Read the March 17 meeting.

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Good thing I'm alive.

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Valerie Amezcua

I'm going to leave early so So Mayor Patel can take over.

Jennifer L. Hall

Madam Clerk, please start the meeting. Yes, Mayor, meeting is started.

Valerie Amezcua

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 the roll call. Council Member Becerra.

Here.

Jennifer L. Hall

Councilmember Hernandez. Councilmember Lopez. Councilmember Phan. Here. Councilmember Vasquez. Present. Mayor Pro Tempagnolosa. Present. Mayor Meskwa. Present. Five members present, that is a quorum.

Valerie Amezcua

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Are there any additions or deletions to the closed session agenda? There are none. Do any Councilmembers need to announce their abstentions? Hearing none, Madam Clerk, do we have

Jennifer L. Hall

any speakers for closed session? We do not have any in-person speakers or speakers via Zoom, but but noting for the record that we received one e-comment related to closed session item number two, conference with legal counsel existing litigation that was distributed to the city council and posted online for public review.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Great, thank you. We'll now recess this portion of the meeting to closed session, thank you.

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Good night, everyone.

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Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

I love how everybody's so good and quick to get ready all right madam clerk please start the meeting we're good yes mayor thank you i hereby reconvene the santa ana city council meeting to order

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

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 to conduct the business of the city. There's an opportunity to call for a recess or break or even to clear the meeting room if a meeting becomes too disruptive to properly conduct business. Warnings will be provided prior to any action being taken. We appreciate your cooperation. For everyone's safety, per the fire marshal,

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

please do not stand or place objects in the aisles, in front of the dais, along the back wall of the council chambers, or in front of any entrances or exits. During city council presentations, guests of individuals being recognized are invited to come to the front to take photos.

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

For roll call, Councilmember Becerra? Here. Councilmember Hernandez? Present. Councilmember Lopez? Here. Councilmember Vazquez? Present. Mayor Pro Tem Penalosa? Present. Mayor Mezcua? Present. Six members present, that is a

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

quorum. Thank you. Before we proceed to the Pledge of Allegiance, please make an

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

announcement, Madam Clerk. For members of the public on Zoom or teleconference to request to speak during public comments on agenda or non-agenda items within the the city's jurisdiction, you must dial star nine from your phone or click the button labeled raise hand from Zoom now to be in the speaker queue once public comments commence. This does not apply to public hearing item number 23 or the Housing Authority agenda for which comments will be heard separately. Please hold comments on those items until specifically called upon. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Thank you. For the Pledge of Allegiance, can I have a student from Santiago come up? Just walk up, one of you. Walk up, please. There you go, beautiful. Beautiful.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

All right, let's do the Pledge of Allegiance, please.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Sweetie, can you tell us your name?

Julia Mesquita. And what grade are you in? Fifth.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

All right, go ahead. It's all yours.

Place your right hand over your heart. Ready, begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you so much.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Pastor Durde, can you come up please and lead us into the invocation please. Please.

Pastor Derby, everybody.

Thank you.

Good evening. I know a lot of times I come up and have a different way of making our words of inspiration, but this way, this evening I have Howard Thurman's Meditations of the Heart, and it goes like this. To overcome evil. I seek the strength to overcome evil. I seek the strength to overcome the tendency to evil in my own heart. I recognize the tendency to do the unkind thing when the mood of retaliation or revenge rise high in my spirit.

spirit. I recognize the tendency to make of others a means to my own end. I recognize the tendency to yield to fear and cowardice when fearlessness and care seem to fit easily into the pattern of my security. I see the strength to overcome the tendency to evil in my own heart. I seek the strength to overcome the evil that is present all about me. I recognize the evil in much of the organized life about me. I recognize

the evil in the will to power as found in groups, institutions, and individuals. I recognize the terrible havoc of hate and bitterness which makes for fear and and panic in common life. I seek the strength to overcome the evil that is present all about me. I seek strength to overcome evil. I must not be overcome by evil. I seek purification of my own heart, the purging of my own motives. I seek the strength to withstand the logic of bitterness, the terrible divisiveness of hate,

the demonic triumph of the conquest of others what I seek for myself I desire with all my heart my for my friends and my foe I seek the strength to overcome

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

evil thank you amen Thank You pastor really Thank you, Mr. Liddick.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Madam City Clerk, are there any additions or deletions to the City Council agenda?

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

Yes, Mayor and City Council. Staff is removing the following items from the agenda. Consent Calendar Item Number 16, the revised MOU for the Police Officers Association. Consent Calendar Item Number 18, resolution amending the classification and compensation plan for unrepresented executive management, and also canceling public hearing item number 23 regarding proposed water and sewer rates adjustment adjustments No public testimony will be heard on this item during the time scheduled for the public hearing No action will be taken and a notice of cancellation will be posted. Thank you. Thank you madam clerk

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

So the first presentation we're gonna do tonight is mine. So if we can have Santiago Elementary come on up and join me. Let's get a big round of applause

Thank you.

Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Let's give a round of applause.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

I see Dr. Perez back there. You got to come up. You can't stay in the back. Come on up. Let's give Dr. Perez, the superintendent from Santa Unified a round of applause.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

We want her to come up because she's going to continue funding this program. That's the only way she can come up here. Come on up, Dr. Perez. by you coming up you're committing to this. Do you all see her coming up? She's committing to funding your program. Okay.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

That's the only way she can come up. Okay. All right let's get started. All right good evening everybody. Today we are honored to recognize the Santiago TK8 Drama Program for its outstanding performance, achievements, and and contributions to the arts community. For the past 10 years, let me say that again, 10 years, I was on the school board, Sarah, I think when we did this the first time, right? Yeah, so I'm honored to be part of this. For the past 10 years, Santiago TK8 has brought dizzy musicals in schools productions to life, given approximately 60 students each year the opportunity to perform in a full scale musical

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

and experience the magic of live theater. and let me tell you if you haven't gone to see a play you gotta go because they're absolutely amazing amazing

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

yeah they're phenomenal that's why you're gonna keep funding them over the past decade the program has grown into a vibrant theater culture within the community where students families parents and staff come together to celebrate creativity and the arts. This would not be possible without staff, our parents, our community. So thank you. How many of you are parents out there? Stand up if you're parents. Stand up, stand up. Let's give you a round of applause. Yes, parents. Thank you. Thank you, thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Each production includes four performances in the school theater. Consistently selling out, so get your tickets early, and welcoming over 1,200 audience members each year from both the school and the greater Santa Ana community. And when you go make sure you take cash because they sell nachos and candy and soda and you bid on paintings that you're going to want to bid on okay. I got outbid on one. Dad took me to 140 bucks and I lost so. Okay students work with authentic theatrical elements including imported masks from Spain and large-scale puppets from Louisiana.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

It's just an example. Giving them hands-on experience with professional level theater. Even during COVID-19, Santiago TKA continued producing Disney musicals entirely over Zoom. And if you haven't seen it, you should go back and look at it. It's absolutely wonderful. Ensuring students stayed connected, collaborated, and performed despite school closures. Through these productions students develop confidence creativity teamwork and leadership the program's mission is simple but powerful to provide every student a place to belong and shine through the arts we know that when kids are involved in the

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

arts they do better in school isn't that right they do better and that's what we all want right so on behalf of the city of Santa Ana and as the mayor and as a previous school board member we congratulate the sony anglo tk drama program we want to thank the students the staff the families our parents our grandparents our ninas our theos whoever you may be for their dedication to fostering the arts in our community and i especially want to thank sarah thank you very much sarah weiner rick santana thank you very much monica creel come Come up forward, step forward as I mention your name, please.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Sarah, Rick, Monica, Jennifer, and Eric. So let's give them a big round of applause.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

So, who wants to speak? Somebody's gotta speak. You go right ahead.

Thank you, Mayor Mezcua. We are honored to be here tonight to celebrate our 10 years of Disney musicals in schools. When this program started for us, Mayor Mezcla came to our first show and we used to do our show with cardboard sets and t-shirts, but over the years we've had such an outpouring of love from our community to support the arts and so all the parents, neighbors, relatives, school board members, superintendents, everyone who comes out to support the shows has really helped us fund future shows and kept it going and we've built more than just the students

here but we really about a community of people who support the arts at our schools and that really makes a difference to us so thank you to everyone who has supported the arts at Santiago over the last 10 years we've done them all but there's only eight is cool so we've done Lion King Aladdin Jungle Book Cinderella frozen 101 Dalmatians our middle schoolers have done Little Mermaid Beauty and Beauty and the Beast right now we've done a lot of summer musicals Wizard of Oz Peter Pan Moana so it has been 10 years of non-stop musicals. Isn't that great?

How they feel about being involved in the arts over the past few years? Who's been in dancing musicals for three years or more? Julia, Emily, why don't you guys come up?

Well first off, Julia would like to present you with something Mayor Mezcla. This is the painting that Mayor Mezcla bought to support the arts at Santiago. And it was painted by one of our students for her.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Oh, thank you!

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

This was painted by one of our students at Santiago. And yes, I got outbid by a parent. He was buying it for his wife, and we went back and forth until 9.30 PM. $5 here, $5 there, and finally the student said, I'll paint you another one, Mayor. I said, all right, I'll buy it. So isn't it beautiful? Isn't it beautiful? So thank you so very much. And just to be clear, Mr. City Manager, for the record, I bought it. All right, and you wanna say something, sweetie?

Can you talk about being involved in theater? Yeah.

So I've been going to Santiago since I was in TK, And I started doing Disney Music School when I was in third grade. And then before that, I would do the normal class plays, and I would still enjoy it so much. And being a part of it is just so meaningful and just really makes my heart, like, fill with joy. And making new friends and, like, just learning everything about it is really amazing.

sing. My first year was Aladdin and I was ensemble and then the next year we did Finding Nemo and I and I was Dory, and then this year we did Alice in Wonderland and I was Alice. Alright!

My name is Liliana and I am a drama student and doing drama just like, it helped build my confidence and I just love it because I make new friends and it just like I love doing it.

I started in third grade. I did, I also did the school plays and I did Aladdin. I was ensemble and then I did

Alice in Wonderland and I was the White Rabbit and I also did the summer shows, Peter Pan. I was twin two and Wizard of Oz I was an ensemble and it just I just love drama a lot.

I just wanted to quickly say that I came into this team as a parent so I mean I have a degree in dance but but it really just takes an interested person who really wants to further the arts and get kids involved. So as a parent, as an interested member of the community, just get involved. If you're interested, you love it, you wanna work with kids, just find a way to get in there.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

they're amazing all of them thank you so much thank you guys for coming tonight thank you so much all right I don't know dr. Perez you want to say something or no whatever you want dr. Perez the floor is yours

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

two minutes got two minutes don't give her the mic sorry um so I just want to

give a lot of gratitude to our parents I know that means you're dropping off picking up doing all the things to make sure that our students have the opportunity to do this and so thank you so much and to our team i just look forward to being able to see the productions and our principal i know that this requires you to move all kinds of things around to make sure that it happens um so just super grateful i'm going to say what i said last time keep watching sausd there are some phenomenal things happening in our district and i hope that we are able to to be part of some of the city's events so that we can put our kids on display.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

So I know I heard in there a commitment for money. Did you hear that? I did. Did parents, did you hear that? Because I heard that. All right, so you want to come up?

Who wants to come up?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

So on behalf of the city of Santa Ana and the mayor, this is a certificate of recognition awarding to Santiago TK8 Drama Program for your 10 years of Disney musicals. And thank you so much for all that you do for our kids, for the community, teaching our babies, because you're not just teaching them about arts and drama and how to be a playwright. Their grades are affected, their mental health. I mean, to do this during COVID was such a blessing for our community. And so it helps in so many areas of their life. And so thank you all very much. Really appreciate it. And all of you guys are amazing, right?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Let's give them a round of applause.

And then we're going to have the rest of the counselors come down after we read it. Okay.

Okay. That's good.

You wanna hold my hand like that? Hold them right up. There you go.

Thai Viet PhanItem 1

You're not coming in? Yes, yes, I am. I got the pictures of yous. Okay.

Let's give a round of applause for our wonderful principal.

right here please

ready one two three

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

thank you okay count do you want to try it come on down

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Everybody up.

Right here please. One, two, three. A little more.

One, two, three.

Thank you. Alright you guys, congratulations.

Thank you.

Sarah.

Sarah.

Sarah. Sarah. Sarah.

Sarah. Sarah. Sarah. Sarah. Sarah.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

All right. All right, we're gonna wait as they leave. Council Member Lopez is next.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

All right, Councilman Becerra, you're up. We're going to try to get through the students first so that they can go home and do their homework.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Homework and study and all that good stuff. Councilman Becerra, Segerstrom High School girls, come on up.

Phil BacerraItem 1

I got to correct the mayor. They're not just the Segerstrom girls. They're the Segerstrom CIF championship girls soccer team. Come on up.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Come on up, ladies. Come on up.

Phil BacerraItem 1

Pretend it's a field. Don't be shy. Come on up.

Phil BacerraItem 1

Hey, guys.

I know I don't hurt it.

Phil BacerraItem 1

She's got to be in the middle. She's got the hardware.

Go on in, everybody. Go on in.

Phil BacerraItem 1

That's the hardware. All I got is the certificate. She's got that.

Phil BacerraItem 1

Oh, yeah. Yeah. All right, everybody. So tonight, we are gonna recognize the Sagerstrom High School Girls Soccer Team and their extraordinary and historic accomplishments this season. This talented group of student athletes made history by becoming the first girls soccer team in Santa Ana Unified School District's history to win a CIF championship.

Phil BacerraItem 1

And I love the fact they're in my ward. Now, this team finished the season with an outstanding 16-3-6 overall record, demonstrating consistency, determination, and teamwork throughout the year. They also, not shockingly, went undefeated in league play, earning the title of Orange Coast League Champions, a testament to their dominance during the regular season. Their season culminated in a remarkable 4-0 victory over Ocean View High School to win the CIF Southern Section Division VI Championship, marking a milestone not only for Segerstrom High School, but for the entire Santa Ana Unified School District.

Phil BacerraItem 1

The team then went on to continue their impressive run beyond the CIF Southern Section, advancing to the regional semifinals of the CIF State Championship, further showcasing the strength and talent of their program. The achievements this season reflect the dedication of the players, the leadership of their coaches, and the unwavering support of their families, teachers, and the entire Sagerstrom High School community. So congratulations again to the Sagerstrom High School Jaguars and their girls soccer team for this historic season. Your hard work and perseverance and teamwork have made your

Phil BacerraItem 1

school and our entire Santa Ana community incredibly proud. So please join me once again in celebrating our Sagerstrom High School girls soccer team on winning the CIF championship.

Phil BacerraItem 1

So who would like to come up and say a couple words?

Captain? Alright.

Okay, hello everyone. My name is Danielle Dominguez. I'm a senior here at Segerstrom High School. I'm one of the captains here on varsity, and I'm also the ASB president here at Segerstrom. So, a couple of words. I just want to say that it's a huge blessing to have this opportunity and I just want to thank God first always and I Just want to thank all these girls for all their dedication all their hard work all our coaches our staff who support here Mr. Bennett to mr. Canzoni our athletic director a big round of applause for them for all the work that they do for our school and just for us to be recognized like this

And also to our coaches is um coach diego who's not here with us right now but he's in belgium so and also coach coach junior coach wendy and our main coach too mr kasana um honestly without him as a coach i don't think we beat in this place at all and i just want to congratulate us again and also i just want to take a huge thank you to all our parents our number one supporters here here.

And I just want to thank everyone for all the support they've shown, everyone throughout the district for being at our games, anyone who was there at our games, just all the support system we have. I thank you all and I appreciate all this work that you've done for us and just the dedication you've shown for us and for us to show you that we are CIF champions here and we're representing Santa Ana and I'm just really proud of all the team that we have here and all our our coaches and I just want to thank you all for this opportunity and one more thing we are asking for any donations for our CIF rings too so so we would

gladly appreciate any donations for our team please talk to our coaches or our staff as well but thank you so much everyone and I appreciate your time and And once again, thank you everyone.

One, two, three. One more? One, two, three.

Can I do one more please? One, two, three.

Jessie LopezItem 1

Thank you.

Thank you. One, two, three. Thank you.

One more. Good one. Squeeze in one more time, please.

Council member, Council member, stand, step a little to your right. Council member, thank you. Step a little to your right. Just a second.

There we go. All right, ready here. One, two, three.

One more, one more, one more.

Jessie LopezItem 1

Thank you so much.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

do you guys have a 501c3

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

all right Thank You councillor Becerra next up is councilmember Vasquez Valley Valley High School Women's Volleyball Team. Come on up, ladies.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Valley High School Women's Volleyball Team in honor of Women's History Month.

Benjamin VazquezItem 1

Hello, girls. You on the under, Jacqueline? Where's Ms. Gill? Where's Ms. Gill?

Okay.

Benjamin VazquezItem 1

Ms. Gill, a minute? A minute?

Benjamin VazquezItem 1

All right. Let's go, Valley! As we continue to celebrate Women's History Month, we honor young athletes who are making history right here and our own community. Tonight, we proudly recognize the Valley High School Women's Volleyball Team for their remarkable achievements. This team captured Orange Coast League Championship in 2025, adding to their previous titles in 2022 and 2023. These victories represent three of the only league championships in the program's history, marking a significant milestone for the school. We also want to give special recognition

Benjamin VazquezItem 1

TO SOFIA GUZMAN, TO JACKIE GILL, SHE'S IN MY SECOND PERIOD, DANIELA SOMOZA, WHO WERE PART OF TWO CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS IN 23 AND 25. THEIR LEADERSHIP, DEDICATION, AND COMMITMENT EXEMPLIFIED THE STRENGTH AND POWER OF WOMEN IN SPORTS, AND THEIR EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN KEY IN GUIDING THE TEAMS TO CONTINUED SUCCESS.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

CAN WE PLEASE STOP TALKING? EXCUSE ME, COUNCILMAN VASQUEZ. WE NEED TO BE QUIET, PLEASE, SO WE CAN HAVE THIS PRESENTATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Thank you. I apologize.

Benjamin VazquezItem 1

This year, the team also advanced to the quarterfinals of the CIF Playas, showcasing their competitiveness, resilience, and teamwork on the field. During Women's History Month, we celebrate these young athletes for setting records and inspiring future generations of girls at Valley High School and throughout the Santa Ana community. To close, I'd like to invite Team Captain Sofia Guzman to the podium.

Can you say a few words? Here goes Sofia.

Benjamin VazquezItem 1

Here goes Sofia. I get it. There you go. Introduce yourself.

I'm Alyssa Monge. My position in volleyball is setter. Unfortunately, our captains are not here and the rest of the team. But, we're really,

I'm really proud of me and my girls, the whole team. During pre-season, our chemistry was not there. we were trying to figure things out but when league started that's when we started picking things up like we started learning each other and that's like kind of like how we came together basically and I'm really proud how we made it to round three I would like to thank our coaches for being there

Unfortunately, they're not here too. Also, our EDs are not here too. But so glad for Coach Arroyo for coming. He's our JV coach.

