Read the August 19 meeting.

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© transcript Emily Beynon

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Jennifer L. Hall

Mayor, whenever you're ready.

Valerie Amezcua

Madam Clerk, please start the meeting. Yes, go ahead please. Thank you. I hereby call the Santa Ana 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 Ana 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 a roll call.

Jennifer L. Hall

Councilmember Becerra? Here. Councilmember Hernandez? Councilmember Lopez? Councilmember Penalosa? Present. Councilmember Phan? Here. Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez? Present. Mayor Meskwet? Here. There's five members present. That is a quorum. Thank you. Madam Clerk, are there any additions or deletions

Valerie Amezcua

to the closed session agenda? There are not. Do any councilmembers need to announce their abstentions on closed session agenda items? Yes.

Thai Viet Phan

Yes, I need to announce my abstention from item 1B, JBW Enterprise LLC, as they are a client of my employer, Rattan and Tucker, so I will not be in the closed session room while that is being discussed, thank you. Thank you very much. Do we have any speakers for closed session items?

Jennifer L. Hall

There are no speakers online, on Zoom, and there were no e-comments submitted related to the closed session. Thank you, we'll now recess to close.

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© transcript Emily Beynon

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© transcript Emily Beynon

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Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh.

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© transcript Emily Beynon

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© transcript Emily Beynon

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Good night, everyone.

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© transcript Emily Beynon

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Valerie Amezcua

Mayor you can go ahead. Madam Clerk please start the meeting. Yes Mayor it's ready to go. I hereby reconvene the Santa Ana City Council meeting to order. Madam Clerk please conduct the roll call.

Jennifer L. Hall

This meeting is taking place with in-person attendance and by teleconference via Zoom. The public may access the meeting via the Santa Ana YouTube channel or the City's website. Please bear with us as the technology may disrupt the flow of the meeting. This is a meeting to conduct the business of the City. There's an opportunity to call for a recess or break or even to clear the meeting room if a meeting becomes too disruptive to properly conduct business. Warnings will be provided prior to any action being taken. We appreciate your cooperation. For everyone's safety, per the Fire Marshal, please do not stand or place objects in the

Jennifer L. Hall

aisles, in front of the dais, along the back wall of the Council Chamber, or in front of entrances and exits. During City Council presentations, guests of individuals being recognized are invited to come to the front to take photos. For roll call, Council Member Becerra? Here. Council Member Hernandez? Present. Council Member Lopez? Here. Council Member Penalosa? Present. Present. Councilmember Fann? Here. Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez? Present. Mayor Meskwa? Here. All seven members present?

Valerie Amezcua

Thank you. Madam Clerk, before we proceed to the Pledge of Allegiance, please make an announcement.

Jennifer L. Hall

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 raise hand from Zoom now in order to be in the speaker public comments commence. This does not apply to public hearing items number 22, 23 or the housing authority items for which comments will be heard during those specific public hearings and meeting. Please hold any comments on those items until specifically called upon.

Valerie Amezcua

Thank you. The first item on the agenda is the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Vargas, can you please come and lead us in the pledge?

Thank you Madam Mayor. If we could all please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Put your right hand over your heart. 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. Thank you Mr. Vargas.

Valerie Amezcua

At this time words of inspiration will be provided by Miguel Hernandez. Please come Let's come to the podium.

Good evening, Mayor Homescua and city council members. My name is Miguel Hernandez. I'm a lifelong resident of Santa Ana as well as the executive director of OCO, the Orange County Congregation Communalization. In honor and support of immigrants for this inspiration, I will not use my own words, but a faith-rooted testimony written by immigrant from the Episcopal Messiah Church in Santa Ana. I will first read it in Spanish and then in English.

Hola, permíteme contarles lo que estamos viviendo hoy día los inmigrantes. Soy de la Iglesia Episcopal de Macías. Aquí en esta ciudad de Santa Ana hay un tiempo para reír, un tiempo para bailar y un tiempo para llorar. And that is precisely what our hearts feel today. They cry because we don't know how long we will have to wait and when we will achieve a transforming peace. We have all witnessed that we have no laws or respect on our side.

El siempre hecho de ser mexicano, el color de mi piel, nos obliga muchas veces a contarnos, a quedarnos callados, porque no nos sentimos seguros para volver de ser comunidad que baila y ríe. Los océanos de la historia se han vuelto turbulentos por las continuas olas de odio, But history is also full of ruins of nations and individuals that follow the same path of hatred, which is always self-destructive.

Therefore, our first hope on this path is love. It is that love will have the last word. In English, hello, allow me to share with you what immigrants are experiencing today. I am from the Episcopal Church of the Messiah. Here in the city of Santa Ana there is a time to laugh, a time to dance, and a time to weep. And that is precisely what our hearts feel today. They weep because they do not know how long we must wait and when we will finally reach

a transformational peace. All of us have witnessed that neither the law nor respect is on our side. Simply being Mexican, the color of my skin often forces us into silence because we do not feel safe once again, safe to once again be the community that danced and laughed together. The oceans of history have turned turbulent with continuous waves of hatred. Yet history is also full of the ruins of nations and individuals who follow the same path of hate, a path that always leads to self-destruction.

Therefore, our first hope along this journey is that love will have the last word. Thank you.

Valerie Amezcua

Thank you very much, Mr. Hernandez. Madam Clerk, are there any additions or deletions to the City Council agenda?

Jennifer L. Hall

Yes, Mayor and City Council. We do have one. Public hearing item number 24, which was the recovery of uncollected costs incurred by the city related to the abatement of dangerous and abandoned buildings. That public hearing has been withdrawn as the property owner has resolved the outstanding issue.

Valerie Amezcua

you item 24 yes thank you at this time we're going to ceremonial presentations the first presentation is as mind the mayor's we will recognize a VEX robotics world championship participants for outstanding academic accomplishments come on

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Thank you. Everybody come on up. Wow, look at that. Those are so cool.

Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Do you want to put them right here where everybody can see them?

Okay, they will fix it.

Okay, we have another Bring it in, bring it in, bring it in.

You can move the, let him move the ones for you. Got it?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Okay, wow. I'm excited. Okay, let's put that one right here. So it can be on TV and everybody can see it.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Okay, so all the students come around right here. All you guys come up close, come on, gentlemen. All right. Wow, I'm excited. Are you guys excited? Look at this. Look at this. Okay. So, tonight I am proud to honor the outstanding students of the Magnolia Science Academy Robotics Program, the RoboPirates. Let's give them a round of applause.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

That's beautiful.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

It's a nice name, RoboPirates. This season, the RoboPirates achieved remarkable success, qualifying for both the VEX V5 World Championship. I love the word world. That is amazing. And the VEX AI World Championship, earning multiple awards and representing Santa Ana on the international stage.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

These accomplishments reflect countless hours of dedication, innovative problem solving and true passion for technology. Through the VEX Robotics platform, these students have developed advanced skills in engineering, Are we hiring any engineers, Mr. City Manager? Okay. Coding and teamwork, laying a strong foundation for future careers in STEM. Watch out, Rudy. I think they're going to come for your job. Okay. The program not only sharpens technical abilities, but also fosters leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence,

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inspiring students to pursue higher education and careers in engineering and computer science. Yes, a round of applause please.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Their achievements are a credit to their school, their mentors, their parents, and their community. The entire family, so it's a credit to everyone. On behalf of the Santa Ana City Council, we congratulate the Robo Pirates and thank you for representing our city with pride and excellence on the world stage. I mean, how, that's beautiful. Let's give them a round of applause, please.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

So, congratulations to all of you. But I know we want a demonstration, okay? So a brief demonstration. I'm not really sure how the big one's going to work, but you're going to show us. And then we'll do one little one. And then I have certificates for everybody, but I just really want to say as the mayor of this city Thank you guys all for everything you do Education is so important so I could just see you the next world leaders in engineering and stem And so keep up doing what you do Magnolia science center Thank you so much for everything that you guys are doing at your school, and we know it's a great school So thank you

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

So I'm gonna give these to somebody at the school to give each one of you and then I need Two or three of you to speak I see you look at me. Yeah No, she's like, no. Okay, so I need who's going to speak. And you got to share your name and what grade you're in. Come on up.

My name is David Barrera. I am an 11th grader in Magnolia Science Academy. This is one of our robots that we've built for this year. It's not the same robot from last year. Each year, it's not like football or basketball or any sport like that. The competition changes over the years, so it's not the same thing. So you have to think of new innovations to work with, have new ideas, new inspirations, new tactics, and new teammates after the years. So I just wanted to share, like, highlight something that our group has done. We've evolved over the years.

years, we started from ninth grade in a very small room where it was like only the field and about a table to work in for three groups. And now we have a whole room to ourselves, a lot of working, a lot of space to work in, a lot of other people there, a lot of equipment, a lot of support, and everything that we have is because we have a good foundation to work off. We, We, our parents, our staff, and our teachers put a lot of work into our program, and we are, and I'm, in my part, I am very thankful.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

All right, let's see what it does.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Mr. City Manager, pay attention.

Our future employees.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

You want to use this?

Here, let me turn it this way so you can see.

Okay.

So, as I said, the robot changes over the years. This is a brand-new robot that we have for this year. It looks complicated, but once you get to know the basics of it, it is really easy. The hardest part is coding it. We have other robots that are easier than this, but the game, what it does is we have these balls. There's different colors of balls. There's a blue and a red. Depending on what team you are, you're going to score the balls into, it's like a cylinder where you have to score them. And the sides are open. So let's say we filled it up with blue. The red team can go across and fill it up with red.

So it's a score that always changes. It's never a certain score. score. It's always changing and one thing about it is there's like about 88 balls on the field but there's no possession limit so meaning I can have red and blue to prevent the red team from scoring. So I'll demonstrate how it works. This is basically what it does. This is a front intake. This one right here is where it selects what ball it is. We still have to code it with sensors using different coding for it, color sensors, distance sensors and all that. This is just to give it the extra help it needs to get into the last part.

And this, this has two parts. There is three ways you can score. There's one all the way at the bottom which you can just go all the way around and score them backwards. There's a tallest one and the lowest one to score in. But how they go up is basically this.

And then from there, can you hold it in the back? I'll demonstrate. It shoots out really quick due to that. So what it does is it goes out and it's supposed to score in. We're still working on a few more parts. Like we're supposed to use a bit of air pneumatics to make a lot of this work. But as you can see, it's still a work in progress. We started this summer and we've barely got back to school. So we're starting back up again.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

That's wonderful. Thank you for that. Congratulations. That's great. That's awesome. Thank you very much.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Okay, who's next?

Good evening. My name is Alfredo Rubalcaba. I'm superintendent of Magnolia Public Schools. And first and foremost, I want to say good evening to the entire Santa Ana community, to the Honorable Mayor Emescu and distinguished city council members on behalf of Magnolia. a thank you for this recognition. We are very proud of our scholars. When we opened up our doors in 2010 and we came to Santa Ana, we said there is so much potential in our students. They're going to be the ones that solve the world's most complex problems. And in this

competition, not only did they represent themselves, their families, their school, the organization, their community, but the entire community of Santa Ana. So we're very proud of them and the future is bright and I wanna thank all the coaches, many of you who have done a lot of work to get them to who they are, and los padres, parents, thank you so much for being partners.

Thank you, super proud, thank you for the recognition. Thank you very much.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Okay, who's speaking last? Come on ladies, somebody coming up? No, nobody wants to speak? You can't be shy! You represent us in the world! Alright, Miho, I like your smile. Come on, come on, come on, come on. Come on, Jeremiah! Let's give Jeremiah a round of applause!

There you go.

My name is Jeremiah Rojas and I'm in fourth grade of Magnolia Science Academy. And I'm in the robotics elementary IQ and my robot's over there.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

What does it do?

Show us. So our...

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Which one's yours?

This one right here.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

What does he do? Does he have a name?

No. He just... just named it the E, like, we just have like letters,

but our number and then the letter.

And I don't know what to say.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Let's give Jeremiah a round of applause. All right, we're gonna take a photo, come on.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

All right, I'm gonna do a picture with you alone first and then the council, I'll invite them to come down.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Phil BacerraItem 1

Thanks Mayor. Get to follow that, huh? Actually if I could have the students that are here tonight from Saddleback High School join me up here along with Salabak High School's new principal Dr. Atika Osman along with Salabak IB coordinator Heather LeBair and Pete Lockwood the president of the South Coast Neighborhood Association.

Phil BacerraItem 2

Hopefully those robots don't get in the way.

How are you? How are you? Hello. Hello. Hello.

How are you? Oh. Hello. Hi. Thank you.

Alrighty.

Phil BacerraItem 2

So tonight, I have the distinct pleasure of recognizing a remarkable group of students from Saddleback High School in my ward, Ward 4, who took time from their summer break to devote their energy to helping beautify our city. At the direction and guidance of Pete, there's Pete right there, our South Coast Neighborhood Association president, these remarkable young individuals volunteered over 164 hours to prepare and repaint a cinder block wall on the west side of Flower that stretches from MacArthur all the way up to Saddleback High School, which that's about a half a mile's worth of wall, that had

Phil BacerraItem 2

been tagged and painted over and over and over for the past 20 years. In many places, layers of the paint had to be scraped off like linoleum tiles, but it was no small task and these students worked through the uncomfortable summer heat for five straight weeks in late June and July. That's a time that they could have easily been spent relaxing, but instead they chose to serve their community and make it even more beautiful. Despite the physical challenges, they showed determination along with a great attitude. The transformation of that wall is more than just cosmetic.

Phil BacerraItem 2

It's a symbol of pride and ownership in our neighborhoods. These students have left a lasting mark not just on that wall but on our community as a whole. And on behalf of the City Council and the entire Santa Ana community, I want to thank each and every student, staff member, and PEEP who made this happen your work and dedication to our community is deeply appreciated and we are proud of the example that you've set and i hope that others will follow by volunteering to beautify their own part of san anna so with that i want to say congratulations to all of you i'm going to go

Phil BacerraItem 2

ahead and hand these to you but if you'd like to come up and say a couple words this is our new

principal saddleback high school everybody hi good evening thank you so much for having saddleback High School here. We're so honored and so proud of our students for all of their time and commitment that they have not only in the classroom but also with our community. So thank you so much, Phil, for taking the time to recognize us. We are so proud of our students and we can't wait to continue to beautify our campus and our community even more. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for having

Phil BacerraItem 2

your students come out, but I can't take credit for the students coming out. I have to give that to Pete. So Pete, if you'd like to come up and say a couple words. All I can say is that this is

indicative of the students of Santa Ana. Our future is in good hands.

Phil BacerraItem 2

Well, well said. If we could uh, go ahead and get a picture together.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Phil BacerraItem 2

I should know how to use a mic, right? So I'm going to do a little out of order. So a couple of the students wanted to say a couple of words. So who am I to say no? So who would like to come up?

Hi, my name is Sadie Del Carmen. I'm an IB freshman at Saddleback High School. And I just want to say it was an honor to help my community with helping scraping the wall. Yeah. Thank you, guys.

Hi, I'm Juan and I'm also an IB student at Saddleback High School and I'm a freshman and I think it's also a really big honor to help our community and I really appreciate our community at Santa Ana.

I just want to introduce myself I'm the IB coordinator at Saddleback High School and all of these students are in the IB program from seventh to twelfth grade so we have all the grades represented here and we just we would love to have projects and help the community so if there's anything else that you need help with just let us know thank you everybody

Valerie AmezcuaItem 2

all right thank you all very much have a nice evening good school year have a good school year next up is council member lopez for outstanding contribution to the lit league

Jessie LopezItem 3

Is anybody from the lit league here? If so, please come on up. Thank you.

Hi. Thank you.

Okay, perfect. No worries.

Jessie LopezItem 3

Hi, everybody. So, I'm really excited to recognize an incredible organization that is transforming the lives young people in our community through the power of spoken word, the Lit League. The Lit League is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved middle school students by nurturing their voices through the art of slam poetry. With no other program like it in Orange County or even nationwide, this organization is leading a unique and powerful movement through innovative workshops, performances, competitions, and mentorship. The Lit League has directly impacted over 1,300 students and reached more than 5,000 others

Jessie LopezItem 3

through performances blitzes. These programs not only build creativity and confidence, they teach vital academic skills. With 15 strong community partnerships, including with the Orange County Department of Education and the Santa Ana Unified School District, the Lit League is a model of how our education and community collaboration can come together to uplift our youth. I'd like to take a moment to recognize Say Lee, Charlu, and Robin Kim, the incredible founders and the presidents of Lit League. Say Lee and Robin, your vision, dedication, and leadership have

Jessie LopezItem 3

really helped create a safe space for young voices to be heard, honored, and celebrated. Thank you for your commitment to empowering the next generation and to the amazing students who participated in the Orange County Regional Poetry Slam. Your courage to speak, to share, and to stand in your truth is very inspiring. You are helping to shape a more expressive, inclusive, and empowered future that is not afraid to speak truth to power. On behalf of the city of Santa Ana, it is my privilege to present this certificate of recognition and we also have certificates for the participants of the league for their

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outstanding contributions to our community through their transformative power of poetry.

Thank you so much. We're beyond grateful just for the support from Councilwoman Lopez and the entire Santa Ana City Council. I think many of our students come from some of the toughest circumstances, and it's so shocking to hear their stories, but the fact that they're willing to get up on stage, talk about these raw, visceral experiences that they're going through in front of their peers and family is such an amazing act of bravery and confidence that we have really never seen. And it's coming from our youth of Santana.

So for that, I think we're so grateful just for the opportunity to work with these students of our community and just uplift them together. So thank you so much for the support of our Councilwoman Lopez. And we are, we're trying to reach as many Title I schools in San Antonio as we can, but we also do a virtual competition. So for any of our youth out here today, we have virtual competitions at our litlegoce.com if you do want to participate in this power of artistry and spoken word. So thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

Guzman family.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 3

Let's put our hands together for the Guzman family.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 3

You guys know better than that. You know when you got the Guzman family coming up you put your hands together. If I can get another round of applause for them because this is very important who's coming up here

all right

Thank you.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 4

Well, what a truly special day it is today. I'm honored to be joined by the Guzman family, Beverly Guzman-Gallegos and Tracy Guzman. It is extremely important today, August 19th, 2025, we are going to proclaim Chicano Heritage Month as we do annually. But what really makes today special is we're joined by a family that, much like yourselves, is a part of this community. They're not just a part of this community, they helped transform this community. And to them, I want to say thank you to the Guzman family. I want to start with my gratitude.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 4

Today, we are going to be honoring their contributions in desegregating our schools here in Santa Ana and Orange County. Today, August 19, 2025, we are declaring Chicano Heritage Month, and the City of Santa Ana proudly proclaims August as Chicano Heritage Month. We honor the rich culture, the rich history, and the contributions of the Chicano community. Chicano heritage is more than just ancestry. It's a vibrant, diverse culture that has helped shape Santa Ana and beyond. Tonight, we recognize William and Virginia Guzman of Santa Ana.

