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0:00Read the October 30 meeting.
614 merged speaker turns. Unidentified speech is hidden by default; timestamps open the public recording.
Transcript
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5:02Audio test one, two, can you hear me?
5:14Yes. Yes, I can hear you. Okay, can I have you try a few other mics, please?
5:18Testing, testing. Sounds good.
5:36Testing, testing. Sounds good.
5:48testing testing sounds good and then can you try the city manager table please
5:57testing testing sounds good and abby can i have you try the um the the public podium mic please
6:07hello testing can you hear me Yes, I can. Thank you very much.
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55:57Recording in progress.
56:31May I hear you're live?
56:48If we could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
56:49Ready to begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic which
57:01it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
57:09Thank you.
57:25I hereby call a special meeting to order. Madam Clerk, can you please conduct a roll call?
57:30Yes, thank you, Mayor. Councilmember Becerra?
57:36Here.
57:38Councilmember Hernandez?
57:39Here.
57:41Councilmember Penelosa? Councilmember Fan? Here. council member vasquez president mayor pro tem lopez mayor mesqua present if five members that does make quorum madam clerk do you have any announcements
57:41yes thank you mayor as a special meeting public comments are limited to only the items that are listed on the agenda for members of the public on zoom or teleconference who wish to speak on the special meeting agenda only during their public comments please dial star 9 from your phone or click the button labeled raise hand from zoom at this time in order to be called upon when we start
57:56public comments madam clerk are there any additions or deletions to this session any council members need to announce their abstentions no additions or deletions to the closed session agenda
58:17madam city attorney before we start public comments do you have anything you'd like to
58:30state please no i'd just like to to mention um as i see that we have a large crowd tonight that We do have rules of decorum for public comment. We would just ask that speakers be ready to come forward when your speaker cards are called and that you exercise decorum by having no loud interruptions to the speakers or clapping this evening. That's all I have to announce, Mayor.
58:35Thank you. This is the time for the City Council to receive comments from the public on the agenda items pursuant to the Brown Act. The City Council may not enter into discussion at this time. speakers will have one minute for their comments pursuant to resolution number 2023-047 speakers are requested to refrain from profane language racial epitaphs libis or slander statements that disturb the decorum of the meeting we will now hear from the members of the public that are present and afterwards madam clerk will do those that are present then we'll go to zoom
58:57ready good all right if I call your name can you please come up I'll call three of you at a time that way we're prepared david ball yolena ball and rory kirk please
59:30yes we're working on the timer right now i can use a separate timer before we get the other one
59:50good let you know when you're ready oh okay thank you sorry
59:59okay you may begin go ahead sir i would like to start by thanking uh mayor mezcla councilman becerra and penalosa is not here for the hard work in making santa anna a better place As a native of Santa Ana and Ward 3 resident, thank you. I'm here today because I want to emphasize the importance of continuing the recall process for our Ward 3 Councilmember Lopez. Over 5,200 residents have signed a petition demonstrating a significant collective voice in favor of the change and that our representative is not acting for the few, but for the many.
1:00:06She supported defunding the police by 1.1 million, suggested police stop citing minor traffic infractions, didn't support citing all participants of street racing, and didn't support the arrests or the help for the publicly intoxicated. We've seen questionable votes by Lopez, and for this I would like us to continue the recall. Thank you.
1:00:44Yolanda Bell.
1:01:09good evening council and mayor madam mayor my name is Elena ball I'm a word through resident of Santa Ana first I'd love to think Mary Mascua bill but Sarah council member Phil Bacera and David Penelope so for doing everything to do for a city your continuous effort to make Santa Ana a better place for all of us your leadership is irreplaceable I am voting yes to recall premier Tim Lopez I have a valid Miss Lopez as a representative of my word so please understand it's nothing personal it is evident that word three residents have not been represented and I'm not the only one that feels that
1:01:19way I think we can all agree that Santa Ana should be safe it truly baffles me that Miss Lopez does not support ordinances that are targeted to elevate public safety. I have not seen any effort on her part to offer any solutions for the biggest problems of Santa Ana, which are drugs and crime. Tonight, I'm asking the Council to allow Ward 3 to vote on this matter. Please do not take away our voice. You have done your part. Now it's time for people to choose. Thank you.
1:01:58Rory, followed by Sandra Medina, followed by Vianna Rojas.
1:02:28I'd like to thank the council for letting us have this opportunity to speak our minds. I would like to say that Jessie Lopez is not our voice. She is supposed to be our voice, her constituents. It's not what she wants, it's what her constituents want. We have already met several times as groups to outline that crime, homeless, and street racing and other things which falls under crime are our main concerns. I appreciate the fact that she's been going through the park cleaning it up, but that is not our concern our residents concern our safety We can't visit parks if we're not safe and that is the main concern not only in our city
1:02:33But in a lot of cities and as well as that I I just think that she needs to let this recall go forward so she can see how her constituents feel whether she is recalled or not It'll give her a great view of how we feel about her. Thank you very much
1:03:13Thank you. Sandra Medina followed by Vianna Rojas followed by Dale Halvick.
1:03:29Good evening, everybody. My name is Sandy Medina, and I will be reading a certified letter from Basil Kimbreu. Dear Mayor and Santa Ana City Council, my name is Basil Kimbreu, Chair of the California Democratic Party Veterans Caucus and lead plaintiff in the court case against the appointment of Dr. Ixtian Gutierrez in Moreno Valley, the court case that referenced in by the OC registrar of voters. Our case was regarding an appointment of a council member and had nothing to do with a recall election.
1:03:37The case was also 10 years ago in Riverside County, should not be used in the Orange County where laws are different and have changed over the past 10 years. In my opinion, regarding the recall election, the election should go through and the voters should be able to decide who represents in the future. Finally, the above statement is true, and if you need to contact me, my number is 951-287-3872.
1:04:05Thank you. Vianney Rojas, please.
1:04:30Buenas tardes. Mi nombre es Vianney Rojas, y estoy aquí más que nada informándoles, verdad, que estoy preocupada por mi vecindario, por la inseguridad que hay. right now in my vicinity we are worried about all the homeless that have been coming, they have been breaking the walls around my vicinity, and I think it is very necessary, very important that there is security, that there is more patrol in the night because there is a need, a need of security in our vicinity. And it is not just that we are suffering, right, that even with the insecurity of the older people that live there,
1:04:36tengan miedo ya de salir en la noche. Por eso yo les pido que sigamos con el recall.
