Meeting transcript

Read the October 6 meeting.

984 merged speaker turns. Unidentified speech is hidden by default; timestamps open the public recording.

Official recording

Transcript

Back to meeting brief →
Unidentified

Second.

0:03
Jennifer L. Hall

Assistant Clerk. Dias 1 Mic Test.

0:16
Jennifer L. Hall

Dias 2 Mic Test.

0:23
Unidentified

Test Test.

0:27
Jennifer L. Hall

Dias 3, Mike Test.

0:29
Unidentified

Test Test.

0:33
Jennifer L. Hall

Mayor Mike Test.

0:35
Unidentified

Test Test.

0:37
Jennifer L. Hall

Mike Test 1-2.

0:42
Unidentified

Mike Test 1-2.

0:45
Unidentified

Thank you.

1:02
Unidentified

Thank you.

1:32
Unidentified

Thank you.

2:02
Unidentified

Thank you.

2:32
Unidentified

Thank you.

3:02
Unidentified

Thank you.

3:28
Unidentified

Thank you.

3:59
Unidentified

Thank you.

4:28
Unidentified

Thank you.

5:01
Unidentified

Thank you.

5:29
Unidentified

Thank you.

6:01
Unidentified

Thank you.

6:30
Unidentified

Thank you.

7:03
Unidentified

Thank you.

7:30
Unidentified

I'm going to go.

8:00
Unidentified

Thank you.

8:34
Unidentified

Thank you.

9:00
Unidentified

Thank you.

9:29
Unidentified

Thank you.

10:00
Unidentified

Thank you.

10:34
Unidentified

Alright guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys,

11:09
Unidentified

Thank you.

11:28
Unidentified

Thank you.

11:57
Unidentified

Thank you.

12:27
Unidentified

Thank you.

13:00
Unidentified

Thank you.

13:29
Unidentified

Thank you.

13:58
Unidentified

Thank you.

14:28
Unidentified

Thank you.

14:58
Unidentified

Thank you.

15:28
Unidentified

Thank you.

15:58
Unidentified

guitar solo

16:36
Unidentified

Thank you.

16:59
Unidentified

Thank you.

17:28
Unidentified

Thank you.

18:01
Unidentified

Thank you.

18:30
Unidentified

Thank you.

18:58
Unidentified

Thank you.

19:34
Unidentified

Thank you.

20:03
Unidentified

Thank you.

20:36
Unidentified

Thank you.

20:59
Unidentified

Thank you.

21:27
Unidentified

Thank you.

21:59
Unidentified

Thank you.

22:36
Unidentified

Thank you.

23:05
Unidentified

Thank you.

23:33
Unidentified

Thank you.

23:57
Unidentified

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

24:36
Unidentified

Thank you.

24:56
Unidentified

Thank you.

25:26
Unidentified

Alright, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys

26:05
Unidentified

Thank you.

26:23
Unidentified

Thank you.

26:55
Unidentified

Thank you.

27:24
Unidentified

Thank you.

27:54
Unidentified

Thank you.

28:24
Unidentified

Thank you.

28:55
Unidentified

Thank you.

29:29
Unidentified

Thank you.

29:53
Unidentified

Alright guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys,

30:26
Unidentified

Thank you.

30:58
Unidentified

Thank you.

31:25
Unidentified

All right, let's go.

32:17
Unidentified

Thank you.

32:23
Unidentified

Thank you.

32:54
Unidentified

Thank you.

33:28
Unidentified

Thank you.

33:53
Unidentified

Thank you.

34:23
Unidentified

Thank you.

34:54
Unidentified

Thank you.

35:22
Unidentified

Thank you.

35:51
Unidentified

Thank you.

36:22
Unidentified

Thank you.

36:52
Unidentified

Thank you.

37:25
Unidentified

Thank you.

37:51
Unidentified

Thank you.

38:21
Unidentified

guitar solo

38:59
Unidentified

guitar solo

39:30
Unidentified

Thank you.

39:53
Unidentified

Thank you.

40:21
Unidentified

Thank you.

40:53
Unidentified

Thank you.

41:23
Unidentified

Thank you.

41:53
Unidentified

Thank you.

42:26
Unidentified

Alright guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys,

43:03
Unidentified

Thank you.

43:21
Unidentified

Thank you.

43:50
Unidentified

Thank you.

44:21
Unidentified

Thank you.

44:49
Unidentified

Thank you.

45:22
Unidentified

Thank you.

45:51
Unidentified

Thank you.

46:24
Unidentified

Alright, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys

46:59
Unidentified

Thank you.

47:17
Unidentified

Thank you.

47:49
Valerie Amezcua

you can go ahead thank you very much madam clerk i hereby call the san anna city council meeting to order this meeting has taken 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.

48:32
Jennifer L. Hall

Council Member Becerra. Here. Council Member Hernandez. Council Member Lopez. Here. Council Member Fan. Council Member Vasquez. Mayor Pro Tempeñolosa.

48:54
David Penaloza

Present.

49:03
Jennifer L. Hall

Mayor Mesquia. Present. The records show that is four members. That is a quorum. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Are there any additions or deletions to the closed session agenda? Yes, Mayor and City Council, the City Attorney has an announcement.

49:04
Sonia R. Carvalho

City Attorney. Mayor and Council members, subsequent to the posting of the agenda for tonight's meeting, an urgent item has come to the staff's attention and requires us to ask that you add an item to your closed session agenda. The Brown Act Government Code Section 54954.2b2 permits you to add this item if there is a vote of two-thirds of the Council. Given that we only have four members present at the moment, we will need a unanimous vote for you to add this item to the agenda.

49:14
Sonia R. Carvalho

In order to do so, you need to find that there is a need to take immediate action and that the need came to the attention of the agency, the City, after the agenda was posted. We are asking you to add this item as a matter of anticipated litigation related to a police officer use of force incident that occurred on the evening of Thursday, October 1, 2026, in the City. The City is aware that an attorney has been retained and a claim and eventual lawsuit is anticipated. Staff makes this recommendation based on public comments that this attorney has made. we have serious concerns about the incident,

49:41
Sonia R. Carvalho

and we feel that we have an immediate need for an investigation or a review, we ask that you add this item as closed session, anticipated litigation. I would need to, I need a motion, and then a unanimous vote from the council.

50:13
Valerie Amezcua

Madam City Attorney, I'll make a motion, and thank you for sharing that with us. Second. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye.

50:25
Jennifer L. Hall

Four ayes, motion carries. Item number two is added to the closed session agenda, closed session, conference with legal counsel, anticipated litigation under government code section 54956.9 d2 and 3. and mayor if there is

50:34
Sonia R. Carvalho

anyone to take comment we would need to take comment as we added this item yeah so before we

50:47
Valerie Amezcua

take the comments i just want to read before we go into closed session um my comment here before we go in um city attorney covered it but i just want to put in here that in the late evening of october 1st 2026 two santa ana police officers were involved in a use of force incident that was captured on video and has circulated on social media and has been widely reported by news outlets. The video is disturbing and as mayor I have called for an independent review and investigation. While I understand that an internal affairs investigation will be conducted by our police

50:52
Valerie Amezcua

department in accordance with department policy and state law, I believe an outside independent investigation should be conducted for transparency. As I had already stated, I respect the process and do not want to interfere with it, but I have a responsibility to the public. and if an investigation concludes that action should be taken against the officers then I will support that action as we cannot allow the actions of one or two officers to impact the good work done by others. I ask for a closed session on this matter which was already voted on Madam City Attorney and Mr. City Manager.

51:22
Valerie Amezcua

So let's go ahead with the rest Madam City Clerk. And we will report after closed session when we come out.

51:52
Jennifer L. Hall

Yes thank you Mayor and City Council. Now is the time for public comments on the closed session agenda. We do have two cards that were submitted prior to the meeting beginning. If you could please approach the podium. Pat Lenahan and Nina Jierk.

51:59
Jessie Lopez

Mayor, I have a clarifying question. Go ahead, Councilor Lee. Members of the public did not know that this item was going to be added to closed session today, that the council would be discussing the incident that they saw that was recorded, the actions of Sanana police officers essentially beating up on one of our residents. And so I don't know that they were actually able to fulfill the requirement of submitting public comment requests prior to our vote today. So I need clarity as to members of the public in this chamber now. Will they be given the opportunity to provide comment?

52:17
Sonia R. Carvalho

Yes, they must be given the opportunity to provide comment. I would like to say that we obviously, this is a transparent process, we want to hear comment but anyone who would also like to speak on this during the open session is welcome to submit a card as well um so that they can do so now the comment right now would be on adding it to the agenda that would be the topic and then later they could talk to any general policy issues

52:52
Valerie Amezcua

thank you so much for the clarity so councilman lopez i if it's a full house it's fine they're all going to get three minutes to speak yes i agree thank you go ahead okay good evening

53:16
Unidentified

Madam Mayor and Council Members. I'm Pat Lenahan from Ward 5, Washington Square Neighborhood Association. I'm Vice President of the Neighborhood Association, a member of the Comlink Board, former member of the Santa Ana Library Commission, but you guys discontinued it, unfortunately. But I'm here to talk about our park. One of the things that, excuse me, that's new, is we just got our new newsletter. And one of the things that we included in that was our first ever Young Writers Essay Contest. I'm going to leave out names because I don't think that's appropriate, but this individual, she's eight years old soon.

53:26
Unidentified

She thinks there are many wonderful things about my neighborhood, but there are four things that are my favorite. First, I love our 4th of July parade. My mommy helped start the parade so that I could ride my bike with our neighbors. I love seeing everyone outside waving, laughing, and celebrating together to make me feel happy and proud to be part of their neighborhood. Second, I love that our neighbors make us feel like family. They're always kind and helpful. They're always there when we need them, and that makes our neighborhood very special. Third, I love going to our neighborhood meetings because I get to have pizza.

54:08
Unidentified

It's fun to see everyone while enjoying a yummy dinner. Last, I love our neighborhood movie nights. We get to sit outside, watch a movie, eat cotton candy, and spend time together under the stars. And here is the closing. The best thing about my neighborhood is not just one thing. It is the people, the fun, and the way we come together like family. I'm so thankful to live in such a special neighborhood. This is from an eight-year-old, soon to be eight-year-old. A couple of other things I wanted to add that haven't been spoken about before.

54:47
Unidentified

We have a very active dog community in Washington Square, and so one of our neighbors several years ago asked if we could get a microchip reader to check on the loose dogs. We have it. The neighborhood bought it. She keeps track of it. And then it was a decision about how about a doggy depot so that we don't have a dog's defecating on the sidewalk, we have it cleaned up. And so we get doggy bags, we have doggy waste area, all of that. So these are things that are really, I think, symbolic of how united Washington Square is and how determined we are to have a safe,

55:23
Unidentified

clean, wonderful neighborhood. And the last thing is come by at Christmas time for Candy Cane Lane. you will see how brightly decorated we are the Halloween decorations are starting but the park is something that we really can benefit from thank you very much

56:04
Jennifer L. Hall

Nina Jerick

56:27
Unidentified

hello madam mayor council members city managers surprised I haven't been kicked out of here yet. I keep saying, I keep trying to find different ways of saying the same thing and that is our passion, incredible passion for a park. And to add to what Pat had said, we all work together to make our neighborhood a better place. It isn't just me speaking here at the council meetings, I am speaking for our entire neighborhood. If I thought I was at the starting line three and a half years ago gathering signatures from the neighborhood to get to the park. That wasn't it.

56:33
Unidentified

I thought I was at the starting line again when I was so excited that it got on the agenda almost a year ago now. That wasn't it. Tonight it is it. You are putting the pedal to the metal in negotiations, getting direction on that. I wish I could be a fly on the wall to hear what all was going to be said. I wish I could get a shovel and help dig out what needs to be dug in order to get our park. But I thank you for everything you have done. I know that we've got a long way to go financially on it,

57:11
Unidentified

and I know the city has an awful lot of things to do with the monies that it has available to them, and we're incredibly grateful that you are putting a portion of that for consideration into a park into our neighborhood.

57:47
Unidentified

So anyway, thank you very much once again.

58:03
Jennifer L. Hall

Mayor and City Council, that concludes the speaker cards that were submitted prior to the meeting beginning, but if we wanted to open it up to anyone who wanted to speak on the placement of item two on the closed session agenda to come forward.

58:10
Valerie Amezcua

We'll be coming out after they're out of closed session and then they can speak for their time. Thank you. We're adjourned to closed session.

58:22
Unidentified

I love you.

58:33
Unidentified

Thank you.

59:04
Unidentified

Thank you.

59:33
Unidentified

Transcription by CastingWords Thank you.

1:11:31
Unidentified

Alright guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys,

1:15:03
Unidentified

Alright guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys,

1:18:39
Unidentified

Alright guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys,

1:27:58
Unidentified

Transcription by CastingWords Thank you.

1:32:10
Unidentified

Alright, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys

1:33:20
Unidentified

Alright guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys,

1:37:47
Unidentified

Alright, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys

1:41:15
Unidentified

Alright guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys,

2:00:14
Unidentified

Alright guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys,

2:22:43
Unidentified

Alright, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys

2:26:09
Unidentified

Good day, Lord.

2:45:09
Unidentified

Alright, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys

3:01:37
Unidentified

Alright guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys,

3:07:36
Valerie Amezcua

Thank you. I hereby call the Santa Ana City Council meeting to order. Thank you all for waiting for us to return. We have some very important matters to discuss. Madam Clerk, please conduct the roll call.

3:14:23
Jennifer L. Hall

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

3:14:34
Jennifer L. Hall

place objects in the aisles in front of the dais along the back wall of the council chamber 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 for roll call council member becerra here council member hernandez present council member lopez here council member fan here council member vasquez present mayor pro tempena losa mayor mesqua present six members present that is a quorum

3:15:02
Valerie Amezcua

thank you madam clerk before we proceed to the pledge of allegiance please make any make an

3:15:33
Jennifer L. Hall

announcement for members of the public on zoom or teleconference to request to speak during public comments on agenda or non-agenda items within the city's jurisdiction you must dial star nine from your phone or click the button labeled raise hand from zoom now in order to be in the speaker queue once public comments begin this does not apply to the housing authority agenda for which comments will be heard separately following this announcement the speaker queue online will be closed

3:15:37
Valerie Amezcua

thank you first item on the agenda is the pledge of allegiance madam deputy city manager would you

3:16:02
Unidentified

lead us in the pledge of allegiance please please stand and place your right hand over your heart Ready? Begin.

3:16:07
Valerie Amezcua

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands,

3:16:13
Unidentified

one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

3:16:20
Valerie Amezcua

Thank you very much. Words of inspiration will be provided by Police Chaplain Bob Barnett. Please, sir, come on in.

3:16:28
Unidentified

I want to say just a simple refreshing restoring prayer for the night The Lord God I thank you for everybody gathered here tonight I ask a blessing upon everybody that as discussion goes to pass I pray that there be great discussions great wisdom Lord we thank you for the city for all the people that work here and serve We're thankful Lord for all they give their experience and all the wisdom they have Bless this evening in the name of the Lord

3:16:37
Valerie Amezcua

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

3:17:11
Jennifer L. Hall

Yes, Mayor and City Council, we have two. Item number 26, the permit parking study has been removed by staff and will be postponed to a future meeting. And then with concurrence from Council, the staff and the applicant have requested to continue public hearing item number 29 for a project at Firston Mountain View to the City Council meeting of October 20th, 2026, provided there's no objection.

3:17:18
Valerie Amezcua

Thank you very much. We're going to go to presentations. I will do mine first, and then Councilman Becerra will be after me, and then the rest of them. So can I please have the Back to School Resource Fair outstanding contributions to the barbers that joined me that day. Please join me. Thank you.

3:17:41
UnidentifiedItem 1

Thank you.

3:18:29
Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

First, I want to say thank you for waiting for us. I really appreciate your patience. We all do. So today I am recognizing Cotreras Grooming. Who was that? Yay! Round of applause.

3:18:39
Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

El Cazin. El Cazin left, right? Sorry, he had to leave. And then Osi Finest.

3:18:53
UnidentifiedItem 1

Okay, give a round of applause for him.

3:19:00
Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

It is my pleasure to be here. It's my pleasure to recognize three outstanding local businesses and most importantly, the barbers that are standing behind me here for their generosity, their service and outstanding contributions to our community during our back to school resource fair. Today we are recognizing as I had indicated Contreras Griming for gentlemen, OC's finest barbers and La Catrine for volunteering their time and talents at our back to school resource fair. A haircut may seem like a simple service, but for a young person preparing for their first day of school, it can mean so much more.

3:19:03
Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

It can give a child a boost of confidence, help them feel prepared, and remind them that their community is invested in their success. Thank you guys. By volunteering at our back to school resource fair, these barbers did more than provide haircuts. They gave their time away from their families, their talent, and their care to local families, helping students start the school year feeling confident and ready to learn. I want to recognize all of them. First, let me start with OC's Finest, a locally-owned Santa Ana business that has made giving back an important part of its work.

3:19:38
Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Earlier this year, the team celebrated its second anniversary by hosting a free haircut event, providing approximately $10,000 in complimentary haircuts and food to members of the community. Please, big round of applause for them.

3:20:12
Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Their commitment to service continues through partnerships such as their work with the Orange County Sheriff's Department during Red Ribbon Week, demonstrating their willingness to find new ways to support young people and strengthen connections throughout our community. Let's recognize Contreras Grooming for Gentlemen, a business that has created a welcoming space for men, women, children, and families. from haircuts and fades to beard trims and shaves. Their team takes pride in providing quality service while creating an environment where everyone can feel comfortable and welcomed. That same spirit of welcoming families

3:20:31
Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

was reflected in their participation at our back-to-school resource fair, where they shared their skills with students and families and helped the event be a little bit more special for everyone who attended. So thank you very much, gentlemen. Thank you. And finally, we're proud to recognize of Catrin, which has been serving the community since 2010. Their philosophy is rooted in tradition, respect, and community while also embracing modern styles and welcoming people of all ages. I think that spirit is especially meaningful because barbershops have long been

3:21:06
Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

more than places to get a haircut. They can be places where people connect, share stories, build relationships, and feel a sense of community. All three of these businesses demonstrate what it means to be a community partner. They have taken something they are exceptionally good at and used that talent to give back to the people around this community, especially the children. Their generosity reminds us that building a strong community does not always require a large program or a major initiative. Sometimes it starts with simply asking, how can I help you? And be willing to give of their time and talents on a volunteer basis.

3:21:37
Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

And even charging, there's nothing wrong with that. To Contreras Grooming for Gentlemen, OC Finest Barbers, and Neil Katrin, thank you for showing up for our families, for investing in our young people. On behalf of the City of Santa Ana, I'm happy to recognize all of you. But I just want to say that thank you so much for the Resource Fair coming out and volunteering. If you haven't joined us for our Resource Fair, please come out. The children, some of them are very happy to get a haircut. Some of them are crying very loudly. and some of them not quite sure what they're doing and what's happening because there's some

3:22:12
Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

really young and some olders but i have to say at the end of the day everybody looked amazing and we even had to tell a couple moms like no you can't get a haircut it's just for the kids because they tried to sneak in there so thank you gentlemen so much for everything you do for our community for all of us and hopefully next year you'll be there again so if anybody wants to come up and speak come on up here's your chat

3:22:43
UnidentifiedItem 1

First of all, I just want to say thank you to Amir for inviting us today. I also want to say thank you for collaborating with OC's Finance Barbershop. I also want to give a big thanks to my team for backing us up and contributing over 300 free haircuts this past year. And I just want to say thank you for my family. Thank you for God for another day of life. And God bless America and God bless Sanana. Thank you, guys.

3:23:07
UnidentifiedItem 1

Thank you so much.

3:23:35
Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

And there's one for each one. Thank you so much.

3:23:36
UnidentifiedItem 1

Thank you for everything.

3:23:40
Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Okay, don't move.

3:23:42
Benjamin VazquezItem 1

Okay, next one. Come on up.

3:23:42
UnidentifiedItem 1

This is not a company. No, no, we're...

3:23:47
Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Maano, they're dressed.

3:23:51
Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

Contreras grooming.

3:23:55
UnidentifiedItem 1

Hey guys, I just want to say how truly grateful we are and how honored we are to get this recognition. and I just wanna say how truly honored we are to just have the resources and the skills to give back to the community and create a positive impact. And I just wanna say thank you guys, thank you from the mayor, and we just do this for the kids, guys. Everything was for the kids, and we just wanna give back and help as much as we can, and I just want to end it with just a Spanish quote.

3:23:56
UnidentifiedItem 1

I like, hoy por ti, mañana por mi. And it just goes out for everyone. Gracias. Gracias. Thank you for everything, guys.

3:24:36
UnidentifiedItem 1

Thank you. And Contreras grooming for gentlemen. Everyone's welcome, guys. Thank you, guys. All right. Let's get fun.