He just came from the Frosh. He's in boys. He's a boys coach, boys volleyball.

Thank you. That's all. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Yeah.

Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Okay, next presentation is by Councilmember Lopez, declaring May 2026, Murder Missing Indigenous Women Month. Please come on up.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Is Councilmember Lopez here? Oh, okay.

Can you guys make sure that the TV is broadcasting?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Thank you very much. We can't have public comments like that. Thank you. Okay.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

We're probably gonna have to do two rows. If you wanna make two rows, please come on in, Come on in.

Jessie LopezItem 1

Hello. Hi everybody, thank you so much for being patient. It really is such an honor to be able to recognize an incredible organization. if you don't know they are located here in the city of Santa Ana they've been doing work for a very long time and in 2021 they opened their doors to the community and so today indigenous women rising of Orange County is going to be accepting this proclamation proclaiming the month to come of May as murdered and Missing Indigenous Women Month. So before I begin, I also want to acknowledge the

Jessie LopezItem 1

indigenous people who are the original stewards of the land we gather today and recognize the resilience, their culture, and the contributions that Native communities have made past and present. Several indigenous cultures dwelled in in the area we call Santa Ana today, including the Tongva and the Hotchimal tribes before the Spanish colonization began in the late 1700s. These major groups of indigenous people in Orange County were thought to originate from the Shoshone. And so I really just wanna take a personal moment to say how much I admire their strength, their resilience.

Jessie LopezItem 1

We can never forget that indigenous people have faced just awful discrimination, awful harassment, awful treatment that is systemic, and they were intentionally, systematically excluded from so many opportunities. And so, as the daughter of parents who have survived war, I really relate to that belief of strength and in that belief of never giving up and always fighting, not just for one's selves and their safety, but for their entire communities. And so across the United States and North America,

Jessie LopezItem 1

indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit relatives have faced disproportionately high rates of violence, disappearance, and homicide. For decades, many of these cases have been overlooked, have been ignored, have been underreported, and left unsolved. Behind every statistic is a family waiting for answers and a community grieving the loss of a loved one. The movement to address this crisis has been led by Indigenous families, advocates, and organizations who have worked tirelessly to raise awareness and call for

Jessie LopezItem 1

meaningful change. Organizations such as Indigenous Women Rising of Orange County are doing the vital work needed to uplift indigenous voices and bring attention to this issue as an indigenous led organization indigenous women rising OC works to empower native communities and support indigenous self determination healing and well-being through their powerful ongoing work to raise awareness about missing and murdered indigenous women girls and and Two-Spirit people, and for their advocacy and support of California's Feather Alert Program, their leadership and their dedication

Jessie LopezItem 1

to help bring visibility to issues that impact all of our communities, in particular indigenous communities, is incredibly important because as I said earlier, these issues have been ignored for far too long. Through their advocacy, education, and community engagement, they are helping to advance awareness, awareness, accountability, and justice. It is my honor to recognize their commitment and the important role that they play in uplifting indigenous voices and protecting indigenous lives. I would also like to invite members of the community to join folks that you see behind

Jessie LopezItem 1

me after this council recognition to a reception immediately following at the Indigenous Women Rising office located right across City Hall. all. Raising awareness about the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people is an essential step forward to prevent violence and ensure that these cases receive the attention that they deserve. Awareness also encourages stronger collaboration between tribal governments, local, state, and federal authorities. Declaring May is not just symbolic, it is really a commitment to listen to indigenous voices, to support

Jessie LopezItem 1

community organizations that have been doing this work in our community for many many years, and to ensure that indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people are safe, valued, and protected. I encourage residents, community organizations, educators, and local leaders to observe this month through through education, remembrance ceremonies, and advocacy. Together we can honor those we have lost, stand with families still seeking answers, and work towards a future where indigenous women and girls can live safely and with dignity. With that, I am proud to present the month of May and proclaim the month of May

Jessie LopezItem 1

as Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women Month, and to accept this proclamation, we will also be hearing from indigenous women rising OC. Thank you.

Good evening everyone. My name is Maggie Acosta. I'm Yaqui Apache, born and raised here in Santa Ana, Orange County. My originals come from Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona. We are mountain people. And we started this organization, Lupe and I and others that you'll hear from, right in the middle of the pandemic, right at the beginning of the pandemic. So downtown here was a ghost town. I'm not sure how we survived through that, but we did.

by providing a safe space, a sacred space for our women and men, because men become missing victims too. They're also victims of violence. We provide a safe space where they can come and sit down and be heard and be understood. We provide counseling. We provide legal support. support. Oh my God, I can't even talk right now. We provide support for trauma. Sometimes

this is generational trauma that's been handed down through the generations of abuse and just non-recognition. So we have this office downtown where we provide those services. We've been very successful even through the pandemic, like I said, and we've served multiple people, multiple families, individuals, young women, young men, two-spirited, and even non-Indigenous. We do not turn anybody away. We raise our own funds.

We do a lot of fundraising. We table at various events throughout the county and beyond. We've gone all over the place. We go to all the powwows, and we try to keep our traditions and our ways alive in our community with our children. It's very important to teach our traditions to our children so that they don't lose our identity. My personal journey was very difficult because I didn't have my identity. So I understand perfectly how that impacts an individual and the trauma that comes with that.

So with that, I would like to bring someone else up to speak. Thank you very much.

Sorry if I get emotional. I didn't think I would, but I have.

Hello, I wish you all well this evening. My name is, oh, wow. My name is Erin Espinosa, and I am Kumeyaay here from the San Diego area. However, like she mentioned, I was born and raised here in Whittier. Didn't know that I was Native American, and probably until I was, I don't know, about 17, 18 years old. It's something that, you know, sometimes our grandmothers aren't speaking of, you know, even though they may be enrolled members. But it was something that I never heard. It's something that I had to learn.

And so if it wasn't for organizations like this, you know, I wouldn't have found my identity. I wouldn't have found something that I never knew was missing. But with that, what I would like to, I have this photo right here.

And it was a dear friend of mine. She is a dear friend of mine. Her name is Jamie King. And if we can all just together say her name, I would like for all of us on the count of three, if we could all just say Jamie King. One, two, three. Jamie King. I'm here on behalf of Indigenous Women Rising, Lupe invited us, but also for United American Indian involvement. My beloved friend Jamie King, I have the honor and privilege to call her my friend, my sister, my co-worker, who will forever be missed and never forgotten. She is also a daughter, she is

a mother, a grandmother who loved everyone and a true testament to wanting to help her community. She did some great work in Santa Ana and throughout LA County as well. She had the biggest smile and loved hugs. Today we are here in remembrance of our dear Jamie and all those that we have lost and those who have not found. I just thank you for this space again we come with always good intentions and safe spaces and that's the work that that we do throughout indian country and i'm just so very thankful for giving indigenous women rising the opportunity to be here today and again thank you good evening

hi my name is lila and i'm just here to say i'm very grateful for the feather alert Our family became victims and our daughter was found. Thank you.

Good evening, my name is Janine James and I'm the vice chairwoman for the one annual band of Mission Indians. And today on our tribal land, we're here to acknowledge a wonderful organization in Indigenous Women Rising and with the work that they do and the power that they give the community. It is an honor to be a part of this. So thank you for this and I appreciate everything they do. I'd also like to say that the One Annual Band of Mission Indians 84B fully support Jesse Lopez and hope that everything works out well for everybody. Thank you very much.

Good evening. I'm Officer Perez. And as an officer with the California Highway Patrol, I've seen firsthand how every second counts when a member of our indigenous community goes missing. Our feather alert system, much like our AMBER alert system, which I'm sure you're all familiar familiar with when your phone blasts off with an alert in the middle of doing something and it just startles you, right? Feather Alert System, much like it, is a powerful tool that brings a new set of eyes and ears through the millions of drivers traveling throughout California.

So it's a vital program in my department's commitment to keeping Native people, Native women safe and the people of California safe. So thank you to Councilwoman Lopez for bringing awareness to this and thank you to the Indigenous Women's Rising group for all the wonderful work you do. So round of applause for them.

Jessie LopezItem 1

Thank you everybody. Are we ready for a group picture?

Once.

Perfect.

Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

All right, thank you everybody for coming for the presentations. At this time we're going to go to staff presentation. Mr. City Manager, can we please have the presentation from Public Works, please?

Alvaro NuñezItem 5

Yes, thank you, Mayor. Our Acting Director of Public Works, Mr. Rodolfo Rosas, will make the presentation for us.

Good evening, Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, City Councilmembers. Item number five on the agenda is a status update on the priority projects we have in the city.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

I'm sorry, quick question, Mr. City Manager. This is regarding the rate hikes. We took it off the agenda. Do you still need to do this presentation? Is this just the rate hikes?

No.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Okay. I apologize. I want to make sure it's not just regarding the rate hikes. So I missed two meetings. I just want to make sure. We took that item off the agenda.

Alvaro NuñezItem 5

Yes. This is a... All right.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Go ahead, Mr. Rosas. I apologize.

Alvaro NuñezItem 5

Public projects.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Got it. Thank you. Not raising rates for water. Thank you.

Alvaro NuñezItem 5

No.

Thank you. Okay. Here we go. So, there are currently 42 projects in construction representing a total investment of $185 million in the community. The projects listed here have been identified as priority projects and I will be providing a status update for each.

Here's just a brief map illustrating all the projects, all these priority projects throughout the city. As you can see, the priority projects are being constructed in all sectors of the city.

We'll start with a priority project that is already completed. El Salvador Park improvements included new restroom facilities and baseball field upgrades. The restroom was completed in May of last year, and the field improvements were completed in January of this year with the assistance of the local carpenters union.

Next, we have the Centennial Park Improvements Project, which is an expansion of the Centennial Park to include new trails, picnic areas, parking lot, restrooms, and the City's first dog park amenity. The project will be completed this month and the ribbon cutting is scheduled for April 4th.

We have a brief aerial video that was taken about a month ago showing the progress on the dog park fields.

New sod has already been installed and crews are working on finishing touches.

Next, we have the new Salvador Quintana Park at Bristol and Tolliver. This new park is the third in a series of so-called sponge parks, as there are major stormwater capture and reuse elements included. In fact, the majority of the funding for this park comes from state grants related to stormwater.

In addition to the varied stormwater elements, this project includes a new play equipment equipment and adult fitness equipment, shade structures, pedestrian pathways and lighting, a new basketball court as well. Project is on schedule to be completed next month.

Next we have Santa Anita Park. The project involved a complete tear down and reconstruction of the park, including a new synthetic sports field and bleacher seating, a new basketball court, a playground, ground, expanded parking lot, pool renovations, and of course the construction of two new buildings to serve as the reservations office for Parks and Rec and a community space and the PAL Center.

Here's another video to highlight. Whoops.

Here we go.

There was supposed to be an aerial video showing the improvements at the park, and it was really great.

I'll move on to the next one.

A project we started this fiscal year is the police training facility. facility. The project included installing a new classroom building, a new simulation house building, and renovation of the existing restrooms and office space.

As seen here, you see the new classroom buildings, the simulation house, and the top left picture is the restrooms and office space. space. Work is substantially complete. The site is in use, but additional work continues to provide additional utility connections to the simulation building and general site cleanup.

We also have a number of street improvements in construction. One of the larger projects is the standard and McFadden bikeway and street improvement projects. The project was divided into four major phases to ensure the contractor completed segments of the project before moving on to the next segment. Currently, three of the four phases are substantially complete and work has begun on the final phase which is McFadden from Bristol to Grand.

The City has made a historical investment in its public library system, including the construction of new library facilities and the renovation of the existing libraries. The most prominent project is the renovation of the main library and includes new electrical and mechanical and communication systems, repairs to the roof and exterior walls, site improvements including parking, lighting, and landscaping, and a complete remodel of the interior space to allow more engaging public spaces including a large community room, room, STEM learning areas, and a new history room.

Work is ongoing on both exterior and interior elements that is on schedule for substantial completion in July.

We have also broken ground on the Portola Park Splash Pad project. Project includes a new splash pad with water features and shade structures, renovating the restroom at portola park and adding onto that building to house the splash pad equipment work is currently being performed on the restroom structure and grading the site for the future splash pad

David PenalozaItem 5

madam mayor before rudy moves on that's in ward three not board six i want to make sure it's corrected thank you council which is exciting for ward three apologies but i just wanted to point Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

There's more coming. Don't worry. We'll have them in all the boards. Go ahead.

This fiscal year, the City Council included funds to construct street improvements in the MacArthur Place business area. Public Works has completed plans, received bids for the improvements, and is preparing to bring a contract for Council's consideration next month. If approved, the project is on schedule to be completed in September of this year.

The Memorial Park Aquatic Center represents the largest investment in our parks and aquatic facilities. The project includes demolition of the existing pool and buildings, which contained asbestos, complex grading, soil dewatering, remediation and strengthening, building of a competition pool and recreation pool, constructing a new state-of-the-art aquatic building, and concrete bleacher seating. We do have a video here.

The project presented a number of challenges early on, but is now rapidly advancing. The work effort is extensive. This video taken in January shows work simultaneously occurring on the building and pool structures.

Today work continues on the roof, electrical, and pool plumbing systems. The whole structural elements are complete, and both the north and south buildings are structurally complete as well.

Next we have Bristol Street.

Bristol Street is two construction projects happening at the same time. One in the north from Civic Center to Washington and another in the south from Warner to St. Andrew. Project includes underground and overhead utilities, expanding the roadway to three lanes in each direction with protected bike lanes, center medians, parkway landscaping, sound walls, water lines, storm drain, extensive street improvements. improvements.

This video was taken last month and shows the crews currently working on installing the underground utility structures on the South Bristol segment of the project.

We also show the recently completed North Bristol project. Northbound lanes are complete and open, and the southbound, which is shown on the left of the video, will be working on pole removals and finishing the southbound lanes this summer.

Next we have the Cypress Center Firehouse Restoration Project. This project includes the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the historic Santa Ana Fire Station Number 4 for use as a new PAL Center. The contractor has completed demolition and is currently working on interior plumbing and framing modifications. We are on track to complete this project by year's end.

And finally, we have the Warner Corridor Widening Project. Similar to Bristol, this widening project is planned to be delivered in phases. The first phase is under construction, but due to performance issues, the City terminated the relationship with the contractor. Since then, the City has made progress on completing elements of the project and continues to do so. Roadway improvements to allow for additional traffic lanes are scheduled to be completed by May and landscape installation is scheduled to commence next month. Construction bids on the final phase of the project have been received and are being evaluated.

Delivering these projects is truly a team effort and would not be possible without the support from the City Manager's Office, Police Department, Library, Parks and Rec, and all of the other city departments here. Thank you. That concludes the presentation. Thank you for your time.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Thank you very much. Any council members have questions or comments, please raise your mind if you'd like to speak. Council Member Becerra, please.

Phil BacerraItem 5

Thank you, Madam Mayor, and thank you, Rudy, for that presentation update. It's good for the community to see some of the progress we're making, and thank you, Mr. City Manager. As we've talked about many a times, there's a lot of these projects that, you know, they were, in theory, they weren't really happening. And so I want to thank you and your team for jump-starting these and making them happen. And I know Rudy hasn't been on the job in his particular position too long. And so this is a testament to the work that you've been able to accomplish in your time. So between our city manager and our director of public works,

Phil BacerraItem 5

I want to thank both of you guys for all the work in making these things happen. So thank you.

Phil BacerraItem 5

Councilman Hernandez.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 5

Thank you, Madam. I just want to also say thank you for the presentation and for ensuring that work is moving forward. These very important projects are getting completed. For residents in Ward 5, I want to specifically thank the City Manager's Office for prioritizing El Salvador Park. That was a project that we had funded in 2021, but we had failed to get the project fully executed, and it was thanks to your office prioritizing this park. El Salvador's restrooms were there since 1960. They were one of the older facilities. and you helped replace those. So I want to be on the record in telling you thank you

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 5

on behalf of the thousands of residents and the students and families who use El Salvador Park. Thank you very much. We are also very much thankful for all of my colleagues here at the Santa Ana City Council who voted in favor of investing in our public library. We invested over $23.9 million in renovating the Santa Ana Public Library. So I just want to remind residents in Washington Square willard and across the city that our library will be opening up this year july 2026 is the date that we are targeting we're looking forward to serving families across the city and then lastly construction

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 5

is looking close to complete on bristol between civic center and 17th street all of that construction is looking really nice residents are are very happy with the way that they've been treated throughout the process so i just want to also be on the record for saying thank you guys city of santa ana for doing your due diligence to mediate any of the residents concerns thank you

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

thank you very much councilman vasquez please thank you i want to thank staff and the city

Benjamin VazquezItem 5

manager for the work that we that we're doing in the ward 2 and looking into mcfadden corridor with the light post and getting that fixed but especially for renovating cypress fire station for the future Pals Center and also for Salvador Quintanilla Park and the opening of all the libraries. I'm excited to see these libraries reopen and be of service to our youth and our community, but it's happening really fast. I really appreciate all the work that we're getting across this year. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Thank you. Mayor Pro Tem, Pedalosa, please.

David PenalozaItem 5

Thank you, Mayor Mezcua, and thank you, City Staff, for this long-awaited update on these various projects that we have in the pipeline and under construction. I just had a question as far as to the utility poles on Bristol Street along Civic Center down to Washington and the utility poles on Warner Avenue. When can we expect that process to begin in the removal of the utility poles on Bristol and Warner? and what kind of, I know I saw some 2027 construction deadlines on here on Warner, which is a little frustrating,

David PenalozaItem 5

but I'm happy to see a date, but I just want to know when that utility pull process will start removal. Because I guess a lot of the frustration from a lot of the residents in this area is, they know that these projects have had delays, some out of our control, but they want to know why, why and what that timeline looks like to anticipate the removal of those poles.

Mayor Patel, thanks for the question. First we share in the frustration in the time it's been taking to coordinate with the utilities to have them essentially get to work quickly and underground their utilities. THE SEGMENT ON BRISTOL BETWEEN CIVIC CENTER AND WASHINGTON IS CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS THAT THEY NEED TO UNDERGROUND THEIR UTILITIES SO THE POLLS CAN BE REMOVED. WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING WITH THEM. WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM FOR YEARS ON THIS PROJECT.

THEY ANTICIPATE REMOVING THE POLLS BY JUNE, I.E., THIS SUMMER OF 26, FOR THAT SEGMENT OF BRISTOL. So for Warner, it's the same charter communications as well that we're waiting. The electrical, all the other utilities are done. That's why the poles, if you've seen them, have been chopped down. They're shorter. We expect charter to be out of the way by the end of this year so we can fully complete the project.

David PenalozaItem 5

Thank you for that, Rudy. Rudy, now is this just strictly Charter Communications or is there any other utility at play here that needs to do this work?

So originally there's many utilities, Edison, Charter, AT&T, Verizon, you name them.

Painstakingly working through each to do their portion and Charter is the final company.

David PenalozaItem 5

Okay. Okay. Is this something that we could potentially as a city work that we can do in-house and then just bill the respective companies for that work through our in-house contractors or even in-house staff?

