Read the November 4 meeting.

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© transcript Emily Beynon

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© transcript Emily Beynon

Thank you.

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Good morning, everyone.

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Jennifer L. Hall

Mayor, you can go ahead.

Alvaro Nuñez

Thank you very much.

Alvaro Nuñez

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? Council Member Penalosa? Council Member Phan? Here. Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez?

Alvaro Nuñez

Present.

Jennifer L. Hall

Mayor Mesquite?

Alvaro Nuñez

Present.

Jennifer L. Hall

It's four present. That is a quorum.

Alvaro Nuñez

Thank you. Madam Clerk, are there any additions or deletions to the closed session agenda?

Jennifer L. Hall

No, there are not.

Alvaro Nuñez

Do any Council Members need to announce their abstentions on closed session items?

Thai Viet Phan

Yes, Mayor. I'd like to announce my abstention from item number 1B, Orange County Department House House Association Inc. v. City of Santa Ana as the plaintiff is a client of my employer, Retender Tucker. Recording in progress. Therefore, I will not be in the closed session meeting for

Alvaro Nuñez

this item. Thank you. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Madam Clerk, did you catch that?

Jennifer L. Hall

Yes, I show recusal by Councilmember Phan for closed session item 1B due to the plaintiff being a client of her employer. Perfect. Thank you. Do we have any speakers for closed session? We do not have any speakers in person, on Zoom, or emailed comments related to the closed session agenda.

Alvaro Nuñez

Thank you. At this time we'll recess to closed session.

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© transcript Emily Beynon

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guitar solo

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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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guitar solo

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© transcript Emily Beynon

Thank you.

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Good night, everyone.

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Jennifer L. Hall

Go ahead, Mayor.

Alvaro Nuñez

Thank you. 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 is 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

Jennifer L. Hall

marshal please do not stand or place objects in the 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 and oaths of office 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 penulosa president council member fan here mayor proton vasquez president mayor mesquite president all seven members are present thank you madam clerk

Alvaro Nuñez

before we proceed to the pledge of allegiance please make an announcement for members of the

Jennifer L. Hall

public on zoom or teleconference to request to speak during public comments on agenda or or non-agenda items within the city's jurisdiction, you must dial star nine or raise your hand in Zoom now in order to be in the speaker queue once public comments commence. This does not apply to public hearing item number 23 or the housing authority items for which comments will be heard during that specific timeframe. Please hold your comments on those items until specifically called upon, thank you.

Alvaro Nuñez

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

Good evening. Ready? Begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Alvaro Nuñez

Pastor Durley, please.

Please. Hey, good evening.

If you will, you can be seated. Is that okay?

Alvaro Nuñez

I'm sorry?

You can be seated if that's okay.

Alvaro Nuñez

Oh, you want us to sit?

Would you please? Sure. Thank you so much. Thank you all.

Alvaro Nuñez

You're changing the rules on us, Palo Verde.

No, I'm sorry. It's okay. It's not that type of inspiration. to the Mayor, to the staff, and to all of you. Hey, Mr. Nunez. Amen. My words of inspiration is, Who stole the flag? How often do we reminisce over raising the flag, over image, over emojima? We may recall the iconic photograph of six United States Marines raising the flag atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in the final stages of the

Pacific War? How often do we reminisce that as students in kindergarten starting our day off with the Pledge of Allegiance? How often do we reminisce over singing the national anthem with the raising of the flag of some notable sporting event. How often do we reminisce over the sounding of taps, the folding of the flag at a funeral with full military honors. It appears that when the flag is mounted differently than where it should be, maybe in a bed of a lifted

pickup, the flag has been robbed of its meaning. The flag has been robbed of its meaning about respect? The flag has been robbed of its meaning about truth. The flag has been robbed of its meaning about freedom and the pursuit of happiness. Who robbed the flag of its meaning? The color red that represent the blood that was shed by those who fought to protect the nation's freedom. The white reflect the nation's early ideals of creating a country based on freedom, justice and equality for all its people. This color reminds Americans of the hope

that the founder had for a bright and fair future. The blue, the blue is often associated with fairness, trust and stability which are core principles in the functioning of government institution. The colors of the American flag continue to bring people together inspiring unity across the nation Red, white, and blue are more than just symbols on the flag. They represent the shared values and goals of American people.

As an American, I should not ever be intimidated when I see a person in uniform wearing the U.S. flag. Who robbed the flag of its meaning? As an American, I should never be fearful of the U.S. flag. As leaders, we must understand the issues and justice and be at the forefront of conversations. As leaders, we must be challenged to move beyond doing and be a part of the being. As leaders, we need to grow in our ability to be challenged. Challenged how?

Well, I wonder what the flag would mean if we really were indivisible. We said in the allegiance. the visible one what the flag would mean if we really saw each other as human beings I wonder what the flag would mean if we really treat each other as human beings some has interpreted the command to love their neighbors as you love yourself as having flaws or limitations why well some of us don't love ourselves and so we may not want that type of love to be conveyed onto us well

my interpretation or the entertainment that I like to do with with the loving one another is that I my love is to not do you any harm my love is not the cause to any harm to my fellow human beings. So I wonder what the flag would mean if we committed not to do harm to each other. I wonder what the flag would mean if we committed not to cause any harm to others. America, America, God has shed his

his grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to signing sea. I'm taking back my flag when I decide to love you. I'm taking back my flag when I decide not to cause you any harm. I'm taking back my flag when I decide not to do you any harm. I'm taking back my flag. God bless you. Thank you. Thank you, Pastor Durley. Thank you very much.

Alvaro Nuñez

That truly was beautiful. Thank you. Madam Clerk, are there any additions or deletions to the City Council agenda? No, there are not. Thank you. First presentation and the only one for the night is by Councilmember Lopez, a proclamation for Association of Nurse Practitioners declaring November 9th through the 15th as National Nurse Practitioner Week.

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

Thanks, Jennifer.

Jessie LopezItem 1

Okay. So today we are going to be proclaiming National Nurse Practitioner Week. And this is going to be presented to California Association for Nurse Practitioners. and we have Brenda and Paola with us. And so it's my pleasure to join you tonight as we recognize National Nurse Practitioner Week, celebrated from November 9th through the 15th. We're proud to have members of the California Association for Nurse Practitioners Week with us this evening. And so we wanted to thank all of you for the vital work that you do and for representing your profession with excellence and compassion. Nurse Practitioners have long served

Jessie LopezItem 1

as trusted and essential health care providers, ensuring that patients of all backgrounds receive quality, compassionate, and accessible care. Across the United States, more than 431,000 licensed nurse practitioners deliver high quality health services, diagnosing, managing, and treating both acute and chronic conditions. Here in California and across the nation, nurse practitioners play a vital role in promoting health equity, expanding access to care, and improving patient outcomes in every type of community from hospitals to clinics to schools

Jessie LopezItem 1

and public health agencies as more states recognize the importance of granting nurse practitioners full practice authority patients are gaining better access to the care that they need when and where they need it the most in santa ana we see firsthand how nurse practitioners nurse strengthen our community's health and safety every day their expertise compassion and commitment make a real difference for our residents and families on behalf of my office and the city of santa ana it is my honor to proclaim november 9th through the 15th as national nurse practitioner

Jessie LopezItem 1

week and recognition of the countless contributions nurse practitioners have made and continue to make in advancing the health and well-being of our community. Thank you for all that you do and for making sure that our residents are healthy and safe. And so we wanna recognize you with this proclamation. Yes, of course.

Thank you so much everyone and to the city of Santa Ana for this important recognition recognition and recognizing the contributions of nurse practitioners to our communities through this proclamation. We are committed as nurse practitioners to delivering high quality care, to deliver accessible care, but most importantly to deliver compassionate care to all our community members. And we are very proud that we serve in Orange County to a very diverse community. So thank you so much for this acknowledgement.

It is very meaningful to us.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Alvaro NuñezItem 1

Thank you, Councilmember Lopez. At this time, Madam City Attorney, do you have anything to report out of closed session?

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 1

Mayor, Councilmember, as members of the public, there's no reportable action this evening.

Alvaro NuñezItem 1

Thank you very much. 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. Three minutes, please.

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

Thank you, Mayor. Pursuant to 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. As of today at 2 p.m., we received a total of 31 e-comments, 98 on non-agenda topics, and three for item number 21.

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

Those were distributed to the City Council and posted online for public review. We will now hear from the 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. This does not include the public hearing or the Housing Authority. Please state your name and the ward or neighborhood that you reside in for the record. I'll be calling speakers three at a time. If you could please line up in the center aisle when you hear your name to then approach the podium. Bruce Senator, John Tarosian, Ono Tarosian.

MR.

Good evening. I'm Bruce Senator from ward 6. I submitted four documents to you this afternoon and through the city website and then subsequently I submitted them via email to Ms. Carvajal, city attorney, and Ms. Hall, your city clerk. First one here is regarding the notice of intent to file an initiative. And this is the proposed packet and it's submitted to you for public comment, public review and comment by the residents, business owners, property owners, and civic leaders. And there's emails for both English and Spanish.

So if we can get some comment so we can revise it before we actually submit it, it would be appreciated. The second one is regarding academia. And I know this is what came up in the LAS article. And I think by looking into this organization, it's kind of clear that this particular organization, Not only them to infect our public parks, it's not something that we want here in Santa Ana. And I really am cautioning the City Council on going forward with this type of organization. You really need to look into it before you start looking at the money.

The third one here is regarding the issue we're having with gangs ever since the legislature legislature passed AB 333 and they call it the Step Forward Act and then the district attorney dissolved the injunctions against the gang members. We've seen an uptick in their tagging, most recently at Del High Park. And if you read this, you need to start looking at civil and federal RICO actions. We can attack this with RICO. The thing that really harms the gangs and the criminal organizations most is civil RICO. You take their money, you start withering them down, they start drying up.

You really need to be proactive on this because they're laying claim to Delhi Park. We're acting through this public initiative to protect the parks for the families and the children, and we're also having to combat the gangs which have now had their injunctions dissolved and they're more active. So we need to start taking action to address that problem. And the fourth issue here is the drone issue with the police department, which really can be a benefit to the city. And as I wrote here, you know, it's eyes on early on. It's a force multiplier.

If it's used correctly, it can greatly assist in the speed and the efficiency of our police department being able to respond and the safety of the responses in a very cost-effective manner. And as I said down here, there are ways to make sure that there is not any improper surveillance, such as how they dispatch and when the surveillance sensors are turned on and when they're turned off immediately on recall. Your time is up. So thank you, thank you very much.

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

Next three speakers, John Ono and Joe Tarozian. Any order is fine. You can state your name, please.

Hello, my name is Ono Tarozian. Excuse me, sweetie, can you pull the mic down

Alvaro NuñezItem 1

so we can all hear you? There you go, thank you.

Hello, my name is Ono Tarozian. I live in Santa Ana. When my brother and I were forced to go to modern visitations, the monitors' names are John Janelle and Mike Darling. At the visitations after we ate, Joe would hide in the bathroom for the entire visitation. My mom would ask me if I wanted a Lego set or ice cream for hitting my brother. Then I would hit my brother and come back the next visit and tell my mom that I hit my brother and my

my mom would show me what I want and buy the Lego set or dessert for me. And it is still in my head that if I hit my brother, I'll get a prize, and that's very confusing to me. This would happen while the monitor was just sitting there on his phone the whole time, not paying attention to anything else but his phone. Before this, we had a monitor named Shirley Dayu. I told her that I had a sports tournament and I can't come to visitation. My brother also had a sports tournament and he also can't come to the visitation either.

And Shirley Dayu started to scream, are you doing this on purpose? And she was replaced, but she replaced herself with her daughter, Callie Powell. And we had one visit with her being the monitor and my dad asked her if she was related to Shirley Dayu because she had the same middle name as Shirley Dayu and that she was not related to her. and later we found a photo of them together. My attorney, Kristen Pazakalasa,

has been hiding this ever since I told her. Please have John Janelle, Mike Darling, Shirley Dyer, and Carly Powell to be removed from being monitors because of this. I do not want another kid to go through what I have done. I do not want Kristen Pazakalasa to be my attorney. Thank you very much for listening to me.

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

Go ahead.

I'm Joe Trozian, I live in Santa Ana, and I'm 13. And we've gone through a lot. The last time I saw my mom, she filed battery charges on me. I was trying to escape the visit we were in, and I wasn't that far out of the condo when the monitor, John Janelle, is screaming at me, saying that this is a court order. He got physical with me and grabbed my arm. He started pushing me back towards the condo, and my mom called the cops. She was saying stuff like I was out of control and she's never seen me like this. I didn't realize this at the time, but she was scratching her face and making herself bleed.