3:24:48
Jennifer L. HallItem 1

Thank you.

3:25:21
UnidentifiedItem 1

Congratulations.

3:25:32
UnidentifiedItem 1

from Quintenilla. Prompos. Prompos.

3:26:02
UnidentifiedItem 1

Sorry. What was the talking thing?

3:26:08
Valerie AmezcuaItem 1

That was covered by face, please.

3:26:10
UnidentifiedItem 1

Yeah, you did. One, two, three.

3:26:14
UnidentifiedItem 1

Have a good day.

3:26:21
UnidentifiedItem 1

Thank you.

3:26:55
UnidentifiedItem 1

Perfect, thank you.

3:27:02
Phil BacerraItem 1

If I could have...

3:27:06
Phil BacerraItem 1

If I could have Min Ali and our dedicated staff from the city's planning and building agency join me up here.

3:27:09
UnidentifiedItem 4

Thank you.

3:27:25
UnidentifiedItem 4

Thank you.

3:27:33
Phil BacerraItem 4

All right. So as a fellow planner and an American Planning Association member, I am proud to present a proclamation to recognize October as National Community Planning Month and to celebrate the role that community planning plays in guiding great communities such as ours to be safer, more resilient, more equitable, and definitely more prosperous. Change is constant and it affects all cities, whether they're urban, suburban, or rural. Planners can help navigate this change by gathering input from various stakeholders and using data-driven insights and expertise to help shape how residents

3:28:19
Phil BacerraItem 4

and businesses determine the future of our community. And very importantly, what they also do is they create acronyms for things that are in our built environment, even things that didn't have a name to begin with, they come up with an acronym. For the full benefits of planning to be realized though, elected officials and appointed officials like our planning commission must support excellence and planning and the implementation of those plans. We have seen that here in the city of Santa Ana with such accomplishments as the update to our city's general plan, which, how long did that take? And how long before that?

3:28:59
Phil BacerraItem 4

No, no, no, no, how long? When was the last time we updated our general plan? Oh, 82. 82, see, someone's paying attention up here. Okay, good.

3:29:35
Phil BacerraItem 4

So now what's important about the city's general plan? Well, it establishes the shared vision of our city's aspiration to be the world-class capital of Orange County that celebrates our neighborhoods, our heritage, and very importantly, our aspirations and our potential. The Santa Ana General Plan is meant to empower every decision maker, resident, business, and stakeholder to take the steps necessary to help realize this vision for our city here in Santa Ana.

3:29:43
Phil BacerraItem 4

to implement our city's general plan though our planning and building agency staff are leading the effort to update our city's zoning code the tool that implements the land use component of our general plan the update of our zoning code is the largest such effort since when 1960s 68 wow 1968. National Community Planning Month is an opportunity to highlight how planning is essential to every community and how planners are uniquely positioned to identify solutions to communities most difficult land use questions. The celebration of National Community Planning Month also gives us

3:30:14
Phil BacerraItem 4

the opportunity to express our appreciation for the continued commitment to public service by all these professionals behind me. So it's my honor on behalf of the Santa Ana City Council to declare the month of October 2026 as National Community Planning Month and I'd like to have Menden Ali come up here say a couple words

3:30:55
UnidentifiedItem 4

Thank You Councilmember Thank You mayor and the City Council for this honor even though I'm no longer the lead of Planning Department it's been my privilege to serve as part of the planning team. Over the past eight years and experiencing what the team has done but also what the City Council and the community has pushed us to do, it's been I would say the most exciting eight years of my entire career and this team is second to none. The planners here we have a very talented, they're very dedicated to the city as well as our residents.

3:31:21
UnidentifiedItem 4

They have been awarded many awards for excellence and their visionary planning practices through implementing the vision of the city council and the community. Then tonight you'll probably learn of a recognition of another really exciting award that we recently received about a week ago and it will be announced tonight. So I just want to don't want to say too much, but I'm still very proud to be able to work with the planning team on a day in and day out to to to to improve our community to make our community better and to

3:31:58
UnidentifiedItem 4

Help improve the quality of life for everyone at this point Thanks, man. Thanks councilmember Becerra to the whole city council None of what men described would be possible without our hard-working staff and their ideas I can tell you I'm going on my 16th year with the city and not a day has gone by where I haven't felt challenged Where I've ever felt bored where I felt something was repetitive Thanks to the challenges thrown at us by our city council and our community. There's so There's always something to keep us excited and keep us moving forward with bold fresh ideas

3:32:37
UnidentifiedItem 4

So thank you councilmember. Thank you community and thank you city council

3:33:11
Phil BacerraItem 4

Let's give these guys a round of applause

3:33:16
UnidentifiedItem 4

Thank you.

3:33:31
UnidentifiedItem 4

Thank you.

3:34:00
UnidentifiedItem 4

Thank you guys.

3:34:32
Valerie AmezcuaItem 4

Okay, let's go on to the next presentation. It will be Council Member Vasquez recognizing Suavecito Foundation's Youth and Government program for outstanding leadership in the community.

3:35:03
UnidentifiedItem 2

Thank you.

3:35:24
UnidentifiedItem 2

Thank you so much.

3:35:57
Benjamin VazquezItem 2

Good evening, everyone. It's my pleasure to be here tonight to recognize the Suavecito Foundation and its youth and government program for their outstanding leadership and commitment to our community. For years, the foundation has supported programs throughout our community, but its work with youth and government program is particularly meaningful because it helps young people discover their voices and their ability to make a difference. Through this program, the foundation has helped cultivate hundreds of youth leaders in Santa Ana, giving young people opportunities to engage with government, understand civic responsibility,

3:36:02
Benjamin VazquezItem 2

and become active participants in their community. What I especially appreciate about the program approach is its focus on growth rather than comparison. Their model recognizes that every young person starts from a different place and success is about helping each individual reach their next level.

3:36:36
Benjamin VazquezItem 2

That means investing not only in academic or civic knowledge but also in confidence, character development, and social emotional intelligence. Qualities are essential to effective leadership. And we can see that leadership taking place right here in our community. Most recently, Youth and Government program hosted the Santa Ana Unified School District Candidate Forum, giving students and community members an opportunity to engage with candidates and participate in meaningful conversations about the future of our schools. The Youth and Government program is also working on a statewide legislation demonstrating that

3:36:55
Benjamin VazquezItem 2

young people and leaders involved in this program are not limiting their civic engagement to the local level. They're also learning how to advocate for issues and think about how policy can create change on a much larger scale. The impact of the investment extends far beyond any individual program. When we empower young people to participate in civic life today, we are helping develop the community leaders, advocates, entrepreneurs, educators, and public servants of tomorrow. Today I want to recognize the Youth and Government Program for its outstanding leadership and

3:37:28
Benjamin VazquezItem 2

for many of its ways it continues to invest in San Andes young peoples and families. To To the Suavecito Foundation, the youth and government participants, mentors, volunteers, and everyone who helps make these programs possible, thank you for believing in our youth and for giving them the tools and confidence and opportunities to lead. Congratulations and thank you for all that you do and for the young people of Santana. Thank you.

3:38:00
UnidentifiedItem 2

Good evening everyone my name is Nadia Diaz and I am a 10th grader at Valley High School and I'm YMG president. I want to start off by thanking Benjamin Vasquez for recognizing me and my group for giving us this opportunity. I've been part of this program for two years and I'm really enjoying enjoying helping out in our community. The program is great because we learn a lot mostly by doing things in the classroom and also in our community. I am thankful to the Suavecito Foundation and also Roman and Patty and Jonathan for having this wonderful program that helps the youth. Thank you.

3:38:33
UnidentifiedItem 2

Good evening everyone. My name is Andrea Rendon and I am the Vice President of the Youth and government of Santana. I've been a part of youth in government for about two years and I've been given the opportunity to advocate in DC for the city of Santana. When I'm advocating there's always a question that pops up why do you advocate and without a doubt my answer is always because of the city I grew up in. This city has installed lots of values such as hard work discipline and perseverance and myself and all of the delegates standing behind me furthermore I'd like to thank councilmember Jonathan Ryan Hernandez for

3:39:17
UnidentifiedItem 2

having us at Fiestas Patrias last month I'd like to thank councilwoman Jesse Lopez for always being present at all of our youth summits and most importantly I'd like to thank councilmember Benjamin Vasquez for honoring us with this award and for supporting the youth in a city that thrives on grassroot power Thank you.

3:39:55
UnidentifiedItem 2

don't even know

3:40:50
Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 2

YG

3:41:02
Valerie AmezcuaItem 2

Congratulations to all of you.

3:41:26
Valerie AmezcuaItem 2

Thank you.

3:41:36
Valerie AmezcuaItem 2

Next presentation is Council Member Lopez's OC Pride Board declaring October 2026 is LGBTQ of LGBTQ History Month. Please come on up.

3:41:46
Jessie LopezItem 3

Okay, I'll do my best to be brief. I know people have been waiting in the chamber for a long time, but I am very excited to be proclaiming the month of October as LGBTQ History Month. It is really my honor to recognize OC Pride and present this proclamation, declaring October whereas LGBTQ+, History Month in the city of Santana, it's a month, it's an opportunity, actually, to recognize the history, the contributions, the resilience, and achievements of our community members, our neighbors, our sisters, our brothers, the people that we love,

3:42:35
Jessie LopezItem 3

and to honor the individuals and the organizations who have worked to create a community where everyone can live openly, authentically, and with dignity. Here in Orange County, OC Pride has played an important role in creating that sense of visibility, belonging, and community. Through celebration, education, through advocacy, OC Pride continues to bring people together and create spaces where a diverse group of residents, families, allies, and community members can feel represented and welcomed. OC Pride has made a tremendous impact right here in downtown Santana.

3:43:15
Jessie LopezItem 3

In 2023, the festival welcomed more than 20,000 people to our city, making it the organization's largest festival to date and bringing thousands of visitors into our downtown, also supporting our small local businesses. That incredible turnout also contributes to the vitality of our local economy. Pride attendees support our restaurants, our shops, entertainment venues, and cultural institutions while discovering everything that Santana has to offer.

3:43:51
Jessie LopezItem 3

I also want to recognize OC's Pride continued investment in our local business community and our creative community through partnerships with venues like the Yost Theater, Queens Lounge, Native Son, Chapter One, 4 Street Market, and the Frida Cinema. And I personally want to thank those businesses for all that they do. These spaces are important because Pride is about more than one day or one celebration. It is about creating opportunities for people to connect with one another, access resources, celebrate their identities and histories, support local artists and businesses, and know that they belong.

3:44:24
Jessie LopezItem 3

As we recognize this month, we are reminded that history is not only something that we look back on, that we all have the opportunity to create it on an everyday basis. So on behalf of the City of Santana, thank you to the OC Pride Board, some of the members are behind me, but not all of them, to the volunteers, to our business partners, and to everyone who continues to make this work possible. Thank you for your commitment to celebration, respect, education, inclusion, advocacy, to love, and to building a more welcoming and inclusive community for everybody.

3:44:58
Jessie LopezItem 3

It is my privilege to present this proclamation, declaring October as LGBTQ plus History Month in the city of Santana, and to recognize OC Pride for its continued contributions to our community. Congratulations and thank you so much for coming back to the city of Santana.

3:45:33
UnidentifiedItem 3

thank you jesse lopez um and thank you all uh we're really really thankful for uh the opportunity to return to downtown santa anna uh we're really excited for the festival that's happening uh this saturday uh it's a completely free festival all you gotta do is show up we'll supply the party I do apologize I don't have my entire board here but they are hard at work right now to make sure that the festival goes off without a hitch so I guess on their behalf I will just say thank you to the community of downtown Santa Ana I this is my home I love it here it's a beautiful city

3:45:59
UnidentifiedItem 3

and I'm just so incredibly thankful to be able to bring the festival back here in downtown Santa Ana so thank you all

3:46:37
UnidentifiedItem 3

Yes, thank you, Councilwoman Lopez. We are so excited to be back. I am Brandon Chavez, the board president of Orange County Pride. And like Brian said, it's this weekend, so please bring your friends, bring your family. It's a free event. We really are doing this event to support our community here in Santa Ana. We responded to the call. Everybody wanted us to come back. So we're going to be here. Come see us Saturday and see us at prideoc.com if you want more information, guys. Thank you.

3:46:50
UnidentifiedItem 3

Hey, everyone. My name is Bulmado, but folks who may is Boomer, I'm the director of philanthropy. I also just want to thank the city manager's office for being so grateful and collaborating with us and bringing us back home. And so the parade is on Saturday at 11 a.m. Our festival starts at 12. We have five stages and it ends at 10. So it's going to be a big party. And then afterwards, we have a bar crawl with some bars in downtown Santa Ana, like Chapter One, Club 616, Native Son, and then OC Market, Queens Lounge. So a handful of folks. So it's going to be a big party. So please come.

3:47:23
UnidentifiedItem 3

Hello. My name is David Contreras. I think I can honestly say in this room right now, I'm probably the longest continuously living in this community. I was born in this city 65 years ago and have been lived in and around it. It is so awe-inspiring to see what has happened in this city. It was pretty much written off a few years ago and it's incredible to see how much it's grown and how beautiful it is now. It makes it even more powerful to come back here and be here in Santa Ana welcomed back. We strayed for a couple of years, but we're back here and we can't

3:48:10
UnidentifiedItem 3

be more grateful to all of you, to our council people for what they've done. This is an exciting day. It's for everyone. The theme of the event is called Voices All Combined, and that's not just our community. That means everybody is welcome. So come on by. We're going to be there all day along on Saturday and Saturday evening at about eight o'clock the one and only charo will be on stage we'd love to have you all there you could all be part of the coochie coochie contest later in the evening so once again thank you again for welcoming us back it is an amazing experience thank you

3:48:47
UnidentifiedItem 3

Congratulations.

3:49:51
David PenalozaItem 3

All right, thank you. Looking forward to the parade and the festival. The next certificate of recognition is presented by Councilmember Hernandez to Leslie Priscila for her newly released book, Chancla, Healing Our Families, Ourselves, and Our Culture Through Nonviolent Parenting and Outstanding Contributions to the Community. Leslie Priscila, can you please come up?

3:50:00
Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 5

All right, let's give a big round of applause for Leslie Priscilla, please.

3:50:38
Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 5

What a monumental day it is to be able to celebrate a local author. Today October 6th, I have the honor of recognizing a resident of our community. I would like to take this moment to recognize Leslie Priscilla for her outstanding commitment to the community and her newly released book, Chancla. Chancla is about healing our families, ourselves, and our culture through nonviolent parenting. Tonight, I have the honor of presenting this certificate in recognition to Leslie Priscilla.

3:50:48
Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 5

She's the founder of Latinx Parenting and an author of a newly released book, Chancla, healing our families, ourselves, and our culture through nonviolent parenting. Leslie Priscilla is a child of the community. She's born and raised in Santa Ana. She's a child of immigrants, her mother from Chihuahua, her father from Colima. She is a mother, she's a facilitator, she is an advocate for Latinx and Chicanx families, not only locally, but nationally and internationally. Additionally, she is born and raised in Santana. She attended St. Anne's in Santa Ana and is a graduate from Mater Dei High School.

3:51:19
Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 5

Though Leslie's work often requires her to travel to various cities around the country, she's very proud to call Santa Ana home. We are incredibly proud to call her one of our own, or incredibly proud to call her a Santanera. In August of this year, Chicano Heritage Month, Leslie became a published author with the release of her first ever book, Chancla. This book draws on her personal story, the historical context, and her years of facilitation with Latinx, Chicanx families, Leslie's book explores the roots of violence in our culture. And it offers a path forward that is grounded in connection,

3:51:56
Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 5

self-reflection, and ancestral healing. This book is an amazing resource for all parents. It's an amazing resource for educators, clinicians, and any adult who is ready to break the cycles of harm while also honoring our cultura and serving the public. In 2018, Leslie also founded an organization that serves the Santa Ana community, Latinx Parenting. This organization focused on bringing trauma-informed services, healing-centered family education, and focusing on parents in the Latinx, Chicanx community. Leslie has provided professional development training for some of your favorite schools, colleges,

3:52:38
Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 5

and training for service providers who work within the Latinx and Chicanx community. We are deeply grateful for the work of Leslie. We're grateful for the work that she's done with our parents, children, and practitioners in our community. With her insights, wisdom, knowledge, and education, she has been a phenomenal resource for both ancestral and academic knowledge. That is knowledge that we will nurture in Santa Ana. That is knowledge that we will nourish because when we nourish these two, we see the wellness of families and communities for generations to come. Again, we are so proud to call her one of our own, a santanera.

3:53:18
Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 5

Thank you, Leslie, for all the amazing work you do. And we now invite Leslie Prisela to say some words. Thank you.

3:53:53
UnidentifiedItem 5

Thank you.

3:54:01
UnidentifiedItem 5

So I had invited my partner, Fernando de Veras, to say a couple words before me. so I'm going to let him do that.

3:54:09
UnidentifiedItem 5

She gets shy.

3:54:18
UnidentifiedItem 5

I just want to say, you know, echoing a lot of what Councilmember Hernandez shared, I think this achievement for Leslie is something that we can all take pride in in this city. She is somebody that was born and raised in this city. Whenever we're walking the streets in Santana, we always talk about this is our family. These are our tios and our tias that we see in the neighborhoods. And in the conversations that I have with Leslie, this is something that is very deeply rooted in her being. This isn't just her job. This isn't just something that she does because it's fun. This is something that she takes very personally, very deeply.

3:54:21
UnidentifiedItem 5

I wanted to share a quote from the book. Show of hands, has anyone here got the book already? I know we got a couple. All right, thank you. We need more hands up next time. A quote here that I think I appreciate from Leslie's book. It says, when we raise children who know they are sacred and deserving of respect, we nurture future adults who will refuse to accept systems that dehumanize anyone. And a lot of this work that Leslie does is about rehumanizing our families, rehumanizing ourselves, rehumanizing each other, so that we can have the kind of connection and love and care in our community that we deserve.

3:54:53
UnidentifiedItem 5

So I'll pass the mic to Leslie.

3:55:29
UnidentifiedItem 5

Thank you. I'm going to unlock my phone.

3:55:38
UnidentifiedItem 5

Buenas noches, everybody. I'm thankful for this beautiful honoring, and thank you, Mayor and Council Members, for presenting it to me and to this book, which was six years in the making. Especially thank you to Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Vasquez, Council Member Jesse Lopez, for all of the incredible work that you are doing. I want to start by saying that, as Council Member Hernandez said, I am a proud and lifelong Santanera. I was born and raised in the city at Coastal Communities Hospital. Anybody else? Yeah. I did go to St. Ann's School on Main Street from kinder through

3:55:44
UnidentifiedItem 5

eighth grade, and I graduated from modern-day high school. Not sure how I feel about that. This community built me. Teachers, neighbors, and Santa Ana families and their struggles and celebrations have shaped who I am. Whatever success that I have, I owe to Santana, and I've spent my life trying to give it back to Santana. For over 17 years, I've sat in circles in with the parents of the city and neighboring cities that share similar demographics. For almost two decades, I've watched Spanish-speaking mothers and fathers choose a different way of raising their children, even when their upbringing was very different. These families

3:56:22
UnidentifiedItem 5

are my family, and their stories are my story. And when we share our stories with one another, We remind each other that we are not alone and we are not broken. Another thing I know is that our young people, Latino youth, are hurting. The CDC's most recent national survey found that more than 4 in 10 Latino high school students feel persistent sadness or hopelessness, and about 1 in 10 have attempted suicide. These are our children, and this was me. My work revolves around the fact that when we support parents and invest in them, they can support their children. That is prevention and prevention has to show up

3:56:59
UnidentifiedItem 5

in our city policies and in our budgets, not only in our speeches around election time. We cannot keep waiting for a crisis before we act and Santana has had more than a share of crises that we that were not prevented and we experience that grief collectively. But our youth are intelligent as we just saw. They see everything and they feel everything. They know and they feel when they are being respected and when they are being dismissed. We cannot abuse or insult their potential. And we have a choice in this city. We can show them what it looks like when people in

3:57:39
UnidentifiedItem 5

power are held accountable. When adults and leaders take responsibility for the harm that they cause, children and youth will learn that power is meant to protect and not to punish. Chancla culture, which I write about and teach about, is not only something that happens between parents and children, it also lives in the way a government treats its people. We can keep casting aside the people that we've labeled bad, or we can see them as human beings doing what they have adapted to do to meet their own needs.

3:58:12
UnidentifiedItem 5

In this election season, I want to remind our community that as a community, we get to choose leaders who believe in care over punishment. Many of us carry trauma that we are not yet ready to face, but many of us are ready. Chanclad, this book, is my love letter to this community, and I will continue to live my life in service of the parents and children of this city. With this recognition, I thank my parents, Marta Contreras-Munoz and Fernando Polanco Arreola. Yes, his name is Fernando also. Two Mexican immigrants who settled in Santana in the early 80s and built a life here so I could stand here tonight in front of all of you.