Traditionally, that is not something the utility companies would allow. However, right now we are exploring all options to expedite this project.

David PenalozaItem 5

Perfect. Thank you, Rudy. And those questions are questions that have come up at various neighborhood meetings, whether it's Del High and Warner and Memorial Park and just different areas. So I'm not just pulling them out of the air. It's questions that we both heard about the specific projects. Even remember a couple months ago when I walked Warner down with you to see the construction status. But I'm happy to see movement and I'm hopeful that this gets completed soon. whatever we need to do as a city or elected officials to expedite the these utility companies to do this work and would be I mean more than I can ask for

David PenalozaItem 5

I mean I mean let us know there's anything that we can do but I would hope that we are it's clear that we are moving we are seeing progress so I'm excited thank you thank you for your work and making sure that these things things happen because it's been like I said long overdue and years past due so thank you Rudy

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

thank you city staff for this okay thank you so I don't see any other comments I'll just close with this Mr City Manager so I was first elected and I think my first meeting was December 7th of 2022 um it was an interesting meeting there was a lot of projects on the table my first year my second second year, and then you and your staff came along, and now you have taken along with all your staff, Rudy and everybody else, Sylvia, Min, I can name everybody that you're working with, with your leadership. These are projects that you took off the shelf, that we have been asking for the splash pads before I was elected.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

I know Mayor Pro Tem talked about it when I first was elected, whether it's utility whether it's the parks, all of this, the dog park when I got elected, I heard about the dog park that was, you know, I think five, six years in the making and no funding for it, just for an example. So I really appreciate that. I think we don't say that enough. We always, you know, we hear some of the complaining about, you know, all the things that are happening that may be negative, but I hope the community is really paying attention to all of these projects that are being completed with the exception of Mayor Pro Tem's question

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

about Warner, that's in 2027. These should all be done in 2026. And so this is gonna be an amazing year for us because there's so many projects that we're gonna have. And when I've been off for five weeks and you said, you and Deputy City Manager said, "'Keep your Saturdays clear "'cause we're gonna have ribbon cuttings every Saturday.'" So I'm really excited and I hope the community's excited too because we're gonna be opening up things left and right, new PAL centers and new parks and splash pads and you know Bristol, Whiting, Warner. I mean I'm very excited what's happening so

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

thank you very much for all this work to all of you. I really appreciate it. Thank you so much and I can't wait to hear from the community. There'll be hiccups we know that. There's you know we're not we're not sitting here saying everything's perfect. There will be hiccups but thank you for everything. So sitting up here now it's my fourth year it's good to see that we're just not getting the same oh yeah we'll get to you yeah we'll get to you. We're hearing oh it's in the works and it'll be completed summer so thank you very much i appreciate it

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

thank you really very much okay next item madam city attorney do you have anything to report out

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 5

of closed session please yes thank you mayor members of the city council members of our public we do have one item to report out from our closed session this evening by unanimous vote of seven to zero the mayor and council members approved a settlement in the frank rocha case in the amount of $169,482 for a final and universal settlement. That's all the reportable action I have.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Thank you, Madam City Attorney. 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 procedure and call the first speakers, please.

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

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 discussions 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 by 2 p.m. We received a total of 29 e-comments, 28 on non-agenda topics, and one related to item number 23, the canceled public hearing.

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

Those were distributed to the City Council and made a part of the record on the City's website. We'll now hear from members of the public that are physically present in the council chamber followed by those on Zoom or the teleconference call to provide comments on agenda or non-agenda items with the exception of the housing authority. Please state your name and the ward or neighborhood that you reside in for the record. Call your name. Please line up in the center aisle behind the podium. Manuel Avila, Erica Armenta, Jocelyn Pacheco.

Is this my time to speak? Okay, God bless you. Does this go on Channel Spectrum 3 News? Will it actually go on the news? Oh, okay. This little speech is about how we actually need to band together to address the concerns and dangers found within the concept of infinite money. It's a fascinating concept called infinite money. possibly 600 quadrillion dollars, but just know we don't get to receive any of that reward, that reward, the $22 million for every single soul, plus the extinguishment of global disembodiments

from our type of legislative control, it would actually unify all of our hands and body toward one type of controlled legislation where we actually be able to shut down the black market. So the black market, legislative control, the money, and then actually very short working days, two hours a day we would have to work. There's not much that we could think about in terms of stopping us. I think we have to think more about protecting it safely. Because there are things we can see. The things we can see is that resources are not a problem.

Even in terms of like the future heavenly Jesus and Jehovah, possibly giving us maybe miraculous, similar to being manna-esque and re-emulant of Yahweh's manna through the wilderness or resources could just become available. And teleportively can shun our family into heavenly bliss. That's resources. And then we have work motivation. And work motivation, we're all going to be a culture of red, successful, like we're going to be on psychologically intelligent and on maybe athletic or spiritual into a higher enlightenment.

And I think we're going to be on success oriented where we like striving into the success. And look at this massive unsuccessful state that is created when we don't work. and we when we let this work motivation fall low it's actually where we see the $22 million from the 600 quadrillion dollars split evenly on medical problems and on time right um I don't know how much on the because we're gonna free food and free freaking deliveries of cars and free houses and he's gonna be free so that 200 I mean that's me $2 million might last a very long time on

more than what we would expect because everything is free so on when you think I think of everything like how the inflation is no longer a thing because of... We have debit cards from the government, federal e-coin, and we also have legislative controls. So that's how it's inflation. Inflation is only what they say is wrong when they say, we can never print infinite money or we can never print quadrillions, we can never print trillions, hundreds of trillions of dollars. If we try to print $300 trillion, they would call us crazy. They would say that's one earth. So but it is possible. We need to think openly. Your time is up.

I'm going to have to plan it out first or else it's dangerous and irresponsible. Your time is up, sir.

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

Thank you. Erica Armentha, Jocelyn Pacheco, Matthew Compton.

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

Jocelyn Pacheco, Matthew Compton, David Pulido.

Good evening. My name is Jocelyn Pacheco and I'm with CSO OC's Police Accountability Committee. We are here yet again to demand justice for the far too many lives taken by your officers. On December 1st, 2024, Noel Rodriguez was unarmed and experiencing a mental health crisis when officers Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra shot him nearly 30 times. Body camera footage shows they opened fire less than 30 seconds after arriving with most of those bullets striking Noel in the back, including three as he was already falling to the ground. The full footage also proves that officers' statements do not match reality.

Casillas claimed he fired 14 to 15 rounds when in reality he emptied all 18 rounds and still reloaded. Ibarra claimed he fired about 7 rounds when he actually fired 11, so either they don't know how to count or they willingly provided false statements to justify deadly force. Casillas also said it looked like Noe was loading a gun, but that is not what the footage shows. What it does show is Noe standing still, holding what we now know as a toy rifle against his chest and not waving or pointing a shotgun at officers like Ibarra claimed. Again, the footage does not support this.

The officers also failed at the most basic level of communication. They gave only three commands, all in English. Drop the gun or you're going to be shot. Noet only spoke Spanish. Dispatch identified him as Hispanic. The officers identified him as Hispanic. And in the city where the majority of people are Hispanic, they made no effort to communicate in a language he could understand. They gave him no real opportunity to comply, no chance to ask for help, and took no steps to deescalate. After shooting him, they failed him again and instead of providing immediate medical care, they waited.

They called for more officers. For over 10 minutes, Noel lay without aid. When officers finally approached, they shot him again with a 40mm launcher, handcuffed him, and only then called for medical personnel. That was more than 13 minutes after he had already been shot 29 times, but it did not stop there. Just one month later, on January 1st, 2025, Officer Luis Casillas shot and killed Henry Gonzalez Jr., a man his own mother said was suicidal and in crisis, yet there was no attempt to deescalate. Casillas was also involved in the beating of a 15-year-old Mario Diaz, who was seen surrendering with his hands up

and ended up hospitalized with broken ribs and a punctured lung and a fractured eye socket. Officer Ibarra participated in the arrest of Freddy DeAngelo Washington, who later died after being restrained, pinned and deprived of breath, while in custody. Despite all of this, both officers remain on duty. One is investigating crimes against persons while being investigated himself. Meanwhile, the Santa Ana Police Officers Association, whom you Valerie have taken money from, has attacked grieving families and community members, calling them anti-public safety for demanding transparency. So it's no wonder why you

refuse to hold them accountable. Casillas and Ibarra are a threat to this community and unless you all take steps to hold officers accountable when when they commit crimes, any one of us here tonight can be next. Just another statistic on the long, long list of black and brown people victimized by SAPD and you all need to do better. We demand justice for Noel Rodriguez, Henry Gonzales Jr.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Your time is up. Your time is up, ma'am. Your time is up. Her mic has been muted. Thank you very much. Ma'am, your time is up. Ma'am. Your time is up. Thank you. Thank you, your time is up.

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

Next three speakers. Matthew Compton, David Pulido, and Abe Hugh.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

I'm sorry, hold on one second. We've been through this over and over. If we can't be respectful and let people speak, then we're going to have to take a break. So please just let people speak. It's three minutes, please. You can boo me all you want. So thank you very much. Three minutes, thank you.

Thank you. Yeah, she was like 17 seconds over. You could have let her finish. I mean, you sit here and say like, oh, you need to let people speak and then you don't let people speak, but whatever.

I feel like I don't have to introduce myself. I've been here plenty of times. You all know me. So I'm here today to once again demand justice for Noe Rodriguez. Has been well over a year and the two officers who murdered Noe remain on the force. Despite Luis and Isaac lying to fellow officers about how many bullets they each fired and about how Noe was acting. In the full body cam footage, officers Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra lied multiple times. Casillas said he fired approximately 14 to 15 bullets when he actually fired all 18. Ibarra said he fired 7 bullets when it was actually 11.

Casillas said it looked like Noe was loading a gun, but that is not what we see in any of the footage. Instead, we only see Noe standing motionless against the wall of Casa Linda Furniture Store, holding the toy rifle to his chest. Ibarra said that Noe was waving around a shotgun and pointing it in their direction. Again, the body cam footage contradicts both of these false claims. On February 18th, members of CSO, including Noe's two young daughters and Erica Armenta, were confronted by Isaac Ibarra outside of the police department while recording videos. Shame! He could have left the building many different

ways but chose to try and intimidate the family and our members. When he was called out for the shameless tactic, Ibarra assaulted members of our organization and called for several police officers to help him. Ibarra once once again lied to fellow officers saying we assaulted him in an attempt to get us arrested when in reality we never touched him. Instead, Ibarra elbowed myself and another member in the stomach and then he proceeded to shoulder check me to try and get a reaction out of me. Ibarra also did a fake punch towards another member. When the officers arrived, Isaac tried to get the same CSO member to fight him, getting

in his face and taunting him to try and fight. Meanwhile, none of the other officers present tried to calm down Ibarra or get him out of our members' face. Instead, the officers surrounded us, including the family of Noe. Isaac is highly mentally unstable and should not be allowed on the force, let alone carry lethal weapons. Again, myself, along with the family of Noe Rodriguez, demand that both Isaac Ibarra and Luis Casillas are fired from the force. One more thing, Becerra. You had a meeting with the Coach Royale mobile home people, their tenants, and their management

company is evicting them without cause and threatening to call ICE on them. And all you had to say was, oh, there's lines we don't cross. Well, you're a disgusting human being for that response, and you should be ashamed of yourself. That is what you're saying. Yeah, that is what you're saying. Yeah, that is. Yeah, that is.

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

David Pulido, Abe Kueh, Brian Villacorta.

All right. I would like to begin by thanking Councilmember Jonathan Hernandez for helping us to establish a mural of Noe Rodriguez here in downtown Santa Ana. That's right. That's right. That mural stands less than a block away from where he was killed by Santa Ana police. It stands as a monument to the dignity of Noe Rodriguez, and it symbolizes the ongoing struggle for justice for all Chicanos killed by police. My name is David Pulido, and I'm a member of CSO Orange County. We are here to demand justice for Noe Rodriguez. Yes, we demand that killer cops Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra be fired.

That's right. Luis Casillas killed two people within one month. Noe on December 1st, 2024, and Henry Gonzalez Jr. on January 1st, 2025. Last June, Casillas was one of many officers who beat 15-year-old Mario Diaz after he had already surrendered to police, according to his family. For all his crimes, SAPD has not fired Luis Casillas. Instead, they moved him from patrol to the Crimes Against Persons Division. Shame. Isaac Ibarra also killed Noe Rodriguez. The next month, he was one of six officers who brutally arrested unarmed Freddie Washington.

And this February, as my comrade mentioned, while holding a press conference with Noe's family, Isaac Ibarra approached us. It was a cruel and shocking act of disrespect. When we confronted Ibarra and started filming him, he lunged at us and pushed us multiple times and lied and said we assaulted him. There's multiple testimony to contradict that and at least three videos. Isaac Ibarra is a dangerous man and should be fired immediately. immediately. Police-backed politicians like Phil Becerra, right over here, they like to cry about the right to due process when it comes to police. But where was that right for Noé? Your police

robbed that right from Noé in under 30 seconds. Where was that right for Freddie Washington? Police robbed that right from Freddie when they let him die alone in a jail cell. When people talk about due process for police, I think about Alejandro Campos Rios, an unarmed 50-year-old Chicano who was killed by Fullerton police in 2024. The DA's office just released its report claiming that officers were not guilty of criminal misconduct. In the past 15 reports, they say officers were not guilty of criminal misconduct. In the last 25 reports by the California Department

of Justice, no police were found guilty. We cannot wait for the criminal injustice system to exonerate these killer cops, to whitewash their crimes. We demand that Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra be fired before they kill again. Before they kill again. The blood is on the hands of our own police chief Robert Rodriguez. The blood will be on your hands city manager Alvaro Nunez if you do nothing. The blood will be on the hands of any council member who stands in the way of accountability and justice. Never let anyone forget it. That will be your legacy. We will be here. We're not going

away. We will be here every time. Justice for Noel Rodriguez. Justice for Justice for Henry Gonzalez, Jr.

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

David, your time is up.

Justice for Freddie Washington.

Justice for Mario Diaz. This will be your legacy, Valerie. We'll never let anyone forget it. You too, David. You too, Phil. That's right, we'll be back.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Thank you, your time is up. Next speaker, please. Please.

You know, the elections are coming up. I'm really excited to see how much money you guys got from the POA again. Good afternoon, city council and staff. My name is Abe, I'm a resident of Ward 3, and I'm a proud member of CSO Orange County. We're here over one year and three months since the murder of Noe Rodriguez to continue demanding justice for him. The officers who shot Noe while he was unarmed and having a mental health crisis luis casillas and isaac ibarra are still on the force and we demand that they be fired immediately from santa ana pd this goes to you chief chief robert rodriguez

and city manager alvaro nunez and to the rest of you on the city council they need to be fired fire these killer cops now noah's murder was not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of violence involving santa ana pd officers like luis casillas and isaac ibarra are symptoms of this problem. We lack accountability and transparency of the police department and the city. Luis Casillas shot and killed Henry Gonzalez Jr. just one month after Noe on January 1st, 2025. But residents of Santa Ana were never told about that. We were never told that there's a killer cop patrolling

our streets. And now Casillas has been moved to crimes against persons. That means he's investigating other critical incidents. This is not accountability. Shame! Isaac Ibarra took part in the brutal arrest of Freddie Washington on January 15th, 2025. Freddie was on the phone with his lawyer when he was beaten, pinned down, and put into a full body restraint by multiple officers, including Isaac Ibarra. Shame! Freddie died in police custody at the jail. But no residents again of Santa Ana heard about this case. We only heard about it through a very biased critical incident video released by the police department.

We need an independent investigation to his death because moving Isaac Ibarra to North Area Command is not accountability. And there's a lot more cases that these officers have both been involved in. When we go out and do outreach and talk to people, to residents of Santa Ana and all of your wards, some of them have had experiences with these officers. Some of them know Casillas and Ibarra and they say, that's the guy. That's the guy who beat me. That's the guy who intimidated me. And there's a lot more that we really need to talk about here. But I only have three minutes, so...

We need real transparency and real political power in the hands of the community to hold the police accountable when they commit crimes. This includes protecting the powers of the Police Oversight Commission to conduct independent investigations. We should be increasing the commission's budget to increase the number of investigations and hold accessible community meetings. Because again, when we talk to residents all around the city, the vast majority don't know that the Police Oversight Commission exists. and they are so afraid of retaliation from Santa Ana PD

that they don't want to submit any complaints about police misconduct and police violence. This fear is the embodiment of the relationship between Santa Ana PD and working class communities all around Santa Ana. And this fear is justified because officers like Casillas and Ibarra have denied people with mental health illnesses and people experiencing other social issues their right to due process. Justice for Noe Rodriguez, justice for Henry Gonzalez Jr., Justice for Freddie Washington and Justice for Freddie Lopez. Dave, your time is up.

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

Brian Villacorta, Jer, Steph, Brian, Steph, and then Grace Arzova.

greetings bless you so my name is jair and i believe it was reverend early came up to do the prayer, right? One thing that he said that I think is very thematic for tonight and just for a lot of the chaos that's happening in the world today. He said, I seek the strength to overcome evil. And right now, that's the, I would like for you guys to just, when you hear them, I know that that there's a lot of history of arguments or disagreements, but I want you to trust that the people that have come

to speak to you today, yes, they're angry, we're angry, but I want you to see us as people who are combating evil, not as people who are against you or your values, but please see us as people who are combating evil, whether that's in the form of a killer cop, whether that's in the form of a real estate corporation that's out of state and trying to displace people from their homes please see us in that way don't see us as counter to you just see us as co-combatants that are combating evil

and we're asking for your help the people are asking for your help for accountability whether it's to that cop whether it's from the police department or whether it's from this real estate agency. My first initiative here was to voice my support for the land, the homeowners of the Coach Royal Park Mobile Homes. They have come here multiple times to speak to you and really plead to you to do something, step in. And it's what I've observed. You may observe it differently, but I see them come come and they get breadcrumbs. Not even, right?

You may see it otherwise, but that's just what I observe.

And I'm here today to ask on behalf of them an investigation to be started on this real estate company that has been harassing, intimidating. Those are two words that come to remember the killer cop. Same thing, harassing, intimidating, vulnerable people, people who don't have the power of money. They have the voice, but they're being silenced. That's the key thing. They're being silenced. So I'm here to ask those things for y'all to go visit them. Just go visit. Take like half an hour, 40 minutes. Come visit them just to see what they're talking about.

See what kind of intimidation that they're going through. So that's one thing after this comment section is done. I'm going to ask you all to please individually voice what you can do. If it's, oh, I can't do this, what can you do? That's what we're asking. Thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

Next speaker is Steph, followed by Grace Arzova and Dale Helvig.

Okay. I'm Steph with CSO, and we are here once again demanding justice for Noe Rodriguez. Rodriguez. As much as some members of this council might like us to stop talking about what happened to Noe, what happened to Henry Gonzalez Jr., Mario Diaz, Freddie Washington, and many, many more young Chicano and black men in this city, we will not stop. Some members of the council have an interest in sweeping SAPD's crimes under the rug, though they like to pretend that campaign donations amount to nothing. The American public knows better than that and something I know is no better than that. I am here to let you know that we will not

rest until this council hears the desperate cries of the people who are brutalized by SAPD and the members of their families that are left to pick up the pieces.

