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start the meeting yes you go ahead mayor we are now live thank you good evening everybody i hereby convene reconvene the santa anna city council meeting to order this meeting is taking place with in-person attendance and by teleconference via zoom the public may access the meeting via the santa anna youtube channel or the city's website please bear with us as the technology may disrupt the flow of the meeting. Madam Clerk, please conduct the roll call.

Jennifer L. Hall

Council Member Becerra. Here. Council Member Hernandez. Present. Council Member Panaloza. Present. Council Member Fan.

Here.

Jennifer L. Hall

Council Member Vasquez. Present. Mayor Pro Tem Lopez. Here. Mayor Mesqua. Present. The record show all members are present. Thank you. Madam Clerk, before we proceed to the Pledge of Allegiance, please make an announcement. Thank you, Mayor. For members of the public on Zoom or teleconference, to request to speak during public comments on agenda or non-agenda items within the city's jurisdiction, you must dial star 9 from your phone or click the button labeled raised hand from Zoom now in order to be in the speaker queue. Thank you.

Thank you. At this time we're going to do the Pledge of Allegiance. May I please bring up Martha Rivera please to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

David Penaloza

That's Commissioner Martha Rivera.

Everyone please stand. Place your right hand over your heart. Ready? Begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You may be seated.

Thank you. At this time the words of inspiration will be provided by Rabbi Sharon Sobel from Temple Beth Shalom. Rabbi Sobel, please come to the podium.

Thank you, Mayor Mezqua, for inviting me to join you for this special moment. I moved to California and Santa Ana exactly one year ago on June 22nd. Santa Ana's diversity, beauty, and wealth of culture and other opportunities continue to make me proud each and every day. As we gather this evening as a diverse community, bound by a shared purpose to serve and better our city, let us take a moment to reflect on the importance of this meeting and the responsibilities entrusted to each and every one of us. Dear God, we can all feel the power in this room. The power to make a difference. The power to make change.

The power to either lift up or to denigrate. To sanctify or to desecrate. to perpetuate, to change the fate of our community and our world by our actions, our words, and our deeds. However, our power is fragile. It's limited by the vagaries of the human condition. And it's also illusory, for everything we do is relative to our situation and our ability to perceive the world around us. So we ask for the blessings of insight, wisdom, and the ability to truly listen. May all of you be granted the strength and wisdom to fulfill your responsibilities with integrity, humility, and a commitment to the common good.

As we deliberate this evening, may the spirit of unity and respect prevail within this chamber. Help us to transcend our differences, to listen deeply to one another, and to work together toward our shared goals. Grant us the ability to see beyond personal interests and biases, to prioritize the welfare of all those whom we serve. May the City Council be a beacon of fairness, understanding, and compassion. As challenges arise, may you find patience and kindness toward others who may think or feel differently. May your resolve be strengthened to face adversity with courage, perseverance, and a commitment

to finding equitable solutions. may your words be imbued with wisdom and your actions guided by righteousness may our blessings extend beyond these walls encompassing the entire city and all of its inhabitants because each one of us and all those who work on behalf of our city is vital to our communal efforts as we work toward building a just harmonious and thriving society may this be God's will

thank you very much

Jennifer L. Hall

madam clerk are there any additions or deletions to the city council agenda yes madam mayor the city attorney has an announcement to make city attorney mayor

Sonia R. Carvalho

council members members of the public the brown act authorizes the city council to add items to your agenda if they're deemed urgent and under the brown act the city council can add items to agenda if they can make two findings the first finding is that the item came up after the posting of the agenda and that there is a need to take immediate action today the city received and after the posting of the agenda numerous letters in relation to item number 32 on your agenda which is resolutions under ab 2011 and sb6 we are asking that the city council consider adding to your

Sonia R. Carvalho

agenda this evening items that mirror item 32 but which would be a urgency ordinance in the first reading of a regular ordinance to supplement the resolutions that are being proposed to you. So I would need a motion and a second. I'll make a motion, Madam City Attorney. And a second. I need a second. Second. Second by Councilmember Becerra.

You want to do a roll call vote please?

Jennifer L. Hall

A motion by Mayor Mesquah, seconded by Councilmember Becerra to add item 32A, related ordinances to the resolutions on the agenda. Council member Becerra? Yes. Council member Hernandez? Yes. Council member Penaloza? Yes. Council member Phan? Yes. Council member Vasquez? Yes. Mayor Potem-Lopez? Yes. Mayor Mesquia? Yes. Vot is seven ayes, no nays, motion carries. Item 32A added to the agenda for tonight's consideration. Thank you. Thank you, Madam City Attorney. At this

time we're going to do presentations and I get to do the first presentation may I please have Dorothy Dottie Brown please for outstanding contributions to the community

I hear you had a birthday, doggy. You're 101 years old. We're going to sing.

We are going to sing Happy Birthday to Dottie on the count of three. One, two, three. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Donnie. Happy birthday to you.

I asked Dottie to come because today, well, this month is your birthday. What's the official day? 28. June 28th, 101.

Next week.

All right. I want to look like you when I'm 101. You could probably outlock me, okay? So Dottie's been a resident of Santa Ana and a local hero who's been saving lives through blood donation for more than 70 years. She donates her type O whole blood every 56 days at the American Red Cross Center in Santa Ana for more than 70 years. Right? Give her a round of applause. Imagine how many lives. Think about how many lives Dottie has saved and how many lives she has touched.

Dottie believes in giving blood and is determined to provide her life saving donations as long as she can. She is described as a woman of faith and an example of putting compassion into action. We would like to wish her a happy birthday and we want to thank you from the City of Santa Ana and from me as the Mayor. I had to, I saw you at the Red Cross Awards. I was like, I have to have Dottie come in. And we want to thank you for your outstanding contributions to the community. Because for more than 70 years, you know, Dottie, I don't know anybody that's been giving blood that long.

And I bet you if they check to how many lives you've saved, it's been a whole, whole bunch.

And so more people should do it.

More people should do it. You're going to talk about that right now. But I have this proclamation for you. Dorothy Dottie Brown from the City of Santa Ana and it's signed by the council and myself and you can put this in a frame I also have something else for you For your birthday. I have this beautiful cupcake So I hope you like sweets, okay?

I'm sure you are sweet enough So we want to make sure you take this with you and here's an opportunity for you to say something

I just thank you very much for this honor This is unexpected. I kind of came to Santa Ana because my husband was... I married into it. My husband had been here in the early 20s, and we were married in 1946, so I've been here for a long time. Wow. Three children born at Santa Ana Community Hospital. Yes. And I was a realtor for 50 years representing Santa Ana Realty. That's where I started. And so Santa Ana is pretty big for me.

Well, it's big for me too. So thank you so much, Dottie. And again, you've been giving blood longer than you've been selling real estate.

Yes, that's right.

So we wanted to wish you a happy birthday. Thank you so much. We wanted to give you this. and so I'll give you a cupcake. Is that your son over there? Yes. Okay, so come on over here. Come on over here.

Give your name and you're more than welcome to say something. I'm Jamie. I'm her son.

And that's all you need to say, right?

All right, that's for you.

Thank you, Mayor. And don't share this, okay? This is just for you. Okay, let's take a picture. Look over here at Paul.

Come on here. No, you can come in. Come in.

Thank you.

Happy birthday. Yeah. Pleasure to meet you, sir. Happy birthday. It's an honor to be here. Happy birthday.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 1

Happy birthday. We'll go right over here.

All right. Look this way.

There we go. All right. Ready? One, three, two, three, four, two, three.

I will send this to you.

Congratulations again. Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

This is the best part of my job. Best part of my job.

All right, that's one of those rare moments where it just warms your heart.

Second presentation is made by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez, Tu Grupo La Familia LGBTQ for Outstanding Contributions to the Community.

So if the group would like to come up, please, are they here?

Thank you.

Jessie LopezItem 1

Hi everyone, good evening. Thank you. So we are here to present a certificate of our outstanding contributions to Grupo La Familia and Patty and Luis are going to be speaking right after me. But Grupo La Familia is a support group for parents and family members of LGBTQ individuals. They were founded here in Orange County in 2011. and the group primarily focuses on increasing the understanding and support for LGBTQ folks through a culturally diverse lens and since its inception Grupo La Familia has helped numerous families navigate the realities of their

Jessie LopezItem 1

loved ones identities resulting in stronger community ties and support for their family members and in 2019 La Familia began holding its meetings at LGBTQ Center here in Orange County and in 2021 the group became part of the LGBTQ Center OC's immigration resource department the group also helps parents and other family members understand and process their loved ones identities and their multi-generational work focuses on understanding LGBTQ plus terminology and sharing their experience as they build an inclusive and safe community

Jessie LopezItem 1

where they can learn from one another to understand, help, and support the people that they love. They hold monthly meetings at the LGBTQ Center here in Santa Ana and participate in numerous cultural events throughout the county, the city, the state, including the Pride Parade, which is happening this weekend, and you're all welcome to come out and participate. And the group is as impactful as ever, especially in the light of the many legislative attacks that so many of our siblings are experiencing, of our residents are experiencing, and people not just in California but throughout the country. And so Grupo La

Jessie LopezItem 1

Familia really exists to provide a safe and supportive space for families to find support and build stronger bonds with one another and within each other in this community and within the context of you know acceptance and truly unconditional love for the people that they love and so we want to thank you for the outstanding work that you all do for your contributions to the city to the county to stay but primarily for all the work that you do for the young people here in the city and to not just tell them that you love them but really show up for them when they need it the most so thank you I'm gonna hand this

Jessie LopezItem 1

over to Luis and then we'll hear from Patti. Thank you so much Mayor Pro Tem.

On behalf of the LGBTQ Center OC we just want to thank the City of Santa Ana for this recognition, Mayor Pro Tem of course, and we are an organization that is located here in Santa Ana, not too far from here, and as Mayor Pro Tem Lopez was mentioning, we just exist so that families can have a safe and supportive space so they can learn from one another especially in today's context in which there is significant disinformation and misconceptions about LGBTQ people impacting transgender youth most severely I don't want to take too much time because I want to also thank the parents of Grupo La Familia because this is a

group of parents by it's for parents by parents so I want to welcome Patti to the front as well to share a couple words in Spanish thank you so much as our leader.

We are open to receive, to speak, to understand. When we are in a group, we are a family. We do not put together, sometimes we play, sometimes we play, sometimes we play, sometimes we play. It is easier to understand both sides, because we just want to understand ourselves, but we also have to understand our children and get to a middle. So, we hope so. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. We are part of the family. Thank you very much. I'm very proud of you all. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Okay, next we have Council Member Becerra.

The Santa Ana College Dons Baseball Team.

Phil BacerraItem 1

I have to correct the mayor. It's the state champion Santa Ana College Dodds baseball team.

Phil BacerraItem 1

Come on up, guys.

I like that.

I mean, come on.

Hey, Coach.

Congratulations. Congratulations.

Come on down, gentlemen. All the way down. Come on down.

My apologies. Congratulations. Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Come on, all of you. Come on in. Come on down.

Come on down.

Phil BacerraItem 1

This ain't a basketball team.

it's a baseball team congratulations

Phil Bacerra

so behind me today we have the san nana college dons baseball team who claimed its fourth state title in program history after going undefeated in the 2023 California Community College Athletic Association or the 3C2A state championships that were held over Memorial Day weekend under the leadership of head coach Tom Niles and his coaching staff so SAC led the Southern California Community Colleges in home runs with 61 most home runs in school history in the BBC or our arrow? What's that? Ah, the new bats. Okay. First in Southern California and second in the

Phil Bacerra

entire state in runs scored with 477. That's right. Yeah. Second in the state with 611 hits, eighth in the state in strikeouts with 387. That's striking out the other team. Let's just be clear, right? For the Dons, though, to put an end to this 27-year title drought and bring Santa Ana college baseball back on top. They had to win three games in the 3C2A state championships over Memorial Day weekend. So in game one, after five hours and 15 innings, where's Ryan Stock?

Phil Bacerra

Ryan. So Ryan hits the game-winning home run over the left field fence. So Ryan did that to defeat Folsom Lake College, 8-7.

Phil Bacerra

So in the next game, it wasn't even close. It was 13-4 beating Saddleback College down the 5 freeway. And then in the championship game, it was even worse. It was 21-8 in favor of the Dons. 21-8. That win brought home the state championship. Sophomore outfielder Christian Thompson. Where are you? There you go. All right. Right behind me. Christian Thompson was named the most valuable player of the tournament after going 10 for 16 with four runs batted in in over three games which included a 5 for 5 performance in the final game. So tonight it's my honor

Phil Bacerra

along with the mayor and the council to congratulate the state champion Santa Indiana College baseball team.

Phil Bacerra

So, Coach, come on up here.

Phil Bacerra

Tell us a little bit about the game. Tell us a little bit about the season.

Look, it was incredible what these guys were able to achieve. It's a remarkable feat. It's definitely – it's extremely difficult to go through this thing. takes a lot of support i've been coaching 20 years now my wife's been there with me for all but one of them and uh but not just her it takes support of these guys families the community right our administration it's it's an extremely difficult thing for these guys to be able to perform at a high level and they were able to do it um i'll tell you from a personal standpoint it was probably my

my most fun year coaching not just because we won um just that helps uh but but just being around the guys and seeing them wanting to achieve more and the time the effort they put in those are all the things that you uh we preach as coaches and as as teachers at the colleges just keep pursuing your dreams these guys did it um i'm gonna miss you guys guys are moving on i miss this group i had a lot of fun. I've said that to you a lot of times. And from the bottom of my heart, man,

Phil Bacerra

I love you guys. It was a lot of fun. Well, winning is fun, right? I would like to have Ryan come up.

Phil Bacerra

Here's your chance. Tell us, live the moment again. Tell us all about it.

Uh, yeah. Um, honestly, uh, I had like no confidence going in that game. I came in as a defensive sub in the ninth to replace Jimmy DeAndo, which was doing great all season. And I remember in the bottom of the ninth, before I was going to hit in the tenth, I went up to one of our catchers and I was like, dude, you should get ready because I don't think I'm going to hit. And him and Mario both looked at me and just said that I shouldn't be talking like that in nicer words.

But I remember when I hit the go-ahead run in the 13th, it was pretty electrifying, especially because I've had a really rough season all year, and it really made a huge difference in my attitude throughout the whole year. And then I remember being full of emotion when we blew the lead in the 14th. And then in the 15th, I honestly can't even really remember. I just realized that I was everything felt really good and I was seeing the ball really well and When I when I honestly first hit the ball I thought the left fielder was gonna catch it because he started running back for the ball and I remember as soon as I hit first base

I saw it hit the hit the fence behind the wall and I was just so amped up and pumped up where I don't think I've been that excited or emotional during a game in my life and Now that was the rest is history

Exactly

Phil Bacerra

You know I'm going to call you.

It's my turn.

Phil Bacerra

It's your turn, so tell us. Five for five. It's pretty crazy. You got to top that.

Well, it's a wild story. I said, we'll begin the championship day. I came out to the bus. We're going to leave at like 8.30 or something. I came out walking five minutes late to the bus. The coach is screaming at me, you know, let's get your butt on the bus. We got to go win a championship. Me, personally, I'm just focused on myself and, you know, the task at hand, trying to win a game. Trying to win a game, coach. I'm sorry I'm late. Head to the game. I'm getting this game full confidence in my ability because it's the last game. You know, the last game that dawned you before I want to go out with a bang.

And I've just been saying the entire morning, entire day, you know, I'm going to go 5-5. You know, I'm going to do that. Just trying to speak into existence. And so pretty much, first at bat comes up. I'm grinding on that first at bat. It was a good at bat, I got a hit. And then, you know, next at bat are two hitter. It's a ground ball, second base, and I don't slide a second. And I get thrown out. I come back in the dugout, I'm heated. I'm just mad at myself because I shouldn't make a mistake like that. And I got Ryan Stock here. I barge out of the dugout into the bullpen because I'm all upset, emotional. I'm messing up.