1:05:17Thank you. Gracias.
1:05:24Good evening, my name is Vianney Rojas. I'm here to let you know that we are worried as neighbors and we do not feel safe. There's lots of homeless around our neighborhood and they are out there breaking our windows and we need to feel safe. We need patrolling at night and it's not fair that we are suffering and that the elderly people are afraid to go out we need the recall to continue thank you thank you good evening mayor council uh three years ago the police officers association sponsored and supported a recall of cesi iglesias resident ty fan resident
1:05:28Jonathan Hernandez supported that recall, and it helped Ty eventually become a council member. Now we have a recall supported by the Police Officers Association, and it's considered corrupt. I don't understand the hypocrisy of this. I feel that the recall ought to proceed. Let's see the results of it, and let the voters decide what is best for the city of Santa Ana. Thank you.
1:06:09Thank you. Desi Reyes followed by Vanessa Davilos.
1:06:40Desi Reyes followed by Vanessa Davilos.
1:06:48Good evening, Council Mayor. So, I'm here to express my concern.
1:06:51The recall should be stopped. It's tainted with this situation that's going on. Jesse has helped I'm from war three by the way Jesse has helped our neighborhood with your support because you all voted for we have got 23 new streetlights they were just energized last week 23 new streetlights you know what the cost of that was that you guys approved with $600,000 $600,000 for 23 new streetlights we feel safer it's it's bright the cost of this recalls elections is about $660,000. You could put those funds into more streetlights in the neighborhoods.
1:06:59Why couldn't you wait one more year? Her term is up next year. Let it happen next year. Thank you very much.
1:07:40Thank you. Vanessa Davilos, followed by Haro Cortez.
1:07:47Hola, buenas noches a todos. Mi nombre es Vanessa Davilos y quiero decir que estoy a favor del recall. Lo que más me interesa en este momento es la seguridad of our city, Santana, and in special I speak for myself, for my son, because I have to see the insecurity that is in our community. I worry a lot that my son crezcan in a place where there is no enough police, where they take on different parts of the city, the Arrancones, which exposes a lot of innocent people. And for me, that is very worrying because I want my son crezcan in a safe place.
1:07:54Thank you. Let's keep the noise, please.
1:08:54Good evening to all. My name is Vanessa Davalos, and I am in favor of the recall, and I'm here to ensure that we have safety in Santa Ana. I'm interested in safety for myself and for my son. I want him to grow up in a safe community. I want my son to grow up in a place where there is enough police protection, where there's no street racing and where innocent people are not suffering. I want my son to grow up in a safe place like this and not where innocent people are accosted by violence and by crime, where there's lots of homelessness and many of them who are violent.
1:09:02And I'm here to support the RICO to have a safer city. Thank you.
1:09:43Thank you.
1:09:48Good evening, Mayor and members of the council. I'm Jairo Cortez. I'm speaking on behalf of Chispa as well as a Santana resident in Ward 5. Tonight you will be voting on whether to allow a recall election in Ward 3 to proceed or not proceed based on a very clear set of facts. The recall proponents failed to qualify by 230 signatures, and nearly 1,200 voters in Ward 3 who should have gotten a say on this process from the start have been disenfranchised and have had their right to vote and to participate in our democracy entirely denied. Some of them are here if they can stand up.
1:09:52These are the facts outlined not by me but by the Orange County Registrar of Voters, Bob Page. Many of us, like many of you, have a lot of strong feelings about this recall. We have strong feelings about the positions we have all taken, and we have strong feelings about the Santana Police Officers Association and the corporate landlords funding this recall because they lost policy debates and failed to elect their preferred council majority to elections in a row. Tonight is not about that. Tonight.
1:10:28Sir, your time is up. Alicia Rojas, followed by Carl Bettinger.
1:10:57Alicia Rojas, followed by Carl Bettinger. And I believe Tanya Navarro, please.
1:11:04Buenos noches. Good evening. My name is Alicia Rojas. I am a Ward 6 resident, Memorial Park neighborhood, mija. I'm here to support my Ward 3 residents and the city of Santa Ana. Thank you for having this meeting today. I am deeply concerned regarding the recall and the latest news that we just heard that it did not meet the qualified signatures. And the way that I see it is, you know, if you don't like the way Jesse voted, you know, there's an election coming up next year. A recall is not used for that, not for this, not our tax dollars.
1:11:11it would be an illegitimate recall and you would be denying democracy to 1182 voters of War 3 denying them the opportunity for their vote to be heard so I know that people are calling for the recall to continue saying they want their voices to be heard what about the 1181 ballots that did not go out we
1:11:45cannot move forward stop the recall now your time's up ma'am carl benninger followed by tanya navarro
1:12:12good evening council and thank you for the opportunity to speak i'm carl benninger i live in war ward four i'll say my point right out quickly is that i think this recall election should continue and the reason why is the people who were checked or asked whether they wanted are the ones that are represented by this council member this is irregardless of who this council member is or where they are from the point being is that this council member has represented these people for the last two years will represent them for the next two years until next election
1:12:20they should have a say whether she's living up to their understanding and let's get a couple of facts straight yes when the voter registration re-looked at the numbers they couldn't tell you how many of those 1,200 signatures that they said that people talk are not going to have a right to vote, how many of those signed for this recall but were rejected because they didn't meet the new boundaries? And I think if those numbers were, those signatures were looked at, you probably would get your 230 in there. Thank you, sir. Your time is up.
1:12:53Tanya Navarro followed by Gaston Castellanos.
1:13:24After Mr. Castellanos, it's Carla Navarro.
1:13:33My name is Tanya Navarro, community organizer with CHISPA and a lifelong Santa Ana resident. In the memo released by the Orange County Registrar of Voters, they state a very simple truth about this election. It has been illegitimate from the start. The ROV discovered that the recall election of Councilmember Jesse Lopez shouldn't have been qualified based on over 200 signatures. They also discovered that nearly 1,200 Santa Ana residents are being denied their democratic right to vote. As someone who has worked and participated in several elections, the fact
1:13:40that the city did not immediately move to cancel this recall is extremely upsetting and concerning. What is the council's true intention with this meeting today? What deals have the city council and the mayor made with the police unions and renters associations to sell out the people of Santa Ana? And in a time where our city is in need, why is our city council willing to spend $600,000 of our tax dollars on a sham election?