We will not rest until the police are held accountable just like they claim to hold Santa Ana residents accountable. Police are not above the law so we ask that this council reflect this. Murder is not a victimless crime just because it is carried out by police. These community members will be remembered. They are grieved and the community is left hurting. We demand that Isaac Ibarra and Luis Casillas are taken off the force so they can no longer harm community members. On top of his many crimes, Officer Isaac Ibarra has tried to intimidate not only community members seeking justice,

but also the grieving family members of the man who he killed. Noe Rodriguez's young daughters and his wife were intimidated and harassed by Isaac Ibarra. This behavior is despicable. Shame. I wonder if this council has any shame for how violent officers like this are representing them. We demand that killer cops Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra are fired and held accountable for their crimes. Thank you.

Hello, my name is Grace Arzola. My nephew was killed in Anaheim on December 6th, and I'm here to advocate for all the family members that have lost a loved one. And Valerie and Phil, body language means everything. And I really encourage you guys to go back and look at your body language and the way you guys treat us when we come up here. You guys were more upset over charter communication not fixing their light poles than people losing their lives.

As someone that has lost someone, that my Christmas will never be the same, you guys have to give us at least a little bit of dignity and respect when we come up here to talk to you guys. We come talk to you guys with our heart in our hands. We have pain. Victor's Lopez incident really affected our family because that was less than a month, I believe, from when my nephew died. It is not okay to sit up here and ignore your community members that want social justice. You guys have to do better. Valerie, you're like this. Come on. Be respectful. You hold the leadership

position act like a leader because you're not acting like one you really are not and when he Texas you and tells you check your phone and people are giving public comments the least you guys could do is pretend to listen to us because it takes a lot of courage to come up here and speak truth to power I also want to lead with you guys as a Christian as a person that believes we have to be the voice for those that don't have the voice my nephew doesn't have that voice Noel doesn't have that voice Victor Lopez doesn't have the voice and what do they have in common someone that has legal authority to kill them killed them

within 30 seconds my family was torn apart within 30 seconds noel's family was torn apart i love those parks i would have had love that noel would have been able to take his two young girls there but he won't be able to do that because santa ana police took care of that you guys have to understand if we those that are entrusted with a lot of power a lot is expected that is for you you guys and that's also for the officers that are supposed to serve and protect our community and that means all community members when someone's suffering from mental health

condition you don't go over there and assassinate them you get them crisis resources you wait you don't approach someone with guns out but my time's out but given i mentioned i am a christian and i believe that god sees everything and knows what's in our heart and what we're filling and I do want to say trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not into your own understanding and all your ways submit to him and he will make your path straight I want you guys to at least if you guys don't want to hear me go home if you guys believe in a higher power ask God for guidance because you

guys are really missing the point of serving the public you guys have to go back to that serving the people that elected you guys in these leadership positions

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

The next three speakers are Dale Helvig, Rain Mendoza, Diana Toreros.

Not Kelly Green, but this is the best I could do today.

I'd also like to thank Public Works. I was walking through the park, Santiago Park, on Saturday. There's probably like 75 people there, most of them kids playing in the park. So the improvements that they did there are great, and I think you'll see it once they get done with all these other parks, you're going to see those get activated just as well. It's great to see the investment we're putting into parks. So what I'm here to talk about tonight, though, is the special event policy.

And a neighbor came to me back in September saying that they thought the policy was being misused or violated, whatever you want to call it. And they asked me to take a look at it because they know I like doing research on certain things and so I did. I spent the next five months looking at things and looking at the policy. I put in a public records request for the information on all the contributions all the council members made. And I submitted that to you guys back in November asking for comments to see if it was right right or not.

And if I would have gotten an answer back then, this issue would have been over with by then. But it wasn't until the final public records request that I put in in February, I got a response back in March of this year, and it clearly showed that there was no violation. that the contributions made were correct by Mrs. Lopez, Miss Lopez, and there was a flyer there that said the activity was being held in Santa Ana. If anybody in the city would have bothered to get in touch

with me during that time, this issue could have been over with, and we wouldn't have wasted a lot of city resources, a lot of my time, and everything else. but to have to go through two or three council meetings and present the issue to have multiple residents submit information on it to have public records requests not being complete so anyway what I'd like to suggest and I sent the letter to you guys and I hope you guys do take a look at it because I think all this could have been avoided if you'd done a couple things the record that was

first provided me if it had included that it was a 501 on the form because it's already provided for on the donation request form but the spreadsheet that you provided me was lacking and or if the event location was included so I'm hoping that you guys can take a look at this policy and take a look at the letter because I'm running out of time and see if you can make these suggestions and have a discussion on it at a future council meeting. Thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

Rain Mendoza, Diana Toreros, Carla Baragon.

Hi, I'm Rain. I'm with the immigration committee with CSO Orange County and we're here to amplify the demands of the coach royal tenants that have been coming here. I also come speaking from the the perspective of someone who grew up in a mobile home park. So the people who are in mobile home parks are very vulnerable. They're working class immigrants, mostly undocumented immigrants, a lot of Chicanos, Mexicans, Central Americans. And these demographics are particularly vulnerable under the Trump administration, right? However, in this case, they don't have to be as vulnerable if this council would step up and do

something and help them, provide them with some tangible like assistance some help um this council you know uh i don't know i hear i see you valerie you you have like a video pinned on your instagram about how you care about this and this and that but have you gone to go talk to them or try to offer any help um so yeah so if this council claims to be so supportive and pro-immigrant and et cetera et cetera well then why don't you go help them you know they have demands they have real demands um the the coach royal tenants who are here as well they're sitting in the back they've been bullied they've been

intimidated they've been stolen from um disrespected and they're being threatened with ice so there's definitely something that y'all can do this this council needs to stand with the brave coach royal tenants and not say this is a line i won't cross when being met with and spoken with i know you know who i'm talking about um yeah also um i also wanted to speak on the incident i'm sure sure you've all seen the video of officer Isaac Ibarra and his unhinged behavior. I want to say that all of you should be really, really worried about how your officers are acting and they're

being filmed. So they're trying to lie about it and we have the film. It's all on camera, you know? So I wonder what they lie about when they're not on camera. You should be really worried. Okay, so it's one thing, right? If a little page, if a fucking page on Instagram ran by your little friend andres wants to post ai videos and whatever it's a whole nother thing when the santa and official santa and a poa um instagram wants to upload this video with lies with this narrative they're trying to lie it's on video it's they're acting like unhinged lunatics and you should all

be worried about the officers um who are representing you guys who work under you guys or whatever. Sorry, heat exhaustion, but I came anyway because I really wanted to give my comment. That was it. So, yeah, so we want to uplift the demands of the Coach Royal tenants. They're back there. They're also going to keep coming back. So, yeah, so we hope that you guys meet with them.

Hi, I'm Diana. I'm a resident of the Pacific Park neighborhood and I'm a member of CSOC's immigration committee. I'm here to support the residents of the Cotorio mobile home park. The things management is doing to the residents are wrong. They're harassing residents and threatening to call ICE on them. Families are losing their homes and this is supposed to be a sanctuary city. How can we allow an out-of-state corporation to come in and treat Santa Ana residents this way? Is it really a sanctuary city if residents live in fear and ICE is used as a weapon against them by large corporations? Again,

there has to be something that you all can do at the very least give them the time of day and go meet with them, listen to their concerns, and offer something something concrete. CSO supports the strong women organizers of Coach Royale in their demands for an investigation into this issue. All of the members of the council have stated, in one way or another, that they support the immigrant community in our city, and this is the perfect opportunity to do something concrete to support those residents. I also support the demands for justice for Noe Rodriguez. Isaac Ibarra and Luis Casillas need to be fired to protect the community.

As one of the Coach Royale organizers told me, SAPD is quick to pull a gun on a young Chicano who isn't hurting anyone, but when the residents of Coach Royale are being consistently harassed and intimidated by management, there is nobody there to protect them. So you guys need to do something. You need to stop just listening to the people who are lining your pockets in your campaigns, the SAPOA, and actually do something for your residents.

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

The next three speakers, Carla Baragon, Victor Mendez, Melody Remington.

Good evening, council members, mayor. I'm happy you're back. I wanted to first and foremost let you guys know that in the book of Nehemiah, it does say that we should be courageous. We shouldn't be scared, and it takes a lot of courage for me to stand up and back up thousands of people that they're under your guys' responsibility. I don't have the time. I don't have the energy. It causes a lot of distress on me to stand up and fight back against this out-of-state corporation that is monstrous, that threats me daily to silence,

to not come to a council meeting and fight for others. And I believe that this is gruesome and and it needs to stop already. One thing that I did hear in my community, loud and clear, was that we're all demanding justice. We just want to be treated as humans. We're tired. It's not okay to live in retaliation, to live in fear from anybody. It's disgusting, it's inhumane, and it needs to stop at every level.

I'm here to address the ongoing situation that is not a private dispute, as their attorneys are watching right now and want to claim and just throw under the rug. No, this is a public safety housing crisis, and it needs to be addressed as that. The city has legal and moral duties to intervene whenever systemic abuse endangers residents. Even if the structures themselves are not physically hazardous, it's worse when we're being the people that are attacked. We're losing our lives. We're losing our well-being, and this needs to stop. This corporation has sued our city, claiming protection under federal law.

law, yet its actions directly conflict with the purpose of 42.USC5401, the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standard Act. The law was enacted to protect homeowners, preserve affordability, and expand ownership opportunities when corporations destroy affordability or force homeowners to lose their homes and equity. They undermine the very protections Congress intended to safeguard. guard. Residents cannot be forced to move their homes arbitrarily or have buyers rejected simply because the corporation dislikes or doesn't profit from every single sale. No one should be faced

with retaliation for exercising lawful rights, yet residents are being intimidated, harassed, threatened, and placed in harm's way under your supervision. Living in fear while their legal protections are ignored, even threatened with eyes in our sanctuary city, needs to stop. I respectfully but firmly urge the mayor and every single one of you council members to treat this as the public as a public safety emergency every delay every day that goes by puts our residents vulnerable residents and minor children at risk this inaction today your inaction becomes complicit to this

monstrous behavior families are being threatened with the loss of their home and equity. This council cannot ignore nor claim ignorance. Thank you.

Before we begin, this needs to be wiped. There's some type of thing on here. Mr. City Attorney, can we get somebody to clean that for us, please? I'm sorry. I don't know what it is. My apologies.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

No, that's okay. Thank you for letting us know.

yeah please give me a second here okay um i have some comments about one thing but i want to kind of address some of the things that have been said today because some of them 67 i'm going to say what needs to be said no matter where it goes and i hope you're listening guys because every time i come here either they're gone or your heads are buried and that's just rude i listen to you okay so maybe the city needs to adopt a policy about standards of conduct for our property managers I understand some of the passion around these property managers.

I myself was threatened with eviction with a five-page letter from an attorney because I was trying to get decent standard of living for my residence. It was huge. I didn't like it. They tried to threaten me subtly. They wanted to kill my First Amendment rights. We prevailed. I'm here today. Now, they're still coming at me with little ticky-tack stuff, but it is what it is. So maybe a standard of conduct for our property managers might be something to do for every part of development agreement. What do we want of these guys? What do we expect? And how your property manager should govern themselves.

I think that would be a good starting point. On the other side, police, I'm not here to comment on the situation with the individuals at issue. I have pretty good relations with the police and I think they're pretty responsive. On First Street, they've done a great job of cleaning it up. We're starting to see a little bit of fragmentation going on. I saw some drugs. It's nothing to get too much in the lather about. But we've got to tighten it down. We've got to kind of keep it up. But people come up First Street and I meet with them. They say, God, the place is so much cleaner. It's safer.

I don't think Con-Am, my property manager, understands the work that's been done. But I think a lot of people do. do and I think a lot of it's over the police to code to a lot of people to Valerie myself Jeff Katz who were Desi were pretty damn hard for two years to make that happen so and we do a lot to the police in that respect I continue to have good relationships with them maybe it's not always perfect but it's a relationship and no relationship is every perfect and you just got to work it it. And that's just life. Now, on a more critical note, I'm really lost as to the status of

the East First Grade project. You know, we need this project more than ever. We have vacant properties. That's untapped revenue. I read about this $30 million shortfall and somehow it weaved into Alvaro's compensation, whatever. I don't care. We need the revenue. new. Get this project up and running, please. We have e-bikes that are coming on play. We don't want to see our children splattered. We don't want to see my disabled senior citizens hurt. Please. Staff has done a good job. I think it's ready to roll. It needs your leadership. You need to give the okay. It won't happen otherwise. So please lead. Get this project

running. Fill your proponent of infrastructure. This should be something you can be boast about all right thank you very much have a nice meeting good luck melody remington

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

melody

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

marin city council that concludes the public speakers that are present we'll now go to the zoom speaker when unmuted please announce your name and the ward or neighborhood that you reside for the record.

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

Mark, please unmute and make your comment.

Can I make my comment now?

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

Yes, go ahead please. You have three minutes.

Oh yeah, yeah. What I wanna talk about, Mark Pacific Park Committee Advisory Team, connect some of the issues, but I wanna make about three things about downtown, some of this place I go to like Santos Pizzeria on Broadway at Third is an excellent outfit. But I told them I'd come talk about they got this red marker, red zone where you can't park. And I talked to them to take out most of the deliveries. It'd be nice to see if they could come make that spot for them for delivery and pickup because it is red there. And you might have some police officers don't really know what's going on with the place, what's going on for business.

But maybe if the, whoever does the parking and troll infrastructure, go down and take a look at that with those guys. That Santos Pizzeria, get that red out of there so people can legally park there and pick up food. And also one more thing, I'll share your-

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

Mark, could you please hold on one moment, please?

Hello?

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

Hi, yes, could you speak a little louder?

Yeah, and I know you maybe heard about this kid of a name, Boomer Vicente. We operate on different specters of the political world, but I do something I wanna agree with, that the pride should be brought back to downtown Santa Ana. I worked at an event a few years ago with security, and I saw how really successful it was, how safe it was. It was really a good event. I think the city council or the city manager, the push back that for Stan Anagin, because I think it really put us on the map, especially what's happening downtown. And the last thing, I hate to say it, but you guys need to get out there on Saturday night

and have code enforcement, because we should be focusing on all the brick and mortar in downtown. I see all these taco trucks coming out outside the area, operating illegally, according to the rules. I think the big push now, especially with the trolley finally coming online, that we need to focus on our brick-and-mortar places downtown and start getting the code enforcement on Saturday, Sunday out there because it's the Wild West out there, folks. You need to come out there, and our sole focus should be the downtown area and all that. And that's about it right now. Like I said, man, code enforcement needs to work on the weekends.

It's not a paid speculation. It has to be done. We need to start making the rules for everybody, people working in St. Ann and supporting our brick-and-mortars. When I see taco trucks in front of restaurants downtown, downtown, that's not going to work because those restaurants open on very, very margins. We should be focused in the areas. So like I said, if some of you council members don't remember downtown artist village, and if you're afraid to go out there and talk to me, I'll definitely help you out there. One more thing, having certain council members out there raising hell on newly acquired tracks is a bad idea.

I'm not going to mention the name, but I got a real-time clear image about raising hell out there, causing problems out there. So I suggest to your council, folks, I need to stand out at first. Thank you, folks.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Mayor and City Council, that concludes the public speakers. Thank you very much, Madam Clerk. Madam City Attorney, can you address the mobile home park issue for us?

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 5

Please, do you have any comments regarding that? Thank you, Mayor, Council Members, and members of our public. We anticipated that we might get some public comments tonight, and we just wanted to take a moment to let the community know what the city has been doing with respect to the complaints about the mobile home park. I'd first of all like to state that we will address this from a legal perspective. And we understand, fully understand the anxiety and the fear that the residents and the owners of actual coaches at the Coach Royal mobile home park are facing. I want the Council to know and

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 5

the community to know that we all stand ready to enforce our city laws, and we are already doing so. So as of this afternoon, one of our senior assistant city attorneys assigned to the rent division spent her entire morning with the rent division of our staff trying to get a very high level view of the documents that were submitted. Currently there are 17 petitions. Sixteen were recently submitted and one is scheduled for a hearing. Our rent stabilization division reported that all of the petitions have been accepted, even even those that were just recently submitted. They are in the process of scheduling a hearing

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 5

at the end of April, and it will be a consolidated hearing in front of one hearing officer.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 5

We have been very committed to enforcing the city's ordinance, but I need to really let the community know that the city's ordinance was designed to address very specific situations. And some of the complaints that we've seen are unique. They're not related solely to the city ordinance. And in that case, we want the community to know that in 2024, the Division of Codes and Standards of the California Department of Housing and Community Development published an informational bulletin. And this bulletin is designed to assist complainants and provides an additional avenue to resolve

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 5

mobile home residency law disputes by connecting the mobile home owners residing in each of these parks with legal resources. I want to say that again. Again, the state law has a program which mandates, it's been mandated by the state legislature to connect each of these complainants with legal resources. And participation in this program does not delay any civil actions that are ongoing to enforce the law. So the California Department of Housing and Community Development, it's HCD, administers this program by contracting with nonprofit legal service providers. providers.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 5

So HCD currently has ongoing contracts and they refer all of the complaints of these violations to the contracted legal service provider to assist and to resolve all of the complaints. HCD states that it will continue to intake all complaints and refer any alleged violations within its jurisdiction to the appropriate program or division of codes and standards. And those that are not within HCD's jurisdiction will also be referred to the appropriate enforcement agency. Any and all alleged violations of the mobile home residency law will be sent to a contracted legal service provider. So we want to make sure that

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 5

the people who have come forward are aware of this additional avenue. So rest assured that the city is enforcing its own rules and laws, but this is an additional avenue and we are encouraging the residents to reach out to HCD. There And there is an email address available at mhassistance at hcd.ca.gov or telephone number which is 800-952-8356. The state law and the state program at this point are best designed to address many of the complaints that have been raised and those that can be addressed by the city's ordinance are being addressed. And we've committed a substantial amount of legal resources within the department.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 5

I also understand that staff within CDA and the rental division is also working on this. So I do not want the community to walk away with the understanding that we're not working. Substantial hours have been put into the petitions and we just have to let that go through the process. Again, this is a process that was not just adopted by the city council, it was approved by the voters. So we are committed to enforcing it.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Thank you, Madam City Attorney. I appreciate it. I think most of the mobile home residents left. Mr. City Manager, can you put that on the website or send an email out to the community members from the mobile home park? I'm sure it's late for them and they had to leave, but we want them to understand that we are doing what we can. And I know you and I spoke today. Assemblyman Valencia will be meeting with them as well. And then Katie from his office in Sacramento is also setting up an appointment with HCD in Sacramento. So I was on the call with them today. So could we put that on the website or send out an email, please?