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They're a family from Artesia Pilar, and they are one of the first families to challenge school segregation in Orange County. They did so in the 1940s. If we can please put our hands together for that monumental feat.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 4

Together, Mexican families, five across Orange County, they challenged segregation of children in public schools. Those families were Mendez, the Guzman family, the Estrada family, the Palomino family, and the Ramirez family. All loving parents who believed that their children should have a future where they can thrive and where they can be leaders in the classroom. classroom. When their son Billy was denied enrollment at Franklin and Elementary, the Guzmans courageously fought back. They fought and they refused to accept that a Mexican-only

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education. They refused to accept that there were Mexican-only schools. They believed in education without barriers or borders. Though their first lawsuit against Santa Ana Unified school district was unsuccessful, the Guzmans joined with the Mendez, Ramirez, Palomino, and Estrada families, and they filed a lawsuit to win the historic Mendez versus Westminster case in 1945. This landmark victory helped end school segregation in California, and it laid the foundation for Brown versus Board of Education seven years later. Their legacy continues today.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 4

In 2024, the city unveiled Virginia and William Guzman Way, which is located in Artesia Pilar off of Santa Ana Boulevard between Pacific and between the other street, Forest Street. Their legacy continues because in 2025, the Santa Ana Unified School District Board renamed Fremont Elementary to Virginia and William Guzman Elementary School. Let's put our hands together for that history.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 4

Now the reason why this history is so crucial and important is John C. Fremont was somebody who didn't respect Native Americans, somebody who supported the enslavement of Native people. Having been an alumni myself of Fremont Elementary, I didn't know the dark history as a student. and neither did my parents who are also alumni of Fremont. Fremont was formerly located on Artesia Street and Calle Ocho. We now know that today as Raitt and Civic Center. Where their school was once located, there is now a home. Fremont Elementary was relocated to 10th and Raitt Street and it is now named William and Virginia Guzman School.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 4

This victory helps reclaim community spaces, helps reclaim educational institutions, by honoring the very families that fought for inclusivity of all people, regardless of their background. By honoring the Guzman family, we ensure that their story inspires future generations to come. Generations that will grow up in Santa Ana, that will value justice, that will value equity, that will value the enduring contributions of Chicano families to our community. It is my privilege to present the Guzman family with this proclamation declaring Chicano Heritage

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 4

Month in recognition of their courage, legacy, and lasting impact in civil rights. Thank you, y si se pudo.

I'm really happy to be here today and I want to give thanks first to God you know to make has made this possible it's been like close to 80 years already that the case was filed and And we've been just trucking, you know, trying to tell our story, going different places. And finally, the glass ceiling was cracked. And I always told Mike Ramirez that when the new scholars start coming and learning and saying, when they read that complaint, they're going to say, who are these et als? Why, you know, I've never heard of them. And sure enough, that's what happened.

And I just want to thank all these young scholars and all of these young kids that are here. they're gonna make us proud. And I just wanna read this to you. And I also wanna tell you that the other et als are here. Would you guys stand up? We can stand up, please. Thank you.

I couldn't have done this without them. I mean, they've been inspiring to me. I mean, they're my family, and I love them. and hopefully we'll be able to do much more besides what we've done and we want to accomplish a lot we want to want to do much more for the children we don't know yet what we want to do you know we're making plans but we call him the hefe Mike Ramirez he's in charge of our little committee that we have but I want to just read this to you I received this proclamation with humility and and extreme gratitude.

I also give thanks to everyone that has made this possible. Special thanks to Jonathan Hernandez, whose friendship and positive attitude has been an inspiration. I also want to thank the et al families, Ramirez, Palomino, and Estrada, who became part of my journey. I also thank my parents for their bravery and courage to stand up for all children then and now. If my parents were here today, they would be so proud to know they accomplished much. They really did. And you guys are their legacy.

Hi, I'm Tracy Guzman. The legacy of justice. Thank you. Honoring our family here today, of the Mendez et al. vs. Westminster et al. Good evening. I am the et al. Speaks Out Committee Coordinator. I'm honored to welcome you to this Legacy of Justice, a gathering dedicated to truth, recognition, and the power of community. Today we come together not only to reflect on the landmark case of Mendez et al. vs. Switsminister et al., but to uplift the voices that history has too often overlooked.

The et als, commonly known as the other four families, these plaintiffs were equally involved in the Mendez et al. case, class action case actually, including my grandparents, William and Virginia Guzman, and their son Billy, who happens to be my dad. Gonzalo and Felicita Mendes, Tomas, Luisa Estrada, both litigated for Westminster. Lorenzo Josefino Ramirez fought for Emma Dina.

Frank Irene Palomino, they represented Garden Grove. They fought for their rights as a team and as friends. They were compas, they were amigos. goes they felt the racism the maltreatment and cruelty directed towards innocent children mexican children with darker skin different latino surnames this event here today is a celebration of courage and devotion a call for inclusive education and a reminder that justice prevailed for over 5 000 students in orange county california back in the day that was 80 years ago A legacy we must continue to build.

There are untold chapters in the Mendez et al. case. Let's never forget the case was built on the shoulders of five families.

And Ramirez, we have, Falamino, Ramirez, and Estrada. Yeah. Okay, and lastly, I'd like to put our angel Jonathan on blast, because he deserves high praises for everything that he's done for the city, and for you, and for everybody, all the time, and today's his birthday. So have your birthday to him. Thank you very much.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 4

And for the young kids that are in the room, any room that you walk in that they tell you don't belong in, you remind them about these five families and how we changed the world. If the room doesn't fit, we kick the doors down. That's one thing I learned from the Guzman family. And to that, si se puede, si se pudo. Thank you.

Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

All right, thank you. We're done with presentations. At this time, we are going to go into Madam City Attorney. Do you have anything to report out of closed session, please?

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 4

Mayor Pro Tem, Council Members, and members of the public, the City Council held its closed session.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Madam City Attorney, I'm sorry, we can't really hear you.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 4

Okay, sorry, I'll speak a little louder. Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, Council Members, and members of the public, we had a busy closed session this afternoon that started at 4 p.m. The council addressed numerous matters and here are all the reportable actions. In the first case of Delfina Robles versus the City of Santa Ana by a vote of 6 to 0 with Councilmember Hernandez absent, the City Council voted to settle this case for $150,000. In the case of JBW Enterprise which is Ware disposal, by the vote of of five to zero with Councilmember Hernandez absent and Councilmember Phan recusing herself

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 4

as her employer law firm, Rattan, represents where disposal, the Council directed the City Attorney's Office to file a motion to determine whether the plaintiff's law firm, Rattan, may legally and ethically continue to sue the City of Santa Ana when its employee is a Councilmember. And this would be in cases where she did recuse herself. In the third matter, in the matter of significant exposure to litigation, the City Council by by a vote of six to zero, with City Council Member Hernandez absent, the City Council directed the City Attorney to advise the Council on a potential censure process with potential legal consequences

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 4

in response to personnel complaints that had been filed against Council Member Hernandez. The Council directed that this matter be reported to the City Council at its October 7th, 2025 City Council meeting. And finally, the City Council continued the union Pacific matter and the labor negotiations to their council meeting of September 16th that is all the reportable action thank you madam city

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

attorney at this time we are going to go to public comment this is the time of the meeting for the city council to receive comments from the public on agenda and non agenda items madam city clerk please explain the public comment procedures and call the first speakers Thank You mayor pursuant to resolution

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

resolution number 2025-004, speakers are requested to address the City Council directly and to refrain from profane language, racial epitaphs, and libelous or slanderous statements that disturb the decorum of the meeting. Pursuant to the Brown Act, the City Council may not enter into discussion at this time. Speakers will have three minutes for their comments. Before calling speakers, I'll report the summary of emails provided as of today at 2 p.m. We received a total of seven comments on the agenda and non-agenda items, four comments on item number 10, one comment on item number 25, and two comments on non-agenda topics.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Those were distributed to the Council and posted online for public review. We'll now hear from members of the public that are physically present in the Council Chamber followed by those on the conference call or Zoom to provide their comments on agenda or non-agenda items only. If you are speaking on public hearing items 22 or 23 or the Housing Authority, those will will be heard separately later in the meeting.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

When I call your name, please line up in the center aisle behind the podium and please state your name and the ward or neighborhood that you reside in for the record.

The first three speakers.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Joe Vargas. Bumaro Vicente. Sandra De Anda.

Good evening members of the council and thank you for this opportunity to speak. My name is Joe Vargas. I'm a retired captain from the Anaheim Police Department. But more importantly, I am the eldest son of Officer Jose Vargas from the Santa Ana Police Department who so proudly served the city for many years. I'm here to support the renaming of the police activities building in his honor. It is indeed an honor not only for him but for my entire family. If you know his story he came from Jalisco, Mexico at 15 years old because his father had died. He had to support his siblings and despite multiple deportations because he wasn't

a very smart 15 year old back then, his hope and tenacity never wavered. He He eventually settled in Orange County as a field worker. At 25, he was working for a trash company. He was told if he spoke better English, he could become a foreman. He spent his nights at Anaheim High School learning English and ESL classes. He loved school so much, he attended Fullerton College at night and dreamed of becoming a police officer. He achieved this dream at 33 years old, joining the Stanton Police Department before Chief Ray Davis convinced him to come to the city of Santana, whose

demographics were radically changing back then. My father's outreach to the Latino community was revolutionary. He was the first recorded Hispanic Affairs officer in the United States and he was recognized for this by the International Association of Chiefs Police as one of the outstanding officers of the year in the United States for that year. In 1988, amongst the many things he was doing while still being employed here, he joined in a lawsuit to ensure people would not be targeted while they voted when a group of people hired security guards in order to intimidate Latino

voters from voting. Again, my father had a lot of courage. He wasn't easily intimidated. After his retirement, he continued to serve the community as the host of Que Pasa Conoce on local TV channels, and he was a regular columnist in local Spanish language newspapers. Sadly, my father was stricken with Parkinson's disease and lost his ability to speak. He passed away in 2013, but his memorial service was attended by hundreds of people, mostly people that he had reached out and helped over the years here in Santa Ana. Why does this matter today even more than ever?

My father was a great cop because he was a great human being. He understood the importance of helping those with no voice and those who could not help themselves. In today's climate, when immigrants are often demonized, naming this building after him sends a powerful message. Immigrants aren't caricatures portrayed in divisive rhetoric today. they are hard-working people contributing through sweat and determination to build better lives for themselves and others. Our family is deeply honored that people still remember them to this day. Thank you.

Hello Mayor and Council, my name is Bulamado Vicente. I serve as the political and policy director of chispa and i'm here to speak on item 10. i was one of the few committee members who attended the required community meeting and i was deeply disappointed when i asked the police department what administrative oversight caused the delay in releasing past reports and holding these meetings the response was simply we messed up we dropped the ball while i appreciate the honesty our community does not deserve excuses we deserve of accountability. When council passed its ordinance in 2022, the intent was clear. It was

to be reviewed and renewed annually as state law requires, yet it has not been renewed in three years. That's three years of no transparency, three years of no accountability, and three years in which military equipment could have come through this council without any oversight. If the police department cannot even comply with basic transparency law, how can we trust them to to responsibly or legally use the equipment they are asking to you to approve today, like the drone program, especially when they've already been borrowing drones from other cities and have not provided enough research or reasoning for why they need their own.

This is exactly why Santa Ana needs our independent investigatory oversight commission. The commission should not only ensure compliance with AB 481, but also review and make recommendations on the city's military equipment policy. Leaving it up solely to council has filled our community. I urge this council, hold the department accountable, reject the drone program, and empower the commission to do the job of oversight that our community has promised. And justice for Noah Rodriguez and Brandon Lopez. Thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

The next three speakers, the next three speakers, Sandra Deanda, Abraham Kew, and Patty Cabada.

Good evening, my name is Sandra and I serve as the Director of Policy and Legal Strategy at the Orange County Rapid Response Network. I'm here in support of today's agreement with the Immigrant Defenders Law Center for Immigration Legal Services. My team and I have come before this body time and time again to bring transparency around escalating ICE enforcement in Santa Ana. enforcement facilitated at the ice field office on 34 Civic Center Plaza and the Santa Ana immigration court on Dyer Road the first publicly documented raid in Santa Anna occurred on February 4th when ice carried out a targeted arrest at a

McDonald's on 1100 South Grand from that point forward we began seeing more arrests conducted by ice ERO at homes and vehicles by late April Homeland Homeland Security investigations ramped up enforcement by targeting SAUSD students, unaccompanied minors and their caretakers. In May, asylum seekers were arrested at our local immigration court. By mid-June, Border Patrol began entering Santa Ana, devastating working class communities in militarized three-minute operations, raiding Home Depots, car washes, and targeting street vendors and unhoused community members with some of the most violent tactics we have ever seen.

Just today, six workers were arrested at the Harbor Boulevard car wash in Santa Ana. These arrests are happening while temporary protected status is under attack for Venezuelan, Haitian, and other designated communities, and while immigrants of all nationalities with pending petitions are detained without cause at ICE check-ins at the Santa Ana field office. At the same time, Mexican, Vietnamese, and Central American residents are being funneled into ICE custody through transfers by Sheriff Don Barnes at the Intake and Release Center, also in Santa Ana.

Whether this city chooses to acknowledge it or not, Santa Ana is the deportation capital of Orange County. Federal agencies operating here are facilitating the deportations of your constituents to meet ISIS arrest quotas, who are enduring some of the harshest conditions in ICE detention, being pressured to sign away their rights, and deported to countries many have not known since childhood. The rights of our community members are being eroded at every level, across every status. is we must work together to protect those rights. Costa Mesa has already

followed Santana's example. Today's reinvestment in our local defense program reaffirms the city's values and strengthens the resistance of working-class immigrants and refugees not just here but across Orange County who continue to endure and continue to fight back every single day. That's why while I'm supporting item 13, because the legal investment of our people is crucial to continuing our fight to protect our people. One last thing, exploiting our unhoused neighbors for political spectacle during cult ride-alongs is a reprehensible for the mayor. Your time is up, ma'am.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Your time is up, thank you.

Good afternoon, City Council.

Good afternoon, City Council and staff. My name is Abe. I live in Ward 3. I'm here as a member of Community Service Organization Orange County, and we are demanding that this City Council not approve Santa Ana PD's military equipment policy. That's item 10 on your agenda. For starters, let's go over what SAPD has access to through this policy. Armored vehicles designed to withstand explosions. explosions. They have a $10,000 tactical robot, drones costing up to $45,000, tactical launchers that shoot tear gas, which is banned for use in international warfare, almost 150 M4 rifles,

long-range snipers, and enough ammunition for a small army. All of that under one policy. San Ana PD's job is not to occupy this city through military force. Their job is to serve and protect the community. But how is the community supposed to feel safe and trust the department when they are accepting money from the federal government and the Department of Homeland Security for weapons of war? How are we supposed to trust them? Santa Ana PD Policy 707 states that they get funding through a UASI grant. This is under the Department of Homeland Security and the main

purpose of this grant, according to Cal OES, is to arm and train the police department to respond to terrorist threats so we we have to know we deserve to know is our city currently facing a terrorist threat or its SAPD for preparing to face one or do they see us everyday santaneros as terrorists as stated in section 1a of Assembly Bill 481 the deployment of military equipment in our communities impacts the public safety and welfare including increased risk to civilian deaths and significant risks to civil rights. The ad hoc committee for police oversight likes to

cite liability as a factor in limiting civilian oversight of the police, but the members of that committee seem to have no issue giving SAPD more money and permission to terrorize our communities. Between 2010 and 2020, Santa Ana paid about 25 million dollars in settlements because of Santa Ana PD's unrestricted violence. Shame! And this violence goes without any oversight. For almost nine For nine months we have been demanding justice for Noe Rodriguez, who was killed by officers Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra while experiencing a mental health crisis in downtown Santa Ana.

The officers violated his rights, his civil rights, including due process, and took the law into their own hands when they fired almost 30 bullets at an unarmed man. Again, Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra deserve to be investigated and fired. Justice for Noe Rodriguez and no on item 10.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

The next three speakers, Patty Cabada, Tommy Fernandez, Yumiko Hiromoto.

Good evening, Board. My name is Patricia Cabada and I'm a former resident. I'm asking that you please look into AB495, also known as the Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025. It's a California bill focused on supporting families during temporary parental absences, particularly those related to immigration issues. the bill expands the definition of eligible caregivers, allows for temporary joint guardianship nominations, and requires schools and childcare facilities to update their policies related to immigration and family preparedness. A key component of this bill is the caregiver's authorization affidavit is four.

AB495 expands the definition of who can execute a caregiver's authorization affidavit to include non-relative extended family members. This allows individuals to authorize school-related medical care for the minor. Now, this bill was put in the suspense file today, but that does not mean that it cannot be pushed forward. So I'm asking you to please look at the bill, and if you see that there are flaws in the way that it's written, please reach out to your colleagues and express your thoughts regarding the bill. I'm also asking this board to please educate the public on their different options for

guardianship for their children. So if the children are taken away from their parents, parents have to know what their rights are. How they can go about and pick a guardian in advance. It's an ugly truth but it is a reality and we don't need any more children in the foster care system. So even though this is not where I currently live, as I said, I'm a former resident, I don't want to see undocumented parents knowing that they don't know where their children are if they do get picked up. That's not fair to those parents and it's not fair to the children.

So please try to put something in place so that the public is educated on how they can can pick and choose a guardian. So if that day should ever come, their family's already prepared for the inevitable of the separation of their families, and they do not end up in CPS under foster care system. Thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Tommy Fernandez, followed by Yumiko Hiromoto and Josh Nuno.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I'm sorry sir can you hold on one second we wouldn't be able to hear you. Okay. Thank you so much we appreciate it go ahead.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen my name is Thomas Fernandez I represent United Club Soccer League. There's one sports organization called La Academia the owners of La Academia Jorge Reyes and Oscar Reyes our best friend with with council member Peñalosa since they were little. They went to Washington Elementary together, they went to MacArthur and Saddleback, and till this day they're still pretty good friends. The problem here is this particular organization receives privileges. Mr. Peñalosa, a possible conflict of interest scandal is not the best way to start your new political aspirations.

And I guess that's your problem, not mine. But you, Mr. Peñalosa, were elected by the voters of Santa Ana to help the community, not to help your friends. I have a question. This question is not for you Mr. Peñalosa because I know the answer. You're a very well-known sinvergüenza. This question is mainly for you Madam Mayor. We can't. We need to let people speak

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

please and no personal talks please thank you. Is my time want to be respected?

Thank you. This question is mainly for you Madam Mayor, the city manager and and everyone else, is anybody here receiving any assistance, any help or anything for helping this particular organizations? The people of Santa Ana deserve transparency and we need to know. You as public servants need to tell us if you're receiving anything in return. And please do not try to tell us this is not happening. Here in my hand, I have an email from Oscar Reyes telling every single member of his organization, this conversation is happening and he's bragging he's gonna have exclusive views

of Centennial Park all four synthetic fields and the Santa Ana Stadium.

Now the amount of money this organization is in charge won't be covered for the people of Santa Ana. $4,000 a year. This money can be covered by kids from Newport Beach, Yorba Linda, maybe Laguna, but Centennial Park was built for the people of Santa Ana and we need respect. Two more things, two more things. Madam Mayor, very respectfully you appear many many photos with all the Reyes family and you follow them every single one of them on social media and there's nothing wrong with that. We understand that. But the fact that this particular organization received privileges raises concerns. One more

thing Mr. Peñalosa, when you guys spend thousands of money investigating this decent hard-working man and you found nothing, nada, you still have the audacity to call them mafia and I'm demanding a public apology because they are not mafia. And one more thing, I need you to tell all these kids they're not gonna have a place to play or to practice because your friends are gonna get him. So I need you tell them in their face they are not going to have a place to play and practice all the kids

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

your time is up thank you sir

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

madam mayor um the next speakers i'm sure we hold on one second please councilman panelosa

David PenalozaItem 4

thank you madam mayor and just point of clarification to the previous speaker who who clearly lied, I am not best friends with these individuals. I went to school with hundreds of residents of Santa Ana, high school and elementary, many of them, excuse me. Excuse me.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

I'm sorry we let you speak. We need to stop.