And Stock comes up in the bullpen, you know, he comforts me. He tells me it's all good, it's relaxed. I'm a dog, remember who I am. And so pretty much, I just go back in the dugout and stay focused the entire game. And every at bat, my goal is just to get my pitch and drive it and put the best swing on. And really I just worked every at count, worked every at bat. And that's what happened. That's what happens and trust the process. And this season's been a long season. I had my ups and downs, but it's all about you know working out working out those mistakes i make you know to perfect my craft honestly so

Phil Bacerra

that's how it happened sounds good to me yeah it's crazy thank you

i've used it for you there's quite a bit there's a lot of them so please hand them out to everybody

The council wants to come down.

Can we get in touch?

Can you see everybody? All right. I want to separate one. All right. Just have a nature to.

For me please.

Got my... ...set it up. Thank you.

Thank you.

Now for the final presentation by Council Member Fan. Council Member Fan will be giving a proclamation of Parks and Rec.

Thai Viet Phan

All right, while they file out, maybe Parks and Recs, all y'all can file up here.

Thai Viet Phan

There is an adult league now, right? So adult kickball?

We're going to challenge them to kickball after this.

Thai Viet Phan

Sounds like a plan. You got to add. Yeah. Council member, Council member Baskins needs to join the team, right?

Thai Viet Phan

Nice hair.

Sorry. How are you doing? All right.

Thai Viet Phan

Okay.

Thai Viet Phan

Now that we have the entire department here.

Thai Viet Phan

so today we are declaring June 2023 parks and recreation month and so we'll start out I was given some talking points but really a couple of important things Calvary Parks and Recreation Society released a statewide public awareness campaign parks make life better and I think we can all agree that parks are one of the core issues and items in the city that ensures that we have positive good quality of life and so that's where I'm gonna put this away and I want to say that you know first growing up here in

Thai Viet Phan

the city of Santa Ana we don't always have lots of parks and it's a fight that we have and our staff has been fighting day in and day out to make sure that the parks we do have are fun accessible clean safe and a place where families can go and enjoy each other and our community and so that's where our motto here parks and rec is where community grows and that's what I've seen our parks and rec department the City Council our city directors have been doing in the short

Thai Viet Phan

couple years that I've been here not only have we fought to clean up the parks we have implemented more programming so that families can come out concerts in the park movies in the park we're actually updating all the maintenance that's been deferred we're building community centers and maybe my favorite is the Santa Anita community center and pool after years years of community advocacy after years of other politicians saying we're not sure we'll promise you this but we won't deliver and this staff this City Council

Thai Viet Phan

delivered because parks is where communities grow so what else has parks done parks has brought back not only programming for our youth but they've also brought in some adult kickball teams which by the way congrats to Councilmember Vasquez I believe his team did win the first adult kickball

Benjamin Vazquez

we came in second we came in second okay well then but you know it's about

Thai Viet Phan

bringing families out not just youth but adults families communities everybody out to say that this is where we belong and it's where we all want to be so before I forget I do have a list of names that I need to make sure we do so today with us and there's gonna be many others that we are not gonna be able to name tonight but know that your parks and rec team as well as your public works team it's out there every day to make sure that when there is a tree that needs to get trimmed trash that needs to be picked up a program but you want to see happen they're out there to make it happen for you so from the Santa Ana

Thai Viet Phan

Zoo we have Ethan Fisher, Lauren Berg, Mary Long and Jenny Walker.

Thai Viet Phan

From the Parks and Recreation team, we'll hold your applause until I make go through this long list, Bill Sandoval, Rudy Hernandez, America Robledo, Cory Lance, Monique Leon, Stella Fajardo, Tim Pagano, Frank Arroyo, Cindy Sanjanito and Kristen Moorman. Okay, applause to the Parks and Rec team.

Thai Viet Phan

From Parks Planning we have Susie Ferjanic. Where's Susie? There you go. And from Public Works Maintenance we have Mike Ortiz, Jorge Acevedo, and the rest of the Public Works maintenance team here with us. You know, I just want to say that in my heart, it's a very important place because when we first joined the city council, you know, parks was something that a lot of residents said they didn't want to be there. There's not enough parks. There's not enough room for our kids to be outdoors. Growing up in Santa Ana, we're always told that

Thai Viet Phan

it's a concrete jungle and this council this city team has been fighting every day whether it's about building new parks improving our current parks or expanding the services at our parks we are fighting for you so with that I want to present this proclamation declaring June 2023 as parks and recreation month to our amazing director Hawk Scott

Thai Viet Phan

It's your time to shine sir.

Like first first I mean I want to thank I mean not just my co-workers up here but again we've gotten a bill and his team up here we've got Brian and the library team and it's all of us that make it all work together and you know I accept this on behalf of you know not just our team but for you guys as well for you know all the support and love you share as well as all our city council member our city manager it takes a army to do what we do and again thank you guys so much so may I invite down our city council to

Thai Viet Phan

come take a group picture and while they do that I want to also say that not only did we just do the groundbreaking for the Santa Anita Community Center and pool we have oh my gosh item 8 on the agenda which we will talk about relating to the zoo which is going to be incredible we are opening new parks in the city that will be upcoming we've been fighting to obtain new land stay tuned because this team is not only opening new parks come out to our concerts come out to our movies because that's what they're here to do so

Alright. A little tighter. Easy.

I'll come in the town.

Back here, baby.

Alright. A couple more.

I know, I told this.

All right. All right. Yeah. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you. Thanks for all for the good work you do here. Parks and Rec is our favorite. i'm sure you all know that

all right madam city attorney do you have anything to report on a closed session

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 4

Mayor, we have three closed session items. We do not have any reportable action.

Thank you. This is the time of the meeting for the City Council to receive comments from the public. On agenda and non-agenda items pursuant to the Brown Act, the City Council may not enter into discussion at this time. Speakers will have two minutes for their comments. Pursuant to resolution number 2013-019,

speakers are requested to refrain from profane language, racial epitaphs, and libelous or slanderous statements that disturb the decorum of the meeting. We will now hear from the members of the public that are on Zoom, Madam City Clerk, and following the four on Zoom, then we'll do the ones that are physically present in the council chambers. Madam Clerk, go ahead.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Yes, thank you, Mayor. Before unmuting the callers, I'd like to make a report of the following summary of emails provided as of today. All comments received through 3 p.m. have been scanned and uploaded are available online and distributed to the council. There were nine emails on non-agenda items. One email related to item 25, the adoption of an MOU with the Santa Ana Police Association, and five emails related to item 32, exempting certain eligible parcels from the requirements of assembly and state bills. Speakers on the queue on Zoom may provide their comments on agenda or non-agenda items within the city's jurisdiction.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

When unmuted, please announce your name, ward or neighborhood that you reside in within the city of Santa Ana for the record. And the first speaker on Zoom, Victor Mendez, please unmute and make your comments. You will have two minutes to make your comment. Thank you.

Can you hear me?

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Yes, sir. Go ahead, please.

One minute, please, before you begin. I thought I was already unmuted. Okay, I can begin. Agenda item number 25, just a few comments on the proposed MOU for the POA. Two comments. The report basically debunks the myth promoted by audio logs and social media that's a full-time release where the POA is paid by the city. It is not. It's paid by the POA members' own compensation for one-day floating holiday. It's simply a loose theory to think or suggest otherwise. uh secondly there is a legitimate objective accounting criteria to book the one-time two

thousand dollar payment for each member in the 22-23 fiscal year which is 23-24 following approval of the mlu the council should request this be explored before moving on the course to wait and see how this all settles out in in fiscal year 24 as recommended staff report uh the proposed mlu turn that's silent on the intent of this two thousand dollars and what it's really for, although it's going to its members of the POA, and it only seems to address the timing of the payment with no direct language that possibly revents the booking of payments in 2023. So perhaps before going down a road, take a look at your options.

Item 22, the last time I decided on the period I noticed the excesses associated with the contract was being negotiated. The problem has only gotten worse. The excess dollars paid in the contract is lost and probably would never be covered as a future price base has been set and projects out in the point the measure X cost serves to an additional $450,000 that could otherwise be avoided. The excess cost is due to the nearly double CPI factor using the contract which is the reality of what's happening in the economy. The change in average prices paid for companies like Armex or Domestic Business for their output actually fell 2%.

yet the city manager has approved under the direction of the police chief a nearly 12% increase. Protect the taxpayers from this $450,000 excess police spending and ask the chief of police and city manager to redo the pricing.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Mr. Mendez, your time is up.

Thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Next speaker on Zoom, Maria Guiyan. Please unmute and make your comments.

Hi, good evening. Can you hear me?

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Yes, please go ahead.

Hi, good evening, everyone. My name is Miria Quien, lifelong resident of Santa Ana, 1974, Santa Anita, 1975 to 98, Casa Bonita, and present day, Artisa Pilar. Few people let go of an opportunity to criticize the city on various issues. However, it takes a person with courage, passion, and love for the city to run for office and try to make a positive difference in our community. I called today to say I appreciate all the hard work our Mayor Valerie has done for the City of Santa Ana. Thank you Valerie for making Santa Ana a better place to socialize, shop,

live and work. One more, I'd like to say thank you to Parks and Recreation for bringing back summer concerts at the park. I no longer have to travel elsewhere. I can now enjoy that beautiful event in my city. Thank you everyone. Have a good day.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

next speaker on zoom berenice cuellar please unmute make your comments

good evening mayor of masqua and city council members my name is berenice cuellar and i'm a long-time resident of santa anna and i want to address the council tonight because as a member of a family-owned business in the city of santa anna it makes me sad to see many council members supporting street vendors and I have a question for the council members how do you support brick and mortar businesses and please don't take pictures in front of a business post it on your social media and think you're helping a business unless you're Leo Messi your picture will not

make a difference but I'll tell you what will make a difference your what will make a difference will would be that you support laws that allow businesses to stay in business. After all, tax money does come from us, those that pay our taxes. So I feel that it's not okay for members of the council to ridiculize Mayor Mesquah because he's enforcing the laws. Thank you Mayor Mesquah for your support. And I asked the other members, when are you gonna support brick and mortar businesses? We're waiting. and do it before many of us go out of business like Chavitas did after 17 years of being in business. Thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Next Zoom speaker, Carl Benninger.

Good evening, Mayor and City Council. I'm fortunate to not be there tonight because of a family effort, but I also want to speak on behalf of the Mayor. I've seen some posting. Mr. Diagallo is out again putting out his various misinformation. And he shows a trash can and he refers to it as this is the only thing the mayor has done. Well he is misinformed as he was when he talked in front of the council. And he doesn't realize the organization that Valerie you've brought to the city. Your efforts in First Street is currently appreciated. What you're doing for the neighborhoods is currently appreciating. Getting

us back talking again and talking about our problems and listening to us and it's greatly appreciated and it's unfair to you and a shame that there are certain people that want to close their eyes of course when you're an artist you don't want organization you don't want things to run smoothly you want to create chaos and that's what i feel some of people on council want also which is sad let's get order back in the city and let's proceed and mayor you're doing a great job AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CLERK. ALL RIGHT,

WE'RE GOING TO NOW CALL SPEAKERS THAT ARE PRESENT, PLEASE. I BELIEVE I'M GOING TO START WITH THE TWO CHILDREN THAT HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE. AND IF I'M INCORRECT, I APOLOGIZE. JADEN VERDIN AND JADE VERDIN. DID I SAY THAT RIGHT?

I was asked to not have the children wait, so I'd like to make sure that we do that.

My name is pronounced Jadelyn Verdeen.

I'm sorry? My name is pronounced Jadelyn Verdeen. Jadelyn, thank you.

Good evening, Mayor. Good evening, Mayor and City Council members. My name is Jadelyn Verdeen. I am 12 years old. I've been a Sanana resident almost my whole life.

I think that the POA shouldn't control our city. And I also want to know, where is my apology, Mayor? You've known us since we were little, but you were so quick to go posting on social media about me, my sister, and my mom. And just because my sister talks about her trauma, that's just unfair. Literally, people from PAL make them go say their own words.

But thank you.

J.D. Verden, please.

I'm sorry?

Okay, Maria Alejandra Barbosa.

Hola, buenas tardes. Mi nombre es Maria Alejandra Barbosa. Vine hace dos semanas por el presupuesto de la ciudad y nos fuimos como a las 12, bien tarde de noche, esperando el turno para hablar y para después tener que levantarse temprano para ir a trabajar. So I'm going to repeat my request. I'm representing the member of Esperanza Unión de Inquilinos. To the court with the power between the proprietors represented by a good lawyer and a good attorney defend their rights only with his voice, is atent against the equities. They have increased the unemployment rate in a way indiscriminate.

For this reason, we need to dedicate a fund to the representation of the inquilinos so that both compare in equality conditions. This way we will honor democracy, whose base is justice imparted with equity. Defending the inquilino is to protect the mental health of the family. To have a house is a right, and to lose the house is, among other things, to be in the right of the international child to have a house. Part of its work is to have a house. Thank you very much. Let's do it. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Juliana Mousheyev.

Good evening. My name is Maria Alejandra Barbosa. I was here two weeks ago speaking about the budget. We stayed until past midnight. It was very late, waiting for our turn to speak. And I'm here to ask you about this. and I'm going to repeat what I said. Oh, because we have to work early the next day. I'm here to repeat what I said, my petition. I'm here representing the tenants group, the tenants union. And I'm here to, it's talking about when you go to court and the landlords are represented by lawyers

and the tenants are represented by only their own voice, this is not equity. and we are asking that you designate some monies for tenant representation so that we have equality of conditions. This is just justice, and we need to have some defense for tenants. When you have defense for tenants, this creates and gives people mental health, and when people do not have a roof over their head, that goes against international laws for children.

Thank you. John Hanna, please.

Followed by Boris. John's on here. All right, Boris, you only get two minutes.

Good evening, Mayor and City Council members. Unfortunately, John and Hannah had a flight to catch, so he can no longer be here at this time, but I am here. First off, thank you very much to staff. Staff has done a great job working with us. I'm with the Carpenters Contractors Cooperation Committee, representing carpenters and union contractors. We've submitted a letter to staff and to the City Council regarding some of the recommended actions that we hope the City Council will take. We're very happy to see this being passed hopefully or eventually via ordinance. We believe

that's the correct approach but again we do believe that there's certain parcels that we hope would be removed from the exempt list and we also hope that there would be a land use map created to identify the alternative sites that staff is proposing so again thank you very much it's been great working with staff and we hope that you will take up you would take into consideration our recommendations thanks thank you both Jana

Hi, my name is Jonna, and I'm here to speak about Assembly Bill 2011, or 2011, and Senate Bill 6. So I read through the staff report justifying Santa Ana's exemption to these bills. I also read the correspondence received that details how the city staff report was both misleading and inaccurate in the calculation of its numbers. But that's not the point I want to make. The point I want to make is that the betterment of your residents' lives should be your highest priority. Where would the city be without its residents, its workers, its families who are the

source of the city's wealth but still struggle to survive in a world where prices everywhere have risen but wages have not? These bills create much, much needed affordable housing. I don't need to present statistics, just look outside. The increasing homelessness, like this should not be normal. We should be horrified by this. How many people are living in the streets simply because they cannot afford $1,800 a month in rent. Things like rent control, which council members have have approved and are now under fire for, should be seen as a good thing. Things like abundant

affordable housing should be seen as a good thing. Things like fair wages, which these bills include for the workers, should be seen as a good thing. I urge council to keep the working class families of Santa Ana at the forefront and accept the responsibility of enacting AB 2011 and SV6. Thank you. Thank you. Dale Helvick.

Dale Helvick, Ward 3. Good evening, Mayor, Council members, City staff. I would like to thank the Mayor and the Council for all the hard work they're doing for community outreach and the work they're doing to improve public health and safety. I think the parks is a big factor in how people feel. I've seen a lot of people in the parks every time I'm driving around the city, all times of the day, so it's great. I support item 32 and 32 alpha. It's not an issue about if Santa Ana should provide additional housing. It's about following the general plan to determine where that housing should be built.