Now the cops get there, and I'm put in the side alley. One of the cops interview me, and then the other comes to me and says these exact words. If I have to come here again, you're going to jail, and you're lucky your mom doesn't want to press charges. In my mind, I was thinking, what the heck happened? It felt like they completely ignored my side of what happened, and that's how I got my battery charges. This was during a superior court-approved monitor visitation. Prior to this, I was hiding in the bathroom for the entire visit. I also did a cast interview and the interviewer said that she'll do everything in her power

to help us, but nothing happened. I want there to be justice. I want the people that hurt us to get in trouble for what they did. Thank you.

Speaker 4, My name is John Terozi. you just heard my sons. This year has been hell.

I just had court today. It was a huge win. I have to represent myself to be able to be heard in court. My attorneys were silencing me. My children's attorney is silencing them. Today the judge said that he will have everybody in the lineup up that we mentioned investigated. My sons are asking to be heard, so thank you for allowing a platform like this for them to be heard. We live in Santa Ana and all this took place in Newport Beach. I filed charges on John Janelle. He's a retired lieutenant police officer. The detective Adams that was doing the investigation asked me to take my sons

to a cast interview where they interview trauma victims, especially children, to see if they're telling the truth. The interviewer told my son that she will do everything in her power to bring attention to this. We had a custody investigation and I brought up to the custody investigator that this interview had taken place. The custody investigator told me she pulled the files and the The cast interview notes are missing. So I emailed Detective Adams. Detective Adams told me that he will reach out to the investigator. He gave his side of the story and his summary and not the investigation. These cops are protecting each other.

Mike Darling is also an ex-police officer. What my sons have gone through sucks. I'm posting everything online. In the last three weeks, I've had over 4.5 million views on my page. I only had 400 followers three weeks ago. My Instagram is HYEfromSFV.

Please any attention that you guys can bring to these boys would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

The next three speakers, Desi Reyes, Velma de la Rosa, Pete Lockwood. Mayor Wood. Please line up.

Okay, good evening Mayor, Council Members, and city staff. I want to begin by extending my sincere congratulations to you, Mayor, City Manager, City Attorney, Council Members, Jesse Lopez, your ward, and the Santa Ana Police Department, department for their outstanding efforts leading to the recent closure of the Crime Nest Motel Sunshine Motel on East First Street. This decisive action marks an important step toward improving public safety and the overall quality of life in our community and the First Street corridor.

I also wanted to commend the City Attorney's Office for securing the recent Superior Court victory granting a preliminary injunction against the Royal Roman Motel, the Royal Grand Inn, and Marisco El Tapatio and Antojito Venues on First Street. These actions reflect the City's strong commitment to holding nuisance properties accountable and protecting our neighborhoods from long-term harm. These achievements demonstrate what we can accomplish through strong leadership, collaboration, and dedication to community well-being. On behalf of local residents and stakeholders, thank you for your continued commitment to

making Santa Ana a safer, stronger, and more vibrant city. Looking ahead, I encourage the Council to move forward with the proposed First Street Enhancement Project between Grand Avenue on the west and Tustin Avenue on the east. Delaying this rehabilitation project longer will have significant impacts. One public safety, East First Street remains unsafe and lacks mobility elements such as bike lanes and pedestrian safety sidewalks. Economic development.

element. Quality infrastructure is essential to support new housing drives, home sales, and attract new retail investment. Progress. Moving forward maintains positive momentum and keeps rehabilitation efforts on track. Neighborhood quality. The project directly enhances livability and corporate appeal, especially as new residential developments continue to rise along the corridor. Additionally, the $4 million fund-enhanced project will will accomplish far more today than it will years from now due to the rising cost of construction materials and inflation. Every year of delay reduces the value and impact of this achievement.

While the multi-model study project currently under consideration is important for long-term planning, it will take years to fund and implement. The first street enhancement project addresses immediate needs by improving the court's appearance, safety and functionality in the near-term while complementing future mobility efforts. efforts. Santa Ana has proven that progress happens through decisive action advancing the First Street Enhancement Project and I will build on recent public safety successes and ensure that each First Street continues moving in the right direction. Thank you and have a pleasant evening.

Good evening, Mayor and Council Members. I'm Velma De La Rosa, Vice President of Housing and Community Development for Habitat of Orange County and we're in Ward 6. I am here tonight to express strong opposition to agenda item 21, the proposed amendment to the city's affordable housing fund policies and procedures. This amendment would disqualify any project from local funding that isn't wholly consistent with the city's general plan and zoning. That may sound harmless but in practice it's a major setback for affordable housing in Santa Ana and across California. This is poor policy but in

reality it is bad policy. It contradicts state housing law, undermines the city housing element and risks violating Santa Ana's legal obligation to affirmatively further fair housing. More importantly it sends the wrong message at the worst possible time when families are struggling and the state is asking every city to do more not less. California's legislature has adopted laws like as before AB 2011 and the state density bonus law precisely because local zoning codes often lag behind our housing needs. Those laws

were designated to unlock sites for affordable housing even when zoning hasn't caught up. By cutting off city funding to projects that use those state authorized pathways this policy would penalize innovation and discourage the very partners including nonprofits mission driven developers and community organizations who have long delivered high quality affordable housing in Santa Ana and it's unnecessary the city already has clear safeguards conditional commitments and entitlement requirements before any funds are are released, adding another bureaucratic layer only creates delay and uncertainty.

But beyond the procedural issues, let's talk about what this means symbolically. Santa Ana has always been a leader, a city that stands up for working families and sets the tone for others in the region. To retreat now would set a dangerous precedent that other jurisdictions may follow, effectively chilling affordable housing production across Orange County and the state. This is not about one developer or one project. It's about the future of affordable housing in California and whether local leadership will align with

state law and our shared value of equity and inclusion. I I urge you to vote no on agenda item 21 and instead direct staff to work collaboratively with affordable housing partners to strengthen, not weaken, the city's policies and commitment to housing affordability. Velma, your time is up. Thank you for your time.

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

Pete Lockwood followed by Brian Leos and Melissa Alberto.

Hi, I'm Pete Lockwood. I've been a resident of South Coast since 1980 and I am in favor of approval of item 21. It's the fiscally responsible thing to do. We need adequate safeguards in place to avoid conflicts, conflicts of interest and ensure that departments do not enable the commitment of taxpayer money without adequate vetting and approval. The current process can allow projects that are not well defined or in conformance with planning, zoning or the general plan to earmark city funds. funds. The current process can enable individuals in a position of temptation. Preapproval says

it all. It bypasses our process and erodes the authority and oversight of both planning and the council. It potentially places the council and planning in a conflict of interest and could cause council members to abstain from voting. If a project is subsequently denied, it could mean the loss of funds to the entity with the pre-commitment or forcing in the approval of non-conforming projects and elements and the increased expense of extensive negotiations and legal fees. We need to know exactly what we're receiving before committing city funds. Those of you that have been in closed session

discussing various contractors and projects know.

Contractors that don't deliver on time or on budget or slow or stop work to basically extort funds for additional funds or inflate costs. costs. In view of anticipated future budget deficits, current and future income shortfalls and unanticipated expenses for our populace precipitated by the federal government for legal, food, housing and medical, we need to take every step possible to have a robust, responsible fiscal process in place. Thank you.

Good afternoon, Mayor and City Council members. My name is Brian Loews and I reside in Ward 4, Mayor Muescoa. This morning I received a phone call from the City Manager's Secretary to finally set up the meeting that we've been patiently waiting for. And for the last four weeks, we did not hear anything from her at all. Even though on that meeting on October 7th, And we were told that within the same week she was going to contact us to schedule a meeting to have a chance to speak with you and the city manager himself to discuss this ongoing issue that for the past seven months we have not been able to access.

We have not been able to have access to the fields in our own city to practice our teams that are 90% from Santa Ana and we can't even call it home.

However, we feel like she's contact, however, we feel like she contacted us today out of all days so we wouldn't show up to express our concerns to you and the city council. I'm still going to keep on showing up to the meetings to have my voice heard and if Sue is here, I'm here, Sue. Let's put a date and time to our meeting. Thank you very much.

Good afternoon, mayor and city council members. My name is Melissa and I also reside in ward 4. I am here today in full support of our soccer teams and the concerns we've raised regarding access to city fields. We've been waiting for too long for a simple courtesy, a meeting. A meeting that was promised to us following up the October 7th meeting to discuss the solution of a 7th month long issue. The fact that we've only received a call this morning to schedule the meeting right before the city council session

certainly gives the impression of an attempt to discourage attendance and prevent these illegitimate concerns from being heard publicly. This isn't about politics. It's about our kids. It's about ensuring that the 90% of Santa Ana youth have a place, a safe place to practice and call home. These teams deserve priority, not inconvenience. They deserve the basic dignity and a timely meeting with the city manager to resolve this. I urge the city council to recognize the pattern of delay to ensure that the meeting that was promised is set immediately

and that the underlying issue of field access for our Santa Ana youth is resolved without further delay. Thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

Next three speakers. Pedro Magallon, Michael Valentin, Cesar Covarrubias.

Good evening Mayor, City Council members. We're here still for the same thing, but it's important. It's important you guys hear the case today that it was really hard to swallow. It hurts home, it hurts Santa Ana, it hurts a lot of kids. Maybe to the next meeting I'm going to start bringing every kid that we train so they could tell you their story. And so they could tell you exactly what they have to go through. And now they have to go to another city to practice, another city to play, and it puts more burden on the parents. We have kids, we have parents that have four, five, seven kids that we are picking up to

take them somewhere else to practice. And I know it's not perfect, and I know none of you guys are perfect, but we need to fix this. We need to come to a conclusion. I've been waiting for this meeting. They've been waiting for seven months. I've been waiting for two years for this to change. I talked to the city manager. We know immigration happened. It's a real thing and I know that that puts things back but when we don't even get a phone call to say hey listen we said we were gonna do this but can you hold? Can you wait? Can we push it? Can we do? That's That's appropriate. We understand. So please give us the courtesy.

We want to show you guys what we can do. We have, all of us have our backgrounds checked. We all have coaches license. We all have everything and I do not want to bring no more groups up here. But can you guys please just treat us with the dignity and respect that we've been coming here to treat you guys with the same dignity and the same respect. We've seen you guys out there in the public, and we don't address any other things that are only addressed here. We greet you guys, we say hi to you guys, we don't go over there and, you know, we could go to the coffee with the mayor, but we're being respectful because that's for another

thing, right? So please help us. I've been waiting. We're patiently. We're not going to stop coming. Santa and the kids deserve something better. Thank you.

Kind of get it up to my level there, I guess.

Good evening, Mayor, members of the Council. I want to begin, first I guess I should start, my name is Michael Valentine. I'm with Ward 6. I want to begin by expressing my appreciation for this council's longstanding commitment to affordable housing. Santa Ana has built a well-earned reputation for removing barriers and expanding opportunities for working families. And that's something this community should be proud of. That's why I rise tonight grievously concerned about the proposed amendment before you. While well-intentioned, I'm sure, this change would reverse the progress.

Instead of removing barriers, it would create new ones, make it harder, not easier for working families to find a place to call home. We all share the same goal, right? Transparency, accountability, fairness with public funds used to create housing. But this amendment doesn't advance that goal. It undermines it. At its core, the amendment would prevent the city from even considering support for a project until it's fully conformed with zoning and general plan, even when state laws say otherwise. And this is not a simple procedural clarification. It creates a new and unnecessary barrier for affordable housing,

undermining legislation designed to streamline the process, particularly for faith-owned and school properties that the state of California empowered under Senate Bill 4, SB 4. SB 4 was enacted to unlock school and faith-based land for affordable housing granting streamlined approval by right even when local zoning hasn't been updated it was written to help every family very very help the very families being priced out of our communities by conditioning city funding on local zoning consistency this amendment would effectively block SB 4 and create that it was created to enable and in so doing your risk putting the

the city at odds with state housing mandates. It's also fair to ask why now? For a long time you have operated with established procedures and processes that were successful, but when Habitat for Humanity was selected with a notice of intent to award for a 40 home project,

which required some rezoning, then the city reversed that notice of intent to award. and it took about a year before that was done so we've wasted a couple hundred thousand dollars in organization with this process to now amend the city's policy in a way that would preclude that very type of project risks undermining trust not just with habitat but with every nonprofit developer and faith partner that wants to help the city meet its housing goals policy should be proactive not reactive it should apply broadly not retrospectively or or retroactively, and while this proposal may appear procedural,

we will have far reaching, I'm sorry about that, okay, thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

Next speakers, Cesar Covarrubias and Victor Mendez.

