Refeng.

Councillor Ben-Refeng.

Councillor Ben-Refeng.

Councillor Ben-Refeng. Councillor Ben- Okay.

Thai Viet PhanItem 1

I wasn't ready.

Thai Viet PhanItem 1

No, I'm always ready, y'all. I'm an attorney. I'm just so excited to be here on this dais, to be here all with you. I'm a bit jealous, actually, because Councillor Lopez and I were talking about how we didn't get any of this, so I'm expecting a redo next year. But seriously, it is such an honor to serve with these council members, to serve all of you, and to be in a chamber where I feel like I'm not the only one. Like, I'm not the only woman here. I'm not the only person of color here. And I feel a little bit left out because I'm looking at all our last names. Everyone has a Z in it except for council member Bacera and I.

Thai Viet PhanItem 1

So I think I need to be the council member fans or something to really feel like I fit in and I just really hope that with this new you know with this new council that we work collaboratively that we treat each other with respect and that we assume the best in each other that we're coming from the right place and that we all want what's good and what's right for our community and so with that congratulations again to councilmember Vasquez and mayor Mescua I'm just so excited for all of us and congratulations to mayor pro-tem Lopez thank you

Thank you. Mayor Pro Tem Lopez.

Jessie LopezItem 1

Thank you everyone. Congratulations to everyone. I'm very excited that we have a full chamber and I can hear the crowd outside. So thank you for being here tonight. Most of you know that I don't like to bore you with going over my allotted time to speak. So again, congratulations. I'm looking forward to working alongside this council in a professional manner and I'll see you at the Bowers. Good night.

Thank you. Councilmember Penalosa.

David PenalozaItem 1

Thank you, Mayor Amescua. Good evening, everybody. Just wanted to first and foremost thank the residents of Santa Ana for trusting me the last four years and continue to trust me for another four-year term. I am forever grateful and honored to serve you. I serve nobody but you, and I am happy to do it and can't wait to be out there again, listening to everybody's concerns in our neighborhoods, everybody's concerns in our city, and how we could make our city better for all of us. Second, I want to give a heartfelt thank you to our Assemblymember, Avellino Valencia, who

David PenalozaItem 1

took time out of busy day in Sacramento to come down here and help me take my oath of office, which I butchered, so apologies to that. It happened the first time, too, four years ago, if you all recall, but you know I get comfort in remembering that President Obama also butchered his oath of office when he first took it so so you know I'm in good company and want to thank my my mom who was here but she's gone she's probably already at the Bowers partying it up and along with my nieces and nephew Loremi Kendall Uble and Moses who helped me

David PenalozaItem 1

stood by me to take my oath of office and also my beautiful partner who who can't be here tonight because she has her own council meeting uh kimberney swen you know i i've felt you here with me and and i'm forever grateful for your guidance and your um you know continue to be my north star so thank you all so much you know there's a lot of work to be done uh in this city we're off to a to a great start very excited to stand up here with my colleagues and do the the people's business here in the city uh mayor amesqua very excited to have you up here as our first

David PenalozaItem 1

woman mayor in the city's history so that's you know uh you know achievement in its own so thank you so much for your willingness to serve our residents and congratulations council member vasquez on your victory looking forward to working with you the next couple of years and see all the great things that we could deliver for the residents of santa anna congratulations mayor pro tem lopez on on your uh being mayor pro tem also looking forward to what we could accomplish so thank you guys so much. I have four years to talk and you know sit up here and go past midnight in our

David PenalozaItem 1

meetings so hopefully that doesn't happen too much but you know I'm sure I'll have lots to say so thank you so much and good night everybody. See you at the Bowers.

Council Member Vasquez. Yes thank you very much Madam Mayor. I am extremely humbled. I am humbled and honored to be a servant to the city of Santa Ana. I want to thank my parents and my family, my siblings, and my nephews and nieces. I love you all. And when I went up to Sworn End, I actually used this book, Latino City. It's a story of Santana. It's a story of activists in Santana who fought off the Renaissance plan to save La Cuatro, to save their neighborhood, and to save their houses and I'm honored to serve those people to make sure that we do

serve the people and how how our families are living and struggling and I'm here for those reasons and I know this is a delightful place and it's kind of harsh to hurry but like I see it every day and I I'm with my students every day and I listen to their stories of housing and and we're here to support that and keep that work going and I'm sure with this City Council we're gonna to do great things for the working class, for the families, for the students of Santana, and which we are all here in honor to be working with. Thank you. Thank you.