Santa has been a leader in addressing new housing and should have the opportunity to be a leader again by identifying where and what it needs to build to meet the housing requirements the city of Orange Councilwoman a Arianna Barrio said it feels like this their city is being held hostage during the housing cycle I think most cities in the the state feel that way she goes on to say and I quote, we're being put in the path of some developers who are unsavory in their tactics, and I think that's true, again, throughout the cities. Approving the resolution will help control some of these developers,

because right now, if they're allowed to build in accordance with AB 2011, they don't have to worry about setback requirements. They don't have to worry about parking requirements, except for handicap. cap, and if we think we have a parking issue now, wait until that goes into effect if it does. Sound local public policy should not be made at the state level, especially when a city is following all the rules like Santa Ana. Please retain local control of this resolution

and pass this resolution. On a side note for rent control, I think all residents receive this notice of the pass-through commodity increase, it's 9%. So with rent control, we limit it at 3%. So we're going to squeeze out these mom and pop shops if we continue to approve things higher than rent control numbers. So thank you.

Thank you. John Ramirez.

Good evening, Mayor, council members, city staff, police, fire personnel present tonight. My name is John Ramirez and I'm a resident of War II and I've lived in Sanai my whole life. I'm talking tonight regarding agenda item 31. I see the recommended actions on this item and I honestly wish there was a fourth action where the city demanded the school district pay half the cost of the crossing guard program. Not sure which direction the council will take on this item, maybe approve action item three, but I like the idea of the city finding a way to make the school district reimburse

the city for services they provide to the school district, whether it's through calls for service via the Santa Ana Police Department or other instances. But in my sincere hope, the taxpaying residents of our city and our parents of students in SAUSD will demand that the school board will be a true community partner with the city and share the costs when it's needed, especially when it comes to student safety. I also wanted to thank you, Mayor, for doing a good job so far as Mayor. When you first came on, the first thing I heard from residents was that you actually listen to them.

And one of the things I like about you is you're always doing a lot of community outreach. I look on my Facebook and it seems like every week it's coffee with the mayor, go for a walk with the mayor, or the mayor is at the fire department doing something and I just always see you out there with the community and getting their input. And I hear from people online that message me or in person, they're saying this is a mayor that actually listens to us and I just want you know we appreciate it you're doing a good job and I hope I know that'll continue so thank you mayor

thank you mayor city council and staff and police and fire president personnel present tonight you all have a good night and stay safe

Mario Alvarado

Mayor and City Council I just want to say that I was born and raised in Santa Ana I went to school in Santa Ana I volunteered in Santa Ana I was part of the Santa Ana Youth Program in Santa Ana I served on commissions I served on a commission in Santa Ana I work for Parks and Rec, I work for Community Services, I work for the Treasury Division in Santa Ana. Half of the people that were out here for Parks and Rec were my colleagues at some point, went to school in Santa Ana, graduated from college, local college, and now here a small business owner in Santa Ana. So I am the consequential resident in Santa Ana.

And I'm here today just to show and mention appreciation for the leadership on this diocese, from people that are grassroots and, you know, leaders that have been tied to education, leaders up here that show executive presence, and then you spearheading it all. The passion that you bring just makes everybody here in Santa Ana have just a smile, which you can't say. And, you know, see, David wasn't here when I was giving out the compliments, so you must .

So just coming in today, leaving my house with a newborn, and just to show appreciation to everybody up here, especially you, Mayor, who understands what drawing a line in the SAND means and some people get it some people don't and just mentioning you know not wanting to leave on a negative notice but you know useless pop shots on social media by people by other organizations by other agencies that have nowhere and being you know having dignity here so thank you so much for everything that you do.

Juliana. Sorry Juliana I called you earlier.

It's okay. Hi, my name is Juliana. I'm a resident of Santa Ana. I wanted to speak on AB 2011 and Resolution 32. I wanted to speak against the resolution to exempt parcels of land. Me being a resident of Santa Ana, I think about the type of city I want to live in. And the type of city I want to live in is that where people can live and work in the same neighborhood where they don't have to travel to a different part of town or even a different city in order to go home and then come to work.

Mixed-use housing is a huge major solution to the housing crisis. I think that Santa Ana is a very progressive city. I'm very proud of the residents who voted for rent control. Thank you. I live in a rent-controlled building. Thank you for letting me stay there and not have to move. And I think that this is yet another step in the right direction for providing opportunities for affordable housing and also for the people working on this housing, the construction workers, to have a living wage, to have health benefits. I see the members of the union here. I stand with them in their effort to yes

So all in all I think this would be a great step for Santa Ana and I urge everybody to welcome this with the state law with open arms because it's exciting It's a solution. It's innovative and we need it here. So thank you Thank you Danny Vega

Danny Vega please.

Hello mayor and city council. My name is Danny Vega, resident of Board 3. I am vice president of the Casa de Santiago Neighborhood Association. and our president Joanna Peterson couldn't be here but she asked that I speak on her behalf we simply wanted to express our gratitude to Mayor Miskua and all the hard work that she has put in in the last six months in my and I thank you my family thank you thank you for making yourself available to talk to anyone regardless of their political ideologies people forget that these seats are nonpartisan yet certain council members are quick to run to get that powerful democrats

endorsement is everybody a democrat in santa ana special interest thank you for organizing monthly meetings with neighborhood leaders and addressing our concerns thank you for still believing in the rule of law and standing up against the illegal street vendors thank you for putting public safety first and for pledging to address police misconduct which is why you were quick to appoint the most qualified person to serve on the police oversight Commission because you recognize how important this is for residents and now I speak for myself thank you again for holding the mayor's

prayer breakfast and acknowledging the faith-based community and how important and faith still is for a lot of Santa Ana residents. We too exist. Lastly, how does that saying goes? Con la vara que mide seras medido, or in other words, with the rod you measure, you will be measured. Folks who insist on measuring you by that rod conveniently forget to measure their own leaders by the same rod, school board. And if they did, they'd find that they would fall well below their own standards. Mayor, pay no attention to the naysayers. You're doing a fantastic job. Thank you.

Nally Gillaspie. Good evening City Council Mayor. Legaspie. It's been said every single way you can possibly think of. Tonight, believe it or not, I'm here to talk about Saturday what an amazing day it was for Juneteenth and thank all of you very very much it's an example of what our city is like when we open our arms there was no problems it was just a whole bunch of love and seeing those of you who were able to attend it was really good seeing you it was just nothing but good times even though my sister had to wait for a while to get

her food it was worth it because the food was good and everybody that was there was just so friendly and we got to talk and hang out was like a family reunion so i want to say thank you to parks and recreation because without them it wouldn't have happened the community comes out and supports it because the staff is amazing and they just constantly impress me and ultimately y'all support the efforts that we put in to have community events so thank you to you too for supporting it that's what i'm here about good stuff you guys are doing a great job keep it up thank you so much i appreciate you all good night thank you mia verdon

Before I begin, can I please have three minutes? Is that allowed?

No, I'm sorry, you can only have two. Got it.

Okay. Good evening, Mayor and City Council. My name is Mia Verdeen and I'm back again to bring forth an issue that is very dear to me. As a Ward 3 resident, my family and I have been nothing but upset and frustrated by the sheer amount of canvassers coming to our doors every weekend at 8 in the morning to spread nothing but lies about Mayor Pro Tem Lopez. This attempt to recall Mayor Pro Tem Lopez has been nothing short of harmful, not only to the community of Ward 3, but all of Santana. Mayor Mesquah, you've done so much good in the past as your tenure as school board president.

You once advocated for the implementation of ethnic studies in our schools, which I personally have benefited from and I'm continuing to pursue in my journey of higher education. You have brought restorative justice practices to help our kids in need. You have shown that you are capable of creating change and standing up for what is right. As a young woman in Santana who deeply cares about this community, I would like to find these positive role models that I can look to and aspire to be like. You and Mayor Pro Tem Lopez are two of three women on this council.

Women standing up for other women must be of value that should be kept strong on the dais. Over your last six months of an office, you have shown that you show up for other women in local politics outside of Santana. You've captioned Facebook posts with hashtag women supporting women. But where is that sentiment when one of your very own colleagues on the diocese being attacked? Mayor Mescua, I ask you deeply to think about what I'm about to say. I'm not trying to diminish your accomplishments as our city's first woman mayor. In fact, I commend you for breaking that glass ceiling.

Please believe me when I say that I'm not preying on your downfall. I would genuinely really like to see you thrive and do what is right for our community. But I want to ask, will you be Santa Ana's first woman mayor to stand up for what is right in the face of injustice? or will you be the mayor who turns a blind eye when another woman is in need and give in to special interests and Jerry Serrano? You already know that this isn't the first time a woman on this council has been bullied off the dais. Jessie Lopez is being targeted just because she stood up to the POA. If you decide not to speak up,

this will be a stain on your legacy as mayor. Will you continue to allow the history of women on this council being bullied off the dais? Don't you wanna show the women in this city that we can stand up for each other? Ultimately, it is up to you and only you to set that precedent for your term as mayor.

Fernando Delgado.

And it's again.

I'm here once again to speak out against Jerry Serrano and the Police Officers Association, desperate attempt to take over our city council. And for anyone here listening, in case you don't know what's been going on, allow me to fill you in first off. They always cut it down to two minutes whenever we talk about this, and y'all knew we were coming to talk about this. Last week, the POA submitted their petition signatures to launch a recall campaign to remove Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Lopez. They collected these signatures by spending over $275,000 of their association member's dollars paying canvassers to spread lies about Lopez.

Anyone who's paying attention, including the people who spoke on your behalf, Mayor, know that this recall really has nothing to do with Mayor Pro Tem Lopez or her record. This is about the greedy and corrupt police union president, Jerry Serrano, and the POA trying to get their way no matter what the cost. They did it to Cecilia Iglesias in 2020, and they think they can get away with it again. So why is Jerry doing this? Well, again, for anyone who isn't aware, the POA wanted a $25 million increase in the police department budget that the city cannot afford. He also wants to continue to get his $130,000 sergeant salary,

but wants to be relieved of his police duty so that he can spend all his time lobbying as police union president. Most importantly, he wants to remove Mayor Pro Tem Lopez so that he can replace her with somebody who he can influence with his donation dollars, and then that way they won't hold him and his officers accountable. Let me remind you, this is a man who was caught drunk driving in Garden Grove and got away with it. This is someone who tried and failed to sue the city because they refused to spike his pension and he threatened to burn the city down because of it.

This is someone who is actively trying to get rid of the city manager and the police chief because they don't tolerate his nonsense. Anyone who's paying attention, again, knows that this is no good for our city. Not only a $500,000 cost to taxpayers, but it's going to send a message to voters that their council can be bought. Mayor Mesquah, Councilmember Phil Becerra, Councilmember David Peñalosa, you are the only three members who have yet to speak out against the recall. You also happen to be the only members who receive donations from the POA. David and Phil, you got over $90,000. Mayor Mesquah, you got over $200,000.

When you don't speak out about this, what message does it send to the voters? It sends that you guys are not accountable to them. You're accountable to your donors. So mind you, this is not a judgment. This is not an attack. This is a call to action. Are you going to stand up for the residents in your city or are you going to serve your donors?

Thank you. Thank you. Gerson Cortez.

Gerson Cortez.

Madison Romero.

Hello, good afternoon. My name is Miguel Vázquez. I am president and funder of a women organization. We want to congratulate you for having the first major here in Santa Ana. She is a woman. And now, this is the mission of my organization, the Versace Group. Seguirem poder and the language here is you care a great Sarah Payne Alosa porque no Sadoo oportunidad para tener algunos programas y felicitarlos a cada una de ustedes por por sus por estar aquí verdad y quiero presentar a Carla ya Madison que son mujeres que soy encargado de poder al making a ciudad

Santana como lo voy a lograr comas programas gracias gracias Carla and

And Madison, you can both speak as well.

OK.

simplemente ser la primera, like first generation student en nuestra familia, igual que yo. Yo he logrado ser la primera generation student de universidad en mi familia gracias a la academia de Grupo Versace, porque gracias a esta academia me ha empoderado, porque no solo somos un grupo de modelaje, sino un grupo de empoderamiento que nos abre las puertas a cumplir nuestros sueños y que tenemos clases que nos sube nuestra autoestima.

Good evening Mayor Mezqua and council members of Santana. My name is Madison Romero and like Carla and Miguel, I come from the organization Grupo Versage. We are a group of more than 40 girls ranging from the ages 4 to 19. Although I live in Anaheim, Santana is my second home. And because it is my second home, I'd like to get as many girls involved in this wonderful group. This group is built predominantly of Latino girls and young women. We are very active in the community here in Santana. And we'd like to break that cycle of generational trauma and get our girls to accomplish their dreams.

Our ultimate goal is to instill values and respect into these girls. Thank you for your continuous support, and we hope to hear from you soon. Gracias. Thank you.

Teresa Nol? Mayor, is there a translation? Oh, I'm sorry.

Good evening. My name is Miguel Vasquez, and I am the president of a woman's organization, Group of Versace, a group to empower women. First of all, I'd like to congratulate the first woman mayor of Santa Ana, And our organization, Group of Versace, empowers women and young women. I'd like to thank Mr. Peñalosa for supporting us in getting our programs. And we'd like to congratulate here Carla and Madison, who will be speaking. And Carla, my name is Carla, and I'm Miss Versace 2022. And thank you for allowing us to be here.

First of all, congratulations on being the first woman mayor. In Group of Versace, we are allowed and encouraged to follow our dreams, and we want to follow someone like you to have dreams that are important for our lives, such as being the first woman mayor or the first generation, first college attending, college going in our families, which is my case. So thank you. Thanks to Group of Versace. we are empowering to open our doors to open our dreams and follow our dreams and we have self-esteem classes we have groups of 20 young people and 20 ladies

we are meeting right now in a Zumba look locale and we would like to support for getting our own place

Thank you. Sue Pollack, please. Followed by Ray Diaz.

Good evening, Mayor. Good evening, Mayor, Council Members. and city manager i think you know why i'm here tonight i'm going to make this really brief because i'm here to advocate for sean who's at the carnage shelter and i have sent you emails in today i just thought okay getting up at four o'clock i said i'm running over here no matter what and i'm going to advocate for him because i know you know what it's about other council members might not know about it at this point but you know what the situation is he um he's going broke over there because the OCTA has not reinstated yet the COVID schedule, which I'm

working with them on that, and we're looking at solutions. We've also, many of us throughout the community and in official businesses have talked about having an Uber pass for those that are working at the Carnegie Shelter. And I will tell you, it's been close to $2,000 that he has spent in order to get home from work, get from work at 11 o'clock to the shelter, and he has to do this by permission, and he takes an Uber. And it's over $100 a week, just one way. So it's getting to the point where, you know, Sean has given me permission to talk about this with you, and I have a solution. And maybe you might not like it,

but until something happens with the OCTA bus system, these people who have jobs are having a hard time getting in and out of the shelter being able to get to work, and now it's getting down to the point where he may lose his job because he cannot afford this cost anymore. And we've talked about Uber passes, but I came up with a solution today, and that is Sean could submit his weekly receipts that he gets from Uber, and it could be written up as an expense report to be reimbursed by the city until this is resolved. because otherwise he's going to lose his job.

He's not going to be able to have the money to be able to go to get home. Ma'am, I'm sorry, your time is up? So that's what I'm here to talk to you about, and you know what the issue is. Ma'am, your time is up. Yes, thank you very much. Thank you.

Thank you. Ray Diaz.

Go ahead and ready to get started. So good evening, Madam Mayor and members of the council. My name is Ray Diaz, and I have been a proud Santanero for the majority of my life. I come tonight to speak in support of our community champion Jesse Lopez, who is also serving as our mayor pro tem. This recall in Santana, which came about after a majority of Santa Ana City Council members rejected the POA's $25 million pay proposal, is corrupt and is a clear attempt to undermine democracy. Now, the words, e pluribus unum, are inscribed in this council's chamber.

the fundamental belief that begins with the genuine compassion and love that keeps this city moving. We are the heart of Orange County, a county seat that is bold enough to take on special interests who seek to divide us. The goal should always be to represent the best interest of all Santa Ana residents, not just a few, not just a few. And there is a, if there's a young person in Santa who doesn't have access to parks, who doesn't have access to a library, that matters to me. That matters to me because that is what the definition of community looks like.