Good evening, Mayor, Council Members. Cesar Covarrubias, Executive Director of the Kennedy Commission. We're here in opposition to the amendment proposed as opposed to the affordable housing funds, policies and procedures. At the very core of affordable housing and the success of the city in promoting affordable housing has been the flexibility and the partnerships that's created over many years. In many cases, being innovative and looking at developments in non-traditional areas. And this is the opportunity that we continue to have before us to be able to explore new bills

at the state level like SB 4 which allows for residential development on non-conforming sites non zoned sites for residential for that purpose now it's a recognition by the state that we have not traditionally been able to meet our affordable housing needs bless you through traditional zoning and in this case in the city today we don't have a zoning just for affordable housing we We have a zoning for multifamily or for mixed use at very high densities that traditionally favors market rate development, not affordable housing.

So I would beg that you reconsider this at this moment. It's an opportunity for us to continue to be flexible, to continue to understand that this is a pre-commitment with conditions, not only one condition, multiple conditions that would allow the city to continue to have oversight allow the city to make sure that the developer of affordable housing meets all the requirements and in this situation i would also ask the council to consider that affordable housing is different than multi-family market rate development in many cases development

of affordable housing cannot compete with market rate developers in buying the property that's already zoned you may have to resort to additional sites that may not be zoned appropriately the city has already had tremendous job in rezoning sites under the general plan specifics plans that it has in place but yet there are many more opportunities that are being recognized that are non-traditional residential developments at this point that will allow us to continue to be a leader in Orange County to produce affordable housing for our families who live in Santa Ana, remembering that about 75% of the population in Santa Ana falls into

low, very low income categories. That's what affordable housing is trying to meet. Thank you.

One second. Wow, what a difference two weeks makes. First of all, congratulations to our Los Angeles Dodgers and most of all to UCLA alumni coach Dave Roberts. He showed what Booms are all about, winners, back to back, world champions, unlike that other school across town, but we'll talk about that later.

I see my senior attorney laughing. But more congratulations please to city staff, too many to mention on a series of victories over drugs, human exploitation, transients, blights, and crime. East First Street is on the rise. It's stabilizing and we have city and everyone to thank for that. We're gonna be in a very good position to realize its full potential very soon. We're getting there. There's still work to do. So I thank you. My senior citizen residents thank you. The children of East First Street, numbering about 800, thank you. And most of all, I'm sure the residents and businesses who line First Street also thank you.

We obviously got more work to do, and we citizens have got to step up. We have to call in, we have to make our voices known. East First Street is a perfect example of what happens when you call in and make your voices known and set some expectations. We do have a responsive government here from the city council all the way down. So our citizens have gotta be engaged. We also have a very good police chief who puts a high premium on police engagement, particularly with the command staff. A commander cannot be sitting by the desk and commanding the field. He has to be in the field doing the work.

And I know our chief believes in that philosophy, and we're grateful to have him for that. As you move forward, I would encourage to look at the total cost of recovery, not just in East First Street, but across the whole city and what you've done. You know, let's look at the police, code, coat, housing, across the issues you've had encountered, the detriments of drugs, homelessness, distressed properties, and nuisances. I know you want to look at this, but let's look at the whole city, what you put into this, and I think have it in a matrix of theories and understand and actionable.

Make sure you're trying to break that down by neighborhood, that would also be helpful. Policing and enforcement will not solve the problem. Everyone in the police force knows this, so we have to look aggressively to how we're going to restart First Street. And the East First Street Rehab Project is a perfect stepping stone. It's at 90% design. It's fully funded. It's just a way to try to get, I guess, into steps with multimodal study. I would encourage to have that project started as soon as possible. There's businesses that are vacant. We need street public safety. We need better streets. We need better walkability.

This is a good curbside appeal that we can make with all the housing development going on. So please take that seriously and let's try to move forward. Very quickly on item 11, I do support it, this pulling of the sales tax. The only difficulty I have is that there's no need to ask the public if we support efficiency I'm pretty sure we do. I'd like to see focus groups in that polling as well, not just individuals, but just some focus groups to come about. And also make sure that, you know, we just try to, you know, look at the bridging, we look at ways to bridge the funding gaps. Thank you so much. Thank you. I can read. Thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

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

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

Caller whose phone number ends in 067, please dial star six from your phone or select the microphone icon to unmute and proceed with your comment.

Hi, my name is Lorena Badari and I live in Ward 4 and I am calling about item 21. I strongly feel that there needs to be adequate safeguards in place it's important that taxpayer money is spent wisely and that way we need to make sure that we have the appropriate vetting and approval for that so that's it with my comment thank you

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

very much and have a nice evening next speaker caller whose number ends in 601

Good evening everyone. My name is Tammy Frias and I am the president of Sandpoint Neighborhood Association. This is in regards to item number 21 and I'm going to keep this short, sweet and to the point. We are in full support of adding more protections and adequate safeguards in regards to affordable housing, funds, policies and procedures. These safeguards are vital for moving forward for better protection before any city or taxpayer funds are committed to. to. Once again, the Sandpoint neighborhood is in full approval of item 21 and hopefully you all will vote yes on this important agenda item as well. Thank you for your time and

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

have a good night. Mayor and City Council that concludes the public speakers that were

Alvaro NuñezItem 1

on Zoom when we began. Thank you very much, Madam Clerk. The consent calendar items two through 20 are before us. Council members 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 for further discussion, may I pro tem?

I have no.

Alvaro NuñezItem 1

Council Member Lopez. Item seven.

Alvaro NuñezItem 1

Council Member Panalosa.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

No items to pull.

Alvaro NuñezItem 1

Council Member Phan.

Thai Viet PhanItem 1

I'd just like to recuse myself from item number nine, as All-American Asphalt is a client of my employer, Rattan and Tucker, and if it is pulled, I will leave the room for discussion. Thank you. Thank you.

Alvaro NuñezItem 1

Council Member Becerra.

Phil BacerraItem 1

None to pull.

Alvaro NuñezItem 1

Council Member Hernandez. None. And I will also pull item seven, which Council Member Lope has already pulled. This time I'll make a motion for the remaining calendar items. So moved. Second. That's prepared to vote.

Alvaro NuñezItem 1

You can do a roll call, Madam Clerk, if you need to. It's okay.

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

We have it all here. The vote is 7 ayes, no nays. Motion carries to approve Consent Calendar Items 2-20 with the exception of Item 7 pulled for separate consideration and discussion and a noted recusal by Councilmember Fan on Item 9. Motion carries. Thank you.

Alvaro NuñezItem 2

If Jacqueline Jimenez is here for the Community Development Commission, Karen Rodriguez for the Rental Housing Board and Joseph Acevedo for the Personnel Board, can you come forward please? Thank you.

I, Joseph S. Luria, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of California, against the war in the United States, the war in the United States, and the very true faith of the United States.

Thank you.

Alvaro NuñezItem 2

I think Councillor Hernandez wants to join. It's his commissioner.

Alvaro NuñezItem 2

Councillor member Fan was just hogging everything.

Congratulations.

Alvaro NuñezItem 2

Congratulations.

Alvaro NuñezItem 2

Madam Clerk, first item is item 7. Yes. So I pulled that item as well as Councilmember Lopez. The only issue I'm going to bring up with the calendar is on December, if the Council we can vote on it, I'd like to. We don't have three meetings. We only have one in November, one in December. So this year of 26, there will be an election, so I'd like to recommend that we cancel the first meeting in December, which is December 1st. We go to December 8th for a swearing in for whoever wins the election. And then we have December 15th.

Alvaro NuñezItem 3

That's all I wanted to ask for those changes on the calendar. Council Member Lopez?

Jessie LopezItem 3

Thank you, Mayor. I was going to ask for the same change to be consistent with this year. this year we only have one meeting in December but I understand the special meeting obviously it only happens every other couple years two years city manager and I also wanted to propose taking off the first meeting in September so it will be up to this body to decide if they would like to take off

Alvaro NuñezItem 3

September and accept so you want to take September 1st off just have one on the 15th yeah i think that's getting nice yeah summer break for everybody i'll support you with that as well and then the 8th and the 15th of december any comments or can we vote any other meetings no i don't see any other meetings i think we're good mayor the only question i would ask is

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

obviously the the fiestas patria celebrations will go they're not on the 15th right so it's that either the weekend before or after okay never mind 12th and the 13th yeah all right

Alvaro NuñezItem 3

It's Saturday and Sunday.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

I'm okay with those changes.

Alvaro NuñezItem 3

Okay, let's prepare to vote, please. So what we're going to do, Madam Clerk and the city manager, is we're going to delete the September 1st meeting, only have September 15th. Council Member Lopez, correct? Correct. And then we're going to remove the December 1st meeting and only have the special meeting on December 8th, and then a city council meeting, a regular one, on December 15th. Correct. Let's prepare to vote.

Jennifer L. HallItem 3

I have a motion and a second, please. Motion? I'll make the motion.

Alvaro NuñezItem 3

I'll second.

Jennifer L. HallItem 3

Motion by Mayor Mesquita, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to approve the 2026 City Council meeting schedule as presented with cancellations of the January 6th, August 18th, November 3rd meetings as well as the newly canceled meeting on September 1st and December 1st.

Jennifer L. HallItem 3

Council Member Penalosa. Yes. Council Member Hernandez. Council Member Hernandez, can you vote, please?

Yes. Okay.

Jennifer L. HallItem 3

Thank you. The vote is 7 ayes, no nays. Motion carries. Thank you. Abended. Okay.

Alvaro NuñezItem 3

calendar is adopted mr city manager you have those dates correct perfect thank you thank you madam clerk okay at this time we're going to go to the business calendar item number 21.

Jennifer L. HallItem 3

defer to the city manager mr city manager

Well, you have the staff report before your review, so just here for questions. Mike, I want to make a quick presentation, Secretary Director of Community Development, and why the need for this. So the item before the City Council and Mayor tonight is to provide the opportunity to make make a decision on a change to policy of the section four of the affordable housing funds policies and procedures that would keep projects consistent with the general plan

and the zoning and give authority to the executive director of planning and building to make the determination on projects that they be consistent with the general plan

Alvaro NuñezItem 3

and land use element and zoning code. Thank you Mr. Garcia. Before we start I have a question. Madam City Attorney if you can answer a question for me. What's the problem here? I'm wondering why this item is here. Can you explain please? As I understand from speaking to staff the question

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 3

is just merely a policy question for the City Council to address. The City Council adopted adopted this policy, it's in your packet. First page notes that it was adopted in 2017. On page 19 of the policy, it directs, it has information about the pre-loan commitments. I think the question for the city council is, the policy currently says that the city staff may issue these pre-commitment letters. And I think what staff is asking is for clarity and your support that the pre-commitment letters would only be issued if there is a finding

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 3

and has a finding by whom that the proposed project is consistent with the city's general plan, land use element and zoning classification. So that is the proposal from staff to address that issue. And I think it's because the current policy is discretionary, it says may, and they just want clarity from the city council on whether you agree that pre-commitment letters should only be issued when there's consistency with existing law that law being the zoning code and the general plan thank you madam city attorney any

Alvaro NuñezItem 3

comments by council members please raise your mic I don't see any thank you

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 3

madam mayor I want to thank all members of the public who have reached out to our city sharing their their concerns with this item I'd also like to thank I think the Habitat for Humanity organization who has done tremendous work in our city, they've been a fantastic partner, and they've made housing accessible to people who are in need in our city. And to them, I'd like to say thank you for being here as well. Your comments are taken into account. We received a number of emails as well from organizations that I admire and respect, and my stance on this item is that I would like our city to be consistent in keeping what we have

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 3

on file as it is. I wouldn't like to see any changes made. And so, you know, given that this is an item that could potentially deter affordable housing from coming to our city, I'm not gonna be supportive of any amendments or changes. So I will place a motion on the floor to keep our housing, affordable housing policies as is. Thank you.

Alvaro NuñezItem 3

Councillor Becerra. Mayor Paterson. Mayor Paterson.

Phil BacerraItem 3

Thank you, Madam Mayor. I will not be supporting that motion. You know, the staff report inside of it says, the proposed revisions aim to ensure that funding decisions occur only if the project is consistent with the general plan zoning and other SAMC provisions, thereby avoiding the appearance that project outcomes are predetermined and strengthening the transparency and integrity of the city's review and decision-making process. And I couldn't agree more. All of us have supported affordable housing projects funded with city funds, but the projects

Phil BacerraItem 3

that have been brought to us were also already consistent with the general plan and zoning designations and even state laws. So I have some questions for staff. Director Garcia, maybe it should be you. When we approved funding for Habitat for Humanity's project over on 425 East Wellington, did that project ever need to obtain a general plan amendment or a zone change? It did not. Okay. So you would say that that project was done by right? That's correct. Okay. So any commitment of funding by the city for a by right project is for a fixed amount of units? Like there's no movement. The zoning is what it is. They apply for it.

Phil BacerraItem 3

There's no back and forth with staff or counter staff as far as how many units would be built on the site.

That's correct.