3:58:42
UnidentifiedItem 5

I honor my teachers, Maestro Jerry Teo, Maestro Ruth Beaglehole, may she rest in peace, Maestro Sylvia Poeiro, and the many community members and organizations who have poured into me in my 40 years. I thank my best friends, Rochella Mesqua, the mayor's little sister. I'm not sure where she went. Sylvia Aguinaga, daughter of Mondo Aguinaga, who had the corner market store on rate and Civic Center for many years. And Marla Sanchez, a longtime community advocate and comadre who's watching this right now, among many other comadres. And I want to end by thanking my partner, Fernando de Veras, who's standing to my right,

3:59:16
UnidentifiedItem 5

who deserves also to be acknowledged for his commitment to the families, parents, youth, and children of the city and to all children because all children are our children with that said i'd like to dedicate the certificate to the families of florentino lopez noah rodriguez jaden michaca and brandon lopez adrian torres and armando morales and all families of youth and persons who have experienced violence in our community.

3:59:52
David PenalozaItem 5

Thank you, council member Hernandez. Now we will move on to staff presentations. Mr. City Manager.

4:01:04
David PenalozaItem 5

We have a presentation by the League of California Cities.

4:01:12
UnidentifiedItem 6

Yes, thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. We want to welcome Connor Medina to make a presentation on behalf of the League of Cities. This is one of those awards, the Helen Putnam Awards. We are very proud to be a recipient this year of over 430 cities in the state of California. Only 13 got recognized this year. City of Santana's efforts regarding the Transit Zoning Code, the first environmental justice zone related strong advocacy type of regulations that the city passed and we're proud to acknowledge our staff, the Planning and Building Department for this award. From a personal note, me and men, we went

4:01:15
UnidentifiedItem 6

downstairs in Planning and Building for five, six years we've been fighting to get this award. So very happy, very proud of our staff and the efforts of the Planning building. Thank you, League of Cities.

4:01:55
David PenalozaItem 6

And you forgot to thank the the immediate past president, Mr. I'm just kidding, which is me, joking, joking. Connor, please take it away. Yes, thank

4:02:09
UnidentifiedItem 6

you Mayor Portem. Good evening Mayor Mezco, honorable City Council members. My name is Connor Medina. I'm the Regional Public Affairs Manager for your Orange County Division of the League of California Cities or Cal Cities. We are an organization comprised of the 483 cities across the state of California dedicated dedicated to education and advocacy. And before I begin, I just want to thank you all for your engagement in CalCities and our advocacy on policy committees at our division meetings here regionally. You invest a lot of time into CalCities, and that's something that I can truly say that

4:02:19
UnidentifiedItem 6

Santa Ana is one of the most engaged cities that we have, not just in Orange County, but in the state. And that is appreciated. And I want to give a special shout out to my brother David Penalosa for his dedicated service as the Orange County Division President this past year. This is the best part of my job because I get to be here today to celebrate the City of Santa Ana as the recipient of the 2026 Helen Putnam Award in the category of Planning and Environmental Quality. The City of Santa Ana was one of 12 winners honored during Cal City's annual conference

4:02:48
UnidentifiedItem 6

at the Anaheim Convention Center two weeks ago in front of 2,000 peers from all over the state. So what is the Helen Putnam Award? It was established in 1982. It's the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program that recognizes outstanding cities that deliver the highest quality and level of service in the most effective manner possible. This year we received 161 submissions. The Planning and Environmental Quality category recognizes innovative planning and land use programs that engage and educate the public in the planning process. Programs are recognized for achieving the best balance between the needs of people and

4:03:16
UnidentifiedItem 6

the environment. The City of Santa Ana is recognized this year for your efforts to reverse nearly 150 years of environmental injustice in neighborhoods. I believe we have a video that is queued up, and then I'm happy to turn it over to the amazing staff that made this program possible.

4:03:52
UnidentifiedItem 6

Santa Ana is working to reverse nearly a century and a half of environmental injustice in neighborhoods with some of California's highest pollution levels. Most of the city's heavy industrial operations were concentrated in two dense communities alongside homes and schools. Working with the community, the city changed zoning laws and created stricter standards and compliance agreements for businesses. It is also phasing out high-impact industrial operations. By using existing data, partnerships, and tools, Santa Ana has developed a cost-effective model for advancing environmental justice.

4:04:19
UnidentifiedItem 6

Congratulations to the city. I'm not sure if the planning staff had any words that they wanted to share about the program in further detail.

4:05:06
Valerie AmezcuaItem 6

And council, let's go down. We can take a picture, please.

4:05:18
UnidentifiedItem 6

Yeah, thanks. we're very grateful to the league and of course the leadership of our city council a lot of hard work went into reversing 150 years of environmental injustice but we're proud of the support that we had from this council and its ambition and really just want to thank our community as well for sort of supporting us along the way so thank you

4:05:24
UnidentifiedItem 6

Thank you.

4:05:58
UnidentifiedItem 6

Thank you.

4:06:25
UnidentifiedItem 6

Thank you.

4:06:56
UnidentifiedItem 6

Thank you.

4:07:25
Valerie Amezcua

So we're going to do a closed session report at this time. I'm going to read out something and then I'm going to open it up for the council to make their brief comments. And then at that time the city attorney will report out what she needs to and then we'll go to public comments. I'm a city attorney. Okay. Here we go. The city council met in closed session to discuss a matter of anticipated litigation. related to a use of force incident that occurred on October 1st, 2026. The city received a briefing and was advised on our legal authority to call for independent investigation.

4:07:59
Valerie Amezcua

By unanimous vote, the city council has directed the city attorney and city manager to engage an independent investigator to report directly to the city council in accordance with section 1100 of the city charter. By unanimous vote, the City Council directed that the names of officers and the related body-worn camera, audio, and video be released if it legally determined that great bodily injury occurred as a result of the use of...

4:08:36
Valerie Amezcua

Let me finish, please. We're going to respect you during your time. Please let us finish. By a unanimous vote, the City Council directed that the names of officers and the related body-worn camera, audio and video be released if it legally determined that great bodily injury occurred as a result of the use of force incident. The City Council wants it to be known that if the police chief and city manager decide, the administrative investigation will be handled by an outside independent investigator rather than the Police Department's Internal Affairs Division.

4:09:15
Valerie Amezcua

The City Council unanimously concurs with such a decision. I thank my council colleagues for working together and voting to take these necessary steps steps to ensure public trust and demonstrate that we are all committed to transparency and accountability. We ask the public to join us in allowing for the investigations to proceed. We understand the concern based on what is plainly visible on the video. We look forward to reviewing all the evidence and conclusions of the two investigations. And I also want

4:09:55
Valerie Amezcua

to state that in the history of Santa Ana we have never acted so swiftly that within five days we are sitting here having a closed session on this item and bringing it to the public so that is transparency and so now I will open it up to the council members um council member Vasquez I'll

4:10:31
Benjamin Vazquez

start with you thank you when I saw the video I was appalled of what I witnessed and um I took it heart because it's my responsibility and I knew it was a responsibility of of us as a staff and I you know I was quoted that the responsibility lies on the chief and the city manager and they didn't quote me that it lies with me as well and the city council at the end of the day this happened on our watch and we have two investigations that are going to happen and my heart goes out to to the Lopez family to be witness to such an account.

4:10:49
Benjamin Vazquez

And I expected to come today to have a contentious meeting, but the council respectfully debated, they met the seriousness and the respect it deserves.

4:11:30
Benjamin Vazquez

And this is a hard situation for all San Andes to have trust that we wanna build trust and create a department that we deserve and that is respected. So we're going to work not only on having an investigation that would hold potential officers accountable, but also that brings policy. At the end of the day, we don't want this to happen again. we don't want continued violence from our officers to happen and we want to

4:11:45
Benjamin Vazquez

build a community that feels safe uh when we see our officers thank you

4:12:26
Valerie Amezcua

thank you councilmember vasquez uh madam city attorney i just want to be clear that the statements that council members are making you had indicated that we are making personal

4:12:35
Sonia R. Carvalho

statements is that correct correct these statements are of the individuals and their personal perspectives and does not reflect the these are my personal opinion yeah i'm sorry hold

4:12:43
Valerie Amezcua

on one second madam city attorney can you say that again i didn't hear you yes my understanding

4:12:52
Sonia R. Carvalho

is that these comments made by council members are their personal feelings and beliefs and may not reflect the concurrence of the entire city and we just say this with openness and transparency that we know these types of matters bring potential liability to the city and we try to balance that because we want to protect the the citizens dollars great thank you so very much

4:12:56
Valerie Amezcua

Thank you, Council Member Vasquez. Council Member Lopez.

4:13:14
Jessie Lopez

Well, first and foremost, I want to apologize to the public because I know that you have all been waiting a couple hours to provide public comment, and I appreciate your patience. I recognize that many of you have worked, and I understand that you are all here to discuss something that is very troubling. and we, you know, as Council Member Vazquez just said, we just had a very lengthy conversation. I mean, some of us even yelled at each other, but I think most importantly, as the mayor stated, we are ultimately in agreement, and that is what the mayor read out.

4:13:18
Jessie Lopez

And in my personal opinion, what I saw infuriated me. There is absolutely no reason, absolutely, that I can, that I, you know, that was available as to why the situation needed to escalate the way that it did. Our officers are entrusted with significant authority and responsibility, and the burden to de-escalate absolutely lays on our officers. and I think it is a critical part of that responsibility that we that we

4:13:59
Jessie Lopez

understand why you're here and the officers of the city as everybody in here knows are paid to protect and to serve every single member of this community whether they agree with that member of the community or not the same way that every single member of the science is elected to represent a very diverse you know, electorate in Santa Ana. And so again, I echo the cause and the obviousness of what we all saw, which is deeply troubling. And I think that for me, it was really difficult to see a grandmother, to hear the cries of a grandmother,

4:14:37
Jessie Lopez

of family members, you know, feel so powerless when they were quite literally seeing somebody that they love be jumped. And that is completely unacceptable behavior from every single member of our community, and that includes the employees of the city. And so, you know, it's really difficult to ask members of our community to trust their local government, to trust their representatives, when you feel that these things often happen, particularly those that have been born and raised in the city of Santana. And so again, I want to thank you all for being here.

4:15:15
Jessie Lopez

And I want to thank my colleagues for the lengthy conversation that we did have earlier today, and the Chief of Police, and the City Manager, and the City Attorney, for hearing members of this council, for understanding the moment that we are trying to move through, which we understand is a really, really important one as to how we respond to our community. if the goal is to build trust with every single resident of the city that calls it home. And so we understand, I understand, that we owe it to our community members to provide answers,

4:15:57
Jessie Lopez

that we owe you accountability, and that we owe you a commitment that incidents like this are never going to happen. And that work doesn't lay with one office, it lays with every single one of us in this chamber. And so, you know, it was really disturbing, and I hope that we never have to see something like that again.

4:16:37
Valerie Amezcua

Thank you, Councilman Lopez. Councilman Hernandez, please.

4:17:00
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

4:17:05
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

I want to begin by apologizing to Florentino Lopez on behalf of the Santa Ana community. no member of the sanana community should be brutalized by a police officer no member of the community should be struck with a police officer's knee no member of the community should be brutalized or murdered in front of their loved ones

4:17:08
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

i stand with the community i stand with a family who feels torn apart right now and I stand with a family and an entire Santa Anita community that I represent as the council member that feels afraid of this police department.

4:17:36
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

My requests are simple. Number one, I want the DA, Todd Spitzer, the politician that has cost taxpayers the most money and liabilities than any other elected official in Orange County. A DA that has not held police accountable. I'm demanding that he drop the charges, the bogus charges on Florentino Lopez.

4:17:53
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

It is not a violent crime, nor should someone be brutalized for smoking cannabis, especially in front of your house. It is not something that should warrant police beating you in front of your loved ones. I want to make that clear. Santa Ana was the first city to legalize cannabis. We're not going to brutalize cannabis users who are using it safely in front of their house. I needed to highlight the bogus charges filed by the DA because this man is being charged with smoking cannabis on school grounds. He is over a thousand feet away from a school and a daycare.

4:18:24
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

This incident occurred in front of his house. When the police abuse the public, they will then have a DA who will throw bogus charges at them. In the case of a protester who was arrested in this chamber, we then saw those charges dropped. DA Todd Spitzer, do the right thing. Drop the charges on this man.

4:19:06
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

Furthermore, Todd Spitzer, investigate this matter and file charges. investigate Santa Ana police officers who violate the public's trust and better yet turn this department and help them to have a new leaf in the community help us turn the leaf hold some of these officers accountable what we're seeing is a department that thinks that they are above the law there are too many examples to point that this department does not respect us they don't value us and they don't see us as worthy of saving. That is fundamentally broken and needs to stop,

4:19:30
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

and it's going to begin with the community, and it's going to be followed by the council. Because as we know, the government is here. This is the people who govern. We're supposed to be a reflection of you all here. I want to thank my colleagues for exercising good judgment and having this conversation today. I want to thank the city manager. I want to thank the city attorney. And I want to thank the police chief for actually taking a step forward, moving this department toward more transparency. I want to give credit where credit is due. I appreciate and I like

4:20:09
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

seeing our city be proactive about matters of injustice. The public has made it very clear what their concerns are and the council has made it clear that those concerns are aligned. I want to also recommend the third request is something that the city has made very clear. We are only going to have an independent investigation on misconduct. I want to be very clear that when there is misconduct, police should not investigate police. They always for some reason never find anything wrong.

4:20:45
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

And the fourth point is I want to be very clear that I'm going to be a champion and hold my colleagues in this city accountable to be consistent with public records law. And that is that public records belong to the public. If you are a police officer who works for the public, guess what? When you're out there on the street, your badge, number, your name, your body cam belongs to the people. They request it. We're going to give it to them.

4:21:22
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

We need to release all these records. And I want to be clear as to why. Because the public sees the great bodily injury. We see the body cams. We see the brutality. We live in a time where we live in a country that tells us you didn't see that on video. Please do that to us all the time. Well, we may have shot somebody 20 times, but we found no wrongdoing. The concerns that I have, and this is my own personal comments, this is my perspective. We have a president that has unleashed a war on people of color. We have an executive order from Donald Trump that has strengthened law enforcement and collaboration of ICE.

4:21:55
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

in doing so he also safeguarded the monies to give to the departments to protect them anticipating litigation because people's rights are being violated from december 1st to january 1st of 2025 december 1st to 2024 a man named noey rodriguez was tragically shot and killed in downtown santa ana police said he was on he was armed he was found to be unarmed he was shot 30 times. Officers involved in that shooting 30 days later were involved in a shooting on January 1st, 2025. We have police officers who work in Santa Ana who have killed upwards of two people

4:22:35
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

in 30 days. You have a warehouse worker who works at Target who drops a pallet of TVs. He's getting fired. You have police officers who can kill upwards of two people in 30 days. We're being sued for some of these instances of officer-involved shootings and excessive force. I want to be adamant that justice is here. The people demand justice. There will be a thorough investigation. There will be due process. But I want to be very clear that my demands are justice and accountability. And any officer who thinks that they are above the law and that they

4:23:14
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

can brutalize San Ana residents, they deserve to be fired and they shouldn't work here. and those are my perspectives those are my opinions

4:23:50
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

no more police brutality and no more killer cops in Santa Ana thank you

4:24:00
Valerie Amezcua

councilman Becerra please thank you madam mayor

4:24:14
Phil Bacerra

the video definitely raised some serious concerns for me but I'm going to resist the temptation to make declarations about the situation until the independent investigation is complete. If it is ultimately found, if it is ultimately found that the officers did not follow San Ana police policy, which that policy is to use only that amount of force that reasonably appears necessary to accomplish a legitimate law enforcement purpose, then I expect justice to be served swiftly and effectively in a way that makes it abundantly clear that we will not tolerate this sort

4:24:20
Phil Bacerra

of behavior and those sorts of actions in this city. And while this city council had a very lengthy discussion in closed session, I want to express my appreciation that we arrived at a unanimous decision on how we move forward and prioritize serving our community. Thank you. Thank you very much. Councilmember Phan.

4:25:01
Thai Viet Phan

Thank you, Mayor.

4:25:21
Thai Viet Phan

I just came back into the country today, so it was very enlightening to see everything that's been going on and catching up. And I have to say that I've seen a lot of police body cam footage as part of my day job. I've held officers accountable for actions they've taken, and I've supported officers officers who have done the right thing. And I guess I want to speak to the residents in the room, right, with signs that say, fire these officers.

4:25:24
Thai Viet Phan

I want to say my personal opinion and my position has always been, if you violate policy, you should be terminated. But California law has POBAR. You know this. Chispa knows this. And the city of Santa Ana cannot violate state law because if we fire any employee in violation of state law, whether it's an officer under Pobar or other employees under their vested rights, they can not only get their job back, they will get back pay and they will be able to sue the city.

4:26:02
Thai Viet Phan

we have two individuals on this dais who may eventually end up at the state. The state needs to change POBAR. But in the city of Santa Ana, if we want to hold wrongdoers accountable, we have to follow the process. And in this case, I wanted to make sure that with the independent investigation by the council, we're able to look at the policies and processes to make sure that these types of future incidents do not happen.

4:26:44
Thai Viet Phan

That when we say we will release public records pursuant to PRA law, that we do it expeditiously. And if no one's requested these records yet, I will personally make a request for these records. Perfect. Then they will be released expeditiously. That's not true.

4:27:20
Unidentified

Guys over that.

4:27:38
Valerie Amezcua

Can we not do that? we don't engage please councilmember fang keep going councilmember fang and thirdly i'm really

4:27:39
Thai Viet Phan

glad that the entire council agreed with the chief's recommendation and the city manager's decision to hire a third party for the internal investigation the ia investigation i And the reason why we do this is because the city council as a body, and no one up here can disagree with me, no member of this city council and the city council itself cannot make any personnel decisions for police officers.

4:27:48
Thai Viet Phan

Any council member who says otherwise is lying or violating the law. And when a council member does that, that individual officer will not only have a case against the city, they will get their job back. That is not what we want. If we want to keep the good officers and hold bad ones accountable, we have to follow the process that the state mandates and our charter mandates. So I look forward to these investigations. I look forward to report back. And I look forward to making sure that this doesn't happen again. Thank you.

4:28:24
Valerie Amezcua

Thank you, Councilman. Mayor Pro Tem.

4:28:57
David Penaloza

Thank you, Madam Mayor. I just want to thank our city manager and our city attorney and the police chief, as well as all of my colleagues up here for unanimously agreeing to what we agreed on. The video on social media, as well as the body cam footage that we all saw, at least we did up here, it was disturbing and disappointing. and this is something that at the end of the day the buck stops with us up here on the city council so i want to thank you police chief for ensuring us that there's going to be a thorough independent

4:29:02
David Penaloza

investigation because we all know how ia's how when ia does it we all know how that often ends up so i will um hope that this investigation that's independent is quick because like i've said to a couple members of the media already it's all on video and the investigation should not take that long so it's disappointing that we even have to have this conversation and disturbing but this is something that needs to stop so

4:29:40
David Penaloza

So with that, again, my sentiment goes out to the family of Florentino, as well as himself, for having to go through this. regardless of what a person has or has not done or is suspected of, there is no reason why any police officer should take matters into their own hands like that officer did. So with that, thank you to my colleagues for being unanimous in this support,

4:30:14
David Penaloza

but I definitely look forward to this wrapping up quickly, Chief. If there are any issues about delays or whatever it is funding that we need please let us know now and let us know quickly that we're going to ensure that it gets done quickly because justice needs to be served

4:30:53
Valerie Amezcua

and i'm talking about our employees thank you thank you mayor pro tom so i want to also thank the city manager the city attorney and the police chief for everything that you will be doing and have done and when i asked that this item be brought to closed session it was because you were moving so swiftly on this and then we owed it to the community to be open and transparent and that's what we're doing so we look forward to the investigation and the completion of it and to find out where we're going to go from here and how we're going to do it

4:31:09
Valerie Amezcua

and so it is not going to happen overnight we know that but it shouldn't also take five years or three years it should be it'd be pretty uh quick within the guidelines of pobar as council member fan had indicated so i do want to thank my colleagues up here on the council that we had a very healthy hearty discussion and as you can tell by what i read out it was a unanimous vote and so i appreciate that so thank you madam city attorney do you have anything that you would like to report

4:31:42
Sonia R. Carvalho

out no mayor i will just let you know that um as we progress with the investigations and engaging the independent investigators we'll make sure that we come and report to the council uh particularly if those expenditures are outside the purchasing authority of myself and the city manager they will be on a City Council agenda so the public can see that and we will make sure that we communicate that this is a priority for

4:32:07
Valerie Amezcua

the city and needs to be done quickly thank you it's not only priority for this it's a priority for the entire community and so again thank you to the chief to city manager and to you madam city attorney and to the council and to all of you that are here tonight and that have those voiced your concerns over this matter so really appreciate it let's move on now to public comments this is the time of the meeting for the city council to receive comments from the public on agenda and non-agenda items madam city clerk please explain the public comment procedures and call the first speakers

4:32:31
Valerie Amezcua

they will be given three minutes to speak public comments will be three hours and nine minutes

4:33:00
Jennifer L. Hall

thank you mayor pursuant to resolution number 2026-024 speakers are requested to address the City Council directly and to refrain from profane language, racial epitaphs, and libelous or slanderous statements that disturb the decorum of the meeting. Pursuant to the Brown Act, the City Council may not enter into discussion at this time. Speakers will have three minutes for their comments. Before calling speakers, I'll report the summary of emails provided as of today by 3 p.m. We received a total of 36 e-comments, 7 on non-agenda topics, 21 on item 26, 3 on item 20, 2 on item 31, and 3 on item 32. Those were distributed to the City

4:33:07
Jennifer L. Hall

Council and made publicly available online. We will now hear from members of the public that are physically present in the Council Chamber followed by those on the conference call or Zoom to provide their comments on agenda or non-agenda items. Please state your name and the ward or neighborhood that you reside in for the record and when you hear your name called please line up in the center aisle behind the podium. The first three speakers Emilio Ramirez, Keith Truong and Nancy Robles.