It means looking out for one another even when times are hard and when stuff hits the fan. It is that compassion and love that calls on all of us to hold those in positions of political power accountable. Jerry Serrano embodies and embraces the politics if anything goes. He uses political connections to sweep a DUI charge under the rug. He removes political opponents who challenge his authority, pushing meritless legal claims that cost the city thousands of dollars. This is a clear attempt to undermine democracy. If nothing else, this moment will be a stain on this city's history and on your legacy, Madam Mayor.

And just as many who have spoken today, I truly do wish the best for you and this city because that is what is truly the intent of our issue here, is to truly see every student, every young person, every person in the city of Sanhá to have the same opportunities and the same access to opportunity. And that starts with holding those in political power accountable.

Irma, have a game, please?

Good evening, Madam Mayor, Council. Pleasure to see everybody as city manager. I came first and foremost to say thank you. When you and I met, Madam Mayor, the first thing I thought I'd talk to you is I looked to the person, the person, heart and mind and value of the city. Being a woman, thank you so much, but more than anything, you are keeping your word. I am so proud of you. I even get emotional. Our mission, the mission statement that's on the agenda every day that I see it, it says, to deliver efficient public service in partnership to the community,

which ensures public safety, a prosperous economic environment, opportunity for youth, and a high quality of life for residents. You are really striving to do that. You did the walk in Worcester Square. You meet coffee with everybody. Our council members work on that. and I know that although our residents are trying to build their little enterprise businesses a guidance of keeping our brick-and-mortar businesses and employment is paramount for the health of the whole city so thank you for thinking in the bigger picture a suggestion would be to have workshops

for those who do want to start the little businesses with health and public safety and accounting to teach them how to do it right and for first and foremost our residents not outsiders second point please support items i support item 32 i won't repeat what dale said but i totally agree with that because the well-being of our city is very important i am a a financial uh financial planner and a realtor of 32 years and i understand that if the whole infrastructure is not planned properly with parking and spaces for people and schools the

whole thing will fall on it lend itself to bad design so thanks again and for parks and rec 2525 a bigger park a place for community that north main thank you

Martha Rivera, followed by Ana Laura Padilla. I'm sorry, Commissioner, I've been told to say Commissioner Martha Padilla.

Thank you. Good evening Mayor Emescua, council members and community. My name is Martha Rivera and I am here today because I want to elevate and celebrate the work of Mayor Emescua in Santana. I first had the pleasure of meeting Mayra Mesquo when she served as board president for Santa Ana Unified in 2018. As the founding leader and visionary behind family engagement in the wellness centers, Mayra Mesquo was fearless in her support of what she knew was not only a good practice, but a practice that could be transformational in our school district.

She was and is a visionary who works with her community by building meaningful relationships. This fearlessness served her well not only during her time at SAUSD, but I see it today in her role as mayor. Mayor Amesqua continues to be dedicated to doing with the community, not for the community. One of the most commendable aspects of her tenure thus far as mayor has been her relentless efforts to ensure that all voices are heard and represented. She listens deeply. For example, she makes herself available to community members by hosting the walks and

remaining engaged with her community. Mayor Amesqua, your dedication to improving the lives of the people you serve has truly made a remarkable difference. Your heart remains grounded in the commitment of service to others. We are fortunate to have a mayor like you who not only dreams of a better future but actively works towards making that dream a reality. Thank you for remaining steadfast in your commitment to our community and the future of this beautiful city. You make me proud to be a resident of the city. Thank you.

Ana Laura Padilla.

Good afternoon, Mayor Emescoa and members of the council and community. My name is Ana Laura Padilla and I'm a resident of Ward 3.

I changed my speech so many times, but I'm just going to stay to the one that I did this afternoon before I knew some new things. I'm a proud resident and I'm here because I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for you, Mayor Mesquah. You have done so much for our community. Your tireless dedication and genuine commitment and the wellbeing for our residents have made a lasting impact of all of us. I am incredibly fortunate to serve as your appointed commissioner. In this role, I have witnessed firsthand the extraordinary lengths you go to ensure our voices are heard.

Your willingness to let a listening ear, your unwavering support, and your meticulous follow-up on matters affecting our community is remarkable. You have consistently demonstrated that you are not just a leader, but a compassionate advocate for every individual within our diverse tapestry. Your guidance and mentorship have played an instrumental role in my growth and understanding the issues of our community faces. Through your encouragement, I have been empowered to learn more in how to become more active and involved in addressing all these challenges.

Mayor Mesqua, words cannot adequately convey my appreciation for the transformative work that you continue to do for our community. Please know that your selfless dedication and remarkable service have not gone unnoticed. Thank you.

Celica Diaz.

They already said everything I was going to say.

Good evening.

Talk about David. He said talk about him.

My name is Celica Diaz. I live in the Pacific Park neighborhood, Ward 2. And I'm actually here today because I want to thank city staff for employees and yourself for doing the neighborhood mayor's neighborhood walks and what I truly appreciate is that you take the time to speak to the residents residents feel more comfortable approaching city staff and police and addressing some of the issues that they currently face in their neighborhoods also the businesses the business is truly appreciated that you took the time to to go out there and show their support and finding ways so how they can

improve their business. I also want to thank Parks and Rec and library staff, Parks and Rec staff and the whole library staff for keeping our youth busy throughout this summer. I truly appreciate all the programs at the library and also you know at the parks, the movies and what I really like is what they have all their new equipment with the exercises and the hula hoops even though I can't do it, but that's really fun, seeing people trying to do it and not being able to do it. And also, what I want to ask you, please don't forget, don't forget to reopen the digital

library at the Roosevelt Walker Community Center. It's already there, just, you know, please allocate a little bit of funding and let's reopen it. And also perhaps maybe a little bit of extra more funding and we can have a team time space at the Roosevelt Walker Community Center. That would be great. And I know we're getting two splash pads, but can we get a couple more, like maybe two more? We'll be great. Okay. But thank you so much.

Thank you. Jeanette Sanchez.

Good afternoon, Mayor, City Council members. I would like to thank Mayor Mesquah for all her hard work since she stepped into office. I'm kind of a person that's really hard to impress, but I've been really impressed by your work. I go on Instagram, and you're here, and you're there. And that's what it's all about. How can you guys know what the community wants if you don't engage with the community? You guys are supposed to do your job and listen to the community and not be on your personal agenda. That's just my personal opinion. I'm here to express another issue in the downtown, just briefly.

On Broadway, it's closed from 3rd Street to 5th Street. I don't know what's going on there, but, you know, they only work for a couple of hours, and it's closed, and that's driving away customers. As it is, we've already been affected by the OC streetcar construction. And there was another event this weekend. We do not want any more street closures. We said that time and time again. and just a couple of merchants are coming out and saying we did not sign for this. So, you know, that's just another concern of ours. And thank you, Mayor, for your hard work.

Have a good night.

Araceli Casales.

Okay, voy a hablar en inglés y en español, okay? My name is Araceli, and I'm here in the, in representation of Toyama and as a community leader for more than 40 years. Since I came to Sanana, I love Sanana. I try to help the community, and I always come with people who was behind me. I can say I know very well Mr. Peñalosa. I know very well our mayor, Valeria Mezcua, and Jonathan. And it's a pleasure for me to be here and say thank you, Valerie, because anything that you promise, I can see it. I am a witness, you know.

I love the programs that you are doing right now with the fire department, police department, because that allowed us to know more, you know, how they work, to recognize the people, and you opened the doors for us in case we have any questions. As a mayor, you are a great person. As a person, you are better because I know you for many years that you were helping me with Toyama. with the kids when they have problems. I always remember you come at 12 o'clock at night, at midnight, one o'clock, just helping me with the youth. It's very important that somebody says that you know the community, okay?

That when you call your city council, they come and see us. We just wanna say thank you, and I promise you I will continue helping the community because I know I can come with your support. Thank you, thank you very much, and I cannot say something like I'm very, very proud that you are in this place because I know we are going to see the changes, okay? I know a lot of people are happy, but we cannot have everybody happy, you know, but I know you are in action. You are working with the business, with the community, with the district. Even though you are not there anymore, you care about our kids.

They're safe, and I just want to say thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. and behalf of these parents who are here with me, you know, just to say thank you for all the support you are giving to the youth. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you all very much.

At this time, we're going to go to the consent calendar items.

Number 5 through 30 are before us, council members. If you'd like to pull an item, we're going to pull items and abstain. So let me go through this. And if you don't mind, I'd like to, I think the carpenter's left. So, okay. Let's do any items pulled, please. Let me start with Councilman Hernandez.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 4

Thank you, Madam Mayor. I would just like to make a brief comment on item eight. I am supportive of this item. I just wanted to say thank you to our Parks and Rec Director, Hawk Scott, for putting this item on the agenda. This allows us to maintain our Santa Ana Zoo. we'll also bring it in a variety of different animals so I know families and children are gonna love this item thank you director Hoxcott for putting this on

the agenda that's your comment already okay all right let's pull the items first councilmember Sarah thank you mayor I'd like to pull items 15 and 23 thank you

Thai Viet PhanItem 4

councilman councilmember fan I'd also like to make a comment on item 8 and then recuse myself from item 19 and 21 as the cities of Anaheim and Irvine as well Dyer 18 LLC are clients of my employer, Rattan and Tucker. So if they are pulled, I will leave the room while

it's discussed. Thank you. Thank you. And you're just going to make a comment on eight. Councilman Vasquez, please. Nothing to pull. Mayor Pro Tem Lopez. Nothing to pull, but I did

Jessie LopezItem 4

want to register a no on item 25 for the last lesson final. You want to register a no on 25?

Correct. Thank you. Thank you. Councilman Penelosa.

David PenalozaItem 4

Thank you, Mayor Mascua. Just a quick comment on item 8.

Perfect. All right. With that, can I get a motion?

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 4

I'll make a motion to move the calendar. I'll second. Okay.

With the comments and items 15, 23 pulled.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 4

And then I am a no on item 25, Madam Mayor.

You're a no on 25.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 4

That is correct.

Okay.

Benjamin VazquezItem 4

I'll be a no on 25 as well.

Okay. Claudio Gallegos. Mayor. I'm sorry, there's a second. Did we do a second? Who was the second, please? I'll second.

David PenalozaItem 4

Mayor seconds. Mayor seconds. Moved by Councillor Anderson.

and I second and let's prepare to vote. And then we'll bring up Claudio Gallegos, is he still here? Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

So a motion by Council Member Hernandez, seconded by Mayor Emesqua, to approve the consent calendar with noted no votes on item number 25 by Council Members Vasquez, Hernandez, Mayor Pro Tem Lopez, noted recusal by Council Member Fan on items 19 and 21, and items 15 and 23, pulled for separate discussion and brief comments on item number eight.

That is correct. This time, if we can have Claudia Gragles come up, congratulations.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

If everyone could please cast their votes, Mayor.

Phil BacerraItem 4

He's not a commissioner yet. We've got to vote.

Oh, we voted.

Phil BacerraItem 4

We still need to cast our votes. Claudia, you've got to sit down and tell them to vote. Hold on, Claudia.

We have to vote. I apologize.

Thai Viet PhanItem 4

I'd like to pull this item from the agenda.

I just assumed they were going to say yes, Claudia. My apologies. Let's prepare to vote.

I don't know about that, guys.

All right. Let's vote, please.

Did you guys, I don't know if mine's working here. Is your all working?

Mine's not working.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Mayor, if you'd like to voice your vote. I'm a yes vote.

Maybe we'll let Claudio up.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

The vote is seven eyes, no nays. Consent calendar items are approved unanimously with the exception of item number 25 on a 4-3 vote and the pulled items for separate consideration.

Thank you so much. Claudio Gallegos, come on up.

Community Development Commissioner.

I, Claudio William Gallegos, 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, faithfully, and discharge

the duties upon which I'm about to enter. Thank you.

Congratulations, audience.

Okay, at this time we're going to go to item 8 for comments from Councilmember Ty. I think Councilmember Hernandez already gave us comments.

Thai Viet PhanItem 4

So did you do the proclamation for Parks and Rec? Director, did you want to send me notes that I forgot to look at? Look, I want to say first of all that, you know, this was an item that when I first met with our city manager she had brought up that there was all this drama about having the 50 monkeys and I'm just so thankful for our city manager, our director, Hawk Scott.

Thai Viet PhanItem 4

Oh, Mr. Prentice is here?

Ethan.

Thai Viet PhanItem 5

Ethan. Oh my gosh. Are you okay? You want Ethan to come up? Yes. Well, Ethan Fisher. with the zoo but ultimately what I'm trying to say is that this is such an incredible win for our city and for our residents and for our children you know policy or not policies but regulations and standards change over time and our parks and our community also has to change with it and with that it takes a long time and a lot of effort from our staff to really advocate for this and so with that I just want to congratulate everyone congratulate our work and I think there's gonna be some comments from director Scott because

Thai Viet PhanItem 5

he's making faces at me regarding this item so why don't you come up and make some comments with Ethan thank you okay well hold on because I have a comment oh

sorry you can come up and still make faces at us though I think there's a cut and it comes to impenna well go ahead I'll wait till you're done thank

David PenalozaItem 5

Thank you Mayor Mesquan, thank you Director Scott and Executive Director Ethan Fisher for all the work that you guys have been doing at the zoo. I know that one of my first meetings on here back in 2019-18 with then Mayor Pulido, there was a conversation about the 50 monkeys that we had to have and the need for having some insurance monkeys just in case one of the monkeys hit the dust. AND MAKING SURE THAT THIS PARK WOULD REMAIN A CITY ASSET. SO THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR WORK. THANK YOU TO THE APPRECIES FAMILY AND THEIR WORK TOWARDS THIS. LOOKING FORWARD TO ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT ARE COMING. AND YEAH, THAT'S IT. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

David PenalozaItem 5

THANK YOU BOTH.