1:14:10Thank you. Gus Castellanos, please.
1:14:34Good evening, Madam Mayor, members of the City Council. My name is Gaston Castellanos with the Democratic Party of Orange County. It's a privilege to be here. This recall has always been about a raw exercise in political power. It's an effort to block accountability. It's an effort to allow continued gouging of residents just struggling to keep a roof over their heads. And it's also about resistance to change. and that's what these a new generation of progressive leaders on this panel are hoping to do and when that change comes The people who have their hands on the lever and their fingers on the button
1:14:39They just go kind of crazy. I'm asking you to let that change continue Take this fatal legal error in recall procedure for what it is. It's a gift It's a gift to democracy and it's a gift to the residents of Ward 3 who already made their choice when they elected Jesse Lopez She is an excellent and honorable city council member. Please let her continue on her journey and let the city council and the city of Santa Ana continue on its journey. Thank you.
1:15:10Carla Navarro followed by Jeffrey Cardenas.
1:15:37Good evening. My name is Carla Navarro and I'm a lifelong resident of Santa Ana. The memo released by the Orange County Registrar of Voters clearly states that this election is illegitimate and illegal. The OC registrar voters confirmed that the recall petition filed against Jesse Lopez failed to garner the necessary signatures to qualify. Anything other than an immediate cancellation of this fraudulent election is irresponsible and a slap to the face to the Santa Ana residents. Stop wasting $600,000 of the community's money and stop wasting our time. This recall panders to the police union and to the renters association.
1:15:44This recall completely ignores the voices and opinions of people of Santa Ana. Cancel the corrupt recall. Thank you.
1:16:18Thank you Jeffrey Cardenas followed by Vanessa Cerda.
1:16:23Hi council my name is Jeffrey Cardenas. I'm the new organizing director with the Democratic Party of Orange County and a new resident of Ward 3 I'm proud to say. And I'm here to urge the city council to fulfill the democratic promise at the heart of our democracy and stop the corrupt number 14-3 call. Having worked on political campaigns across our state and our country, I'm shocked but not surprised to find that entrenched special interests in my new home city have corrupted the democratic process resulting in the disenfranchisement of over a thousand voters including military service members and residents
1:16:29living abroad. When asked this exact question Mayor Musquat told one of our volunteers earlier today that we could send late ballots you know three weeks late creating an entire second class of voters and disenfranchising again military service members who won't have enough time to submit those ballots you know in time for the election so I just want to say that this is we cannot allow fear and hysteria to deny our fellow Americans their democratic rights it is
1:17:02a page directly out of time is a certain followed by Sandra de Anda I remind you that you have one minute please Vanessa Serta followed by Sandra Danda so good
1:17:31evening my name is Vanessa Sarah I'm a proud resident of war two I want to thank my City Council member Ben Vasquez, Ty, Jonathan Hernandez for being bold and standing next to Jesse, Mayor Pro Tem. Here on to support Jesse, no vote, no on the recall.
1:17:44Thank you. Sandra Deanda followed by Jose Marufo.
1:18:02Hi, my name is Sandra and I'm a resident of Ward 4. I'm really disappointed in my representative Phil Becerra and Mayor Emesqua and David Penelosa for leading this illegitimate recall. Your parasitic POA and developer friends couldn't even collect signatures right and y'all are trying to run our city? Make it make sense. With this recall, you are wasting our taxpayer dollars and you are setting a dangerous precedent that this city can get away with an illegitimate recall that disenfranchises voters. Cancel this recall today.
1:18:07Jose Marufo followed by Laura Gomez.
1:18:42Hello, my name is Jose Marufo and me and my family live at 750 South Lyon Street. And when someone came to our door a couple of nights ago and told us that there was a mistake and we didn't get the ballots for a recall election going on that was going affect our area I was pretty shocked to hear say nonetheless I think if you want like an accurate representation of what the people that her decisions are going to be affecting if you want to see an accurate depiction of that I think that
1:18:52we should have had ballots sent to our home for that reason I think that the recall election should be postponed or stopped until the actual election. Thank you.
1:19:29Thank you, sir. Laura Gomez, followed by Abel Alfaro.
1:19:42Thank you.
1:20:15Good evening. My name is Laura Gomez, and I'm here to, I want to ask you, I want to know why was our voice not taken into consideration on this recall? We are here. We elected our representative, Jesse Lopez, and we do not want our vote to be taken away. And I'm here to end, I'm asking you here to support the recall. Thank you.
1:20:19Sir?
1:20:47Buenas noches. Mi nombre es Avel Alfaro. La renta es demasiado cara en Santana, y creo que es terrible que los propietarios intentaran esta revocación ilegal para detener a Jesse Lopez. Este retiro me excluyó y me quitó la voz. Por favor, cancélelo. Gracias.
1:20:50Thank you.
1:21:09Robert Mejia.
1:21:12Good evening. My name is Abel Alfaro, and the rents are too high in Santa Ana, and the apartment association got together to get rid of Jesse Lopez, cancel the recall. Thank you.
1:21:14Thank you Roberto Mejia followed by Juanita Muñoz followed by Leslie Mejia.
1:21:26or the houses. I see many people who seem to be who are the ones who are in favor of that. Also, there is no reason for this revocation that I have discovered that more than 1,000 voters were deprived of their rights and it is a huge shame for them to support this revocation. Obviously, it is illegal. The neighbors of Santana no quieren tener nada que ver con estas que cancelen esta corrupta revocación. Gracias.
1:21:56Thank you. Juanita Muñoz.
1:22:29Good evening. My name is Roberto Mejia. First, I'd like to say that one minute is not enough to say what we have to say. And I'm here because this recall is taking away our rights. And rent control, I don't want you to take away rent control. and I see many homeowners who are here and they don't like what is happening and I see many homeowners who are maybe in favor of this. There's no reason for this recall. I believe I heard over 1,000 people were disenfranchised and this is an illegal recall and Santa Ana doesn't want this.
1:22:34Thank you. Juanita Muñoz, please.