Phil BacerraItem 3

Okay. Thank you for that. So if a project were able to utilize state housing laws that would allow the project to bypass our city's existing zoning laws, would staff's proposal before us tonight allow the executive director of planning to issue a determination to draft a pre-commitment letter for the council to consider?

Yeah, only if it's consistent with the existing general plan, land use element, and zoning.

Phil BacerraItem 3

But in other words, so state law though says sometimes that, you know, zoning might be X, but the state law will say we can bypass, the applicant can bypass it.

Yeah, we would have to be consistent with the state law.

Phil BacerraItem 3

Right. So it would not preclude the director of planning from issuing a pre-commitment loan letter, correct? That's correct. Okay. I just want to make sure because we heard something to the contrary from some of the speakers tonight. So the proposed project though that you referenced in your staff report on for this staff report by Habitat for Humanity on Alton referenced that it would require at least a general plan amendment and the zone change is that correct? That's correct. So that would make it different from 425 East Wellington? Yes. And so that means that project would not be by right? That's

Phil BacerraItem 3

right. Right okay thank you and so the approval of those entitlements are considered quasi or discretionary actions and quasi judicial actions in other words the City Council is supposed to hold fair and impartial public hearings so that those who support and or oppose a proposed discretionary actions such as a general plan amendment or a zone change can express their positions to this council and receive fair and impartial deliberations and fair and impartial decisions so when the council votes to give money to a proposed project and then nine months later hold a hearing regarding our proposed

Phil BacerraItem 3

discretionary action like a general plan amendment or a zone change, how can our community feel that the council is going to be fair and impartial when the council has already voted to support the project with funding? That is the complete opposite of fair and impartial. It also opens up our city to legal challenges. Now today I've spoke with numerous land use attorneys about this issue and not one of them told me that they couldn't mount a very likely successful challenge on the grounds of being denied due process as well as other items. So what I would like to say is that we all need to show that we want

Phil BacerraItem 3

to be ethical and transparent, then we want to make sure that we take as many potential conflicts out of the way. So I'm actually going to make a substitute motion. I'm going to ask that we approve staff's recommendation, but what I'm going to ask that we also do is that we strike the words based on the proposed projects land use, maximum proposed FAR, and maximum proposed dwelling units per per acre at the end of the section. And I would also like to add the words, and has received the necessary approvals for all entitlements that require discretionary action from the Planning Commission and or the City Council

Phil BacerraItem 7

after the first underlined section, so that it would read, following the RFP process, proposal review, determination of reasonable costs and financial feasibility, and the proposed project has received a determination from the Executive Director of the Planning and Building Agency that the proposed project is consistent with the city's general plan land use element and zoning classification and has received the necessary approvals for all entitlements that require discretionary action from the Planning Commission and or the City Council. It must be clear to the community whether it's those that advocate for affordable

Phil BacerraItem 7

housing or those that have a different opinion it should be clear that this council is coming in with a fair and impartial mind or else frankly we could be disqualified from making any decisions on those discretionary actions. So that's my substitute motion.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Thank you. Council Member Fann.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Thank you, Mayor. Madam City Attorney, I do have a question for you.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Is there, or has our process been illegal as far as you know?

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 7

Our process, our current process as written has not been illegal.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Are there other cities that you work with that have pre-commitment letters like this?

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 7

I think pre-commitment letters are very typical in this industry. I have seen other cities provide them.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Thank you. When there is a public hearing regarding general plan amendments or land use, it is required that the decision-making body be impartial. Is that correct? Yes. And regarding the pre-commitment letters, and I don't know if it's Mr. City Manager manager or city attorney, it's my understanding that the pre-commitment letters do not obligate the city to provide such funds. Is that correct?

Yeah, the pre-commitment letters, Councilmember, have been drafted in such a way that there is still a full commitment process at the end after, like, a general plan amendment or a zone change.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Sorry, I'm not sure I understand that. that. When we approve a pre-commitment letter with affordable housing funds, it does not say that just because we have this pre-commitment letter that the city must give you that money whether or not you receive land use approvals. Is that correct?

It does not say that, no.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Thank you. So to clarify, some of the members of the public did say that the city is making a commitment where we're spending taxpayer dollars before knowing what a project looks looks like that is not true. The pre-commitment letter, as far as I understand it, and staff, please correct me if I'm wrong, merely gives affordable housing developers an opportunity to bring together sources of funding in order to pursue additional funding for their funding stack. Because it's my understanding that most affordable housing projects don't have typically large market rate developers

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

developers making 30% off the top on rent, is that correct?

Yes.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Thank you.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Question, how long does it take for a general plan or land use, general plan amendment or zoning, rezoning, typically, let's say? Let's say for La Placita Cinco, what else, or Casa Garencia and Archways, do you know how long those took? I believe those all had general plan amendments.

Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember. The average time frame for a general plan amendment and zone change in this city is nine to 18 months.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Okay, and typically how much does that cost?

For the applicant, it's upwards of about, depending on Project Square footage, usually $100,000 in application fees, plus their costs in retaining professional services of an architect, as well as the CEQA consultant to draft either a mitigated negative declaration or an environmental impact report, depending on the environmental analysis of the project.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Great, thank you. Director Przesek-Krapura, actually, I think if you can come back up. Thank you. Do we know of any affordable housing units in the city that are high density mixed use for sale units at all? Or maybe it might be Director Garcia.

I can consult a list.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

But nothing off the top of your head.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Is Estrella Springs a mixed use project?

Estrella Springs was a mixed use conversion in a zone that already allowed housing, the harbor specific plan.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

So it was converted, it was not a totally new build. Correct. Okay.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Thank you for that. I just wanted some clarification because one of the things that was interesting to me is that this project, or what's stated in the staff report, is actually lower density than what is being required in that zone, correct? I think it mentions the Habitat for Humanity. I think there was like a... Some of the residents mentioned, I think it was an Anton project or Habitat for Humanity project. Excuse me, Alt-It, not Anton.

on thank you the Alton project uh council member is um L1 and it's uh um low density seven units of the acre and they're going uh towards town home development which would be a higher density

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

okay and zoning okay so that's really helpful for me uh just to understand you know what kind of what we're looking at um madam city attorney thank you so much fellas madam city attorney When it comes to this type of pre-commitment letter, well, I guess it's not really a question. Well, I would like to see if can we add language to the existing pre-commitment letter that reiterates that we follow the law, which is that the pre-commitment letter does not obligate the city to pay funds to a developer who has not received land use entitlements.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

And that, I'm seeing like head shaking.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 7

We can do that? Yeah, I was asking, I was kind of reading your mind a little bit. I was asking staff, do our letters already do that?

So we have that. And I think that's the key, Councilmember, right? So this is one of the reasons why we brought this up. So we have that currently. And so the question is, and there's the examples that were given with Habitat for Humanity, the Wellington project mentioned from Councillor Becerra and then the one in Alton, right? So applying this policy, right? So we look at Wellington. We apply the policy, yes. It said, does it comply with our current SAMC language aspect? Yes. Does it comply with our general plan perspective, which is another policy approved by City Council? Yes.

And so we provide the pre-committal letter on alignment. Now, the Alton property is an example, right? So your private policy, yes. Is it in conflict with the current SAMC? It is. Is it in conflict with the general plan? It is. So we don't provide the pre-commandment letter. And I think that's the discussion we're having. So in the end, right, and so does the two sentence disclaimer makes it legal? And that's the question then as a policy call for the council members. We just want to make sure that the discussion is in public so that we don't get this sense

of discussion that seems to be happening where we have a city council approved policy that contradicts the municipal code.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Right. And I guess what I'm trying to say or I'm trying to understand is that the letter does not in fact conflict with the municipal code because it specifically states that we do not make prejudgments regarding any public hearing items. And if we do, that would be a big problem for the city. The follow-up question might be for Director Pradesh Kapoor is, when it comes to land use entitlements, do developers indemnify the city when there are lawsuits relating to such land use entitlements?

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

And if there isn't, I'd be very surprised that there isn't because every city I work with has them.

Yes. Thank you, Ali. Yes. If a project requires a resolution for a general plan amendment or an ordinance for a zone change then there's identification language that's standard to all ordinances and resolutions that are brought before commissions and council.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

What about applications? Do we have that language in our applications?

No.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

We should. But that's really helpful because we're up here concerned that members of the public might sue the city because they might feel that there is an appearance of impropriety because these pre-commissioned commitment letters which specifically says the city is not obligated to provide such funds should a project not be entitled is incorrect because the city is not obligated to do anything. The city is going to hold public hearings as required by law. On top of that, when it comes to these types of letters or lawsuits, the city is indemnified by the developer.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

So, if the developer is getting some type of weird loophole or there's a hearing that's improper, the developer is going to indemnify the city. So, it feels to me a little bit like this is a solution looking for a problem. I think that if there are concerns between land uses and affordable housing, I'm pretty sure this council voted unanimously to support affordable housing, specifically for sale affordable housing. Yes, we also supported the general plan, and that's why if there's a project that requires a general plan amendment, it comes back before this council. So I will not be supporting any amendments to our existing policy.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

I think that we have to continue to support affordable housing in this city wherever we can, and if we need to make it even clearer to members of the public that the pre-commitment letter does not obligate our funding, then we should add additional language to clarify that. Thank you.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 7

So I would, I guess, move to deny this item.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Thank you. There's a motion on the floor.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

There's a motion, we haven't got one yet. Oh, then I'll second the motion. Okay, so I just have a question, Mr. City Manager. Great comments by everybody. So I was not here when this was voted on. This was voted 2018, 2020, but I do support affordable housing, but it seems like there's just like a practice in place. Is that correct?

That is correct.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Okay, so, and thank you for answering my questions, you and Deputy City Manager earlier. So, and Madam City Attorney, I know we talked about this as well. So, I guess my only question is, is this a conflict with the Senate and MC? Madam City Attorney or Mr. City Manager?

I think that's the policy we're having, right?

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

That's right.

And this is the point. This is why we brought it up again. So, if it's a reaffirmation to maintain the policy, then that's what staff follows. So, and that's the key question that at least from us, from this regulatory framework that we work for is very simple, right? That's the pre-commitment letter, a sense of promissory saying, hey, we promised $10 million on this project, but only if you finish the entire one process. And because we have two sentences that say, this is not, this is what you call pre-commitment but not a promise of approval until you finish the process.

And so for us, I think it's important that we highlight the fact that it might not get approved because it is in direct conflict with the language component, Chapter 41. And we know that at least with the SCMC, there's a clear section and this is Chapter 1, and I forget the section, city attorney. Any violation of this code, unless otherwise mentioned, it's a misdemeanor. So why are we bringing it up? To make sure that we're aware of what we're trying to highlight, what we're trying to illustrate. And this is the will of the majority of the city council, this is what city staff will do.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 7

And Mayor, if I may just add one thing to that, because I think there was a comment made by one of the speakers today, which I think illustrates why this is before you. So people are coming forward and saying, well, a pre-commitment letter really isn't anything, it's just a pre-commitment letter. We're not promising anything. anything. But when these developers come to the city and they've gone through a process and they get that pre-commitment letter, as one of the speakers said this evening, we worked on this for over a year. There is an expectation by these folks that this pre-commitment letter means something.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 7

And I think that's what we are trying to address. The current policy, which I'd really like to remind everyone because it's important, it says that the housing department may release these letters. They don't have to. The City Council, when they adopt this policy, gave your professional staff the right to exercise their professional judgment and to do their job. But the reason we're here is because there has been considerable pushback saying that our professional staff, it is their opinion that these letters should be consistent. And the policy doesn't say that, but it is their professional opinion.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 7

And yet still, you gave them absolute discretion. your city charter says that your city manager is in charge of all staff, and yet, even after your staff acted in complete compliance with your policy, someone spoke tonight saying, well, we're still having nine months, ten months, a year of controversy over. So I think the reason this is before you is to get this city council on record. Are you going to defer to your professional staff and give them the discretion that your policy gave them? Yes or no? And if you are going to do that, then let's be even more clear as to what some of their

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 7

parameters should be when they are using that discretion to give a letter or not.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Is that helpful? Yeah, no, thank you, Madam City Attorney. I appreciate it. And again, I wasn't here when this was voted on initially. And those are some of my questions. I support affordable housing and Santa Ana has done a phenomenal job with affordable housing. I don't know if the rate, the percentage has gone up. I'm just gonna tell you, we're at 2,400%, or what are we at now?

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

76%, this year alone or overall? The past three years. Okay, so we've met and exceeded affordable housing. So I think all of us up here can agree we support affordable housing. But I was concerned about this item because, you know, here I am reading that it's a violation of the Santa Ana, right, it's a violation of the code. But yet prior practice, who are sitting up here in 2018, 2020 made these decisions. And you're right, Madam City Attorney, this is a city manager run city. And the city manager, the city attorney, the city clerk work for the council. I understand that.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

But the city manager, you should be able to make these decisions and trust staff. We should be able to do that up here. And so that's why during my agenda review, I was like, why is this item before us when it should just be handled by staff? And I guess there was some questions about that. So, you know, I'm going to wait to decide whether I support it or not. My concern is, Mr. City Manager, you mentioned it, I mean, we as the policymakers, we can't just arbitrarily pull things out of our pocket and say, well, I like this, so we're going to do it this way. What is our SEMC?