So let me make my comments, and hopefully I'll be brief because I know everybody wants to go to the Bowers.

You know, Pastor Nothi opened up when he started speaking about the mom that was shot and killed, and she died this past Friday. She's three boys and a husband. She was picking up pizza for her family. I worked in law enforcement for 30 years, and I thank the men and women that serve our community in uniform, fire, police. We have the sheriffs here today. We We have Sanon PD, we have fire, and Anaheim PD. I have heard the scream of a mom that has watched her son die on the sidewalk

because of gang violence. I have stood by and held a young man's hand while he took his last breath. So my lens is very different than others, and I've done lots of great things on the school board. And I do believe in restorative. I do believe people change. People decide to change their lives and they do. As your mayor, working with the council, I come in with a very different lens. I work for every single person that lives in this city, whether you are white, brown, black, Asian, Native American,

whatever you call yourself, I will work for each one of you. My priorities are to make your city safe because in my 30 years of law enforcement I can't tell you how many times I've seen the boogeyman up close and personal he really does exist and those of us that have worked in the streets we've seen him and those of us that grew up on the streets have seen him so as your mayor not only am I going to work with the businesses not only am going to work with the schools and the charter schools, Santa Ana Unified, you know, the

businesses surrounding us. Thank you Mr. Frank Garcia for being here from Casa Garcia, which is in Anaheim, but he's here to support us. And so he supported me and thank you. And all the people in the community that walked for me, called for me, text for me, passed flyers, walked in the rain, in the rain to get people to vote. I am humbled and honored to serve you. I don't call myself a politician. I call myself a servant, an elected, because I serve people. I'm transparent. I'm available. It's gonna

drive the city staff crazy because I'm in the city everywhere. I go to events all the time. People have my cell phone number. They call it all hours of the night. I thank my husband because he puts up with that and he accepts that and he's a great man to stand by my side at all times. My children and my family. You know we made tamales this past Saturday with my one side of my family, the Quintanas. I hadn't seen them since I started campaigning in almost a year and so I thanked them and my other side of family, the Omezcua, my father and all of them, that all of you that are here, I didn't get to see my family because I was busy

campaigning. Unless they were walking with me, they didn't see me. So I sit up here because I want Santa to be the place where you want to live, you want to work, you want to be safe, and you want to go to school here. Are we perfect? No. Because think about it, during the day we have almost 6,000 county employees that come here. We want them to walk down to 4th Street and have lunch from the 909 North Main Building or the jail building. We want them to go walk downtown and feel safe to do that. So I cannot, I could sit up here all night and thank the many people. My labor brothers and

sisters, I see Gloria Alvarado in the audience and many of my labor brothers and sisters who I'm very close to. You know, my friends in blue or green, whatever color they wear, my first responders, I thank them because I know that when I call them or my family calls them or my friends call them, I want them to come and I want them to be there. Is there work to do? Yes, there is, right? Christine, our wonderful city manager, we've had this discussion many times. There is work to do. I want people to walk into City Hall and feel welcomed. Customer service is

very important. I want you to smile at the officers and he's gonna say or she's gonna say good morning back to you. They're gonna walk in your neighborhoods, they're gonna know your names. That's what I want and I hope that the rest of the council wants that too because it really is a very beautiful diverse community that we live here, that we live in. My grandmother Margarita, my father's mom immigrated here I can't even remember the year but she asked the gentleman to take her to Los Angeles and she paid him he dropped her off on 4th Street and she was young she left my father in Mexico while she came here to

get settled and he dropped off on 4th Street since said you're not he's not Los Angeles well no that was not Los Angeles and so she created a family here And she started working in the cannery and a lot of other places that I could mention and people won't remember unless they're my age or older. Jonathan probably wasn't even born then.