Alvaro NuñezItem 5

We'll put the information on the website.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Thank you, Madam City Attorney. I appreciate it. Thank you, Mr. City Manager. Okay. At this time, we're going to go to the consent calendar items. Number 6 through 22 are before us. Councilmembers, thank you very much. Councilmembers, please announce any items that you'll be abstaining from due to a conflict.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 5

I'll make a motion to move the items.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Hold on. I'm sorry.

I wasn't done reading. I'm sorry.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Due to a conflict and if there are any requests to pull an item from the consent calendar for further discussion, do I have a Councilmember Fan? Any items? Nothing. Council Member Becerra? Make a motion to move the items.

Phil BacerraItem 5

I'll go ahead and pull items 11 and 14.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Thank you. Council Member Hernandez?

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 5

Make a motion to move the items, madam. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Thank you. Council Member Vasquez?

Benjamin VazquezItem 5

I second that motion. Nothing to pull.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Thank you. Council Member Lopez? Yeah, I'd like to pull item eight. Eight? Thank you. Mayor Pro Tem?

David PenalozaItem 5

Thank you, Mayor. I just wanted to record a no on eight, but it was pulled.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 5

Great. Thank you. There's a motion on the floor by Councilman Hernandez and a second by Councilmember Vazquez for the remaining items. Prepare to vote, please.

Jennifer L. HallItem 5

Motion by Councilmember Hernandez, seconded by Councilmember Vazquez to approve consent calendar items 6 through 22 with the exceptions of items 8, 11, and 14, which have been pulled for separate discussion and consideration, and items 16 and 18, which were removed by staff. And the electronic vote is open.

Jennifer L. HallItem 6

Could you voice your vote, please?

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 6

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 6

Councillor Osanic.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

Can you all vote, please?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

Everybody voted? Madam Clerk?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

Oh, you can do a roll call, Madam Clerk, if you need to.

Jessie LopezItem 6

I would love to see this item perhaps maybe if my colleagues indulge me come back and maybe or the council have just a special session on the item because I would like for the community to see what our budget looks like actually if we we don't take the measures that this council and many staff have been working on for many many years and I can certainly attest to that all the conversations that have happened

Jessie LopezItem 6

but because I think it's such an important item I think it's so important for our community see what a budget would look like without these dollars in it. Because right now it almost feels like it's very far away and our constituents, you know, in past budget sessions when I've gone to neighborhood meetings, I've asked my residents, our residents, what are you willing to give up in the budget? And I think that that is really what needs to be presented. Right, if the city is prepared to lose $30 million, dollars then what is not going to be included in the budget because I think

Jessie LopezItem 6

it's imperative and not just that dollar amount right so much more but what are the programs what are the current staffing levels what are what is it that you are willing to walk away from in terms of improving your quality of life and I think that that's a really important and responsible conversation that we should have with more time, frankly, and I would love to see this be the only thing that comes back so that we can have a full discussion. I would love to see staff bring back a budget that doesn't include these dollars because I want the voters to be fully prepared

Jessie LopezItem 6

for what this is going to look like. And so that's the ask of my colleagues is to give staff the time to come back, Maybe next meeting it could be we can have a not a full consent calendar and to come back and I would love to see what the budget looks like without these dollars in it. So thank you. Thank you. Any other comments? Council Member Serra.

Phil BacerraItem 6

So I just want to make sure I understand what I'm hearing. So is the request for staff to put together a budget and then have us deliberate on it in public?

Phil BacerraItem 6

That's a question.

Jessie LopezItem 6

Female Speaker 1, are you done with your comments? Or should I respond afterwards?

Phil BacerraItem 6

Male Speaker 1, I asked a question. That's it.

Jessie LopezItem 6

Female Speaker 1, Okay. I can respond after. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

Male Speaker 1, Go ahead. Female Speaker 2, I think he's asking a question. I'm sorry. I think he just wants a, what kind of budget do you want? Female Speaker 1, I think he's done. Male Speaker 2, I think I'm done. Female Speaker 1, He's done.

Jessie LopezItem 6

Female Speaker 1, Yeah, I'm asking staff to come back and present a model budget without these dollars, right? right? Because the budget that we're going to discuss this June is not going to be that. And so I do think that it is imperative for our residents to see what that looks like, because people can make jokes all they want about this, but you're talking about people's jobs and their livelihoods, and no one should be laughing about people potentially losing their ability to

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

provide for their families. Mr. City Manager, I've been off five weeks, and I've been on Zoom for one meeting i missed one meeting i just want to be clear i was watching at home i didn't see anybody laughing about people losing jobs i just i want the community to understand that i've watched the council online when i was at home and i don't know what if somebody's laughing i i didn't see it up here and maybe they're doing it privately i don't know but i don't i believe every council member up here would not be laughing about people losing their jobs so can you in detail just quickly explain what this item is and I don't

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

have a problem with the special meaning to talk about what this item is what we're asking what what is the start I mean why are we doing this right but as far as providing a budget without 30 million it's not just 30 million actually the second bucket is 65 million so really we're looking at 95 million so I don't have a problem special meeting I just want to know so you provide us and correct me, Councilman Lovitz, if I'm saying this wrong. So she's asking to provide us a budget with an example of missing 30 million, and then you would provide, that's kind of, I wouldn't even want the 30 million, I'd want the full 90 million.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

Because if we're gonna be, we're gonna show the community what it's like. First cut is 30, second is 65. So this item, can you explain what this item is in detail, please?

Alvaro NuñezItem 6

So today was our objective was to prepare an initial outcome of the polling survey. And it actually allows us to prepare public information materials so we can propose a ballot measure and then conduct a tracking survey. So the ask is for the city council to approve our ability to seek and prepare what a ballot measure would look like and start tracking that information so it is true that um we are planning you know to do it three years in advance of of the sunset i think for us that was a good

Alvaro NuñezItem 6

opportunity to seek to the voters so that's what we're asking today is provide an update allow us to to start providing material to the public and establish a ballot measure we still have to come come back for approval to actually put it on the ballot. So this is just preliminary information, but we do wanna highlight some of the outcomes that the professional poster that we hired to test this idea for us would provide.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

So thank you. So what I heard you saying is this is just the start, right? So as we move along, we will have meetings where this will be the only item to discuss. So, and then tonight Kat will give a presentation, presentation and what you're asking with the poll show, correct? Correct. Okay, so this is just the start.

Alvaro NuñezItem 6

Correct. Now, if the city council agrees, you know, we probably can set up a study session in public to see the impact and to allow to provide that level of information of what that becomes.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

Yeah, a study session. That would be great. Yes, Council Member Phan.

Thai Viet PhanItem 6

Thank you. Are we doing a presentation on this?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

Yes, she's waiting to do it.

Thai Viet PhanItem 6

and cadets we can okay i would i would love to see a presentation before we continue on discussing what our next steps correct thank you cat go ahead thank you mayor and city council

Alvaro NuñezItem 6

and for the record that's the assistant city manager cat downs with the presentation i'm

sorry i apologize cat downs assistant city manager thank you thanks um so tonight we are presenting the results of the scientific poll that was conducted in December. When City of Council approved staff recommendation for scientific polling services back in November, the report indicated that if results are positive, we would return to City Council with a recommendation. So our recommendation tonight is to move forward with preparation only. only, public information materials, a potential ballot measure, and a tracking survey.

If City Council approves tonight's recommendation, we expect to return to City Council in June for you to consider placing the measure on the ballot to eliminate the sunset on the local sales tax. Your agenda item includes the full 41-page report from True North Research. True North solicited participation in a scientific survey using email, phone, and text in three languages. They completed 623 surveys of likely voters in December.

The results have a margin of error plus or minus 3.9% and a 95% confidence level. level. The survey included warm-up questions, a potential ballot measure, and arguments both for and against.

The response to an open-ended question, if the city could change one thing to make it a better place, what would it be? The results indicated likely voters are primarily interested in public safety and public works. works. The initial ballot test indicated 64% support for the measure to eliminate the local sales tax sunset. After arguments for and against were presented, the results were 63% support. A general revenue ballot measure requires a simple majority to pass.

The full details of methodology, survey questions, and results are attached to the staff report. A few facts. There is no tax rate increase with the potential ballot measure. It only eliminates the sunset on the local sales tax. Looking outside of Santa Ana, we find that Anaheim has its resort and $240 million of annual general fund revenue from hotel tax. tax. Irvine's property values that generate property tax are 318% higher than Santa Ana.

Ten of the 15 most populated cities in California have a local sales tax add-on. Westminster, Los Alamitos, and Seal Beach all have the same rate as Santa Ana. One-third of OC cities cities have a local sales tax and eight of the 11 cities have no sunset. The Santa Ana tax rate is less than the base L.A. County rate. Two-thirds of cities in L.A. County have an add-on with total sales tax rates ranging from 10.5 to 11.25%.

This is how many cities up and down the state are funding services demanded by the public. For anyone who believes the city has mismanaged our local tax, I urge them to take a look at the city's website. First, we have a citizen's oversight committee who speak directly with the independent auditors and receive presentations from our consultants. The committee has candid discussion, asks questions, and gets answers. Every year we have an audit by independent CPAs, a detailed spending plan organized by

service, addressing homelessness, fixing streets, maintaining effective 911 response, maintaining parks, retaining firefighters, providing youth services, and other general service improvements to the community and a detailed final report with actual dollars spent. There is no other revenue source at the city with such detailed public information readily available with just a few clicks. Your agenda item also includes 48 pages of success stories answering the question, how has the city used the money to improve the local quality of life?

This is a high-level snapshot of those successes, improving public safety with dedicated homeless outreach and quality of life teams, eliminating illegal gaming and cannabis establishments, more police officers for faster investigations and gang suppression, more traffic calming and pavement maintenance, more street lights, alley improvements, and bus shelter maintenance. We have cleaner and safer parks throughout the city, graffiti abatement done fast through the My Santa Ana app on your phone, many youth programs, and arts and culture funding, universal

legal defense, more city events, and faster counter service. If the local sales tax is allowed to decrease on April 1, 2029, many of these service improvements will be unaffordable. The proposed ballot measure would protect your local revenue and these vital programs. Tonight, we are asking you to approve preparation of a potential ballot measure to let the voters decide. I'd also like to add the budget exercise of, you know, modeling what our budget might look like without the Measure X.

That, so our budget includes many, many programs and services. And some of them are supported by some people, and some of them are supported by other people. Everybody has their favorites. For staff to bring back an item that lists out these are the things that would go away if we allow Measure X to sunset, I guarantee you that there will be somebody in the room that night or that day, whatever it is, that will disagree with what staff has to say. And so, if Council directs us to bring back such an exercise, I would recommend that we

bring back a menu of items that could comprise the $30 million decrease. And with that, my presentation is done, and we're happy to answer questions. Thank you. Questions?

Jessie LopezItem 6

I don't have any more questions. I guess what I, I don't know if this is possible at all. Anything currently being funded by the current sales tax, could that be removed? That way it's not, I think that would be the easiest path forward, right?

Absolutely, we can bring back that very detailed spending plan for you to look at that as a menu of items to decrease in the future.

Jessie LopezItem 6

Thank you, that would be ideal. And I would also just like to share, Ideally, we would have no presentations. This would be the only thing that we discuss. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

Thank you very much. I have a question. You have a question. So I'm looking at what's here, what was presented from the agenda. So the City of Santa Ana Measure X Successes, right? And so it's a hundred and, how many pages is it here? It's quite a bit. It's about 48 pages. 48 pages. Okay. So in an overview, so if you look at each section, you have a city clerk's office, right? So you share with us what you use the Measure X money for in the city clerk's office, okay? So response time, capacity for compliance monitoring, expanded outreach, engagement, notary services, just a few examples, right?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

And then you go to community development. Carnegie Navigation Center, Measure X provides important funding for the homeless services, staff funding. and then you go to the work center and I'm just going to give you a few downtown Santa Ana art sponsorship artist grant funding and you go to community development you have the green Madison Park neighborhood association little lump of the Seattle then you go to finance payroll technician measure X has also used you assistance with users

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

utility tax, human resources for recruitment to do our monthly hiring events, information technology to continue supporting maintaining new and existing information technology systems, Measure X money, library Measure X money, planning and building Measure X money.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

Let me go on. Lovely pictures, by the way. Police Department, Measure X money, call for service responses, 115,200 calls, parks and rec and community services, Santa Ana Zoo, landscaping, maintenance, the list goes on and on, right? Public works, our cold cleanups, street lights, sidewalk, roadway, trimming of trees. And I'm just giving an example. And Kat, thank you very much for a very thorough report here. I'm sure it's from you and Alex. So thank you very much. I appreciate it.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

So I don't ‑‑ again, I don't have a problem with having a special session just for Measure X discussion. session, but you're exactly right when you say that some of us up here will want festivals and parties and some will want quality of life. Yes, I know. Some of us will want street lights. Some will want sidewalk repairs. The community, some people will want PAL centres. Some people want art grants, right? So there's so many things that we use Measure X money for. so if the council I'm sure they did they read this report very thoroughly they would see that if we lose first 30 million and then 65 million that we're

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

better we're gonna be like bare bones here and so I'm really glad mr. city manager that you're doing this three years in advance because I don't want to be like other cities where whoever sitting up here is saying oh gosh now we're looking at bankruptcy or how do we fix this the year of right so we're planning ahead which is really good and very strategically planned so thank you for that so Kat when you say you're going to bring something back you and the city manager the staff how are you going to bring that back to say okay so we lose measure and I want to give an example

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

because I want the community here so use parks and rec for example okay so measure x funding

what do we do with the zoo well we added a veterinarian we have more maintenance more more youth programs there. We were able to participate in the funding for some of the exhibits. It touches every single department and so many programs. The only way that we could really bring this back for an exercise is to truly bring back the full detailed spending plan of Measure X so that, you know, city council, quite frankly,

can debate the merits of each program and decide what it is that they would like us to start looking at cutting. Because it would be my recommendation that if the city council does not decide to move forward with a ballot measure, that we would begin that process of whittling down the programs almost like a ramp, if you will, over the next three years, rather than just just waiting until last minute and then, you know, doing a very abrupt stoppage of services. Because what that allows us to do is undoubtedly some of these services are tied to staffing.

And through attrition, we have retirements. We have people leaving for other opportunities or, you know, a different life somewhere else or whatever that may be. And so, the longer runway ramp that we have, just cutting some of these programs, then we can do it without issuing layoffs, perhaps, because we can strategically say, okay, you know, we had a couple people retire this year, so maybe we can reallocate resources around that. So, we can come up with a lot of different ideas to make it more palatable for our employee group.

But the loss of services, I don't know that that will be palatable for our community.

Phil BacerraItem 6

Thank you, Council Member Becerra. Thank you, Madam Mayor. So when you guys present the budget to us every single year, you guys also indicate, kind of what you guys presented tonight, what Measure X does for us, right?

Yes, we do. There is a detailed spending plan in your adopted budget document. I think it's pages 72 and 73.

Phil BacerraItem 6

And so my concern earlier when I heard this idea of having this whole stand-alone separate meeting, first of all, we do a budget every year. It's very detailed. And that budget, without any ask from the council, you guys already break out the Measure X stuff. To show us what the world would look like in the bleakest terms without Measure X, I think that is something that should be presented. Does it need a stand-alone meeting? I DON'T KNOW, BECAUSE WE TYPICALLY HAVE DONE STAND-ALONE MEETINGS FOR THE BUDGET, WHICH I'VE SAID THIS A MILLION TIMES, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT THIS COUNCIL DOES IS ADOPTING A BUDGET.

Phil BacerraItem 6

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, SINGLE, THERE'S NOT EVEN A CLOSE SECOND, THAT'S NUMBER ONE, BECAUSE THAT FUNDS ALL THE SERVICES AND INDICATES THE PRIORITIES AND HOPEFULLY REFLECTS THE COMMUNITY'S PRIORITIES. HAVING SAID THAT, I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT AS WE START TO GET CLOSE TO OUR BUDGET AND and given the timing of a potential ballot measure being approved by the council, I don't want to see, you guys are doing a great job. Rudy did a great job today presenting all these things that are happening. To keep giving you guys things just so that we feel good about telling you to do things rather than allowing you guys

Phil BacerraItem 6

to be efficient and produce things so that you guys can continue to do the good work that you're doing, my ask would be that you guys present something that shows us the bleak world of no Measure X in it, but as a part of the budget presentation because I think you guys are already going to have that there to a certain extent but maybe it's showing it rather than let's just say a flesh wound but showing the cuts all the way to the bone and then some so hopefully that could be part of that exercise so we don't have to have duplicative meetings because right now when we have those budget

Phil BacerraItem 6

meetings in the community they're very not so well attended and and my hope would be having something here at the council that involves the budget and what we're talking about with Measure X will hopefully bring people out for again what is the most important thing that this

council does and my recommendation tonight is just to simply prepare the materials um the longer uh period that we have to prepare the materials and get them right the the better we'll be able to

Phil BacerraItem 6

interact with the community perfect so I I definitely will support what you're asking Thank you.

And that's what you're asking for tonight? That's all we're asking for tonight.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

Can you say that again, please?

That's all we're asking for tonight. What are you asking for? Which is to prepare materials. Okay. Thank you. Council Member Friend?

Thai Viet PhanItem 6

Yes. Thank you. Hi. Thank you so much for the presentation and the poll. I have a question for Madam City Attorney. I understand when you're talking – well, let me – sorry, let me get back. back. Assistant City Manager Downs, when you're talking about preparing materials, are you talking about just the resolutions? Are you talking about the informational materials for staff? You're talking about all of it.

The whole package. That would be informational materials for the public and the city council as well as a proposed ballot measure. So the actual language of no more than I think it's 75 words that the City Council would be asked to consider in June if you approve us to move forward with tonight's step just to prepare the materials.

Thai Viet PhanItem 6

Okay. And so Madam City Attorney, my question to you is, as I understand it, when there is a ballot measure that has been approved by the City Council to be placed on the ballot, the City Council and and staff may not advocate for the passage of such ballot measure. Is that correct?

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 6

Yes. Once the City Council adopts a resolution that formally places the measure on the ballot, then the City cannot spend public resources to advocate for or against a ballot measure.

Thai Viet PhanItem 6

Right. But before there is a ballot measure placed on the ballot by the City Council, it is perfectly okay for staff or City Council to talk about why our previous Measure X and that sales

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 6

tax is a good thing for the city correct yes if there was no ballot measure we would be more comfortable if there were activities that look like advocacy because you might be promoting to the public one perspective or another but once that ballot measure is placed on the ballot we're very conservative and we ask that you you know not take any actions not even get close to that line

Thai Viet PhanItem 6

making it look like you're advocating the position thank you and so I guess my My comment, I understand, Council Member Lopez, where you're coming from, because it's not like the Measure X Committee has a huge attendance rate, or the community meetings. I remember going to a Comlink meeting talking about Measure X back in the day. I do think a presentation at a city council meeting rather than a special meeting is preferred for me because we have more attendance. And if we're going to talk about what this budget might look like when Measure X does not exist, right, in this alternative universe.