1:23:13Muy buenas noches. Mi nombre es Juanita Muñoz. I'm here because it's corrupt that the proprietor's intent to quit the voice. No, it's not to consider even with a public consultation, which is the most correct point of view that should be done, to take into account every citizen if they are of agreement. So, that's what's important. The revocation is illegal. Pongan fin a this corruption and pongan fin a revocation of mandato for Jesse López. and a colleague who spoke about the homeless. It's lamentable that today Santana, where you go to the police,
1:23:14is a disorder of the men and women of the street. We know that they are women and men sensibles, with many private situations, personal, but the government has a place for them. So, there is a special budget for them, and then we have to focus on that situation. Muchas gracias.
1:23:53representative. And another lady said that there's a lot of homeless people in Santa Ana. And wherever you look around in Santa Ana, there's lots of homeless people. And I understand that they, many men and women, have lots of issues. But the government has, should have a place for them.
1:24:45Thank you. Leslie?
1:25:05Good evening, everyone. I'm here as a concerned resident of Santa Ana. I'm worried that if the recall proceeds then we let the Police Officers Association and the Apartment Association dictate who our representatives will be and those associations do not speak on the best interests of our people in Santana. I'm calling on Mayor Emesco to please cancel the recall and truly demonstrate our city that she's for the people. Thank you. Thank you. Les Hall followed by
1:25:08Christy Matias. Les Hall followed by Christy Matias.
1:25:30Hi, I'm Les Hall. I'm a resident of Santa Ana. And I've heard a lot of debate about the recall merits itself, but I thought this was more about recall elections having specific legal requirements. And it seems that the legal requirements for the recall aren't met. That's kind of the end of the story. I don't even see why we're debating. It's not legal, if the requirements aren't met.
1:25:40That's kind of the answer, so I'm not sure what we're debating. So that's all I had to say.
1:26:12Thank you, sir. Christy Matias followed by Veronica Garcia.
1:26:17Christy Matias followed by Veronica Garcia.
1:26:23Buenas noches. Mi nombre es Juan Carlos Rodriguez. Mi esposa es Cristi Matias. Nosotros venimos para decir que estamos en contra de la revocación de Jesse Lopez porque está trabajando a favor del control de rentas. Gracias.
1:26:34Gracias, señor.
1:26:46Good evening. My name is Juan Carlos Rodriguez. I'm a husband of Cristi Matias, and I'm here to say that we are against the recall of Jesse Lopez because she is for rent control. Thank you.
1:26:49Good afternoon, members of the Council. My name is Veronica Garcia. I am a resident of Santa Ana for a long time. This is a situation and a question of civil rights. Our community is, for the most part, Latin. And these people need to have the same way to vote as all the others. Cancel this election. revocatoria. Hasta el momento no he visto a nadie tan comprometido con la comunidad vulnerable y en general como la señora López. Basta de malgastar nuestros impuestos, basta de no comprometerse con
1:27:04nuestra comunidad, basta de no darnos la voz, de no darnos importancia, basta por favor, usen su sentido común, trabajen como equipo. Es triste verlos divididos. El 10% en el aumento de la renta es vergonzosos y triste. Gracias. Gracias, señora.
1:27:39Carlos Perea.
1:27:59Good evening, members of the City Council. Mayor Mezcua. My name is Veronica Garcia.
1:28:04I've been resident of Santa Ana for many years. This is a civil rights issue. Many of us are Latinos here, and we have the right to our vote for our voice to be heard. I'm asking you to cancel the recall, and there's no one as committed to the community as Jesse Lopez. And enough of wasting our taxes, enough of not having our voice heard, enough of not giving us importance. You need to work together as a team. Ten percent rent increases are too much. They're sad, and they are shameful.
1:28:10After Mr. Perez, Rocio Guzman followed by Callie Crossley, please.
1:28:51Good evening, Mayor and City Council. My name is Carlos. I'm a resident of Santana. First I want to start with, it is unbelievable that we have one minute to speak today. Not even when we had Mayor Pulido, we had this much time, we cut down for public comment. So what kind of governance is this, Mayor Mezcua? Second, Mayor Mezcua, today you have the responsibility to maintain the city's electoral integrity and uphold the democratic rights of all of its residents. The recall should be canceled. It has been called into question based on the validity of the issues that the county registrar has raised today. Also, Mayor
1:28:58Mezcua, is your thirst for power that great that you're willing to break state law. Is your thirst for power that great that you're willing to put the city in real liability for moving forward with this? This is not about the merits of the RICO. This is not about a matter of law. So make sure to hold it, not just when it's convenient for you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. I think we gave
1:29:35the rules when we started this meeting, Madam City Attorney. May I please just ask the audience?
1:30:03We're talking today about one of the most sacred rights that we can talk about, the right to vote. The right to vote. We are in a civic building to talk about municipal issues. I think we need to be respectful to one another. We have people in this room who have strong feelings about one side and the other side. We need to be respectful to one another. We want the council to listen to everyone and to be able to judge what they're going to do. I ask that you not applaud and that you be respectful to other speakers.
1:30:08Thank you, Madam City Attorney. If it continues, I'm just going to close the meeting out if I have to. Rocio Guzman, please.
1:30:40also gives us time, our space to us, the Spanish community.
1:31:05I am in the way of all this that is going to do with her. Why? Because as I said, not everyone has the opportunity to vote. Why? Because I have family that have the right to vote, and I never knew about this. I think it has always been said and has been jacted from this country and this city, that there is no corruption here. And really, all of you who are here, are you really should show us that. What is this? Your time is over. you voted for Ms. Jesse Lopez.
1:31:11Kelly Crossley, followed by Ben Salazar. If you can hold on, let them translate. Thank you.
1:31:52Good evening to all. Well, as somebody said, one minute is not enough for everything that we have to say. And we are here to support our Jessie Lopez. She is very involved with the community. She gives us the time and the space for us as Spanish speakers. And we all are against this, what is happening, what you're doing. And we did not have the right to vote. and many of my family members who would have voted do not even know about this and we pride ourselves in this country and in this city saying that there's no corruption here
1:31:59but here you are demonstrating this. Why is this happening? Why are you doing this? We voted for her.
1:32:39Thank you. Good evening, Mayor, Councilmembers. My name is Kelly Krausley. I live in Ward 6. I'm here not to debate the policy matters or the voting record of Councilmember Lopez. I'm concerned about the long drawn out expensive, most importantly expensive legal battle we're walking into if we allow this recall election to continue. We have so many issues here in the city. We all agree on that. And there's other things that our city attorney could be working on and we could be using the money on. But instead we're going to be paying her time to fight this battle with Councilmember Lopez's team.