David PenalozaItem 4

Quorum. Excuse me.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Please stop, thank you.

David PenalozaItem 4

And many of them are actually city employees, police officers that I went to high school with, elementary, but we're not best friends. So don't come in here to lie and spread flags that are not true. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Council panelist ma'am go ahead you have three minutes please

to play. The synthetic grass fields were built with the money of the contributors, therefore they belong to everyone. They are not from a few, they are not from a single family, and they are not from a single club. However, today the club, the academy, receives an exclusive treatment that no other league or community has received. This is not an invention.

Thank you for the support. You can find this video where you specifically say that you have known the family since you were five years old and it is in the Council video on YouTube. So you can't tell us that you are not friends. There is your answer. Well, as for you publicly recognized the friendship since childhood with the Reyes family, the owners of the Soccer Club, the Academy, that recognition, adding the exclusive benefit, generates a possible conflict of interests. The community does not understand why these agreements have been taken in secret,

without an open process with the participation of all of us. And there is something even more serious. The Peñalosa council today seeks to be an assembly member of the State of California. With all due respect, but if here in Santa Ana it has not shown transparency or impartiality, how can it aspire to represent millions of citizens in the State? The community has legitimate questions. What personal benefits does it get from these agreements? How are the taxes of the taxpayers being used? Why is there no transparency? And why, if requests have already been made through email,

we have not yet had an answer? When information is hidden, citizen confidence breaks. When you favor a few, the entire community loses. Santa Ana does not deserve this. We deserve clear rules. We deserve equal access. access, we deserve transparency. With Peñalosa as a councilman, well, you can aspire to more power, but are you going to be able to? But today you show that you are not ready for a position that requires total impartiality and service to people, not to private interests, and as citizens we have the obligation to point it out. Thank you very much. Gracias.

Good evening, members of the city council, mayor, and community here present. My name is Yumiko.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

I'm sorry, can you hold on translating, please? We need it to be quiet so we can hear the translation. Thank you so very much. Go ahead with the translation, please.

Good evening, members of the council, mayor, and community here present. My name is Yumiko, and I would like to have the translation so everybody can understand appropriately. And I am here as a concerned citizen. And Peñalosa, I'd like you to look at these kids in the eye and tell them that they will have no fields. And I'm concerned by the lack of transparency in the handling of the public resources in Santa Ana. The synthetic fields were built with the taxpayer money. money. Therefore, they are for everybody, not for a few, not for a single family, not

for a single club. However, the Club La Academia receives exclusive treatment that no other league or community has received. We are not making this up. There's a video, and the video you talk about when you were five, you've known the family since you were five years years old so you cannot say that you're not friends. The video on the official YouTube channel for the City Council, council member David Peñalosa recognized publicly the friendship that he has with the Reyes family, the owners of soccer club La Academia. This recognition together with these exclusive benefit

generates a possible conflict of interest. The community does not understand why these agreements have taken place in secret without an open in the process and without everybody's participation. And there's something even more serious. Council Member Peñalosa now seeks to be a state assembly member for California. And with all due respect, if you are here in Santa Ana, you have not demonstrated transparency or impartiality. How can you aspire to a greater place to represent millions of citizens in the the state. The community has legitimate questions. What personal benefits you get from these

agreements? How are the taxpayer funds being used? Why don't we have transparency? What happened to the emailed applications or questions? There was never a response. funds. And when information is hidden, the citizens' trust is broken. When you favor a few, the entire community loses. Santa Ana doesn't deserve this. We deserve clear rules. We deserve equality of access. We deserve transparency. Councilman Peñalosa, you may

aspire to a greater power, but now you demonstrate that you are not ready for that position that that requires total impartiality and service to the people, not private interests. As citizens, we have the obligation to point this out. Thank you very much.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Go ahead, Jen.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

The next three speakers, if you could please line up. Josh Nuno, Karen Perez, Victor Quiroga.

Good evening members of the City Councilor. My name is Josh Nuno. It is alarming that a potential agreement to grant preferential access to the Centennial Park to La Academia involves personal ties to a member of this Council, Mr. David Penalosa. When personal friendships are mixed with decisions about public property and clear conflict of interest exists. The Council must ensure that no personal relationship outweighs the well-being of the entire community. We ask that any negotiations be halted until an investigation is conducted and impartiality is guaranteed. The people of Santa Ana trust you to defend what belongs to everyone.

Public spaces are built with public funds and should be managed openly and equitably. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Madam City Clerk, can you call the three spirit? Can you please line up as the clerk has requested when your name is called?

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Yes, please line up in the center aisle, preferably not at the back wall, but closer to the podium. Karen Perez, Victor Quiroga, Maria Bahena. Nina.

Hello everybody, my name is Karen Perez, and I'm here representing United Latin and all of the soccer clubs that are out here. On August 7th, we sent an email requesting public information regarding Dang Yung Complex being given exclusively to one user. On August 8th, I was notified by the city clerk that I would be given information within 10 days. I have yet to hear from you and the city clerk. I would like to know why you are considering that the friends of David Peñalosa could receive exclusive access to publicly funded fields.

Fields that the soccer organizations in this room helped raise funds for through a surcharge that was collected by the city of Santa Ana to help create the now synthetic fields. We would like to know why the negotiation is being done under the table. And most importantly, I would like to know what the benefit will be for the residents of Santa Ana when you guys continue with this negotiation.

David Penalosa, now that you're running for state assembly, are you trying to leave your friends with preferential treatment? Do we now come to city council to request our fields instead of going straight through parks and rec like it's supposed to be?

David Penalosa, on October 5th, 2021, you talked about the league owners being a mafia. The gentleman out here, if you'd like to look at them. You considered them a mafia. Are you willing to bite your tongue and call them that again? You spent many taxpayers money, dollars in the investigation not too long ago. You looked into all of us trying to find the mafia. I encourage you to open up another investigation to put light into the situation. The real mafia you have in your house. All we ask for is clarity and transparency.

Is that too much to ask for? Why are you so afraid to turn in your emails and documents?

Peñalosa, you're running now for state assembly? It scares me. It scares a lot of us that are out here.

I'll leave you with one thing to ask yourselves. How many Santa Ana kids do your friends represent? Are you willing to yank the park spaces to the larger crowd out here? We represent Santa Ana. We have the majority of Santa Ana kids playing out on your fields. Are you willing to give it to one user that doesn't even equal the amount of Santa Ana kids that we have? Is that what your end goal is? Can you really look at yourselves and say, I'm going to take the parks away from the city of Santa Ana kids and give it to another user that doesn't equal the amount of kids that we have

really think about that and let us know what what you come up with thank you

good evening mayor and council members my name is Victor Quiroga I coach at Santa Ana United. I grew up down the street, part in Washington. I attended Wheeler Intermediate, Santa Ana High School, and graduated Santa Ana College. Like many in this room, this city has shaped me, and I'm proud knowing that I'm contributing to the future of this city. In total, I coached three teams, 45 players. 31 of those are 16 to 17 years old, and the rest are 12 to 13 years old. Throughout the 10 years I've been coaching, this is the the first time I've been involved in a political matter regarding recreational

sports. I once envisioned myself here in this room with my teams being recognized for a great accomplishment. Not for this. This makes me sad. Just two months ago our city was in turmoil with ice raids. Many kids missed training in fear of deportation. Tonight I had to cancel training to be here to ask for for transparency and clarification.

Please be transparent. Will the 45 players I coach have access to a field in Centennial? Or, like many of our nation's undocumented residents, will our youth soccer players also be removed from a place they've come to call home? Last week, at 36 years old, in light of the recent fear installed by ICE in our community, I signed an eight-year contract with the Navy Reserves to serve for my country, to serve my country, and provide my parents a pathway to permanent residency. As I prepare to ship out for nine months to protect those dear to me, I'd also like to know that these 45 players and families I

leave behind will not feel abandoned by me nor their community. A majority of these players are already having a hard time dealing with fear, displacement, and and separation. Please don't add to this. Thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

The next three speakers. The next three speakers, Maria Bahena, Hector Hernandez, Ricardo Sandoval.

Good evening. My name is Maria Bahena. I started in Ward 5. I actually had a speech ready and I decided to throw it out because my phone died. I'm a parent, also a coach. I have a team at California Youth and most importantly at Mesa Verde. I came here because they told me our fields were getting taken away. I didn't realize to the extent of the problem it was. I want to show you guys my son. This is my son. This is the kid you guys want to take fields from. up. Mesa Verde did something amazing for our kids this year. They created a select team,

which is taking the kids to compete at club levels without having to pay club level prices.

The 2015 kids took first place competing amongst club kids. I'm sorry. I didn't realize how bad this was. Please look at our children. Look at all of them. Do they really deserve to get fields taken away? We can't afford club prices. We can't afford $200,000 to $5,000 a season, not just a year, a season. They're giving our children opportunities to experience things that they have not experienced before. Earlier, we heard a family speak about

about how it is to be brown. My child attends Fremont Elementary. My children do. Now being called Guzman Elementary, right? This is what we're fighting for. We're fighting for equal rights for our children. And being-

Having the opportunity to play at these parks. Let me tell you something. thing, Mesa Verde does not charge the select team to train in those fields that they play for. They are giving up those fields that they pay for for free for our kids that play in the select to give them a better opportunity, to give them experiences that they have not experienced before or that they don't have the opportunity to experience. Please reconsider this and look into it because all our kids all our Santa Ana clubs that do have more than 90% of the kids that play in those clubs reside in Santa Ana reside in wards like Ward 5,

Ward 2, Ward 3. I'm not talking about Floral Park I'm talking about Civic Center, Bristol, McFadden that's where we all live.

Thank you.

White.

White. White. White. Has it cost you? Has it cost us? Simply, each synthetic field costs around $500,000 plus electricity, which is about a hundred and so thousand dollars. And now this man, with his friends, comes to take away our fields because he says we are a mafia. The mafia, after we take away the people, the gangs, the children of the drug addicts, and all that, is that being a mafia? Tell me, I'm a mafia. If you understand the word mafia, tell me.

I'll give you the word for him and our organization. It's called defamation, sir, in case you don't know. And this card is for you.

Thank you. Good evening.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Thank you, I'm sorry. Can you hold off on the translation until we can hear it, please? Please be respectful so we can hear the translation. Thank you.

Good evening, my name is Ricardo Sandoval, and I'm the president of the Santa Ana League for over 39 years, since Pulido gave us the access to Centennial when it was all dirt and mud. And now that it's all nice and all done over, he wants to take it away with his friends, that it cost you anything no it cost us a lot each field the synthetic field cost over five hundred thousand dollars the light alone is over a hundred thousand dollars and now you bring your friends and you want to take it away saying that we are mafia we are not mafia you're saying that there's gangs

and there's drugs and there's mafia do you know even know the meaning of the word mafia tell me to my face that I'm a mafia go ahead and say it but I have a award for him and it's defamation and I made this poster just for you the poster here and just for you and miss mayor a mesquite and we are very mad that after all these years you are trying to take away the the fields this is not right thank you very much

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

The next three speakers, Hector Hernandez, Jose Meza, Joaquin Olvera.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Can the other two, can you line up please? Thank you. Go ahead, sir.

Hector Hernandez Hi, good afternoon. My name is Hector Hernandez. As you can see, my parent Maria kind of said it all. We only charge 10% of a fraction of what a club soccer charges. I grew up in a family with five brothers, six brothers, one sister. Where we were limited to soccer, I was able to play high school soccer through scholarships, played semi-pro soccer through scholarships, and I played club soccer through scholarships. I don't see that anymore. I don't see that. I go to the city of Santa Ana. I went to a tournament with my 12-year-old son. Half of the league in Oceanside, San Bernardino, all Santa Ana kids.

I walk up the soccer field. They recognize me. So I started the project of All Stars, just charging 10% fraction with the support of Mesa Verde. I've been at practice soccer fields, Madison, Del High, where I have to deal with homeless, tweakers, Windsor Park, always kicking out naked people in the bathrooms. When all these people over when we go to Centennial Park, we're fighting for parking with parents from Fullerton, Anaheim. it's a fact because we're fighting for the parking because they don't want to get off their car we double park or we're trying to get the kids off to park and the parents don't even get off

their cars and we notice that they're giving priorities to other people i have never seen albion fc at madison park they're always prioritized at centennial they always get bip treatment at centennial park and we get the crappy hours they get the benefit bip hours we're always complaining about it every time we have access to soccer fields do a walk through what we managed to pick up our trash those kids are throwing water bottles at the parking lot they don't even care where their access i'm frustrated where i'm out there from five six sometimes

dropping off kids at 9 30 at night because we get the crappy hours so i asked for transparency david got really good aspirations you guys did a hell of a job renovating a lot of the parks thank you you as a resident of Sonana. Thank you. We can see the money that you guys put at Dale High. See the money and the signs that you guys have done to the parks. But then you have this organization that don't even have 90% of their kids accessing our best fields and we're getting the crappy fields. I do want to thank Hawk and his staff for giving the access at Greenville.

We're very grateful to him and his staff. Take care of it like it's our home. That I do want to say thank you to you guys but what you want to do to us now kick us out of Centennial.

I've been a veteran for 52 years, and 40 years representing the veterans league. Tonight I'm here because of the concern about what's happening. I think that 40 years ago, as my partner said, we played, there were two fields, one of them was the Santanita and the other was the center. and it was the only thing we had, nothing, zakate, pure land. And then, I don't know what happened, but suddenly the idea of building the Centennial came up. The Centennial was three fields,

and I think it was more than anything for adults. But the years passed, and we were set aside, but in a good way, because those fields were going to be distributed to the children. We understood it. Now, until now, after 40 years, I'm still waiting for a space in the Centennial complex. And now I realize that a group of colleagues from here, from Mr. Peñalosa, will arrive, who I think will come with the red carpet and I think they will give everything. And I think this is not correct. And the only thing we demand, and I demand from them, is transparency. Transparency, nothing else.

They have been asked to answer our emails, to see what is happening, how this is being handled, and we really haven't heard anything. Years ago, an organization called Santana USA came. There was a lot of transparency. We had meetings monthly, I think every two or three months. We talked, we discussed, they invited us to all the leagues, que en aquellos años éramos creo que 14 ligas de adultos y como tres de niños pero creo que no se llegó a un acuerdo pero todo había transparencia y esta vez creo que si están haciendo algo debajo de la mesa creo que no está bien y esto lo quiero decir gracias. Thank you.

Good evening. My name is Jose Mesa. I've lived in Santa Ana for about 52 years and about 40 years with the, here with a veteran, with the league, veteran league. And I'm here for the same concern. About 40 years ago, we were playing in just a couple of fields in Santa Anita and center, and there was no grass, just dirt. and then all of a sudden they built Centennial. I think there were three fields that were there for the adults and then years after many years they said no they were going to take them away from us and give them to the kids

and I understood that and now we are waiting for we for over 40 40 years I've I've been waiting for Centennial to be available, and now it looks like Mr. Peñalosa's friend is going to roll up the red carpet and give them all to him, and that's not right. We demand transparency. We want answers to our emails. We have not heard back. Some time ago, many years ago, there was a Santa Ana USA organization that had transparency. We met all of us, the leagues.

We had two or three meetings per month. There were about 14 leagues for adults and three leagues for children. And it was all transparent. But now they're doing things behind the scenes. It's all being hidden, and that's not right. That is all. Thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

The next three speakers, Joaquin Olvera, Johnny Mejia, Sonia Olivarez.

Good evening, council members. Before I begin, I have a quick question for David Peñalosa. I just want to know if in reality he calls mafia. And I want him to answer that question right now in front of the people.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Sir, go ahead and keep speaking. Thank you.

Well, I'm here representing the Miss Alberta Youth Soccer League. I'm an owner and founder of Miss Alberta Youth Soccer League. We're on a program where we give the opportunity to most of our kids to participate on a soccer club level. We don't even charge a single penny to do that. We know that to be part of a club, you have to pay a lot of money. We don't do that. We give the opportunity to our kids. the that's going on about some trying to take over the fields at Centennial Park, that's

going to affect us tremendously. So basically, I'm here to ask for everyone's support.

for all those kids to be on the street. That's very important and I really like to take the opportunity to consider it. If it's going behind the doors, I don't know. But we have the proof that it's happening. I had to step out of the way because we have a lot of members here, we have over a thousand members. And I really, really appreciate if you guys can do something about it. Thank you.

Hello, good evening, Mayor, Councilmember, and city staff. My name is Johnny Mejia. I'm here today to represent Jam Sports in multiple leagues in Santa Ana. I'd like to begin by acknowledging someone many of us know, Oscar Reyes, La Academia. He does a great job. His program is really good. You know, having this connection with semi-pro and his sister playing pro, that's awesome. But there's a lot of programs out there, not just one. And, like, we're going to bring it up because there's a way he expresses about Oscar Reyes and the family. It sounds to us like the best friends. You know, he does positive things.

Dedication, individual who has worked hard, very brings opportunities to the youth in our city. I believe in programs that benefit young people no matter who runs them. Last year, Bayonosa's best friend registered in a league of 105 participants. Only 49 of them were Santa Ana residents. Meanwhile, my league currently has over 1,000 participants, 819 youth, 267 adults, and the majority of Santa Ana. Yet, most of our leagues still remain in Group 3 for field allocation, with less priority than Mr. Bayonosa's friend. What concerns me most is the process.

We have seen the stadium, Centennial Park de Young, being granted a high priority to Peonata's Friend without clear public opportunities for others to apply the same. Peonata's Friend has participated formally with outside organizations from Los Angeles LALFA, San Diego Albion, and soon to a group from Mexico, Tigres. While many of our local programs, larger in size and quality, committed to our youth, are left struggling with space. This isn't about Penalosa's friend or one program. This is about transparency.

It's about making sure that any of the league's organizations, big or small, have fair chance at these public resources. I respectfully ask for Council to review the process of granting fields priority to Centennial stadium based allocation on the numbers of Santa Ana residency owned by track and record on the community benefits provides ensure that the leagues have a query opportunity to apply and decision are made openly we all want to grow programs and we and we can do that while still respecting fairness for everyone I'm not here to divide it I'm here to make sure everyone youth and

and adult athletes in Santa Ana get the same chance to play. Thank you for your time, for your consideration, and the needs for all the leagues in our city. Santa Ana no se vende, se cuida y se defiende.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

The next three speakers. The next three speakers, Sonia Olivares, Melissa Aburto, Brian Leos.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

After that will be Guadalupe Romero and America Saucedo.

Good evening, Mayor and City Council members. members. This is not my first time here and probably is not going to be my last.

I come here with you guys today to look at everybody with me.

I was once one of those players that only played through scholarship. I have asked Oscar Reyes at 14 for guidance. I was part of a team that didn't know where to go, where to do, and we got nothing. We were told that we couldn't afford fields.

I come here to represent Team Nene League and Macking FC. I'm an admin. I take care and not only that, I am a role model to all these players. As everybody here around has said before, we need help.

We want you guys to please pay attention to what's going on. It's affecting us and it's going to affect us worse as time goes on. People are constantly preaching to protect the culture of Santa Ana and the youth are part of the culture and nobody does anything. Everyone puts them aside. It's time for everybody to look at everyone. Look at all these kids here. Thank you for your time.