Thai Viet PhanItem 6

I think sharing that with the public at a meeting that is well attended, like our regular meetings, it behooves us and I think people should know those benefits. I think waiting until the budget season, which is in, you know, April, May, June, is quite late when we're trying to get this potentially placed on the ballot or at least a vote to determine whether it's on the ballot. Not advocating for something, but because there is more opportunity and leeway to talk about how great it would be to ensure that this sales tax that pays for youth events,

Thai Viet PhanItem 6

public safety, public works, and other benefits to the community, before it's placed on the ballot, I think this is a great opportunity to do that. So that would be my preference for us to have that. I think talking about what it looks like with the budget, when the budget does not have that permanent sales tax would be great. And maybe that might be a presentation, the way that we did with Public Works, might be a conversation about what our current Measure X committee is. I'll leave that to you.

Alvaro NuñezItem 6

So to be a little bit more candid, there's no way that city staff can present a budget in the next month or two months that doesn't include this discussion.

Alvaro NuñezItem 6

So I think, so rather than get lost in the details of how measure is going to impact us, one, we're looking for support, so allow us to prepare this. In the end, we're going to come back in June and you get to vote it up or vote it down so we can give the choice to the voters. But the ideas we're talking about, as far as the council members, we can be inclusive. Because for us, the budget that, we said it last year, right? We said this year is gonna be one of our best years to accomplish this goal. We're being preemptive, you said it yourself, Mayor. We're two years against the conventional wisdom of Measures Sunset.

Alvaro NuñezItem 6

We're literally three years before that. Conventional wisdom, people start working in a year 18 months if people get awards for that we're not there so we're trying to be inclusive of all the the the requests so that when you hear our budget in april i started doing our our early direction you're going to see here's what our budget is for the next fiscal year and here's the possible impacts as we prepare for the sunset of nature x it's going to have to be part of the discussion right so it's not advocating as the city attorney says we have to be very careful

Alvaro NuñezItem 6

for how we present that so you don't see that advocacy, but you're going to start seeing us thinking of how a sunset of a cell site is going to impact at the first phase. So if you allow us, we can be inclusive of everybody's ideas and actually have that level of presentation.

Thai Viet PhanItem 6

I guess I'm trying to express that it would not be considered advocacy by talking about all the wonderful things that Measure X currently pays for and what this extension or removal of the sunset and how that would benefit the city if it's not a ballot measure item so that's why I'm saying having a presentation with all the great things this item would bring us at a council meeting with lots of attendance would be an benefit the city and our message thank you and

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

And Council Member Pfann, thank you. And thank you for all the comments up here, the council members. I just, you know, this is great because we are planning ahead three years. We're not waiting for the month before again. So, and this item, Assistant City Manager Downs, is really just to prepare, as you said. It's not going anywhere, it's not being mailed out. And it's up to the voters. At the end of the day, it is up to the voters. And all of us up here are voters. And some of you that live in the city are voters. So we can have this discussion before it gets on the ballot or if it even gets on the ballot.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

And then really it's the voters' decision. And that's what's really exciting for me personally. It's up to the voters if they want to keep the services that we have. And, you know, if they're listening and looking at what we're talking about here, you're talking about ability to afford increasing fire contract, faster investigations, added streetlights, again, bus shelter maintenance. Cleaner and Safer Parks, Vietnamese Outreach, Translation Business Expo, the Defense Fund for Immigration Assistance. There's so many things. And as Councilmember Phan has indicated as we're moving on with the budget and having

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

this discussion, Mr. City Manager, you're going to be putting this in there. This is what Measure X is paying for. This is what happens, possibly you can put a little. It's what happens if it doesn't, you know, continue. Because three years is a blink of an eye. Blink of an eye. So I just and again I'm not saying you know vote yes vote no because it's not even on the ballot yet. So Mr. City Manager. And just one quick thing so

Alvaro NuñezItem 6

literally Metric transcends all departments right and impacts like the ACM down said it transcends multiple all the departments in the city and impacts employees and employees impacting employees impact services it's just that that simple.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

Thank you Mr. City Manager. Council Member Vasquez. I was going to call you Mayor Pelletier. Thank you. Council Member Vasquez.

Benjamin VazquezItem 6

Thank you so much and you know I've been asking for communications to say this is what Measure X gets us and I want like every day or at least twice or three times a week Measure X pays for this. Quality of life team, more parks, the outdoor library, whatever we get. I want to see it all the time. This should have been done for for the last three years, and three years is a blink of an eye, me and the Mayor have been here for three years. Three years later, here we are. And I do appreciate what Councilmember Lopez is bringing to the table, what does it look like without it? And that kind of report, we also need to have

Benjamin VazquezItem 6

that conversation of what's bare in bones and the things we're not gonna have. And the things that we do have and do that bring safety to our community is, we have the police, we have quality of life team, but we also have libraries that keeps kids safe. We also have the parks with the basketball court. We have all kinds of centers and events and programmings that brings community together, that creates community that keeps us safe. You know, we just had a man who came down and said, you know, it's great that we have programming at the park. Now it's being used. Well, the programming keeps us safe.

Benjamin VazquezItem 6

And those things have been Measure X. And I want to see the reports that Councilmember Lopez is asking for, but I also want to move the item. I'm called to move the item.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

I'll second it. Are there any, Councilmember Serra? You moved to approve it, correct? And I'll second, thank you.

Phil BacerraItem 6

Just real quick. So, we're talking about what Measure X will do and what it won't do and all the things it does. You know, if Measure X goes to the ballot, we're asking voters to continue to give money to the city for services. But what we don't hear enough about is what we're doing to grow revenue. Now if our only way of growing revenue is taxing people, that's not a sustainable model, right? So if we're going to talk about bringing back something for a presentation that you should educate the community, the council about, I would say what are we doing on the economic

Phil BacerraItem 6

development front? What are we doing to grow our revenue? What are the things that staff has ideas to bring to the council to consider where we can grow our revenue without always having to ask the voters to fund where we have our shortfalls you know 2018 we saw that council back then put little to no effort and they just went right straight to the voters pockets I opposed measure X I'm proud that I did because I looked at at the time as something that that council was lazy and wasn't willing to do the necessary work with staff and And they had some great staff at the time, but they weren't willing to do that work

Phil BacerraItem 6

to at least try to mitigate and not have to dig so deep into residents' pockets. So I would ask if we're gonna have anything brought back to us, I mean, you guys are gonna bring back what Measure X looks like and doesn't look like in the budget, but I would like to have something on economic development, on what you're gonna do and what the plan is to grow revenues. We already know that part of the plan to keep city services flowing is reaching into the voters' pockets, but let's try another approach. Let's see what else we can do to grow revenue. So I would like to see what our efforts are on that front. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

Thank you. Council Member Vasquez, and then we're gonna vote, please. Thank you.

Benjamin VazquezItem 6

Those comments, Council Member Bezzetta, I have called to have an economic development department and grow it and make sure it's fully staffed. If we don't have enough, if we don't have it fully staffed, then hire the third and fourth person. I have called for an economic development committee from us. And if we have departments working, then we don't need the committee, but I'm great with it. But we want to see those ideas come forward. We want to make sure that we're taking as much as we're talking about taxes, I want to talk about economic development and help those corridors that we've talked about so

Benjamin VazquezItem 8

much including Harbor, which is the most unused corridor in the whole city and the development of that I love you know me and Harbor to help out that area I know it sounded wrong I know it sounded wrong but it needs it needs a lot of what are you doing down you can stop now I go to a comedor since I was five I've been to a come in the cozy corner he's done with his comments now okay because he's turning red we're done

Valerie AmezcuaItem 8

uh okay so let's let's vote please the voting's um on your screen council member vasquez motion

Jennifer L. HallItem 8

that i seconded let's prepare to vote please motion by council member vasquez seconded by Mayor Meskwet to approve the recommended action for item number eight directing staff to prepare public information materials develop a November 2026 ballot measure for city council consideration

Valerie AmezcuaItem 8

and conduct a tracking survey I don't know council member found I was down harbor the other day it looked really bad yes okay my vote is yes I wasn't shopping like he is yes you need a roll call madam

Jennifer L. HallItem 8

Madam Clerk? No, Mayor, we have it now. The vote is five ayes, two nays. Nays by Councilmember Lopez and Mayor Pro Tem, Penalosa. Motion carries. All right, thank you. And the next item that was pulled is item number 11 by Councilmember Becerra.

Phil BacerraItem 8

Thank you. So this item is the pre-authorization of purchase order contracts for various city vehicles. So as I was looking at the list and also thinking about conversations I've had with our colt personnel today there's only one in custody transportation vehicle that's utilized by our PD and that vehicle is primarily used by the jail so our folks out in the field like colt don't have access to that vehicle which makes it pretty difficult to do their job so when you get calls for service and you're asking for colt to come out and address concerns with

Phil BacerraItem 11

certain folks in the community it would be a lot more efficient for them if they had access continuously to an in-custody transportation vehicle it would also help provide a dignified means to transport folks whether it's to the shelter whether it's to other services that they need so what i'm asking for in this item is to approve the staff recommended appropriation adjustments but in the pre-authorization of or the list of pre-authorization or purchase orders for the various city vehicles i would like to include an in-custody transportation vehicle for the colt

Valerie AmezcuaItem 11

team so that's my motion second your motion any other comments that's prepared to vote

Valerie AmezcuaItem 11

mr city manager you clear we're good thank you

Jennifer L. HallItem 11

Motion by Council Member Becerra, seconded by Council Member Hernandez, to approve the five recommended actions for item number 11, amended to include an in-custody transportation vehicle for the Colt team on the list of pre-authorized purchase orders.

Jennifer L. HallItem 11

Council Member Hernandez?

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 11

That's a yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 11

Council Member Lopez? Thank you. Votes of seven ayes, no nays. Motion carries.

Jennifer L. HallItem 11

And Mayor Miskewit, the next item is item 14, also pulled by Councilmember Becerra.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 11

I'm sorry, I didn't hear you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 11

Item 14, pulled by Councilmember Becerra. Great, thank you.

Phil BacerraItem 11

Mr. City Manager, does our staff have a presentation on this item? I would like for us to hear it.

Alvaro NuñezItem 14

Yes, the Executive Director, Scott Haslam.

Councillor Neill.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 14

I'm sorry, can you hold on one second? Does the Council need a presentation or are you good? No? You're the only one, Councilmember. Okay.

Phil BacerraItem 14

So the reason why I'm asking for the presentation. All right, fine. I appreciate the efficiency because sometimes that's not done up here. So I appreciate that. What I'd like to ask because this item, I wanted everybody to hear, I wanted the community to hear about it. That was my intention. But because of the fact that this item is a great item, right, and I'm going to support this item all the way and we're investing in this sort of surveillance equipment because why because we made some significant investments in our zoo and we want to make sure that we keep them safe so what I would like to see

Phil BacerraItem 14

because a concern down in my ward is the Alton bike trail between Bristol and Main Street and I feel like because the zoo is a parks facility and the bike trails are parks facilities what I would like to ask staff to do is again because because this item was on our agenda. This is something that I'm gonna be very much advocating for for the Alton Bike Trail in the upcoming budget. So what I would like to ask, I was hoping everybody would get a chance to see what staff was presenting, but I would like to see us, or I'd like to see staff prepare something for the upcoming budget that provides

Phil BacerraItem 14

proactive live video monitoring of that Alton Bike Corridor, because we've got so many children going and utilizing that trail. You know, it stunk that we had to wait until kids were assaulted before we had fencing along a bike trail to keep folks from the county flood control channel from assaulting our children. And so right now I get numerous calls from constituents concerned about what's happening along that bike trail. And right now, I mean, God bless our PD for going through and doing the patrols that they do, but it's just not enough. We need proactive surveillance of that area, observation, because things are happening

Phil BacerraItem 14

over there. It's not something that's very easily seen from the streets. And I'm open to other solutions, but at this point, I think the only thing that we really could utilize in that area is proactive live video monitoring. So I'll support this item. I like the direction we're going when it comes to protecting our parks assets, but I'd also I'd also like to see that continue and expanded over to the Alton Bike Trail. That's not part of the motion today. It's just approved staff recommendation. But I'd like to see staff come back with something for the Alton Bike Trail.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 14

We can look into it, yes. Thank you. So I'll move the item. So I'll make a motion to move the item.

Phil BacerraItem 14

Too late, I did it.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 14

I'll second your item.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 14

Mr. Perry to vote.

Jennifer L. HallItem 14

Motion by Councilmember Becerra, seconded by Councilmember Hernandez to approve the be recommended action for item number 14 in agreement with Amtec Total Security Inc for the Santa Ana Zoo video surveillance project

Jennifer L. HallItem 14

that's member Hernandez

Jennifer L. HallItem 14

but it's six eyes no nays with a temporary absence by a councilmember fan

Valerie AmezcuaItem 14

motion carries thank you that's the end of the consent calendar at this time the public hearing has been counseled we're gonna go to item number 24 at this time it's the councilmember requested item is requested by councilmember Lopez councilman Lopez the floor is yours

Jessie LopezItem 24

yes so I submitted a request to the city manager's office we had our consultation and really this is important because you know there's there's not one day where where I'm not driving to work, particularly in some of our big intersections where there's a pedestrian trying to cross, but they're having to move inward into the main intersection because somebody's driving a massive truck, they're being inconsiderate, they're stopping in the middle of the crosswalk. It's also a visibility issue when people are trying to make a right-hand turn

Jessie LopezItem 24

and they're looking to their left-hand side and there's trucks blocking their view. So we have some of these, you know, these crosswalks placed back in some intersections already in the city. And all I'm asking is for this process to be implemented consistently citywide at all of our intersections. You know, we've heard that the overwhelming majority of our constituents don't own a car, which means that they are walking to get to school, they're walking to buy their groceries, they're walking to drop off their kids, they're walking to the bus station.

Jessie LopezItem 24

They're moving around throughout the city, just not by a vehicle. And particularly in the area of 17th and Grand, we have a couple schools there, and the many times I've seen cars just pass the red light and make a right turn when students are trying to cross, it's extremely dangerous. It's there's really not a week that doesn't go by in this city that there isn't a car accident where we're all being You know told about that and so I do think that if we are going to be invested in our current planned to reduce and eliminate fatalities

Jessie LopezItem 24

By cars then I do think that this is in the interest of our community community. It protects our constituents and it ultimately creates a buffer between moving vehicles and people that are trying to get from one corner to the next and so forth. And so I would love to see this be implemented citywide and that is what I'm asking my colleagues to consider tonight. Thank you. Councilman Hernandez.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 24

Thank you, Madam Mayor. I'm supportive of the request. Councilmember, that'll conclude my comments. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

thank you any other comments councilman vasquez thank you i'm supportive of this request we do

Benjamin VazquezItem 24

have high pedestrian death rate we need to do more safety for especially our our children out there as they're walking to and from school so i'll be in support of this thank you mayor pro tem thank

David PenalozaItem 24

you mayor and thank you councilman lopez definitely supportive of just seeing like an assessment of what this looks like throughout the city i know it's a 27 square miles so it's a huge undertaking taking to really identify the core safety corridor issues, but definitely supportive of seeing something brought back by city staff. Thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

So Mr. City Manager, I'm gonna support this item, but I have a couple questions for you. So, and I'd like it brought back if we could all agree to that in 90 days with the report, if not 60, but 90 preferably. I know you guys are in the middle of budget season. So we have the five corridors, and I don't know who's gonna answer these questions in our city, right? Under the city's Vision Zero goals, is that correct? It was voted on before I believe, oh no, in 2024, I think it was.

April of 2024.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

April of 2024. So the five corridors, and correct me if I'm wrong, Rudy, I'm sorry, Director Rosas, Teston Avenue, Euclid First, Main Street in downtown Santa Ana, and Greenville, did I forget one?

That's correct.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

Is that correct? So the request by Councilmember Lopez is great because we do have a high, TC, let me ask before I make that comment. D.C. can you W.H.U. can you talk about the fatality rate in our city or pedestrian versus you know vehicle?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

It's the highest on Euclid well that's your award council member fan okay go ahead. That's why we're fixing Euclid thank you director. Go ahead D.C.

Good evening mayor just in terms of numbers alone last year we had 34 fatalities for a total of 29 collisions. This year we have currently five fatal collisions that we've investigated.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

So we had 34 in 2025 and five this one in 2026?

Yes, ma'am.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

Okay. Thank you. Okay. Thank you very much. Director Rosas, can you talk about the?

So the request by Council Member Lopez is welcome. The safety concerns are shared by Public Works and the work our Traffic Engineering Division does. because the items to be implemented are already identified in our Vision Zero plan, and in projects as we improve intersections, are incorporating those types of elements in that. So we would appreciate the 90 days to come back with a full report and what it would take in terms of addressing all intersections in this matter, because it is a time and investment

in terms of what it takes to restripe, reslurry, sort of set back traffic signal loops and all these things that are required to accommodate the more enhanced crosswalks. It's not just as simple as putting additional paint on the ground.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

So you already know the plan because we have the city's Vision Zero. Correct. So we have not been doing it. We have not implemented it.

As we advance with new projects, we implement these crosswalk enhancements. We still have many intersections in the city that we just have not had improvements on yet.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

So, for example, when you're doing Warner and Main, you're making sure it's within the guidelines of the city's Vision Zero.

Correct.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

When we're doing Main Street and downtown, you're also doing that?

Correct.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

Okay. And so some of the areas that Council Member Lopez brought up, like Grand and 17th, is it being done there?

When a project comes through that area, whether it be just, you know, new pavement, whatever it happens.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

That's when you complete it.

Correct.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

Okay. So this ask to come back in 90 days, you'll be able to show us where we are currently and where we're heading in like a timeline for projects. Is that correct?

Correct.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

Okay. All right. Any other comments? Council Member Becerra, don't leave.

Phil BacerraItem 24

Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Mayor, and I think all of us up here support stop lines at these intersections. I appreciate what you were saying right now because I looked at the Vision Zero plan, and I looked, as the mayor mentioned, the five corridors that were specifically called out to implement these stop lines. And I took a look at the locations. So, Main Street from 1st to 17th, you have one, two, three, four of the intersections that actually have the stop lines incorporated with the crosswalks. Tustin Avenue from 17th to Fairhaven, it's only at Santa Clara.