4:33:42
Jennifer L. Hall

Emilio Ramirez, Nancy Truong, and Nancy Robles.

4:34:15
Unidentified

All right. Good evening. I would say the mayor, but she's gone. And council members, my name is Emilio Ramirez. I'm a Ward 3 resident. I'm a Santana homeowner and a cyclist, and I serve to the advisory boards of Santana Active Streets in Orange County for people-oriented places. I'm also the father of eight-month-old, and I urge everyone here to just both know on item 31. Item 31 asks you to stop all design, planning, approvals, and construction of protected bike lanes citywide. It also calls for community input and council review that these projects have already had.

4:34:32
Unidentified

Great Street comes from the Central Santa Ana Complete Streets Plan, which the City Council adopted in 2019 after 17 community outreach events with more community meetings during the sign. First Street went through numerous workshops, pop-ups, surveys, and community working groups, and this council has reviewed it in a study session and had even had a selection of their preferred alternative this year. first street is also grant funded with a december 2026 deadline and helping it now could put the funding at risk this is already city policy there's no need for item 31 the 2022 general plan

4:35:07
Unidentified

mobility element calls for complete streets shaped by community participation and designates first street as a multimodal corridor the vision zero plan adopted in 2024 commits santa ana to eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2040. And this council funded its update last November. Item 31st asks you to hold these projects that carry out those commitments. The need is clear. State crash data shows 923 bicycle involved crashes in the last decades, 925 people injured, 18 killed. Even Huntington Beach is pursuing more bicycle and pedestrian safety projects. Santa Ana should not go backwards.

4:35:46
Unidentified

Major Pro Tem Peñalosa, you've shared that your father was killed by a drunk driver when you were three. I can't imagine that loss, and I won't claim a bike lane would have changed that day. But you know what it means when a family loses someone on a dangerous street. Vision Zero exists, so fewer families leave your story. You're also asking voters to send you to Sacramento, and California, Yes in My Backyard, has endorsed you for Assembly District 68. We have emailed California, Yes in My Backyard, regarding this item. Housing and safe streets go together. Your campaign says

4:36:25
Unidentified

you've built over 2,000 homes. Every new home without a safe way to walk or bike is another car that causes traffic, that causes emails to people in this council telling them there's too much traffic, get rid of these bicycle lanes. The other way, the only way to address this is to make the city more walkable with more transportation options I want my child to grow up in a city that invests in its future and in the safety of everyone who lives here please vote no on item 31st thank you also you see a professor your time is up that you want to widen thank

4:37:03
Jennifer L. Hall

you next three speakers

4:37:37
Jennifer L. Hall

followed the followed by Nancy followed by Pat Lenahan good evening mayor city

4:37:45
Unidentified

council members my name is t trung i am a resident of irvine i work at uc irvine i'm commenting on item 31 which amelio just commented on i urge you to vote no on the pause on pursuing protected bike lanes and the study thereof um i grew up in san diego but i came to san thana all the time especially in ward one where there's many temples and vietnamese family living there i know how diverse the city is. I know how big it is. And I know that Santa Ana residents often work and live and do all their business within the city, right? They move all over the place. I really admire

4:37:50
Unidentified

that people in Santa Ana, especially Santa Ana Active Streets, have really made it their mission to make it safer for people to move within the city without being concerned about bodily harm. that's really um something i admire as an irvine resident and i was really saddened to learn three months ago that a respected professor francois primo p-r-i-m-e-a-u as a surname was killed in a hit and run on standard and warner on his bicycle we lost a great colleague at irvine and he perished

4:38:28
Unidentified

here in Santa Ana on your streets and I would like to see a world in which anyone can ride their bike on in Santa Ana streets and not be concerned about their their health their family their well-being and I really want to see a world in which we all work on climate solutions together right I know Cornerstone neighborhood is near where this accident was Delhi really dense areas where residents are suffering every day from traffic from congestion discussion so I really urge you to vote no on item 31. I really want to respect the meaningful input

4:39:05
Unidentified

that residents in all your wards have given your planners have seen the input a lot of people have given their input on how much they really want this work done right people bike people who bike within Santa Ana are young people are older people people with jobs people union jobs people who work here right i really want to emphasize that humanity that we have been talking about tonight so again i urge you to vote no on 31. thank you

4:39:41
Unidentified

good evening mayor and council members my name is nancy robles and i am the santa ana chapter president for seau local 721 tonight i'm asking for accountability and action on two issues contract delays and their revocation of telework agreements on both we have been given the same explanation council direction first our contract we have been bargaining since may 15 2025. after reaching a supposal with the city we were told it would be it would go before council on september 15th and take just five minutes. That day passed. Then we were told October 6th, tonight.

4:40:20
Unidentified

Now we are being told October 20th. Those five minutes have become weeks of uncertainty for the employees who keep Santa Ana running. Our bargaining team has shown up prepared, responsive, and ready to move forward. We deserve the same commitment from the city. these delays affect our families open enrollment is happening now we must choose health care coverage and make financial household decisions without knowing our contract what our contract will contain our families need our families needs cannot wait for another postponed discussion second telework

4:41:02
Unidentified

the city revoked existing agreements citing council direction and alignment with the state, yet the state still allows a hybrid model. We deserve a clear explanation. The revocation also ended telework for required weekend overtime. Employees must now report to largely unoccupied city buildings, raising serious security and safety concerns. Tonight we ask for two concrete actions. Direct staff to complete, meet, and confer before implementing telework changes, and calendar our contract discussions without further delay. If these decisions reflect council direction,

4:41:43
Unidentified

explain that direction and take responsibility for its impacts if they do not correct the record and direct staff to move forward. We show up for Santa Ana. It is time for the city to show up for us. Thank you.

4:42:23
Jennifer L. Hall

The next three speakers. The next three speakers, Pat Lenahan, Nina Jerek, Noah H. Rhodes.

4:42:42
Unidentified

Hi, I'm Pat Lenahan, Ward 5, Vice President of the Washington Square Neighborhood Association, Comlink board member. And I spoke earlier this evening, but I want to share with you again, some of you weren't here. this is from our latest newsletter and we established this is the first time we've done this a young writers essay contest and this is I'm not going to read the whole thing but this is from an eight-year-old the things I think that

4:42:55
Unidentified

are important here are I love the best thing about my neighborhood is not just one thing it's the people the fun and the way we come together like family I'm so thankful to live in such a special neighborhood so what does this neighborhood need it needs a park it needs a walkable park for this vibrant loving and giving community I've lived here for over 10 years and I when I have

4:43:29
Unidentified

guests from other parts of the country that can't believe that we know each other, that we talk to each other, that we care about each other. The addition of a walkable park will be a much needed element in the community for the health, the physical health, the emotional health, the well-being of our neighbors. And as a competitive neighborhood, I can imagine that we'll have monthly walking contests and things of that sort. I can also envision chats, just neighbors getting together, walking to the park and chatting. Maybe even a silent reading group or a reading group for children.

4:44:08
Unidentified

Wozniak Park will provide a much-needed safe space in our wonderful community. Thank you very much.

4:44:51
Unidentified

Hello, Madam Mayor, Council Members, City Managers, long time no see. My name is Nina Jarek, Washington Square, Ward 5.

4:45:08
Unidentified

You've seen me, you've heard me speak at least 25 plus times now about a desire to have a park in Washington Square. I promise I'm not going to make another case tonight for why we need one. you know the story, you know the neighborhood, you know how long we've been working towards this. Tonight it's different. For the first time, you've had a closed session to discuss the framework for acquiring the property. So tonight, I simply want to say we are counting on you. I know that negotiations require discretion, and I respect that. I'm not asking for details that can't be shared publicly.

4:45:21
Unidentified

what I am asking is that when you go into that room, you remember what is behind the numbers and the negotiations. There are more than 2,000 people in Washington Square who have been waiting for a place they can walk to, sit, play, gather, and enjoy. And there are residents who have spent years showing up here because they believe the city would eventually recognize this opportunity and act on it. We have done our part, the ball is in your court, and we are so grateful for the council's willingness to put this property on the table and for the staff, and for all the staff

4:45:59
Unidentified

work that has brought us to this point. Tonight, I hope you find a path forward that makes that purchase possible, and if you do, I think I speak for a lot of Washington Square residents when I

4:46:35
Jennifer L. Hall

say we are ready to celebrate with you and thank you next three speakers noah rhodes manna man

4:46:47
Unidentified

and yezania marujo city council empty chair where the police chief should be my name is noah hendrick rhodes i'm a long-time resident of orange county and a private security officer. I'm here today because a Santa Ana police officer body slammed and punched a man on video. A computer repairman cannot punch a computer. A cashier cannot punch a cash register. A mechanic cannot punch a car.

4:46:58
Unidentified

And a police officer cannot punch a detainee. I do not want a community that cannot call the police and must fend for itself in my county. I do not want an armored, uncoordinated group of violent men acting like an occupying army in my county.

4:47:38
Unidentified

I do not want the police doing violence seen in special education classrooms in my county. I want a police force that moves the violent people from the street to the court and improves traffic safety. If there is one thing I have learned in the private security industry, that being angry is illegal, I too have been screamed at and insulted on the job. I cannot punch people for that.

4:48:06
Unidentified

I am here to ask for protocols to prevent these incidents and that the officer involved to be fired and named. I ask officers be allowed to use sick time for mental health reasons and other officers be permitted to interrupt an officer in this situation, an angry officer, without consequence. Nobody calls the police hoping they body slam and punch their loved one. There are better ways of doing things.

4:48:45
Unidentified

I come here today because I have a sense of dread seeing the video of that Santa Ana police officer doing that. I come here today because I have friends in Santa Ana just down the street. And I wanted to address in the last 30 seconds the one bad officer argument that gets thrown around every now and then. is that one bad officer means one bogus charge, means $1,000 in legal fees for everyone involved with him.

4:49:19
Jennifer L. Hall

Mana? Maria?

4:50:09
Valerie Amezcua

Madam Clerk, can you read the names out again please?

4:50:18
Jennifer L. Hall

Yes, so Maria followed by Yesenia Marujo and James Adams.

4:50:20
Unidentified

Buenas noches, soy Maria Marin y represento la Asociacion de Vecinos de Cornerstone Village. Nuevamente estoy aquí. En primer lugar, quiero reiterar mi oposición al borrador de actualización del código de zonificación aprobado por la Comisión de Planificación de la Ciudad de Santana el día 31 de agosto del 2026. También quiero resaltar cómo la propuesta de instalar las instalaciones de Fleet Services del Condado de Orange cerca de Cornerstone ilustra el problema de este borrador de actualización.

4:50:26
Unidentified

This allows the creation of new installations that are highly contaminated in the vicinity, because they are in environmental disadvantage and very close to the schools. This is absurd. Cornstone Village is a better place.

4:51:07
Unidentified

Why not say no to OC Fleet Services? I'm going to be specific. La construcción de las instalaciones de OC Fleet Services, programada para comenzar en enero del 2027, generará contaminación y riesgos para la seguridad vial en la ruta de muchos estudiantes de la escuela Century High School,

4:51:29
Unidentified

that they recorren a pie to return to home, both to go to school as to go to school. The facilities of O.C. Fleet Services will be located just behind the school primary Kennedy Elementary with the traffic entering just in front of the Central High School. The school primary Madison Elementary also is located a menos de 800 pies de esta propiedad. Es bien sabido que las instalaciones de servicios de flotas vehiculares aumentan la contaminación del aire debido a los vehículos y a las operaciones de mantenimiento.

4:51:59
Unidentified

Estudios científicos han demostrado que la contaminación del aire está asociada con el asma y otros problemas respiratorios, problemas cardíacos, cáncer y el Alzheimer. La contaminación del aire es específicamente perjudicial para los niños. La contaminación impide que los pulmones de los niños se desarrollen adecuadamente y provoca altas tasas de asma. También conlleva tasas elevadas de partos prematuros y bajo peso al nacer, lo que puede causar retrasos en el crecimiento infantil y aumentar la probabilidad de padecer enfermedades crónicas

4:52:41
Unidentified

existentes en estudios científicos que confirman que la contaminación es muy nociva para los niños. A principios de la década.

4:53:20
Unidentified

Desafortunadamente se me acabó el tiempo, pero.

4:53:31
Valerie Amezcua

Gracias señora, ese es su tiempo. Gracias.

4:53:34
Unidentified

Good evening, I am Maria Marín, representing the Cornerstone Neighborhood Association. I'm here again, and I first want to restate my opposition to the draft zoning code update. approved by the City of Santa Ana's Planning Commission on August 31, 2026. I also want to highlight how the proposed Orange County Fleet Services facility near Cornerstone shows what's wrong with the draft zoning code update. It allows for newly highly polluting facilities in already environmentally disadvantaged neighbors and very near schools. This is ridiculous. Cornerstone deserves better.

4:53:39
Unidentified

Why say no to OC Fleet Services? I will be specific. Constructing the OC Fleet Services facility, scheduled to start in January 2027, will create pollution and road safety hazards on the route that many Century High School students take walking to school and back home from school. The OC Fleet Services facility will be located directly behind Kennedy Elementary, with traffic entering just opposite the entrance to Century High School. Madison Elementary is less than 800 feet from the property. Fleet service facilities are known to increase air pollution from vehicles and service operations.

4:54:21
Unidentified

Scientific studies have shown that air pollution is associated with asthma and other respiratory problems, heart problems, cancer, and Alzheimer's. Air pollution is especially harmful to children. Pollution keeps children's lungs from developing properly and leads to high rates of asthma. Pollution also leads to high rates of preterm birth and low birth weight, which can cause delays in children's growth and increases the likelihood that they will have chronic diseases. There are many scientific studies confirming that pollution is very bad for children.

4:55:02
Unidentified

I want to resaltar how the deficiencies of the borrower of the code of zonification are evident with the plans of the Orange County of the Orange to build a new installation of flota in the land of currently baldios behind the School Kennedy, in front of the School of Secondary Century and the other side of the train in front of the cornerstone village. The installation will be able to provide 3,000 vehicles in the county, including autobuses. Los vehículos cruzarán las rutas que nuestros hijos utilizan para ir a las escuelas. Los riesgos por la seguridad vial y el aumento de la contaminación serán enormes. Esto es absoluto.

4:56:13
Unidentified

Necesitamos que la ciudad dé un paso al frente y apoye a Cornerstone en sus protestas contra estas instalaciones propuestas. Demostrenos que son verdaderos líderes de la ciudad, opónganse a estas instalaciones. También debemos reconocer cómo las propuestas de instalaciones de servicios de la flota del condado de Oregon evidencian fallas en el borrador actual de la actualización del código de zonificación de la ciudad. Las instalaciones permitirán un aumento de la contaminación en comunidades que ya se encuentran en desventaja ambiental y muy cerca de escuelas.

4:56:52
Unidentified

Esto contradice las amplias evidencias científicas que demuestran los efectos negativos de la contaminación en la salud infantil. También es incompatible con el Plan General de la Ciudad, que incluye compromisos con la salud, la equidad y la sostenibilidad, así como las 77 pólizas de implementación de justicia ambiental. Deconstruirse esta instalación, prueba será un ejemplo fragante de injusticia ambiental. El personal de la ciudad nos ha informado que el Código de Zonificación de la Ciudad de Santana no es aplicable a propiedades que son propiedades del condado.

4:57:26
Unidentified

No obstante, se utiliza el Código de Zonificación de la ciudad para justificar los planes del Condado de Orange. La ciudad es responsable. Si se aprueba el borrador actual del Código de Zonificación, el Consejo Municipal de Santana será responsable de los problemas de salud, de contaminación e inseguridad que esto genere. El proyecto propuesto servicios de flota de Condado de Orange, Fleet Service Project, que es en inglés, Cornerstone merece algo mejor Santana merece algo mejor Necesitamos justicia de zonificación Gracias

4:58:02
Unidentified

Good evening, my name is Yasinia Marujo and I represent the Cornerstone Village Neighborhood Association in the city of Santana and the University of California's EcoGov Lab First, I want to reiterate my opposition to the draft zoning code update approved by the City of Santana Planning Commission on August 31, 2026. My reasons are detailed in a public comment submitted to the City Council on September 15, 2026. Today, I want to highlight how the shortcomings of the draft zoning code are made evident by Orange County's plans to build a new fleet services facility

4:58:41
Unidentified

on the current vacant land behind Kennedy Elementary School, across from Century High school and across the railroad tracks from the Cornerstone Village neighborhood. The facility will service 3,000 county vehicles, including buses, and those vehicles will cross the routes our children use to get to school. The traffic safety risks and increased pollution will be enormous. This is absurd. We need the city to step up and support Cornerstone in its opposition to this proposed facility show us that you are true city leaders oppose this facility. You must also

4:59:18
Unidentified

recognize how the proposed Orange County Fleet Services facility exposes flaws in the current draft of the city's zoning code update. The facility would allow increased pollution in communities that are already environmentally disadvantaged and in very close proximity to schools. This contradicts extensive scientific evidence demonstrating the negative effects of pollution on children's health. It is also inconsistent with the city's general plan, which includes commitments to health, equity, and sustainability, as well as 77 environmental justice implementation actions. If built, the proposed facility would be a blatant example

4:59:58
Unidentified

of environmental injustice. City staff has informed us that Santa Ana's zoning code does not apply to county-owned properties. Nevertheless, the city's zoning code is being used to justify Orange County's plans. The city is responsible. If the current draft zoning code update is approved, the Santa Ana City Council will be responsible for the safety, pollution, and health problems it creates, including pollution resulting from the proposed Orange County Fleet Services project. Cornerstone deserves better. Santa Ana deserves better. We need zoning justice.

5:00:39
Jennifer L. Hall

Next three speakers, James Adams, David Pulido, and Sue Palak.

5:01:22
Unidentified

Hello and good evening. My name is James Adams. I am the Associate Director of EcoGovLab and an Environmental Governance Researcher at the University of California, Irvine. I'm also here in solidarity with the Cornerstone Village Neighborhood Association, also here in solidarity with Thrive Santa Ana and with OCEJ. All of us are speaking on issues that are very meaningful to us regarding the zoning code, but I also am here to stand with the other members of this audience and call for justice for Florentino Lopez. We've heard a lot of issues tonight, and we've heard a lot of issues that I find a lot of meaningful connections.

5:01:29
Unidentified

I was originally coming here to plan to talk about the misunderstanding that advocating for clean air and clean water and clean spaces for residences and for schools should be pitted against good jobs and strong economies. I will still touch on that at the end of my speech, but I do also want to note the irony that this planning commission is being awarded for reversing 150 years of environmental racism when there are still communities here that feel completely left open to the vulnerabilities, a community that is in the 99th percentile for overall pollution burden, according to

5:02:04
Unidentified

the state by Cali PA with 96 percentile for traffic impacts and 96 percentile for toxic releases. And this is an area where there are two elementary school, a high school, and the proposed OC fleet that is in alignment with the current zoning code is right next to Kennedy, right across the street from Century High School within yards of community residences. So a young man who was charged, as I just found out, for smoking on school grounds was a thousand feet away. And this new facility is going to be yards from homes and schools.

5:02:45
Unidentified

OK, and so the smoking that's happening is not coming from the residents on school grounds. It's coming from these facilities. OK, so I just want to point out that contradiction and that these forms of slow violence are connected to the dramatic, spectacular violence that we're also seeing here. And so what we need to do is actually advocate for the city. I mean, advocate for these communities through zoning justice, which is what my constituents are calling for. And the idea that we can't do that because industry is too valuable is completely against what the records show.