1:32:47So let's just go ahead and cancel this. this is gonna she's coming up in a year and then the new ward can elect their new representative at that time let's not be a complete embarrassment and waste more of our taxpayer dollars thank you
1:33:20thank you ben salazar followed by guadalupe ocampo
1:33:31first of all thank you to the council and the mayor for this session as a homeowner in ward three in a resident saddleback view i'm here to express my support for mayor pro tem lopez and my disappointment in this recall effort which is not only corrupt but apparently illegal we have already as a city earmarked over six hundred thousand dollars for this sham and if we move forward we will open ourselves up to much more litigation and be forced to spend millions more in legal fees vote no on this recall and don't allow jerry serrano and the poa and their City Council members to pick our representation. Thank you.
1:33:43Thank you, sir. Guadalupe Ocampo, followed by Jana, followed by Deborah Russell.
1:34:16Gracias.
1:34:42Gracias, señora.
1:34:43Good evening. My name is Guadalupe Ocampo, and I'm here to oppose this. This is unacceptable that our voice is being silenced. We voted for our council member, Jessie Lopez, and it's not right for you to, she cannot be recalled without our vote, but an end to this illegal recall.
1:34:47Jana, followed by Deborah Russell, please.
1:35:08Good evening, my name is Jonna and I'm here representing the Party for Socialism and Liberation. I'm here to demand an immediate cancellation of this recall. It's obvious that the police union is funding this and it's obvious that the police union has an incredible amount of power in Santa Ana, which they should not have. The police union cannot provide for what the citizens here actually need. They don't provide housing, they don't provide community centers, education, childcare. They're not providing any of that. Rent control, like everyone here has said. Why is it that there's always enough money,
1:35:15there's never enough money for public infrastructure, for debt relief, for things that people actually need, but there's always enough money for the police, there's always enough money for war and violence. It's ridiculous. The people of Santa Ana deserve better. Thank you.
1:35:45Thank you. Deborah Russell, please. Followed by Claudia Morales.
1:35:59Hello, good evening. I've called Santa Ana my home for the majority of my adult life. I have chosen to live here, to invest in this city, to raise my children here, and to serve my community as a volunteer, as an educator, and even as a commissioner. And while I love this city, it is infuriating to see what a waste of our taxpayer money and energy has been spent on this recall. It's infuriating to see special interests in our city manipulate our democratic process, work to disenfranchise the voters who did cast their ballots in 2020, and to be replaced, if this recall were to take effect,
1:36:06by an appointee that no one knows, and would not be voted on by the residents of that ward. I think a lot about safety that's been mentioned a lot tonight, and I think about how this very council, a few months ago, decided not to spend money to invest in the crossing guards for our youth, our children, our city.
1:36:48and just a few weeks ago we heard about children. Your time is up ma'am. This we call is a waste of our money. Claudia Morales followed by Jose Luis Rodriguez.
1:37:07this year. I'm representing the thousands of families that are suffering the unemployment, the residents, the owners, and the increases. I represent the Unions Esperanza, Unions of Inquilinos, and I see that they say that there is no more money, I see the park, the Thornton Park, that is not arreglado, I say, how do you have money? But if there is money to destitute a Jesse Lopez, que es la única que nos escucha, que me ha hecho sentir que nos escucha, y las miles de familias como hoy, como vengo con mi hijo para representar a Jesse Lopez. Yo soy Jesse Lopez.
1:37:37Thank you.
1:38:19Good evening. Good evening to all, and to Mr. Phil Becerra, my representative, Mayor Amesqua. Good evening, Mr. Peñalosa, who I don't see here. I'm here supporting Jessie Lopez because she is our voice when we are getting rent increases of $200. And I'm here representing many families, thousands of families who are suffering from evictions. And I'm here with Esperanza Union Inquilinos, Tenants United. and because you're saying that there's no money.
1:38:24Thornton Park has not been fixed. You're saying there's no money, but there is money for this recall of Jesse Lopez. She listens to us. I'm here with my son, who we're representing, Jesse Lopez, and I am Jesse Lopez.
1:39:06Thank you. Jose Luis Rodriguez, please.
1:39:20Señor? Sí? Jose? Luis? Sí, por favor. Gracias.
1:39:25Buenas noches. Mi nombre es Jose Luis Rodriguez, and I come from the community of the World West Square, here representing the neighbors, and we want to see if they put fin to this revocator, because it is illegal, we didn't send a notification of that they were going to do this revocator. So, I think we have all participation in this revocator, ya que somos residentes y somos ciudadanos aquí de aquí de los de Santana por eso vengo a
1:39:28representar a todos esos compañeros y para que se nos tome en cuenta y estamos apoyando a la señora lópez gracias gracias gracias my name is my name is Jose Luis Rodriguez and I'm here representing our square neighborhood and we want you to put an end to this recall effort which is illegal we were not notified about this recall and we all have the right to vote as residents and citizens of Santa Ana and I'm here representing all these people who need to have their voice heard and we support Ms. Lopez.
1:40:05Thank you. Madam City Clerk, can you go through Zoom, please?
1:40:48Yes, Mayor. Thank you.
1:40:51Jennifer, can you – I'm sorry, Madam Clerk, they can't – there's no microphone up on top.
1:41:07Hello? Can you hear me?
1:41:12thank you sir we can't they can't hear you madam clerk but they can hear him okay yes um go ahead
1:41:13sir okay this is uh victor paion i live in uh santa anna pacific park neighborhood i'm urging the council to vote no on the illegal recall because it's illegal as this has been brought up there's corruption afoot and it will open the city up to lawsuits it's already super expensive and wrong from the beginning i looked at the recall website and the poa is throwing everything at the wall to hope to scare people on their side it's fear-mongering lies and corruption and you bet that they wouldn't care about any of these issues if jesse had voted for their raises so it's total
1:41:19just a smoke screen the police union is suing the city jerry soprano was under investigation and resigned uh that's the police that's causing calling this recall because this that's what this is about it's all about the the money not being voted on there's one course of action to reject the recall. I want all Santa Ana youth will be turning 18 before next election to watch what is going on here because they will be voicing their opinions in November. The mayor next November, the mayor and Comprado council members have a big decision to make today, one they will be
1:41:49remembered by. This is not a time to be puppets of the police. Victor your time is up.