Phil BacerraItem 24

Euclid from Hazard to McFadden, it's only at 5th. Greenville, in my ward from MacArthur to Warner, you have not done any yet. And 1st Street from Fairview to Bristol, none have been done. So I guess it's good to understand citywide where you can do more. My understanding when all of us on the council voted for the Vision Zero plan back in 2024 was that this was going to be kind of the jumping off point. And right now it kind of seems like you're still looking at the water and you're not quite in the water just yet because as I just read off to you, you have quite a few intersections

Phil BacerraItem 24

to improve in the five corridors that staff identified and this council approved. So I just tonight it feels like I'm hearing a lot of duplicative requests and I just again I don't want to slow down staff's you know ability to continue to do the good work that they're doing. If you're able to do it that's great but I feel like even if nothing else happened tonight you already were given marching orders by this council through the Vision Zero plan to implement stop lines at least at these corridors. If there are other intersections, and I think in collaborating with our PD to understand where we're having

Phil BacerraItem 24

more pedestrian versus vehicle fatalities or accidents, yeah, absolutely. Let's zero in and try to incorporate measures that protect pedestrians. We have the largest transit ridership in all of Orange County, which means we have a lot of pedestrians. But when I saw this request and then saw that Vision Zero and reread it from what we did in 2024 seems a little duplicative i i appreciate the spirit and intent but to have you go do another study i feel like you're going to cheat us you're just going to blow off the dust on the vision zero plan and say here's what you did so um i don't know about duplicating your efforts

Phil BacerraItem 24

but i appreciate the sentiment and hopefully at least with these corridors you can get the stop lines um put in i know from what you just described though it's not just simply staff going out with paint or contractors going out with paint we're talking about physically moving traffic signal loops in the road and could you explain for us why that's important because why does the loop need to be moved because all you're doing is a crosswalk and then a line set back from the crosswalk why does that loop need to be physically dug out and moved sure so our modern

Modern traffic signal improvements include video detection and high-tech devices that sense when a car pedestrian is there to signal for red light green to change. The majority of our traffic signals are not yet updated and rely on classic loop detector technology that are embedded in the ground and when a vehicle goes over it, it triggers that red, yellow, green exercise. Those loops are placed relative to where the existing stop bars are. So if we simply moved the white line and shifted it back 5, 10 feet,

vehicles would no longer be triggering the mechanism for this traffic signal to say red, yellow, green, activate.

To fully improve the safety of the intersections, It requires a few more improvements than just paint.

Phil BacerraItem 24

Because if not, I was going to ask you to get your butt out to Greenville right now and finish from MacArthur to Warner, but it sounds like it's not that simple. So thank you.

Alvaro NuñezItem 24

So we can, at the very minimum, which is I think is a good idea, we can do an assessment where we are.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

Can you speak into the mic, please?

Alvaro NuñezItem 24

At the very minimum, we can do an assessment. This is two year after the Vision Zero was approved. It allows us to evaluate. and as we start the budget right it also allows to prioritize those key components we can also show we actually made improvements that were not part of the vision vision zero and why we did those improvements so we'll get that in 90 days so mr. city manager I believe we approved your

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

construction construction crew like ten people yeah well maybe they will and and we're bringing them in and we're doing stuff maybe they can help so yes we're looking forward to the budget because you'll share with everybody what we're doing throughout the entire city so thank you Councilmember Lopez. Before, my last question is, DC, I believe our traffic division, just to assist with tickets or accidents or whatever it may be, take care of pedestrians. I mean, for speeding, and we have, I know I was talking to some constituents, Warner and Main, I'm sorry.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

Okay. Main and Warner, some of the constituents were talking about like speeding, you know, !

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

I know it's kind of an awful question but it's part of what the issue is about safety.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

We did today. They're in my list? Okay, great. When are they going to get them?

They will have to be ordered, Madam Mayor. I don't know exactly when they will come in. I know they're anticipating that piece of technology coming to assist them.

So with the 2026 calendar year, we restructured our traffic division to be area-based, very similar to our direct-to-patrol units where we have a north and a south, very similar to where we have our area commanders that are also north and south. Now we have traffic-based teams that are also oriented to the north and to the south. We added additional staff to our traffic division in an effort to mitigate some of our traffic-related collisions and stuff that we're having. And we're also leveraging some of the OTS grant funding we get through the state to to be more effective on our traffic front. So those are some changes

that Chief Rodriguez has implemented and thus far it's been very well received. We will have our new motors are in motor school, I believe as we speak. So once we get them all finished up with their training, the kind of the on-ramp for that is significant, but once they get fully certified, they'll be out there in the streets.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

Well, we used to have 15 motors, is that correct or more?

The numbers have fluctuated throughout the years. How many will we have now? Right now we are, I believe we're at 12. Perfect. But we have some other folks that do some of our collision investigations. They're also certified to ride the motors, however they focus on investigating some of the fatal collisions and some of our hit and runs.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

Thank you. Thank you for sharing that. So Councilman Becerra always has a request up here for his ward, you know, and I have the whole city, but you know he wants lights and people want lights up here. so in my on the north end of san and let me just drop a request um we had asked for the street the street sign to be painted glow in the dark okay and we put some funky i said funky funky f-u-n-k-y tape and then it fell off and then we painted it and it's supposed to glow in the dark because we have all these speeding cars down there and it doesn't really glow in the dark again we did kind kind of like a half whatever job.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

And so Director Rosas, I'm looking forward to you looking at this plan so that throughout the city, I may be a little piece of this, that we can look at areas that people race and we can, I know Council Member Becerra talked about surveillance cameras, I'm not gonna ask for that yet, but that we can have traffic officers there, DC, and those areas where you've identified where cars are racing and placing people in danger. And I know it's a little off, but I want to make sure I state that publicly because we do have a need for motor officers. And we have a need for our officers to stop cars and give tickets for speeding.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

We're not racially profiling. We're giving tickets for speeding and racing. And with that, I'd like to make sure our stop signs glow in the dark, City Manager.

Alvaro NuñezItem 24

Yes, Mayor, but we'll do that. That's number one. But number two...

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

Can I get that promise? Is that a promise? Yes. What, by when?

Alvaro NuñezItem 24

I'll let you know tomorrow. Okay. You'll find out. But I don't want to, how would I say, understate what DC Rowland and Andrade just said. The fact that we're adding additional traffic and in a way that we have area commanders, right? So we're literally going to have folks that, traffic patrol, the folks on the north side and the south side, kind of like how we're doing our general patrol, direct patrol. Today, I mean, I think if I'm mistaken, four to six new officers doing motor training, correct?

We have four new motor officers in training currently as we speak.

Alvaro NuñezItem 24

That's wonderful. And so I don't want to at least, I want to be sure that we focus on those accomplishments because that's, again, small steps, but critical steps to expand what people are asking for.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

Marcia Anderson- No, that's really important because when we talk about public safety, our constituents are always asking for that, right? And when Council Member Vasquez is talking about sharing with the community what Measure X is paying for, that's probably some, am I correct or incorrect? Is Measure X dollars being used for some of that?

Alvaro NuñezItem 24

Juan Felipe Herrera- Right, some of it is that. But like the laptops today for the motorcycles, right? People just say that, okay, Okay, but it's for a specific focus and a specific purpose. And so when we talk about technology and what we're doing, the efforts, you're literally seeing kind of that balance between technology and then the focus of patrol officers in the streets. And again, I just didn't wanna go like somehow, oh, we're just gonna do foot patrols and it's gonna be north and south and no big deal. This is significant for us because it's been announced for a long time. This is us recognizing that we have traffic issues

Alvaro NuñezItem 24

and it's balancing police enforcement And again, with public works, some of those key traffic updates like painting the sign in a fluorescent aspect.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

That's great. Thank you. So comments, Council Member Lopez?

Jessie LopezItem 24

Yes, and I would like to bring us back to the question before us. So again, these are practical, low-cost improvements that can be implemented through striping and roadway markings without major infrastructure changes. We shouldn't have to wait for a major infrastructure project, whether we have the money or not, or whether we go for a grant or not, to implement these things that, as has been already said, exist in our vision, in our plan.

Jessie LopezItem 24

And so the purpose here is to uplift the plan and remind folks that this is important to to our office and that there has to be a sense of urgency here because people are dying. And so if we are going to talk about public safety, then this is it. This is how we feel that we can protect and give our constituents the best chance of walking around the city, of commuting in the city without possibly being exposed to being hit, run over by a car. And so one of the reasons why I did not put a 60 or 90 day request on this is because I recognize that

Jessie LopezItem 24

immediate changes may happen they may not happen But ultimately staff, you know, I'm hoping that the council gives staff direction to evaluate Where where we can have setback lines I have already proposed right they should be citywide. It should be a consistent process for all of our intersections and And, you know, if I disagree that this is duplicative work, but it wouldn't be the first time that the council votes to direct staff to do something that would be duplicative. And so for those reasons, we really hope that we earn the support and that you don't need to bring back something in 30 days just to check off a box.

Jessie LopezItem 24

We want it to be meaningful. We want it to be thoughtful. We want it to be intelligent, right? And the implementation. So thank you.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

Sorry, any other comments? So I think you all do a great job and go ahead. I'm sorry, I mean, I just. I was going to close it out. Go ahead.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 24

Thank you. Okay. Yeah, I'm closing it. No additional comments because we really, remember these items are supposed to be a, do you want to do it or not? And if you do, then you can have a 12 hour conversation about it at a different meeting.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

We're going to have that. I just wanted to tell the staff, thank you for all the work that you all do, because this is covered in so many ways throughout the entire city. So thank you for everything. and Mr. City Manager we look forward to hearing back from you and I think the majority of us up here are pleased with the work that we're doing so that you're all doing so thank you very much okay we're gonna go on now we're gonna recess the City Council meeting and convene to the Housing Authority we are recessing um how I thought you said something I hereby call the Housing Authority

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

meeting special meeting to order Madam Secretary please conduct a roll call

Jennifer L. HallItem 24

authority member Becerra here authority member Hernandez present authority Authority Member Lopez?

Here.

Jennifer L. HallItem 24

Authority Member Phan? Here. Authority Member Vasquez?

Benjamin VazquezItem 24

Present.

Jennifer L. HallItem 24

Vice Chair Penalosa?

Benjamin VazquezItem 24

Present.

Jennifer L. HallItem 24

Chair Meskwa? Present. All seven members present?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

Madam Secretary, do we have any speakers for items within the Housing Authority Agenda?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

We do not. Does any authority member wish to make a motion and a second?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

I'll make a motion.

Phil BacerraItem 24

Second.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

Thank you, let's prepare to vote.

Jennifer L. HallItem 24

CHAIRPERSON WESTERMAN. MOTION BY MAYOR AMESKWA SECONDED BY AUTHORITY MEMBER VECERA TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE AND TWO.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 24

I'M A YES, MADAM CITY CLERK. IT'S NOT ALLOWING ME TO VOTE ON MY TABLET.

Jennifer L. HallItem 24

OKAY. I CAN DO IT. AUTHORITY MEMBER VECERA.

Phil BacerraItem 24

YES.

Jennifer L. HallItem 24

AUTHORITY MEMBER FERNANDEZ. YES. AUTHORITY MEMBER LOPEZ. YES. AUTHORITY MEMBER FAN. YES. AUTHORITY MEMBER VASQUEZ.

Benjamin VazquezItem 24

YES. Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 24

Vice Chair Penalosa? Yes. Chair Meskwa? Yes. Vote of seven ayes, no nays. Motion carries for the consent calendar.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

So at this time we're going to go to public hearing and the consent calendar before the public hearing item number three. Madam Secretary, are there any speakers?

Jennifer L. HallItem 24

Just let me confirm if there's anybody, there's no in-person speakers and there were no e-comments related to this public hearing, but you will have to let me confirm on Zoom first. first, and then I will need to ask you to open and close on the next section of the for the public hearing. If you're on Zoom and wish to speak on Housing Authority Public Hearing Item Number Three, please raise your hand now. I'm not seeing any. However, we'll confirm that during the public hearing.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

Okay, you ready?

Jennifer L. HallItem 24

We're going to close it? Open and close.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

Well, if you could officially open it and then, okay. Yes, I'm officially opening it.

Jennifer L. HallItem 24

Okay, so with the public hearing open at 9 o 2, I will officially report that there are no in-person speakers, no Zoom speakers, and no emails related to public hearing item number three. Perfect. Do we need a presentation?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

No. No. Okay.

Jennifer L. HallItem 24

No?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 24

If you could please close the public hearing. And we're going to close the public hearing. Are there any questions or comments by authority members?

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 24

I'll make a motion to move the items, Madam. Second.

Jennifer L. HallItem 24

Thank you.

Jennifer L. HallItem 24

Motion by Authority Member Hernandez, seconded by Authority Member Becerra, to approve the recommended actions for the public hearing, which is to conduct the public hearing on the approval of the Housing Authority Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and adopt a resolution of the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Ana approving the submission of the Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Authority Member Becerra?

Phil BacerraItem 1

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

Authority Member Hernandez? Yes. Yes. Authority member Lopez? Yes. Authority member Phan? Yes. Authority member Vasquez?

Benjamin VazquezItem 1

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

Vice Chair Penalosa?

Benjamin VazquezItem 1

Yes.

Jennifer L. HallItem 1

Chair Meskwa? Yes. Vote is seven ayes, no nays. Motion carries.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Thank you. The Housing Authority meeting is now adjourned. We're going to reconvene to the City Council meeting. Before we go to public, to comments by the City Council, Madam City Attorney, I really want to thank you for the comments that you made. The last meeting I was here, but asking Council members to stay for the entire comments by other council members and the mayor because it's just a sign of respect and that we all have time for each other and we can hear each other out mr city manager can we please hear your comments at this time yes can you hear me are we ready is that what

Alvaro NuñezItem 1

you said yeah we're ready we're ready go ahead um uh this uh march 19 april 9th parks recreation recreation behind hiring fairs again this Thursday March 19 and again April 9 from 1 to 5 30 at Jerome Recreation Center the city's hiring seasonal positions such as lifeguard pool managers and positions and youth and team programs at the Santa Ana Zoo in addition on March 20 the Santa

Alvaro NuñezItem 1

Santa Ana Work Center is going to have a tax preparation event hosted by the OC United Way, IRS certified VITA volunteers will assist qualified residents with filing their taxes at no cost and maximizing available tax credits. Registration is open again this Friday, March 20th at the Santa Ana Work Center. Center. March 27 and 29, the city is hosting the Sister Cities Santana and Saguaro Business Expo 2026, bringing more than 40 businesses from Saguaro, Michoacan, Mexico to connect with local retailers, distributors, and businesses. Registration is open until Sunday, March 22,

Alvaro NuñezItem 1

for business-to-business meetings and for the general public to attend. Again, this HOSTING AT THIS ONE. YES, AT THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER. THIS IS OUR SECOND APPROPRIATIVE CAREER FAIR WHERE WE HAVE NINE UNIONS IN SENATOR COLLEGE TO CONNECT RESIDENTS WITH PAID APPROPRIATIVES AND LONG-TERM CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN HEALTHCARE, CONSTRUCTION, COMPETITION, ENGINEERING, LABOR AND BUILDING TRACE. AGAIN, APRIL 3rd, THIS APPROPRIATIVE CAREER FAIR. FOR US, THIS IS ONE OF THE CRITICAL ONES BECAUSE THIS IS ASPECTS WHERE WE ACTUALLY OPEN

Alvaro NuñezItem 1

and connect with nine strong unions with good paying positions and we're making sure that our city residents have those opportunities and again one of our major accomplishments and we promise this the centennial park improvements including the dock part will be april 4. uh saturday from 10 and centennial park we invite the city council and the entire santa community to join us more details will be shared soon at the city's website social media and other communication channels and then again on april 11 the sanana fun run let me say that again on april 11 sanana fun run the

Alvaro NuñezItem 1

sanana farmer returns on saturday with a 5k 10k and kish dash registration is open until april 5th and we already have 1600 runners registered over a thousand for the 5k and 550 for the 10k so we look forward to seeing the city council and the public And that's all, conclude my comments.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Thank you, Mr. City Manager. Council Member Vasquez, please.

Benjamin VazquezItem 1

Thank you, Mayor. I'm gonna ask for a 1K for the Fun Run, please. I need to hook a brother up. Do you want it down harbor?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

My shins are hurting already. Do you want it down harbor or down here?

Alvaro NuñezItem 1

We here, it's as if we have the kid that-

Benjamin VazquezItem 1

Mírala, mírala, vas a ver. The 17th and 5th by Cozy Corner. I was taking notes of all the stuff going on with the union work that we're gonna have, and then the Parks and Rec with Jerome Center. I'm like, I have to write all this down for my students so they can get jobs. Thank you for all that. I had a great time. I was invited to Pacific Park Neighborhood Association meeting and Hedinger Park. We had great talks out there. I wanna thank everybody for inviting us.

Benjamin VazquezItem 1

I'm looking forward to the Expo with Sawayo and picking up some, the boots that they make. I bought a hat and I got a jacket coming from them that I ordered while I was there, so I'm looking, I'm excited to have them and seeing them all again. I want to invite people. We're having an open house at my school, but I'm presenting the work from my classroom, and we, every year, or now starting my second year, we're doing a Poderosa series, and last year, we had La Poderosa of Chepa from Logan Park, and we did a big painting, and you guys saw Dorothy Mulkey, and we had a painting of Dorothy Mulkey,

Benjamin VazquezItem 1

who fought at the Supreme Court, and we had a painting of her. We had Tracy Law from Via Rise and our own Jesse Lopez. We had a painting. And this year, we're also going to bring in Alicia Rojas. We're having Lisa Solomon. Lisa Solomon is the director of the FACE program, and we're going to celebrate. I hope she loves it because it came out great. We're also having Vicky Sarmiento, who's a civil rights lawyer, and we're going to embrace and honor her life. We're also going to have dedication for Sandra de Anda for the director of OC Rapid Response and all the work she's doing across Orange County but specifically here in Santa Ana.

Benjamin VazquezItem 1

We're going to have it for Erica Robles from United Across Borders and the work she did through COVID and now this where she's feeding families, giving out presents, just backpacks and tennis shoes for kids. So she's been doing putting in a lot of work so we're having paintings for So I invite you on April 2nd at 5 o'clock, we'll be presenting to these four beautiful women who've done work and we call them poderosas here in Santana. Thank you, have a good night.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Thank you very much. Council Member Phan, please.

Thai Viet PhanItem 1

Thank you, Mayor. So before I forget, happy St. Patrick's Day. I'm so glad lots of us are in the spirit. You see my, I wanna show everyone my lettuce face. I'm very excited for it. Anyhow, I wanted to make sure that we celebrate the fact that the zoo turned, just turned 74 years old on March 8th when it opened in 1952, which is three years older than Disneyland. I bet you, Councilmember, excuse me, Mayor Pro Tempagnolosa did know that.

Thai Viet PhanItem 1

So we really look forward to celebrating the 75th anniversary next year on March 8th, 2027. Director Scott, I expect it to be very fun. And because it's St. Patrick's Day, we have to honor and celebrate Uncle Patrick, who is celebrating his 36th birthday. He is the elder spider monkey at our zoo, and he's an uncle to our eight baby spider monkeys in our new river's edge spider monkey habitat. It's Theo Patrick.

Please continue.

Thai Viet PhanItem 1

So definitely go out to the new otter's habitat. Go check out our new spider monkeys and all the amazing, they have these like rope bridges and things like that so that the spider monkeys can really roam around and be safe. and it's a super fun thing for families to do. I intend to take my nephews out to see them. And I hope that everybody has a happy and safe St. Patrick's Day. Just watch out there, don't drink and drive, use Lyft, Uber, and all those other fun things. And there's a very special day happening in a couple days, but I will leave that to someone else to discuss. Have a good night everyone.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Councilmember Basse. Councilmember Basse.