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

said what are we supposed to be doing by law right madam city attorney by law what are we doing and if we've given authorization for mr garcia to write these letters then that's what he does it's his job um so i'm still wondering like i don't again this item on the agenda it just i feel like it shouldn't have been here it should have been your decision as a city manager working with your staff so i know there's other council members who want to speak so i just want to be clear that's why I asked the question is this a conflict with the SIMC?

Cool. Any application so so um Council Member Phan said it correctly so any entitlement process is permitted right that that's the key and so as uh Madam City Attorney mentioned, right, we have, there's an expectation out there whether you're supportive of a project or not, right? One of the speakers said it. We were working on it nine months and then we were surprised and we weren't consistent. Well, no, the policy does allow us to make certain calls, right? And in this situation, as an example, generally speaking, so not

not getting into an illegal, you know, swamp here. You know, we said, okay, and that's where we made those two examples. Again, Wellington.

Policy review, check. With consistent with the land use, chapter 41, check. General plan expectation, another city council approved policy, check. Pre-comment letter, let's be supportive, right. In the other example, right, apply the policy, check good project, check. Maybe inconsistent now with the SAMC, inconsistent with the general plan. So therefore, you know, staff decided we don't support the pre-commitment at this point. And so that's the key. And so for us and from staff direction, right, is that we make sure that a city approved policy is at least being discussed in this level

so that there's no misunderstanding of what the policy means. So that we as a staff understand the clear direction. We did follow policy, right? So what we don't want is this misunderstanding or misinterpretation out that somehow our actions were in conflict with the city council approved policy.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

But is this inconsistent with the code?

The policy, it depends on the situation, right? And this is the two examples that I'm providing. It could be, it could not. Now does that necessarily mean that a project, right, could still go through the entitlement process and change, ask for a variance, change the general plan? That's for this body, right, and the planning commission. So there is a process for that. We just want to make sure that we're consistent with the understanding and interpretation of the policy as we see it. And we want to make sure we get the reaffirmation, if you will, if it stays the same, or at least

so you understand what our two parameters would be where we may not be supportive.

Jessie LopezItem 7

Thank you. Councilman Lopez? Thank you, Mayor. Well, first I just want to say that I agree with the Mayor that this is not something that be before us tonight because this is policy that a council prior to me right put in place but that there has been no issue with and you're kind of alluding to this I think or you are speaking to this that it depends until discretion has laid with our staff and so we have been dependent on our staff to use that discretion when is necessary and I also want to thank Councilwoman Fan she She asked a lot of great questions that I had,

Jessie LopezItem 7

but I wanna know, I guess I just wanna provide a little bit of context to you city manager, to your entire team. And I hope that this is really the last time that I have to do this, because you know that affordable housing is a priority of my office and not just my office, but I'm not gonna tolerate any attacks on affordable housing. And I think that that is imperative for everybody in this chamber to hear and for the public to hear. We are in a housing crisis. You know, somebody that works two jobs, like myself, can't necessarily afford a million dollar down payment for a home or whatnot. Even with the home ownership opportunities

Jessie LopezItem 7

that we have created in the city, we often hear how difficult it is for our own constituents to apply for those home ownership opportunities. And so when we're talking about affordable home ownership, it is one of the most prideful moments that I get to speak to members of the public that all seven members of this council are in support of. And so I want to make sure that everybody is on the same page when we're talking about affordable home ownership opportunities, the opportunities that thousands of our constituents are looking for in this very moment to be able to sustain themselves and generations to come,

Jessie LopezItem 7

which I think is so imperative because of the crisis that we find ourselves in. And so our current policy already requires a full RFP process, a financial feasibility review, legal review, and multiple levels of approval before any pre-commitment letter is issued. And I also invite staff to correct me if I am saying something that is incorrect, something that is not in line with the policy, I will always welcome that feedback. The current policy already makes any pre-commitment of funds conditional, right, which we've discussed

Jessie LopezItem 7

at length, meaning that no predetermination of land use decisions or approvals is implied. And so the safeguard that this amendment claims to add is, to me, seems like it's already there, right? And so I guess to the point of the Councilwoman, there's no policy gap that I see here that we need to fix. And so the system that we already have seems like it already protects transparency, neutrality because of the process and due process. And so I don't see the benefit of adding a new hurdle

Jessie LopezItem 7

requiring land use consistency before even issuing a conditional funding letter. I believe that it would make it so much harder for affordable housing developers to secure state and federal funding. I believe that it would extend the timeline of our business partners to conduct business with the city. I believe that it would make achieving one of our goals something that our residents tell us every year during the budget process that they want more housing in the city almost unattainable at this level.

Jessie LopezItem 7

And so I'm not going to be in the business of making it harder for our business partners to conduct business with the city because what is the narrative that we are all actively here fighting against? against, even with our own constituents, right, that we are a pro-business council, that we are a pro, that we are a city that is open and wants to conduct business. And so the more hurdles that we implement, that makes it much harder for everybody to do their jobs and to meet the demand that exists in our community. Again, we've talked a little bit about this. State housing laws require cities to move barriers to housing, production.

Jessie LopezItem 7

reduction. And I think it's really important for us to recognize that when we're talking about workforce housing, affordable housing, I've said this many times, other people on this side have said it many times, it's about the stability that it gives our families. It's about the dignity of our residents. It's about us being fully committed to making sure that not one more person enters the homelessness pipeline, that we're investing thousands of of dollars every single day to combat in the city. And so I think that our current policy works. I actually applaud the previous council, the 27th council,

Jessie LopezItem 7

that helped implement this, that helped bring this forward. I think that our policy already protects the city. It preserves transparency. And it allows us to compete, which is so imperative. And I think the councilman also asked us, right, what other city is doing this? I personally don't know of any other city that is making it this much more difficult. And so I don't want to be the only city that sets this very, very, what I think could be a very dangerous precedent. And so I want to know if staff can identify a single instance in which our current pre-commitment policy created a legal procedural or perception issue for the city.

So I think this process on this issue, right, is the one that raised the question, Councilmember. And so let me be very descriptive though, and more to your point. You're the policymakers and you direct the policy, but let me be clear about this too. Me, Alvaro Nunez, as your city manager, does not oppose affordable housing, right? there's no administrative component at least from my perspective for my staff undermining any policy direction from city council members especially when it comes to the lowest affordable housing

components we are very supportive right we often mention publicly in private my unconventional aspects to this position but i don't forget where i came from right my mom still lives in that same LOW INCOME HOUSE NO LONGER USED AS THE TERM. SO IT DOESN'T GET LOST ON ME. SO I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD HIGHLIGHT AND BE VERY CRITICAL AT LEAST TODAY. THERE'S NO OPPOSITION FROM THIS CITY MANAGER OR THIS CITY MANAGER'S ADMINISTRATIVE COMPONENTS TO UNDERMINE ANY AFFORDABLE HOUSING POLICIES OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, PERIOD. SECOND, THE QUESTION WE CAME BEFORE HERE IS TO MAKE SURE

THAT THE POLICY IS UNDERSTOOD AND LIKE YOU INDICATED, IF If there is no miscommunication, I'm only bringing this up because we were often asked, why were certain properties, the certain policies, and is the Altam project, how would it, why would they not get a pre-commitment letter? We mentioned this why, because we felt in this case, it did not meet the general plan or the municipal code. But if the direction is that this city policy is an automatic component, which was trying, this is the whole point of this discussion, and it reaffirms this, the policy, then we acted correctly within the policy. That's the key.

We just want to make sure we provide a public explanation why we took this position on the property and actions on Alton Street.

Jessie LopezItem 7

Got it. Thank you. So I just want to ask, because there was comments made about fairness and us being impartial, and there's so much conversation about the Alton project. And so with this policy, with this request, were you hoping that it would be implemented to specifically affect the Alton project?

No, it's to clarify the position that, you know, it's one of the reasons something would happen. You heard it from the speakers, right? At least two out of three speakers alluded to this fact of expectation going through the approval process and what this meant. And so for us, that was the key. AND SO DOES THAT MAKE THE DETERMINATION OR WE JUST CLARIFY THE POLICY, NOPE, YOU APPLY FOR A PRECOMMITMENT, WE WILL GIVE YOU THE PRECOMMITMENT AND WE GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS AND IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WHERE THE PROVE DOESN'T GET APPROVED BECAUSE AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED HERE, THERE IS A DISCLAIMER WITHIN THE PRECOMMITMENT LETTERS.

YOU MUST COMPLETE THE PROCESS, YOU MUST GET THE ENTIRE ASPECT. THIS IS THE POSITION WE ARE TAKING AT LEAST IN TWO ITEMS TO INCLUDE TRANSPARENCY, THAT IS THE KEY. If it doesn't get the majority approval of the city council, we respect that. We just want to be clear.

Jessie LopezItem 7

Thank you. I appreciate that. And I appreciate you sharing part of your story with us as well. I think it's important for the public to hear that. I think it is important for members of this body to also be reminded of your background as well. And I do want to thank the public that were asked to come here and speak on this. I want to thank the public that just naturally gravitated to this. But I wholeheartedly support early support for these affordable housing projects. And I will not be supporting the recommended item tonight. Thank you.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Mayor Pro Tem.

Benjamin VazquezItem 7

Thank you. Thank you, City Manager, for saying you are not anti-affordable housing. That's great to hear. I don't want to give up, ever give up any of my power as a policymaker. I have certain policies that I need in affordable housing, and families come first. This will limit the affordable housing built in Santana. It will cause hurdles for nonprofit developers to be able to build in our city. This, in fact, is anti-family. This is anti-family at a time where our families are going hungry, where there's three to four families in a house.

Benjamin VazquezItem 7

People are living in garages. There's a reason we have a houseless issue. It's because when one of your family members has a bad month and has nowhere to live, they can't go to their sister's house anymore because their sister rented out the extra room, the garage, and the sofa. There is nowhere for our families to go, so they end up in the streets. We have to understand the time that we are. We cannot be bureaucratic about things. We're up here as policymakers to make sure we support our families. And in this time, we have to go no against this issue.

Benjamin VazquezItem 7

We have to be the policymakers and not allow management to decide this does not match and that does not match, so I can't give you the letter. No, we need housing. We're in a housing crisis. Thank God we have a diet full of people. there for affordable housing and we've built so much but we're behind in affordable housing 30 years just because of how the way our families live because a one bedroom is 2200 dollars in on walnut not my name not where i live but like down the street the next block over

Benjamin VazquezItem 7

behind el toro 2200 on townsend 2200 on bishop for a one bedroom where two families live So we have built so much, and thank God we've built so much affordable housing, but there's still a big need. There is a huge need for our families, so I will not be supporting this. Thank you.

Mayor, go ahead.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

I'm sorry.

Mayor Pro Tempore, and I think you... I'm supportive of your language, I'm supportive of what you said, but that's the key, right? You just mentioned what the issue is with this policy. Right, it's not so much that the policy does allow for administrative review and making some level of determination. If your indication is, as you mentioned, then that I'm not gonna support staff, right, management, putting in barriers as you described, then this policy should be clarified to say that if there's an application for a pre-commitment, it should just be provided.

So that we don't have this level of discussion, right? And then if they go through the entitlement process and that's the way, that's the key. You highlighted what the concerns are, Mayor Patel. With all due respect, what's the signal to staff if that's the case? If it's an automatic approval, we can do that. This is what this meeting is for. This is what the clarification is for. We're very supportive of what the majority of the city council wants to do so that staff can make it a little bit easier and so we understand what our parameters are.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Thank you, Mr. City Manager. I just have a question, Mayor Pro Tem, and it's all with respect because I'm a little confused. You said this is anti-family. Can you explain that a little bit?

Benjamin VazquezItem 7

I'm being totally serious. It's going to slow down the building of affordable housing in Santa Ana that we're very much in need of. As I said, there's four families. When I walk and knock on doors, and people pull me over there, and I know somebody, they're like, we're living here with our parents. And we're in the garage, but they're also running out this other room. And the family, and the house across the street has three families, and that house has two families, and that house has four families. And I've seen that in Headinger Park, and in Piccolo, and other neighborhoods in my ward.