Thank you. And I just want to ask you to take into account that we need a place to train. We need to support the children. Thank you.

Good evening, my name is Guadalupe Romero. I'm a coach for U12, and I'm here to ask us to consider us. Don't leave our kids without a field for our Santa Ana kids. They need to be active. They need to be out there doing activities to be healthy and for their well-being. Soccer has helped me with my child, and we need a place. We need a place for them to train and a place for them to play. and I'm from Mesa Verde and we need this place for them to train and to play and thank you for listening thank you very much

good evening my name is Brian Lels I'm 19 years old I currently go to Santa Ana College full-time student and I'm not in school I am I am a I'm currently a a coach from Hamaki and I coach U13s and U16s. I'm also a player too. And it just sucks that we are losing the fields in Santa Ana cause one person decided to give their friends the whole field and it just hurts all of us. And I've been playing soccer for my whole life and I always been playing at the field and it hurts that we are losing the field.

I just want to be here. I just want to come out here and support everyone here.

Support the kids.

It's not fair for everyone that has the money to do stuff, and it hurts all of us.

I'm just here for everyone here in the union. Thank you for your time. Thank you.

Hello, good afternoon. My name is America. First of all, thank you for taking the time to listen to us. I am the mother of a child who plays for the green table. And really, you don't know how important it is for my son. My son has asthma and for a while I took him to the psychologist. I was a psychologist, both the pediatrician and his psychologist recommended me to put him in sports. I put him in and at first he didn't like it. Now if you see the change he has made in my son and in so many children from his team and from other teams,

it is so nice to see children from U4 to U16 play instead of walking in the streets, scratching, doing things they don't. y de verdad no no puedo imaginar que sería de estos niños sin poder hacer algo que tanto les gusta mi hijo ha encontrado ahí en el fútbol amigos que no tenía él era muy callado no era muy difícil para él tener amigos conseguir amigos hablar de otros niños y ahora que lo veo jugar lo veo reír ahorita estaba gritando apoyando esta causa porque para él es muy importante It's very important for these children. It's very important. And they deserve it.

They are the future of Santa Ana. They are the children who are going to grow and do something for this city. They are the ones who deserve the fields, not other children. Thank you. We still want to play soccer! We still want to play soccer!

Good evening, my name is America. First of all, thank you for listening. I'm a mom of a kid in Mesa Verde and it's important for him because my son has asthma and I took him to a psychologist and both his pediatrician and his psychologist recommended that he play a sport and in the beginning he did not like it very much but this changed and he changed through this. now he is making friends he this is nice what they do for the kids for the under under four under sixteen they get to play and then and they they're not out

there in the streets doing whatever or tagging and stuff like that and I wonder what they would be doing without this opportunity this this activity here my son is making friends he used to be very shy and it's hard for him to make make friends, but now he's made friends. He's out there playing and laughing and smiling, and that's why he's here as well to support this. And also, this is for the future of Santa Ana when they grow up so that they can do something positive. They are the ones who deserve the fields, not other people. Thank you very much.

Good evening members of the Santa Ana City Council. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak today. I'm here on behalf of my son's team All-Stars. We're over here also representing Jam Sports. My son has been playing for many Santa Ana leagues including Jam Sports for the last four years. I'm here also on behalf of the community who simply want the chance to play play soccer, stay active, and feel included for their children. Recently, we've been informed that access to our nicer city park and fields have been given primarily and exclusively to one private club soccer organization.

While I understand the value of these clubs, we must also acknowledge that they are expensive, selective, and not accessible to every family, especially here in the city of Santa Ana. Many parents cannot afford the fees or the time commitment that come with club soccer. yet their children deserve the same opportunities to play the game they love. When we prioritize club soccer over community-based or recreational leagues, we unintentionally send the message that sports and play are privileges reserved for those who can pay more. That goes against the very purpose of our public

parks, which are meant to be shared spaces for all residents regardless of their income or their background. Soccer has always been a sport that brings brings people together. It teaches teamwork, discipline, and community. By limiting field access, we risk leaving behind countless kids who may not have another safe or structured outlet. These children deserve the same chance to grow, to learn, and to belong. Just like the robotics team, the Lit League, the Saddleback students who were here and recognized today. I'm asking the council to ensure that park access is distributed fairly with space reserved

serve not only for one club or friends of a club, but also for neighborhood teams and recreational leagues. We can create a system that balances everyone needs without giving advantage to only one club, and one that keeps our parks inclusive and true to their purpose. At the end of the day, it's not just about soccer, it's about fairness, opportunity, and community. Every child, including my son, deserves a chance to play on the nicer fields, on the synthetic fields, not just those who can afford the club dues. Thank you for your time and for hearing this request. I truly hope we can work together to keep our parks open

and accessible for all our children.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

The next three speakers.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

The next three speakers, Danalyn Gonzalez, Christian Castellanos, Leonel Perez.

Good afternoon, council members. My name is Danalyn Gonzalez. I am 17 years old and I have a question as to why you are taking away our parks for Santa Ana kids. I have lived in Santa Ana my whole life and I have seen things that have in my youth that is not for us. I just wanted to come and talk and say that our park should not be taken from us as they provide many sports for the community.

Soccer has helped many children in difficult circumstances. For example, my friend who only knew the streets, he had joined soccer and I had noticed a different side to him. aside where he was free aside where he didn't have to be off doing a crime this always stays with me because software helped him improve and change his ways another example I would like to speak about is my brother who seven years ago exactly I was diagnosed with autism we noticed he was more secluded and often closed off until one day he came home with the soccer flyer and signed him up over the years in the Mesa Verde soccer league we noticed changes and

and improvements in him. He was not only socializing, but thriving. Being in the park playing soccer was a thing that helped him, and now he's 11 years old. And not only is he better, but he is thriving with many friends and friendships. As to me, I have also played in those parks and feel it is unfair for our future generations to be denied of this freedom. Thank you. Please let us in.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

The next three speakers, Christian Castellanos, Leonel Perez, and Melissa Shepherd.

Good evening, Mayor and council members. My name is Christian Castellanos. I grew up in Ward 5. My son plays for Mesa Verde, as I'm a coach as well for Mesa Verde. I proudly represented Santa Ana in our last tournament where we played other cities throughout the whole state and also from Nevada. We won first place in the championship and we put Santa Ana in like a great, great name saying that we're from Santa Ana. And I find it unfair that council member Peñalosa is trying to give our parks to somebody that's not from Santa Ana. Like we're putting Santa Ana's name up high on a pedestal.

And I find it really unfair that our kids are losing that opportunity. And I just, I just really find it unfair. Thank you for your time.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Leonel Perez, Melissa Shepherd, Bruce Senator.

know, the adult leagues contribute with money, ok, for the manufacture of the fields, for example, synthetic grass in number 2 and I think that lately, sorry, in number 3 and now in number 2, I think they put the lights on.

We never disagreed that the children would be part of this program that you made yourself change, that the children prior to it, it seems to us excellent. What is something that we are not satisfied with is that you now give priority to a single group, being that you supposedly want to do things in a way that is the same for everyone. You confuse with what you do. I looked at your expression right now when you addressed my colleague Tomás Fernández. As you felt, I felt the day you mentioned mafia to us. That should not be done. Mostly the position that you are in.

The other thing is that in the times of the pandemic we have had some very difficult times. The times that we are living now, it is almost the same for the situation that we are living in, in the migratory situation. And that you, I'm sorry, but in reality I think you're the one who has the baton of all this, you're the oldest. If something like this is happening, analyze it well and give us transparency, everyone. Take us into account to have ideas. The community needs it. It needs transparency. On the contrary, this is not going well and you don't see yourself wrong.

Mayor.

Good evening.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

So, we're going to do a translation first, Mr. Cervantes.

Good evening, members of the city council. My name is Leonel Perez. I'm United Latin Soccer League for over three decades here in Santa Ana. I believe we're the number one in the world. And I would like to tell you a little bit, a few of the things that we have done around here. In Centennial, we don't disagree. It's different because the adults pay money. The adult leagues pay money for the upkeep of the fields. And field number two and field number three, they have the synthetic and they have the lights. And I don't disagree with the kids that have this program, to be in this program.

But we don't agree with giving priority to just one group. We need to have equality for everyone, for all. And the expression that you had when you talked about or to Tomas Hernandez, that's the same expression I have when you called us a mafia. And other situations here. The other thing is that it's very difficult. It's very hard. And now, during the pandemic, it was a very hard situation. And now, I believe we're in a similar situation during the immigration situation. And you, as a mayor, you are in charge.

So you should have transparency for everyone. The community wants to get together and bring ideas. And the community needs transparency so that we're all together and we can all work together. Because otherwise, that is not right. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

So I'm sorry, really quick, Mr. Senator. Sir, is your item, are you speaking on the soccer field, sir, or just a different item, correct?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Okay, can you give me one second?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Okay, okay. Can you give us one second, please, if you can have a seat in the front row there for a second? I really appreciate your cooperation, thank you. Mr. City Manager, let me turn it over to you so you can clarify a few things. And before you do, sir, I just wanna say something. You know, we heard a lot of comments about favoritism or best friends or who we grew up with. I can say that everybody up here, including Councilman Hernandez, is not in the room. I just wanna be really clear that all of our families are intertwined. We're either married, cousins, ninos, ninos, compadres.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

is so I would I would really hesitate from saying we're best friends or playing favorites because everybody in this city I would say almost there's a lot of people in the city that are somehow connected to one another my father played soccer years ago with some of some of some of you probably so um I just want to make that clear that in this city we are all connected somehow somehow, and so there's no favoritism. And so, because every councilman up here could be, you could say that to them too, because they all have family and friends as well. So, Mr. City Manager, I think it's really important that you

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

clarify some things that are not accurate, sir. Thank you.

Alvaro NuñezItem 4

So, to be sure, we do not have a contract. If we were to have a contract, we'll bring it before the city council. And at that point, it can be publicly discussed. That's the simple point of the matter.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Thank you, Mr. City Manager, for clarifying that. And so, just again, we do not have a contract with anybody. And if we did proceed that way or started to go down that road, it would come to the Council and it would be open to the public, correct?

Alvaro NuñezItem 4

Exactly.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Okay, I want to be really clear so everybody hears that. Thank you, Mr. City Manager, for clearing that up. Sir, you may come up and speak and you have your three minutes. Thank you.

»» My name is Bruce Senator.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

»» Sir, can you speak into the mic, please?

»» I was here a couple weeks ago. And I rearticulated four of the issues that I spoke on last time. And I submitted them to you yesterday afternoon. So you'll have these to look at. And I also submitted three new issues that I wanted to bring out. Two of them are called an online share-a-thon. One of them has to do with the grief and the gratitude that the people in the community are going through because of what's coming out of Washington. And me being a volunteer at Del High in food pantry distribution, I see it every week. And so there's a lot of grief.

We have people who are afraid to go to the parks. I see people who are afraid to go to the churches. churches, and when they come out of our lady of Guadalupe, they're fearful of even walking down the street. So the concept here of having an online share-a-thon is where people can get together and share their thoughts online in a manner where they cannot be identified. The city can work it out. And so it's something that I just wanted to put forward. At the same time, I know the people in this community like to cook, so they can also have have an online share-a-thon of kind of happiness where you can share recipes.

And so they kind of came out of the same concept. Separately going back to the Warner issue on East Warner Avenue, there's a lot of accidents that are occurring there because between Main and Halladay you have Maple and there's bottlenecks there and obstructions. So we need the city traffic to go through there because it's not really marked clearly as a construction zone and they may want to remarket and have a temporary reduction in the traffic speed limit there while they're working on that. So they need to go back and look at it again. And then two issues I just submitted later today has to do with your new digital signage

that you're employing out there. Because I come from the advertising field and when you look at it, a lot of the messaging on there is not following regimens that you do in advertising when you're doing billboards. What you look at and you see on your screen when you're designing it is not necessarily the way it's going to look on the billboard when people are driving past. There are two things here. This has to do with how they make up the billboards and when they design them. This has to do with access. I'd like to see more community center access.

Your senior centers, your community centers, your schools have access to input messages on that system. Now, getting away from that, I want to go to this issue which I wasn't prepared for, but it's on this, I understand you're considering possibly a semi-privatization of some stadiums and or fields. In this community and in any Hispanic community, soccer is really part of the fabric. If you do something like that and it prices these families out and their kids can't take advantage of that. It's undermining the fabric of the community. You really have

to ask yourself, is pursuing the diamond dollar worth undermining the fabric of an individual child and their families? Because in the long term, I can guarantee you if you think back to 1990 when Reagan went out and Bush came in and they took millions of dollars away from the central cities, the gangs and the The drug cartels came in with guns and drugs and we had 25 years of gang influence in this country and it was hell. If you undermine the fabric of soccer in these communities and you don't give these kids the proper supervision they need, they're going to start falling by the wayside and

then you're going to be putting more money into your police department. You're going to have problems. So really think this through long term about, you know, looking for money and is it worth it if you're undermining your own community? So think it through. Thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

The next speakers.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

I'm sorry, go ahead, Jennifer.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

The next three speakers, Melissa Shepherd, Joel Fuentes, Victor Mendez.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Melissa?

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Joel Fuentes?

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Victor Mendez?

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Followed by Gerardo Rangel and Lupe Lopez.

Thank you. Ready? Wow. Wow, just coming back after about two months of rehab into this nest. But, David, I like you. You're a likable guy. Obviously, some people are upset with you, and I can tell you right now, if you're thinking for a higher officer, you also need to take care of some rent issues that we have over at 2222. Because the person supporting you isn't too keen on helping senior citizens. So I'll just say that. But you're a likable guy. I think we like you. Anyway, item number 11, the proposal to reduce workers' compensation in Santa Ana PD. Great.

I've been talking about this for 15 years running. I've been coming to the council for four years running. Chief Rodriguez, six months into his job, finally puts forth a proposal that could reduce the cost in Santa Ana PD, which is probably your critical massive expense. So thank you, Chief Rodriguez. Rodriguez, frankly, I think the cost analysis is a little bit understated. There are some reasons why. I come from a pretty extensive background in workers' compensation. I kind of know these numbers, but I think it's a good thing. I think it's something that can be taken citywide.

The impact doesn't even consider the cost of keeping our officers employed, keeping them on force, and not having to retrain. It's a huge value proposition to the community and to the chief. i know he's not here but i'm looking forward to further dialogue on this i've been offering up a dialogue for three or four years never had an offer and the chief like i said six months into this decides to take up the offer so i thank him for that and i think uh there'll be a lot of good effect coming from that item number 18 a few weeks ago judson this is kind of really interesting a

few weeks ago judson brown came to my unit knocked on the door i said judson what are you doing here He didn't come here to chat, he came here to inspect my fire alarm. I asked Justin, why are you doing this? Well, you know, I got to do it. I told Justin, you're far too valuable to the city to be inspecting fire alarms. I don't know if that's an issue between him and Mike and that's fine. I'm just saying you have an item 18, I certainly don't expect my housing manager who puts a lot of value into the city to be inspecting fire alarms if it can be prevented.

So I like to see him have inspectors go out and lead Justin to do the great things that he does unless he wants to he has something that he's doing beyond this i don't know but i just want to throw that out uh night and then on number eight very quickly the quarterly report you're hearing a lot about people about trying to find money or whatever look at that expense report i've said it again can you squeeze some money out we may be able to do more for immigrants we may be able to do more for soccer fields i don't know but squeeze it out that report also provides a lot of

insights to how the city operates i never knew what a mannequin was until i read that report now i understand it's a pretty critical tool so read those quarterly reports and thank you

good evening mayor and council members my name is joel fuentes and i'm here representing san anna United, a soccer club that has proudly served the youth and families of the city for many years. I'm speaking not just for our club, but for many local teams and leagues that depend on Centennial Park, Santa Ana Stadium, and other public fields as safe, open spaces for our kids to play, grow, and connect. We have recently heard that there might be a plan to give special or exclusive ! access to an outside group known as also linked to names like . This raises serious concerns.

These talks appear to be happening without community input or public transparency. Giving control of public fields to a single group, especially one not rooted in our community, will hurt the many local programs who have built and maintained these spaces over years. Most of their players are not Santa Ana residents, while we and many others are required to keep 90% of their rosters made up of local residents to use city fields. That double standard is not fair.

To be clear, we welcome new organizations into our city's sport community, community. But they should follow the same rules and expectations as everyone else. No shortcuts, no special access. Centennial Park, Santa Ana Stadium, and all public fields belong to the community, not to any one group. They must stay open, sure, and fairly managed. So tonight, we respectfully ask for just one thing, a full commitment to transparency. all decisions about public fields should be made openly and with input from the people who use them.

And we wanted to make it clear, we will be here until our voices are heard, not just for us, but for the hundreds of kids and families in Santa Ana who deserve fairness and equal opportunities. Santa Ana no se vende.

Hello, I'm Gerardo. I want to start off by saying...

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Can you speak louder to the mic, sir? I'm so sorry.

Yeah. All right. So I'm going to start. Last year, I worked for Parks and Recreation, and we had a meeting in which America spoke about the fields, and she discussed the plan and intentions of what was to come. She discussed how the fields were meant to be for Santa Ana residents and not for people outside of Santa Ana. She made it clear how it would be unfair to the residents of Santa Ana. She explained the price tiers and how non-profits pay the lowest fee, and that's the category most teams in Santa Ana fall under. Well, what category does a for-profit organization like Albion fall under, and how much will they be paying?

When I would open and take care of the fields, I would write down the names of players and coaches, and that information was used to verify if they were Santa Ana residents. It would be for kids as young as four years old, teens, adults, and even kids with special needs. It was a way for the youth to get out of the house and away from their screens. Also, it kept teens and adults away from the streets, and it placed them in a positive environment. It provided kids with special needs a place to be equal. Well, now, where are these Santa Ana residents going to go? Santa Ana is a dangerous city.

you are taking the safety away from the Santa Ana residents. How do I know it's dangerous? Because my daughter can't even walk to school without fear. I opened the field once for Oscar Reyes. At the time, his organization was La Academia. He had less than 20 players. Now he is Avion, an organization that came into Santa Ana with roots originating in San Diego. Some of their players grew up playing for teams from Santa Ana. In fact, Avion took players away from clubs or teams that played in Santa Ana. But the reality is most of their players

are not from Santa Ana. They take from Santa Ana and what do they give in return? A $4,000 price tag. Most of the residents from Santa Ana can't afford that. They can barely afford to pay the $6 to $10 rent fee. It's a slap in the face to the residents of Santa Ana. For example, we have one player, 13 years old, namely Andrew Choluca. He has been playing in Santa Ana since four years old. Now the fields he trains in have been taken away. Did he give up? No, he did not. With the little he he got and continued on by practicing on the cement basketball court at Centennial with his team for a whole year.