Jessie LopezItem 5

MAYOR PROTEM LOPEZ. YEAH, THANK YOU. WELL, THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR WORK. ETHAN, WE RARELY GET TO INTERACT WITH YOU. SO IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU HERE. YOU REALLY, THE PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW THAT YOU DO THE DAY IN AND DAY OUT WORK at the zoo so thank you to you and to all of the staff that isn't here and for you know making sure that we're not you know binded by that requirement anymore because i think it'll allow us to really invest in the zoo and other animals and attract more people so thank you for the work

Benjamin VazquezItem 5

and now you want to sound yeah thank you once again i appreciate the work as a kid i visited the zoo many times and we were just happy to go to we call that parque de los changos back in the day but we do appreciate the new stuff you're bringing in and so happy many of my students we go yearly to uh to volunteer for with zoo so we do appreciate the zoo thank you

so much for the work that you do um councilman um sir i'm assuming you want to speak sure why not

Phil BacerraItem 5

well first of all thank you guys for all the work that you do and what i really appreciate is while you know many might ridicule the requirement that Dr. Prentiss had I appreciate the fact that you guys honored his legacy and you spoke to the family so this isn't something that's being forced this is something that just shows that you guys are willing to work with the family and it's important because we wouldn't have had that zoo without that family so thank you guys

for doing that okay I'm gonna speak briefly then you can talk okay huh so I just want to say thank you because Ethan I do go to the zoo as you know I was just there myself with Claudia we were in the butterfly exhibit and if you're having on to see the butterflies or spend time in there take a cup of coffee and just go sit in there and they'll fly on you and land on you and just don't take Claudia with you because she'll call them critters and scream or something she's afraid of them but I've never seen such beautiful beautiful butterflies than in our zoo the greens the purples the blacks they're just so many and I did

post them on my social media and I was able to talk to residents when I was there and they were from all over and so the work that you're doing at the zoo and I know we're gonna have the otter exhibit soon and I think we're having a city manager zoo bash or zoo brew brew at the zoo but that's not city it's not a city that it's a fundraiser so buy your ticket so I guess you get to drink beer with the butterflies I don't know but um but I just want to thank you and Hawk thank you because today and yesterday I got pictures from Santiago Park which I'm gonna go visit tomorrow with Claudia to go look at the the park because the

family said look at this park thank you so much and so but the parks the zoo it is a gem that we need to talk more about is the zoo and get people to come from all over and I'm having my coffee with the mayor at the zoo and I'm really excited and everybody I've told about it I think I all the police officers are with me a couple weeks ago they're like we're gonna be there so but I'm really excited and thank you for everything that you guys are doing it's just it's a beautiful place to visit and thank you Hawk for you and your staff and the city managers leadership with the parks and rocks so thank you that's all I have so

now you can make your it's not that I want to make any faces it I mean this is a huge accomplishment for the Santa zoo because as you guys all know the zoo is a staple not just for Santa Ana or Orange County but Southern California and and that's why I wanted to bring up Ethan up here because he has spent over 20 years at the zoo and again I'm just coming up on one year but this is one of the things we wanted to tackle as I first came in so he'll give you a little bit more detail and also you guys are all invited this Friday we are having a movie

night at the zoo and we are actually showing zootopia out there so it's the first thing we're doing with parks recreation and the zoo you know a big thing together and ethan's going to have some surprises out there so if you guys we want everyone everyone listening come out to the zoo starting at 5 30 on friday but i'm going to turn it over because this is a huge milestone for ethan and his team and all of us well thank you uh mayor and council and the city manager for your leadership this is a incredible milestone for the zoo who would think so many years later 71 years the zoo

has been around that we'd be looking at something like this working with the family they're very grateful for all the improvements that we've made in this facility i think the zoo has grown into something that is much bigger and better than anyone ever imagined when it first opened i mean it was literally four cages with 50 monkeys and that and that was it uh no fence no admission there you go um so it is is really a gem in the city i'm really proud of our facility our zoo and uh talking to people that come and visit from santa anna from beyond we have we had students

last week visiting from hemat and paris and west covina and all over so we really are drawing people in this whole region providing an incredible opportunity for education and conservation and it's just if you're if you're a Santa Ana resident and you can come just five minutes away and spend spend some time out of the city it's an incredible experience and I just want to thank you for all your support that you've lended over the years and continue I won't tell you how long

I've been going to the zoo because I'm a little bit older than Councilman Vasquez but I was there when you had the elephant ride. And some of us that grew up here in Santa Ana know about the elephant. I see Rudy shaking his head. Yes, we had, back there, I see Dale. Yeah, people, we had elephant ride. And I don't remember the cost. Of course, I didn't pay for it. But that's how long the zoo has grown. It just went around in little circles like you're talking about. But to me, it was the best thing in the world. So thank you. Thank you guys very much.

Okay, we're going to go to item 15, Councilman Becerra.

Phil BacerraItem 5

Thank you, Madam Mayor. Director Saba, I have a quick question on this item. So this is to award a construction contract to All-American Asphalt for the Main Street Rehabilitation. What I'd like to do is amend the recommended action to allocate any of the unspent funds, this is the unspent funds, towards resurfacing of the nearby MacArthur Place segment. So with that, unless you see any issue with that, I'd like to go ahead and make that my motion.

I'm sorry, can you say that again?

Phil BacerraItem 5

So move the item, but with an amendment to allocate any of the unspent funds to resurfacing the nearby MacArthur Place.

Yeah, no issues with that.

Phil BacerraItem 5

Perfect. Thank you.

Any other comments by any of the council members? Can you tell me how much is unspent?

We don't know yet. It's just if there are any.

If there are any, is what you want. Okay. Is that your motion? Yes. Is there a second? I'll second. Oh, I'm sorry, I had a comment.

David PenalozaItem 5

Yeah, just a comment. Thank you, Director Saba, for this item. Do we know the scene that the work that we've been seeing along Main Street, that we've been in communication over the last week?

Yes.

David PenalozaItem 15

I just want to remind that I thank you and your department, and thank our inspectors for being out there and inspecting the work that's being done by these contractors, oftentimes it doesn't get inspected. And because under your leadership, that is now getting done and we're seeing the added conditions and improvements with these contractors that are getting these contracts. So just wanted to thank you for that and your team. You're welcome. That's it, Mayor.

Thank you. Thank you, Nabil. There's a motion and a second.

Jennifer L. HallItem 15

Let's vote, please. A motion by Councilmember Becerra, seconded by Mayor Mesquah to approve item 15 and as amended to allocate any unspent funds to resurfacing nearby MacArthur Place.

That is correct. I can't vote so I'm a yes vote.

Jennifer L. HallItem 15

Is the vote up for anyone else? Can you all vote?

Phil BacerraItem 15

Mine says it's waiting.

Jennifer L. HallItem 15

Okay. You want to do a roll call please? Yes. Thank you. Councilmember Becerra? Yes. Councilmember Hernandez? Yes. Councilmember Fan? Yes. Councilmember Penaloza? Yes. Councilmember Vasquez? Yes. Mayor Pro Tem Lopez? No and I have my request to speak on so but I don't know. I can't it doesn't show up here just so you know.

Jessie LopezItem 15

Okay I don't know what the amount is going to be in return and I would like if there's any amount left over to be put into priority projects so I'll be on No, thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 15

Mayor Mesqua.

Jennifer L. HallItem 15

Yes. Vote is six ayes, one nay. Nay by Mayor Pro Tem Lozpez. Motion carries.

Okay, so I said it earlier, mine's not working. So if you want to speak, please raise your hand. Don't speak out, but just raise your hand so I can see you because I'm not ignoring anybody. I just, it's not popping up. And then Madam City Clerk, if we could just do roll calls instead of waiting. Sure, no problem. I think everybody is waiting. So if we can just do roll call please. If the council would allow me, I'd like to jump over to the business calendar because I know we have some people here waiting. They have to get to work pretty early.

Phil BacerraItem 15

Mayor Mezqua. Yes. There's one last item on consent.

I know but then we're going to have a discussion.

Phil BacerraItem 15

It should be super quick.

All right. You all heard that council. All right item 23.

Phil BacerraItem 15

Famous last words right. No thank you Madam Mayor. Just real quick on this item, this is the LAZ parking contract or agreement for parking enforcement. I just want to confirm. So with this item, there will be enforcement of permit parking districts. I see Assistant Chief Rodriguez.

Assistant Chief Rodriguez will answer that question.

Yes, good evening, Mayor, Councilmembers. uh the contract's initially based on the routes for street sweeping and then some supplemented in addition to some parking districts okay because what i want to make sure you know in

Phil BacerraItem 15

improving this so i'm receiving complaints from folks in my ward who have permanent parking districts in washington square and in wilshire square they're you know they've gone through all the headache to get these permit parking districts and then on a friday night or saturday night when one of the neighbors decides to throw a party, a bunch of folks come in with no permits, nobody's there to enforce. So that's why looking at the side, I just want to make sure that there's going to be allocated resources towards enforcing those times in those districts.

Those times or those hours, I'm assuming parties, maybe one, two in the morning, those more likely will fall on the PD side, and that's more of a communication piece on our end to pick up the extra coverage because this contract actually limits the hours that they work.

Phil BacerraItem 15

Okay, so we know then that PD then will be picking up the slack on that. We would have to pick up the slack, yes. Perfect. Thank you for that. And with that, I'll go ahead and move the item.

So I'll second it, but I have a question. So he brought up a very valid point. So if I live in an area, I don't, but if I did live in an area where I'm having a party, I'm given permits, correct, because I've been in neighborhoods where we're given permits for our guests because people want to have parties councilman becerra so you're not going to go around and at a certain time and give tickets after like one in the morning as long as they

have a permit on their dash correct they got to have a permit we will not decide unless they have

a permit but as long as they have a permit on their dash if they're gas they will not be cited correct okay that's what i want to make sure and then city manager the city's going through a traffic study correct right now regarding parking and things like that so we may see some changes in a couple months the next budget cycle or just at a few months is that correct um the estimated

completion time of that parking study is i think it's a little farther out than a couple months a little farther than than few months we're anticipating probably be eight to 12 months

for the parking study to be over yes and then we'll make changes throughout the city that's

Correct. Well, it depends on the recommendations and everything that comes with that study. We do plan a work study session coming soon to you to let you know of what the results are so far.

Okay. Perfect. Thank you very much. You move the item. Is there a second?

I'll second.

Second by Councilmember Penelosa. Can we do a roll call vote, please?

Jennifer L. HallItem 15

Yes, Mayor. Motion by Councilmember Becerra, seconded by Councilmember Penelosa to approve item 23, an agreement with LAZ Park in California LLC.

Councilmember Becerra? Yes. Councilmember Hernandez? Yes. Councilmember Penaloza? Yes. Councilmember Phan? Yes. Councilmember Vasquez? Yes. Mayor Potem Lopez? Yes. Mayor Mesquah? Yes. Votas 7 ayes, no nays. Motion carries. Thank you. We're going to go to the business calendar, but we're going to go to item 32. Madam City Attorney?

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 15

This is the normal item that we have on the agenda.

Yes, 32 and 32A.

Is there anything you want to cover? So we'll start with item 32 and we have our Executive Director of Planning that has a brief presentation for the City Council resolutions that are before you.

Perfect. Item 32 first, please. Thank you.

Good evening, Council, Mayor and members of the City Council. Also, the item for consideration tonight is the adoption of two resolutions exempting certain properties in the City of Santa Ana from Assembly Bill 20, AB 2011 and Senate Bill 6 pursuant to California Government Code section 65912.114, 65912.124, and 65852.24. tonight's presentation will lay out the background and the groundwork the city has

the city has put forth in place to support the city's development goals for the next 25 years and beyond and I hope that after listening to tonight's presentation there will be a common understanding and support for the city's process the and the framework substantiating a decision to exercise the exemption as specified under the bills. I'm going to conflict with the city manager and apologize. The presentation won't be brief. I'll try to be summarized where I can, but the issues are complex, and we have to provide technical information as well along with our presentation.

There have been numerous housing bills signed into laws over the past five years with the goal of solving statewide housing shortages generally these bills have limit local land use control circumvent community review and comments and compliance with local land use plan as well as ceco requirements in summary assembly bill 2011 and sb6 allows by right residential development without public hearing in zones where office retail or parking are permitted submitted, subject to meeting the various criteria of the bills, including affordability and wage and labor requirements.

Both bills are scheduled to take effect July 1, 2023, and will sunset on January 1, 2033, unless extended.

Both bills also provide and include specified provision that permits the local government an agency to exempt parcels from streamline provision of the bills subject to making certain findings under ab 2011 the findings require its jurisdiction to identify alternate parcels for residential development pursuant to the bill at residential density at or greater than that permitted by the bills and would not result in a net loss of the total potential residential density in jurisdiction for affordable housing to low-income household and at the various

density established for mixed income projects and finally will not result in the firmly furthering fair housing. For the SB 6, the finding would relate to the loss density of residential from each exempted parcel and find that it can be accommodated on sites or sites allowing for residential density at or above 30 dwelling units per acre in excess of the acreage required to accommodate the City's RHNA.

Santa Ana has been a leader and a model city for housing production in the region during this past fifth cycle planning period the city exceeded our state mandated regional housing allocation by 2,400 percent our leadership role continues when the city council adopted the comprehensive general plan update in April of 2022 the approval was a combination of almost a decade of work engagement with our community and an investment of over five million dollars in the city's future this community driven document is a reflection of the vision of the community in respecting and preserving established neighborhoods

directing new growth to development areas of the city where growth can be accommodated and sustained under the plan over 1,500 acres of land were designated in five focus area and throughout the city and included over at 770 acres allowing residential density at or exceeding the various densities that have been established by the bills for development of affordable and mixed income housing the city's leadership role in creating high density housing friendly regulatory framework and support for pro-housing pro-high density mixed use and transit or in development has been consistently sustained

since 2007 with the adoption of the Metro East mixed-use overlay district and followed by the transit zoning code as well as various mixed-use specific land development area like main place mall and the harbor corridor our leadership in housing continue with the adoption and certification of the six cycle housing element in September of 2020 2022 at that time we were only one of seven cities in the region to have a certified element with only 18 months into this cycle this nine-year cycle our city has already met over 52 percent of its housing obligations over 52 percent in 18 months the city has already issued

over 1,600 permits for new housing units in this cycle including over 370 permit for very low and low-income household the city's inclusionary zoning ordinance that has been in place since 2011 continues to produce inclusive affordable housing for city residents with provision for employing local skill and trained workforce we have one of the most robust public engagement process under the sunshine ordinance second to none in the region the ordinance was again updated in may this year to expand early public early public participation and as well as throughout the decision making process

The intent of the two bills is to allow the construction of new housing to address a statewide housing crisis. While the bills might be necessary in some cities and counties in California that resist adding new housing, they do not recognize the housing support of communities like Santa Ana and penalize our city by requiring additional housing density to be accommodated and impacting local economic development opportunities from the loss of prime commercial land to housing. As documented in the analysis and resolution, there is ample capacity on the alternative

parcel to accommodate residential density above the baseline established by the bills. And as previously mentioned, the general plan update resulted in over 1,500 acres in the five focus area and over 770 acres aligned for the residential density exceeding the bills. The required findings for exempting the parcels have been made in the report following all the requirements of the bills. Moreover, this is not a ban on housing in the exempted parcels. Application for housing development may still be filed by adhering to the City's development review process of inclusion requirements as well as our Sunshine Ordinance.

So why is Santa exercising the exemption under the bills? goals, preserving the vision of the general plan, respecting established neighborhoods and growing responsibility, directing growth to where it can be accommodated, fostering

inclusivity and transparency in our decision-making process, and maintaining consistency with our land use, economic development, and environmental justice goals. These are all core to upholding the commitments the Council made to the community in adopting the general plan. We are also taking credit for our leadership in consistently supporting pro-housing pro-high density mixed-use transit or in development since 2007. Taking credit for consistently fostering pro-housing environment with an inclusion housing ordinance in place in 2011. And finally protecting our most vulnerable residents from housing

insecurity by adopting a rent stabilization ordinance and just cause eviction in 2022

throughout this communicate throughout this process our communication with hcd since may 16th we have started to refine the recommendation to the city council tonight to address the various comments and input received regarding the resolutions in front of you in summary the critical refinements from the may 16th to tonight can be summarized in three points we have reduced the number of parcels the cities intend to exempt to those that are most critical to protect and preserve the vision the recently adopted general plan and certified housing element

we have identified alternative parcels in the various focus and mixed use code plan areas to accommodate the loss of density for the exempt parcels and finally we have designated alternative parcels to be eligible for ministerial review pursuant to the bills to meet the mandates of the bills this table here illustrate the differences in the city exemption to parcel from the May 16th resolution to the current resolution demonstrating a significant reduction in number of parcels to be exempted under the bills ranging from a reduction in 18 in 800 to over 1300 parcels while staff believe

the city has addressed the various comments and concerns received to date HCD outlined their comments in a letter received yesterday on June 19th indicating, among other things, that the agency disagreed with the city's read on the law regarding to no net loss and that we need to upzone the parcel beyond what the general plan already permits, even though the density of many sites have been increased by our general plan for up to 90 and 125 units to the acre and also has surplus density to accommodate the exempt parcels. HCD's interpretation of the no net loss issue would punish proactive jurisdictions such

as Santa Ana with recently updated general plan and recently certified housing element while rewarding those that have done nothing to date in advancing housing goals.

These two diagrams hopefully will assist in visualizing the city's and the HCD's read on no net loss under AB 2011. The top diagram is the city's interpretation and the bottom diagram is HCD's. The City interpret the no net loss in density as applying to the remaining portion of the glass that is empty, representing a surplus capacity for absorbing the total capacity from the parcel that the City is exempting. The State, however, interpret no net loss in density as being anything over the glass, even though as you can see, it is not at capacity and causing spillage outside of the glass.

This is a map of the affordable qualifying parcel under AB 2011. It includes 502 parcels that total approximately 377 acres and can gear up to 11,295 affordable units based on AB 2011 prescribed densities. This map here is showing the alternative affordable parcels under this bill. And in total, these sites equal approximately 817 acres of land and have a potential yield up to 46,860 units, a surplus of 25,441 units above AB 2011 density.

Accordingly, the surplus units can and will absorb the 11,295 units from the exempt parcel in the prior map.