5:03:26
Unidentified

Please look at Minneapolis, where they used the utility franchise fees, which are essentially the rent that utilities pay to run infrastructure across city property. They built millions of dollars to fund over a thousand pollution reduction projects and clean energy projects over the course of a very few years. I also want you to look at the city of Cincinnati, whose 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan and Green Jobs Program brought promises.

5:03:59
Jennifer L. Hall

James, your time is up.

5:04:32
Jennifer L. Hall

David Polito, Sue Palak, Matthew Compton.

5:04:42
Unidentified

We are here to demand justice for Florentino Lopez. We demand Police Chief Robert Rodriguez. We demand that the City Manager, Avro Nunez, who's absent, immediately fire the officers responsible. Police pinned Florentino's hands behind his back and pressed him against their vehicle, and without warning or reason, one officer violently wrestled him to the ground and began punching and kneeing him in the face, while the other officer struck him and pinned him to the ground. Florentino did suffer severe bodily injury. He suffered serious injuries to his head, including massive swelling and cuts,

5:04:53
Unidentified

severe bruising and scrapes to his body, and was not given immediate medical aid, and is now facing multiple charges, even though he was the one who was the victim of a violent attack. Shame! That night, officers refused to give their names and badge numbers, but one of them clearly resembled well-known killer cop Luis Garcias. Luis Casillas, in December 2024, killed unarmed 31-year-old Nueva Rodriguez while he was having a mental health crisis. The following month, Casillas killed Henry Gonzalez Jr. when he was having a mental health crisis by shooting him in the head.

5:05:24
Unidentified

In June 2025, Casillas was allegedly one of the officers who beat 15-year-old Mario Diaz, leaving him with severe injuries. For nearly two years, we have come here and demanded this city council take action. We have demanded for nearly two years that Robert Rodriguez, city manager Alvaro Nunez, fire these officers. And now, now that it is politically inconvenient to be against police accountability, you want to do something. We did not forget, you've done absolutely nothing, nothing for these people. And other officers have gone on to brutalize our residents.

5:05:54
Unidentified

How dare you suggest this is anything but a police epidemic, a police violence. We're joined by the family of Meribel Michaca. She's right over there, Maribel Michaca, the mother of Jaden Michaca, who was killed earlier this year, a 15-year-old, while he was having a mental health crisis by officers Stephen Gonzalez and Charles Ruelas. This is an epidemic of violence, not an isolated incident, as you would like to pretend, Valerie.

5:06:26
Unidentified

Now, many of you in this council have been silent on this issue or mocked our demands until now. We warned you that if these police harmed anyone again, the blood would be on your hands. The blood is on your hands. It's already on your hands. That's right. Your cowardice and corruption has meant that someone was harmed again. And since I have some time here, Ty, you know, the argument that you trotted out, that you trotted out that argument before with Noe Rodriguez and Luis, with Isaac Ibarra and, yeah, that's right. You trotted that argument out. We waited for the DOT report.

5:06:49
Unidentified

It was sloppy and it was missing information, critical information like the interviews the officers gave after the incident where they lied about what they did, where they lied about what they did to justify and create motive, to create intention. So you should know that. How dare you, you know, condescend at us with something like that. Condescend to the families who have suffered violence because of your cowardice and because of your corruption. Shame on you, Peñalosa, Mezcoa. Shame on you, Pacera. Shame. That's right. Justice for Florentino Lopez.

5:07:18
Unidentified

Justice for Jaden Michaca.

5:07:49
Unidentified

Jail killer cops.

5:07:53
Jennifer L. Hall

David, your time is up.

5:07:56
Valerie Amezcua

your time is up your time is up sir thank you thank you so much sue you want to come up his time is up thank you thank you so much the next three speakers thank you sue sue pallet

5:08:03
Jennifer L. Hall

Thank you. Matthew Compton and Stephanie D.

5:08:21
Valerie Amezcua

Next speaker, I'm sorry, can you try that again, Madam City Clerk, please? Thank you. Yes.

5:08:24
Jennifer L. Hall

The next three speakers, Sue Palak, Matthew Compton, Stephanie D.

5:08:28
Unidentified

I am so proud of all of you for taking this stand tonight, united. I'm very proud of you for that. I'm very sorry for what happened it breaks my heart just like it did yours I'm very glad that you're doing this in the procedure in which you're doing but I will tell you what really angers me is this sounds like a lynch mob for the entire Santa Ana police and I'm not there nope I would just say to you you You know, this security guard that came up here seemed like he was describing what law

5:08:42
Unidentified

and order would be like under the Democratic Socialist Party of America. That's what he was describing. Because none of you even know what the DSA is. There is a reporter that was here tonight, and I asked her if she knew what the DSA was. She had never heard of it. She didn't know anything about the DSA. Now I talked about this the last time I was here. Democratic Socialist Party of America. It's not democratic. It's not socialist. It is the pathway to communism, and you better start learning about it, because it's being talked about everywhere.

5:09:20
Unidentified

And you know what, Ben Vazquez and Lopez, you know what? You are members of this. I know you are. Everybody's talking about it. You know, you were never for the PAL program. You were never for the police and yet you made a fool out of yourself showing me how to showing up at the police roll call to convince officers that hey i'm for the police no you're not you never have been you've never been for the power program either you know what i want to tell you about some of the good officers that i know and this lynch mob tonight is throwing i understand

5:09:56
Unidentified

their frustration but they're throwing everybody in the police department in this one basket and it's not right. And I'm going to defend them. You know, we have a new director of the PAL program. His name is Jeremy Black. He used to be on the cult team. And before he was on the cult team, before he joined Santa Ana PD, you know what he did? He was a school teacher here in Santa Ana. And now he's this fabulous person that's come to really try to do something with the PAL program. And these kids are responding. There's 50 kids and it's going to grow. So you know what?

5:10:34
Unidentified

Ben Vasquez, I'm going to tell you, I remember when you wanted to turn the fire station and

5:11:09
Unidentified

the McFadden headquarters for Powell where there was a police substation, you wanted to turn them into libraries. While you can go back on that now, there are no such thing as libraries. As a respect, she's speaking. Libraries is what it is. and you're an educator and you should know the difference. So I'm going to tell you right now. I'm standing up for a minute. Sue, your time is up.

5:11:19
Valerie Amezcua

Your time is up, ma'am. Thank you so very much. Your time is up.

5:11:42
Jennifer L. Hall

I'm really ticked off. The next three speakers, Matthew Compton,

5:11:45
Jennifer L. Hall

Stephanie Dee,

5:11:51
Jennifer L. Hall

Sean O'Hara.

5:11:54
Jennifer L. Hall

Okay, after Sean, Brian Ott and Maribel Michaca.

5:11:59
Valerie Amezcua

Come on up, sir. If you've been called, you can come up and speak. Thank you.

5:12:05
Unidentified

Good evening. My name is Sean O'Hara, and I live and work in Ward 3, an exciting ward, in the city of Santa Ana. My old friend, who worked in construction, once told me that safety first was the most important priority. He said, protecting people's lives, especially those who have family and other dependents, is the most important thing I can do. So when I told him that some people in Santa Ana want to halt construction of bicycle safety measures, he said, oh my goodness, people will die.

5:12:14
Unidentified

As the CEO of one of the most popular cultural institutions in Santa Ana, my first priority is public safety. city, and I know that everyone believes this is a good thing. When I moved to Santa Ana a few years ago, I chose the historic urban capital of Orange County, a place where I could bike and walk to work. I believe that cities that promote walking and biking are progressive, safe, attractive, and healthy. We are blessed with the best climate in the world, and so if there's any place on earth where cycling and walking makes the most sense, it's Orange County and in particular Santa Ana.

5:12:56
Unidentified

However, cycling in Santa Ana is this tale of two cities. One moment you're on a safe path with speeding cars kept at a reasonable distance and then suddenly without warning the same road stops being safe and it becomes Mad Max, Speed Demons, Road Rage, Crazy Town Avenue. I just cycled down, flower, to get here. It was great and it was terrible at the same time. Hopefully I'll survive getting back. So when people say to me, I can't believe you bike in Santa Ana because cyclists get killed here all the time, I cannot disagree with them.

5:13:37
Unidentified

So for anyone to think that stopping construction of cycle safety infrastructure, especially those that have already been researched, planned, funded, and are underway makes no sense whatsoever.

5:14:20
Unidentified

For those who say few people are using the bike lanes, let me say they're brand new. It takes time for adoption. Plus, they are what I described, safe paths that lead to treacherous roadways, and they need to be completed. At the end of my chat with my friend, And he concluded by saying, if anything leads to the death of someone, I could never forgive myself and neither would their family members and I wouldn't blame them. Please don't let these decisions that will lead to the death and injury of people in Santa Ana because I know that you believe public safety is priority number one.

5:14:34
Jennifer L. Hall

Sean, your time is up.

5:15:16
Unidentified

Thank you very much.

5:15:17
Jennifer L. Hall

Maribel Michaca, Brian Ott, Abe Q.

5:15:25
Unidentified

Good evening City Council. My name is Maribel Michaca. My son Jaden Michaca was murdered by two cops this past June 14th of this year. Today I'm here just to please ask for your help to the release of all uncut edit video body camera. I also am requesting justice for my son. he was suffering from mental health for almost two years. I was trying to get all the help that I could. I have proof that it was not the first time the Santa Ana police had come over to my home, trying to get him in the right path that he needed to be. So I'm demanding that we have more mental awareness training

5:15:31
Unidentified

for the cops so they can help the people and prevent tragedies like it happened to my son.

5:16:12
Unidentified

I'm also asking for them to have more discolation tactics, like for example, non-lethal weapons, tasers, pepper sprays. They have boutons. They have rubber band guns that they can use and not kill or shoot innocent people that need help. I'm a grieving mother and I close my eyes and I see my son in the floor and there's nothing that I could have done to save him even though I was screaming for help I was never

5:16:22
Unidentified

in my mind I never called 911 for them to come and kill my son I wanted the help that he needed

5:17:04
Unidentified

So please, just one mental awareness to be, to have more resources that parents can call, that we have confidence in calling 911, and we're not going to go through this tragedy. Thank you.

5:17:15
Unidentified

hi my name is brian i'm from artesia pilar and i want to thank the city council for um for everything you're doing i want to uh especially thank david uh penalosa for putting 31 on the agenda for tonight i fully support 31 we need balance in the city the problem with vision one or vision zero is it is completely unrealistic when you have cars and you have trucks accidents unfortunately are going to happen having a zero injury goal is not realistic it sounds good

5:17:53
Unidentified

people go for it because vision zero is very well funded for many sources just because it sounds good doesn't mean that it is good. Santa Ana, we have seen what this is doing to our roads. We have two lanes. They go down to one lane. Drivers get frustrated. Drivers are stopped. They don't know what to do. They have other people trying to merge into traffic. They can't merge because we are all stopped. Every stopped car gets zero miles per gallon. Every stopped car causes extra pollution pollution harms our society it is not just simply injuries

5:18:31
Unidentified

from accidents pollution causes cancers it causes all kinds of other problems for our environment that we just there's other issues here people are spending way too much time on their in their cars it's lost a family time that they see with other with their loved ones instead they're just sitting in the cars doing nothing because they're waiting for people to merge um we definitely need to look at this again i know the city council has looked at it in the past but now that the public has actually seen what is happening with all these ridiculous barriers going up we now see firsthand all the

5:19:10
Unidentified

pitfalls of vision zero this is the time to get uh public input and fix this right now so i I definitely appreciate you putting it on the agenda and I definitely hope you consider reversing all these barriers. We don't need them, we need safe travel. We need vehicles traveling at similar speeds. We don't need vehicles traveling at artificially low speeds. So thank you for that. All I have to say, thank you.

5:19:51
Jennifer L. Hall

The next three speakers, Abe Q, Angela Capoccia, and Julia Fee.

5:20:24
Unidentified

Good evening, everyone. My name is Abe. I live in Ward 3. I'm a member of CSO Orange County and the Police Accountability Committee. We're a grassroots organization made up of working class residents who fight for police accountability. We're here today in solidarity with other organizations like Chispa and Ostecord to We demand that the city end its automatic license plate reader contract, or ALPRs, as well as end its agreement with Lexapol. Santa Ana PD has spent the last couple of weeks on social media trying to make themselves look good, trying to make themselves and ALPRs look good.

5:20:40
Unidentified

They shamelessly used a case about animal cruelty to try and convince residents that we need cameras to monitor our everyday lives in search of criminals. Where they should be looking is inside the police department. Thanks to Ben Camacho at Inadvertent, we know that in one week during 2025, ALPR cameras in Santa Ana scanned almost two million license plates. Out of those two million, only 35 plates were on the department's hot list. That means 99.8% of the data being collected by SAPD and FLOC is just public surveillance without a warrant or reasonable suspicion, plain and simple.

5:21:09
Unidentified

at lexipol's very poorly written alpr policy 436 in santa ana pd's book is it plainly states that officers can use the cameras and database in connection to their routine patrol without any reasonable suspicion or probable cause read your own policies and the contract with lexipol as well some of you might be thinking i have nothing to hide or i've done nothing wrong some of you might still believe chief rodriguez when he falsely stated last year that the cameras can only read your license plate. But the reality is that the 57 ALPRs across Santa Ana can and do collect images,

5:21:43
Unidentified

video, and audio for every vehicle that passes by 24-7. The city's agreement with FLOC defines this data, images, video, and audio, as footage, and per the agreement, they can share this footage with other government and law enforcement officials. Aside from violating the privacy of everyday residents, this especially endangers our undocumented community members as well as anti-ISE protesters. FLOC can even sell our anonymized data, another term in your agreement, and they can use it to train AI. For those of you who don't believe me, read the agreement yourself.

5:22:17
Unidentified

The definition section is section one. The other two are sections 4.2, 4.3, and 5.3. Cities across the U.S. are ending their ALPR contracts because of violations of people's privacy and the potential for misuse. We demand an end to this contract because SAPD should not be able to monitor and track residents without a warrant or reasonable suspicion. Santa Ana officials should not be waiting for an incident of misuse before taking action. Residents of Santa Ana deserve transparency and accountability. We deserve community control of SAPD because when our taxes go to pay police salaries,

5:22:48
Unidentified

when they go to pay police training and lawsuits, we deserve democratic control over how they police our streets. End the ALPR contract as well as note to item 13, action 1. The city must retain the power. the city manager must retain the power to fire and discipline police officers instead of submitting to the police the police officers association fire killer cop Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra

5:23:20
Jennifer L. Hall

Angela Capoccia, Julia Fee, Kaylee Enriquez

5:23:48
Unidentified

good evening my name is Angela Capoccia and I live in Meredith Parkway and i'm here to discuss now no longer agenda item number 26. i urge the city council to adopt the recommendations listed in this report specifically the recommendation to make multi-family and single family housing types equal in their access to permit parking and the establishment of parking districts that allow people to park anywhere within that district for years me and my fellow condo owners have had to pay for city streets that we are not allowed to park on the stud This study confirms our own observations. Many of these permitted streets

5:23:55
Unidentified

have few cars parked on them, whereas my fellow residents and I pay hundreds of dollars a year in fines and towing fees. We put ourselves in danger of parking nearly a mile away or we do not leave our home after a certain point for fear of not being able to park. I appreciate that the study focuses on parking instead of stereotypes. For years, many discussions about permit parking have been discussions about how to protect single-family homeowners from cars of those who live in multi-family housing as if we are outsiders instead of an integral part of my neighborhood in Santa Ana this was particularly galling when

5:24:31
Unidentified

i discovered my condo was built before all the homes that surround me this report instead focuses on actual parking conditions parking demand and equitable access i believe that staff has accurately identified the problems residents like me have been raising for years and have excellent solutions that I highly recommend should be adopted. I only have a few concerns regarding the proposals. The recommendation is first come, first serve for permits, but as all of the streets surrounding my condo complex are currently permitted, I fear that by the time we are able

5:25:06
Unidentified

to petition the city for our own block to become permitted, there will no longer be spots available. Would it be possible to allow a one-time transition access to permit parking for those of us who are, again completely surrounded by permit parking without the need to go through the petition process second D would you be able to ensure a way to purchase guest permits for those of us who don't need regular permits for our own cars I urge the city council to adopt the recommendations of the study and allow equitable access to permit parking for all housing types not only is it fair

5:25:39
Unidentified

but ensures the safety of all Santa Ana residents additionally I understand part of the reason this was probably taken off of the agenda is because of what's happened recently to and with the police brutality case I just recommend that if we could have a date by which this is going back to the agenda because I had to take time off from work to come here and I had three people waiting on the phone call to also make recommendations and to make commentary to try to give a human face to the data so we would really appreciate that something that started back in 2018 and was actually led by somebody else in this room before he

5:26:12
Unidentified

left and I had to take it over I really hope this would become regulation for us thank you

5:26:46
Valerie Amezcua

thank you ma'am the item will come back October 20th Mr. City Manager October 20th I don't know if you heard me ma'am but the item will be back October 20th

5:26:53
Jennifer L. Hall

Julia Julia Fee from CNH Kiwanis

5:27:05
Jennifer L. Hall

Kaylee Enriquez CNH Kiwanis Ricardo Muniz, Thrive Santa Ana.

5:27:12
Jennifer L. Hall

After Ricardo, Alyssa Freeberg and Vidhi Srivastava.

5:27:21
Unidentified

Good evening, Mayor and Council Members. My name is Ricardo Muñiz and I'm here with Thrive Santana on item 32. Thrive Santana has been engaged in this conversation since the general plan process, raising concerns around environmental justice, displacement, community ownership, and what development means for the people who already call Santana home. We continue reviewing the comprehensive zoning code update and the proposed map and we still have important questions that we don't believe have been fully addressed. Santana was just recognized for excellence in planning and environmental quality.

5:27:46
Unidentified

That recognition is difficult to reconcile with the zoning code that still leaves major environmental justice concerns unresolved. We cannot celebrate being a leader in environmental justice while asking communities like Cornerstone to accept protections they have repeatedly told us are not enough among their communities. If this award represents who Santana says it is, then this zoning code needs to reflect that. So let's really wear that green. Let's not pretend and get a photo op right here, right? Many things are standing out in La Colmena Cornerstone Village and One Way Broadway Plaza and around our neighborhoods.

5:28:22
Unidentified

One thing that stood out to us is existing multifamily housing that is proposed to change from multifamily zoning to our one single family zone. So that's happening around La Colmena. So we're thinking beyond today, what happens to those apartments 10 to 20 years from now? What happens when they need major rehabilitation, reconstruction, or expansion? Why are we changing the underlining zoning of existing multifamily housing to a designation that may not reflect what's actually there? How does the city determine when multifamily housing should be facilitated through project-specific zoning and a density bonus agreement.

5:29:01
Unidentified

So those questions matter when we're really talking about housing affordability and displacement in Santana. We also continue to have serious environmental justice concerns, particularly around Cornerstone. We want to understand how the R2 boundaries were determined, what actual protections and separations they create between industrial activities and homes and schools, and what happens when existing industrial uses impacts residents but doesn't meet the technical definitions of obnoxious use. And environmental justice and economic development shouldn't have to work against each other. They could work together.

5:29:38
Unidentified

We understand that the city also is thinking about revenue, jobs, and long-term physical sustainability. So let's talk about what kind of economic development in Santa Ana residents need and want for the next 20 to 30 years. As opposed to industries that are harmful, let's get real. How can this zoning update help attract cleaner, lower impact industries that provide good jobs and generate economic activity without continuing the same conflicts between industries and residential neighborhoods? As we already heard from your council, y'all want to bring industries that don't benefit for our communities that are environmental.

5:30:16
Unidentified

So Ricardo, your time is up. For Thrive's question is that the Santana should grow.

5:30:48
Valerie Amezcua

Your time is up. Thank you so much. Thank you. Appreciate it.

5:30:52
Jennifer L. Hall

Alyssa Freeberg followed by Vidhi Srivastava and Abigail Lee.