Now he is wanted by teams in Liga MX, the Mexican pro league. He has been invited by Necaxa to try out. Are we going to take that dream away from the youth of Santa Ana? The opportunities are few and far between for disadvantaged youth. And now their biggest disadvantage will be on the fact that they are from the city of Santa Ana. Council member Penalosa, it was stated that the board would not be responding to our comments, yet you did. That was very unprofessional on your behalf. Shame on you and the board for allowing you to respond. You responded to the first speaker by saying that he is not your best friend,

but that does not mean he is not your friend. You evaded the topic at hand and responded with nothing short of political mumbo jumbo. There is a conflict of interest and your actions are the root cause. Corruption is nothing new in the board of Santa Ana. I just ask the board, will you let one of your colleagues harm the residents of Santa Ana? Thank you so much.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Jennifer, you can call the next speaker, please. Your time is up, sir. Everybody gets three minutes, sir. Can you start at the time before I even? No, sir, thank you.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 4

I'll make a motion to give them this full time.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Thank you, sir. Everybody, we have three minutes. Thank you, Councilman Hernandez. One more minute. Go ahead, Jennifer, call the next speaker, please. One more minute, Hernandez.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 4

I made a motion.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Sir, we really have to go on. Other people, I've cut off other, three minutes.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Madam Clerk, did we start his time late?

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Hold on one second, Madam Clerk, did he? We start when they first address the podium, so not before they start speaking, but when they start speaking.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

When they start speaking? Yes. Okay, thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Go ahead, sir, finish please.

I'm just going to say one last thing. This is an email. Hold on, let me turn your mic on. Go ahead. So this was an email that was leaked to us. It was sent from Oscar Reyes to his B10 coaches, to his managers, to the people in his organization. It says, dear La Academia, ex-Arbion FC families, we are closer than ever to finalizing a long-term in partnership with the city of Santa Ana that will give us exclusive access to fields for training and home games. This is a once in a generation opportunity for our program, one that has taken 10 years of hard work to secure. Unfortunately, it can be lost. So you're 30 seconds, so that's it.

It can be lost much faster than it was earned.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

The next three speakers, Lupe Lopez, Claudia Acosta, Daniel Aguilar.

Thank you, good evening Santa Ana Mayor and city council members. My name is Lupe Lopez and I'm here to discuss Native American Heritage Month, which is proclaimed by our nation for the month of November. American Indians have been in existence in this western hemisphere prior to 1492. And as of today's date, even through displacements, atrocities, colonization, and manifest destiny, kidnapping, historical trauma, we are still here. We are still here to voice ourselves like I am here today. In the past, the city of Santana Parks and Rec have performed some sort of Native American heritage celebration, and I could call it that way

because it was some sort. It had no true Native consultation, and the performance did not authentically portray American Indians and what the proclamation of the true Native American heritage month was. Each council member has a special place in their heart for a celebration. I see Council Member Jonathan Hernandez for his Chicano Heritage Month. Ma'am, can you hold on a second, please? Hold on one second.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

We need to be courteous, please, when people are speaking. So please, please stop talking so we can hear her speak, please. Thank you.

Go ahead, continue. Mr. Hernandez, your love for Chicano Heritage Month, I understand. Ms. Pham, I witnessed you here say that 4th of July was something special and meant something to you. And I'm sure September 16th, this Mexican Independence Day represents something very special to council members here. But what is special to me and many others is our Native American celebration that is truly authentically ours with our narrative. narrative. You know, about two years ago we sent an email to Parks and Rec requesting

to work with Native voices and Santa Ana refused. And so what we decided as a Native American community is come together and work alongside the Heritage Museum of Orange County and this will be our second annual powwow. And what is our powwow? It is gathering and celebration. This is our celebration, a powwow, to come together with resources, connections, families, unity, friendship, circles of Native Americans and also non-natives to come and see what our celebration is all about.

We ask the city, and also to honor our veterans, we ask the city of Santa Ana that you join us, collaborate with us. Yes, we had 1,300 people in attendance last year. And let's know that this is a true representation of American Indians coming together in community, in celebrating authentically of the true contributions of Native peoples in this country. Second annual powwow, we invite you to join us and collaborate with us. We ask the city and we ask you that, you know, on November 2nd. It's on a Sunday, Sunday Funday. Join us.

Walk in with us. Sit with us. Enjoy a meal with us. Lupe, your time is up. Your time is up, ma'am. Thank you. Thank you.

My name is Claudia Acosta. Thank you for your time and your space. Our concern is about our soccer club that they want to take over our soccer fields. where Santa Ana United Soccer Club currently practices. My son is a part of this team, and when he started, he had weight issues and self-esteem issues, but he overcame that by being part of this family and this team. He also developed his soccer skills because of his trainings done at the Centennial Park. They have won second place in state championship twice, and they have been recognized here by you for their accomplishments.

While we understand the need for the soccer fields, we would like to find a way where it can be fair, and the goal is to keep our children and our teens motivated. Thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Daniel Aguilar?

Hi, everyone.

I'm Daniel Aguilar, and I'm the head of the soccer team at the University of California,

Good evening, Councilmembers, Mayor Meshka. I was here, prepared a nice speech for everyone, but I feel that the sentiment has already been explained by the fellow people that went before me. So instead of giving you guys another story for a tear or for sentiment, I'm going to read verbatim the email that was sent to um dear academia albion sc families we are closer than ever to finalizing the long-term partnership with the city of santa ana that will give us exclusive access to fields for training and home games this is once in a generation opportunity for our

program one that has taken 10 years of hard work to secure unfortunately it can be lost much faster than it was earned. Other user groups are already watching closely and the city has made it clear that they expect us to be responsible, respectful and exemplary field users at all times. Effective immediately all players, families and expect spectators must follow these rules without exception. 1. Gate volunteer. At least one parent volunteer must be at gates, Centennial Park and the stadium at all times during our practices. Trash. Every practice must end and with

with players and parents scanning the field and picking up any visible trash whether it's ours or not field access only players and coaches are allowed on the field parents and siblings must be remain off the field at all times number four food food and drinks no food and gum are or pets on the field only water is allowed or get a rate three uh field access only players and co Four, five, spectator conduct. All spectators must remain respectful and in their best behavior at all times. Six, no fighting. Any fighting, verbal or physical, will result in immediate removal of the fields and could cost us our permits.

This is not optional. It is required any player, family, or spectator who fails to follow these expectations will risk having their team's field access removed. We have worked too long to secure this partnership for our community. community that's protected by showing the city that we are a model program. Thank you for your cooperation and for your discipline, your pride and representation of the program. Together, we can make this partnership a lasting one. Signed, Oscar Reyes. Now, I know you say that everyone here is intertwined because we grew up in this community. I grew up in this community. However, I don't know how Mr.

David Pena-Losa can explain that Oscar Reyes gave him a $500 donation for his campaign during the 2022 election. So we're all intertwined, but we all have special interests that we want people to understand and take into consideration. Yet we don't use those means of, you know, me knowing someone from the council, because I guess that I went to school in Santa Ana and I've known some of the members that have gone through these chairs. and I've never expected any special thing like that. Thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Mayor and city council, that concludes the public speakers that are present. We'll now begin with the Zoom speakers. Speakers on Zoom, when unmuted, please announce your name and the ward or neighborhood that you reside in within the city of Santa Ana for the record. First speaker, Kayla Asato.

Hello, can you hear me?

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Yes, please go ahead.

Awesome. Hello, my name is Kayla Sato, former resident of Ward 3, former employee in Ward 5. And I just wanted to say a few things. First, I think that it is abysmal to hear about the lack of police oversight and accountability, how there's no enforcement mechanisms for the weapon sales, for just using any of this stuff. I think that we need to vote down item number 10.

I think that we need to create the immigrant defense fund with item 13. And I think that we need to get to the bottom of what's going on with the parks. I think that it's truly abysmal and discouraging to see that there's so much lack of accountability, so much lack of transparency in the city. We need to ensure that everyone, this is a city for everyone, not just like Councilmember Penaloza or Mayor Emezcua's top donors. We need to have all this accountability.

We need to create these enforcement mechanisms. And we can't just let every donor, police entity have carte blanche. There needs to be accountability and there needs to be justice for everyone. Thank you very much.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Next speaker, A.L. Please unmute and make your comments.

Good evening, counsel. I'm a community member and practicing lawyer with a background in criminology. I would like to specifically voice my opposition to ordinance number NS3020, that's item 10. For the last two years, SAPD has admittedly violated AB 41, which requires law enforcement to make public reports describing how and why military equipment was deployed on civilians, including documenting complaints and internal investigations. This went on for years, so obviously it was not a mistake. SAPD knew about this law and intentionally chose not to track or publicly document how

they use military equipment against civilians such as less lethal launchers patrol and swat rifles tear gas drones and armored vehicles and now the police want to increase its use of military equipment when it's deliberately escaped transparency and accountability we are already living in a lawless police state where federal agents can ignore due process kidnap tase beat eat, shoot at, imprison, and traffic civilians with impunity. Studies show that the militarization of police pose several dangers, including increased violence, such as the use of excessive force, erosion of community trust, and violations of civil liberties.

Studies have also shown a correlation between the use of military equipment by police and increased rates of civilian deaths, and that these tactics have disproportionately targeted racial minorities. And when police militarization is normalized, the presumption of threat becomes normalized as well. And when a state assumes that its citizens are threatening, it undermines its own authority and in fact moves closer to authoritarianism. When federal law enforcement is already violating the constitutional rights of our community members, why in the world would Santana pass an ordinance that would only serve to increase

this risk and cause more trauma, more fear, and more disconnect from the community that they serve? If the city approves this ordinance allowing SAPD to assist other law enforcement agencies with the use of military equipment, knowing that this is where our society is headed in light of the unequivocally fascist regime, this also would be no mistake. The city would be complicit in furthering authoritarianism. What we need right now is your collective solidarity. Instead, please allocate that money to the Immigration Legal Defense Fund. Thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Next speaker, Orange County Justice Fund. Please unmute and make your comments.

Good evening, Mayor and Council Members. My name is Fabi Hakome and I'm here on behalf of the Orange County Justice Fund. We are speaking in support of item number 13 and would like to voice our opposition to item number 10. We strongly support continued public funding for deportation defense in Santa Ana. At a time when immigration enforcement remains aggressive in our neighborhoods, legal representation is often the only thing standing between a community member and permanent separation from their family. We are seeing Border Patrol violently apprehending people at local grocery stores, Home Depots, and car washes.

This reality makes clear just how critical this program is, and we commend the City for prioritizing this investment. We also support the proposed two one-year contract extensions. This structure ensures stability and continuity of services while allowing for evaluation as immigration laws and policies continue to shift quickly. That flexibility is essential. At the same time, we request that reporting requirements be strengthened.

Funding must also support outreach and education. Legal services cannot help if people don't know they exist. Outreach is especially critical for communities like Southeast Asian refugees who face unique challenges and disproportionate targeting for deportation. As an organization working directly with Santa Ana residents, we can say clearly, the service is not just helpful, it is imperative to keep Santa Ana families and communities together. together. We urge you to continue and strengthen this program with robust reporting, funding, and outreach. Santa Ana has led the way in protecting immigrant and refugee families,

and now is the time to double down on that commitment. Thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

Mayor and City Council, that concludes the speakers that were in the queue when we began.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Thank you, Madam Clerk. At this time, before we go into the consent calendar, we are going to bring forward item 25, which is Mayor Pro Tem's item. Go ahead, Mayor Pro Tem.

Benjamin VazquezItem 4

Thank you very much. Tonight I'm going to propose to rename the McFadden or the Center police athletic activity league center and name it the Jose Vargas Powell Center. The Powell Center was built to create trust between law enforcement and youth through mentorship, athletics, and community engagement. Naming it the Jose Vargas would honor a man whose life exemplified compassion and deep commitment to Santa Ana's working-class families, especially especially its undocumented community. Jose came here, undocumented youth, at 15. He worked as a trash collector.

Benjamin VazquezItem 4

He went to high school at night and he earned his high school diploma. He studied police science at Fullerton College. He was hired by Stanton and within a year he was Officer of the Year. By 1975 he joined the Santa Ana Police Department. There he became the first Hispanic affairs officer and earned national recognition as a top 10 police officers in America by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Over the course of his career, he received more than 50 awards, 400 accommodations. Jose Vargas is known as the best police hire in the county.

Benjamin VazquezItem 4

He's been a champion for an undocumented community as well. He never forgot his roots. He's been deported more than a dozen times before securing his residency. He had stated openly, they undocumented people are my own people. I know what it's like to be hungry, to be chased by border patrol. He lived the experience and its unmatched credibility with undocumented residents who turned to him not only for policing matters, but also for help with navigating life. life. During the 80s, he supported the undocumented community through the process of getting their

Benjamin VazquezItem 4

citizenship. Some even asked him to testify to their long-term residency. When employment fraudsters targeted immigrant workers, Vargas used his media connections to shut down scams and return the stolen money. Jose Vargas reached immigrants directly through radio programs, newspaper columns, and television appearances, teaching families about their rights and warning them of exploitation. He had a show on cable show, Que Pasa Con Jose Vargas. He continued his work after his retirement. Jose Vargas spoke up at Anaheim Council against having an immigration officer at their jail.

Benjamin VazquezItem 4

He took in an undocumented stranger to live with them for four months because he had nowhere to go. He never stopped, after he retired, he never stopped serving. He continued to educate immigrants about their rights, providing resources for working families, and consult with police departments to improve their relations with communities. His compassion extended to his personal life. He even took family members and strangers into his house. He's remembered as the most respected officers, not just for enforcing law, but for protecting mentoring and uplifting those who are most vulnerable especially Latino families

Benjamin VazquezItem 4

seeking dignity and opportunity his legacy and his is in his work but also in his family his son Joe two of his sons went on to be police officers two of his grandchildren went on to be police officers I work with his daughter Jeanette Vargas who who gave so much to children at Valley

David PenalozaItem 4

Thank you, Madam Mayor. I just want to thank you, Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez, for bringing this item forward. The story of Officer Jose Vargas is one that is shared by millions across this country. Millions that today are being illegally targeted by our federal government. And he represents everything that we, all of us up here, have fought against and everything that we aspire to be as leaders. neighborhood leaders in in people like jose vargas i want to thank his his family for for coming here

David PenalozaItem 4

his son for coming here to speak tonight in support of this uh i unfortunately didn't get a chance to meet mr jose vargas but i am just a fully supportive um and thank you uh city manager uh if whenever we bring this back i would hope that we invite the family and we make it an an official ceremony to unveil that name. Very well deserved. That's it, Madam Mayor, thank you. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Thank you, Council Panelist. Council Member Hernandez.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 4

Thank you, Madam Mayor. I want to thank my colleague, Mayor Pro Tem Benjamin Vasquez. I had the honor of working with Jeanette Vargas during my time at the Labor Federation in 2012, and I am very proud of this officer's legacy. He is an officer that broke barriers for people during a time where we were systemically, you know, intentionally kept out of police departments. Mr. Vargas, not only did he, you know, break barriers, but he went on to be one of the best examples of law enforcement and in public service. This is somebody that also, you know, has a family that is serving the city of

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 4

Santa Ana and they proudly, you know, wear their heart on their sleeve. One of the One of the things that I really love about Mr. Vargas's legacy is how proud he was of his culture, but he never forgot about the privilege that he had to be an American by choice. That was a motto and a quote that was on his truck, was that he was American by choice. Although he was Mexican by birth, he never forgot about his roots. That is what being a Chicano is about. out. And so I want to highlight that officers like Jose Vargas not only moved our city forward, they moved the country forward. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

So I'll close out the comments and then it looks like there's support from everybody up here. So Mayor Pro Tem, thank you for bringing this forward. So my family and the Vargas family have known each other a very long time. Joe, it's so good to see you. I hope you are enjoying joined retirement from Anaheim Police Department. Where did he go? Is he still here? I think he left Mayor Pro Tem. Yes, so he left. And I also worked with his daughter, Jeanette, and I know his family very well through my family. And so I'm in total agreement with you. What a great name to give our PAL program here in the city of Santa Ana.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

And Chief, I'm so glad that we are doing that, Mr. City Manager, because as you said, Mayor Pro Tem, his sons are working Anaheim police officers and now their son one of their sons is an Anaheim police officer. Jeanette worked yes with the severely disabled children in Valley High School and I remember all the work that she did in her classrooms without any assistance from the school district she was out there hustling and raising money for everything they needed and that's just who she is and that's in her blood and I miss her dearly she lives in Tennessee

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

see now with her daughter um and you know the family is remarkable like all of our families you know we have ups and downs but guess what what a great name to name the powell center so i am i am honored to support your recommendation go ahead mr uh mayor pro tem you can close out and

Benjamin VazquezItem 4

thank you very much this is really cool naming the powell center after jose vargas because joe started police activity league and now I am. This is just awesome recognition of the legacy of the family. Thank you for all your support.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Mr. City Manager I think you have direction?

Alvaro NuñezItem 4

Yes I have.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Okay. All right. And as the mayor indicated or council member I'm not sure who said it make sure we invite the family. And if you need Jeanette's address in Tennessee I have it.

Alvaro NuñezItem 4

We'll get it from the son, the brother. All right.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Right, because I don't want anybody to think I'm playing favorites up here. Okay, let's go to the consent calendar. Madam City Clerk, you ready? Items five through 20. Madam City Clerk, you had indicated that

Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

for the nomination of the rental housing board, the nominee is not present, correct?

Jennifer L. HallItem 4

That's correct, however, you can still consider and vote on the nomination tonight, and if approved, we will do the oath of office at a later date.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Consent calendar item 5 through 20 are before us. Councilmembers, please announce any items that you'll be abstaining from due to conflict. If there are any requests to pull an item from the consent calendar for discussion.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Councilmember Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez.

I'll come back.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Thank you. Councilmember Lopez.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

I'll come back. Councilmember Panalosa.

David PenalozaItem 5

No items, Mayor.

Jessie LopezItem 5

Council member Lopez.

Jessie LopezItem 5

I'm not pulling any items except for agenda 10. Agenda item 10. And I would just like to thank make a comment on agenda item 19 and thank the city manager's office and public works. This is something that we've been wanting to bring to the city for a very long time now and so I just want to thank you. I just need you to pull the item.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Please thank you. Okay we're going to poll 19 and 10. Any other council member Lopez? No. Okay. Council member Phan.

Thai Viet PhanItem 5

Just a recusal from item number 18 as Burnell Inc. DBA VFS fire and security is a client of my employer so that item is pulled I'll leave and item 10 is already pulled. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Thank you. Council member Becerra.

Phil BacerraItem 5

Thank you Madam Mayor. I'll go ahead and vote. and pull item 16 and 19.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Councilmember Hernandez.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 5

Just item 10. And then a comment in support of item, let me see, actually, no, I'll just wait for item 10. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

And I'm going to make a comment on item 14. And item 19, I'll be making a comment as well, be supporting the item and making a comment. I'll make a motion for the remaining items. Second. Okay, thank you, Councilman Penalosa. Let's prepare to vote, please.

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

A motion by Mayor Meskwes, seconded by Councilmember Penalosa to approve consent calendar items five through 20 with the exceptions of items number 10, 14, 16, and 19 pulled for separate discussion and consideration.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Thank you, go ahead, Madam Clerk. Mayor, your vote please. Mayor, your vote please. Oh, I apologize.

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

The vote is seven ayes, no nays with a noted recusal on item number 18 by Council Member Phan. Motion carries. The first item pulled for separate consideration is item number 10,

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

which was pulled by Council Member Lopez and Hernandez.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

I'm sorry, you said by Council Member Lopez?

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

And Council Member Hernandez.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Okay. And Councilmember Fan, I think we're going to all make comments on this one. Before we start with the comments, I would just like to clarify some things that were said during public comments. There was a comment about we have drones or we're using drones or the purchase of drones. There is no purchase of drones. Is that correct, Chief?