This is a map of the mixed income quality parcel under the same bill and includes 304 parcels that total approximately 270 acres that can yield up to 17,664 units based on the bill's prescribed densities. This map here is showing the alternative mixed income parcels under the bill. In total, these sites equal approximately 803 acres of land and have the potential to give up to 60,522 units, a surplus of 17,719 units above the base density, and can accommodate the 17,764 units from the exempted parcel in the PRIMAP.

SB 6. Lastly these are qualifying parcels under SB 6. There are 594 parcels and they total approximately 384 acres of land and can give up to 11,719 7,515 units based on density in the SB 6 prescribed density.

This is the alternate parcel site. These sites equal up to 813 acres of land and have the potential to yield up to 45,031 units, a surplus of 20,635 units above the base density and can accommodate the loss density of 11,515 units from the exempt parcel. Additionally, these parcels are in excess of the acreage required to accommodate the City's arena since all the low-income units are being accommodated by pipeline projects on site not included on this list.

From a CEQA perspective, the State law includes CEQA exemption for projects developed through AB 2011, which will result in a direct change to the environment. The recommended action only includes administrative changes to application processing, and there is no change in land use being proposed the administrative procedure not secret project and has made and staff has made the finding for the exemption as recommended in the next slide pursuant to section 15378 b5 of the sequel guidelines

finally a recommendation action tonight is for the city council to adopt a resolution exempting certain eligible parcel of the city from requirements of the assembly bill pursuant to california government code 659 uh one two one one four six five nine one two one two four and adopt a resolution exempting sir eligible in the city from the requirement sb6 pursuant to california government code section 65852.24 i also want to thank our staff from the various department including lee posesca poor and ricardo soto from planning john funk from our city attorney's

office as well as tina parmesley from the it department putting a lot of time into processing the data and mapping of all the work before you tonight there's also a supplemental package that has been handed out that put into the record our responses to the three comments especially from the HCD as well as other commenters to supplement our records as well as additional supplement information to our SB 6 bills at this time I would like to turn over the presentation to our city attorney's office to talk about 33 a

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 15

32a thank you madam city attorney so mayor and councilmembers as you saw this evening we asked you to add as an item of urgency item 32 a 32 a will in effect take the resolutions that have been presented to you and put them in the form of an ordinance. Some might ask, why are you doing that? The reason we're doing that is because after the posting of the agenda, it was brought to our attention by numerous organizations that they felt that this law required the use of the ordinance versus the resolutions. We've had extensive discussions with our staff.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 15

We believe that staff has made the right choice in presenting you with the resolutions, but we also believe that if we could take the simple action of adopting the urgency ordinance ordinance, and also having the first reading of the regular ordinance, that that might be a way to actually address some of the comments that we received after the posting of the agenda. And really there is no harm by doing that. It just provides us an additional argument and addresses some concerns that were raised late in this process. So my recommendation is that you take action on all three items in effect. It would be the resolutions as proposed.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 15

You would have an urgency ordinance as to AB 2011 and SB 6, and then the first reading of a regular ordinance as to AB 2011 and SB 6.

Thank you, Madam City Attorney.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 15

I'm so sorry, Mayor, if I might also mention those additional items are available electronically for members of the public who wish to have them, as well as copies will be made available in this chamber this evening.

You'll have copies this evening available. So the three recommendations, are there any council members that would like to comment, please? I'll start. Councilman Penelosa.

David PenalozaItem 15

Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to make a motion to approve the recommended action.

Phil BacerraItem 15

I'll second that with comment.

Okay, let me make my way.

Any comments down on that end?

Benjamin VazquezItem 15

I just want to say thank you for the work that you guys put in. this is a really a great balance for even having affordable housing being built in the city and also protecting the way we do work in Santa Ana so I want to appreciate it is it possible to have to sunset the ordinance or is that just a resolution that's able to be sunset it like in 10 years I'm sorry why would we do that to look at it again to that there's exceptions and you would

have to do a the two bills sunset automatically at the state level in

2020 thank you for explaining that mayor pretend so they sunset at the state

level yes based on the adoption of those two bills they sunset in 2033 oh I see

Jessie LopezItem 15

Okay, thank you. I'm fine with the motion. However, I did want to add a friendly amendment because I think it would be helpful if we could create a map that clearly indicates the location of the new AB 2011 alternative parcels for folks to have access to on our website. So to the maker of the motion, would you have to say?

Phil BacerraItem 15

I won't support it just because it's not part of the ordinance. but I do support the action and I was in my comments going to ask that we create that map.

And we have created the maps. We can post that as part of our completion of the implementation.

Jessie LopezItem 15

So Sonia, can you clarify? Because the maker of the motion accepted, but the second didn't.

Phil BacerraItem 15

No, you didn't accept it. No, I've said I'm not going to accept it because, again, we don't need to have it as part of the ordinance. It's an action that hopefully we'll all support. I do. I just...

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 15

Okay. Yeah. So you would need a first and a second to actually amend the ordinance. And it sounds to me like there is going to be a separate motion made to actually support the creation of the map or at least direction provided by the staff.

Let me go back. No, sorry.

Let me provide clarification. The map that we're going to publish...

So not everybody's talking at the same time. Go ahead.

I apologize. The map will be published at the staff level and does not require any modification to the ordinance or the resolution. We have already created those maps and we will publish it after the adoption.

So what you just said is there's already a map?

Correct.

And it will be published? Correct. So therefore we do not need?

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 15

Right. And there is no valid amendment because you need both a first and a second to have the amendment.

That's correct. So I just want to clarify. Okay. Does that answer your question, Mayor? Yes.

Jessie LopezItem 15

Thank you for answering my question, City Attorney. And thank you for confirming that staff is working on a map that will be available to the public. Thank you.

Councillor Nettles-Dietje?

No.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 15

I just wanted to say thank you to staff for bringing this to the council. Looking forward to supporting this. Thank you, Director Tai.

Council Member Finn? I'm going to go ahead and ask you to know he's going to talk. That's right.

Yeah, right ahead. No comments for me. Thank you. Council Member Sarah?

Phil BacerraItem 15

You're correct, Mayor. So I do want to thank staff because in the time that you were given to work on this, you came back with a modified proposal. And I want to thank Madam City Attorney as well because I think between Director Tai and our city attorney, you've come up with the solution to what you are trying to accomplish, but taking the input of our carpenters and taking in the input of various stakeholders. One thing I do want to say though is when it comes to the HCD, it is frustrating. It is absolutely frustrating. You want to punish good actors. You keep coming after good actors.

Phil BacerraItem 15

And you know what you're going to do, HCD? You're going to end up dissuading good actors from acting good. Not Santa Ana. Santa Ana is going to be fine. We're going to keep doing what we're doing. We ain't broke. You don't need to fix us. But other cities, as they're updating their general plans, why on God's earth would they go and be as ambitious as a Santa Ana when we did it and you're trying to take an interpretation on density that actually punishes us? It actually punishes us. That's ridiculous. So I think what the HCD is doing is actually going to be detrimental to what

Phil BacerraItem 15

their stated purpose and their stated goals are. So hopefully the HCD will focus their efforts on bad actors and actually reward good actors like the great city of Santa Ana. So with that I'm happy to support this one last thing I would say is that when it comes to our brothers and sisters in union labor, many of you that were in the audience were here last week when you saw this council support a CWA. So I just I think you guys know this and I just want to make sure that it's abundantly clear that this council is a labor-friendly council we don't need state laws

Phil BacerraItem 15

to tell us to be labor-friendly we we adopted a cwa that was ambitious without any state push or any state laws and we're going to continue to support housing construction in the city with the use of union labor so at least i know this council member will and i'm pretty sure that most of this council will as well so with that i'll be supporting the motion on the table thank you my only comments

Thank you staff for the great work and I know you've been working hard and meeting with people and so thank you and you and the city attorney and a lot of you have been I know I was in your office at 2 30 this afternoon and lots of lots of meetings around this and you know when you said earlier that we exceeded Rina by did you say that's right I want you to say that again

2,400 percent.

And I want everybody that's listening at home or that's here to know that Santa Ana, the city of Santa Ana, exceeded RENA by 2,400 percent. And yes, we did vote in support of the CWA. We are labor friendly. We are looking for housing. We are building housing for our families. We're doing a lot of great things in this city. And so to my brothers here from the Carpenters, thank you for being here, you know, being here with us. But I would just also say that Councilman Becerra is right.

HCD should go pick a fight somewhere else. It should not be at Santa Ana because we've done our fair share and then some. And so I personally, I haven't been sitting here that long, but I feel like we're being punished because we've done such a great job. And the expectation is you do more and do more and do more. When is enough enough for Santa Ana? And remember, no matter what, we have to continue to look at housing also to generate revenue. So otherwise, we don't, we're going to be sitting here in 10 years from now. I won't be, but other people may be. I'm going, what happened? What

happened? So I will support this as well. And so let's prepare to vote. Can you do a roll call,

Jennifer L. HallItem 15

Madam City Clerk? Yes, Mayor. The motion by Councilmember Penaloza, seconded by Councilmember Becerra, to approve the recommended actions, which include approval of two resolutions, of two resolutions, adoption of two urgency ordinances, and first reading of two ordinances in regards to exempting certain eligible parcels in the City of Santa Ana from the requirements of Assembly Bill 2011 and Senate Bill 6. Councilmember Becerra?

Phil BacerraItem 15

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 15

Councilmember Hernandez?

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 15

Councilmember Penaloza?

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 15

Councilmember Fan? No.

Jennifer L. HallItem 15

Council member Vasquez yes mayor pro tem Lopez mayor Mesqua yes the vote is six eyes one nay

nay by council member fan motion carries thank you let's go to business calendar item number 31 please

honorable mayor and council members this item before you deals with school crossing guards We spoke at the May 16th City Council meeting and City Council directed staff to return at a future date, future Council meeting, along with a plan to transition away from paid crossing guards to a volunteer crossing guard program. Since that time, Public Works Agency under Executive Director Nabil Saba has done a lot of research on the matter and we have a recommended action for you tonight. It's really a three-prong approach.

The first one is we would, we want you to direct us in two ways and then also authorize myself to execute an agreement. The first is to direct us to continue to work collaboratively with all the school districts and private and charter schools to implement a volunteer crossing guard program and establish a crossing guard training program. So the responsibility that the city would be taking on would be through our traffic engineering and through our police department to provide training to the volunteers that the elementary schools send our way. The second item is to direct us to formally notify the school districts of the phasing

out of the contracted crossing guard programs. And then the third item would be to authorize the city manager to still execute an agreement with all city management services to provide crossing guard programs. The task that we're taking is a longer, it's going to take some time to ramp up and we still want to have the safety net of the crossing guard contract. However, the contract has been scaled down to the normal amount that we had in place before May and it also allows us to terminate the agreement on 30 day notice.

Are there any questions?

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 15

Yes.

Madam Mayor. Go ahead, Councilman Hernandez.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 15

Thank you, Madam Mayor. I just wanted to say thank you to our city manager for your proactive leadership, madam. I know that this has been a contentious item, and I thank you for bringing us up-to-date information. This is a topic that is important to every single neighborhood in Santa Ana. We're a city that prides itself on being the youngest city in Orange County per capita, 13 to 24. But I do want to remind my colleagues that there are children who desperately need us to protect them. And although I don't agree with the Senan Unified not footing the bill, I want to urge

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 15

my colleagues here that we were elected by residents whose families attend these school districts. Let us be the leaders that those children deserve. We wouldn't want volunteer cops. Why would we want volunteer crossing guards? We should pay for the highest level of service that our children and family deserve. You get what you pay for. So again, we aren't asking for volunteer cops. Why would we ask for volunteer crossing guards? How about this? Let's not gamble with our children's lives. Let's do the right things and let's fund crossing guards because we are a city that struggles with pedestrian safety.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 15

We are a city where within a calendar year, you will see that we are riddled with, unfortunately, fatal traffic accidents, oftentimes along the First Street Corridor. More recently this year, we had two fatal pedestrian accidents off of First Street within 24 hours. So there is a school directly in front of a location where two people were struck by a vehicle and killed within less than 24 hours of each other. So this is a pressing issue and children and families depend on us to make responsible decisions with their taxpayer money, which is why I will make the motion for us to move

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 15

forward with option three, authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with all city management services to provide a school crossing guard program in the total amount not to exceed $5,343,125 for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2023 and expire on June 30, 2026, with an option for up to two one-year extensions subject to non-substantial changes approved by the city manager and city attorney. This ensures that our children are with crossing guards until 2026. And so there is a motion on the floor.

Thank you. I second that motion. Thank you, Councilor Vesel. Are there other comments? Mayor? Yes, go ahead, Councilor Penelosa.

David PenalozaItem 15

The only question I had for staff, and thank you for working on this, I know that I previously discussed this with you, Madam City Manager, and you said you would look into it. But I know that staff identified a total of 14 charter schools that are elementary schools that are in our city that also service our kids that don't have any city-funded crossing guards. Can we assure that this crossing guard program will be distributed equally throughout the school? Because 14 charter elementary schools that service our kids also need safe crossing. Can you talk a little bit about that?

We certainly intended for all the schools, whether they're public or private, to participate in the volunteer training program. with regards to the crossing guard contract. It was only for the 55 crossing guards that benefit three school districts. So are you asking if we can also extend paid crossing guards to private schools?

David PenalozaItem 15

Yes. Well, the charter schools aren't private schools. They're also public schools. But private schools, charter schools, traditional public schools.

All schools. Yes. All elementary schools.

David PenalozaItem 15

All elementary schools that would, because I know that Edward B. Cole, for example, it's right off of First Street, and I've seen kids crossing First Street. And for as many deaths as we've had on First Street, I would hope that we could reach out to them and say, hey, we're going to, you know, because I don't think it's fair to just provide it for the three traditional public school districts in our city, but for all the elementary schools that are.

We can, but we do have a not-to-exceed agreement before you. So if we start that, we probably will be hitting the limit. sooner rather than later which would require us to come back and do an adjustment to it but I believe we can reach out to those schools to determine if they do in fact want a crossing guard. Okay because just by looking at the map

David PenalozaItem 15

I could even just by knowing the traffic patterns in the city I could quickly identify some public schools that might not be such a such a high risk as you know some off of first street or or harbor or 17th Street for example so just as long as we pay attention to that as we move forward that these are also elementary schools that are providing education to our kids here in the city with that said I will make a substitute motion to approve the recommended actions one two and three in the staff report and I'll second that substitute motion

I also want to make a comment, piggyback on what Councilman Penelosa was saying. I know City Manager, we had a discussion about it. We've had several. Yes, we have Santa Unified, Tustin Unified. I believe we have one school at Tustin Unified, which is an elementary, that we provide grassy guards. We have Garden Grove Unified, just a few, a handful there. But we also have charter schools. We have the Magnolia one on right across the street from Romero Cruz Academy. I mean, there's so many, right, if you're counting 14 charter schools. And then we have the Catholic schools.

And, you know, so if we're going to look at our children in our city and we're going to talk about the safety of our children in this city, then it should not just be a focus on Santa Ana, Tustin, and Garden Grove. $5 million is a substantial amount of money. If you need to come back, I'm sure you will. But I just want to leave, I want to give some information. Because I believe you told me today you had a few conversations with the superintendent, and he's agreed with the volunteer program, and they want to do some sort of pilot project. That's correct. Won't cost them much money.

but I'll leave my comment that I was going to say alone, that comment. But I wanted to share with the community the projected ending balance for the Santa Ana Unified School Year. This is the ending fund balance for this fiscal year. $292.5 million, $189.475 million, and $114.268 million. Add that up, it's almost $400 million. That's an ending fund balance. And I'm not going to say no to this. Of course I'm going to support it because we want our children to be safe and we want crossing guards.

But I think it is absolutely, absolutely irresponsible for the school district to fund other items, other things, their own whatever it is that they believe is their personal agenda and not come to you as a city manager or here because I don't believe we had our joint meeting this week it was there was not a quorum so we did not have a joint meeting with the school district and the city and I believe that was this was going to be a topic of discussion but it's absolutely irresponsible on their part to have such a large ending projected end balance and they can't even

and throw us a penny. That's how much the safety of our children matter to them.