Phil BacerraItem 1

Thank you, Madam Mayor. So tonight we celebrated Sagerstrom's accomplishments with their girls' soccer team. And soccer, of course, is very synonymous with Santa Ana, and so why should it stop with just Sagerstrom? Santa Ana's own modern day went to Sacramento this weekend. Both the boys' and the girls' team brought home the state championships, both of them, both the boys' and the girls'. So, Mr. City Manager, I would like to recognize that accomplishment. We recognize the Segerstrom girls with lighting up the water tower. I'd like to see us do the same thing for modern day to celebrate their amazing accomplishments

Phil BacerraItem 1

with their colors up on our iconic water tower. I'll be hosting my monthly community office hours on Saturday, April 4th at noon over at Adams Park on Raitt and Warner.

Phil BacerraItem 1

Deputy Chief Andrade, since I don't get to ask this to Chief Rodriguez tonight, what What is the current amount of funded vacant officer positions in RPD?

33.

Phil BacerraItem 1

And what was that amount last month?

I don't have that number.

Phil BacerraItem 1

Okay. Hopefully next month it will be less than 33.

Phil BacerraItem 1

So, I want to talk about real quick, you know, there's some, you know, the folks that came in from the mobile home park that are facing some really, really tough issues in regards to their situation. And I want to clarify that I met with some of the residents there. I met with them here at City Hall because I don't think this is an issue. When someone's dealing with their home and in a vulnerable position, I'm sorry, I don't think it's something where I'm going to bring cameras and try to document that I'm trying to show concern. Now, I wanted to have the meeting so that we can have a very frank discussion.

Phil BacerraItem 1

I invited staff to join me as well so that we could talk about what are the potential options. I didn't sugarcoat it and try to say we can do something and then turn away and not do something. Thanks. I want to thank staff for participating in the meeting. We were able to be frank, be honest about some of the options. And I appreciate our city attorney tonight reiterating what the city is doing. I don't think there's a lack of desire on this dais to help our residents stay in their homes. But unfortunately, there are laws and rules that prevent us from taking certain actions.

Phil BacerraItem 1

And so there is, of course, a desire for the city to take actions to help folks. And I think all of us signed up to be council members so that we could help our community. But we also have limitations on what we can and can't do. So I appreciate the opportunity to meet with those residents. I appreciate staff for being there and helping to clarify what we could and couldn't do. and I appreciate our city attorney tonight setting the record straight for the community to all hear that the city is doing what we can, but there are limitations, and the fact that we went above and

Phil BacerraItem 1

beyond to bring in state resources such as the HCD to try to help that situation over there. It's not a good situation, and hopefully something can be done to address it, and as Councilmember Fan already mentioned, today is St. Patrick's Day, so I'd like to wish those who celebrate St. Patrick's arrival in Ireland as well as celebrate the heritage and culture of our Irish friends and neighbors. A very happy St. Patrick's Day. So please celebrate responsibly. Good night, everybody.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Thank you. Councilman Hernandez, please.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 1

Thank you, Madam Mayor. I want to begin by thanking the members of the public for tuning in to today's council meeting. Our city staff for preparing today's budget, I mean, today's agenda items. I want to also echo my colleagues in celebrating St. Patrick's Day. This is a day where you celebrate patron saint of Ireland. And the reason why that is significant for us in Santa Ana specifically is I got to talk about the connection to Mexico and my ancestors. During a time where Mexican people were subjugated and native and indigenous people were subjugated in Mexico, the St. Patrick's Battalion was a group

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 1

of primary Irish immigrants. They fought alongside those who were fighting for freedom from 1846 to 1848. So today in Mexico, this is also a very big day in celebrating that solidarity. And so I think it's important that people are reminded of how closely connected those cultures are. And it's why so many people look forward to celebrating St. Patrick's Day. So I just want to uplift my love and support to the Irish community. community. I also want to highlight an Irish business owner in Santa Ana, and that is a Chapter 1. They have Irish roots. They're proud of that. Today's their 15th year anniversary.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 3

Congratulations, JJ. Your food is some of the best, not only in Santa Ana, but in the county. I want to close in honor of a Santa Ana resident named Jessica Coghill. Jessica, it was a Native American who was born and raised in the community and unfortunately unfortunately passed away on Sunday. And so my condolences to her and her family. She leaves behind two children. And I just pray that their family is together and they're strong right now. I know that bearing a loved one is not easy. And so my condolences to them. I also want to speak

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 3

to the residents who are in the mobile homes who are affected by what is happening across across the Sullivan Strip. I'm very thankful that the City of Santa Ana is working with residents. I wanna implore residents for anybody who has not filled out a petition to fill that petition out. If they need assistance, please reach my office, reach the City Manager's Office. We will accommodate you and meet you halfway. I wanna thank the City Manager's Office. You had staff meet with residents on Saturday. Thank you, Michael Garcia. Thank you, the staff that went out and met with them.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 3

them thank you to Lincoln Elementary for making themselves available on such a quick turnaround so that city staff can meet with residents on a Saturday accommodating them many of these residents that are impacted still do work so they have to take you know we have to take into account when are they accessible and if it's a Saturday you know as evidence the city of Santa Ana adapted and showed up so thank you that's very important I I also want to speak on comments made by residents about conduct that took place in front of the police department. Very concerning, because our residents have a First Amendment right.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 3

They have a First Amendment right to use their voice in this chamber. They have a First Amendment right to use their voice in front of any public place in our city. And the family that was protesting, an officer who was being investigated for not one but two different shootings, shootings, they were holding an action in front of our police department and one of our officers who was involved in the shooting walked out. The family did not feel safe. I did see the video. I'm very disturbed, very concerned that if there was a protest happening for the very

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 3

loss of life that one of the two officers would walk out and see that as something that wouldn't be problematic but then to turn around and make a gesture that is indeed threatening i i am just very concerned about the conduct that was recorded on video i hope that the city takes those concerns very seriously i did send a message to the city manager and city attorney expressing my concerns about the conduct of of our officers i i expect that our residents are going to be to be treated with respect, even when we disagree with them, when they use their First Amendment rights. And the same applies to our officers.

Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 3

I want them to feel respected. I want them to feel safe in the workplace. But at the end of the day, you know, when it comes to our residents' First Amendment rights, I'm always going to be on the side of protecting their free speech. Thank you. That'll conclude my comments.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

Thank you. Mayor Pro Temp.

David PenalozaItem 3

Thank you, Mayor Omesqua. First, I just wanted to give a quick little update I WANTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, THE SIGNING OF THE MASTER AND OPERATING AGREEMENT BY PARTNER AGENCIES TO ADVANCE THE 241-91 EXPRESS CONNECTOR PROJECT, WHICH IS is huge for the Southern California region, finally took place. This new toll median to median connector will establish a direct link between the 241 toll roads and the 91 express lanes.

David PenalozaItem 3

So for everyone who's familiar with that bottleneck nightmare that happens every single day on the 241, that will now remove that from happening and make the commute for people that work in the island empire and live here or or vice versa a lot smoother so congratulations to our partners in that which is caltrans octa riverside county transportation commission and the tca that is uh breaking ground later this year with a project completion in about three years with that um i also want to uh thank city management uh staff for bringing the the sewaio business expo

David PenalozaItem 3

to ward six uh which will now be happening uh i know that the one in ward four wasn't as successful uh but we're now moving towards six to greener pastures and and uh hopefully hopefully it's a successful event i'm kidding councilmember sarah but um i'm excited for that to come on sunday march 29th i'd like to invite the residents listening and and families to memorial park We're going to be hosting a small build your own Easter basket day for kids. I know we used to have the egg hunt event a couple years ago that we unfortunately had to do away with due to budget constraints.

David PenalozaItem 3

But I'm hoping that this event brings some some some nice smiles to kids in the city to build your own Easter basket. With that, I'd like to wish my father-in-law a happy birthday, who turns, I don't know how old he turns actually, but I know it's coming up on March 19th. You know, I think back to the life that he, he's a refugee from Vietnam, and the life that he's been able to build here in America is just something that I look to as an inspiration to me and my family.

David PenalozaItem 3

and I'm thankful for everything that he does for me and my family and his grandkids. And with that, I don't know if city staff remembers, but on March 18th, 2025, we were having a city council meeting here, and my phone kept ringing because my wife's contractions were getting closer, and we were approving, awarding the contract for the dog park improvements. improvements and I did not want to leave until I voted yes to awarding that contract. I was like, there's no way that I waited eight years for this and now I'm not going to vote on this. So,

David PenalozaItem 3

my wife kept calling and later that night, which was March 19th at like 2.30 in the morning, she gave birth to her beautiful son, Lucas Elias, who turns one and I always said that I will we'll highlight other milestones here at council meetings for the public record. And so happy birthday, Lucas, we love you. And thank you council member Phan, Tia Atai for bringing his first smash cake to him. She surprised us with that, so thank you. And with that, good night, everyone.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

Thank you very much and happy birthday to your baby boy. So I remember that vote, you wanted to vote and leave. It's sad that it took you eight years to get that vote here, but okay. So first of all, let me start off with the mobile home. Mr. City Manager, Madam City Attorney, staff, thank you very much for addressing this issue. I know Mr. City Manager and Deputy City Manager, we had that conversation a couple months ago when Congressman Correa called me on a Saturday night about 10 p.m. And Sunday we spoke. And so it's been in the motion now for a couple months.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

And you guys have done phenomenal work, and I really want to thank you. and i believe as i had stated earlier assemblyman valencia's office has been in touch with them this week today actually and i called them and they'll be meeting hcd will be meeting with them shortly with mobile home park people and assemblyman valencia so you know i just want to be clear i have been off for five weeks this is my first day with makeup on out of my pajamas yeah i had major knee surgery and um thank you to my husband for taking family leave and taking care care of me and so pretty big surgery, painful as heck, I'll never recommend it to anybody,

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

but my phone was off as much as possible. My husband would take it away from me because he didn't want me to answer it. And so I didn't ignore anybody and people come up here and make comments that we haven't done anything. We all have personal lives. I'm the mayor, but I'm also a wife and I'm a mom and I'm a grandma and I had surgery. So for five weeks, I've been off. literally this is the first day that I put real clothes on sounds funny but I've been in pajamas and sweats and being taken care of and today I saw my doctor and he's like okay you can use your cane and walk around okay great so

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

he's like just don't hit anybody with it I won't not yet but I just have to say you know when people come up and say oh mayor you know your body language nobody knows what we're all going through up here nobody knows what all of you are going through nobody's walks in our shoes um i don't know and you don't know if somebody just had somebody passing their life or you have a migraine or you have a freaking i said freaking freaking knee that's killing you for sitting here since four o'clock that i asked my husband to come pick me up because he has to drive me um and help me out because i can't even i'm not gonna be able

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

to get very easy right now um and i'm not making excuses and i sit up here and i am very serious and the way I sit or the way I move, that's just who I am. And, you know, I appreciate the public comments and everybody has a First Amendment right. But I've been sitting here now since December 7th of 2022, and it seems like 20 years. I don't want to sound like Miguel Pulido, but it seems like I've been sitting here a long time. And every meeting I come to, and I'm not asking you to feel sorry for me because I really don't, it doesn't bother me. It comes up and it's mayor, mayor, mayor, mayor, mayor. Well, guess what?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

People are welcome to run for office. and sit up here and get beat up every meeting about what you're doing wrong or what you say wrong or how you sit wrong or how you look wrong or you know we're human i'm human just like everybody else and i spent 30 years in the law enforcement world i am an officer i'm a retired officer and you're never going to hear me say defund the police you will hear me say if he's a bad cop dc do what you got to do you will hear me say if he's a bad director do what you got to do if you're a bad lawyer do what you got to do if you're a bad fireman do what you got to do if

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

you're a bad city manager we will do what we have to do but i do not sit back here and protect officers when they do something wrong and mr city manager can attest to that because we've had many conversations about officers good ones and some that maybe are not so good but it's not my job as the mayor to investigate them that's the police department's job um and that's what eternal affairs And so I just want people to know that are watching at home that, yes, I spent 30 years in law enforcement and I will always be there. I have family in law enforcement. I got family in state prison. I got family that are gang members.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

I have family that are drug addicts. I have family that are lawyers. And I'm not ashamed of where I come from. So when people come here and say, you have to understand how we feel. Yeah, you're right, I do. And I do understand. And I feel terrible when people get hurt or injured or when police officers have to use use force or stop them in their tracks. But I also want you all to think about for just one second, what do you think those officers feel like? What do you think that fireman feels like when he goes into a home and that family, somebody has burned to death?

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

What do you think that officer feels like when he has to go home and tell his spouse, I had to stop somebody today and I don't, they're not trying to use the word kill, correct, DC? They're used to use a different word. I had to stop somebody today and they have to live with that for the rest of their life so we talk about the First Amendment rights and you know it's always officer Barra and you know we he was so you know whatever you know in public and mr. city manager investigate him but I asked my husband to watch that video and show it to me and yeah I was my I think my first week that I was out

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

of the hospital and I felt really bad for him and I called you and I said what What the heck? What the heck? Because I think he behaved in a manner that I was like, wow, you know, it's a hard thing. He was walking to his car, what I saw, and I'm not gonna play Monday night quarterback. I wasn't there. And videos are 30 seconds of truth or lies, or whatever you see, right? Whatever you see in that video. And I would just say that we have a responsibility up here as a council to also take care of every employee, not just police officers, public works,

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

Parks, community, I always get it wrong, Mike, sorry. Community development, finance, men's division, your staff, Sue, all the women in Gaston on the eighth floor, we have a responsibility to take care of all of our staff, men and women on the eighth floor. I say Gaston, Paul, sorry. You know you like me, Gaston. So, I mean, we have a responsibility to take care of our staff, too. So when people say, you know, fire him and do this and do that, you know, I don't know Officer Bars or any officer's real personal life. I don't know if they have wives, children, one wife, or husband, or children, or grandchildren.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

But what I do know that as the mayor, I'm going to sit up here and I'm going to let them investigate their officers. And we do have a police oversight committee now. And I'm going to let the city manager do his job because that's what we hired him for. I'm not going to sit up here and judge any officer and say, oh, my God, and publicly say what he did or she did is wrong. wrong, and you know, we need to do this and that chicken fat. My job is to make sure that our city manager, the direction of the council, investigates and does what he is asked to do.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

So I feel bad for our officers at every meeting since I've been sitting here December 7th of 2022. People up here beat up our police department. They beat them up. Defund them, don't like them, this, that, chicken fat. Oh you know well if you look at the survey when people do the service submit the survey for our budget there's two things that they submit that our priority. What are they? Public safety, quality of life. What does that mean? That means we don't want to get out get rid of our fire departments even though they're paid for the county because we are in the top three of our fire calls

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

am I correct DC? Top three top three for fire department and we don't want to get get rid of our police department because when I call 9-1-1 and I always say it up here I want somebody to come and I've had to call 9-1-1 numerous times and I know that our community at home wants them to come they want them to stop the gang activity we want to talk about safety in our city and yes our streets are important our crosswalks are important but let's talk about all the emails we get about kids with guns shooting each other let's talk about that because we're not talking about that. Yeah I've been off five weeks so stand

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

by Mr. City Manager. Let's talk about that. Let's talk about how much fentanyl our officers on a traffic stop take out of a car. Fentanyl guns and money. That's a regular email that we get. Fentanyl guns and money. But what I call you earth people in the community, you don't see that. You do not see that. People and a small percentage come here from CSO or wherever they're from and they beat up our people. Do you think that the 310,000 people that live in the city at home are saying, we'll get rid of our police department? No, they are not. Or get rid of our fire department? No,

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

they are not. They're saying, can you hire more officers, please? Can you make sure you're funding our police department, our fire department, so they come? That's what they're saying. If you really sit down and talk to them, even the grandma that lives in Navarrio, she'll say, she'll whisper to you, I want more police. Okay, you got it. I want them to come out and arrest That's my grandson because he's a gang member. Okay, you got it. Because I've had those conversations. So, you know, I sit up here. Nobody knows. Yes, five weeks that I've been through some really interesting times. So, yeah, maybe I do look like I'm crabby today.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

I'm not. I'm actually happy to be here. But my facial expressions. And I'm sorry. This is how I was raised, people. You know, my boss used to say, Val, you walk like a cop, you talk like a cop, you look like a cop, and you're a tomboy. That's who I am. and I'm not I can't change that I'm a mom I'm a grandma and I'm like sitting up here like okay I feel bad for you I really do I feel terrible but I'm not gonna agree with them just to agree with them because I want them to like me or vote for me I stand by what I believe in and so I apologize if that offends

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

people but I just can't so on to better things DC and mr. city manager our chief did a wonderful video that I saw about the 2025 the year 2025 and he talked about all the things that happened in 2025 all the successes I would like that to be played here at the council meeting because I want the community to see it because I know a lot of people have not seen that video and then DC you talked about some changes that the chief have has made in the department as far as like traffic and commanders and whatnot Mr. City Manager either I put it on the agenda or you just have the chief give a presentation about what changes he's made in

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

the police department because I think it's really good for the council that we know what changes he has made as a new chief because then it helps us when we're talking up here about you know traffic or rest or whatever it may be um you know stop signs crosswalks whatever he's done some changes with his team and i think it's very important that we hear about that and i'll end on these two things on april 18th i'm having coffee with the mayor at the same time i'm also having festival the nino with mosaic at george upton park and it's for our families with special needs children so

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

please join us and if you want to come out please do it will be from 10 to 2 at 10 to 1. i see cynthia my new chief of staff going one oh so 10 to 1 at george upton park and it's going to be a lot of fun we're going to have food and tables and things so council members usually it's penelosa and becerra who join me because councilman fan always says she don't come it's not her ward um please feel free to join us and then mr city manager i want to thank your staff and the work center deputies all of you who put the apprenticeship career fair this is our second time doing this

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

i'm glad that when i brought it to you with the laborers and the carpenters you were like yeah let's do it and now this is the second year with nine different unions and i'm really happy that we're doing this again and i hope we do it every year a matter of fact they're bringing companies that are ready to hire today they're ready to hire today so please share with everybody that on april 3rd here outside of the council chambers we are having an apprenticeship fair and they will be hiring people that day. So please bring your resume and your ID and everything that you need to get hired on a job.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

And then Swayo, I know you covered it, but you can't miss it. It's a great event for Swayo to be here for the whole week. And we're here Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, correct? At Santa Ana Alks Lodge, please join us. And there's a lot of beautiful things you can buy. I know Councilman Vazquez talked about a jacket that he probably paid a lot of money for and boots. But I also last year bought a whole bunch of stuff that I should not have bought. I think Deputy State Manager, we bought like four purses or something.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

Because they're in my closet. That's my husband, you know. So I use them, but only here and there. They're beautiful. You don't want to use them because they're beautiful. So please bring cash and go shopping at the Soil Business Expo the weekend of March 27th through the 29th. It's going to be a great event. I look forward to seeing you all there.

David PenalozaItem 3

In Ward 6.

Valerie AmezcuaItem 3

What? In Ward 6. Okay, well, I have the whole city, so sorry. I beat you all. And our next council meeting is April 7. Thank you.

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I want to make sure that we're good.

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