Thank you, Mayor. Yes, that is correct. There is no request to purchase drones. That portion of the military equipment report is a future item to present to bring later to council.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

Thank you for clarifying that, Mr. City Manager. No purchase of drones, correct?

Alvaro NuñezItem 6

Not at this time.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

Thank you. I just want to clarify that because people make comments publicly and they run with that when that is not truthful. So that is not the truth. So Council Member Lopez, go ahead. Actually, can you come back to me? Thank you. Council Member Hernandez.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 6

Thank you very much, Madam Mayor. First and foremost, I'd like to thank members of the public for being here. This item, the annual military equipment use for 2024-2025, is an item that I received a lot of comments from the public about. I voted against this item in 2022, and I was in the minority with Mayor Vicente Sarmiento at the time and myself being the only two dissenting votes. votes. What led me to vote no on this item was September 28th of 2021. I saw an unarmed man

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 6

sit in a vehicle for over four hours, which resulted in Anaheim PD shooting somebody 22 times. There were officers present from both Anaheim and Santa Ana PD. There was what is now considered a tank, there was chemical agents, there was tear gas, concussion grenades, 40-millimeter bullets, non-lethal rounds, and then of course your lethal rounds. What resulted was somebody getting shot at 10.03 p.m. 22 times. The equipment that Anaheim PD had brought over to Santa Ana did not deescalate what would become a tragedy.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 6

When this came to the council several months later, I talked about my family member, Brandon and Lopez being murdered. And this council voted to adopt military equipment that has proven to have been utilized on the public without concern for their well-being. Indiscriminately, protesters on June 9th, 2025, were shot at with 40 millimeter rounds, non-lethal rounds. They were tear gassed, children, mothers, the elderly, and everybody in between.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 6

They were indiscriminately being shot at, myself included, many members of the press included. My concern is that since we have adopted militarized equipment, Santa Ana PD was out of compliance with state law, failing to report their usage of militarized equipment when they would, utilize their equipment. Since we have adopted militarized equipment, we are seeing the public's trust erode. We have never seen our department in a more vulnerable position where we are struggling with the community's trust. We

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 6

are seeing millions of dollars in misconduct lawsuits paid out quite regularly. Since 2010 to 2020, I talk about this figure a lot thanks to Voice of OC, the city has paid out 24.5 million dollars in misconduct lawsuits. Those vary from hit and run accidents, officer involved shootings, and now I'm very worried that if we continue the practice of utilizing militarized equipment, the public will continue to be brutalized and liabilities will continue. As we've seen with the protests that occurred on June 9th, I was the elected that that alerted the public that the city's police department

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 6

was out of compliance. And I requested that a report be brought back to ensure that we were in compliance. As a city, I am going to continue to have the same sentiments that this is going to be equipment that's gonna increase liability. And I'm not going to be in favor of us adopting militarized police equipment. And so I, for my first round of comments, wanted to share that I'm not supportive of us continuing to have a militarized police department. And for the sake of transparency, I'll place a motion on the floor to not adopt the militarized equipment in front of us today. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

If you'd like to speak, please raise your mic. Otherwise, can we have the presentation? Yes, is there a presentation?

Yes, there's a presentation, and Commander Sorensen will be presenting the presentation.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

So, Chief, before we start with the presentation, I just have a question. When did you come on board?

I got appointed December 19, 2024.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

December of 2024. So the reports that are missing, sir, it looks like the 22, 23, and 23, 24 that were not posted online. Is that correct?

That's correct, Mayor. And if I may clarify before the presentation, may I?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

Yes, please do.

So in regards to the reports that were not brought forward, I heard a speaker mention that we weren't documenting or keeping track. And we actually were keeping track of our internal compliance inventory and usage. What we did not do is bring forward the report to a community meeting and to council. And that's what we're doing here today. in regards to the administrative oversight on why it happened. There could be various reasons why it happened, but most importantly, it was a different administration at the time.

We're transitioning from different leadership at the PD, but not just at the PD, but also at the city with, I believe in 2024, we had three city managers. So we were in transition both in the city and at the PD.

We ourselves are the ones who once I took over and got appointed as permanent chief, there's documentation where I requested this item be brought forward. Actually, on the day that I was appointed on December 19th, I made it a top priority to make sure that we were in compliance with the community meeting and bringing it forward to council. So this was something that we brought forward ourselves and it was in the interest of ensuring that we were compliant and transparent with AB 481.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

Thank you, Chief. And basically what I hear you saying is you're taking corrective actions.

That is correct. And I have also put in some calendars and metrics in there to ensure that we continue to bring this forward in a timely manner and compliant with AB 481.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

Thank you. Commander Sorensen, I also would like to know when you give your report that I believe we have not purchased any new equipment, and I hope that's in your report, if that is accurate. Sir, go ahead.

To answer your question, Madam Mayor, yeah, that is correct. We have not purchased any additional military equipment.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

Can you pick up the mic and speak clearly and loudly so we can hear you? Because I want the community here, I want the council to hear, I want everybody to hear the truth, please. Thank you.

»» Thank you. Just by means of a brief background, California State Assembly Bill 481 was signed by the governor on September 30th of 2021. It created government code sections 7070 through 7074. Legislature's intent for the law was for law enforcement to provide greater transparency regarding the funding, acquisition, and use of military equipment. equipment. More specifically it was designed to provide greater oversight concerning receiving decommissioned equipment through the Federal Department of General Services Defense Logistics Agency Program, more commonly known as the 1033 Program.

So legal requirements under Government Code 7071, law enforcement agencies shall obtain approval from the governing body by an ordinance adopting a military equipment use policy prior prior to engaging in any of the following. One being requesting military equipment, seeking funds for military equipment, acquiring military equipment either permanently or temporarily, collaborating with another law enforcement agency in the deployment or use of military equipment, using new or existing military equipment.

Government code 7071 stated that no later than May 1, 2022, a law enforcement agency AGENCY SEEKING TO CONTINUE THE USE OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT ACQUIRED BEFORE JANUARY 1 OF 2022 SHALL COMMENCE A GOVERNING BODY APPROVAL PROCESS. WE CONDUCTED THIS PROCESS AND THE CITY COUNCIL ON MAY 3, 2022 APPROVED THE DEPARTMENT'S MILITARY EQUIPMENT POLICY AND ADOPTED THE ORDINANCE.

ACTIONS TAKEN WITH REGARDS TO THE 2024-2025 MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE REPORT. the actual report was authored in july of 2025 we posted it on our website july 16th of 2025 and then we held a community meeting last week on august 13th 2025.

so to summarize the the 2024-25 military equipment use report we had 30 incidents incidents where military equipment was deployed and four of those incidents required an activation of the SWAT team. This chart here gives you a breakdown of the military equipment that was used and how often it was used. So, for example, working clockwise, starting at the top, we had 19 deployments of patrol rifles, nine deployments of 40 millimeter less lethal launchers, six deployments of

of SWAT rifles, eight deployments of the Teradyne armored rescue vehicle, two deployments of the Bear armored rescue vehicle, six deployments of diversionary devices, one deployment with a robot, and one deployment with a borrowed drone from another agency.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

»» I'm sorry, can you repeat that please? A borrowed drone?

»» A borrowed drone from another agency.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

»» Thank you, sir.

The outcomes, as part of this, we also used quite frequently the armored vehicle for community events. The kids love it. We attended 11 community events. We arrested 21 subjects. Six incidents of military equipment were six incidents occurred where military equipment was actually used as a force option. And those six incidents involved deployments of 40 millimeter projectiles. we had nine incidents resulted in the suspects evading capture

to provide a comparison from year to year so the blue section is 2022-2023 the orange section is 23 and 24 and then the gray section is 24-25 so we started off with With low numbers, that being 19 and 22 and 23, bumped up to 69 incidents in 23 and 24, and then came back down to 30 incidents. Overall, our average use of military equipment on calls for service, to give you an example, 22, 23, we used military equipment on .05% of the calls for service we responded to.

23 and 24 it was .054% of the calls for service we responded to and 24-25 .023%.

To close it up and as a review, City Council approved the military equipment ordinance in May of 2022 and approved our police department's policy. We have completed three annual reports which are on our website. site and during the reporting periods military equipment has only been used as a force option eight times. All of those being 40 millimeter projectiles. On average military equipment is deployed over the course of the three years, .03% of calls for service. We continue to work on improving our reporting mechanisms, trying to get more clarity as

as to when these items are being used so we can have better oversight as to when they're being used. And with that, I'll be happy to answer any questions. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

I'll open it up for questions for the council members. If you'd like to speak, please raise your mic. Council Member Hernandez already used one. Let me go down this way. Mayor Pro Tem, please.

Benjamin VazquezItem 10

Thank you for the report. Can you tell us there was an increase of .015 from the first year reported to it went to point it went higher, right? And then it didn't go back down to .015. it was still double as .03. So what accounts for us for using more force in the last two years than the initial year of the report?

So I wouldn't classify it as using more force. It's just more deployments of the military equipment. Part of it was reporting. The mechanism we had for reporting initially was all being run through the watch commander's office. Well, if there wasn't a commander in there, sometimes it wouldn't get documented. So once I got it, I started establishing the numbers for 22 and 23. I started looking at it and I'm like, it can't be accurate. So then we created an actual report in our RMS system that allows for all supervisors access to report directly so it doesn't have to go through the watch commander's office. So improved reporting.

In addition to that, we were doing a lot of enforcement on East First Street involving the service, a lot of search warrants. That is what I attribute the increase.

Benjamin VazquezItem 10

Was that last year, not this year, right?

Correct. That was 23-24. Yeah.

Benjamin VazquezItem 10

I really appreciate it. and I went through the report and it's just, you know, one thing that gets me on, I understand you're doing work and you're doing police work and there's less lethal weapons that we use there that we ask why not less lethal weapons. But on June 9th, we speaking of June 9th, when there was militarized weapons used on protesters,

Benjamin VazquezItem 10

protesters. These are families. These are councilmen. I was there and we got the tear gas. I was in the vicinity when the bullets were fired. Just a little worried of children and families and young people who are protesters. There's a line, and I think we crossed it that day, of what was happening not only in the city but the country. And we were seeing and that force, that use of force, was, I don't think was necessary. And for myself, I would want to send this policy back to police oversight, accept the report,

Benjamin VazquezItem 10

and create policy on the use of the weapons. And we're gonna try, and I appreciate you using the data, and the less we can use it in instances where we're trying to save a life instead of trying to take a life uh i would be for it but to use it on protesters i am always against i think uh we lose um the trust of community we've lost the trust of community from that day and what we see not only from our police department but what looks like military into our into our streets and we see it every day and it's common now unfortunately we we see it and that

Benjamin VazquezItem 10

trust is just degrading every day as as it goes on so uh i call upon accepting the report part one and sending part two to the police oversight thank you for your for your work officer

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

council member lopez and we'll come around three times because it looks like everybody wants to

Jessie LopezItem 10

talk yeah thank you um so a little bit of history here when this ordinance was first brought forward in 2022, but I think a couple of us shared our concerns and I went through two reading processes. And so I voted no during the first reading, and then I ultimately voted yes during the second reading because I voted to support the policy that states that it would come back to us annually and that any type of military equipment that the department was interested in buying or being offered would essentially pass by the council as a means of checks and balances.

Jessie LopezItem 10

And so we obviously know now the policy has not been brought back to the council for three consecutive years. I heard your response, Chief Rodriguez, that it was the reports were created, but we did not bring them forth and we did not comply with and perhaps with AB 48 because we did did not have the community input and the community report outs. And so now, one of the things I wanted to know is, and I heard you earlier talk about you don't want to let this happen again.

Jessie LopezItem 10

And so the policy itself states that you're going to designate a member of the departments departments to ensure that this doesn't fall through the cracks again and I wanted to know if that has already happened so that we can confirm with our community that they can expect this on a yearly basis and not just the policy before us but the community meetings.

Thank you, Councilmember, for your question. And yes, I have actually assigned not just one, but multiple members to have a fail-safe system, so it does not happen again.

Jessie LopezItem 10

Thank you, Chief. I appreciate that. And then during the presentation, you stated that during the three-year reporting period, military equipment had been used eight times. Can you just explain what those eight times were?

I said they were used as a force option. So the way we define a deployment is any time a piece of military equipment is removed from the police car. So for example, we carry patrol rifles assigned to each patrol car and there's a 40 millimeter launcher assigned to every patrol car. Any time that weapons platform is removed from the vehicle, that requires a report, an AB 481 report.

Deployment is different than employment. What I mean by that is the 40 millimeter gets removed from the vehicle, doesn't get used, gets put back. They still do an AB 481 report. The 40 millimeter gets removed from the vehicle and they actually deploy a employee and deploy a 40 millimeter round. That gets reported. So essentially it gets reported twice. Once is the use of the 40 millimeter launcher and once is the use of the 40 millimeter projectile. So those eight instances were deployments of the 40 millimeter projectiles from the 40 millimeter launcher.

Jessie LopezItem 10

Okay. And just so I understand, those eight incidents were included in the reports before us? Yes. Okay. Got it. And so you kind of talked about the nuance of the policy, right, in terms of what gets used, what falls under this state bill that should be included in the report to the public. And so it is my understanding, and I guess, you know, I'm hoping that everybody knows, right, the six elements that are required to be in the report out.

Jessie LopezItem 10

Yeah. Okay. Got it. Right. And so, for example, under California post standards, we are required to report include the many times a SWAT rifle has been pointed at one of our residents. Am I understanding that correctly?

When we deploy the SWAT rifle, yes, it's considered a military equipment because it's one of our rifles under military equipment.

Jessie LopezItem 10

Correct. And is that information in any of the three reports?

I believe so, yes it is. The deployment of SWAT rifles, Commander? Yes.

Jessie LopezItem 10

Okay.

Jessie LopezItem 10

Also, speaking about the report, you know, I was at the community meeting, and I think what I would like to see future meetings is a Zoom option, option, which is a pretty standard option now offered to residents so that it's accessible. And it was at 4 p.m., and so I think it would be helpful to make sure that more people are engaged, attending, feeling like we're not intentionally having a meeting during work hour so that they're not able to participate. So I think that's one way we can curb that sentiment.

Jessie LopezItem 10

And I also would love to see if we're going to continue to have this meeting at the community room at the police department that we proactively offer people validation. Because in the past, I feel like that's been a standard practice. And so I think that's another way to support our residents. And I would love to see in the future, perhaps the presentation be made available in physical format. and I would also encourage you to look at the presentations from the city of Anaheim, other big cities, Oakland, cities throughout the entire state that have really done,

Jessie LopezItem 10

I think, a good, good starting point in terms of being specific, in terms of explaining to the community what the requirements are. They even have pictures of the types of personnel carriers, the remotely piloted vehicles, control vehicles. And I say that because you clearly live, eat, and breathe in this world, right? And I don't. And so when I was reading through your, let's see, what is this? Your equipment report, I was wondering what are all these things, right? I would not know necessarily what they are because I'm not the expert in this field.

Jessie LopezItem 10

Council Member Lopez can we come back to you please? Sure. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

Council Member Penalosa.

David PenalozaItem 10

Thank you Madam Mayor. I just want to thank both of you, Commanders Horenson and Chief Rodriguez for this, for bringing this forward and taking this corrective action. And I couldn't agree more with my colleague Council Member Lopez in the request that she just listed are simple and it shouldn't take an action from the City Council. Accountability, Zoom options, and the ability to do that. having a reasonable time for meetings. Validated parking, like those are just, should be basic that we shouldn't have to ask for. So I expect that those are executed and done. We do everything possible to accommodate our community

David PenalozaItem 10

when we have these meetings. What I do want to, and I want to thank the chief because, you know, I was trying not, I was gonna not try to be as critical of you particularly and the department as a whole with this item because we've had we now have three different deputy chiefs we have a different police chief we have a different city manager and during this time when these reports were were failed and we actually violated this state law uh this assembly bill we we had a turnover

David PenalozaItem 10

turnover a lot of turnover uh in leadership across the board uh City Manager Police Department so I don't fault you um but I'm happy that you're taking the corrective action and and it is actually it falls on us as well as seven members of the city council for the first two years there was no uh demand for accountability then it didn't come up recently and thank you Council member Hernandez for bringing this forward or or inquiring about it but this is something that we should do and we should continue to do. And I'm happy it's before us now as a receiving file and to reaffirm the Senate ordinance.

David PenalozaItem 10

I just hope that we continue on this path and we continue to be as transparent as we possibly can when it comes to this topic and this ordinance for years to come and the next year and the year after that. We definitely don't want to violate state law and I know many of my colleagues up here have violated state law in the past, to our city attorney's dismay, but I would suggest that we do not do that. And thank you for taking corrective action and bringing this forward. It's better late than never, right? So with that, those are my comments. Mayor, thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

You have a list of violations I want to see?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

All right, Council Member Fianna. In three minutes, please, then we're gonna go back around. Thank you, Mayor.

Thai Viet PhanItem 10

Hi, Commander Sorensen. First, I appreciate your comments from the community meeting to own up for our mistakes. I think that's one really important aspect of government transparency. I think people have to remember everyone here, we're people too. And so I really appreciated you just, instead of making excuses, saying the buck stops with us. Just a quick comment on the slide, slide nine with the bar chart. chart, can y'all fix that because it's completely out of scale. And the reason why I bring this up is the two most used items were the SWAT rifles, which were deployed, and the ARV.

Thai Viet PhanItem 10

And they serve two very different purposes, if I'm not mistaken. The SWAT rifles, obviously in response to calls requiring SWAT, and the ARV, which is short for Teradyne Armored Rescue Vehicle. So again, I think that it's really important for us to, as Councilmember Lopez said, define what this means, but also let the public know what each of these items are used for. I also wanted to address the ordinance itself and the policy, because when I'm trying to think back to what we did, if we did not have this policy, we would not have a rescue vehicle, correct?

Thai Viet PhanItem 10

Or it's because it's a military use item. we wouldn't be able to deploy it.

Correct.

Thai Viet PhanItem 10

Right. If we didn't have this policy, we would not have been able to use diversionary devices that we obtained from the federal government. Is that correct?

Those were not obtained from the federal government. Okay, or whoever, however we received military.

Thai Viet PhanItem 10

Right. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I understand if there's concern with policies and how items are being used, and that's why we have the Police Oversight Commission. Commission, if we need to send policies on use of items, military items, I think that's fine but I think that's separate from the actual ordinance itself to say that if there are military grade items such as this armored rescue vehicle and we want to be able to use it, we have to have this policy in place or this ordinance in place and this type of reporting. So I'm fully supportive of that, especially if it's going to be able to save lives.