Benjamin VazquezItem 7

It's just, my neighbors are living like this. My students are living like this. So when we slow down of the potential affordable housing, even to buying, that's why I say it's anti-family. I wanna make sure our families have a safe, having a safe place is a single family, not having to rent out to a stranger, to a strange man that they don't know, and them being able to afford a house. Or they could be safe alone in their house, and that's why I say it's anti-family.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

No, thank you. I appreciate your explanation. And I agree with you. We are the policymakers. And so, and I think with a lot of things, most things that are brought before us, we are the policymakers. And there are some times that items come before us that people want to take that away from us. And so, you know, there's a meeting we'll be having soon that, you know, the commission, its committee wants to take away the power from the Council and have more than we do. So I'm glad to hear you say that we're the policymakers and that we're the ones that are going to be making decisions so um mr city manager um i you know

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

i also appreciate your comments about where you come from and i i would hope that i think we all up here um remember where we come from some of us have different walks in life and um you know like myself i grew up on government assistance i'm not a princess i grew up um on government assistance and with a lot of people sleeping in one room with five people, so I understand it very clearly when Mayor Pro Tem talks about, you know, wanting our families to have a place. So Santa Ana, and again, in my opinion, I support affordable housing, and I'm very proud of the work that has been done

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

in this city, so I just wanna be clear about that as well, because I know somebody mentioned that up here, I think everybody on this diet is supportive of it. Council Member Becerra, can you, you. I think and Councilmember Fan you're the last ones here. I don't see any other. Great. I actually

Phil BacerraItem 7

have a question for Mayor Pro Tem. So I'm not really satisfied with the answer you had to the Mayor's question. So I don't think when I've read this there's not one part of me that thought that this was anti-affordable housing. There's not one part of me that thought that this would somehow stifle affordable housing. I would like to know from your perspective not just because there are people in this community that are impacted i want to know how you believe this policy will somehow stifle housing because you said it very proudly you said very strongly so

Phil BacerraItem 7

i imagine with all that passion you must have an answer as to how this will stifle affordable housing so i'd love to hear it for nonprofits that rely on matching funds from state or federal

Benjamin VazquezItem 7

and they don't have a letter that might stop them from going forward there will be inequity and them to be able to compete in certain projects with for-profit, so they're going to be slower.

Phil BacerraItem 7

But this doesn't say we're not giving letters. All this is saying is, let's just confirm that it doesn't put the council, and I know some people say up here that, well, if there's a disclaimer that says we don't necessarily have to do something, how many people come to the podium and say, well, if a certain organization gives your campaign money you obviously are going to do what they ask right that's you no no no no that that would be folks coming to you and saying that but my mom

Phil BacerraItem 7

really but my point being is there's the expectation there's the expectation and i appreciate the city attorney saying that when we say that we're going to pre-commit because the council votes on it right staff drafts it council votes on it but again you say that we're we're going to stifle it by just asking them, asking staff to confirm so that we don't get put in a position where we're going to tell the community, oh yeah, I pinky swear, we're going to be really fair and impartial, but we've taken a public vote in support of a project. It's not that we're anti-affordable housing.

Phil BacerraItem 7

I just think it's when you're talking about a quasi-judicial action, you say bureaucratic, I say fairness. I think people should have the expectation that when they come to that podium, that they They don't come up to seven people who have already made up their minds. Now maybe after we hear some things, the way the process is supposed to work, Mayor Pro Temp, is that when people come up and testify, it may change our minds. They may give us some information, some insight that makes us go, huh, I know I came in thinking one way, but I may want to change my mind. That's what's supposed to happen. That's the democratic process.

Phil BacerraItem 7

But when we take a public vote and say we're committing to something, that gets blown out out of the water. So I don't see how it stifles anybody. I think, again, it's not bureaucratic, it's fairness. So none of us up here, I heard some very passionate pleas about how we're, you know, we're not going to stifle affordable housing. Nobody up here said they were going to. Again, I appreciate that staff brought this forward. I didn't ask for this to come forward, to be clear. I'm sorry, what was the eye roll for? Why don't you elaborate on that?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 7

There's a motion on the floor?

Phil BacerraItem 7

THERE IS.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 7

POINT OF ORDER, MAYOR, CAN WE END THE DISCUSSION AND CALL THE QUESTION?

Phil BacerraItem 7

WHY ARE YOU CUTTING ME OFF? I WANT TO SEE. IF HE'S ROLLING HIS EYES, I

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

WANT TO HEAR WHY. IT'S OKAY. WE'RE GOOD. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON. SO TALK ABOUT STIFLING.

Phil BacerraItem 7

HERE WE GO.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

I'M NOT STIFLING YOU. WE'VE ALL HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE COUNCILMEMBER FOUND IS GOING TO CLOSE IT OUT AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A VOTE. AND I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT MR. CITY MANAGER, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. I know I specifically asked you, why is this here? Just do it. You're the city manager. It's a city manager-run city. Yes, you work for us, but it is a city manager-run city, and I'd like to remind people of that. So, Council Member Fann, if you could take it home, please.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Thank you, Mayor. Mr. City Manager or Director Pradesh Kapoor, maybe you can clarify to me. Has there ever been an instance in which a project comes before the Planning Commission and staff does not recommend approval in your experience?

That's an easy one. Yes. Not always staff. They don't always come to the Planning Commission with staff recommendation for approval.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Right. So if an affordable housing project that receives a pre-commitment letter comes before the the Planning Commission, but city staff, particularly in planning and building, says, you know, this doesn't meet our general plan in zoning. We do not support this project and we recommend denial. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?

Correct.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

And in fact, in some cases, when there is a quasi-judicial hearing, public hearing, sometimes city staff is advocating for something opposite of what the developer might be advocating for. Is that correct?

It does happen.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Thank you.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

I guess I want to clarify a couple of things, at least to my perspective regarding a pre-commitment letter. It's not saying we are going to support this project. It is saying that we want to give an opportunity to an affordable housing developer to go forth and obtain funding for their funding stack to do the environmental review, to do the land use applications to do the project design and bring it back to us we're saying we want to support developers with the opportunity to go and present us with a high quality affordable housing project

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

and if it comes back to the planning commission or the city council and staff says city council Council, this is a bad project because it doesn't meet general plan, it doesn't meet land use and here's A through Z as to why we don't support it. The City Council can deny because there are sometimes bad projects.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

So I support the motion by Council Member Hernandez because I think, at least it's clear, I hope I'm clear, that I support housing in this city wherever possible. I support affordable housing in this city wherever possible. And I specifically support for sale affordable housing in this city wherever possible. The general plan and any type of zoning that we have in the city is a plan. But we can't always stick to that plan 100%. That's why we have general plan amendments.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

That's why we have processes to allow developers to come and request changes, and that's all it is, a request. And if there is an issue in which a member of the public or anyone else believes that the process was unfair, they can file a writ of mandate, and in that case, the developer will indemnify the city and pay for any type of litigation. But what we know is that many cities have this similar pre-commitment letter process for affordable housing, and it is not enough of a basis to uphold a RIDF mandate saying that the process was unfair. So with that, I call the question. Thank you, Mayor.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Thank you very much. There's a motion. Was there a second, Madam Clerk?

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Yes, the motion on the floor is by Councilmember Hernandez, seconded by Councilmember Phan, to keep the affordable housing funds policies and procedures as is and not approve the recommended changes. There had been a sub-motion by Councilmember Becerra, but it did not receive a second. So it is to keep the current policy and not approve any recommended changes. Councilmember Becerra?

Phil BacerraItem 7

No.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Councilmember Hernandez?

Phil BacerraItem 7

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Councilmember Lopez? Yes. Councilmember Penalosa?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 7

Yes. Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Council Member Phan? Yes. Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez? Yes. Mayor Meskwa?

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Yes, Mr. City Manager, the only comment I will add to that is I would like to know from you, in reference to Habitat Humanity, is there affordable housing going up in Irvine, Huntington Beach, Lake Forest, and San Juan Capistrano as well, and not just Santa Ana? Thank you, I'm a yes vote.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Vote is six ayes, one nay. Nay by Council Member Becerra. Motion carries. policy stays as is, no changes.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Thank you. Item number two is a resolution approving the issuance of taxable bonds by California Enterprise Development Authority. Do we need a staff report up here at the Council? Seeing that we do know, we're good. If you need one, Deputy City Manager Vasquez is here. If not, is there a motion? You're making a motion, Mayor Pro Tem. I'll second. Let's prepare to vote.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez, seconded by Mayor Mescua, to approve a resolution of the City Council of the City of Santa Ana approving the issuance of not to exceed $40 million taxable revenue bonds by the California Enterprise Development Authority for 3130 South Fairview Street.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Please vote.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 7

Mine's not. POPPING UP, MADAM CLERK.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

OKAY. CAN YOU JUST DO A COUNCILMEMBER LOPEZ? YES. AND COUNCILMEMBER PENALESA?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 7

YES.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

VOTE AS SIX AYES AND NO NAYS WITH THE CURRENT ABSENCE BY COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ. MOTION CARRIES.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

THANK YOU. THIS TIME RUNNING THE BUSINESS CALENDAR GOING TO PUBLIC HEARING. BEFORE THE PUBLIC HEARING ITEM NUMBER 23, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON THIS PUBLIC HEARING ITEM ONLY.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

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 23 only please dial star 9 from your phone or select raise hand from zoom now in order to be called once the public hearing is opened do we have any any speakers

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

madam clerk um where are you going to open i'm sorry let me open it item number 23 public hearing public works, water quality report, public health, city manager. We don't need a staff report. Any questions or comments by the council? I'm going to now open the public hearing for members of the public that would like to provide their comments in person or virtually. Madam Clerk.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Mayor and City Council, we do not have any in-person speakers, Zoom speakers, or e-comments related to public hearing item number 23.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

The City Council does not need a report. Seeing none, I'm going to close the public hearing. No comments from council members at this time.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 7

I'll make a motion to move the item. I'll second.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Sorry. Go ahead.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Motion by Councilmember Hernandez, seconded by Mayor Meskwa, to approve the City of Santa Ana 2025 Public Health Goals Report for Public Distribution. Councilmember Becerra?

Phil BacerraItem 7

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Councilmember Hernandez?

Phil BacerraItem 7

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Councilmember Lopez?

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Yes. Councilmember Peñalosa?

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 7

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Councilmember Phan? Yes. Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez? Yes. Yes. Mayor Meskwa? Yes. Voters 6 ayes, no nays with the absence by Councilmember Lopez. Motion carries.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

I hereby close the public hearing and recess the City Council meeting convened to the Housing Authority meeting. We're recessing the City Council convening Housing Authority. I hereby call the Housing Authority meeting to order. Madam Secretary, please conduct the roll call.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Authority Member Becerra? Here. Authority Member Hernandez? Present. Authority Member Lopez? Authority Member Penalosa? Present.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 7

Present.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Authority Member Phan. Here. Vice Chair Vasquez.

Present.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Chair Meskwa.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Present.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Six members present. That is a quorum.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Thank you. Madam Secretary, are there any additions or deletions to the Housing Authority Agenda?

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

There are none.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Do we have any speakers or items within the Housing Authority Agenda? We do not. Does any Housing Authority wish to make a motion or a second?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 7

I'll move the item. I'll second.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Thank you. No comments from the authority members. Please cast your vote at this time.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Motion by Authority Member Hernandez, seconded by Authority Member Penalosa to approve the recommended actions for consent calendar items one through three for the Housing Authority. Authority Member Becerra?

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Authority Member Hernandez? Yes. Authority Member Lopez? Yes. Authority Member Penalosa?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 7

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Authority Member Phan? Yes. Vice Chair Vazquez? Yes. Chair Meskwa? Yes. Vote is six ayes, no nays. Motion carries with recorded absence by Authority Member Lopez.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Thank you. The Housing Authority meeting is now adjourned. We'll reconvene back to the City Council meeting. Madam City Deputy City Manager, comments for the City Manager?

Yes, thank you, Mayor. First Street injunction. Today we announced that the City of Sonana has secured an important court victory to crack down on nuisance businesses along East First Street. This is to protect public safety. The court granted our request for an injunction on a drug denabatement action against the property and business owners at the Royal Roman Motel, Royal Grand Inn, and Mariscos El Tapatio and Antojitos. You'll see that that press release did go out and that is currently posted on our social media. Additionally, tomorrow we will have the groundbreaking for the Centennial Park improvements at 12

p.m. at the south end of Centennial Park. These are really awesome improvements. improvements. They include the restoration of the lake, a lakeside event area, a new walking trail, new state-of-the-art lighting is going to go in there. So again, this groundbreaking is also going to bring the much anticipated dog park. So we're very excited about that. Hope to see people out there tomorrow. Veterans Day closure will be November 11th. There will be no street sweeping that day but trash and recycling pickup will occur as scheduled. Bulky item drop-off is November 15th.