1:42:19Thank you. Next speaker on zoom, Pocha, please unmute and make your comments.
1:42:24Hi, can you hear me? Yes, go ahead.
1:42:34Hi, I am Sandra Pocha-Pena Sarmiento, a neighborhood leader for Pacific Park in Ward 3. We've heard again and again that there's no money for vital city programs and resources, yet city council is supporting spending over half a million on a recall the year before a general election. That doesn't make sense. And even if this recall goes through, it will be rightfully challenged in the courts. And that will cost our city even more money to defend this. So let's not throw more good money after bad. This recall obviously has not met the legal requirements. And really that's what we should be dealing with right now.
1:42:37Is it legally viable? Is it legally not viable? Will the city be liable for this? Please reject the recall. Thank you.
1:43:18next speaker on zoom is Suri Ramos please unmute and make your comments
1:43:27good evening mayor and council my name is Isuri Ramos I am a lifelong resident of Santana I am here to ask you to do what is lawful cancel the recall in a statement by mayor Mascua she shared we must protect the integrity of our elections and ensure that the will of Santana voters is carried out through a fair and transparent electoral process per the register of voters letter the action this council must take is clear. This recall should have never qualified as it did not meet the legal requirements and did not provide all eligible voters the opportunity to vote and express their will.
1:43:34This has cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars that could have been invested in our city. Protect the integrity of our elections. This recall election cannot be fair and transparent and it must not continue. Thank you.
1:44:06Next speaker on Zoom, Mark Lopez, please unmute and make your comments.
1:44:20Can you hear me?
1:44:26Yes, go ahead.
1:44:27Oh, my name is Mark Lopez. I think Mrs. Lopez might be in serious violation to the city of Santa Ana coded ethics of conduct. Based on an article I found out, we're not familiar, it's called for the OC independent and online news agency. And the article states is Santa Ana Council member Jesse Lopez hiding income. And the gist of the matter written in August 23. And the gist of the matter is that that Lopez campaign disclosures contradict her financial disclosures. And I've heard no rebuttal from her. And there might be some issues that she actually lied on her statement for her about a job or her source of income.
1:44:28And it was financing this recall, the signs and all that. So there could be some serious discrepancies, I hope from her form 700, some serious gaps. And like I said, this is from New York County Independent for Matthew Cunningham. And this could be some serious issues where she is a violation of their ethics and code of conduct. and I insist the mayor and Laura look at this. And that's my reason I do support the Z call or have her move from office if she's guilty of these, guilty of these misrepresenter financials.
1:45:02Mark, your time is up. Next speaker, Patricia Bowe, please unmute and make your comments.
1:45:30Good evening. My name is Patricia Bowe and I'm a Santa Ana resident living in ward three in Jack Fisher Park. I'm calling this evening to urge the council in light of the recent news from the OC registrar voters to end this recall attempt against council member Lopez. How or why the registrar didn't discover the discrepancy in voter maps until last week is really beside the point here. The same voters who elected Jesse Lopez are not the same set of voters who signed the recall petition. Therefore this recall needs to end. It's as simple as that.
1:45:37Any other decision here is a slap in the face of democracy. And when democracy is already under attack in both large and small ways around our country excuse me i would hate to see santa anna set on the same path and i also do have to express my deep disappointment in the mayor and the council members who've publicly expressed their support for the recall those who've looked at this recall process honestly understand that this has all been corrupt from the jump and it goes to show where loyalties lie with corrupt campaign donors or with the people of santa anna this
1:46:07recall attempt has been problematic from the start. Patricia, your time is up. Next speaker,
1:46:38Yadira Torres. Please unmute and make your comments. Hi, good afternoon. My name is Yadira
1:46:43Torres. I'm a 20-year resident of Lyon Street and a resident of Ward 3, and I plan to keep it that way. I'm here to ask our city to stop this recall. Political differences aside, there are more than 1,200 voters who will not have a say in this recall. If we as a city truly care about democracy, this recall should end. If we as a city truly care about our budget, this recall should end. Jessie Lopez represents me. She represents what my family has worked for and what my family cares about. And as such, we should stop the recall. If we truly care about our city, we would prioritize keeping this process legitimate
1:46:49and keep trusting the city by stopping this recall. Thank you.
1:47:24Next speaker on Zoom, Mia Verden. please unmute and make your comments.
1:47:30Hello, can you hear me? Yes, go ahead. Good evening, City Council. My name is Mia Verdevin, and I am a resident of Ward 3. In 2020, voters clearly decided that Jessie Lopez would represent us for the next four years. Jessie has stood by on what she promised during her campaign and has exceeded the expectations. Now she's being faced with an illegitimate recall. The OC registrar of voters has confirmed that the recall has fallen short of the signatures required needed to qualify to go to an election. Not to mention that many of these very signatures were obtained through coercion and lies. This election will undermine public trust
1:47:38in our democratic system. The city's resources should be allocated towards addressing the pressing issues that our community faces rather than being wasted on illegitimate recall campaign. Council member Becerra, Mayor Mezcua, I urge you to vote in favor of canceling this recall. Mayor Mezcua, you yourself has been quoted as saying as you're interested in preserving the integrity of our election, so prove it. Vote with your conscience and ethics. I know you're capable of making the right decision and I implore you to do what's right by your constituents and for the sanctity of our democratic process.
1:48:09This isn't a matter of agreeing with Jesse or not. It's whether you believe in the integrity of our electoral process. Voting in favor of this recall is actually voting guests on recall.
1:48:36Next speaker, Ray Diaz. Please unmute and make your comments.
1:48:45Good evening. My name is Ray Diaz and I would like to oppose this recall via the new information received by the Orange County Register of Voters. From the very get go, this recall was an attempt to undermine democracy in Santa Ana and the Santa Ana voters of Ward 3 have publicly resoundedly confirmed that their representative is Jesse Lopez and thus this recall should be canceled. Thank you.
1:48:51next speaker on zoom maribel please unmute and make your comments
1:49:21i could after i'm good evening everybody my name is maribel rios i am i live in ward 3 and proudly voted for jesse lopez last election um i wanted to just address the blatant disrespect of set out of residence and wasting our time and city funds on this fraudulent recall election jesse Lopez cares about our city and the most concerning and disappointing part about this is how easily the police officers association has enough funds to spread false information and push an illegitimate recall. Thank you, Justy, for all of your hard work towards the city you love so much.