Thai Viet PhanItem 10

And I think in the future, if there are instances in which this, especially this armored rescue vehicle, you know, when did we deploy it? How was someone saved? You know, in what instances was it used to save a life rather than to take a life? Did this result in any, you know, lives lost? I think those are important things for our community to know, you know, which family members were saved. because I think that painting all of this with a broad brush is pretty misleading. Also I wanted to thank the Mayor as well as our team for clarifying the issue about the drones. I really hope that the reporters who report on this

Thai Viet PhanItem 10

item go back and fix the news articles claiming that this agenda item will result in the purchase of $250,000 in drones just as our city team is taking responsibility for failing to bring these reports forward. I hope those reporters also take responsibility for misleading dozens and or hundreds or thousands of members of the public reading their articles thinking that there was an agenda item to purchase anything tonight because that is not the case. The City Council has not discussed or seen a draft policy relating to the purchase of drones. So I want to put that out there because I think it's really

Thai Viet PhanItem 10

important for all of us to be on the same page about transparency and the use of these items and then speak about the you know how we want to use or deploy them in the future thank you and

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

with that i would support this item thank you councilman fan councilman um sarah please thank

Phil BacerraItem 10

you madam mayor so thank you commander sorenson for saying what needed to be said right it was oversight messed up. Unfortunately for me, just it's frustrating because it's not just this item on a very similar but separate item. You know, one thing that myself and Council Member Phan had championed a couple years back was monthly reporting on hate crimes on our PD website, which has not happened. It's not only is it something that this Council asked for, It's also something that back in 2022, then-Assembly Member Janet Nguyen, through AB 485, had

Phil BacerraItem 10

required law enforcement agencies throughout the state to report monthly updates on hate crimes on the PD website. So I went to the city's page to look at it, and right now we've got zero hate crimes in January, and then nothing between now or between January and today. So it hasn't been updated. So I hope chief that this isn't systemic. I hope that this is something that because as you mentioned that you came in in December of 24 and so I appreciate where you've taken the department but these sorts of oversights I get it when people are complaining about lack of

Phil BacerraItem 10

transparency it's hard to argue this. Again I appreciate the accountability that was expressed commander Sorensen as far as hey messed up we're bringing it forward so if anybody's going to ask us well how do you correct this this is how we correct it by bringing it forward so thank you for doing that um with that being said another thing that commander sorensen you kind of took my thunder here when um you mentioned in your um your presentation so this year the 2425 report we deployed military equipment uh in field-based incidents 30 times and yet we deployed it 30 times out of 128,000 calls for service. Correct. So

Phil BacerraItem 10

it's not like we're in a third world country where every time someone calls PD out comes a tank. Correct. All right. So I mean to make it seem like there's this obnoxiously egregious use of military equipment by our PD I think the numbers are very clear that is absolutely not what's happening. And just for everybody here, I want to read a couple of portions of the the latest report because I think it's important that we all hear this. Each of the field deployments involved incidents where the defined equipment provided the community and our officers with a higher level of safety than would have been

Phil BacerraItem 10

possible had the equipment not been utilized. For example, during each incident the suspects involved were either believed to be armed in a position of tactical advantage or both so this isn't like they rolled out the military equipment on somebody that had no reason to have that rolled out on and honestly I want to see our officers stay safe so yes yeah if you're in a position like that of course you're gonna bring that out deployment of defined military equipment requires multiple layers of approval the first layer of approval rests with the the on-scene supervisor. The second layer of approval must come from the watch commander,

Phil BacerraItem 10

and any SWAT-specific defined equipment must be approved by either the SWAT commander or the assistant SWAT commander. So, Commander Sorensen, from what I just read, I'm going to assume then that our PD isn't just out in the public just saying, you know what, today, I don't know, what the hell, let's just go ahead and roll out some of the military equipment. Correct? Correct. So, there is some sort of protocol. So it goes up a chain of command and based on these stats, it looks like thankfully that's not happening that often, correct? That's correct. Thank you for that. So with that, I think it's important again, Chief,

Phil BacerraItem 10

we've got to make sure that these reports get out here, whether it's the AB 481 or the hate crime data as well. So with that, I don't know if Councilmember Phan was making a motion when she said she supported the item. So I'm just going to go ahead and move that we, or I guess sub-motion, to receive and file the three SAPD annual military equipment use reports and affirm Ordinance NS3020.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

I'll second that.

Thai Viet PhanItem 10

I'll second. Are you seconding?

Yeah.

Thai Viet PhanItem 10

I think that's just the motion because there wasn't a second on the, thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

All right.

Thai Viet PhanItem 10

Okay.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

Councilman Hernandez.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 10

Thank you. Thank you. I just want to speak for the perspective of the residents who live in Ward 5 where Santa Ana PD is located. In and around Ward 5, close to the Santa Ana Police Department, you will see symbols of our department's brutality. Whether it be the cross that is off of 3rd Street where Ernesto Canepa was killed, or whether it be the mural of Brandon Lopez located located at Santa Ana Boulevard in Bristol. These are images and symbols of people who once existed, who lived in our city, who lived next to a police department, who should have felt safe and at home.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 10

My concern is why do we feel the need to have a heavily armed SWAT? Why do we feel the need to turn our neighborhoods into war zones? And, you know, my question for the police department is, if you can answer this question, police chief, in all the instances that the militarized equipment was used, what instances were we in compliance with state law?

Are you referring to every single incident? I would believe that we were in compliance with all deployment of military equipment.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 10

Okay.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 10

In your opinion, sir, why did we fail to meet the state's, you know, in this case the report, right? Why did we fail to meet these reports when the deadlines request, I mean, they're very clear. Why did we fail to be in compliance with state law?

As I previously stated, it was a different administration. transition in leadership and transition in city leadership. But the internal reports were being tracked internally. They just weren't reported out.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 10

They weren't reported to who?

To the city council and to community meeting, but we did report it to police oversight.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 10

Okay. And the police oversight commission is now barely getting its feet under itself. So these reports, although they were being submitted internally, they were not being made available to the public. Is that correct?

That is correct. They were not on our website until I believe in July, right?

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 10

So thank you so much. So let's say somebody was the subject of an investigation and we utilized the bear and we utilized, let's say, a 40 millimeter. In these cases, we were not following state law. We were not submitting these reports in a timely manner, correct?

We did do a use of force report, which we do also report at the end of the year to DOJ, and we do report those out.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 10

Okay. Because I had, I want to say maybe a month ago, I had a conversation with the Department of Justice, and they shared with me that they had not received any reports. And it wasn't until eventually I talked to the city manager and he shared that you guys were going to have an event at your police department. But this is where my concern is stemming from, Chief, respectively. I want us to be able to build a foundation of trust with this community. I just think that militarizing our department is not the way to do so. We today honored Joe Vargas.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 10

This is somebody that didn't have militarized equipment, was widely respected in the city, and his work speaks for itself. I know that we have officers here that are capable of solving crime. Getting people to the front of a courtroom is the purpose of a police officer. It's so that we can give people their due process. The criminal justice system can play itself out. I'm very concerned that this equipment is emboldening our officers to act as the judge, the jury, the executioner. how are you going to ensure best practices chief if you do have militarized equipment that number

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 10

one we're going to be compliant with the law and number two that we aren't going to indiscriminately harm members of the public with our own police department thank you councilman for your question

and i can reassure you that uh obviously uh before i even say that any loss of life is a tragedy any loss of life is always going to be a tragedy. But I can reassure you through our training, through our equipment, through our usage, Commander Sorensen, we haven't had any loss of life from any deployment of our military equipment, have we? No, we have not. And I can reassure you that we'll continue to do that as long as we're able to do so without compromising the safety of the community, the safety of our officers, and ensuring a peaceful resolution to any incident.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 10

Thank you, Chief. I'm looking at the report for 24 and 25, and it states during this time frame, defined military equipment was deployed to field-based incidents 69 times and another 11 times for community events. Out of these 69 times and the 11 times for community events, how many of those instances were guns recovered?

I don't have that information with me as far as guns recovered in relation to military equipment.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 10

Okay. What is the typical threshold for the police department to say this person's a threat, we now need to utilize militarized equipment? equipment?

At any time where a person or subject may be in a position of advantage, potentially armed, may compromise the safety of the community, may compromise the safety of our officers, with the proper approval as described with in certain instances as far as SWAT equipment, a SWAT commander would have to approve it. Or in other instances, if it's not a SWAT deployment, then another commander can approve

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 10

Thank you. And up until this was adopted in 2022, Madam City Attorney, the Council members that voted in that 2022 first initial round was Council Member Lopez, Nelida Mendoza, Tyviatt Phan, David Penalosa. The Council Member that was absent, if you can just confirm for that record, was that Council Member Becerra? Because that's what I recall.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 10

I will not have that information at the tip of my fingers. I could check the minutes, but I would assume by who was on the Council. that would be him.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 10

I just wanted to correct the record because I believe Councilmember Lopez mentioned she didn't vote in favor of this item the first time and she did. My concern with this item is we talked about Matt Sorensen owning our mistakes. These are very serious mistakes. Very serious mistakes.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

Councilman Hernandez.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 10

Yes, yes madam, I'll be very brief here. here. June 9th, I stayed for hours at the protest so that I can, you know, audit our department, take a look at what's happening. And I saw people indiscriminately being shot at, tear gassed. It was a very alarming scene. It was, it was discomforting. It wasn't, didn't feel like community first. Those are very severe mistakes. I saw somebody who was hit with a 40 millimeter under their jaw. They had to get surgery. I saw a child as young as 12 years old with their mother be taken to the hospital for being injured.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 10

These are very, very dangerous equipments. I just want to emphasize to the council here, we have the power today to adopt this policy that may further brutalize the public. And I hope that you guys consider that the people who will be unfairly targeted are people of color in our city. And amidst the time where we are looking to establish trust and build relationships with the community, I hope that we truly do put community first. Because I know that I show up to this city council meeting and I show up to my community, I don't need to have a bulletproof vest, a gun, or a tank on me.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 10

And I hope that you all consider that this is a city that, you know, we can easily make the city safer by building relationships with our neighbors, and bringing our police department closer to the communities that are impacted. I just hope that you guys really consider what we're doing to our police department here. I don't believe in waging war on the people who live in our community, and with that being said, those will be my final comments. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

Thank you, Councilman Hernandez. Commander Sorensen, I'm gonna take one of my three minutes, but everybody goes over, so I'm not quite sure why we do this three minutes thing. So I'm gonna pull up military equipment report, and I hope every council member up here read this report, all three of them, from 22 to 23, May of 22 to May of 23. And it states here that none of the incidents were defined equipment was deployed resulted in the equipment being used as a force option. That is in all three reports. Is that accurate, sir?

That it was used as a force option.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

It says none of the incidents where defined equipment was deployed resulted in the equipment being used as a forced option. It's a summary of outcomes. So in the summary of outcome paragraph, it's during this reporting period, 16 of the 21 incidents, three incidents resulted in officers unable to locate the subject of the investigation. Of the 16 incidents where subjects were detained slash arrested, three resulted in officers using force to affect the arrest. None of the incidents were defined equipment was deployed resulted in the equipment being used as a forced option. That's correct for 22 and 23.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

So can you explain that last sentence, sir?

So that goes back to what I was talking about with deployment versus employment. These items were deployed, for example, patrol rifles. We have not had a single officer-involved shooting involving any of our rifles. So they were taken out of the vehicle or they were deployed on a SWAT callout, but they were not used, employed as a force option.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

Okay, so that statement is in all three years of reports. So I read all of them. So your summary of accounts, are you the one who wrote this report, sir?

Yes, ma'am.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

Okay, so at the end of your reports, the summary of outcomes, the last sentence in each one of them says, none of the incidents where defined equipment was deployed resulted in an officer-involved shooting or other fatality.

Correct.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

Okay, just want to be clear on that. Summary of complaints in all three reports. Again, I hope the council up here read the entire reports. I'm sure a few people did. The Santa Ana Police Department did not receive any community complaints regarding the use of defined military equipment during this reporting period. Is that accurate, sir? Yes, ma'am. Okay. And then I think that you said there was zero loss of life. Is that correct?

That's correct.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

Okay. And so you or somebody from the police department, I assume it's you, sir, are you, Commander, are you now in charge of this reporting? I've been blessed, yes. Welcome to the club. I've blessed too with some things. So you presented this to the Police Oversight Committee, correct?

Correct. I believe it was like two months ago? April 14th, I think. Okay, so I'm a little,

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

three months ago, whatever. I don't even know what day it is today. Okay, so you did present it to the Police Oversight Committee? Yes. Were there any comments, sir, that you can share with as you recall?

Largely a lot of the conversation surrounded the use of the armored vehicle. If I remember correctly, a lot of it was the use of the armored vehicle specifically in crowd control.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

So the armored vehicle, is that used mostly for SWAT?

Yes.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

A SWAT call out?

Yes, patrol does have access to the pteradine because we felt that having access access to a higher level of ballistic protection was important because usually the SWAT team is going to be an hour out. To wait that long with our officers in a potentially armed barricaded situation without the access to the armored vehicle put them at a disadvantage would tend to lead to potentially an overreaction.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

So that is to save lives, is that correct? The council member said that. That's correct. So could you give us an example? Would it be like a domestic violence call, a parent holding a child hostage? What would you call that out for? Just an example. You don't have to give a case. Just an example.

So the largest example we've had actually recently is at the end of vehicle pursuits, where the driver has become either semi-disabled or disabled, and we'll bring the armored vehicle out because it weighs 15,000 pounds compared to a 4,000-pound vehicle, and we don't want that pursuit to continue so once that vehicle comes to a stop we'll put the armored vehicle in front of it police cars behind it and that prevents the pursuit from continuing thereby

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

injuring the community so that saves lives is that correct that's correct okay i and i don't want to beat this up too much but so council member lopez indicated the six uh six requirements i believe are the four requirements i see that they're here four of them um you'll do a report which we now have all agreed that it will be submitted and posted on time correct commander sorenson correct um and the report will contain the information required uh you'll you'll see you'll post it and within 30 days of submitting and publicly posting uh you'll hold a community

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

meeting that's correct that's correct and the city council shall review and vote on it to renew it mr city manager so this will be brought back to us yearly

Alvaro NuñezItem 10

Yes.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

So I think the chief said it best that, you know, we've had three city managers and he took over as the chief. And so in December 19th of 2024, three city managers. You've been here how long, Mr. City Manager?

Alvaro NuñezItem 10

I believe August 4th was my full permanent year.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

August 4th, your one year, three seconds and 22 hours or something like that? Yes. Okay and the reason I think that's very important is because I think it's important for the community to understand that three city managers the shift on the police chief no excuses the report should have been done no excuses and I appreciate you being honest about that they should have been done they should always be accurate the community meetings should always be held after 5 30 p.m. no matter what and parking offered and maybe we don't hold them at the police department maybe you hold them at a community center where more

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

people can attend and there should be a Spanish translation or Vietnamese translation if needed. So just like I'm doing with my neighborhood, my neighborhood leaders meeting, you guys are there with me every single month. This coming meeting you will have the floor for the entire time we're there. Why? Because the police department is going to give an overview of some things that are happening in our community and what you're doing and one of them may be this item right because the neighborhood leaders from all the different neighborhoods do attend with the exception of maybe two or three. So like

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

the other council members up here I do encourage you to hold them at a time where people can attend and then via zoom council member becerra said something very important and uh this will be my last one he talked about the number of calls calls for service in 2223 if you can go to that slide commander please this is really important for the community to hear this we are short officers and when i came on board in december of gosh i don't know 22 to um we were down almost and we were almost at the 50 number of short of officers so i think now we're in the low 30s correct chief we're at 35 uh every now every meeting it's different okay

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

22 23 calls for service can you go through that slide commander one more time please

so in 2023 we had and i'll just round up for yes please take a brevity 126 000 calls for service service with 19 military equipment deployments amounting to .015% of our calls. 23-24 we had 127,000 calls for service with 69 military equipment deployments for a bump up of .054%. 24-25, 129,000 calls for service with 30 military equipment deployments for .023%.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

Well in my my opinion I don't think we're waging war on anybody and you know I'll just I look at the calls for service and that is a substantial amount of calls for service for a department our size and for 24-25 you only had 30 deployments I mean that's great and thank you Chief and as you had indicated you report them to the Department of Justice each and every time is that correct?

We do an annual reporting of all our uses of force to the Department of Justice.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

That is correct and we're not late on that report.

No.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

We are not late on that report. No. So I'm going to close with this. So I was at Sadiana's for a car show and I met some gentlemen that live in the neighborhood. And they're members of a car club and they're the older generation. and they came up to me and they said, Mayor, I don't know about everybody else in this neighborhood, but there's a large population of Ward 5 that appreciates law enforcement. Matter of fact, our sons are police officers. Our sons. And these are gentlemen with beautiful cars. I'm not going to say they're my age. Maybe they're a little older. Maybe they are my age. Okay. David always reminds me.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

but they were so proud, so very proud to tell me that their sons were police officers and they live in Ward 5. So not everybody in Ward 5 feels like you're waging a war on them. I just want to be really clear to the police department in the community and when I have my neighborhood association meetings we have really good conversation in there and I haven't heard any community leader in there from every ward that shows up says the police department is waging a war on us. If anything they ask for drones, they ask for more police

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

officers, they ask for more police officers and more police officers and they ask us to expand Colt. So I just want to thank you. I understand the report is late again. No can't have it. No four o'clock community meetings. got to be at six, give out parking, offer donuts, coffee, they'll come and don't do it at the police department please. I would highly recommend that you do it at a community center. So with that that's all I'm going to say. I am going to support this item. I want to thank all of you that put your life on the line every single day and it's not because I'm just just to support our police.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

I actually had a conversation with the chief and said hey you were late, Bad on you. Don't do it again, please. Because we have to answer as a council, right? And so also, Mr. City Manager, if there's a conversation with anybody at the Attorney General's office, just like I'm asked on a regular basis who I meet with, I want to know who you spoke to at the Attorney General's office about this matter. And so if you can please let me know. And if I need to do a PR request, I will. But according to a councilman up here, you said he had spoken to either DOJ or Department of... I mean, who did... So I want... David Brown. David Brown.

Alvaro NuñezItem 10

David Brown.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

Did you speak to him, Mr. City Manager?

Alvaro NuñezItem 10

I have not talked to anybody from the Attorney General's office.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

Okay, perfect. Thank you. I'll follow up. Thank you. That's all I have. Council Member Lopez, please.

Jessie LopezItem 10

Yes, thank you. Well, first thing first, I said that I voted no during the first reading because I have a copy of the vote. I'm not sitting up here trying to guess what my voting record is. I also said I voted yes during the second reading and stated my reason. So there's no need for me to lie or for you, Council Member Hernandez, to insinuate that I'm lying. So apologize now, check your minutes and be respectful. Okay? Secondly, the reports are, I would like to get back to the reports. I apologize for that. Now, the reports are made to May, right? May 2022 through May 2023. The second is May 2023 through May 2024.

I actually, if I could correct you just a minute. It's May 1 to April 30.

Jessie LopezItem 10

That was going to be my question because that's the last report, but the two other reports are from May to May. And I have it, it states a timeline on the cover of the report page. So I wanted to know why the last report doesn't include May.

So basically, I mean, it's a misprint. It's a full year. year. So May 1 of 2022 to May 1 of 2024 or 2023 rather.

Jessie LopezItem 10

So then Exhibit 3 should state May 1, 2024 through May 30, 2025 instead of April 1, instead of April 30, 2025. Well, I got more specific on the dates on

on the last report. As far as the, it's still the other two years are May 1 to May 1. Right. So it doesn't include the month, neither the first two reports include the month of May.

Jessie LopezItem 10

Can you restate that? Can you explain that?

So May 1 of 22,

the actual data is till April 30th of 2023. Okay. I inadvertently put May on there because I was just when I'm writing and I'm thinking May to May. Does that make sense?