We're hosting our quarterly bulky item drop off from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This free event allows Santa Ana residents to properly dispose of items such as furniture, mattresses, carpets, non-donatable clothes, bedding, books, and toys. No appointment is needed, but proof of residency is required. Plaza Navideña will be on November 22nd, and that's to celebrate the start of the holiday season in the heart of Santa Ana. And with that event, from 5 to 8, there will be tree lighting, family-friendly entertainment, arts and crafts, photo opportunities with Santa. And of course, the tree lighting is the big one there.

We invite the community to come out and shop local for the holiday season, pick up some hot cocoa. We'll have that on that day too. Those are all my comments.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Councillor Schell, Thank you, Deputy City Manager Vasquez. I appreciate that. Okay, this time we're gonna do comments from the council. Mayor Pro Tem, please.

Benjamin VazquezItem 7

Thank you so much. I wanna invite the public to a presentation my staff is doing and my intern on November 13th at 6.30 at the Southwest Senior Center. You can look up an RSVP tomorrow, I'll post it on my Instagram. They will present on funding our future, the economics of youth investment and how it reduces crime. Now crime has gone down post COVID as more cities invested in families and invested in youth. We'll have a presentation and a youth panel. I want to shout out to our partner, Harbor Institute, and the panels will include youth from Via Rise, Neutral Ground, Project Kinship, Say Vote, and KidWorks.

Benjamin VazquezItem 7

I also want to say thank you to all the organizers of Santa Ana Dia de los Muertos event. Noche de Tardes was amazing and beautiful as always. I am very proud of the young people who organized Viva La Vida. Kobe and his committee, I'm so proud of you to take on this legacy for your family. Your dad, Rudy Cordova, was even more proud of you. Rudy Cordova was able to see his legacy passed down to the next generation before he passed away this morning. Rudy Cordova is a beloved son of Santana, a father and a visionary.

Benjamin VazquezItem 7

I want to dedicate tonight's meeting in honor of Rudy Cordova. Thank you.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Councilmember Lopez, please.

Jessie LopezItem 7

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem.

Jessie LopezItem 7

I do want to thank everyone who went out to vote today. I think that your participation ensures that your voice is heard and that our community continues to thrive through civic engagement. And I also want to invite members of the public to join us at Riverview Park this month for our monthly office hours. We obviously think it's a great opportunity to connect, share any concerns, any ideas, and talk about the issues that matter the most to people. And so you'll see that be promoted on our social media channels. I also want to just recognize

Jessie LopezItem 7

that this is the first meeting, and the only meeting we're gonna have in November, and we are going to be approaching Veterans Day, and so I wanna extend my gratitude to all those members in our community that have served, and as I have said before, to the families as well who also have to bear the brunt of their family members being abroad and sometimes coming home differently. And so as we enter the holiday season, I would like to remind our community that there's a lot of people that are struggling right now,

Jessie LopezItem 7

And so I think that we operate best when we're united and that if you or if you know someone that is in need, you can always reach out to our office. We are here to connect you with resources and provide support. And we just want to thank Serve the People. We want to thank Seva Collective, SAUC, United Across Borders Foundations, all of the nonprofits, all of the churches right now that are really stepping in to fulfill the void that the federal government has left and the impact that so many of our constituents in Santa Ana and outside of Santa Ana are feeling.

Jessie LopezItem 7

And so I really want to thank the city for being proactive and sharing a list of food resources that people can find because I think it's timely and important for folks to know other options. And because we are entering the holiday season, one of the things we always see is an uptick in property theft crimes. So if you're ordering packages, please make sure that you're not leaving them out for lengthy periods of time. I know Amazon has lockers that people can use. I've actually seen folks that buy, they're like storage bins that you can leave by your home

Jessie LopezItem 7

also and your delivery person can have the code or can drop it there and so just being mindful that unfortunately there are people that are that are going to be looking to to see what they can grab and I just want to wish you all a warm and joyful Thanksgiving surrounded by family friends and community and I want to thank our staff for the concise agenda today and I also just want to lastly close out the meeting by wishing my sister a happy birthday so thank you

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

everybody. Thank you, Council Member Lopez. Council Member Fenn. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you to staff

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

for this short meeting. I just want to wish everybody a reflective Veterans Day and a happy Thanksgiving. I do hope you use all the resources for food. I grew up on SNAP. My family grew up on SNAP and it's I know how difficult it can be especially around the holiday season and I do hope that the federal government does reinstate SNAP benefits as soon as possible I know that some funds may be going out with that I can't remember madam deputy city manager if you mentioned this a while mural unveiling but okay that I was like I just want to make sure we do that and

And that will be on Saturday, November 15th at noon, at Plaza Calle 4.

Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Fantastic. Thank you so much. And with that, have a good night. Thank you. Thank you. Councilmember Panaloza.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 7

You said Panaloza, right?

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Yes, sir, I did.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 7

Thank you. I just wanted also Mayor Pro Tem, thank you and everyone that helped in putting together together the Dia de los Muertos Viva La Vida Noche de Altares event in downtown. It was beautiful as always. Was happy to be out there with the community and witness our community remember our ancestors, which is one of the most beautiful things that we could do as a city. I also wanted to announce that as many of you know, I currently serve as president of the League of Cities Orange County Division. I HAVE THE HONOR OF MAKING APPOINTMENTS TO THE CALL CITY STATE POLICY COMMITTEES.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 7

THE ORANGE COUNTY DIVISION PRESIDENT HAS A SOLE AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE THE DIVISION'S 14 TOTAL APPOINTMENTS ACROSS SEVEN STATE POLICY COMMITTEES. THIS YEAR WE RECEIVED A LITTLE OVER 46 APPLICATIONS FOR DIVISION APPOINTMENTS WITHIN THE COUNTY EXCLUDING FOUR APPLICANTS WHO WERE APPOINTED DIRECTLY BY CAL STATE DEPARTMENTS. THE LEVEL OF INTEREST IS A GREAT SIGN OF GROWING ENGAGEMENT FROM LOCAL LEADERS ACROSS ORANGE it also means making some very difficult choices among a strong field of qualified and passionate applicants appointments were made based on a combination of factors including each applicant's

Valerie AmezcuaItem 7

statement of interest years of experience as an elected official or staff member partisan balance familiarity with cal city's process geographic representation attendance at the 2025 committee meetings and overall engagement with the division and i'm proud to share and you might have already seen it via email today that for the first time here in Santa Ana I've appointed our city manager Alvaro Nunez to the governance transparency and labor relations committee to serve as part representative of Cal City's State Committee and our police chief Robert Rodriguez to serve as on the Public

Valerie AmezcuaItem 7

Safety Committee very proud of those appointments their leadership and experience will represent Santa Ana and Orange County at statewide and I'm proud of these appointments and I look forward to seeing what you two and the expertise that you bring to the state policy state committees and also made numerous appointments throughout the county but these two are two that I'm very proud of and happy to highlight so congratulations gentlemen you should have seen it in the email today but I just wanted to announce that for the

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

record today thank you that's it madam mayor great thank you okay so next it's a council member um

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 7

hernandez please thank you madam mayor um first and foremost i want to begin by thanking our city staff members of the public who also came out to today's meeting without your participation we are not able to do the city's business i fully concur with my colleague mayor pro tem vasquez in closing in honor of Rudy Cordova. Rudy Cordova is not only a beloved father and a member of the Santa Ana community, but he is somebody that has helped us create traditions that are very dear to our residents here in our city. Rudy Cordova

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 7

was one of the founders of Calacas, which was a staple business in the downtown town over 15 years ago. And when I was a young high school student, this was a store where many of my peers would frequent. You can get paletas de horchata, you could get pan dulce that was really locally made. And Calacas was a dynamic business that really helped shape the way downtown looks today. He also was one of the founding members of Noche de Altares, where he worked closely with the Santa Ana community in El Centro for many years before he eventually founded Viva La Vida,

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 7

an event that is very popular in the downtown that is now ran by his sons. They're doing a fantastic job, and I want to implore them to continue to carry their father's legacy forward. For anybody who loves and respects Rudy Cordova, I encourage you to visit his business, Santos Pizza, and support them. His sons will continue to run that business, It is a reflection of one of his passions, and that was pizza.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 7

Noche de Altares and Viva La Vida were a tremendous success, and for the first time in our city's history, our city manager's office was able to sponsor both of these events. I want to applaud you, Mr. City Manager, given that these events are well past, you know, in some cases, Noche de Altares, 15 years. And for them to get support from the city after 15 years of bringing 40,000-plus people annually to our city this is the reflection that I want to see our government reflect is that we're supportive of our cultural traditions and we honor them and we're willing to to meet halfway with our

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 7

partners in the community I also want to thank the city manager's office and all of our city staff for prioritizing the activation of our Santa Ana stadium you guys are bringing an event with Caifanes to the city of Santa Ana in March that event will go on sale this upcoming Friday Friday, that event will sell out and Caifanes will, they're not even asking you for a penny to cover the stadium. These are good partners who are saying not only are we going to bring headlining acts, we're going to pay the money that is required to cover your field and to fully invest in making our event successful.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 7

That event will feature Caifanes, it'll feature the Growlers, the Addicts, Maru, Twin Tribes, It'll have a mixture of punk rock, indie, and goth and rock and espanol. And so I just want to applaud our city staff to continue to work with promoters who come to the city so that we can generate revenue for the city. And lastly, I just want to invite members of the public out to Mayor Pro Tem's event next week, which is an invest in youth event that will take place at the Southwest Senior Center. And I just want to wish a good night to all of our residents. Thank you. Thank you.

Alvaro NuñezItem 7

Councillor Osanic. Thank you. Councillor Becerra, please.

Phil BacerraItem 7

Thank you, Madam Mayor, and thank you, Councilmember Hernandez, for bringing up that event. It came across my social media, and you forgot London After Midnight's going to be there as well. So, Chief, I have a question for you, and I'm going to continue to bring this up until we get it down to zero. How many funded vacancies do we currently have at the PD?

Thank you for the question. Let me do the math real quick.

Mayor Redekop.

We have about 30 funded vacancies right now for the PD.

Phil BacerraItem 7

Well, Chief, I'm going to just say you should have known that off the top of your head. And the reason for that is because it should be a priority.

Correct.

Phil BacerraItem 7

There was an item on our agenda tonight, and I won't go back into the detail of it, but essentially it said that we'll be funding the operation through overtime we need to lower overtime we need more officers on the street absolutely so i'm going to keep asking that question every council meeting so hopefully that number gets lower and lower yes okay thank you i want to thank my colleagues tonight for approving item 18 rather than pull the item i just i'll give it props here item 18 approved a contract for the construction of new traffic signals at Sagerstrom and Raitt and Sagerstrom and Flower.

Phil BacerraItem 18

Those are two intersections that folks had asked me to champion and I did. And I want to thank my colleagues for not only allocating the funds in the budget, but now we're actually seeing those improvements start to happen. So the improvements at those intersections will include the installation of two, or I'm sorry, not two, new left turn lanes and left turn arrows, making it safer for folks to turn left and reducing accidents, as well as high visibility crosswalks, audible pedestrian signals, new traffic signal poles, conduits, fiber optic cable, emergency vehicle detection, and wheelchair ramps. So I'm excited that

Phil BacerraItem 18

these improvements are happening because that's what we're supposed to be doing up here, making sure that we enhance municipal services. Speaking of services that many of our constituents use, one thing that's important is transportation. So tonight I took it upon myself to take the OC bus here to the Council meeting tonight to try out the OCTA wave app if you guys don't know the wave app is OCTA is new way of paying your fares on the bus you can download it whether it's on your Android or iPhone you just scan the QR code as you get on you can load up the app with funds makes it easier and quicker to get on one thing that's

Phil BacerraItem 18

interesting and I like where they're going with this is that so typically in the past folks have had to make sure they've had enough money to afford a monthly pass each month which can be upwards of 60 70 bucks so what this app does is there's a daily cap so as you pay per ride it's a cap of up to 450 or a monthly cap of 69 so rather than paying all at once it just debits from the um the app and the account so you can continue to ride and i think that's a much easier and equitable way to ensure that folks are able to be mobile here in in Santa Ana and Orange County. I also wanna announce my monthly office hours this month,

Phil BacerraItem 18

Saturday, November 8th at 10 a.m. over at Boma Coral Park over on MacArthur. I've been hosting my monthly community office hours since I've been elected. I wanna congratulate Saddleback High School Football on becoming the Zeta League champions. They went undefeated this year in league play. They were also the Zeta League champions back in 2024, and Salabac is going to face Pacific High School from San Bernardino in the first round of CIF this Friday at 7 over at Salabac High School. Now, the great thing about bringing up this team is, so they've been back-to-back champions, kind of like our Dodgers, but back in 2023, they didn't

Phil BacerraItem 18

win a single game. So how amazing is that for them to turn around that program and just excel? It's It's wonderful. And very importantly, they're in Ward 4. Next Tuesday is Veterans Day. So I just wanted to thank all of our veterans as we honor them for all their service to our country. And also, Happy Thanksgiving. Good night, everybody.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