5:31:00
Unidentified

Hello, my name is Alyssa Freeberg and I'm a researcher at the ECOgov Lab at UCI. The lab stands with this community, they stand with Jayden and his family, and they stand with Florentino. I'm here to offer my assessment of the proposed fleet facility project to be located at 1400 South Grand Avenue in the city of Santa Ana this proposed project is located across from Century High School and directly adjacent to Kennedy Elementary School and Quarterstone Village neighborhood the new facility is meant to service over 3,000 county-owned vehicles with

5:31:06
Unidentified

an estimated 500 vehicles entering and exiting the property per day during construction it is estimated there will be 74 vehicle trips per day for the 18-month construction period this creates road safety as well as pollution concerns heavy machinery coming and going into a school next to a school will create a hazard for students large vehicles have large blind spots wide turning radiuses and long stopping distances children are harder for drivers to see and these vehicles will be crossing student walking paths for 18 months as well as the 500 crossings after construction ends

5:31:40
Unidentified

additionally the current assessment report on the project states the changes to exposures would have less than significant impacts on the surrounding sensitive receptors. The report fails to mention that this census tract already has an overall pollution burden that is 99.08% higher than all other census tracts in California, according to CalEnviro Screen, a project of CalEPA. It also shows an 83.54% higher rate of diesel particulate matter, 95.05% higher rate of of traffic impacts and 81.75% higher rate for PM2.5, among others. PM2.5 are fine particulate pollutants emitted from construction sites, automobiles, and other sources.

5:32:12
Unidentified

They are classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as Group 1 carcinogens and are capable of entering the lungs as well as the bloodstream. According to the American Lung Association, most recent report from April of this year, children are more susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution.

5:32:53
Unidentified

including asthma, respiratory diseases, cognitive functioning later in life, and premature deaths, heart attacks, strokes, return births, and cancer. As someone who is currently going through cancer treatment at 30 years old and who grew up next to a pollutant, I strongly encourage you to rethink this added pollution burden, making it your duty to lower these risks as much as possible. We understand this land is owned by the county. However, as city officials, it is your duty to act like each child in Santa Ana is your own child, and each person is your own family member and to look out for their futures.

5:33:12
Unidentified

I insist you reconsider this project instead using the land in a way that would benefit students perhaps as a safe walking path from Cornerstone Village to Century High School something which currently does not exist. Thank you.

5:33:44
Unidentified

Good evening my name is Vitti I'm a resident of the Centennial Park area of Ward 1, and I'm here to speak on Santa Ana Police Department's long history of police brutality and to demand that this council deliver justice to Florentino Lopez. First, I want to begin with thanking everyone for showing up today. Everyone here has busy lives that make it really hard to give up an entire evening just to make sure that their voice is heard from the representatives that are supposed to serve them. This current city council is trying to paint this incident as a one-time occurrence, reminding us that we

5:34:04
Unidentified

really can't judge all police officers by the actions of one. However, the same city council had the exact same reaction to the murder of two teenagers, Jayden Michaca and Victoria López, just this year after having accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from the police officers association for their campaign contributions. This problem really doesn't look like an accident from where I'm standing. It looks like the brutalization of our community is a sign that the system is working exactly as intended. Last year, Santa Ana spent almost half a million dollars

5:34:37
Unidentified

policing anti-ice protests alone and now the same police department faces multiple lawsuits for police violence during those exact same protests. I want to ask how much of that money could have been directed to helping Santa Ana's residents rather than brutalizing and silencing them? Instead of investing in these killers you could be investing in the future of the working class of Santa Ana which is the community that actually makes this place a great place to live. Our community needs immediate and radical support with affordable housing, uncertain jobs because of

5:35:06
Unidentified

A.I., crumbling infrastructure, climate catastrophe, and ice hunting down our neighbors. And instead of addressing the needs of the people, you continue to protect and fund a system of repression and surveillance.

5:35:34
Unidentified

Exactly. It's shameful. It's my firm belief that the people of Santa Ana had had enough of the system's violence towards us, this council's complicity, and this whole capitalist system designed to exploit and brutalize every single one of us. So after we get the justice for Mr. Lopez that you owe all of us, we, the working class of Santa Ana, are going to build a new system, one that serves people over profit and makes sure that the injustice and brutality that happened on October 1st never, ever happens again. Thank you.

5:35:47
Jennifer L. Hall

The next three speakers, Abigail Lee with EcoGovLab, followed by Isidra Espiritu and Carl Benninger. Abigail? No?

5:36:25
Jennifer L. Hall

Carl Benninger, followed by Sandra Dee and Fernando de Verde.

5:36:44
Unidentified

us. Thank you. Good evening, Council. Name's Carl Benninger. I live in Ward 4, Metro Classic neighborhoods. I'm also sitting on the Planning Commission, as you know, and advisor to a comm link on it. I'm glad you pulled parking. It's not a night with everything else going on to discuss parking because it is going to take a lot of work on that. Not one brush will solve all the problems for parking. I'm very concerned about how big the parking districts are and they need to be reviewed and in my case they really need to be reduced.

5:36:48
Unidentified

I also want to point out some of the misinformation given out. One, the zoning was passed by planning consoles six to one but the part of data centers being eliminated or being disallowed only past 43 and unfortunately data center is a lot of emotion and not facts with them although I do like the solution to put them in outer space that that would take care of it I want to see is keep the flock cameras they have aided in catching criminals they have aided in following on amber alerts, they have aided on people recovering their cars a lot quicker because they can

5:37:30
Unidentified

just slide swollen vehicles on it. But the main reason coming here tonight is to ask you a favor. And really not a favor. But being part of Comlink, we put together recently a forum, a candidate's review to inform people so they can make a logical choice. and unfortunately a short time before that meeting we were kicked out of place that we had been at that we've held these meetings inside the pass calls to the city manager from me went unanswered and all I asked for was additional parking for the area and suddenly I

5:38:11
Unidentified

found myself without a place to hold a meeting through people that I know I was able to get at Harrell's Elementary School, I thank the principal, I thank, I care as my lost rich relative, Mary Benninger over in the school system that we're able to recover it and have a very meaningful meeting. I also wanna recommend or tell you council people who keep saying that we endorse candidates, we do not, but we give information to people that they can make the choice. I was told just at the mayor's meeting just recently by the city manager that he didn't have time for me

5:38:50
Unidentified

and they wanted to discuss what happened and why we got to that situation. And I was told there wasn't time to talk to me. So being that the city manager works for this council, I asked the council to please tell him to set aside a half hour in the next couple weeks that we can sit there and actually discuss what happened, how we get there. As you know, I volunteer my time. I don't get paid a cent, and I don't volunteer a lot of places. Your time is up.

5:39:26
Jennifer L. Hall

Thank you. Sandra Dee, Fernando Devaras, Ramon Campos.

5:39:56
Unidentified

Good evening. My name is Sandra and I'm here to speak on item 30. I still wonder how is the city still supporting an unpopular contract that cities across the U.S. are moving away from? Our residents have raised serious concerns about this technology, privacy, data sharing, outside access, and the collection of information about people who have not been accused of a crime. Those concerns are especially urgent now. Many of you guys know we have increased immigration enforcement now leading to the midterms across Southern California.

5:40:13
Unidentified

We understand that ALPRs can track where vehicles travel, and over time, they create detailed records of people's movements. That becomes particularly troubling amid warrantless arrests and increased immigration enforcement. I actually wanted to let my opponent know that this morning, there was enforcement in Ward 4 on Bristol and Alton, and you did not make a statement. Mass surveillance puts immigrant communities, those exercising their right to assembly, and all residents at risk.

5:40:49
Unidentified

A sanctuary city should be reducing opportunities for sensitive local data to reach outside agencies, not expanding them. When the Council approved these contracts in May 2025, it promised accountability and it directed staff to return after one year with a public report on the program's effectiveness and use. More than a year later, that review still has not happened. Meanwhile, city records reportedly show that the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center conducted more than 27,000 searches accessing Santa Ana's ALPR network over six months,

5:41:24
Unidentified

including searches associated with at least seven federal agencies. In the work that I get to do every day, I work with GIS mappers, and when mapped by income level, GIS data is showing that flaw cameras are concentrated in low-income communities, which is not surprising. Public safety matters, but so does privacy, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and local control. Changing vendors does not resolve these concerns. replacing one alpr company with another still leaves Santa Ana operating the same surveillance

5:42:04
Unidentified

infrastructure before moving forward the council should require a full public accounting of the program its costs effectiveness access data sharing and safeguards and my message to you all tonight and to the public is that we need to end flock now thank you

5:42:44
Jennifer L. Hall

the failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure failure

5:43:18
Unidentified

Good evening City Council. My name is Karla and I'm a resident of Ward 6. I would like to start off by stating I understand the City Council is not voting today on Agenda 30. However, I would like to voice my concerns regarding ALPRs, also known as Automated License plate readers. Senna and City Council authorized roughly $700,000 across two ALPR contracts. This was for Flock and for Motorola. These contracts were signed and I asked where was the public discourse, the public outreach or engagement. I don't remember any of that or consenting to ALPRs. I believe we should be focusing on putting our public resources

5:43:43
Unidentified

towards programs that can address the root causes of crime and violence without punishing people and without needing to put a camera on every corner. A safe community is not one that has a camera on every corner. According to the Flock Transparency Portal, over a million unique license plates have been scanned every 30 days in Santa Ana. I want to ask how many of those were used in an active investigation? This technology makes everyone a suspect and exposes our data to brokers and the federal and federal government agencies.

5:44:23
Unidentified

To date, over 150 locations around the country have suspended, paused, or ended flawed camera contracts amid growing public backlash. I remain hopeful that Santana would join that list. I believe SAPD should not have access to this type of power. Just last week, we all saw a video of them excessively beating Florentino Lopez, the same SAPD who recently murdered 15-year-old Jaden Michaca during a mental health crisis. I stand in solidarity with their family to hold those officers accountable and release all the unedited footage. I also want to say tie and fill.

5:44:58
Unidentified

It was very disappointing, in my opinion, cowardly that you could not state your personal opinion on a very clear example of police brutality.

5:45:33
Unidentified

Police officers cannot be expected to use this information responsibly. Police officers nationwide have been caught using ALPR databases for personal use unrelated to criminal investigations. searching ex-partners, neighbors, journalists, acquaintances, and protesters. I cannot say this makes me feel safer. In my opinion, no one should have access to this type of power or data. Surveillance is not safety and surveillance does not prevent crime. There's two talking points I wanted to talk about, but I'm running out of time. If you aren't doing anything wrong, then you have nothing to worry about.

5:45:42
Unidentified

If you have a cell phone, then you're being tracked anyways.

5:46:15
Unidentified

We, that's a slippery slope. If we aren't doing anything wrong, Once infrastructure like surveillance is installed, the law can change. So that is always going to be consistently changing. And regarding phones, that is a problem. I agree with you. And I can consent when I have my phone on me. I cannot consent when an ALPR records me when I leave my house and where that data is being sold or given or whatever. So note to the contract. Carly, your time is up. Band data centers and like support. I oppose 13 and 31. Thank you.

5:46:19
Jennifer L. Hall

Tanya Navarro.

5:46:53
Unidentified

Mayor Mesqua, David, Phil, and Ty, when you refuse to hold this police department accountable and repeatedly make excuses for its conduct, you create an environment where abuse can continue to flourish without meaningful consequences. And we've seen the consequences. Today, I stand in solidarity with Jaden's family. Jaden was only 15 years old and experiencing a mental health crisis when he was killed by SAPD. I stand with his family and demanding the full unedited body camera footage and accountability for all officers involved. This past week, when I saw the video of Florentino, it disturbed me extremely.

5:47:05
Unidentified

It made me furious, and it only reinforced my personal experiences that I've lived and that what my community has lived. I have no problem saying what I saw was wrong and what I saw was violent but it's more than some of the council members will do when our community sees this behavior by the department anything less than a condemnation teaches us who is worthy of being believed and defended

5:47:40
Unidentified

and racist policing and mass surveillance justice for Florentino justice for Jaden justice for Noe Rodriguez justice for Brandon Lopez the list continues to go on I demand that these families also be shielded from retaliation. I urge you to reject the Lexapol renewal. Santa Ana's policy should reflect Santa Ana's laws, values, and demands for accountability, not simply be outsourced to a private company who is notorious for abuse. Data centers do not belong in Santa Ana or anywhere. Land is one of our most limited resources, and we need housing, parks, small businesses, and development that actually serves the residents.

5:48:06
Unidentified

And for agenda item 30, thank you Councilmember Lopez for sounding the alarm on ALPRs and bringing forward an item that finally gives community an opportunity to learn about how this technology is being used. I'm the proud daughter of immigrants who grew up with a culture that said, take abuse and be quiet. They taught me to refuse to look the other way and Santa Ana needs to terminate its ALPR contracts immediately. I'm not the only one who believes that. Chispa launched a petition and over 100 people signed and sent you emails to demand the same

5:48:42
Unidentified

thing. Mayor Mesquo and Councilmember Becerra comparing ALPR surveillance to carrying a cell phone only solidifies my thinking that you either don't understand how the tech works or you're purposefully misleading the public. My phone does not automatically upload my location data directly to SAPD and private companies, fusion centers, ICE, and the federal government. They can't automatically create a searchable record of where I travel. If I turn my phone off, I can leave it at home i can change the settings no that can't happen only with flat cameras i cannot legally

5:49:14
Unidentified

take the license plate off my car to opt out of surveillance we want the contracts canceled not another delay not more promises of transparency not just stop sharing data with fusion centers not more promises guardrails we've heard where we've heard your promises before and we've seen how they fail the stakes only continue to rise with the federal government pledging to target sanctuary cities what are we doing thank you tanya your time is going thank you ma'am

5:49:45
Valerie Amezcua

i'm sorry madam kirk can you repeat that please angelus o

5:50:18
Jennifer L. Hall

rain mendoza

5:50:24
Jennifer L. Hall

followed by kathy clark and sandra rodriguez

5:50:27
Unidentified

Hey, I just want to start by pointing out how empty it is here and it's really sad that residents aren't able to give their opinion or give or like use their voice because y'all took so fucking long. I've been here since 530. So cool. Thanks a lot. So I'm Rain. I'm with the immigration committee of CSOC and I live in Ward 3. So I'm here to speak on the shameful inaction by the city council, especially those of you who are up for reelection this year. Not only have you failed to protect your city from racist ass violent cops that kill and beat up your residents

5:50:35
Unidentified

You've also failed to intervene in any meaningful way to help the cultural residents Some updates for you all since you don't give a fuck about that place So right now Kingsley Corporation is forcing the working class immigrant residents to tear down their fences which is extremely costly and stress inducing and Kingsley's also at the beginning stages of resizing their property without resident consent which is illegal under federal law and if these residents try to push back or do not comply they are met with harsh retaliation including the most egregious crime of them all which is the eviction

5:51:06
Unidentified

of immigrant families and then stealing their homes mayor amezcua you've been saying it's out of your hands and oh there's nothing you can do you're literally the whole ass mayor of this city so what are you good for then and you're seeking re-election you have a whole trailer park full of immigrant families that are being exploited by an out-of-state multi-million dollar corporation. They're breaking state and federal laws. The city council can't do a thing about that. They're breaking California law, they're breaking HUD codes, and breaking federal law. So now that it's

5:51:41
Unidentified

election season, you want to champion yourself as for the working class and pro-immigrants, but we know you haven't been doing anything other than serve Carla, Carla Alvarado, who's here, with a restraining order, further repressing them as they're trying to fight for their homes. And they were here earlier, Carla and her mom Lupe, and they left because they work, they're tired, they're hungry, so they left.

5:52:13
Unidentified

Shame on you. We demand that the city council intervene and actually lift your fucking asses to help out the constituents you're supposed to be representing. Thanks.

5:52:39
Jennifer L. Hall

Kathy Clark. Kathy Clark. Sandra Rodriguez. Followed by Sean Hakam and Jack Haley.

5:52:53
Unidentified

My name is Sandra Rodriguez. I have a business in Ward 6. And I grew up in Ward 6 going to Madison Elementary School. I also worship at New Song in Santa Ana. And I am speaking about the zoning code update and how it would adversely affect our business. So our business is currently in M2 zoning. We're located between the Union Pacific Railroad and the Metrolink Railroad. So Propos zoning will have M1 on one side, 20 feet away from us. and on our side we would have the residential industrial overlay which would adversely affect

5:53:07
Unidentified

us by having the noise ordinance between 10 and 6. so in our commercial business most of we do non-hazardous liquid waste hauling which primarily serves any food restaurant school business who has a grease interceptor establishment. So about 2017, council started a new legislation called the FOG program, fat oil and grease to prevent sanitary sewer overflows. So our servicers are mostly rendered early morning hours, particularly between the hours of 10 and 6 when we wouldn't be allowed.

5:53:47
Unidentified

because we can't be on the premise when students are, you know, on campus. We have to have our services done early, and the same for the restaurants. We need to have all our operations done prior to them opening for service. And so there are a couple other businesses on my street in Guardia Brothers that also serve many schools, and they also are a 24-hour business. We also provide sanitary service overflows for the city of Santa Ana when there's like a sanitary break or a main break. We can operate at any time and us being local, our response time is, you know, second to none.

5:54:27
Unidentified

So I also wanted to thank Councilman Lopez for coming and hearing some of my concerns and seeing if you can't physically see where we are, you wouldn't understand that. So I have met with planning staff and they did try and work with me, but admittedly had not been to my area. So the concerns I have is because we would be posed with noise restrictions when you can't, there is no noise restrictions for the Union Pacific and the Metrolink that are surrounding us. So it kind of seems ridiculous that one side of the street would have no noise ordinance and one side would.

5:55:09
Unidentified

And then were also imposed by the noise from the Union Pacific and the Metrolink. So I would just ask that you look at the proposed zoning and consider all those businesses that may be adversely affected. Thank you for your time.

5:55:51
Unidentified

Good evening, Mayor and Councilmembers. My name is Sean Hakam. I'm a war two homeowner in the Pacific Park neighborhood and I'm also an avid cyclist I'm asking you tonight to reject mayor pro tem and alosis a proposal to halt protected bike lanes so I believe that was item 31 and to

5:56:15
Unidentified

And help protect the bike lane and the lane reductions across santa I bike around the city regularly i've been generally excited by the improvements santa has been making For the first time, it feels like we're getting close to having an actual connected bicycle network instead of just random bike lanes that start and stop in random locations. This network is important because it helps people get to where they want to go safely. We cannot afford to backslide now. A safe and connected bicycle network is not just for recreational cyclists.

5:56:36
Unidentified

gives people a real alternative to driving. It allows someone to bike to school, to work, to stores, parks, restaurants, and other death stations throughout the city without having to be in a car, without adding to the traffic the congestion that we've heard a lot about tonight.

5:57:16
Unidentified

If we are serious about reducing congestion, then we need to give viable alternatives to people. Bicycle lanes provide one such alternative.

5:57:35
Unidentified

I also understand that residents are frustrated about congestion, the parking loss, individual street designs.

5:57:47
Unidentified

These concerns should be addressed on a project-by-project basis using actual data instead of having a blanket ban for the current progress that we're making. and I don't think that congestion and safety should be in in necessarily like in opposition to each other we can address congestion while also addressing safety issues you know being delayed in in traffic is frustrating being hit by a car while you're walking or trying to ride a bike can kill you I'm also troubled by the argument that protected bike lanes appear to have limited use

5:57:57
Unidentified

You do not need to build a transportation network by waiting for people to use infrastructure that does not exist. Every new connection we make gives the rest of the network more useful, more utility, and gives people more confidence to actually ride. I want to point out the irony of today's agenda as well. We recognize the National Community Planning Month. If we are going to celebrate community planning, then we need to actually respect the years of planning, public outreach, and engineering that have gone into these plans. Thank you.

5:58:39
Jennifer L. Hall

Next speaker, Jack Haley.

5:59:14
Jennifer L. Hall

Jack. Hector Bustos.

5:59:18
Jennifer L. Hall

Dorian Romero.

5:59:25
Jennifer L. Hall

Dale Helwig.

5:59:29
Jennifer L. Hall

Followed by Angel Navarro.

5:59:32
Unidentified

Hello, my name is Dorian and I'm a resident of Ward 5. I'm here to speak on several topics of concern.

5:59:49
Unidentified

first on behalf of Santa Ana active streets an organization that aims to create safe sustainable and accessible mobility options for everyone in Santa Ana we call on City Council and the mayor of Santa Ana to oppose item 31 which would pause all future protected bike lanes in Santa Ana the city is investing in an update to his vision zero plan with a citywide goal to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2040. As 55% of our residents do not have access to a vehicle, this goal cannot be achieved without safer, separated infrastructure for bicyclists

5:59:58
Unidentified

and motorists who are frustrated by sharing lanes with bicyclists. I do not own a vehicle. My main source of transportation is my bike. Bikes make me feel safe, as well as many residents who rely on their bike to get around. So many drivers dislike bike lanes. Some of you on the dial don't like bikes. But I think people who have that opinion need to ride a bike on these streets, and then they'll understand how scary it can be due to fast cars and lack of bike infrastructure. Bike lanes aren't perfect. Vision Zero isn't perfect. But you do not need to be a bicyclist to support safe streets for everyone.