Jessie LopezItem 10

So you're saying that instead of it saying May 2022 through May 2023 it should say May 2022 through April 2023. It wouldn't have the data of May? Correct. Okay got it. So then the following The following year should be May 2023, correct? Correct. Got it. Thank you for that clarification. I also wanted to know,

Jessie LopezItem 10

you know, on the slide, slide nine, I think I agree with Councilwoman Phan. I think we can do a much more sophisticated job of aggregating data just so that it's easier for the reader. And I wanted to know because the military equipment report per year fluctuates and the data, your chart shows that, right? The number, the bars, the different color bars. But the dollar amount each year stays the same and I'm trying to understand that. So I don't know if you can walk me through that.

So what we're looking at when we're looking at the dollar amounts, it's annual maintenance cost. So for example, on the mobile command vehicle, that annual maintenance cost is set by City Yard. That's how much they charge us to do the routine maintenance. Same thing with the Bear Armored Rescue Vehicle. A lot of these things are still static.

And the way our policy is written as far as like the less lethal launchers, we don't buy any more. And a lot of these are estimates because we don't have the actual numbers in there. Quite frankly, they're overestimates as far as maintenance costs on the launchers. because there's no telling if one of them is going to break or not. So I overestimated those costs just out of the abundance of caution.

Much of the ongoing maintenance costs, because that's what's required, is the hardware that it doesn't go out of service, it doesn't come in service. The only time it goes out of service is if it breaks. And then if a rifle were to break, typically it costs $50, $60 to fix it.

Jessie LopezItem 10

So is it acceptable for me to then assume that the $30,000 total annual maintenance cost is not a true dollar amount that we're spending on maintenance? It could be more. It could be less, depending on the year.

I would argue that more than likely it's less because, like I said, I overestimated it just to make sure that we weren't exceeding that amount.

Jessie LopezItem 10

So, for example, if in 2022 to 2023, we only had one command vehicle, and then the following year we had more than what we originally had, wouldn't that, that would change, right, the maintenance cost?

Yeah, that's correct.

Jessie LopezItem 10

And that would be more than the 30,000.

Are we talking hypothetically or?

Jessie LopezItem 10

Yeah, because I'm trying to understand, right? This is, I'm asking questions because when I was reading it, I could not really understand it.

Well, and a lot of it comes down to the fact that, like the chief said, we haven't, over the course of the past three years, we haven't purchased anything additional. So we only have one mobile command vehicle. I don't see us buying another one anytime remotely soon. And even if we did, we'd have to come back to council to get that approved because that would be an increase in our military equipment. So if we want to talk hypothetically, yes, if we purchased another mobile command vehicle, you could expect that $5,000 to double.

Jessie LopezItem 10

Right. And then I also, this is one of the questions I was going to ask you. what have we acquired the past three years that you know because it didn't come to the council because the pie charts in each report show that we have acquired things so and again maybe that's the way I'm interpreting it like um seven and the key is less lethal launchers and then the 40 the following report has 52 so my understand am I reading it correctly that 52 less lethal the launchers are part of that category or is it has it been seven for the past three years

okay i want to make sure we're talking from the same page so that we understand each other we're referring to

Jessie LopezItem 10

these pie charts yes and so the pie charts that i'm comparing is from exhibit one and exhibit two for example okay so the pie charts are deployments I see. So it's not the count of the actual weapons?

It's not an inventory. Got it. Those are actual deployments. Got it. Got it.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

Okay, Council Member Lopez, we're over and we're going to go to the next speaker. Madam Mayor, can we just call the vote? Right. I'm all for that. You want to call the vote, please? Well, we all get three rounds of questions. So it's going to be what time is it? It's 10 o'clock. And so we can take all three rounds. We're going to be here until we're going to vote to last longer than midnight because we have some important things on here. And, again, I guess we should all read the reports because deployments, it says equipment deployment. So do you have one more question, Council Member Lopez?

Jessie LopezItem 10

Yeah, I mean, I think the conversation is more than fair, given that we haven't had the opportunity to discuss it in three years. And if you don't want the council asking all these questions, then send it to the police oversight first.

Phil BacerraItem 10

No, I don't have a problem with that. Or perhaps you can meet with staff and actually ask these questions to them directly.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

Right, no, let's start that. That's what I was just gonna say, is the whole thing of a gender review is going through all of these questions with the city manager and the police chief. And so, and we appreciate you, Commander Sorensen, I don't know why you get caught up on all this, but go ahead, Councillor Lopez, one more question, and then we're gonna call the vote, please.

Jessie LopezItem 10

Yeah, I actually wanted to the maker of the motion if you would be willing to strike the language at the bottom of page four of exhibit three because I think that's what caused the confusion about the drone because you're stating here that you want to request in the future council approval and that with the initial cost not to exceed $250,000.

Thai Viet PhanItem 10

I believe I'm the maker of the motion, right? So I don't believe we should remove that only because the reporting requires us to disclose a potential future purchase that we may be interested in. So because the police department is thinking about this on staff, I think it is important to keep it in here and you should do outreach and you should talk to the police oversight oversight commission and the members of the public who oppose the drone program should come and participate. I think that that is an important aspect of that. And I think when I read it, it seems pretty clear because there's no contract, there's

Thai Viet PhanItem 10

no RFP, there's nothing in here relating to drones. I actually even tried to do a control search for drones and I couldn't find it. So I think to me, you have to keep it in there for it to be compliant with state law.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

Okay. So it does say future purchases. So let's take the vote, please.

Benjamin VazquezItem 10

Can I do one quick comment? I just went once.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

I went once. I understand, but we need to take a vote. So if you could be quick, please.

Benjamin VazquezItem 10

Quick. You know, I'm going to push back on some comments that more police brings more safety. but since 2022 and the investment in community and investment in youth we saw uh crime go down across the country we've seen crime go down as we invest more in our youth and as you talk to police officers and i ask them what do you need they would tell me we need to invest more in soccer fields we need to invest more in youth to get the kids off the street to bring to really really bring down crime. So I'm going to push back on some of these comments that were being

Benjamin VazquezItem 10

had that more police is more safety when we make ourselves safe. And the investments that we've seen, and my staff is creating a report to show that in various cities across the country to show that investment in police and not military weapons is what we need here in Santa Ana. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

All right. Thank you. So I'm glad you brought up soccer because it was a hot topic tonight so we're not up here campaigning we should all have the ability to have sports in our community um not just soccer but they're all important so with that commander sorenson thank you so much for standing up here with all of us and let's prepare to vote at this time since i

Jennifer L. HallItem 10

have the motion by council member becerra seconded by council member fan to approve the recommended actions for item number 10 annual military equipment use reports for 2022 23 23-24 and 24-25

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

It was Councilmember Becerra that made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Fenn.

I made the motion.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

Oh, you made the motion. Okay.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

I'm tired. I apologize. Let's go.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

I know somebody's going to report that I said that because, you know, it's a bad thing to say that.

Jennifer L. HallItem 10

The vote is four ayes, three nays. by Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez and Council Members Hernandez and Lopez motion carries the next item pulled for discussion or comment is item 14 by you Mayor Emescuwa

Valerie AmezcuaItem 10

it's just a comment I pulled it because I want to make a comment and I know the I just want to ask one question. Is this for you? Mr. Sylvia? Deputy city manager? So what other cities or do we know if there are other cities taking the initiative that we are with the TAY Youth?

I will defer to Mike Garcia, Executive Director for Community Development.

Mayor, City Council, with the HHAP funding 10% of the is required to be set aside so most cities that receive the HF funding and it's formulaic for our city based on demographics the cities are putting this

Valerie AmezcuaItem 14

towards that population all right that's great I'll have my um my my party look at that for me because you know in our public school system we have up to almost 30,000 McKinney-Vento kids countywide and in the point of time

Valerie AmezcuaItem 14

for the TAY youth. We had about 308 in the county. So I'm just wondering, one, is this enough? Do we need more? Do we have the funding for it? I don't know. So that'll be a question I'll ask in the future. And then is there a possibility if other cities are working on this type of project, if we can partner with them as well? So that's all I had to ask. And that's what I wanted to bring this item forward. And I'll make a motion to approve.

Phil BacerraItem 14

Second.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 14

Thank you. There are no comments. Let's vote, please.

Jennifer L. HallItem 14

motion by Mayor Meskwes seconded by Councilmember Becerra to approve the recommended action for item 14 agreement between the city the housing authority and Orangewood Foundation

Jennifer L. HallItem 14

vote is six ayes no nays with the absence by Councilmember Hernandez motion carries

Jennifer L. HallItem 14

the next item pulled is item 19 I'm sorry item 16. Councilmember Lupo. Councilmember Becerra. 16 by Councilmember Becerra.

Phil BacerraItem 14

I did not pull 16.

Jennifer L. HallItem 14

Councilmember Becerra. 19. I did though.

Phil BacerraItem 14

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Yeah, this is the agreement with KABOOM to provide updated playground equipment at Sandpoint Park down in my ward. So the city's going to be responsible for paying a whopping $8,500 towards the cost of this playground equipment. And the Pacific Life Foundation is going to be responsible for paying the remaining cost, cost, which can range, and I believe Director Scott had said earlier, anywhere between $75,000 and $125,000. What a deal. And so I just want to thank KABOOM! and the Pacific Life Foundation for this. It's great collaboration, because not only are they providing funding, but they're also

Phil BacerraItem 16

going to be providing volunteers that will participate in the preparation and setup of the equipment. And Director Scott, when will they be down at Sandpoint Park doing this?

Phil BacerraItem 16

it'll be at October 11th on a Saturday and so what what what should one expect on October 11th

down at Sandpoint Park a lot of people and a lot of happiness and like I said we're gonna have you know we're gonna we're gonna build we're gonna build a brand new playground about I wasn't

Phil BacerraItem 16

asking what color the unicorns are going to be I was just asking like what what should they expect like people are going to be there and helping assemble they're going to be helping assembling the playground yes okay perfect well thank you for that director scott and and again this was this is such a great uh situation this is the same thing that happened over at jack fisher park and at jerome park so again i want to thank kaboom and the pacific life foundation with that i'll go ahead and move this item i'll second it's prepared to vote

Jennifer L. HallItem 16

motion by council member becerra seconded by mayor mesqua to approve the recommended action for item 16 in agreement with kaboom vote is six eyes no nays with a recorded absence by council member hernandez motion carries the next item pulled is item 19 which was pulled by council member lopez Mayor Pez, Becerra, and Mayor Miskew.

Phil BacerraItem 16

Mayor, if I may.

Jennifer L. HallItem 16

Go ahead.

Phil BacerraItem 16

Thank you. So we all know that Caltrans has its challenges trying to keep their highways and all the adjacent properties next to them clean and free of trespassers. And many times it takes Caltrans a little bit longer than we would like. So when the 10 freeway in downtown LA was shut down a few years ago due to trespassers camping out underneath that freeway and starting fires, the governor subsequently entered into an agreement with the City of LA so that their city's workers could clear out those illegal encampments and then be reimbursed by Caltrans. So when I was talking with our mayor I asked why

Phil BacerraItem 19

couldn't the City of Santa Ana enter into a similar agreement with Caltrans and be reimbursed for our city's staff time and resources especially since we we do a lot of work adjacent to or right up on Caltrans property within Santa Ana. So how shouldn't we be able to be reimbursed for that work? So in addition to me literally reaching out to our governor, I want to thank our governor, and the mayor scheduling a meeting with our state assembly member, Alvalino Valencia, and Caltrans staff over at his district office way back in January of 2024. So here we are in August of 2025, just to show you how long it's taken.

Phil BacerraItem 19

taken. And with a huge assist from Landzau, the Caltrans District Director here in Orange County, we're able to come up with the agreement that's before us today. Now this agreement will provide the City of Santa Ana up to $200,000 per year for the next two years for reimbursement by Caltrans for our city to provide encampment abatement, litter and debris removal, weed abatement and graffiti removal within Caltrans right of way that's within the City of Santa

Phil BacerraItem 19

So with this agreement now, and staff correct me if I'm wrong, one could report graffiti encampments along the freeways in Santa Ana using the My Santa Ana app now because our staff will be on top of that. So Rudy just gave me the thumbs up, so thank you Rudy. So I want to thank our mayor and all the city staff that was a part of it. Public Works, Rudy, Ken Gaminski, Juan Montiel, just to name a few. And also to Casey Elliott from Townsend Public Affairs. between the city manager's office and myself and the mayor. I think we all got on Casey to earn his keep, and he did more than that.

Phil BacerraItem 19

So I want to give him a shout out and thank him. This is the kind of work that we're supposed to be up here doing. This is the kind of work that, at least for me, I get excited about. That's why I keep returning to this chamber. And so it's awesome because with this agreement, we're going to see the type of positive impact that our residents and our stakeholders truly want to see. So it's been over a year and a half, so I'm gonna take the move and make a motion to approve this encampment delegated maintenance agreement with Caltrans and all the associated recommended actions.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 19

I'll second. And I'll second with comments, and thank you. I will not cover what you already did, but my new best friend at OCTA, Lens, she's so happy that she was able to help us get this money. And so it was a lot of work. and again thank you to the city staff you know mr. city manager you and your team since you guys have come on like we said earlier about the chief you guys are like peeling back onions you know you look under one and there's a project you look under another and there's a project that's been sitting on a shelf for some for a very long time and so you knew this was a priority for our city

Valerie AmezcuaItem 19

and we moved quickly so thank you and and Rudy I just want to know or Jack or whoever tells will be putting something on our app that will be able to say

Valerie AmezcuaItem 19

caltrans freeway cleanup or what what will we be showing on our app if somebody i'm sorry well it's not just graffiti removal or the encampments on the freeway we don't want them driving and reporting so somebody is it the same don't stop on the freeway to report this no it's

Alvaro NuñezItem 19

going to be the same right we don't need extra yeah the same right graffiti trash right as it is we still get the cost anyway okay so the answer is yes we just don't want nobody stopping as they're

Valerie AmezcuaItem 19

or exiting the freeway.

Alvaro NuñezItem 19

Right.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 19

Okay, got it. Any other comments, Council Member Lopez, go ahead.

Jessie LopezItem 19

Yes, as I was saying earlier, I really, really am so happy to see this item on our agenda today. I did not know if this was gonna be able to come to fruition because I remember when neighborhood leaders in my office met with the state representative, we were told, well, the state doesn't have money. We don't know if we can do this. And so for this to come before us today, day it really is a testament to our city staff understanding the issues that we are responsible for helping address and not accepting a no so i really want to thank you particularly because war

Jessie LopezItem 19

iii has the most amount of state land in it and so we are impacted on a daily basis off the freeway ramps and i know that staff you know it's not always the safest job because going out there and cleaning when cars are speeding by you, that is very frightening. And so I just want to thank you because you really have taken this job even prior to Caltrans agreeing. And of course this cannot happen without Caltrans. So I do want to thank them as well for coming to the table and understanding how important this was going to be for our city and to really help improve the quality of life for our residents. So again I just really want to

Jessie LopezItem 19

thank you all and you know on behalf of our constituents.

Jennifer L. HallItem 19

All right let's vote please. Motion by Councilmember Becerra seconded by Mayor Meskwa to approve the recommended actions for item number 19 an encampment delegated maintenance agreement with Caltrans and associated.

Jennifer L. HallItem 19

Councilmember Penalesa.

David PenalozaItem 19

It's not coming up.

Jennifer L. HallItem 19

Okay. Okay, would you verbalize your vote please?

David PenalozaItem 19

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 19

Vote is six ayes, no nays with a reported absence by Councilmember Hernandez. Motion carries. Mayor and City Council, that does conclude the consent calendar. I'd like to move to the business calendar now.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 19

All right, we're gonna go to the business calendar. Item number 21 is for regional board appointments. Madam Clerk, do you guys need a staff presentation?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 21

I do not want to be on a board. Would you like to nominate or appoint a representative to the upper Newport Bay watershed executive committee and an alternate? May I pretend that sounds about you?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 21

You and council member Lopez. You can be the appoint person and she can be your alternate. How is that? I nominate director. I will second that.

Phil BacerraItem 21

I second that.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 21

Never mind. I will nominate the I'll second that. Do you need an alternate?

I don't believe I do.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 21

Alright. Let's vote.

David PenalozaItem 21

We should. Does it require an alternate?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 21

It says nominate and appoint a representative to the upper Newport Bay watershed, la la la. Nominate and appoint a representative and an alternate.

Jessie LopezItem 21

Caesar. An alternate to the Santa Ana River flood protection. I'll just alternate and appoint Caesar. Not Hawk?

Benjamin VazquezItem 21

I am on the Santa Ana River flood protection.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 21

Okay, so we're going to do Caesar. All right we're good with that? Okay. I'll second.

Jennifer L. HallItem 21

All right there's a motion and there's a second. Can I get some clarity on the Upper Newport Bay Watershed Executive Committee?

That is Rudy. Okay Rudy. And the Santa Ana River is Cesar. Okay. Do you need last names?

Thai Viet PhanItem 21

No it says in the it says that membership is a council member in the Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency. Why did you bring that up? But not for the alternate. The alternate does not have to be a council member. the alternate can be a member of staff. Well, she just said Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency be CSER. So the alternate for the Newport Bay Watershed Executive Committee is CSER. No.

Jennifer L. HallItem 21

The Newport Bay Watershed Executive Committee can be a council member or a staff person. And that's Rudy. And then the Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency, the actual member is required to be a council member. However, the alternate is not required to be an—So Mayor Pro Tem already sits on that. Mayor Pro Tem sits on there.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 21

and then Cesar will be his alternate.

Jennifer L. HallItem 21

Fun times. And so I have that as a nomination by Councilmember Phan, seconded by Mayor Meskwa, to appoint Rudy Rosas and Cesar Barrera in these two positions. Perfect. We can do a roll call, please. Roll call. Go ahead, Joyce. Councilmember Becerra. Yes. Councilmember Lopez. Councilmember Penalosa.

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 21

Councilmember Phan. Yes. Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez. Yes. Mayor Meskwa. Yes. Yes. So it is six ayes, no nays with a recorded absence by Council Member Hernandez. Motion carries for the two appointments.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 21

All right, where are we at now? I lost my place, I apologize.

Jennifer L. HallItem 21

We're gonna go to page 15, Mayor. It's for the public hearings. Item 22, yes.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 21

Yes, go ahead. Can you read that out, please?

Jennifer L. HallItem 21

Yes, for members of the public joining us by way of Zoom or conference call who would like to make a comment for public hearing item number 22 only, please dial star nine from your phone hand from zoom now. If any speakers they will be announced once the public hearing is opened. Thank you.

Okay. Item number two public

Valerie AmezcuaItem 21

hearing for relating to group homes. Mr. City Manager do you all need a staff presentation or did you do a gender review and we're good? Any comments? Questions by the council? If not I'll make a motion.

Jennifer L. HallItem 22

I'm sorry Mayor if you could please open the public hearing.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 22

Oh I apologize. Let me open.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 22

I now open the public hearing for members of the public that would like to provide their comments in person and virtually Madam City Clerk do we have any speakers?

Jennifer L. HallItem 22

Noting for the record we did receive one e-comment related to this public hearing item was posted online and distributed to the City Council. We do have one card if they are still present to speak on this public hearing. Shahan Susemayan. Thank you, sir, for waiting.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 22

I apologize. Thank you.

Good evening, Madam Mayor and fellow councilpersons. I am a property owner in the city of Santa Ana. I own several properties, and I lease my properties to a sober living operator. I'm here to say that I wholeheartedly support this ordinance because there needs to be some level of control between good operators and bad operators. I've been renting to one outfit. It's a single owner who operates three of my rental properties as Sober Living. He rents to young men between the ages of 18 to 25. He requires them all to drug test.