So it matters to us up here, and I can't speak for my colleagues, but it matters to me. So yeah, I'm gonna support it. I'm gonna, and I support Councilman Penelope's amended recommendation here, because I want you to come back in a year from now and say, oh, guess what? It's increased. Because a year from now, three of them are up for re-election. And I'm going to sit up here and say, how much do you care about our children?

Because you have this much money, this much, we as a city have this much, and we're footing the bill. So I am very happy that council and panelists are asked to include charters and all elementary schools that are in our city. We have charter schools, we have parochial schools, we have Tustin, Garden Grove, and I believe we even have one in Orange on the edge there by Morrison Park. So if we're going to protect children, which I'm all for, let's protect them, then let's protect all children. Not just Santa Ana Unified Children, but all children. Any other comments on that? Councilman Vasquez.

Benjamin VazquezItem 15

Yes, I have a question. Why do we pay for crossing guards?

why do we do it I believe we've done it for a long time before my time we did when we were researching this item we did find a municipal code that speaks to crossing guards for elementary schools so so we said we were gonna do it it's

Benjamin VazquezItem 15

our job to do it it's in our municipal code that is part of a responsibility it's it's our responsibility to make sure people get from point A to point B It's traffic, it's people walking on our streets, it's our jurisdiction. We told the kids we'd get them to school safely and take them back home safely. We're gonna grab their little hands and we're gonna make sure we do it. That is our job, it's our jurisdiction. Santa Ana ranks third in the worst in pedestrian safety in California. It's our jurisdiction to do this, it's within our

Benjamin VazquezItem 15

streets, it's our job. We have a plan for this. We have a 171 pages Safe Routes to School Plan. It has like five parts and one part of it says, hey funding. The funding has listed six possible places to get grants. It has that the district can't apply for because they're not a city, but we can apply for grants. It's within our own plan our safe routes to school plan so uh and this is also breaking a relationship

Benjamin VazquezItem 15

with the district when we're asking to work with them to get us more park space to get us parking overnight we know we're trying to work with them maybe even open up some pools in the summer i know i used to lifeguard at valley high school in the summer and as kids came to swim in that pool as well. We're trying to use the school to get out word, information, the face of centers that work with parents to get surveys for us to get information and to get our information out. We're trying to build a relationship that's not transactional, that's actually built with care and compassion and community. We're

Benjamin VazquezItem 15

trying to be a city of compassion. It was mentioned up here that with all the money the city the district that didn't hire counselors I know I have doubled the counselors we went from 500 to one per counselor per student to 250 per one we hired teachers to make sure the classrooms were lower the reason they have a million dollars it's one-time funds that come from the government they've been lowering but they kept that money to have the counselors and to have the teachers in there they're there at nine hundred and ninety thousand million dollars in four years they're going to be a hundred seven hundred and fifty

Benjamin VazquezItem 15

because the one-time funds will go away they will lose a lot of teachers a lot of counselors this will make them lose a lot more people when you pass this you're defunding children you're gonna say what the school district is basically to serve children we're gonna defund children is this what we're doing now we're gonna be up here and to fund them the school district is losing students because of the high cost live here they're going from fifty three thousand a few years back and in four years they're going to be at 33 000 losing almost 20 000 students there will be

Benjamin VazquezItem 15

less need for crossing guards or we could disperse them throughout the city evenly but we should not be defunding children this is our we said in our municipal code we said that this is our job like we took it on and we have taken it on this is our responsibility they're within our streets and with our jurisdiction. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else on the side? Mayor Pro Temp?

Jessie LopezItem 15

Yeah, thank you. I guess I just want clarification on the sub-motion on the floor. It's inclusive of recommended action item one, two, and three with expanding it to other schools. Is that correct?

yes that is correct councilman councilman panelosa asked for charters 14 charters so your motion says

Jessie LopezItem 15

we're going to expand this program to include other schools yeah i'm thinking because if it

David PenalozaItem 15

is codified in our municipal code that we need to provide the safety for for students i don't think that it should just be isolated to san anna unified orange and garden growth i mean there are other elementary schools in our city that are in our city. I mean, I think the private schools could pay for their own, but the public charter schools, they shouldn't be on the losing end of the stick because we're providing all the service to the school districts.

Jessie LopezItem 15

Okay. Thank you for the clarification. So I want to make us the second sub-motion to approve staff's recommended action item one, two, and three as is. If we're having a conversation about phasing out this program, the way that it is written here, the way that I'm reading it, the way that it is laid out in front of me, I don't think it's productive to tell other schools, hey, come join this program, but you're only going to be on it for three months or six months. I think we really should be setting the standard.

Jessie LopezItem 15

Look, the city is phasing this program out as it is written here, as we're going to take a vote on it today. And so I think everyone should just start to plan and move that way instead of bringing more people in and then eventually having to tell those people, hey, the city is no longer going to provide crosswalks for the kids that are enrolled in your schools, whether that is a public school or a charter school so hopefully people will support the sub sub motion but additionally I wanted to I wanted to thank

Jessie LopezItem 15

our staff because I know that we have pushed very hard for you guys to prioritize these conversations especially during the school joint sessions we've said we don't just want you know these reports we want action items we want to we want to see things be moved forward to the council and it feels like it took so many months to do that but I want to thank you all for doing that on behalf of this council and of course I want to thank the superintendent and his team for being willing to meet with our staff continuously not just on this issue but the other issue that the school joint

Jessie LopezItem 15

committee brought forward was you know the master plan for the joint use facilities that our residents have asked us for so um you know i think it's a good step forward as i said this is putting a formal notification to them saying hey we want to face this out um but i also am very supportive of coming up with the pilot program of volunteers this is something that we talked about i think in 2021. There's a lot of people that are retired that want to get involved, that want to help in some capacity in some way, and I think that this is going to be a good opportunity for them to do so.

Jessie LopezItem 15

And so, yeah, so I'm supportive of Action Item 123. I don't think that we should be expanding it

David PenalozaItem 15

at this point. Thank you. So I will thank you for that, Mayor Pro Tem, that makes sense. So I will remove, withdraw my sub-motion and second Mayor Pro Tem's motion. Thank you, Council Member.

Any comments on this side?

No?

Thai Viet PhanItem 15

Yes, go ahead. Thank you so much, staff. This is such a throwback to, I don't know, two years ago when I saw this item on the agenda. I want to thank you for coming up with a solution or trying to find a solution for this untenable situation. I think that we all here, at least I do, support safe ways for students to walk to school. I walk to school. I walk to school all the time through most of my time when I went to Heritage Elementary, when I went to Fitz Intermediate. I get it. I think it's really important. But at the same time, we're not saying we don't want to support crossing guards.

Thai Viet PhanItem 15

at least when I brought this up it was about saying hey school districts let's be equal partners in this let's split the bill because we want to be partners and the vast vast majority of crossing guards are in the Santa Ana Unified School District and for a very long time as a student who went to Garden Grove Unified School District we did not see the same kind of relationship with the city that we're building now. We didn't. We didn't get those benefits. And so I don't know if it's because the former council members had kids who went to, you know, Santa Ana Unified or whatever their relationship was or some of them, you

Thai Viet PhanItem 15

know, there was musical chairs of some sort, but ultimately what I saw when I joined this council was that we were having better relationships with school districts that we weren't working with like Garden Grove. When they let us allow our neighborhood associations from to meet at Russell Elementary for a dollar and not make us pay and make our residents pay to meet at the school districts because you know what they decided that neighborhood associations and the residents and the community is a part of them too is a part of that community too and that I think is what we're trying to say we're trying to look

Thai Viet PhanItem 15

we're trying to get equity here and equity means splitting the bill when you can and I think in this case we can and we should with all the school districts and let's come together and find a solution so I hope that with staff is you continue to look at this project and these issues that we continue to find ways because the school district isn't coming to us and saying okay you know they'll charge us for this they'll charge us for that until we push back they'll charge us another item until we push back they try to charge us for the water tower at residential rates who's gonna build homes under a giant water

Thai Viet PhanItem 15

tower we had to push back that's not being partners and so it's really frustrating to me that you know we're saying that we're defunding children we're not but we're also trying to make sure that another public agency that has a bigger budget than the city of Santa Ana also shares in ensuring that our children walk safely to the schools that they operate. And so with that, I will support this item. But again, I want to see staff continue to pursue opportunities for funding and ways to make sure that we can help offset the cost of this. Because as many of my colleagues have mentioned, we're looking at a structural deficit.

Thai Viet PhanItem 15

And the more we continue to subsidize an agency that is better funded than we are, the worse off all of our residents will be. Thank you.

Madam City Attorney, can you share with us the Municipal Code please?

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 15

I would have to look up the exact provision, but I can do that. I'll see if the City Manager also has that handy.

I believe we have it stated in the staff report. So it's Santa Ana Municipal Code 36-121 and it states that adult crossing guards for street crossings by elementary school children on their way to and from school shall

normally be provided by the city so thank you so the liability rest and I'm going to support this but I want to clarify some things first of all the reason counselors have 250 to 1 is because in 2018 I moved that item and I pushed it as a school board member and I proudly say that because they were at 600 or 800 or a thousand students to one but I pushed it and I got support for the from the board members and that is why they have 250 to 1 counselors and that's why we have wellness centers 56 of them and that's why we have faith staff takes a lot of work but city manager let me ask you a question so

from my eight years of city on the school board the district has a responsibility for our students all school districts not including charters I'm not including private public garden Grove Tustin Santa Ana amount of city attorney you can chime in anytime but according to the attorneys that I worked with outside a unified school district Robo and Associates very very reputable attorneys we are liable the school district is liable as they walk to and

from school is that correct I cannot speak for what I'm sorry attorney liable

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 15

I can speak to the city yeah I don't know I know education code and education law is different for a city to be held liable for a dangerous condition of property we would have to both know that the condition exists and we would have to have the ability to fix the situation as i read municipal code section 36 121 i believe this section is actually the section that that addresses the dangerous condition because it says that you shall provide these crossing guard services but it also specifically describes when you have to provide them. So it appears to me that this was setting the standard that you would use and that if

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 15

you provided them under this standard there would be a presumption that you did not have a dangerous condition.

And when does it say when you have to provide them?

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 15

There are various requirements at uncontrolled crossings where there is no alternative controlled crossing within 600 feet. It has standards as if the critical approach speed does not exceed 40 miles. So very specific. I believe in reading these specifics, it is here to establish your duty to provide crossing guards under these conditions. And if you were not to provide crossing guards in these situations, you would be liable. Right.

And I'll go back to my notes because I have eight years' worth of notes and information from the school district. That's the beauty of keeping all of that information. The school district is responsible for students to and from school, and even while they're on the school grounds, right? So I just want to be clear that, yes, we have a responsibility as a city too, and they've never paid. And I agree with Councilmember Fan that it's not asking them to pay for everything and not asking Santa Unified to pay for everything, but to look at all the school districts that we're helping and how can they pay.

A couple of years from now, we're not going to be able to pay $5 billion for crossing guards. So we better come up with a plan on how we're going to pay for that. Because they have the money, and yes, one-time money is very important to school districts, and what they do with it is critical. How they use it is critical. Because we know they're not using it on police and security, they're using it on other things. So crossing guards is definitely not one of them. So I will support the item, but Madam City Manager, if you can have, I know they're talking about the Muni code, huh? If you can have Madam City Attorney,

if you can reach out to Jim Ramos and Associates, their attorney, or I can, I'd like a very clear answer on this for the future, because what I remember in the documents that I have at home, the school district is responsible for children to and from. and so we are as well in the muni code so I want to make sure that we get the correct information go ahead I know there's three sidebar conversations going on we certainly can do that mayor thank you

to research that further and you know I I know that I was directed to try to get the school district to pay a part of the funding of this and I can't force no I know you can't and they don't

want to pay. I mean, that's the bottom line. They don't want to pay for it. So again, this council will take the responsibility.

But at a later date, I do hope that we come back and look at charter schools. And I hope that all charter schools show up here and ask for crossing guards as well. Because I know the one, like I said, I think it's Magnolia.

Is it the Magnolia?

My Magnolia Science Academy, those kids, it's dangerous on first street. So those cars are flying through that street. So if we're going to talk about placing kids in danger, then why wouldn't we include the charter schools? So I know Councilman Panelaos had changed his amendment, but I'd actually like to put it back out there because we have charter schools that need crossing guards. El Sol, you have to cross the street. OSEA. I mean, it's dangerous. So if we're going to give one to all, I think we should be fair.

I mean, give some, you know, some to a few, we give to all. And then we look back and say next year or six months from now, $5 million is going to last us hopefully two school years, three school years, maybe. I don't know. It depends how many we have. But I would like to make a to mend motion and add back the charter schools onto this item.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 15

I'll support your sub-motion, Mayor Mesquah, to include the charter schools. Specifically, you brought up a need that I know is important. Magnolia is that school that I was talking about. It's located right in front of First Street. So I'll support your sub-motion.

Thank you, Councilman Hernandez. Okay, thank you. I have a question. Yes, go ahead.

Phil BacerraItem 15

Does that include the parochial schools as well?

No, I'm not including the private schools. I'm just including the 14. I think you counted. And we can get the exact number of the charter schools.

There are 14 private and eight charter schools that serve elementary.

Perfect.

And one of the charter schools also does fund their own crossing guards.

Well, we can ask if they need more. Can you give us the name of the eight charter schools, please?

Benjamin VazquezItem 15

I have a question.

Yeah, I know you do. I heard you.

I'm sorry, Mary, I don't have the list.

Okay, can you send us a list after tomorrow? And thank you, Councilman Hernandez. Anybody else want to speak on this side before I go on this side? You good? Good? Okay. Councilman Vassquez.

Benjamin VazquezItem 15

Thank you. So, Attorney, I have a question. Being the third worst for pedestrian safety, does that constitute an unsafe condition?

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 15

No. So in order to be held liable, we'd have to analyze each and every location or intersection. We would often look at things like the number of accidents that have occurred. We'd look at sight lines. We'd look at whether there have been people speeding and that we've made no effort to maybe control those speedways. So while you might have some overall, it may be that we do have a lot of pedestrian accidents in the city. It doesn't mean that all of those accidents were caused by an unsafe condition. It could have been even a pedestrian error at times. Thank you.

Okay. There is a motion and a sub motion and a motion on the floor.

David PenalozaItem 15

Mayor, please.

I'm sorry. You wanted to speak? I apologize. Go ahead.

Jessie LopezItem 15

So I won't be supporting the second sub motion on the floor because, again, you know, like OSEA, which you said when we discussed this item a couple months ago, they pay for their own crossing guards. and here we are going to go to them and say, hey, guys, don't worry about it. But psych, you're going to have to come back and pay for them again at some point in time. And so I think we're setting a very unfair, unrealistic expectation for ourselves when we're clearly stating that the city, even though it is in our municipal code, has no intentions of continuing to fund this program.

Jessie LopezItem 15

program. And so I want to be very direct of why I'm not supporting the second sub motion on the floor because we've heard now for so many minutes, 9.15 now, of why the city does not, of why the council does not want to support this program. However, we're now expanding it for a temporary period of time when we know that there is no genuine, that we financially there's no interest to continue to support this program. So I will not be supporting the second sub motion on the floor. Thank you.

Anybody else?

David PenalozaItem 15

Really quick, ma'am. Forgive me. Yes. And Madam City Manager, and I hope we can work with our Director of Public Works, Nabil Saba, I think this is also an opportunity for us to look and see if we could focus on educating the public as well. I mean, we might be number, I don't know where the statistic is from, but number three in pedestrian deaths and whatnot. But a lot of it, I've seen these drivers out there on the road. They're our own residents. They're our own Santa Ana residents that are driving crazy out there. The accidents on Main Street weren't caused by the planters.

David PenalozaItem 15

They were caused by distracted drivers not going the speed limit. I mean, these deaths, a lot of times, you know, unfortunately, jaywalking is not legal in California. Thank you, state. But, you know, these deaths are also caused by distracted drivers not paying attention to where they're driving. So there's also, there's a million things that we could be doing to educate the community. And it's common sense to drive under the speed limit around elementary schools. When you take your DMV driver's license test, it's 25 and below. I hope that's right. And it's just we got to also put out a campaign or something in support of that.