6:00:34
Unidentified

I agree that we need more education on safe riding and bike facilities, on bike facility use, as many of these improvements are new to the city, and we all need to get used to sharing the road. For the safety of all Santa Ana residents, especially those who bike, we urge you to vote no on item 31. Secondly, regarding one Broadway Plaza, a proposed 37-story tower on Broadway between Washington and 10th Street, I ask that the city require Mike Harrah from Caribou Industries to redo and not count the recent Sunshine Meeting hosted at his business location on September 17th. Do not count it as valid.

6:01:13
Unidentified

A Sunshine Meeting is supposed to inform the public and answer questions on a development project. None of that was fulfilled during the Sunshine Meeting. The public was left confused, frustrated, and left with even more questions. Please discount this Sunshine Meeting as valid and require Mike Herra to redo the Sunshine Meeting and require it to be in a public meeting space, not in his own business, and hold him and his team accountable for real answers to our questions. And finally, when I think about safety, mass surveillance does not make me feel safe. Police and their brutality does not make me feel safe.

6:01:52
Unidentified

And hey, Karen's don't make me feel safe. Terminate all ALPR contracts now. Hold police accountable for their unjust and cruel violence.

6:02:28
Jennifer L. Hall

Dale Helwig.

6:02:42
Unidentified

Good evening, Dale Helwig, 36-year resident, Ward 3. I came here to talk about the parking study. I understand it's been postponed to the next meeting, but I can't make it. So I'll just talk about it tonight. I sent you guys a letter just with a couple of recommendations on it. the parking study is not going to solve the parking issues that we have in the city but it's a good step and it's the right step to take for the city to go off and do the problem is with the

6:02:53
Unidentified

state the state has mandated almost no parking for all new construction and as long as we have the state telling us what to do we're never going to solve the parking problem we keep on building large-scale apartments five-story buildings with less than one or right around one one and a half parking spots for a family of four and it's not going to work we're going to always have this problem so anyway the two recommendations that I had is one is it's the the report says that we

6:03:29
Unidentified

should have parking permits during holidays and garage sale days that's gonna just create a havoc you know people can't park in front of your house you're not gonna get a permit to park in front of your house for a garage sale if you have a holiday you're gonna have people over you know and so you're gonna need parking permits the other thing is let's go ahead and make it 72 hours if we're gonna have guests parking you know 24 hours is ridiculous again people are coming over to visit you know got to issue them two three parking permits while they're they're visiting you for

6:04:10
Unidentified

two or three days it's it's not acceptable as far as the automated licensed plate readers. I support that. There's 48 cameras in the city. You know, people say we're collecting a million hits a day or a week, a month. I don't know what the period of time is. But if you think that police officers are looking at a million license plates during that same period of time, you know, we're understaffed right now. They're not looking at all those. But when a crime occurs, they're able to go back in, take a look at it, and track down the perpetrator of the crime. And I think that's important.

6:04:47
Unidentified

I understand it's controversial, but I think it's a good tool that they can use. They have safeguards in place. Yes, they do or can share with the federal agency, but that's through a process that NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR AMBER ALERTS OR OTHER SUCH ITEMS. THEY'RE NOT SHARING IT WITH ICE, AS PEOPLE TEND TO BELIEVE. AND I THINK IT'S WORTHWHILE TO HAVE. THANK YOU.

6:05:28
Unidentified

BUENA NACHI, CITY COUNCIL.

6:06:09
Unidentified

but never happened anything. In five years that I have been in the city of Santana, I have more than 50 complaints with them. And I have sent messages to the Ruta, to call me back to her to see why the service is so bad. And I want to see if you can do something with that problem. We are paying the bill, I pay the bill, I pay the bill, I pay the bill, I pay the bill, I pay the bill, I pay the bill, I pay the bill, I pay the bill, but if it's going to happen, they will have to reembols the city to pay the people who don't pay the bill.

6:06:41
Unidentified

I just wanted to give them that that's a question and see if they're going to do something.

6:07:23
Unidentified

I lived for 42 years in the same residence in the company that I was before, I never had any problem with service. The only time I talked was when I needed a special service, a bulky or something. But in this company, I worked for waste management, I worked for Republic, I didn't know how the system works, but that lady didn't answer the calls,

6:07:30
Valerie Amezcua

Thank you, sir. A person will speak with you, please. Thank you.

6:08:04
Unidentified

Good evening, Mayor. I'm here to ask something, to ask something, if you can do something about the trash company when they have not provided a service. Last week they didn't service me. I called the city last week. They told me to talk to some Oscar. I left a message for Oscar. I don't know if Oscar works for Republic or Oscar works for the city. And since Republic has been here for five years, in these five years I have presented 50 complaints to Republic for lack of service or bad service. and I spoke to the manager.

6:08:11
Unidentified

I was told to leave a message for the route manager regarding the bad service. So I'm asking if you can do something about it. Every time I get the bill, I pay that in full. But if this lack of service continues, I'm going to, I don't ask for any credit. So I'm going to be starting to ask for credits or get money back from the city because the service is not being performed. confirmed so I'm bringing this to let you know to see if you can do something. The prior company, I was with them for 42 years and I never had any issues. The only time I had to call them is if I

6:08:52
Unidentified

needed to request some special services and I used to work for waste management. I used to work for Republic so I know how this system is supposed to work. I call them, I leave a message and they never call me back. So I'm here to see if you can do something because this is terrible.

6:09:27
Jennifer L. Hall

Next three speakers, if you could please line up. Sam Greek, Dan Schamel, Diana T. Sam?

6:09:46
Jennifer L. Hall

Sam Greek, Dan Schamel, Diana T. Griselda R.

6:09:57
Jennifer L. Hall

No, Sam? Okay. Dan, followed by Diana and Griselda.

6:10:05
Unidentified

Good evening, Mayor, members of the Council. My name is Dan Shemel. I'm a resident of Ward 3. Got a few things to talk on tonight. First off, for the SEIU 721 representatives that were here earlier today, I want to say 17 months is too long for their contract to be under negotiation. I fully support their request to get this back on calendar, and I would hope that the city council can get this resolved sooner rather than later item 13 the amendment to the POA MOU and specifically action item 13.1 I'm opposed to that moving the final appeal of a

6:10:14
Unidentified

citation of certain disciplinary actions away from the city manager and to a third party arbitrator removes a key level of accountability that we should not be we should not be giving up right now. City manager is accountable to you as a council. You as a council in turn are accountable to the folks in the audience, the voters, the residents that make up this city. An arbitrator is not. An arbitrator is not accountable to the manager, an arbitrator is not accountable to you, and an arbitrator is not accountable to the voters. We've all heard tonight the anger and

6:10:51
Unidentified

the outrage from what's happened to Florentina Lopez. We heard from Jaden Michaca's mother. I couldn't help but be moved by that. And I think I speak for everyone in the room when I say that. And the idea that an officer that's being disciplined for what happened to either of those folks could be exonerated or have their discipline reversed by an arbitrator with no accountability, it's simply intolerable. I would urge you to vote no on that matter as well. item 24 I fully support this we are a sanctuary city that has to mean something and one thing

6:11:24
Unidentified

that it means is that our city employees have no business moonlighting for ice so I thank I thank the council for putting this forward and I hope that it continues to receive unanimous support item 30 I fully support that measure and I thank Councilmember Lopez for putting it on the agenda The only thing I would add perhaps to that would be to add to that agenda item a reexamination of policy 436. That's the policy governing the use of ALPR data. We've had some audience members here tonight discuss that. I think there needs to be a thorough review of that as well to see how we can strengthen it

6:12:02
Unidentified

and whether we can, consistent with state law, tie specific employment consequences to violations of this policy. That's part of what I think accountability should look like. I'll also add that while my phone in my pocket might send me a targeted ad, if it listens to one of my conversations, it's not going to send an armed officer to my house. And that is the potential risk that we're facing with this data on item 15. I see my time is about to expire. I will quickly acknowledge the Cornerstone Village residents that were here. I would urge the council to take their comments seriously when we get to the zoning code study

6:12:39
Unidentified

session, as well as the speaker here for Coach Royal.

6:13:13
Valerie Amezcua

Dan, your time is up.

6:13:16
Unidentified

Thank you. Your time is up. They're not here because they want to be.

6:13:18
Valerie Amezcua

Your time is up, sir. Thank you so very much.

6:13:19
Jennifer L. Hall

Next three speakers, Diana T, Griselda R, Victor Mendez, and Scott Hamm.

6:13:25
Unidentified

I'm Diana. I live in the Pacific Park neighborhood, and I'm a member of CSOC. I'm here standing in solidarity with the residents of Coach Royal, which was mentioned that they had to leave before they could speak because the comments took so long to start the residents of the park are mostly working-class immigrants and the corporation that manages this park Kingsley management is taking advantage of this exactly sometimes they'll ask residents to sign papers that they can't understand because of the language barrier they don't provide translation or anything and that's very exploitative towards the residents they

6:13:32
Unidentified

also have told us that the current staff in the office doesn't speak Spanish so if they need any help, they can't get it because they can't communicate with the people who are managing their park. The managers have also threatened residents with calls to ICE, and when they attended a hearing with the city regarding the issues at the park, there was an immigration vehicle outside the building. These are all immigration issues. They should not have to live with the fear of immigration enforcement for simply trying to improve the place where they

6:14:07
Unidentified

live. And did you know that management currently has been asking the residents to remove their air conditioners? In the middle of these intense heat waves, that can be really dangerous and could be fatal for some of the residents. At the same time, they're forcing residents to remove their fences, and in some cases, management themselves asks them to install those fences, which cost time and money for the residents. Removing them then costs even more time and money, and the residents have worked extremely hard to get their homes, to install defenses, to get air conditioning, and the

6:14:37
Unidentified

managers are taking all of that away from them. If they don't comply, the threats to take and steal their homes start. People have told us that their home was taken away, they were evicted, and they haven't seen a dollar from the sale of their home to this day, which is absolutely ridiculous. Park Management and Kingsley exploit the resident's status as immigrants to make sure that they don't fight back. They know who they're targeting, they know who they're taking advantage of, and they're banking on their immigration status to continue that exploitation.

6:15:09
Unidentified

We are helping the residents fight back despite their immigration status, and they're being very brave and speaking up against this corporation. We're helping them with getting petition signatures from other residents to stop these actions for management and Kingsley, and we want to meet with the park manager Olivia Garcia to talk to her about the demands of the residents and you all say that you care about immigrants but when this big multi million out-of-state corporation is taking advantage of and exploiting your residents where are you are you gonna be there with us when we're talking to the

6:15:40
Unidentified

management are you gonna be there when we do press conferences and stand with the residents are you just gonna keep sitting here rolling your eyes at us

6:16:17
Jennifer L. Hall

Griselda R, Victor Mendez, Scott Hamm.

6:16:28
Unidentified

Buenas noches, my name is Griselda and I'm a Santanera born and raised in the Delhine neighborhood. I'm here today because there are various concerning things happening in our beautiful city and in our vibrant community right now like the brutality of Florentino Lopez. But I want to draw attention to another concerning matter happening. The constant harassment and threats the residents of the Cochroyo Mobile Home have been dealing with. Kingsley Corporation and management are targeting and embedding fear in their residents. And most of these residents are immigrants that break their back to feed their families.

6:16:39
Unidentified

But the managers at the Mobile Home Park use their immigration status against them, threatening to call ICE on them. If they complain, if they go to a lawyer, if they stand up and fight back, shame. And shame on you for allowing this to continue. Every single day they're receiving notices threatening to seize their homes, and if they don't comply with their bogus illegal demands, which one of these is an insidious demand of the removal of their air conditioning, we've been experiencing extreme heat over 100 degrees. Cultural residents are receiving notices is demanding that they remove their air conditioning.

6:17:13
Unidentified

And what happens if they don't comply? Their homes get stolen from them, just like that. I've gotten to know some of these residents personally through the work I do with CSO's Immigration Committee. Let me tell you that despite living in fear, despite losing sleep over wondering if they have a place to stay tomorrow, despite not having the support from their city council and mayor, somehow they still have the courage to fight back against the greedy corporation that Kingsley is. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised because tenacity is a quality that immigrants wear on their sleeves. Y'all

6:17:49
Unidentified

want our support, our vote, but y'all don't have our backs. The lack of action on your part is disgusting and quite frankly unacceptable. Time and time again the residents of Coach Royal Mobile Home Park have asked for your help and you've turned your backs on them. You have the power to help change the living conditions for the Coach Royal residents. Y'all run your campaigns on standing alongside our immigrant communities and caring about Santaneros. We'll show us then don't just run your mouth be about it

6:18:20
Unidentified

good evening and a tough night I know we're democracy and sometimes democracy takes work if a lot of patients that admire each one of you for your resilience every one of you and I appreciate the solution you came up with I think it's commendable. Got a few things to talk about, some serious, some kind of light. So the UCLA Herb Albert School of Music has committed to playing at the grand reopening of the library. They're gonna bring out a classical pianist, a graduate student, a doctoral student, I think he'll put on a nice performance for the residents, breaking in their new piano.

6:19:01
Unidentified

There's been some other things going on on November 4th. One of their great vocals is gonna come speak into the senior center. And the school's working right now at the New Hope Library. when I spoke to the dean of the school about some of the challenges the city's facing and how we are really a good center of culture and we need some help in our identity from time to time and he said can you help us out with you know with some of this he said we'd be glad to and the staff has been wonderful the city's been very responsive we're going to the school so a lot of good things

6:19:33
Unidentified

coming out of this tremendous resource it's actually a global resource when you consider it AND I'M VERY PROUD OF IT AND HOPE YOU'LL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY SOME OF THEIR OFFERINGS, EITHER AT THE GRAND OPENING OR MAYBE THE SENIOR CENTER.

6:20:04
Unidentified

ITEM 21, I FULLY SUPPORT TO GET THE FINAL DESIGN FOR WHAT I CONSIDER THE EAST FIRST STREET UPGRADE PROJECT. IT'S BEEN DELAYED FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF. YOU KNOW, WE HAD OUR FIRST MEETING ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. I KNOW THINGS HAVE CAUGHT ON. THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF ISSUES OF FUNDING, BUT THIS PROJECT IS ALREADY FUNDED. It just needs your approval to do the final design and start making construction on it. Very important project, very important investment, which again, it's funded already by the state. This is what First Street looks like today. It didn't look like that two years ago. Nice clean street. We do have our problems.

6:20:17
Unidentified

Million dollar homes right down the street, Cabrillo Crossing opening.

6:20:58
Unidentified

got a hotel in the Hyatt that seems to be doing a lot better but oh do we have challenges we have some big challenges okay I know you're aware of them we got to work them and I think the street project will help you get through them make some make some curb appeal got a brand new school right in the neighborhood opening let's never go back okay let's never go back thank you on that one measure x i'm again asking you to just communicate your values more specifically you efficiency and fiscal responsibility are clearly within uh the values of the city so just talk

6:21:03
Unidentified

about them about what you're doing talk about how you spend money which is great and doing great things but talk about fiscal responsibility and efficiencies you have you have case points you have the proof communicate so people have a good idea how the sales tax money is going to be spent which will cost each resident about 300 dollars victor your time is up let's think about that thank

6:21:43
Jennifer L. Hall

you next speaker is scott ham i believe the following speaker has already left carla alvarado

6:22:06
Jennifer L. Hall

so scott ham followed by vanessa cerda and jose ramirez

6:22:17
Unidentified

hello my name is scott ham i'm a resident of ward 6 and I wanted to comment and voice my opposition to the item number 31 to stop our street safety projects and I want to say we need to move forward with these planned safe streets projects as soon as possible on Raiden first Street that address the stream of unnecessary deaths and injuries

6:22:34
Unidentified

of people walking and biking. And I wanted to say that, you know, the wide, straight, uninterrupted roadways encourage high-speed reckless driving and need traffic calming and separation. And in some cases, removing lanes is a necessity and a safety improvement. and lane reduction is our most effective countermeasure at doing this against the high speed reckless driving. And in these specific projects,

6:23:08
Unidentified

the design concepts followed detailed traffic study data demonstrating that they wouldn't impact the traffic flow.

6:23:50
Unidentified

they're designed to limit the peak traffic speed.

6:24:01
Unidentified

So, you know, I also want to say anytime we change a street in any way, people are going to complain about it.

6:24:07
Unidentified

There's no avoiding that. It's understandable that people don't want to sit in the car for longer. I hate it. I try to avoid it as much as possible.

6:24:15
Unidentified

But there's an absolute urgent need to make the streets safe. And we need to differentiate between these types of concerns, the concern that I don't want to sit in my car for a little bit longer versus someone's going to be killed. They're not the same types of things, and they should not be weighed equally.

6:24:24
Unidentified

And safety needs to be their priority.

6:24:45
Unidentified

Delaying safety improvements will result in more people killed and violent, horrible deaths. And this is preventable. please continue to move forward with our safety projects and please reconsider item 31. Thank you.

6:24:49
Jennifer L. Hall

Carla Alvarado.

6:25:10
Unidentified

Good evening, all of you guys. I know I haven't been here for months. My health was not that good. And honestly, shame on all of you guys. you guys have all allowed this to continue gruesome attacks against the very people you serve and continue to intensify why are people still getting ice threats while you're sitting here sitting and knocking on doors asking for support to move up when we've never asked you to litigate our case or anything like that we've asked you to actually support us and pull from state from federal agents and get them to investigate our case and prevent more

6:25:16
Unidentified

gruesome stuff from happening like somebody else's mom taking their lives or somebody else having a heart attack or dying and losing homes like my house like everybody else that's scared of talking shame on all of you guys like Benjamin just said it that this is the welfare of the community it's your responsibility Jonathan just stated that we're a reflection of you guys are supposed to be a reflection of the people it takes and also having to sit here four hours to even I don't know what you guys are doing back there but honestly we respect

6:25:54
Unidentified

your time you put on three minutes for my time I took four hours away from my children that they're hungry they're having headaches and I'm here to make sure that you guys do something to represent the very people that you go on knock on doors to promise them that you're going to be changes in the state and the assembly everywhere that you guys want to go you guys want votes but when we ask you guys to meet with residents you guys fail to even send an email back and sit down and act like you guys care for us it's disgusting accountability is what everybody's asking for

6:26:27
Unidentified

this the crap we saw on social media a cop putting their knee on somebody's neck is absolutely disgusting my kids don't have to witness that in social media I am ashamed of that and I think that we need accountability we need proper trained police officers to actually serve and protect it is very disrespectful to have us waiting here and honestly everything that you guys have like us you guys are big on respect you guys fail to give us that our residents are continuing to face exploitation intimidation and threats on a daily basis families are living in fear of losing

6:26:56
Unidentified

everything they have how many more families have to suffer before you guys actually do something make some calls do something it's a it's a it's something that is happening to thousands of people other residents are being affected within the city within the county before you guys say it's our mientos thing too yeah we actually ask him for help too javelino you told us you knew what to do valerie come on step it up because you want us to re-elect you we would like to see that you at least care all of you guys it's gruesome you guys owe us some respect and actually do what you guys actually go

6:27:31
Unidentified

knocking on doors hey I'm here for the people well then act like it don't just sit over here and protect somebody that benefits your guys's pockets

6:28:05
Jennifer L. Hall

next three speakers vanessa cerda jose ramirez kevin reyes

6:28:16
Unidentified

good evening city council members my name is vanessa cerda and i'm a resident here in santa ana i'm here to speak in a non-agenda item regarding florentino lopez and i want to go ahead and say thank you to everybody that stepped up for florentino lopez he is a friend of ours I do know him personally and I was pretty upset at watching what I have seen in that video but it's no surprise this tends to happen in communities I was going to read a script but you know what every time I come here I always talk from the heart I've been advocating for

6:28:25
Unidentified

communities I always say it underserved communities that have been system impacted not only by gang violence but also by police brutality especially by the Santa Ana gang unit force the tactics that they have been using has been continually happening and people have pretty much given up there has been several police complaints filed and surprisingly commander no sorry my bad there have been several of

6:28:58
Unidentified

them being placed and by sergeant nicolas quinones and commander george lopez internal affairs conducting these investigations and in those former complaints i have actually assisted the the people that have want to put these complaints and i have discreet in there put personally upon request there is footage videos and those letters came back stating that their the investigation is and just hold up for them to be following up with you nothing has been happened it's been over a year um also for the police oversight commission this is something

6:29:34
Unidentified

that now it's um enough being watered down it's time for accountability we have been wanting this accountability accountability accountability my my personal history talked about also how police lied in my case when i was fighting a case and i do want to mention that at that time a police officer did a killing um he killed ruiz in january and not even a week later he was already conducting a false investigation which i was able to grant um the jurors were able to grant me um pretty much that my case was dismissed because of wrongdoing of police officers this is like continuously

6:30:10
Unidentified

and i'm gonna be stepping up here all the time for community members that can and i hope that now that you're hearing the c chief that you take this matter seriously like let's stop pretending that there's no bad cops out there. Like, we all know that there is. It's time for you to actually go in there and do the digging and remove those officers that do dirty work. Because they're unethical and they're working in these streets. And I have seen it witnessly. Whenever you want to contact me directly, I have those videos here in my cell phone where they act conductively, driving, loud music, blasting music,

6:30:49
Unidentified

mocking people, running over animals as well. Thank you.