But, and then my other side, my mom's side, you know, we were all born here. We're from this area. But we've all had our struggles. Whether some of us have been, we call it system impacted, I call it incarcerated. Whether some of us have been incarcerated. whether some of us have suffered things in life and loss, some of us have gone to college, some of us have gone to trade schools, some of us have made different paths. And I think college is very important, and that's a whole different topic. But whatever path you choose to take in the city of Santa Ana, as your mayor, I want to help you get there along with the council members,

because that is my job, to serve each and every one of you. The council, we serve everybody, but they have certain areas that they've voted them in. The beauty about being the mayor is that I serve everybody, and I am at your service. I want to thank my children that are here because, you know, my son Michael just moved out recently, and he lived with me all these years, and he'd hear me on the phone, and he'd say, oh, my God, you're on the phone again with a person who needs help. And so I thank my family again, and I'll close with this, because when they talked about the sacrifices that you make, and, you know,

Dr. Tina's in the office there from the trustees. We know those of us that have been in office. Avelino, I'm sorry, Assemblyman Valencia. You know, Senator Umberg was here. Those of us that have been in office. The sacrifices that you make, and I'm not a victim of it. I love it. I'll do it all over again. Because I love to see when a mom tells me, Senora, sabes que? My son got a job at the police department. Yay, let's celebrate. my son or my daughter's going off to college yeah let's celebrate my son got accepted to the carpenters matter of fact I'm going to speak at the graduation on Saturday of the carpenters

I'm so excited because there's so many people from Santa Ana that graduated from the carpenters that's what we celebrate and that's how I live my life and so I thank Pastor Nati for opening it in memory of the mom that was shot down I want you to think about this tonight when you go home or in the morning when you leave and you kiss your family goodbye or your wife your spouse or your children or like I do with my husband and we go to Jack in a Box or McDonald's when he wants a Big Mac at midnight we go together because in Seth you're laughing because you know you're dead right so we

go together because I don't want to get that phone call that something happened But that woman did not die in the middle of the night. It was early. So as your mayor, and I know people don't want to hear this, and everything's important. Rent's important, quality. There's so many things that are important that we could sit up here. But I leave you with this, please. Imagine, because one of her sons were with her, and I don't want to make this somber because it is a day of celebration, but this is what weighs heavy on my heart. This is what, because this is what drives me. This is my why.

Because people in Santa Ana are beautiful people. And they come from all walks of life. Whether you live in the north end of town, and I don't live in Florida Park, I live in Morrison Park in a cute little house. Or you live on the south end of town. Or you live in central Santa Ana and you can walk to Sariana's, who's got the best darn tacos in the world. You know. Or you live off of First and Tustin where you can go to Avila's. Or you live over there. You know. But think about that. We want Santa Ana to be safe. We want you to go to work. We want you to come home. We want you to pick up pizza

and not worry about getting shot on the way home. That's what we want. So as your mayor, I'm going to work hard with the council and the staff, and I thank all the staff, because I don't work for anybody but my constituents. I answer to you.

I answer to you.

I do not own a business. I do not own a business, and I don't want one. I don't owe anybody money. Nobody owes me money. That makes me very dangerous.

So, I work for you. When you leave tonight, or you're watching outside, know that I work for all of you as your mayor, because, again, it's citywide. And I'm looking forward to the work that I'm going to do with the council members and the staff. But more importantly, the work that I'm going to do with all of you and those that are watching at home. And the kids that came from Santa Ana High School tonight to play mariachis for you. And they're going to be at Bowers. And the kids from the legal studies program at Santa Ana High School who said, you know, Val, we want to be there and watch you.

And I am not going to be the only woman. I'm the first. And that's great. break that glass boom pass that oh it's broken it's gone but I will not be the last I will not be the last and if that's right here they come here they come and they're gonna come from all walks of life all walks of life and so with that I am humbled to serve all of you each and every single one of you and And I promise that, I just ask you to give me Sundays. I spend that day with my husband. And we go to church and we do laundry and grocery shop a little bit.

But please hold me accountable. Hold me accountable. You don't have to come up here and scream at me. Just come and speak. Or meet me for coffee. Maybe a glass of wine. But hold me accountable. Because that's what it's about. You hold each and every one of us up here accountable because we all work for you. For you. And with that, this meeting is adjourned. And the next meeting is December 20th. And I hope to see many of you back here.

See you at the Bowers.

Thank you.