David PenalozaItem 15

And also, Mayor, I will say that I heard you say that the school district doesn't want to pay for it. And although I agree, it's also, you know, their priority is not our students' safety. It's not children's safety. We know that that's not the case. I mean, we saw a board member compare school shootings to an airplane crash, that although it's sad and it's a gut-wrenching thing, it doesn't happen, you know, often. That's what school board member Regal Rodriguez once said at a school safety meeting. So we know that where their priorities lie. With that, that is it, Mayor. Thank you.

Thank you. Councilman Hernandez.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 15

Thank you, Mayor Mesquo. I just wanted to let the public know why I'm supporting this item.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 15

I know firsthand that my district has probably one of the largest amounts of schools in all of the city, the center of Santa Ana, Ward 5, and Magnolia Science Academy, Orange County School of the Arts, and more specifically, Orange County Educational Arts Academy. These are a couple of schools that a lot of our kids are walking home and walking to school from. And I know most notably Orange County Educational Arts Academy recently lost their crossing guard. And they also lost their walkway. It was a walkway that was not instituted by the city.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 20

And so that leaves children with an even larger risk without crossing guards and without a safe walkway for them to cross the street. So I do want to indulge my colleagues that this is an item that will be coming back to the council when this term does expire. And it will give the city the opportunity to enter into new contract agreements. And I just want to reiterate to residents of Ward 5 that, granted, our voices are here at that dais when that time comes. Crossing guards should be an essential service to our residents and our families. And I'm looking forward to supporting this item today.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 20

And when the time comes in 26, I hope that our city continues to invest in children and families because this is a matter of public safety. And we shouldn't have to debate on keeping kids safe. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Hernandez. So let's prepare to vote at this time.

Jennifer L. HallItem 20

A motion by Mayor Mesquah, seconded by Council Member Hernandez, to approve item 31 with an expansion of the program to eight charter schools. Council Member Becerra?

Phil BacerraItem 20

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 20

Council Member Hernandez?

David PenalozaItem 20

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 20

Council Member Penaloza?

David PenalozaItem 20

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 20

Council Member Fan? Regrettably, yes. Council Member Vasquez?

Benjamin VazquezItem 20

No, I'm for student safety.

Jennifer L. HallItem 20

Mayor Pro Tem Lopez? No. Mayor Mesquah? Yes. Voters 5 ayes, 2 nays. Nays by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez and Council Member Vasquez. Motion carries.

Great. Thank you. Item number 33, please.

Okay. This item before you is a follow-up. We had a request to originally establish a seniors commission, and staff brought back some different recommendations and options, and at the majority direction, we're now returning with the actual introduction of the ordinance. that would add two senior positions to the existing Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission. So the two additional members, they would be nominated by both of our two senior centers, and it would be for individuals that are 55 years old or older.

Any comments?

Phil BacerraItem 20

I'd like to move the item.

I'll second the item. There's no comments. Let's prepare to vote, please. Roll call.

Jennifer L. HallItem 20

A motion by Councilmember Becerra, seconded by Mayor Mesquah to introduce the ordinance for the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission, adding to positions for residents age 55 and older. Councilmember Becerra?

Phil BacerraItem 20

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 20

Councilmember Hernandez?

Phil BacerraItem 20

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 20

Councilmember Penaloza?

Phil BacerraItem 20

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 20

Councilmember Fan? Yes. Councilmember Vasquez?

Benjamin VazquezItem 20

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 20

Mayor Potom Lopes? Yes. Mayor Mesquah? Yes. VOTE 7 Ayes, no nays. Motion carries. Ordinance introduced for first reading and publication of title.

Thank you. Madam City Manager, do you have any announcements?

I do. I have an exciting one. So the Arbor Day Foundation has named the City of Santa Ana Tree City USA 2022 in recognition of our commitment to effectively incorporating urban forest management in our community. This is the 24th consecutive year that Santa Ana has received this honor. and Santa Ana achieved the Tree City USA recognition by meeting four requirements, maintaining a tree board or department, having a tree care ordinance, dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and hosting an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

So if you have any questions or need assistance with our city trees, please contact our Public Works Maintenance Division at 647-3380. You also can use my Santa Ana app. That's all, Mayor.

Thank you. All right. Councilman Commons. Councilman Vasquez, please.

Oh, thank you.

Benjamin VazquezItem 20

It's really sad that our municipal code doesn't make us take our responsibility and protect children and keep children safe. We're just going to ignore it. We're going to ignore what we're supposed to do. We're going to lay it on somebody else just because somebody wants to throw a tantrum and get back at the school district. Besides that, I really think Juneteenth was an exceptional day. I had a great time. It was amazing. Thank you, Hawk, for your work. Thank you, Council Member Hernandez. I wish I would have stayed all day and gone through the day, but I had other commitments, and it was awesome, and I'm looking forward to pride.

Benjamin VazquezItem 20

Thank you. Have a good day.

Mayor Patel Lopez.

Jessie LopezItem 20

Yeah, thank you to our Parks and Rec Department for Juneteenth. It was really great to see so many of our community members and to everybody involved. I don't know who you're pointing to. Oh, Public Works. Thank you also to the Public Works Department, to our CMO's office, and to everyone involved. It was a really great, great day. And the second comment is I have office hours. this Sunday 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Morrison Park so hopefully we'll see community members out there thank you councilman Penelosa please thank you

David PenalozaItem 20

mayor Mascua and just to continue with the theme of housing tonight I want to give a special shout out I don't see him anymore but Judson and his department for all the work he's been doing over the last couple of years just this past week alone we broke ground on FX residences in my ward, Ward 6, a permanent supportive housing that we helped fund through city funding, federal funding, Orange County Housing Finance Trust funding, and that's gonna be a much needed housing development in our city as well as Wise Place just let this past week. A lot of good things happening, a lot of housing construction, diverse

David PenalozaItem 20

housing stock in the city that we're going to have from permanent supportive housing to affordable to market rate it's all needed and I'm happy to see all this development throughout the city where it is appropriate so thank you Judson thank you staff for all your work you're doing there and just wanted to invite everybody out this Saturday June 24th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. specifically Memorial Park residents we are having a dumpster day neighborhood cleanup I know some of the kids from modern day high school are going to be out there helping clean up the park and the neighborhood. So excited to see that happen and

David PenalozaItem 20

hoping if you guys have any large bulky items in your backyard Please bring them out. I know I have a broken down grill that's missing two wheels And it's been sitting in my backyard for for about two years. So I'm going to be taking that To dump at the dumpster. So come out and help us clean up our park Thank you. That's it, Mayor.

Councilman Hernandez.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 20

Thank you, Mayor Mesquah. I just wanted to thank all of my neighbors who came out to today's meeting, took time out of their day to publicly comment, and our city staff for their devotion and dedication to making sure these city council meetings are ran well. And there was a lot of good items on here, a lot of good victories for our community. The Parks and Recreation Department had a monumental milestone today for the zoo. The zoo is a staple here in Orange County, so there's a lot to be celebrated. And I also want to thank my colleagues here for celebrating Juneteenth with us on Saturday.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 20

The city of Santa Ana was the first city to introduce a Juneteenth festival. Black history starts in Santa Ana. Orange County is a community that oftentimes has overlooked black history, but many of us bear the freedoms that we have today because of brave African-American residents that do come from our city. Our Juneteenth celebration celebrated freedom, it celebrated families, and it celebrated culture. We also acknowledged Dorothy Mulkey, who was a black woman who in 1967 fought and challenged the Supreme Court related to housing discrimination.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 20

They refused to rent an apartment to her, and she contested it all the way up to the Supreme Court and was successful in a victory against... and that was a monumental victory for so many of us to be able to have the Fair Housing Discrimination Act. And credit to a black woman from Santa Ana and Dorothy Mulkey who fought and challenged it. So I just wanna say that Santa Ana Juneteenth is here to stay. I wanna thank the thousands of residents who came here. And we got one resident who's like at every festival, John Ramirez, so I just wanna say thank you, sir. I see you jamming in the crowd. I continue to enjoy those events, sir.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 20

Thank you.

Phil BacerraItem 20

Thank you. Councilman Becerra, please. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I will be holding my monthly community office hours on Saturday, July 1st at 10 a.m. over at the George Upton All Access Park on the north side of Carl Thornton Park. As you all know, I do this every month. And so I'm looking forward to seeing you in July. One item I want to bring up for this council is Santa Ana City Charter Section 408. We were talking about the Muni Code a lot today, but I want to bring up the Charter. So that Charter section says, interference in administrative matters.

Phil BacerraItem 20

Except for the purpose of inquiry, the City Council and its members shall deal with the administrative branch of the city government solely through the city manager or their designated deputy and neither the City Council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinates of the city manager, either publicly or privately. this is not a council adopted policy this is the law of the people of Santa Ana violation of this charter could set us up for a lawsuit Madam City Manager I just wanted to say out loud that I hope that if there are violations regarding this section that not only will you handle it accordingly but

Phil BacerraItem 20

you will also bring it to the full city council because we should not be interfering that the charter is very clear on that and I want to make sure because we have so many amazing employees in the city and you know what I don't want to lose them because we have council members interfering with their work they do exceptional work as it is and through your leadership madam city manager and through your exceptional EMT they you know what I appreciate staff that works with the council but we don't need to interfere in fact it seems pretty darn clear in the charter so I just want to make sure I brought that up in madam

Phil BacerraItem 20

City Manager if you would, again, if there are issues with any of us on this dais, please bring it to the full Council. And with that, I'd like to conclude. Just wish everybody a happy July 4th because we won't be meeting until the third Tuesday in July. So happy Independence Day and hopefully we'll see everybody out. Hawk, that'll be over at Centennial, correct? I see a nod.

Thai Viet PhanItem 20

Councilmember Friend.

Thai Viet PhanItem 20

Thank you, Mayor. Lots of announcements because we do have quite a big break. The first thing I'd like to say though is thank you to staff. Thank you to my colleagues up here. We've had quite a wild ride in the last six months with lots of disagreements. And I just want to say that we've had our ups and downs, but ultimately I hope and I see that we all treat each other with respect and the dignity that and professionalism that we all deserve and that our residents deserve because we can disagree on a million different things but ultimately I believe and I

Thai Viet PhanItem 20

hope we all believe that every single one of us in this room is here to make the city a better place for our residents our visitors and our businesses and with that I do have two announcements the first is a city co-sponsored event it's with the believe it's the Vietnamese American Vietnamese American real estate professionals of Southern California it's the first time home buyer event it'll be on July 15 from 10 30 a.m. to 2 30 p.m. at Salgado Center as many of you may know I've personally held workshops and clinics to talk about the first home first time home buyer assistance that we

Thai Viet PhanItem 20

have here in the city and this major event is going to have partners that can assist our residents and really talk to you not only about the program but also connect you with professionals who know how to work with the program the second is going to be on Thursday July 13th the Vietnamese Business Forum this will be the first ever Vietnamese Business Forum held in the city of Santa Ana as far as I know it's going to be held at a DoubleTree Hotel from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. so that those who are interested, residents, business owners, investors, anyone who's interested in working with the city of Santa Ana can come ask their questions.

Thai Viet PhanItem 20

And obviously close to my heart, Vietnamese American residents who sometimes felt that they're not welcomed here in the city or that they can't open a business here in the city, well, we're here to say that yes, you can, and we're excited to have you. I do want to say happy Fourth of July. And finally, happy seventh wedding anniversary to my husband. We are coming up on seven years, four of those.

Thai Viet PhanItem 20

Seven years, four years of long distance while he was serving in the Air Force. And I was here working to pay the bills. And two of those in COVID with lockdown. So, you know, we've gone through a lot of thick and thin. And so I want to say I love you and I will see you at home.

That's beautiful. Happy anniversary. So, Fourth of July is coming. I would like to remind everybody to enjoy Fourth of July, but please be mindful of illegal fireworks. I see the notices of the police department, the city has put out. I think the fine is $1,000 is cheap, I see? $1,000 fine for illegal fireworks. Please, please be careful. Do not use illegal fireworks. People get hurt. It's like a war zone until 2, 3 in the morning. and my poor fur babies, I have to medicate the heck out of them and it's awful.

So, please be careful. Thank you for the parks that are opening up and I know that we have security guards out there and I'm hearing from families, I can't wait for more parks to open up and for our kids to have, you know, that ability to go to the rec centers there and things of that. So I want to share this. This is a teen programming, Parks and Recs, and Library. So there's a bunch of information. And for those watching at home, if you go online in the city website and you pull this up, everything's in here from teen hours, library hours, aerobics, dance classes.

We have things in the library called the Library of Things. Did you all know that? We have in our library, it's called the Library of Things, and that is beautiful. So please look at this because when our parents call or when our young people come up and say, you know, we don't have things to do, we have six community centers, we have a teen hubs, we have arts academies, we have wilderness clubs, teen excursions to medieval times. I mean, thank you, Hawk and your staff for taking them. For swimming pools are open. I used to swim in the pools. Oh my gosh, I love them. That's El Salvador Park and Memorial.

It was my favorite two parks that were swimming. So, I mean, there's a lot of things that are going on in the city. So please take a look. And thank you for sharing all this with me and I really appreciate that. But the parks, again, we want people to use our parks, but we want them to feel safe city managers. So I know we have security out there and I hope we have the lion. I know Council Member Becerra posted the number the other day and I shared it for our lion security. They can call while they're at the park. Oh, Council Member Penelosa checked out a GoPro this weekend from the Library of Things, okay? He checked out a library.

Did you really check out a GoPro? We have GoPros. Wow, look at that. I'm keeping this, okay?

So please go to, you can check out a stud finder, you can gardening tools, I mean I'll leave it at that because I'm sure somebody will say I said something inappropriate. But alright, anyways, stud finder, you have seven year anniversary, you don't know. So, Madam City Manager, I know we talked about the mural at La Chiquita, and I think we were going to fix that and get Tom Charis' name back up there, Tom Charis' because it's been missing for a while. I think you found somebody or you're locating somebody. I'm working with community development. You made that request when we were actually standing next to it.

Yeah, his son has been reaching out to me. So, it's the only thing missing from that mural. So if we can please, please get that up. I really appreciate that. And then please go out and support our restaurants and our businesses here in the city. They need us to support them so that they're not closing. And then the last thing I'd like to ask city manager is Fiesta Patrias. A few community members asked me if we have renamed Fiesta Patrias. and so I would just like to clarify that so people will know that we did or did not and then when will

it return to 4th Street because I hope the council correct me up here but we had asked for Fiesta Patris to return to downtown and I thought we said this year but I'm being told it's next year

and so I believe we said this year okay so we'd like clarification sure clarification we're not renaming it it is fiestas patrias as it always has been you did provide direction that you wanted it to return to not me personally but there was a bunch of us up here to return to downtown it's a that large of an event that it takes about nine months to do the planning for so 2023 has already been in the works we also have already sold some sponsorships that require a space that we can accommodate and the site that we are doing but for 2024 we

can go back and evaluate and look at downtown returning it at that time but we were already too far down the road to make the changes is there a way we can

kind of loop it around possibly not the whole thing but loop a portion around because I know I mean you cannot we can always change things and you don't have to answer in tonight I think the council maybe people want emails we want a response but I think it's important because downtown merchants have reached out to us I know they reached out to Councilman Hernandez and I about bringing it back to downtown because that is history in our city and and it's really important so even if we looped back a little bit of it into the downtown OCTA did share with me that they can divert some things there for us when we do have

festivals down there so whatever we can do if you could just get back to us and and let us know.

The other challenge is even though the tracks are gonna be completely laid, the other construction that deals with the overhead stuff is still taking place. But what I can do for you is I can email the entire council what the layout, the site layout is for 2023 and that may give you a better idea.

And then what the possible layout may look like for 2024 when we turn it down to 4th Street.

Okay, we can do that.

It doesn't have to be like, you know, but just something that we can work with. If we can do that. Thank you. The meeting will be adjourned and the next meeting is July 18th. And thank you for everybody who came out tonight and happy 4th of July. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.