Thank you, Councilman Barrett. Sarah, about mentioning WAVE, I want to remind people they still take cash. So you can ride with the WAVE card or you can still pay cash. So October was an incredibly busy month for, I think, everybody up here. But we had Santa Ana PD's trunk retreat. It was actually a very successful event. I can't tell you how many people that were there, but there was quite a bit of families there, so it was great. We gave out lots and lots of candy. The State of the City was a huge success. We had 400 plus people there. We actually ran out of room at Hotel Zesa.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

Thank you, Mr. City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Ben Tai, Assistant City Manager, Kat Downs, and Chief Robert Rodriguez for joining us, joining me on the stage and sharing the progress in Santa Ana and where are we heading, right? As we said, we're going to leave it in better condition for the generations to come than when we all arrived here. I want to wish Santa Ana a happy 56th birthday that was on October 27th. I'm surprised Councillor Becerra did not say that. That's usually his thing there. 156 years. It's not just your thing. It is 156 years old today. I mean on October 27th.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

So I visited, I had the pleasure of visiting Lincoln Elementary, if you all recall. I go to a school, an elementary school every year, and they have a government class that I attend and they share with me what they want from the city leadership, from the mayor, and from all of us in the police department. And so I just want to share a few of them with you. And please, I have this book, Mr. City Manager, if you'd like a copy, I'll ask them for a copy. They actually put a book together, Chief Rodriguez. It's actually really cool. And the police department was with me, and the water department.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

So thank you very much, Rudy, for having them with me. My name is Aurelia Centeno. I'm a third grade student at Lincoln Elementary, and I'm worried about reckless drivers and 7-Eleven on Fairview because I see people smoking and vaping. I'm also scared of random gunshots because I hear them at night when I try to go to sleep. For example, I hear gunshots at midnight. Also, I hear people saying bad words to each other. Can you please make Santa Ana a safer and better place? Dear Mayor Meskwil, my name is Ben Smith. I'm in the third grade at Lincoln Elementary.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

I'm worried about violent teenagers at my house and at 7-Eleven on Fairview. There's something about 7-Eleven on Fairview. I'm scared about violent teenagers and graffiti, for example, slashing tires, drive-by shooting, and disturbing the peace at night from gunshots. I hope you stop random gunshots." They're pretty powerful. My name is Juliana. I'm a third grade student at Lincoln Elementary. The shooting, I don't like it a lot. It's scary and I don't like it. The drive-by shooting, shooting, random shooting, there are a lot of gangsters, I don't like it.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

I think you can kind of see what the message is here. Dear Mayor Musco, my name is Luce, I'm a third grade student. I'm worried about the homeless, they're always doing drugs at night, I feel scared. I'm also scared about car accidents. One day after school, I saw a car driving doing donuts. I felt scared because they could kill someone. I hope you can help with my concerns. And finally, there's a whole book here, but this is finally the last one. My name is Lindsay and I'm worried about the streetlights because if they don't work, then people can be late to work or get into car accidents.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

I'm also scared of people who take drugs because last time I went to the store with my family, we saw someone who took drugs and was walking on the streets when there was a green light. I was walking with my family and there was a drunk person who came up to us and kept asking for money. I hope you can fix it. that these are third graders, they're incredibly brilliant. I wanna thank Mr. Castellanos, Mr. Perez, Mr. Ramirez for inviting me to the third grade class and for the third grade students who gave the presentation. I had had a meeting with the Neighborhood Association the night before, the same concerns

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

that our Neighborhood Association leaders present, our children present and they're in the third grade. So that should tell us all something. Chief and City Manager, I really want to thank you and City Attorney's Office and Code Enforcement, Police Department for all the work down First Street. It cannot be done without all of you working together as a team, which we have not seen in the history of Santa Ana like we're seeing now. And so I really want to thank all of you. You know, Channel 9 was out there and I was out there and Desi was out there and Victor Mendez and they interviewed some other people.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

On First Street, we keep at it, what we're doing. we're going to see some amazing things happen on first street and just in the city as a whole and you know when people ask about our police officers i know chief we had just spoken there were 28 vacancies you had shared with me last week and then a couple people left you can't help that sir and then right now you have i think three graduating this month from the academy and seven graduated last month and i believe you have seven in the queue is that correct

That is correct. We have seven with conditional offers that are expected to get hired this month or early December.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

Thank you. And that is quite a bit from where we were three years ago when I first started here. And I sat up here and brought up the 48 vacancies I was told I was wrong and that I was picking a fight. And how dare I say those ugly mean things. And I don't know what ugly mean things, but I was concerned about the police vacancies. And here we are today, sir, under your leadership with the city manager and your deputy chiefs and all of your officers, we're at, you know, we're probably the highest we've been in a very long time of officers. And so I look forward to them. And I went to the graduation. It was absolutely beautiful.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

And the three that will be graduating this year, I'll be going this month, I'll be going as well. So I just want to thank you all for your leadership. And I know people bring up overtime. So you have to balance it, right? What do we want? People call for police department and they call for everything, whether it's a homeless person, a dog barking, the roosters barking next door, or because you know Rudy you laugh because we get those calls right, or the person breaking into your house, or I mean I see the SIG alerts you know the gun fights, the battles, assaults, the rapes, the child molestations, you cannot be everywhere.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

And yes there are officers who work overtime because you need them too. And and the changes that you have made to the scheduling chief. I appreciate, I believe you changed the scheduling of our officers, our patrol officers, is that correct?

As some of our details, we changed the shifts.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

And has it helped you, sir, with saving money and officers over time?

It does help and it makes us more responsive to community needs.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

Thank you so very much for sharing that. So, you know, currently with the SNAP benefits, I believe the last I read, and somebody correct me if I'm wrong, that there will be a small portion given to some of the families, to families, a small portion, and as I indicated earlier, we all have our own stories, and they call it SNAP now. I know when I was a kid, we called it welfare, and I was on it, and so I know my family depended on that for food, and so I want to thank the city manager and his team and his leadership and and Paul, our PIO, for putting out the information on our social media. So I believe the Del High Center, SEVA,

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

I had it listed here, the Catholic Charities, and I believe I'm missing one more. They have the list, Del High Center. Del High Center, SEVA, Catholic Charities, I think there was one more, Paul, that we put up, that they have on social media the dates and times where you can pick up food. So, city manager, which one did I miss?

And 2-1-1.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

And do what you can call 2-1-1 to get resources. Yes. Serve the people. Serve the people. Thank you. Thank you so much, Paul. I appreciate it. So we didn't have to do that. And that's... We do it because we care about our community. And so thank you for taking the lead on that. And I know lots of other cities like to follow our lead once we put things out.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

So Saturday, November 15th, I will be doing a drive-through food distribution at Centennial Park with the Orange County Labor Federation, Mosaic Movement, Councilman Becerra and Councilman Penalosa because there is a need for food and we want to help any way we can. And then on, I believe it's Sunday, November 23rd, we'll be doing a drive-through food pantry and Thanksgiving turkey giveaway. Oh, no, I'm sorry. Siva will be doing one, a turkey giveaway at Via Intermediate on the 22nd of November, 9.30 a.m. please register and get in line early. And finally on November 23rd there will

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

be a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway in front of Santa Ana Police Department who is joining myself, Councilman Becerra, Councilman Penalosa, Assemblyman Valencia, and Congressman Correa in giving food and turkeys and also POA. So we really appreciate that relationship to help our families. Thank Thank you. Tuesday, November 11th is Veterans Day. I wanna take a moment to thank all of our veterans who have previously served and who currently serve. And thank you to all my family members that serve and have come home safely, and some have not.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

So, also, I will say that on November 8th, I don't know why I keep going to December, but November 8th, we're having Dancing with the Stars at Valley High School for the very first time, and our chief of police is one of the dance contestants. He is going to dance that night, so you gotta come and watch. He's received 10 professional lessons, and it's a competition. It's like a contest. It's like really Dancing with the Stars. I'm super excited, because I'm a judge. I just can't wait.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

So, the money he raises will be going to the Vitality Foundation and helping orphans and widows of our police department. So thank you, Chief, for taking that big step for us. We all can't wait to see you dance. So I hope that you join us. I think the tickets are $35 or $45. $40, will you be there? Oh, come on. Okay. All right. Well, I'll send you pictures. Is there alcohol? I believe there is alcohol. I don't know. I didn't ask that question. I'll let you know. All right. I'll text you from there, shall you? I don't know, Mayor Pro Tem. It's a high school.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

Is it being live streamed?

Thai Viet PhanItem 18

I feel like it should be live streamed. Thank you.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

That's an official request. So we are entering the holidays and with everything that's going on in our city, whether whether it's immigration and the SNAP issues, I just wanna say happy holidays to everybody. And in closing, I also wanna thank the Salvation Army. They have been around since I think 1849, if I get the date right. They've gone out with our cult team and they do a phenomenal job. I hope that you get an opportunity to take a tour of the Salvation Army. I know some of the city staff went with me and the police department. department, you know, they take in people from Santa Ana, really from everywhere, because when we

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

were leaving, Riverside probation was there dropping off some of their clients. And it was great to see that they work, they have to work 40 hours, they feed them, they got to go to meetings. They're not forced, they're not like, you know, some of them are there from the court, but majority of them are not court-ordered there. They want the help. And so now they've gone out with with our colt team, and they presented at our neighbourhood association meeting. I'm looking forward to working with them, Mr. City Manager, because they have beds for females and males. And when they help them get employment, and then they also

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

help them get housing. And again, they've been around since over 150 years. And they live there for free, but they do work. And so, you know, I've always had my concerns about our shelter because we... Oh, and they drug test them and they do random searches. We don't do that in our shelter.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

And since I've been mayor, I've had an issue with that because I asked about having people get a job and I was told, well, we can't force them to get a job, mayor, so some of them just sit there for three hots and a cot. And we, the city of Santa Ana, pay for that. I'm a taxpayer. taxpayer, all of you are taxpayers and those of you watching at home, I really like the program that Salvation Army has, Mr. City Manager, that you come into our shelter, you work, you go look for a job, we help you, we program with you, you go to AA and A, you got to work. You can't sit on your bed and wait for your voucher to come in

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

and get three hots and a cot. We don't drug test. Do we drug test? No, we do not. Yeah. Do we do random searches? One of you are saying no, one of you are saying yes. So I'm not going to even ask again. But what I'm going to say is that I would love for us to look at the Salvation Army model. Yeah, Mr. Garcia, we won't have this conversation right now. We spend millions and millions and millions of dollars at the shelter.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

And I'd love to see how many people CityNet has helped. I know Councillor Becerra has brought it up several times, has helped, has obtained employment, has gotten off the streets or into a drug program. And so there are programs that actually work, like the Salvation Army. I know several people who graduated from there and are doing quite well now. So it's a way for us to look at how much money we're spending at the shelters. Am I saying close them? No, I don't want anybody to leave here and say I said that. What I'm saying is I believe that there's a better way to do the business.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

We don't just house. They got to work. They got to look for a job. They got to go to school. They got to go to meetings. We drug test. We search. And we hold people accountable. We give them the mental health services that they need. So I highly recommend you all take a tour of the Salvation Army. I didn't get paid made to say this. They don't charge people to live there. And so, with that, I want to thank Santa Ana PD for inviting them out with them when they do their cult operations. And I believe the last operation they did, Salvation Army took eight people in, and that's eight people off of our streets.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

So, yeah, go take a look at Salvation Army. I know, Mr. City Manager, you missed the visit, but Deputy City Manager Vasquez was there, Mayor and Assistant City Manager Mintai, and I think, Kat, you were with us. I know you weren't with us, but several of our police department commanders were with us. And please send your team, Mr. City Manager, to go take a look at Salvation Army. I highly recommend that we offer those at our shelter employment, that we make it a requirement. And that, well, I don't know I know about you can't, Mike, and people say that. We make changes all the time.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

General plan, oh, we make an amendment. Let's talk about it because it's an item I'm going to bring back. We allow them to lay there on the bed or sit there and watch TV all day, and we taxpayers pay for that. So what is it, over $30 million, Mr. City Manager? Can you imagine? Pedro, can you imagine what we could do with $30 million? Can you imagine the community what we could do with $30 million?

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

So, well, we don't want to also take them all in without having them get a job. So I'll stop there and I want to close the meeting. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem for sharing with us about Rudy Cordova. I want to close the meeting tonight in Rudy Cordova's honor and express my condolences, all of our condolences to his family. And he does leave a legacy behind. And so with that, Madam City Clerk, if we can send something to his family, please.

Jennifer L. HallItem 18

Yes, we'll get the certificate ready.

Alvaro NuñezItem 18

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. We'll have, I'm sure, his address where we can send it. So with that, this meeting is closed. And Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Thank you.

Thank you.

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