6:31:25
Jennifer L. Hall

Jose Ramirez, Kevin Reyes, Cesar Guevara.

6:31:34
Unidentified

Hi, I'm Jose Ramirez. Good evening, Mayor, members of City Council, City Leadership, fellow residents and members of the community. As a former Ward 5 resident with family in Santa Anita, and as a member of Unión del Barrio, I stand before you tonight because of what happened to a fellow Santana resident, Valentino Lopez, has raised serious concerns not only here in the city but across Orange County and at the national level. The video circulating from the October 1st incident appears to show Mr. Lopez being taken down to the ground and struck repeatedly by two officers.

6:31:40
Unidentified

The video has raised serious questions about whether the force use was necessary and consistent with department policy.

6:32:20
Unidentified

The Santana Police Department has stated that it is conducting a review that includes body worn camera footage, reports and the circumstances surrounding the arrest. As a community, we demand answers. release the body camera footage. If there is additional footage that can lawfully be released, the public deserves to see it. We should not have to rely solely on a cell phone video, social media post, competing narratives, or speculation. Let the public see the complete picture. Our second demand is simple. Conduct a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation

6:32:30
Unidentified

into the conduct of these officers. We need to know what happened before the recording began. We need to know what instructions were given. We need to know what the officers perceived, what actions Mr. Lopez took, what force was authorized, and whether department policies and trainings were followed. And if an investigation determines that the officers acted outside policy, outside their training, or unlawfully, then there must be appropriate accountability. that is pro-accountability, that is pro-community. We also need to recognize the broader damage that incidents like this can cause.

6:33:12
Unidentified

Santana should be making national news because of the accomplishments of our residents, because of our businesses, because of our schools, our families, our cultural diversity, our community organizations, and the process taking place throughout the city. We should not be known nationally because residents are questioning whether a police encounter can escalate into violence without accountability. The city's reputation matters, our residents' trust matters, and the credibility of the leadership sitting before us matters. When people watch the video and ask, is this how residents of Santana are treated?

6:33:53
Unidentified

We need to be able to answer with more than an investigation is underway. we need to be able to say Santana takes transparency seriously we need to be able to say that our city leadership expects professionalism from every time is up entrusted with our

6:34:30
Jennifer L. Hall

Kevin Reyes Cesar Guevara Guadalupe R

6:34:49
Unidentified

Dear Santa Ana City Council, Mayor Mesquah, everyone watching and anyone with an ear to hear. Although I wanted to speak at length about things that I've heard tonight, I'm going to stick to my guns and I come before you today requesting two things. That more parking be made available near Gerardo Muecki Park and in Ward 6 in general because I believe adding accessible parking in area will give it much needed rest and also to look into funding an indoor roller rink here in Santana with a legacy clause that aims to have it open for more than 51 years in order to obtain a

6:35:00
Unidentified

Californian Mills Act contract with an opt-out option available every 10 years if the venture is not successful as it is a hard venture to make. First, I'm a frequent skater at Garrardomuette Skate Park. I have also traveled around the area of Ward 6 for many years to do DoorDash and to work and I believe with the help of parking residents of Ward 6 will have a place to secure much needed rest and will slow down the flow of outsiders who take advantage of the busyness of the streets to get away with crime. A parking structure or whatever the residents would like

6:35:30
Unidentified

might serve the community well and the community deserves to be surveyed if they would like something like that of the sort. And secondly I ask that we look into funding a historic indoor roller rink in the flavor of Santa Ana with a wooden floor that can be passed down for generations What I have in mind is a Santa Ana ballroom with a wooden floor that can be ranged from Olympic roller skating to World Dance Sport Federation competitions. And Mayor Emesco, with you being a dancer, I think you would like that.

6:35:59
Unidentified

If we want it to be that way, the benefits would be tremendous, especially if we find it through grassroots advocacy and the rink lasts not only because it is profitable, but because the people want something to pass down to their younger generations. I also ask that it be made with a legacy clause, which aims to have the Royal Rink open for more than 50 years. Then it will be applicable for Mills Act status and a contract can be made, which would make the rink not only a historical resource contributor and an enormous asset, but also tremendously increase the value of all properties around it.

6:36:29
Unidentified

With cities like Orange struggling to adopt their own heritage commission, their historical Commission. I am proud to see that Santa Ana has had its historical commission adopted since 1998. That's awesome. That's why I humbly ask that the City Council look into these two possible items to avoid the fate other cities seem eager to embrace and to fight for what is good. God bless you all. God bless Santa Ana. God bless Los Angeles. God bless San Diego. and God bless California. And I still have a little bit of time, so I also just want to say, if you guys could also look into a kind of traveling

6:37:05
Unidentified

or like a travel commission or something of the sort, because I don't want to slow the bike lanes, but it would be serious trouble for streets to close down. The reason there's such a big prejudice against bikes is because people don't understand it and because it's not accessible to brown people like us. So please make it accessible. Thank you, guys.

6:37:45
Sonia R. Carvalho

thank you so yeah so mayor I just need to bring to your attention our resolution which does require me at 11 p.m. just to notify the full council that you need to make a decision on which items or the remainder of the speakers you'd like to hear tonight so that it must be done by a city council decision mayor I'm but

6:38:06
Valerie Amezcua

thank you madam city attorney I'm gonna make a motion that we hear the remainder of the speakers and that every item on this agenda be moved to October 20th so

6:38:25
Johnathan Ryan HernandezItem 17

we can have every item on october 20th that's my motion i'll make a sub motion madam mayor um to come back to the next meeting but i would like to move the consent calendar with the exception of item 17 lexapol i'd like to move the consent calendar and just have that item come back to us later so that way we have less city business i think we could be able to get through that

6:38:34
Valerie Amezcua

the only issue is if anybody's pulling an item and so um we'll be here for quite some time so there's a sub motion and then there's a motion madam clerk you want to take a vote please i made a motion to finish off the speakers because they've been waiting all night and then we move all other

6:38:56
Jennifer L. Hall

items to the 20th of october that's my motion that's the first motion i heard i did not hear a second then i heard a sub motion from councilmember hernandez to hear the remaining speakers and then to consider the consent calendar um which it sounds like then he would like to pull item 17 and continue that to 1020. That is correct, Madam Chair.

6:39:12
Jennifer L. Hall

But there was also no second.

6:39:34
Phil Bacerra

How many speakers do we have left?

6:39:35
Jennifer L. Hall

Looks to be about 12 speakers left. It's going to be a while.

6:39:43
Benjamin Vazquez

I second your motion.

6:39:46
Phil Bacerra

Jonathan Hernandez, Council Member Hernandez.

6:39:48
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

Thank you, Council Member.

6:39:50
Phil Bacerra

I'll actually second Mayor Mesquist's motion.

6:39:51
Thai Viet Phan

Can I do a sub-sub motion? Because I do have a question for staff.

6:39:56
Valerie Amezcua

there is a public hearing on the agenda so so councilmember Hernandez are you

6:39:59
Thai Viet Phan

saying to run the public excuse me the consent calendar and pulling your item to

6:40:11
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

the next agenda that is correct so I would like to move the consent calendar with the exception of item 17 the only item we would continue to the next meeting would be item 17 is along with the public hearing the council member requested items i am requesting to move every item on the consent calendar with the exception of 17 to be brought

6:40:18
Phil Bacerra

back at the next council meeting i'll do a sub sub motion and i'll i'll take council member hernandez's motion but but blend it with mayor mesquist let's let's finish all the public comments tonight and

6:40:36
Valerie Amezcua

we'll move the consent calendar i support that it's very important they've been waiting to speak for all night and so it's very important that we hear all the speakers can i can you take a role madam for so we'll sit here and debate among ourselves i'm blending i'm blending the two i'm

6:40:49
Phil Bacerra

saying let's finish all the public speakers correct and then we'll do the consent calendar minus

6:41:04
David Penaloza

minus 17 17. can we amend it to include the council requested items no otherwise we'll be

6:41:08
Jennifer L. Hall

no we're punting that in the morning no and you don't have to you can i'm sorry i don't understand the difference between your motion and council member her name okay i do understand so the motion

6:41:15
Sonia R. Carvalho

that i think um that councilman becerra made is to go ahead and finish listening to our speakers then when they're done take action on the consent calendar with the exception of 17 which will be continued to the next meeting and all other items on this agenda would be continued to the set to

6:41:23
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez

the next meeting bingo that was a submission there a second for that i'll second the motion yeah we

6:41:39
Valerie Amezcua

have a second let's take a vote so the speakers can finish please they've been here all night

6:41:47
Jennifer L. HallItem 27

were you the second i'm sorry yes so this is the second sub motion made by council member becerra seconded by council member hernandez to hear the remaining speakers to consider the consent count to approve the consent calendar with the exception of item number 17 continue they can't approve it

6:41:51
Sonia R. CarvalhoItem 27

it'll be that will take it after the public comment to consider the consent calendar after

6:42:07
Jennifer L. HallItem 27

the speakers are concluded and to continue the business calendar the council requested items and the housing authority agendas to 1020 because of the consideration of the consent calendar you can pull item 17 for I'm

6:42:13
Valerie AmezcuaItem 27

gonna pull them all so we're gonna be here till 2 in the morning

6:42:28
Jennifer L. HallItem 27

yes councilmember Fernandez yes councilmember Lopez yes councilmember fan yes council member vasquez yes mayor portempoena eliza yes mayor mesqua yes now can we finish with the speakers seven ayes no nays motion carries we will continue with the remaining public speakers

6:42:33
Valerie Amezcua

and just to be clear the consent calendar will be the only remaining vote that you will take this evening thank you says there'll be no council comments just the consent we're all clear on that No council comments. Thank you.

6:42:52
Jennifer L. Hall

The next four speakers, if you could please line up. Cesar Guevara, Guadalupe R., Ray Diaz, and Lorraine Sanchez.

6:43:10
Unidentified

Good evening. My name is Cesar Guevara. I reside in Ward 2. I'm here to speak on Agenda Item 31. I oppose the construction and implementation of any vehicle lane reduction protection vehicle lanes throughout the city, specifically the scope of work plan in the raid and and first street sanana is already one of the most densely populated cities in the state these bike lanes make traffic worse contrary to other comments earlier the majority of residents commute to work just observe all the major roads leading to freeways in the mornings the planned construction directly impacts the traffic leading

6:43:20
Unidentified

to schools like Carr Valley, John Adams, McFadden School. The current road already has significant traffic impeding adjacent streets to exit onto Raid Avenue in the mornings. The proposed project would make traffic worse, making visibility a safety concern. Speaking of safety, removing traffic lanes impacts directly how fast first responders can respond to emergencies, and that is something I believe should be highly considered, such as in this project. I urge you to support item number 31.

6:44:00
Unidentified

Thank you, and thank you, Major Pro Temp David Peñalosa, for bringing up this item. Thank you.

6:44:40
Jennifer L. Hall

Lorraine Sanchez? followed by Grace Logan and Mehran Tomajan.

6:44:55
Unidentified

Good evening. My name is Lorraine Sanchez. I'm also, I live in Ward 2. I was born and raised in Santana. I've lived here 42 years, and I've always lived along Wright. I lived on Edinger and Wright when I was born, right there in the apartments. We later moved to the neighborhood behind it, and now I'm raising my own family down rate in Willits. I commute down rate every single day. Unlike some of the people that spoke earlier that there's a lady from Irvine, there's people from other wards. I don't know how they are even giving their input into this

6:45:05
Unidentified

when they don't commute down this corridor every single day. I go, I take my kids to school, I come back home, I get ready, I go to work, I come back home. so I'm down rate all day long. There's already so much traffic there right now already. I was like I can't imagine how it would be if it was down to one lane but I can imagine because sometimes there's accidents sometimes there's construction like right now there's construction on Valley High School right there on rate so between Edinger and I don't know the the stoplight at Valley

6:45:44
Unidentified

right there it's closed to one lane it is horrible it added 10 minutes to my commute in the morning to take my kids to school I'm now sometimes my kids are like why is there so much traffic I don't know so we're going through the small streets so it's actually creating hazard and unsafe conditions for the smaller streets because people are now going to avoid going down rate which it's not solving the problem that a lot of people brought up the safety issue I think I'm not against bike lanes and for bike lanes, but not at the expense of

6:46:23
Unidentified

vehicle lanes. I think there's solutions to create bike lanes elsewhere. I also think there's solutions to slow down traffic with whether it's bumps or stops, anything like that. I do, we've always said, because again, born and raised down that street there's there there needs to be a slowdown in that street or cars whether it's bumps or another stop sign or a light because there's so many blind spots there and that's another thing that adding the bike lanes on willets I can't see coming out of there I cannot see

6:46:59
Unidentified

it's so difficult so many times you know it's like a car is hitting me or the bikes are coming which I mean there's rarely bikes but it still happens so you're always having to be so careful which is fine, you know, take the extra time. But this is gonna just add another problem. It's not really gonna solve the issue. So I really, I thank David for bringing this up and I hope you guys really reconsider this item, just this portion of the project. Thank you.

6:47:35
Jennifer L. Hall

Grace Logan.

6:48:09
Jennifer L. Hall

Miran Tomajan followed by Jasmine Palmarine

6:48:12
Unidentified

and gay olivos honorable mayor mezcua and members of the city council my name is miran tumajan and i'd like to provide public comment on agenda item 32 on behalf of the santa anna chamber of commerce and creta socal the commercial real estate development association of southern california i'd like to take this opportunity to thank the city of santa anna planning commission and city planning division staff for their thoughtful and efficient work throughout the comprehensive zoning code update process only one significant policy issue remains for santa ana's business and

6:48:15
Unidentified

commercial property owning communities and that's contractors yards which should be restored as a buy right use in the proposed m1 rii zone prior to the august 21st updated zoning map and zoning code the city's draft appropriately allowed contractors yards by right in the m1 rii zone the current draft version of the zoning code calls for contractors yards to be allowed under a conditional use permit in the M1RII zone. Requiring a CUP introduces unnecessary costs, delays, and uncertainty for the plumbers, electricians, and other contractors, some of whom are owner-operators who own and need

6:48:51
Unidentified

smaller industrial properties for their offices, equipment, work vehicles, and materials. These are precisely the types of small businesses Santa Ana should be working to retain and attract. They are not heavy, truck-intensive logistics operations, and they should not face an unnecessary discretionary permitting process simply to locate in an industrial zone designed to accommodate their operations. On behalf of the Santa Ana Chamber and CRETA-SOCAL, I respectfully ask the City Council to restore contractors' yards as a buy-right use in the M1RI zone and preserve the zoning certainty

6:49:29
Unidentified

that encourages small businesses, commercial and industrial property owners, and owner-operators to invest and reinvest in Santa Ana. Thank you.

6:50:04
Jennifer L. Hall

Jasmine Palmerine?

6:50:16
Unidentified

There's only a minute here. Are you going to put it back to three? Okay, thank you. Wow, I came here to speak on one issue, but I heard so much today and some of you need catcher's masks, huh?

6:50:29
Unidentified

Anyhow, you know I love Santa Ana. My name is Gail Levos. I live in Ward 5 in Willard. And you know my family's been in the city for over 120 years, so I love Santa Ana. And I kind of chuckle at some people that come to the podium and think they know what's best for Santa Ana, but they have a lot of living to do before they can make that decision. You have some serious decisions in front of you that are, and I feel for all of you, okay? The bike lanes, and I didn't come talk about the bike lanes, but I'm going to bring it in here because I'm a biker. I rode my bike here today, actually.

6:50:43
Unidentified

Actually, I came here earlier, and that was closed. They won't let me in, so I rode back home to finish watching the baseball game, and then I came back. So thank you, Valerie, for letting me speak because I came back a little bit too late.

6:51:16
Unidentified

But I ride throughout the city in a two-mile radius from my home.

6:51:27
Unidentified

I love the bike lanes, but there's nobody on them. I'm telling you now, I'm alone in those bike lanes. And I don't think it's right that you reduce a lane on a street for a bike lane. And I agree with the lady that just left. You have people coming to the city that not even ride their bikes, and yet they think they have an opinion on it.

6:51:33
Unidentified

So I like what you had said about the bike lanes. I think it's a, I think it's a, should have reduced roads for the lines. But anyways, I cannot talk about the one Broadway Plaza.

6:51:54
Unidentified

It was pathetic, the Sunshine meeting that they had the other night. I am so disappointed that you have allowed, or we have allowed this developer to get away with that. This is what they gave us. We were to put our questions on this card, okay, while standing in line at the Sunshine meeting. What was more disappointing was that staff was there, and you all got my email that I said, and I mentioned names on that email. I was extremely disappointed in the planning team that when we mentioned that the new Sunshine meeting had to be conducted, they basically said no, that they were going to accept it.

6:52:08
Unidentified

But I'm asking you not to accept that, but more importantly, I'm asking you to take this measure back to the voters. When the voters voted for this on Measure A, we didn't vote for this type of building. We did not. So the developer has changed the scope of work, and it's the voters who decide if that scope of work is acceptable. Not the Planning Commission, not the City Council, and not the developer. So what I'm asking for you to do is to be fair. Take this Measure A back to the voters and let the voters decide if they want this monstrosity 37-story building changed from business to residence.

6:52:45
Jennifer L. Hall

Mayor and City Council, that concludes the public speakers that are present. We'll now begin the Zoom speakers. When unmuted, please announce your name and the warder neighborhood you reside in within the city for the record.

6:53:30
Jennifer L. Hall

Jocelyn Pacheco.

6:53:46
Jennifer L. Hall

Please unmute and make your comment.

6:53:49
Jennifer L. Hall

you need to unmute if you're going to speak

6:53:58
Jennifer L. Hall

david martinez

6:54:11
Jennifer L. Hall

please unmute

6:54:16
Unidentified

hello madam mayor members of the city council my name is david martinez I'm here tonight after a fair long night to strongly oppose item number 31. Item 31 proposes a full and complete ban on any future work on protected bike lanes. This comes during a time when we have such dangerous conditions on Santa Ana's roads. This year alone, there have been four people that I can find that have died on Santa Ana streets while biking.

6:54:17
Unidentified

Robert Fore, Robert Pilgrim, Francois Primo, and Ray Flores all died on Santa Ana streets while riding their bike. This kind of measure that would prevent safety infrastructure from being implemented in Santa Ana is absolutely the wrong course of action. Yes, even one death on our roads is too many. We should prevent that from happening.

6:54:58
Unidentified

Additionally, the benefits of protected bike lanes for the environment, for bringing more people out riding their bikes is, you know, other people have already discussed all of that. I also want to just talk about for the planners in the room, maybe we should be encouraging a brighter future, a Santa Ana that 10, 20, 30 years from now will have people who can safely walk, bike and take transit across the city.

6:55:31
Unidentified

For any attorneys in the room, maybe we should think about how riding on Santa Ana streets currently can present some liability to the city because of the dangerous current conditions of Santa Ana roads. and for those of you who supported introducing speed cameras to santa anna which i do also support i will note that the funds that are received from the speed camera program can only be spent on certain things including bike lanes and road diets so if you support speed cameras you should also support the construction of the infrastructure that can only be funded with speed

6:56:05
Unidentified

cameras speed cameras can only go towards those things so i strongly urge you to oppose item 31 because we need to keep santa anna residents safe thank you

6:56:46
Jennifer L. Hall

jocelyn pacheco please unmute make your comment

6:57:06
Jennifer L. Hall

mayor and city council that concludes the speakers that were in the queue when we began public

6:57:24
Valerie Amezcua

comments thank you very much let's go to the consent please items one through 25 with the exception of item 17 i'll make a motion i'll second your motion madam mayor thank you madam city clerk once again and so the consent item one through 25 with the exception of item 17 and there's a second by Councilman Hernandez.

6:57:27
Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Motion by Mayor Mesquist, seconded by Councilman Hernandez to approve consent calendar items 7 through 25 with the exception of item number 17 continued to the meeting of 1020. Councilmember Becerra?

6:57:44
Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Councilmember Hernandez? Yes. Councilmember Lopez?

6:57:57
Thai Viet PhanItem 7

Councilmember Fan? Yes, but I have to announce my recusement from item number 11 as the Home Depot is a client of my employer, Rattan and Tucker. Thank you.

6:58:03
Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Council Member Vasquez?

6:58:13
Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Mayor Pro Tempena-Losa?

6:58:16
Jennifer L. HallItem 7

Mayor Mesquah? Yes. Votas six ayes, no nays, with a recorded absence by Council Member Lopez. Motion carries. Thank you.

6:58:18
Valerie Amezcua

This meeting is adjourned. Have a nice evening.

6:58:27