1:49:28I'm disappointed even giving this a platform because this really has no ground. Thank you.
1:50:02Mayor, that concludes the speakers that were in the queue when we began public comments.
1:50:11Thank you, Madam Clerk. At this time, there are no other comments. We'll be recessing this portion of the meeting to consider the items listed in the closed session agenda. We'll be now going to the closed session. Thank you.
1:50:16Recording stopped.
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3:33:05Recording in progress.
3:34:01Thank you.
3:34:08I'd like to call this meeting back to order. Madam City Attorney, do you have anything to report out of closed session?
3:34:50We do not have any reportable action.
3:34:56All right. Let's go to our business calendar.
3:34:59Item number three.
3:35:06Review and discuss the letter received. So you have nothing out of here then.
3:35:11On our open session, this would be the opportunity if you so chose to review and discuss the letter received from our Orange County Registrar of Voters, Mr. Page, to discuss and to take any potential action concerning the election by motion or resolutions if you so choose.
3:35:15Perfect. but thank you so much. At this time, I'll open up to any questions or comments from the council. Please push your button to speak, and we're gonna do three minutes, three rounds, please, and then we're gonna proceed. Anybody?
3:35:32I don't see anybody.
3:35:47Councilman Hernandez, I don't see them. Oh, perfect. Councilman Hernandez.
3:35:51Thank you, Madam Mayor. I wanna thank my colleagues for today's dialogue. and today's item is about reviewing and discussing the letter received from the Orange County Registrar of Voters Bob Page dated October 26, 2023. This pertains to the November 14, 2023 special recall election for Senate and Award 3. Part of my concern I'm going to start with is that this recall is legally insufficient. This recall failed to meet the requirements needed to hold a recall election. This election shall not and cannot continue. It cannot move forward
3:35:54because it is legally insufficient. It failed to meet the required amount of signatures needed to hold a special election. We would be breaking the law by holding a special election. To sit and debate this today calls the questions, calls into question the ethics of some of my colleagues who took an oath to serve the residents of Santa Ana. A vote against rescinding this recall is a vote in favor of corruption. It is a vote in favor of a city hall where corrupt politicians run your city like a dictatorship.
3:36:31It is a vote towards keeping working class people out of the table and away from democracy. This recall has always been about power. This recall is about maintaining a majority on the Santa Ana City Council. This recall campaign has been popping its head out all throughout this past year. When it really started to come out was during negotiations. The recall campaign is something we're seeing the Police Officers Association use as a bargaining chip to intimidate and coerce council members to vote in favor of their interests.
3:37:06It is no secret that the largest funders of this recall are the POA, who is opposing Jesse for advocating for public policy that supports both public safety and accountability. The Apartment Association is supporting the recall due to Jesse Lopez's vote in favor of protecting residents with rent control. Voters are being affected by this recall. Over 1,181 ballots were not sent out to constituents that elected Jesse Lopez to serve Ward 3. Those are voters who are being disenfranchised, working class people, educators, veterans, union members, all of which is supposed to
3:37:46be important to the Santa Ana City Council. Jesse's resume speaks for itself. She has fought to ensure that parks and Ward 3 are invested in and that they're renovated. Her advocacy for Park Santiago and Portola Park speaks volumes about her investment in children and families. Our city attorney shared that it is her professional opinion that our city clerk Jennifer Hall is legally and ethically required to rescind the certificate of sufficiency of the recall based on the information that was provided by the ROV. As the city's election official, Jennifer Hall is tasked with being in charge of elections under Charter Section 1205.
3:38:25Part of her role is ensuring that the provisions of the Election Code of the State of California, as the same now exists, or here may after be amended, governing the initiative, the referendum, the recall of the municipal officers under Charter Section 1205, Election Code Section 11227, required the City Council to accept the certificate of sufficiency following the Registrar Voter Certification as a result of this election.
3:39:05Councillor Hernandez, you can come back. Your time's up.
3:39:29Thank you.
3:39:31Any other comments here? Any other speakers? Councillor Hernandez, go ahead. Another three minutes, please.
3:39:33Thank you. As I was mentioning, the Elections Code, Section 11-240, required the council to call for the election. As the ROV has sent a letter stating that this certification was based on using the wrong map, This undermines democracy. This undermines the integrity of our elections. And in conclusion, I want to thank the staff that wrote the quote reflected in the city statement. It is imperative to protect the integrity of elections. I will place a motion on the floor to rescind the 2023 recall election.
3:39:42I second.
3:40:17I just want to make a comment to the mayor and council. If you just give me a moment. Just want to remind mayor and council members There's any written materials that I may have given to you or have discussed with you in closed session under the attorney-client privilege cannot be discussed unless there's a waiver by a majority of the council. If there is a majority of the council that wishes to waive the attorney-client privilege, you'd be free to discuss that, but we don't have a waiver.
3:40:19So what you're saying is what happens in closed session should not be discussed up here unless there's a waiver, which I believe there's no waiver up here, so we should not be having discussions about closed session. and there's a lot that goes on in closed session. I don't think everybody wants it to be public. So is there another, Councilman Vasquez.
3:40:42Given the legitimate award three map of 2020, this recall petition will fall short for over 230 signatures. The petitioner fell short. The petitioner fell short regardless of the Registrar of Voters map that they used of the 2022. Over 1,100 voters are disenfranchised. We have voters who should have the right to vote who are not going to be allowed to vote. This is real clear. They did not gather at the time that they needed to gather the votes. Real simple, they fell short 230. This should be a slam dunk.
3:41:03We should not be having a long conversation over it. We're going to be exposed to lawsuits and paying for this election.
3:41:44Councilmember Fan, I remind people what discussed in closed session. We do not discuss out here publicly, otherwise we have violations going on. Councilmember Fan.
3:41:59Thank you, Mayor.
3:42:07I'm feeling very emotional because to me, this is a very simple question. Were there enough valid signatures at the time the petitioner submitted their petition with the 6,617 signatures? Were there ever enough valid signatures from the 2020 Ward 3 map? No matter who certified what or when we got a letter, that's the only question I'm looking at, and the answer is no.
3:42:11The fact is there has never been enough valid signatures from the 2020 Ward 3 map. I don't care who's getting recalled. I don't care what ward it is. You residents have a right. Residents, voters have a right under the California Constitution to recall any elected official that represents them. You have that right, and I support that right. But what happened here is that the petitioners fell short. Despite gathering almost 1,500 more signatures than they needed, they did not get enough signatures.
3:42:45The fact is, they did not get enough signatures when they submitted the signatures early. They did not get enough signatures when they submitted the signatures before the filing deadline. And so the ROV sent us an incorrect certification. The city clerk sent a certification based on that incorrect statement. And there we have a domino effect.
3:43:27But I've said this before, I'm going to say it again. You don't clean up spilled milk by spilling more. You don't pile on mistakes by making more mistakes. You don't correct a wrong by doing more wrong. We can only fix this if we rescind the resolution to call this election. It was not based on verified signatures. It was not based on enough signatures. And to continue with it would be to validate any action that did not get enough votes or signatures or voices from the
3:43:55residents of Ward 3. In fact, the petitioners can continue again. They have a right to do that, but they do not have a right to continue with an election that never had enough signatures. So with that, I support the motion on the floor and I truly hope that my colleagues up here do the same. Thank you.
3:44:34I don't see any more. Councilman Bissari? No? Oh, go ahead. Oh, there it is. Go ahead.
3:44:58Thank you, Madam Mayor. Actually, I have some questions for our City Clerks. Madam Clerk, was the Certificate of Sufficiency of Recall Petition that you presented to the City Council on August 1st based on the certificate as to verification of signatures on petition provided to the City by the ROV in July? Yes, it was. Okay. Okay. And has the ROV formally rescinded their certificate as to verification of signatures on petition with an accurate superseding certificate as to verification of signatures on petition?
3:45:06No.
3:45:43Okay. And did the letter from the ROV that the city received on October 26th rescind the ROV's certificate as to verification of signatures on petition?
3:45:44No.
3:45:56So my position is the City of Santa Ana should not take responsibility for the ROV's errors. Thank you.
3:45:58I see no other comments. Nobody asking to speak. So there's a motion on the floor and there was a second, correct?
3:46:11Madam Kirk, did you get the move?
3:46:20Yes, Mayor. So the motion is by Councilmember Hernandez. to rescind the resolution calling the election, seconded by Council Member Vasquez. We would recommend it be done by resolution. And so I could read a draft title of a resolution for you in that regard.
3:46:23Yes, that's fine.
3:46:44I'm sorry, hold on one second. Go ahead, Council Member.
3:46:47Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everybody. I want to thank everybody that came out tonight. is an unfortunate situation that we find ourselves in from the get-go.
3:46:51It's, I guess at this way, you know, because of the number of government codes that have been quoted and opinions and legal opinions, and our city attorney has some, and then the ROV has others, and the very complex legal opinions that we're hearing up here.
3:47:02and knowing that there are 6,000 plus people in Ward 3, like we heard from many of them tonight, both supportive and against the recall, that have been told that there was going to be an election, that there is an election happening right now.
3:47:24So I feel that it is the best course of action to take no action, and at this point we let a judge decide what the merits of this are because I'm not an attorney and our city attorney's opinion differs from other attorneys and the ROV's opinion differs from ours. So I think the best course of action to take at this time is to let the court decide what happens with this election. So it is in the best interest of the city that we just take no
3:47:44action and move forward that way. Are you making an amendment? Yes, that is my
3:48:17sub-motion to take no action, which is recommend or action number one listed on the staff report. Recommended action one by our city staff is to take no action for our agenda that was posted a couple days ago. So that is my sub-motion.
3:48:23There's a sub-motion on the floor.
3:48:44I'll second it.
3:48:49There's a second. All right, let's go ahead, Madam City Clerk.
3:48:50This is a substitute motion by Council Member Penaloza, seconded by Council Member Becerra to take no action.
3:49:03Prepare to vote.
3:49:11VOTE IS THREE AYES, THREE NAYS. EYES BY COUNCILMEMBERS PANELOZA, BACERA, AND MAYOR MESCUA. NAYS BY COUNCILMEMBERS HERNANDEZ, FAN, AND VASQUEZ. MOTION FAILS.
3:49:25Okay, let's go to the other motion, please.
3:49:37Pardon me, hold on, please.
3:49:51This would be a motion by Councilmember Hernandez, seconded by Councilmember Vasquez.
3:49:59approving a resolution of the city council of the city of Santa Ana directing the city clerk to rescind the certificate of sufficiency for petition to recall councilmember Jesse Lopez canceling the special election called and notice for November 14th 2023 and repealing resolution numbers 2023-054 2023-055 and 2023-056
3:50:08let's prepare to vote please
3:50:31VOTE IS THREE AYES, THREE NAYS. AYES BY COUNCILMEMBERS HERNANDEZ, FAN, AND VASQUEZ. NAYS BY COUNCILMEMBERS PENALOZA, BACERA, AND MARAMESCUA. MOTION FAILS.
3:50:48Okay, so let's go on here and there's no further discussion, Madam City Attorney.
3:51:02I have nothing further.
3:51:07Okay, let's head out. Let's head to Acting City Manager. Do you have any announcements?
3:51:09No, I do not, Mayor. Thank you for the opportunity.
3:51:15Thank you, sir. Council Members, Councilman Vasquez, please.
3:51:18It's a shame that we didn't stop the recall today. I would say it's illegitimate, we fell short, it's very clear.
3:51:26But I want to give my best wishes to Councilmember Lopez and good luck. We will, Justice will win out.
3:51:34Thank you, Councilman Hernandez.
3:51:44Thank you, just want to just say thank you to all of our residents that came out. And Ward 5, our office does not support illegal elections. Final comments, thank you.
3:51:46Councilmember Penelosa.
3:51:56Thank you, Mayor. I just want to remind the public that's listening that tomorrow night at Memorial Park we will be having the Trunk or Treat. And it starts at 5 p.m. and make sure that everybody out there has a safe Halloween. Thank you, everybody.
3:51:59Councilmember Fan?
3:52:13Councilmember Fan?
3:52:17I just want to say for the record, I am so disappointed. Thank you.
3:52:20Thank you. And I'll close my comments by saying thank you everyone. I'm so sorry, Councilman Becerra. I tend to do that. I apologize. Go ahead, sir. No comments? Great. Thank you. No comments. Meeting is adjourned. Thank you.
3:52:25Recording stopped
3:53:07